Docking station
US6447236B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 14, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 10, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 14, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S414/106
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A docking station for a robotic mail tray loading system includes a ground plate that is mounted to the floor of the building in which the robotic mail tray loading system is housed. The ground plate has first and second wheel-retaining recesses that preferably include ramped surfaces to accommodate wheels of mail carts. A plurality of guide plates are positioned to locate one pallet or two mail carts in the docking station at a time. The docking station also includes a plurality of sensors that sense the presence or absence of a pallet or cart in the docking station and that sense the type of cart present at the cart docking station.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.