The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 22, 2020
Filed:
Dec. 26, 2018
Tompkins International, Raleigh, NC (US);
Michael C. Futch, Raleigh, NC (US);
James M. Serstad, Orlando, FL (US);
Ryan Fehrenbacher, Chicago, IL (US);
Milan Patel, Cleveland, OH (US);
Ray Wells, Asheville, NC (US);
Steven Wu, Raleigh, NC (US);
Richard C. Kaminska, III, Orlando, FL (US);
James Edouard, Orlando, FL (US);
Denny McKnight, Raleigh, NC (US);
John C. Spain, Raleigh, NC (US);
TOMPKINS INTERNATIONAL, Raleigh, NC (US);
Abstract
A platform assembly for use with sorting articles includes a first panel including a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a track on the first panel for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes one or more magnetic characteristics for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. The platform assembly defines a first orientation in which the platform assembly is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform assembly is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. During operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and the orientation of the marker.