Systems, methods, and apparatuses for controlling objects being unloaded from a storage vehicle or structure
AssigneeUnited Parcel Service of America, Inc.
InventorJoel Stenson
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims20
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.
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.
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.