Modular conveyor unit

Claim 2

A modular conveyor unit for a load transport system having a four-sided frame, first powered means for moving a load over said unit, second powered means for moving a load over said unit in a direction normal to that of said first powered means, and a power source to drive said first and second powered means independently of each other, each of said powered means including a pair of spaced, elongated propelling members extending generally parallel to one another and to one of the sides of said frame, means for raising and lowering said first and second powered means alternatively whereby only one of them is operatively engaged to a load at any one time, said conveyor unit characterized in that each propelling member has one end extending closer to one edge of said unit than to the edge opposite from said one edge thereof and each of the four edges of said unit has an end of one propelling member extending substantially thereto whereby loads can be forcibly moved across said unit in either of two linear paths normal to each other from the edge of entry to the edge of discharge.

Claim 3

The modular conveyor unit as defined in claim 1 wherein the extension of each propelling member is uninterrupted by the presence of another propelling member.

Claim 4

The modular conveyor unit as defined in claim 2 wherein said propelling member includes an endless chain having load gripping members on the periphery thereof.

Claim 5

The modular conveyor unit as defined in claim 1 wherein a pair of said propelling members is driven from a common drive shaft.

Claim 6

The modular conveyor unit as defined in claim 4 wherein each of said members driven as a pair is driven at both ends from a common power source.

Claim 7

The modular conveyor unit as defined in claim 1 wherein each one propelling member extends to the plane of said edge of said unit.

Claim 8

The unit as set forth in claim 1 which further comprises means on said unit for movably supporting a load positioned thereon.

Claim 9

The unit as set fourth in claim 1 wherein said power source is reversible such that at least one pair of said propelling members can be driven in either of two opposite directions.

Claim 10

A modular conveyor unit for a load transport system having a four-sided frame, first powered means for moving a load over said unit in a first direction, second powered means for moving a load over said unit in a direction transverse to said first direction, and a power source to drive said first and second powered means independently of each other, each of said powered means including a pair of spaced, endless chains extending adjacent and generally parallel to opposite sides of said frame, the extension of each of said chains being uninterrupted by the presence of another chain; means for raising and lowering said first and second power means alternatively whereby only one of them is operatively engaged to a load at any one time, said conveyor unit characterized in that one chain of each of said powered means extends substantially to one edge of said frame and the other chain of each of said powered means extends substantially to an edge of said frame opposite from said one edge, whereby loads can be forcibly moved across said unit in any of four directions from the edge of entry to the edge of discharge.

Claim 11

A modular conveyor unit for a load transport system having a four-sided frame, first powered means for moving a load over said unit in a first direction, second powered means for moving a load over said unit in a direction transverse to said first direction, and a power source to drive said first and second powered means independently of each other, each of said powered means including a pair of spaced, endless chains extending adjacent and generally parallel to opposite sides of said frame, the extension of each of said chains being uninterrupted by the presence of another chain; means for raising and lowering said first and second power means alternatively whereby only one of them is operatively engaged to a load at any one time, said conveyor unit characterized in that one chain of each of said powered means extends substantially to one edge of said frame and the other chain of each of said powered means extends substantially to an edge of said frame opposite from said one edge, whereby loads can be forcibly moved across said unit in any of four directions from the edge of entry to the edge of discharge.

Claim 12

The modular conveyor unit as defined in claim 9 wherein each of said chains extends closer to said one edge than it does to the edge of said frame opposite from said one edge.

Claim 13

The modular conveyor unit as defined in claim 10 wherein a pair of said chains is driven from a common drive shaft.

Claim 14

The modular conveyor unit as defined in claim 11 wherein each said pair is driven by a pair of driving chains mounted over two sprockets connected to a common drive shaft, said drive shaft for one of Said powered means being positioned below said shaft for said other powered means.

Claim 15

The modular conveyor unit as defined in claim 9 wherein said one chain of each of said powered means extends to the plane of said edge of said unit.

Claim 16

The unit as set forth in claim 9 which further comprises means on said unit for movably supporting a load positioned thereon.

Claim 17

The unit as set forth in claim 9 wherein said power source is reversible such that at least one pair of said chains can be driven in either of two opposite directions.