Maine tool dispensing device and system
First Claim
1. A system for dispensing tools for industrial, manufacturing, construction, maintenance or like operations, said system comprising:
- one or more automatic tool dispensers, each of said one or more automatic tool dispensers having a housing;
means for delivering comprising a plurality of separate delivery devices each operable to receive at least one of a plurality of different tools, said means for delivering disposed in each of said housings; and
means for controlling operation of said means for delivering, wherein at least a portion of said means for controlling is disposed in at least one of said housings, said means for controlling including;
at least one user means for entering data operatively connected to simultaneously operate a plurality of said separate delivery devices to deliver a plurality of different tools as a kit; and
processor means for automatically operating said means for delivering, wherein;
said processor means is adapted to receive and automatically respond to data from one or more of said user means for entering data to simultaneously operate a plurality of said separate delivery devices; and
and processor means automatically limits the operation of said means for delivering to authorized users identified by said user means for entering data.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system is provided for automatically dispensing machine tools, kits of tools and related supplies. The system includes one or more automatic tool dispensers interconnected and controlled by a host computer. Automatic tool dispensers may be placed at various locations about manufacturing and other facilities to provide decentralized distribution of reusable and perishable tools and supplies near work stations, providing constant, but controlled, access to tools. Data entry device are used to operate the automatic tool dispensers. Indicia may be entered to selectively operate the automatic tool dispensers to dispense a tool, or a plurality of tools as a kit. The data entry devices also provide data which can assist in inventory control, tracking and tool usage. Tool delivery system are provided in the automatic tool dispenser including adjustable helical coil delivery devices and robotic delivery systems. Tool return devices are also provided which permit reuse of used tools, recycling of worn-out tools, and additional data regarding use.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A system for dispensing tools for industrial, manufacturing, construction, maintenance or like operations, said system comprising:
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one or more automatic tool dispensers, each of said one or more automatic tool dispensers having a housing; means for delivering comprising a plurality of separate delivery devices each operable to receive at least one of a plurality of different tools, said means for delivering disposed in each of said housings; and means for controlling operation of said means for delivering, wherein at least a portion of said means for controlling is disposed in at least one of said housings, said means for controlling including; at least one user means for entering data operatively connected to simultaneously operate a plurality of said separate delivery devices to deliver a plurality of different tools as a kit; and processor means for automatically operating said means for delivering, wherein; said processor means is adapted to receive and automatically respond to data from one or more of said user means for entering data to simultaneously operate a plurality of said separate delivery devices; and and processor means automatically limits the operation of said means for delivering to authorized users identified by said user means for entering data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system for dispensing tools for industrial, manufacturing, construction, maintenance or like operations, said system comprising:
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one or more automatic tool dispensers, each of said one or more automatic tool dispensers having ah housing; means for delivering one or more of a plurality of tools, said means for delivering disposed in each said housing; and means for controlling operation of said means for delivering, wherein at least a portion of said means for controlling is disposed in at least one said housing, said means for controlling including; at least one user means for entering data; and processor means for automatically operating said means for delivering, wherein said processor means is adapted to receive and respond to data from one or more of said user means for entering data, and said processor means automatically limits the operation of said means for delivering to authorized users identified by said user means for entering data; and wherein one or more of said automatic tool dispensers includes means for returning tools thereto, said means for returning tools comprising; a return aperture defined in said housing; a return door for substantially opening and closing access to said return aperture; a return bin disposed in said housing positioned to receive tools entering said housing through said return aperture; and wherein; said means for controlling includes means for locking said return door; said user means for entering data is adapted to receive indicia to unlock said return door; and said processor means is adapted to receive data regarding returned tools from said user means for entering data; whereby a user may return one or more tools to said return bin.
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24. A method for dispensing tools for use in industrial, manufacturing, construction or maintenance operations, said method comprising:
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providing a system including one or more automatic tool dispensers, each of said one or more automatic tool dispensers having;
a housing;
means for delivering one or more of a plurality of tools, said means for delivering disposed in at least one of said housings; and
means for controlling operation of said means for delivering, at least a portion of said means for controlling disposed in said housing; and
wherein said means for controlling further includes;
processor means for automatically operating said means for delivering; and
user means for entering data;initially defining with indicia separate item numbers and descriptions related to tools disposed in one or more of said housings, and initially defining with indicia separate item numbers and description related to one or more kits comprised of a plurality of tools; and initially entering and storing said indicia in said processor means; selectively operating said system by entering indicia related to at least one said kit at said user means for entering data to automatically operate a plurality of said means for delivering to deliver a plurality of tools in said kit; and substantially simultaneously dispensing a plurality of tools to the user. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for dispensing and returning tools for use in industrial, manufacturing, construction or maintenance operations, said method comprising:
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providing a system including; one or more automatic tool dispensers, each of said ones or more automatic toll dispensers having a housing; means for delivering one or more of a plurality of tools, said means for delivering disposed in at least one of said housing; means for controlling operation of said means for delivering, at least a portion of said means for controlling disposed in one said housing, said means for controlling including; at least one user means for entering data; processor means for automatically operating said means for delivering wherein said processor means is adapted to receive and respond to data from one or more of said user means for entering data, and said processor means automatically limits the operation of said means for delivering to authorized users identified by said user means for entering data; and wherein one or more of said automatic tool dispensers includes means for returning tools thereto, said means for returning including a return aperture defined in said housing, a return door for substantially opening and closing access to said return aperture, and a receiving means positioned to receive tools entering said housing through said return aperture; and wherein said means for controlling includes means for locking said return door, and said user means for entering data is adapted to receive indicia to unlock said return door, and said processor means is adapted to receive data regarding returned tools from said user means for entering data; initially defining with indicia separate item numbers and descriptions related to one or more tools disposed in one or more of said housings; initially entering and storing said indicia in said processor means; selectively operating said system by entering indicia related to at least one of said tools at said user means for entering data to automatically operate one or more of said means for delivering and deliver one or more tools; dispensing one or more tools to the user; and returning one or more tools to at least one of said automatic tool dispensers after use of said one or more tools, said step of returning including the steps of; entering indicia at said user means for entering data to unlock said return door; and entering indicia related to said one or more tools being returned into said processor means using said user means for entering data; and returning said one or more tools through said return door and return aperture to said receiving means.
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Specification