Ward P Broom

US Patent:

6502718, Jan 7, 2003

Filed:

Mar 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/812041

Inventors:

Robert M. Fitzgerald - Norcross GA
Ward P. Broom - Snellville GA
Warren Lee Williams - Grayson GA

Assignee:

Innovative Product Achievements, Inc. - Duluth GA

International Classification:

B65G 5900

US Classification:

221131, 312 42

Abstract:

A dispenser for dispensing articles such as scrub garments. The dispenser includes a housing that defines an interior portion, a foldable, wheeled distribution cartridge defining an orthogonal array of receptacles for receiving items to be distributed from the dispenser; and a main door for controlling access to the interior of each of the various receptacles. The main door defines a plurality of rectangular horizontal openings, each of which aligns with a horizontal row of receptacles within the distribution cartridge. Access to each of these horizontal openings is controlled by a lockable main door. A flexible receptacle door having a vertical opening is mounted on mechanically-driven rollers on the interior of the main door. The receptacle door may be moved laterally relative to the receptacles so that the vertical opening aligns with any column of receptacles within the distribution cartridge. The dispenser allows a user access to the interior of a target receptacle while simultaneously preventing access to all other receptacles in the cartridge by laterally aligning the vertical access slot of the receptacle door with the target receptacle and then unlocking only the user door that covers the row of receptacles that includes the target receptacle.

US Patent:

7428447, Sep 23, 2008

Filed:

Sep 26, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/236214

Inventors:

Robert Stonikas - Duluth GA, US
Daniel E. Weyen - Duluth GA, US
Ward P. Broom - Snellville GA, US
Robert M. Fitzgerald - Norcross GA, US

Assignee:

Innovative Product Achievements, Inc. - Duluth GA

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

700244, 700236, 700240, 700241

Abstract:

An inventory management system for use, for example, in automatically distributing items (such as laundered items) to users within a particular facility (e. g. , a hospital), and for monitoring the amount (e. g. , weight) of items distributed by the system. The system may include, for example, at least one automated dispenser having a weighing mechanism (e. g. , a scale) for measuring the weight of its inventory and for periodically transmitting this information to a computer system associated with a particular item processing facility (e. g. , a laundry facility). The computer system may then use this information, for example, to predict the amount of incoming items (e. g. , dirty laundry) to be processed by the item processing facility during an upcoming time period. The computer system may also use this information for other purposes, such as predicting the amount of items that will need to be loaded into the system's dispensers during an upcoming time period.

US Patent:

7628410, Dec 8, 2009

Filed:

May 4, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/744387

Inventors:

Robert M. Fitzgerald - Norcross GA, US
Kyle Joiner - Roswell GA, US
Ward P. Broom - Snellville GA, US

Assignee:

Innovative Product Achievements, Inc. - Duluth GA

International Classification:

B62B 3/00
B62B 5/00

US Classification:

280 4735, 280651, 280647, 280650, 280 4719, 280 4726, 280 4734, 280 8701

Abstract:

A method of loading a cart into an enclosure, according to various embodiments of the invention, comprises the steps of: (A) providing a cart having a first end and a second end, the cart comprising at least one swiveled wheel adjacent the first end, and at least two non-swiveled wheels adjacent the second end, the swiveled and non-swiveled wheels being adapted to facilitate the rolling movement of the cart over a surface; (B) positioning the at least two non-swiveled wheels on a wheeled platform so that the non-swiveled wheels are supported by the wheeled platform; and (C) while the non-swiveled wheels are supported by the wheeled platform, and while the at least one swiveled wheel is disposed on a support surface adjacent an interior portion of the enclosure, using the wheeled platform and the at least one swiveled wheel to roll the cart into the interior portion of the enclosure.

US Patent:

7874562, Jan 25, 2011

Filed:

Jul 16, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/778422

Inventors:

Robert M. Fitzgerald - Norcross GA, US
Kyle Joiner - Roswell GA, US
Ward P. Broom - Snellville GA, US

International Classification:

B62B 3/00

US Classification:

280 4734, 280 7911, 280761

Abstract:

Various embodiments of the wheel positioning assembly are adapted for facilitating the insertion of a cart into an enclosure. In certain embodiments, the cart comprises: (1) first and second fixed front wheels that are disposed adjacent opposite front lateral sides of the cart; and (2) first and second swiveled rear wheels disposed adjacent opposite lateral side of the cart. In various embodiments, the wheel positioning assembly comprises: (1) a first wheel guide for physically guiding the first, fixed front wheel into a desired first-front-wheel position in which the first front wheel is disposed within the dispenser and adjacent a first wheel barrier; and (2) a locking mechanism for selectively maintaining the second rear wheel in a desired second-rear-wheel position within the dispenser. The first wheel barrier and the locking mechanism may selectively cooperate to physically prevent removal of the cart from the enclosure.

