Robotic system and method for collecting and dispensing regular and irregular shaped objects
First Claim
1. A robotic system for collecting and dispensing regular and irregular shaped objects, comprising:
- a chassis;
transport means for supporting the chassis for movement along a support surface over which are spread one or more regular or irregular shaped objects;
first drive means for powering the transport means;
a transversely extending, forwardly opening receptacle for receiving and holding the objects;
means for mounting the receptacle to the chassis for movement about a substantially horizontal axis between a lowered collecting position and a raised dumping position for dispensing the objects into a collection bin;
second drive means for moving the receptacle between its lowered and raised positions;
a pair of sweeper gates;
means for pivotally mounting each sweeper gate at a corresponding end of the receptacle for pivotal motion about a corresponding vertical axis when the receptacle is in its lowered collecting position so that working together the pair of sweeper gates can rotate between fully open and fully closed positions to entrap and pull the objects into the receptacle when they are within a predetermined proximity of the receptacle;
third drive means for moving the sweeper gates between their fully open and fully closed positions; and
means remote from the chassis for allowing an operator to control the first, second and third drive means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Wheels, endless treads, or articulating legs powered by a first drive mechanism support a chassis for movement along a support surface over which are spread one or more regular or irregular shaped objects. A transversely extending, forwardly opening receptacle is mounted to the chassis for receiving and holding the objects. The receptacle is movable by a second drive mechanism about a substantially horizontal axis between a lowered collecting position and a raised dumping position for dispensing collected objects into a collection bin. Working together a pair of sweeper gates mounted at opposite ends of the receptacle can be rotated by a third drive mechanism about respective vertical axes between fully open and fully closed positions. The sweeper gates entrap and pull objects into the receptacle when they are within a predetermined proximity of the receptacle. A remote control allows an operator to control the first, second and third drive mechanisms.
21 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A robotic system for collecting and dispensing regular and irregular shaped objects, comprising:
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a chassis;
transport means for supporting the chassis for movement along a support surface over which are spread one or more regular or irregular shaped objects;
first drive means for powering the transport means;
a transversely extending, forwardly opening receptacle for receiving and holding the objects;
means for mounting the receptacle to the chassis for movement about a substantially horizontal axis between a lowered collecting position and a raised dumping position for dispensing the objects into a collection bin;
second drive means for moving the receptacle between its lowered and raised positions;
a pair of sweeper gates;
means for pivotally mounting each sweeper gate at a corresponding end of the receptacle for pivotal motion about a corresponding vertical axis when the receptacle is in its lowered collecting position so that working together the pair of sweeper gates can rotate between fully open and fully closed positions to entrap and pull the objects into the receptacle when they are within a predetermined proximity of the receptacle;
third drive means for moving the sweeper gates between their fully open and fully closed positions; and
means remote from the chassis for allowing an operator to control the first, second and third drive means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A robotic method for collecting and dispensing regular and irregular shaped objects, comprising the steps of:
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approaching one or more regular and irregular shaped objects spread over a support surface with a forwardly opening receptacle in a lowered collecting position;
rotating a pair of sweeper gates mounted on opposite ends of the receptacle to entrap the objects and pull them into the receptacle when the objects are within a predetermined proximity of the receptacle;
returning the receptacle to a collection bin; and
elevating the receptacle to a raised dumping position to dispense the collected objects into the collection bin.
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Specification