公开(公告)号：US11345052B1

公开(公告)日：2022-05-31

申请号：US15727246

申请日：2017-10-06

Applicant: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： John Edwin Johnston ,  Christopher Clive Jones ,  Carl Philip Taussig ,  Christopher Lorenzo Dunn ,  Mark Greggory Edstrom ,  David Jennings Dostal ,  Jose Arnoldo Marin-McDaniel

IPC: F16M13/00 ,  B25J18/02 ,  B25J19/02

Abstract: An extensible mast device allows a payload to be supported at a controllable distance from a supporting device. A motor driving a flexible strip provides a force through the flexible strip to extend the mast. The extended strip may have a curved cross section that provides some rigidity. A set of telescoping sections may enclose the strip. One or more of the sections may be flexible. In the event of an impact between the extensible mast and an object, such as a user, the flexible section and the strip yield to the impact and collapse. The extensible mast may be easily reset by lifting it back to a vertical position, with the flexible strip reasserting the curved cross section and the flexible sections resuming substantially the same shape as before the impact. A robot may use the extensible mast to elevate cameras or other sensors to a higher vantage point.

公开(公告)号：US11226067B1

公开(公告)日：2022-01-18

申请号：US16427134

申请日：2019-05-30

Applicant: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Mark John Glusker ,  Christine Leonore Fuller ,  Ketan A. Rasal ,  Mark Greggory Edstrom

IPC: F16B7/10 ,  F16M11/28 ,  A61G7/10 ,  G03B17/56 ,  B25J9/00 ,  B25J5/00 ,  B25J9/10 ,  B25J9/12 ,  B25J11/00

Abstract: An autonomous mobile device with an extensible mast to raise and lower a payload, such as a camera, relative to a main body. The mast comprises a set of telescoping sections. A motor moves a flexible rack between a first spool and the mast to raise or lower the mast. For example, during extension a motor-driven pinion engages teeth on the flexible rack, pulling the rack from the first spool and pushing up the mast. A cable stored on a second spool may be extended and retracted with the flexible rack. The cable transfers one or more of data or power between the main body and the payload. A mechanism provides for sequenced deployment of the mast, with the innermost section moving first. While raising the mast, the mechanism engages between adjacent telescoping sections, locking them in place. While lowering the mast, the mechanism selectively releases section by section.

公开(公告)号：US11467628B1

公开(公告)日：2022-10-11

申请号：US16216866

申请日：2018-12-11

Applicant: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Hector Manuel Saldana ,  Mark Greggory Edstrom ,  Nicholas Jenkins Morozovsky ,  Mark John Glusker

IPC: G06F1/16 ,  F16B7/10 ,  F16M11/08 ,  F16M11/10

Abstract: An autonomous mobile device has a tower extending from a main body. The tower pans from left to right. An extensible mast may extend through, and pan with, the tower. An upper section is attached to the tower by a hinge and may tilt with respect to the tower. The upper section may include a touchscreen or other devices. An assembly with separate pan and tilt motors allows for the tower and attached upper section to pan while also allowing the upper section to tilt independently of the panning motion. The tilt motor is within the portion of the assembly rotated by the pan motor. The tilt motor drives a worm gear in the tower to rotate a tilt axle. An asymmetric friction hinge connects to the upper section to the tilt axle. Rotating the tilt motor rotates the worm gear, rotating the tilt axle and the attached upper section.

公开(公告)号：US11383394B1

公开(公告)日：2022-07-12

申请号：US16216603

申请日：2018-12-11

Applicant: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Mark John Glusker ,  Christine Leonore Fuller ,  Ketan A. Rasal ,  Nicholas Jenkins Morozovsky ,  Mark Greggory Edstrom ,  Amruta Velapure ,  Gregory Turner Witmer

IPC: B25J18/02 ,  B25J11/00 ,  B25J5/00 ,  B60B7/00 ,  B25J18/04 ,  B60B33/00 ,  B25J19/02

Abstract: An autonomous mobile device has a main body and an extensible mast to raise and lower a payload, such as a camera, relative to the main body. The mast may comprise a set of telescoping sections, with each section comprising two or more pieces that are joined during assembly. A motor moves a flexible rack between a first spool and the mast to raise or lower the mast. For example, during extension a motor-driven pinion engages teeth on the flexible rack, pulling the rack from the first spool and pushing up the mast. A cable stored on a second spool may be extended and retracted with the flexible rack. The cable transfers one or more of data or power between the main body and the payload. A sensor may be used to detect features on the flexible rack to provide data about how far the flexible rack has been extended.