Adaptive Conveyor Systems for Diverse Industries
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept applies the core technology of adaptive basketball shooting devices to various industries, enabling efficient and safe retrieval, processing, and transportation of materials, people, or supplies in diverse contexts.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent addressed the need for adaptive athletes with limited arm strength or control to participate in wheelchair basketball. However, the concept's conveyor system and platform design can be repurposed to solve problems in other industries. The inventive concept tackles the limitations of the original patent by expanding its application to new fields, including agriculture, urban maintenance, pipeline inspection, disaster response, and environmental monitoring.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The new claims describe systems and methods that utilize a conveyor system and a mobile or robotic platform to retrieve, process, and transport materials, people, or supplies in various contexts. In agriculture, the system enables efficient crop harvesting. In urban maintenance, it facilitates street cleaning by collecting debris. In pipeline inspection, it retrieves and analyzes pipeline debris. In disaster response, it retrieves and transports people or supplies. In environmental monitoring, it collects and analyzes environmental samples. The inventive concept's conveyor system and platform design are adapted to address specific industry challenges, ensuring safe, efficient, and easy-to-use solutions.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel applications and use cases that were not originally considered in the adaptive basketball shooting devices patent. The inventive step lies in recognizing the potential of the conveyor system and platform design to solve problems in diverse industries, and adapting the technology to address specific industry challenges.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include modifying the conveyor system's design to accommodate different materials or sizes, integrating sensors and automation to enhance efficiency, or developing specialized platforms for specific industries. Variations could also include adapting the technology for use in other industries, such as construction, mining, or logistics.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including agriculture, urban maintenance, pipeline inspection, disaster response, and environmental monitoring. The technology's adaptability and versatility make it an attractive solution for companies seeking to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance safety in their operations.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A63 | A63B71/0009 |
| A | A63 | A63B47/021 |
| A | A63 | A63B69/0071 |
| A | A63 | A63B69/406 |
| A | A63 | A63B2071/0018 |
| A | A63 | A63B2225/09 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Adaptive mobility and mechanical transport systems, with expertise in robotic platforms, conveyor mechanisms, and assistive technologies for mobility-impaired individuals
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
An engineer with advanced mechanical engineering skills, experience in robotic design, understanding of conveyor systems, and knowledge of adaptive technologies across multiple domains including sports, mobility assistance, and industrial applications
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize the fundamental transferability of the wheelchair basketball device's core mechanical principles - specifically its conveyor system and mobile platform design - to other industrial and assistive contexts. The source patent's technical framework provides a generalized mechanical solution for retrieving and transporting objects vertically, which can be readily adapted to diverse environments by modifying platform configuration and conveyor parameters. The PTD demonstrates predictable technological extensions by applying these core mechanical principles to different problem domains.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,859 |
|---|---|
| Title | Adaptive basketball shooting devices |