Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
In a crossover walking beam transfer apparatus for conveying articles sidewise in continuous stepwise succession toward an article-receiving platform having separated article-supporting cross elements, and wherein the walking transfer apparatus is of the kind embodying at least one walking beam which is interdigitated between the article-supporting slats of a crossover table (elevatEd to the level of the platform) to rise above and below said slats during said walking cycle; a composite walking beam construction comprising: a traverse beam member mounted on said walking beam in parallel relation thereto for interdigitated movement with said walking beam, said traverse beam member being disposed for longitudinal advancement and retraction in the walking direction relative to said walking beam member, and means for selectively advancing and retracting said traverse beam relative to said walking beam member so as to effectuate an intermittent extension of said walking beam disposed interdigitally between the article support elements of said article receiving platform, thereby to extend temporarily the limit of the walking operation to said article receiving platform.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
In a crossover walking beam transfer apparatus for conveying articles sidewise in continuous stepwise succession toward an article-receiving platform having separated article-supporting cross elements, and wherein the walking transfer apparatus is of the kind embodying at least one walking beam which is interdigitated between the article-supporting slats of a crossover table (elevatEd to the level of the platform) to rise above and below said slats during said walking cycle; a composite walking beam construction comprising: a traverse beam member mounted on said walking beam in parallel relation thereto for interdigitated movement with said walking beam, said traverse beam member being disposed for longitudinal advancement and retraction in the walking direction relative to said walking beam member, and means for selectively advancing and retracting said traverse beam relative to said walking beam member so as to effectuate an intermittent extension of said walking beam disposed interdigitally between the article support elements of said article receiving platform, thereby to extend temporarily the limit of the walking operation to said article receiving platform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each said walking beam is provided with track means and said traverse beam is engaged therewith for forward and backward sliding traverse thereon, with respect to said main walking beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein the upper, article-supporting surface of said traverse beam is disposed at a lower level than that of the upper, article-supporting surface of the principal beam, on said composite walking beams.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 3 with the additional structure comprising: an article stop gate near the free end of said traverse beam, to arrest articles advancing stepwise toward the end of said beam, said gate adapted to be dropped to a lower, nonoperational position, in response to actuation of said traverse beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 with the additional structure comprising reversible drive means for said advance and return of said traverse beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus recited in claim 5 wherein said traverse beam drive means comprise a reversible electric motor supported on said composite walking beam main frame, and a pinion gear driven by said motor and engaged with a rack on said traverse beam for transmission of traverse motion from said motor to said rack.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 6 with the further limitation of control means comprising: first limit switch means actuated by said walking beam to initiate the forward traverse motion of said traverse beam when the composite walking beam is approaching the upper limit of its cycle; second limit switch means actuated near the forward limit of traverse of said traverse beam to initiate reversal of the traverse motion of said traverse beam, for return thereof; and third master switch means for energization and deenergization of said first and second limit switch means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 7 with the additional limitation comprising: means for dropping said traverse beam stop gate below its normal article restraining position; in response to actuation of said first limit switch means, and restoring said gate to the said normal position in response response to actuation of said second limit switch means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a stepwise conveying process of lineally advancing articles toward a transversely directed receiving station, the method comprising: advancing articles lineally toward said receiving station with an up and down stepwise movement; collecting at a location laterally adjacent the receiving station a continuous set of the furthest progressed of said advancing articles while continuing to transfer other articles with an up and down stepwise movement; moving said collected articles up and down in synchronism with the up and down movement of said other advancing articles; selectively transporting laterally the entire said collected set of articles onto said receiving station during a single up and down cycle of their movement without interfering with the lineal advancement of said other articles; and repeating the above two sequences continuously, at time intervals selected to correspond to a condition of readiness of said receiving station.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a stepwise conveying process of lineally advancing articles toward a transversely directed receiving station, the method comprising: advancing articles lineally toward said receiving station with an up and down stepwise movement; collecting at a location laterally adjacent the receiving station a continuous set of the furthest progressed of said advancing articles while continuing to transfer other articles with an up and down stepwise movement; moving said collected articles up and down in synchronism with the up and down movement of said other advancing articles; selectively transporting laterally the entire said collected set of articles onto said receiving station during a single up and down cycle of their movement without interfering with the lineal advancement of said other articles; and repeating the above two sequences continuously, at time intervals selected to correspond to a condition of readiness of said receiving station.