IP Library Granted Patent US 12,351,092
Granted Patent B2
US 12,351,092 · App. 17/323,595 · Granted Jul 8, 2025

Tray, belt, or carrier on computer controlled transport vehicle

Inventors: Michael C. Futch (Raleigh, NC); James M. Serstad (Raleigh, NC)
Assignee: Tompkins Robotics, Inc.
B60P1/38B60P1/04B60P3/007
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,351,092
App. No.
17/323,595
Granted
Jul 8, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Method of transporting an article with a computer controlled transport vehicle to a destination includes transporting an article carried by a computer controlled transport vehicle to a destination, wherein a tray, belt, or carrier attached to the computer controlled transport vehicle engages the article. The method further includes determining a characteristic for the article. The method furthermore includes manipulating the tray, belt, or carrier from a first position to a second position to deposit the article at the destination, wherein the manipulation of the tray, belt, or carrier is adjusted based on the characteristic determined for the article to adjust a deposit characteristic of the article.

Claims (25)

1. A control system configured for use with transporting an article with a computer controlled transport vehicle to a destination, the control system comprising a memory and a processor, the control system configured to:

transport an article carried by the computer controlled transport vehicle to the destination, wherein a tray, belt, or carrier attached to the computer controlled transport vehicle engages the article, wherein a characteristic is determined for the article,

manipulate the tray, belt, or carrier from a first position to a second position to deposit the article at the destination, wherein the manipulation of the tray, belt, or carrier is adjusted based on the characteristic determined for the article to adjust a deposit characteristic of the article,

wherein the manipulation of the tray, belt, or carrier from the first position to the second position occurs over a specific span of time, wherein the specific span of time is based on the characteristic determined for the article.

2. The system of claim 1 , where in the deposit characteristic comprises one or more of: a deposit speed, a deposit acceleration, a deposit angle, a deposit period, and a deposit movement.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the deposit characteristic is the deposit angle, wherein the deposit angle is configured to overcome a force of static electricity between the article and a surface of the tray, belt or carrier.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the system is further configured to: set a first deposit angle for a first article, and set a second deposit angle different from the first deposit angle for a second article.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the destination is a receptacle, wherein the manipulation of the tray, belt, or carrier from the first position to the second position causes the article to deposit at the receptacle.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the receptacle is a tote, a carton, a bag or a Gaylord liner.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control system is further configured to: adjust an acceleration of a speed of the manipulation of the tray, belt, or carrier from the first position to the second position to cause the article to slide across a tray surface, traverse a belt, or move away from the computer controlled transport vehicle, and deposit at the destination.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control system is further configured to: adjust a deceleration of a speed of the manipulation of the tray, belt, or carrier from the first position to the second position to cause the article to slide across a tray surface, traverse a belt, or move away from the computer controlled transport vehicle, and deposit at the destination.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tray includes a tilting divert mechanism, wherein the system is further configured to manipulate the tray from the first position to the second position such that an edge of the tray traverses a parabolic path during the manipulation of the tray.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is further configured to adjust a diverting attribute of a diverting arm to deposit the article at the destination, the diverting attribute based on the characteristic determined for the article.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is further configured to adjust a pushing attribute of a pushing device to deposit the article at the destination, the pushing attribute based on the characteristic determined for the article.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the pushing attribute comprises one or more of: a pushing speed, a pushing angle, a pushing period, and a pushing movement.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein an operating parameter of the computer controlled transport vehicle is adjusted based on a destination type.

14. A control system configured for use with transporting an article with a computer controlled transport vehicle to a destination, the control system comprising a memory and a processor, the control system configured to:

transport an article carried by the computer controlled transport vehicle to the destination, wherein a tray, belt, or carrier attached to the computer controlled transport vehicle engages the article, wherein a characteristic is determined for the article,

manipulate the tray, belt, or carrier from a first position to a second position to deposit the article at the destination, wherein the manipulation of the tray, belt, or carrier is adjusted based on the characteristic determined for the article to adjust a deposit characteristic of the article,

wherein the destination is a receptacle, wherein the manipulation of the tray, belt, or carrier from the first position to the second position causes the article to deposit at the receptacle

wherein the receptacle is a tote, a carton, a bag or a Gaylord liner.

15. A control system configured for use with transporting an article with a computer controlled transport vehicle to a destination, the control system comprising a memory and a processor, the control system configured to:

transport an article carried by the computer controlled transport vehicle to the destination, wherein a tray, belt, or carrier attached to the computer controlled transport vehicle engages the article, wherein a characteristic is determined for the article,

manipulate the tray, belt, or carrier from a first position to a second position to deposit the article at the destination, wherein the manipulation of the tray, belt, or carrier is adjusted based on the characteristic determined for the article to adjust a deposit characteristic of the article,

wherein the tray includes a tilting divert mechanism, wherein the system is further configured to manipulate the tray from the first position to the second position such that an edge of the tray traverses a parabolic path during the manipulation of the tray.

Assignments (4)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 27, 2026
From: TOMPKINS ROBOTICS, INC.
To: GLP GV CHINA 2 HOLDINGS LIMITED, AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO GLP CHINA HOLDINGS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 074490/0472 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 9, 2021
From: TOMPKINS INTERNATIONAL
To: TOMPKINS ROBOTICS, LLC
Reel/Frame 056485/0752 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 9, 2021
From: FUTCH, MICHAEL C.; SERSTAD, JAMES M.
To: TOMPKINS INTERNATIONAL
Reel/Frame 056528/0270 →
ENTITY CONVERSION Recorded Jun 9, 2021
From: TOMPKINS ROBOTICS, LLC
To: TOMPKINS ROBOTICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 056528/0365 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation PCTUS2019050191 · Sep 9, 2019
Provisional Application 62792111 · Jan 14, 2019
Provisional Application 62771621 · Nov 27, 2018
Related Publication 20210268951A1 · Sep 2, 2021
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Cited By (1)
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