US 12,103,778 B2
Material handling apparatus having separate workstation and method of use
Joseph Valinsky, Moorestown, NJ (US); Alexander Stevens, Moorestown, NJ (US); Nathan Bloch, Moorestown, NJ (US); George Muttathil, Moorestown, NJ (US); and David Baines, Moorestown, NJ (US)
Assigned to OPEX Corporation, Moorestown, NJ (US)
Filed by OPEX Corporation, Moorestown, NJ (US)
Filed on Oct. 10, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/378,270.
Application 18/378,270 is a continuation of application No. 17/854,467, filed on Jun. 30, 2022, granted, now 11,820,601.
Application 17/854,467 is a continuation of application No. 17/403,814, filed on Aug. 16, 2021, granted, now 11,713,193, issued on Aug. 1, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/065,524, filed on Aug. 14, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0109727 A1, Apr. 4, 2024
Int. Cl. B65G 1/137 (2006.01); B65G 1/04 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 1/1378 (2013.01) [B65G 1/0464 (2013.01); B65G 1/0492 (2013.01)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A material handling system for sorting, storing, or retrieving a plurality of items, comprising:
a plurality of delivery vehicles, each vehicle comprising:
a surface configured to support an item to be delivered by the vehicle;
a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the item between the vehicle and a delivery location;
a first drive system configured to drive the vehicle along a horizontal surface, wherein the first drive system comprises one or more rotatable elements;
a second drive system configured to drive the vehicle vertically, wherein the second drive system comprises one or more rotatable elements;
a rechargeable power source electrically connected with the first and second drive systems and configured to power the first and second drive systems;
a first charging element electrically connected with the rechargeable power source;
a second charging element configured to releasably connect with the first charging element and electrically connected with an electrical power source operable to recharge the rechargeable power source of the vehicles;
wherein one of the first charging element and the second charging element comprise:
a first displaceable mount configured to facilitate movement of the first or second charging element in a vertical direction; and
a second displaceable mount configured to facilitate movement of the first or second charging element in a horizontal direction.