Structural rib assemblies for container shuttle rails

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12264015-B1
Application number	US-202117333692-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	May 28, 2021
Priority date	May 28, 2021
Publication date	Apr 1, 2025
Grant date	Apr 1, 2025

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for structural rib assemblies for container shuttle rails. In one embodiment, an example system for a shuttle may include a rib assembly. The rib assembly may include a first plate with a first tab on a first lateral side, a second tab on a second lateral side, a first cutout disposed adjacent to the first tab, a second cutout disposed adjacent to the second tab, and a third cutout disposed along an upper portion of the first plate. The rib assembly may include a second plate coupled to the first plate, the second plate having a third tab on a first lateral side, a fourth tab on a second lateral side, a fourth cutout disposed adjacent to the third tab, a fifth cutout disposed adjacent to the fourth tab, and a sixth cutout disposed along an upper portion of the second plate.

First claim

That which is claimed is:

1. A system for a shuttle, the system comprising:
a rib assembly comprising:
a first plate comprising a first tab on a first lateral side, a second tab on a second lateral side, a first cutout disposed adjacent to the first tab, a second cutout disposed adjacent to the second tab, and a third cutout disposed along an upper portion of the first plate;
a second plate coupled to the first plate, the second plate comprising a third tab on a first lateral side, a fourth tab on a second lateral side, a fourth cutout disposed adjacent to the third tab, a fifth cutout disposed adjacent to the fourth tab, and a sixth cutout disposed along an upper portion of the second plate; and
a set of spacers configured to separate the first plate from the second plate; and

a track comprising a first rail segment having a first slot and a second rail segment having a second slot;
wherein the first slot and the second slot are at a same vertical position relative to lower edges of the respective first rail segment and second rail segment, and wherein the first slot and the second slot have a first height.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the rib assembly further comprises:
a set of coupling components configured to couple the first plate to the second plate;
wherein the set of coupling components are removably positioned in apertures formed in respective spacers of the set of spacers.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first plate further comprises a fifth tab extending from the upper portion along the third cutout, and the second plate further comprises a sixth tab extending from the upper portion along the sixth cutout.

4. The system of claim 3 , further comprising:
a linear motor coupled to the rib assembly and at least partially disposed in the third cutout and the sixth cutout;
wherein the fifth tab and the sixth tab are configured to engage a slot in a housing of the linear motor.

5. The system of claim 4 , further comprising:
a nut; and
a bolt configured to engage both the nut and the linear motor;
wherein the first plate further comprises a first slot, and the second plate further comprises a second slot, wherein the first slot and the second slot define a nut receptacle configured to receive the nut between the first plate and the second plate.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first plate further comprises a first hook disposed along a lower portion of the first plate, and a second hook disposed along the lower portion of the first plate, the system further comprising:
a wire trough coupled to the first hook and the second hook.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first plate and the second plate are non-aluminum metal plates.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first rail segment further comprises a first aperture disposed on a first side of the first slot, and a second aperture disposed on a second side of the first slot; and
wherein the first aperture and the second aperture have a diameter equal to the first height.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the rib assembly further comprises:
a member disposed in the first cutout of the first plate and the fourth cutout of the second plate.

10. The system of claim 9 , further comprising:
a bolt configured to pass through the first aperture of the first rail segment and the member to couple the rib assembly to the track.

11. A rib assembly for use between a first rail segment and a second rail segment of a track, the rib assembly comprising:
a first plate comprising a first tab on a first lateral side, a second tab on a second lateral side, a first cutout disposed adjacent to the first tab, a second cutout disposed adjacent to the second tab, a ninth cutout adjacent to the first cutout, and a tenth cutout adjacent to the second cutout;
a second plate coupled to the first plate, the second plate comprising a third tab on a first lateral side, a fourth tab on a second lateral side, a fourth cutout disposed adjacent to the third tab, a fifth cutout disposed adjacent to the fourth tab, a seventh cutout adjacent to the fourth cutout, and an eighth cutout adjacent to the fifth cutout;
a set of spacers configured to separate the first plate from the second plate; and
a set of coupling components configured to couple the first plate to the second plate, wherein the set of coupling components are removably positioned in apertures formed in respective spacers of the set of spacers.

12. The rib assembly of claim 11 , wherein the first plate further comprises a third cutout disposed along an upper portion of the first plate, and wherein the second plate further comprises a sixth cutout disposed along an upper portion of the second plate.

13. The rib assembly of claim 12 , wherein the first plate further comprises a fifth tab extending from the upper portion along the third cutout, and the second plate further comprises a sixth tab extending from the upper portion along the sixth cutout.

14. The rib assembly of claim 11 , wherein the first plate further comprises a first hook disposed along a lower portion of the first plate, and a second hook disposed along the lower portion of the first plate, the first hook and the second hook configured to receive a wire trough.

15. A system for a shuttle, the system comprising:
a rib assembly comprising:
a first plate comprising a first tab on a first lateral side, a second tab on a second lateral side, a first cutout disposed adjacent to the first tab, a second cutout disposed adjacent to the second tab, a third cutout disposed along an upper portion of the first plate, and a fifth tab extending from the upper portion along the third cutout;
a second plate coupled to the first plate, the second plate comprising a third tab on a first lateral side, a fourth tab on a second lateral side, a fourth cutout disposed adjacent to the third tab, a fifth cutout disposed adjacent to the fourth tab, a sixth cutout disposed along an upper portion of the second plate, and a sixth tab extending from the upper portion along the sixth cutout; and
a set of spacers configured to separate the first plate from the second plate; and

a linear motor coupled to the rib assembly and at least partially disposed in the third cutout and the sixth cutout;
wherein the fifth tab and the sixth tab are configured to engage a slot in a housing of the linear motor.

16. The system of claim 15 , further comprising:
a nut; and
a bolt configured to engage both the nut and the linear motor;
wherein the first plate further comprises a first slot, and the second plate further comprises a second slot, wherein the first slot and the second slot define a nut receptacle configured to receive the nut between the first plate and the second plate.

17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the rib assembly further comprises:
a set of coupling components configured to couple the first plate to the second plate;
wherein the set of coupling components are removably positioned in apertures formed in respective spacers of the set of spacers.

18. The system of claim 15 , wherein the first plate further comprises a first hook disposed along a lower portion of the first plate, and a second hook disposed along the lower portion of the first plate, the system further comprising:
a wire trough coupled to the first hook and the second hook.

Assignees

• Amazon Tech Inc

Inventors

• Bray Michael Alan

Classifications

• B65G54/02 Primary

  electrostatic, electric, or magnetic · CPC title

• B61B10/001

  Arrangements for routing vehicles · CPC title

• B65G21/02 Primary

  consisting essentially of struts, ties, or like structural elements · CPC title