Loading patent…
AssigneeWalmart Apollo, LLC
InventorsElias ALJALLIS, Vikranth GOPALAKRISHNAN, Ronald S. KYSLINGER
Estimating the term…
A rail can include first and transverse channels defined therein. A container can include a rod, a spring, a first plate assembly, and a second plate assembly. The first plate assembly can include a first transverse bearing disposed in the first transverse channel. The second plate assembly can include a second transverse bearing disposed in the second transverse channel. A robotic assembly can include a robotic arm. The robotic arm can include opposing grips defining a grip space therebetween. A processing system including one or more processors can be configured to, via the robotic assembly: align the grip space with the container rod; drive the rod against the spring; allow the spring to relax and thereby separate the first plate assembly from the second plate assembly; position the rod such that the first transverse bearing and the second transverse bearing are simultaneously withdrawn from the first and second transverse channels.
A system for decoupling a container from a rail comprising first and second transverse channels defined therein, the system comprising:
A system for decoupling a container from a rail comprising first and second transverse channels defined therein, the system comprising:
The system of claim B wherein the robotic arm comprises opposing grips defining a grip space therebetween.
The system of claim B2 wherein the processors are further configured to operate the robotic assembly to align the grip space with the container rod.
The system of claim B3 wherein the processors are further configured to operate the robotic assembly to rotate the rod.
The system of claim B3 wherein the processors are further configured to operate the robotic assembly to drive the rod against the spring.
The system of claim B wherein said first plate assembly comprises a first base and said second plate assembly comprises a second base, and wherein said first base comprises a first retainer and said second base comprises a second retainer, said first and second retainers cooperating to couple said first plate assembly and said second plate assembly.
The system of claim B6 wherein one of said first retainer and said second retainer comprises one or more fingers and the other of said first retainer and said second retainer comprises one or more blind holes for receiving corresponding ones of the one or more fingers.
The system of claim B wherein said rail defines a third transverse channel and wherein one of said first plate assembly and said second plate assembly comprise a vertical bearing disposed in said third transverse channel.
A method of decoupling a container from a rail comprising first and second transverse channels defined therein, the system comprising:
The method of claim C wherein said robotic arm comprising opposing grips defining a grip space therebetween and wherein said step of manipulating said rod comprises gripping the rod with said opposing grips.
The method of claim C wherein the step of manipulating said rod comprises driving said rod against said spring.
The method of claim C3 wherein the step of manipulating said rod further comprises allowing the spring to relax to thereby separate the first plate assembly of the container from the second plate assembly of the container
The method of claim C wherein the step of manipulating said rod comprises rotating said rod.
The method of claim C wherein the robotic assembly further comprises a robotic beam, said robotic arm coupled to said robotic beam by a longitudinal runner assembly, said step of positioning the robotic assembly further comprising vertically positioning said robotic beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.