US 11,987,453 B2
Dolly apparatuses including synchronization arms
Scottie L. Foster, Lawrenceburg, KY (US); Bradley J. Garcia, Louisville, KY (US); Lloyd R. Holland, Georgetown, KY (US); Michael C. Greenlee, Paris, KY (US); Annetta L. Allen, Lexington, KY (US); Johnny O. Boarman, IV, Frankfort, KY (US); and Jeffrey L. James, Mount Sterling, KY (US)
Assigned to Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Plano, TX (US); and Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota (JP)
Filed by Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Plano, TX (US)
Filed on May 4, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/736,617.
Prior Publication US 2023/0356961 A1, Nov. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. B65G 47/50 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 47/50 (2013.01) 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of automatically moving a dolly apparatus from an initial location to a downstream location, the method comprising:
engaging a component being carried by along by an elevated conveyor with a synchronization arm of a dolly apparatus such that the dolly apparatus moving with the component, the dolly apparatus comprising:
a base frame;
a linkage movably mounted to the base frame; and
a synchronization arm that is movably mounted to a top of the base frame, the linkage is operatively connected to the synchronization arm such that actuating the linkage lowers the synchronization arm to a disengaged position;
actuating the linkage thereby lowering the synchronization arm to a disengaged position and releasing the component; and
applying a biasing force to the dolly apparatus using a pneumatic hose as the dolly apparatus is moving with the component as the component is being conveyed downstream by the elevated conveyor, the biasing force biasing the dolly apparatus toward an initial location.