US 11,745,946 B2
Mobile sorter platforms and method for sorting articles
Michael C. Futch, Orlando, FL (US); James M. Serstad, Orlando, FL (US); Ryan Fehrenbacher, Melbourne, FL (US); Milan Patel, Cleveland, OH (US); Ray Wells, Asheville, NC (US); Steven Wu, Raleigh, NC (US); Richard C. Kaminska, III, Orlando, FL (US); James Edouard, Orlando, FL (US); Denny McKnight, Raleigh, NC (US); and John C. Spain, Raleigh, NC (US)
Assigned to Tompkins Robotics, Inc., Orlando, FL (US)
Filed by Tompkins Robotics, Inc., Orlando, FL (US)
Filed on Feb. 2, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/163,365.
Application 18/163,365 is a continuation of application No. 17/156,963, filed on Jan. 25, 2021, granted, now 11,572,233.
Application 17/156,963 is a continuation of application No. 16/363,105, filed on Mar. 25, 2019, granted, now 10,899,542.
Application 16/363,105 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/232,669, filed on Dec. 26, 2018, granted, now 10,870,131.
Application 16/232,669 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2018/046460, filed on Aug. 13, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/545,814, filed on Aug. 15, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2023/0202758 A1, Jun. 29, 2023
Int. Cl. B65G 1/137 (2006.01); B65G 1/02 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 1/1375 (2013.01) [B65G 1/02 (2013.01); B65G 1/1378 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A platform assembly for use with sorting articles, comprising:
a plurality of platforms connected to each other to form a surface for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles, each platform comprising a plurality of markers thereon, and
an receptacle positioned about a marker of the plurality of markers,
wherein a control system identifies a location of the marker,
wherein, in operation, the vehicle is directed by the control system to deposit an article carried thereon into the receptacle based on the location of the marker.