Systems, methods, and apparatuses for controlling objects being unloaded from a storage vehicle or structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11827464-B2
Application number	US-202217687171-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 4, 2022
Priority date	Nov 8, 2018
Publication date	Nov 28, 2023
Grant date	Nov 28, 2023

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for controlling objects being loaded or unloaded from a storage structure or vehicle, such as a trailer. In example embodiments, a plurality of parcels may be stored in or on a trailer that is attached to a cab of a delivery vehicle. Upon arrival at a deposit location, the trailer loaded with the one or more parcels may be removably secured to a an adjustable platform designed to be raised to a predetermined angle for unloading of the one or more parcels. Once the adjustable platform is raised to the predetermined angle, a plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms may be configured to pivot, allowing for the movement of a controlled volume of the one or more parcels onto the receiving platform.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for controlling a volume of objects, the system comprising:
a storage structure comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end, a rear end, a plurality of storage compartments configured to store one or more objects, and a plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms removably secured to the bottom surface of the storage structure and configured to separate each of the plurality of storage compartments from one another; and
a controller connected to a computing system, the controller configured to:
pivot a first adjustable dividing mechanism of the plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms upward toward the top surface of the storage structure, wherein the pivoting is configured to at least partially cause a sequential unload of a first group of the one or more objects from a first storage compartment of the plurality of storage compartments.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second adjustable dividing mechanism, of the plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms, wherein the controller is configured to pivot the second adjustable dividing mechanism upward toward the top surface of the storage structure.

3. The system of claim 2 , based on the pivoting of the second adjustable dividing mechanism, a second group of the one or more objects from a second storage compartment of the plurality of storage compartments is unloaded subsequent to the sequential unloading of the first group.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to determine when each adjustable dividing mechanism, of the plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms, should be pivoted to allow the first group of the one or more objects to be released for deposit onto a receiving platform.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable platform connected to the storage structure, the adjustable platform being configured to be raised, wherein the raising of the adjustable platform further causes the sequential unload of the first group.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the adjustable platform is positioned to a first predetermined angle by an actuator.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the adjustable platform is further adjusted to a second predetermined angle, the second predetermined angle being greater than the first predetermined angle.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a receiving platform configured to receive the first group of the one or more objects based on the sequential unload.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the receiving platform is included in a conveyor.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the storage structure includes a cargo trailer.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sequential unload of the first group of the one or more objects occurs at a logistic carrier's facility.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first group of the one or more objects is unloaded from a rear door of the storage structure.

13. A storage structure comprising:
a top surface;
a bottom surface;
a plurality of storage compartments at least partially defined by the top surface and the bottom surface, the plurality of storage compartments being configured to store one or more objects; and
a plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms coupled to the bottom surface of the storage structure and configured to separate each of the plurality of storage compartments from one another, wherein a first adjustable dividing mechanism, of the plurality of adjustable dividing mechanism, is configured to pivot upward toward the top surface of the storage structure, and wherein a first group of the one or more objects is configured to be unloaded from a first storage compartment, of the plurality of storage compartments, onto a receiving platform.

14. The storage structure of claim 1 , further comprising a second adjustable dividing mechanism, of the plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms, wherein the second adjustable dividing mechanism is configured to pivot upward toward the top surface of the storage structure.

15. The storage structure of claim 14 , based on the pivoting of the second adjustable dividing mechanism, a second group of the one or more objects from a second storage compartment of the plurality of storage compartments is unloaded subsequent to the unloading of the first group.

16. The storage structure of claim 13 , wherein a computer system is configured to determine when each adjustable dividing mechanism, of the plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms, should be pivoted to allow the first group of the one or more objects to be released for deposit onto the receiving platform.

17. The storage structure of claim 13 , wherein the receiving platform is included in a conveyor.

18. The storage structure of claim 13 , wherein the storage structure includes a cargo trailer.

19. A system for controlling a volume of objects, the system comprising:
a storage structure comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of storage compartments configured to store one or more objects, and a plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms coupled to the bottom surface or the top surface of the storage structure and configured to separate each of the plurality of storage compartments from one another; and
a controller connected to a computing system, the controller configured to:
pivot a first adjustable dividing mechanism, of the plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms, wherein the pivoting is configured to at least partially cause an unload of a first group of the one or more objects from a first storage compartment, of the plurality of storage compartments, onto a receiving platform.

20. The system of claim 19 , further comprising a second adjustable dividing mechanism, of the plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms, wherein the controller is configured to pivot the second adjustable dividing mechanism upward toward the top surface of the storage structure.

Assignees

• United parcel service america inc

Inventors

• Stenson Joel

Classifications

• B65G65/23 Primary

  Devices for tilting and emptying of containers · CPC title

• B65G65/005

  Control arrangements · CPC title

• B65G67/46

  Apparatus for lifting and tilting · CPC title

• B65G67/54

  Vehicle-locking means · CPC title

• B65G69/003

  Restraining movement of a vehicle at a loading station using means not being part of the vehicle · CPC title