# US 10,370,203 B2 · Device and method for handling objects > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,370,203 B2 - Document ID: US10370203B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/103,950 - Filed: 2014-12-09 - Published: 2016-10-27 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-12-13 - Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft - Applicants: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft - Inventors: Peter Enenkel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10370203B2 ## CPC - B65G 67/08: using endless conveyors - B64F 1/32: for handling freight - B64F 1/368: {Arrangements or installations for routing, distributing or loading baggage} - B65G 21/10: movable, or having interchangeable or relatively movable parts; Devices for moving framework or parts thereof - B65G 21/14: to allow adjustment of length or configuration of load-carrier or traction element (varying speed of conveyance by adjusting configuration of load-carrier B65G23/00; {tensioning arrangements for belt or chain B65G23/44}) - B65G 41/008: {frames mounted on wheels or caterpillar (for movement on rail tracks B65G41/02)} - B65G 57/035: {with a stepwise downward movement of the stack} - B65G 57/11: the articles being stacked by direct action of the feeding conveyor - B65G 57/112: the conveyor being adjustable in height - B65H 29/66: Advancing articles in overlapping streams - G05B 19/042: using digital processors (G05B19/05 takes precedence) - G05B 2219/2621: Conveyor, transfert line - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - B64F: GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT; DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING, CLEANING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING AIRCRAFT, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HANDLING, TRANSPORTING, TESTING OR INSPECTING AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) ## Abstract A device for handling objects includes an unloading head, onto which the objects can be transported and from which the objects can be unloaded by an operator. A lifting apparatus is connected to the unloading head. The height of the unloading head can be adjusted by way of the lifting apparatus and a sensing apparatus that can be activated and the height of the unloading head can be adjusted. In order to achieve a throughput increase in the handling of objects, the sensing apparatus is arranged in such a way that the sensing apparatus can be triggered by the operator by way of an object that is located on the unloading head. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for handling objects, the device comprising: an unloading head disposed to receive from a transport device individual objects to be manually unloaded by an operator and to hold the objects for manual unloading by the operator; a lifting device connected to said unloading head and configured to adjust a height of said unloading head; a triggerable sensor apparatus for activating said lifting device, said sensor apparatus being configured so as to be triggered when the operator grasps an object disposed on said unloading head and tilts the object forward without lifting the object from said unloading head. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, which further comprises a transport device connected to said unloading head for moving the objects in a transport direction toward said unloading head. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device according to claim 2, wherein the device is disposed in a transport container and said unloading head is disposed adjacent said transport device in the transport direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein said sensor apparatus is a pressure switch arranged behind the unloading head in the transport direction and/or to a side of said unloading head transversely to the transport direction and configured to activate said lifting device when an object is tilted to push down on said pressure sensor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein said sensor apparatus is a camera or a light beam system configured to recognize a tilting of an object by the operator. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein said sensor apparatus is a switch. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein said unloading head defines a support plane for the objects and said sensor apparatus is arranged at a level of the support plane or below the support plane. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The device according to claim 6, wherein said sensor apparatus is configured for triggering by an actuation force acting on said sensor apparatus. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein said unloading head defines a support plane for the objects and said unloading head has an edge, which delimits the support plane in the transport direction or transversely to the transport direction, and wherein said sensor apparatus is integrated in at least one part of said edge or forms at least one part of said edge. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, which further comprises a separating apparatus configured to separate the objects in the transport direction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, which further comprises scales disposed to measure a weight of the objects and a signaling device configured to output a signal for the operator regarding each object that has a weight above a predetermined limit value. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, which further comprises a controller connected to said sensor apparatus and said lifting device for signaling purposes, said controller being configured to automatically move said unloading head from a high position to a low position when said sensor apparatus is triggered. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device according to claim 12, wherein said controller is configured, after said sensor apparatus is triggered, to move said unloading head from the low position back into the high position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, which further comprises a storage area arranged on said unloading head for temporarily storing a number of objects. ### Claim 15 A method for handling objects, the method which comprises: providing a transport device with an unloading head configured to receive individual objects to be manually unloaded by an operator, and a lifting device for adjusting a level of the unloading head; unloading the objects from the unloading head by the operator; selectively triggering a sensor apparatus by the operator via an object disposed on the unloading head by tilting an object at the unloading head by the operator without lifting the object from the unloading head; and upon triggering of the sensor apparatus, adjusting a level of the unloading head by way of a lifting device. ### Claim 16 A device for handling objects, the device comprising: an unloading head, disposed to receive from a transport device individual objects to be manually unloaded by an operator and to hold the objects stationary until unloaded by the operator; a lifting device connected to said unloading head and configured to adjust a height of said unloading head; a triggerable sensor apparatus for activating said lifting device, said sensor apparatus being configured so as to be triggered when the operator grasps an object disposed on said unloading head and tilts the object without lifting the object from the unloading head; and at least one scale disposed to measure a weight of the objects on said unloading head, and a signaling device configured to output a signal for the operator regarding each object that has a weight above a predetermined limit value.