Work part delivery system and apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12434374-B2
Application number	US-202217970107-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 20, 2022
Priority date	Oct 20, 2022
Publication date	Oct 7, 2025
Grant date	Oct 7, 2025

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for delivering a work part to an assembly line worker using a dolly assembly in a first configuration and retrieving the work part from the dolly assembly by the assembly line work while the dolly assembly is in a second configuration. According to some embodiments, a dolly assembly is provided comprising a base assembly having a support member and a mobility mechanism, the support member positioned obliquely with respect to a horizontal plane. The dolly assembly also includes a part-carrying member rotationally connected to the support member and having a part-holding structure for receiving a work part. The part-carrying member extends downward at an angle below the horizontal plane when in a first configuration, and extends upward from at an angle above the horizontal plane when in a second configuration.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A dolly assembly, comprising:
a base assembly comprising a support member and a mobility mechanism, the support member positioned obliquely with respect to a horizontal plane, wherein the support member comprises a rotation mechanism, wherein the rotation mechanism comprises a ball-bearing hinge; and
a part-carrying member rotationally connected to a first end of the support member, the part-carrying member comprising a part-holding structure for receiving a work part, the part-carrying member extending downward from the first end of the support member at an angle below the horizontal plane when in a first configuration, and the part-carrying member extending upward from the first end of the support member at a first angle above the horizontal plane when in a second configuration.

2. The dolly assembly of claim 1 , further comprising one or more lift and tilt mechanisms connected between the part-carrying member and the base assembly.

3. The dolly assembly of claim 2 , wherein the one or more lift and tilt mechanisms comprises a spring connected between the first end of the support member and the part-carrying member.

4. The dolly assembly of claim 3 , wherein in the first configuration, the spring is in a stretched state.

5. The dolly assembly of claim 2 , wherein the one or more lift and tilt mechanisms comprises a one or more pneumatic struts attached to the part-carrying member.

6. The dolly assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rotation mechanism is connected between the part-carrying member and the support member.

7. The dolly assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support member extends downward from the first end of the support member at a second angle below the horizontal plane.

8. The dolly assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support member extends from the part-carrying member in a direction away from the base assembly, wherein the part-holding member is located at an end opposite the part-carrying member.

9. The dolly assembly of claim 8 , wherein
in the first configuration, the part-holding structure extends upward from the part-carrying member in a first direction away from the first end of the support member, and
in the second configuration, the part-holding structure extends upward from the part-carrying member in a second direction toward the first end of the support member.

10. The dolly assembly of claim 8 , wherein the part-holding member comprises a pressure absorbing material.

11. A dolly assembly, comprising:
a base assembly comprising a support member and a mobility mechanism, the support member positioned obliquely with respect to a horizontal plane, wherein the support member comprises a rotation mechanism, wherein the rotation mechanism comprises a ball-bearing hinge;
a part-carrying member rotationally connected to a first end of the support member, the part-carrying member comprising a part-holding structure for receiving a work part, the part-carrying member extending downward from the first end of the support member at a first angle below the horizontal plane when in a first configuration; and
one or more lift and tilt mechanisms connected between the part-carrying member and the base assembly.

12. The dolly assembly of claim 11 , wherein the part-carrying member extends upward from the first end of the support member at an angle above the horizontal plane when in a second configuration.

13. The dolly assembly of claim 11 , wherein the one or more lift and tilt mechanisms comprises a spring connected between the first end of the support member and the part-carrying member.

14. The dolly assembly of claim 13 , wherein in the first configuration, the spring is in a stretched state.

15. The dolly assembly of claim 11 , wherein the one or more lift and tilt mechanisms comprises a one or more pneumatic struts attached to the part-carrying member.

16. The dolly assembly of claim 11 , wherein the rotation mechanism is connected between the part-carrying member and the support member.

17. The dolly assembly of claim 11 , wherein the support member extends downward from the first end of the support member at a second angle below the horizontal plane.

18. The dolly assembly of claim 11 , wherein the support member extends from the part-carrying member in a direction away from the base assembly, wherein the part-holding member is located at an end opposite the part-carrying member.

19. The dolly assembly of claim 18 , wherein:
in the first configuration, the part-holding structure extends upward from the part-carrying member in a first direction away from the first end of the support member, and
in a second configuration, the part-holding structure extends upward from the part-carrying member in a second direction toward the first end of the support member.

20. The dolly assembly of claim 18 , wherein the part-holding member comprises a pressure absorbing material.

Assignees

• Toyota Eng & Mfg North America
• Toyota Motor Co Ltd

Inventors

• Holland Lloyd R
• Foster Scottie L
• Garcia Bradley J
• Greenlee Michael C
• James Jeffrey L
• Allen Annetta L
• Boarman Iv Johnny O
• Lajoice David A

Classifications

• B25H1/16

  in height · CPC title

• B25H1/18

  in inclination · CPC title

• B25H1/0007

  for engines, motor-vehicles or bicycles · CPC title

• B25H1/10 Primary

  with provision for adjusting holders for tool or work · CPC title