Patent ID: 7967543

Claim:
An automatic case loader for loading product in a trailer, the automatic case loader comprising: a mobile base structure having first and second ends; a drive subassembly coupled to the mobile base, the drive subassembly including a plurality of wheels for steering and driving the mobile base; a conveyance subassembly disposed on the mobile base, the conveyance subassembly including a powered transportation path operable for transporting product from the first end to a stacking elevator located proximate to the second end, the stacking elevator stacking the product to create a product column; an industrial robot disposed at the second end of the mobile base, the industrial robot providing selective articulated movement of an end effector between the stacking elevator and a reachable space such that the industrial robot is operable to place the product column in the reachable space, the end effector releasably engaging the stacking elevator to releasably manipulate the product column; a distance measurement sensor disposed at the second end, the distance measurement sensor for determining presence of objects within a detection space, wherein the detection space and the reachable space at least partially overlap; and a control subassembly mounted to the mobile base structure, the control subassembly being in communication with the drive subassembly, the industrial robot, and the distance measurement sensor, the control subassembly coordinating the selective articulated movement of the industrial robot and the activation of the drive subassembly based upon the distance measurement sensor detecting objects within the detection space, dimensions of the trailer provided to the control subassembly, and dimensions of the product provided to the control subassembly.