US Patent:

8123071, Feb 28, 2012

Filed:

Sep 28, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/864096

Inventors:

Robert M. Fitzgerald - Norcross GA, US
Ward P. Broom - Snellville GA, US
Keith Stallings - Dacula GA, US
Kyle Joiner - Roswell GA, US

International Classification:

B65G 59/00

US Classification:

221129, 221130, 221131, 221124, 221125, 312 42

Abstract:

Improvements to increase the speed at which a vending machine can dispense articles are disclosed. In various embodiments, the machine defines plural first arrays of receptacles for receiving articles with the first arrays stacked so that adjacent receptacles in the first arrays form second arrays. A separate user door closes each first array of receptacles, a slot door assembly provides a plurality of receptacle doors operative to open a particular receptacle when the user door is unlocked, and a slot access mechanism provides access to a particular receptacle. The machine waits a specified time period after dispensing to detect whether a subsequent user request is received. If a subsequent user request is received, the machine moves the slot access mechanism directly to a receptacle where the articles are available. Additional improvements include procedures for avoiding problems caused by misaligned doors and procedures for providing optimal article stocking.

US Patent:

20040206462, Oct 21, 2004

Filed:

Apr 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/414581

Inventors:

Robert Fitzgerald - Norcross GA, US
Ward Broom - Snellville GA, US
Joel Eisler - Lawrenceville GA, US
Kyle Joiner - Roswell GA, US

Assignee:

Innovative Product Achievements, Inc.

International Classification:

E06B009/15

US Classification:

160/231100

Abstract:

A reduced friction, quiet, flexible door for use with dispensers and enclosures such as garages and warehouses. The door preferably comprises a first slat, a second slat, and one or more flexible elongate members for maintaining the first slat relative to the second slat so that when the flexible door is in a closed position, the first slat is spaced apart from the second slat. The door is preferably also configured to maintain the first slat relative to the second slat so that the first slat does not contact the second slat as the door is moved between an open and a closed position. In one embodiment of the invention, the door comprises three or more slats that are linked together so that they do not substantially engage each other while the door is closed or while the door is being moved between an open and a closed position.

US Patent:

20040245272, Dec 9, 2004

Filed:

Apr 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/414579

Inventors:

Robert Fitzgerald - Norcross GA, US
Ward Broom - Snellville GA, US
Joel Eisler - Lawrenceville GA, US
Kyle Joiner - Roswell GA, US

Assignee:

Innovative Product Achievements, Inc.

International Classification:

G07F011/06

US Classification:

221/090000

Abstract:

A compact automated dispenser for quickly and quietly dispensing hospital linens or other items while tracking the dispenser's inventory. The dispenser preferably includes a flexible “roll-up door” that opens by rolling onto a door support, such as a roller, within the top portion of the dispenser. This makes it possible to open the door without swinging the door outwardly from the front surface of the dispenser. Alternatively, the door may be mounted on tracks to slide into the dispenser when the door is opened. A control system controls access to items within the dispenser, and closes the door automatically in response to one or more predetermined events. Such predetermined events include: (1) the passage of a pre-determined period of time; (2) a user activating a “close door” button; or (3) a sensor failing to detect the presence of a user within the proximity of the dispenser for a pre-determined period of time.

US Patent:

20080272141, Nov 6, 2008

Filed:

Jul 16, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/778425

Inventors:

Robert M. Fitzgerald - Norcross GA, US
Kyle Joiner - Roswell GA, US
Ward P. Broom - Snellville GA, US

Assignee:

INNOVATIVE PRODUCT ACHIEVEMENTS, INC. - Duluth GA

International Classification:

A47F 1/04

US Classification:

221154

Abstract:

A cart positioning assembly that is adapted for guiding a wheeled cart into a desired target cart position within an enclosure (e.g., a dispenser) by engaging a body portion of the cart and thereby guiding the movement of the body portion as the cart moves into the target cart position. In particular embodiments: (1) the cart includes at least one front fixed wheel and at least one swiveled rear wheel; (2) the front fixed wheel is in a target fixed-wheel position when the cart is in the target cart position; (3) the swiveled rear wheel is in a target swiveled-wheel position when the cart is in the target cart position; (4) the cart positioning assembly is adapted to facilitate a sliding movement of the fixed wheel into the target fixed-wheel position; and (5) the cart positioning assembly is adapted to facilitate a rolling movement of the swiveled wheel into the target swiveled-wheel position.