US3596749A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Poultry grading positioner
Assignee: Altenpohl W F Inc
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Filing: 1969-03-20
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Granted: 1971-08-03
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Expires: 1989-03-20
Abstract
Abstract A poultry carrying frame is suspended from a conveyor for angular positioning at a grading station and automatic reorientation to an unloading position as it is moved away from the grading station by the conveyor. The carrier frame is swivelly mounted by a link member pivotally connected between a load transferring roller assembly and the conveyor connector. A positioning arm and camming elements project from the link member for engagement by stationary elements during movement of the conveyor to effect said automatic reorientation operationally realigning the carrier frame with a release mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 William F Altenpohl Jr
- 👤 Paul J Altenpohl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:37
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G17/00; B65G17/30; B65G17/48; B65G17/485; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
In combination with an elongated conveyor and an article carrying device suspended therefrom for movement along a predetermined path between at least two operational stations, means for angularly orientating the article carrying device about a substantially vertical axis comprising means for selectively positioning the device in one position about said vertical axis at one of the two stations, and means responsive to movement of the device by the conveyor toward the other of the two stations for angularly displacing the device to a second position about the vertical axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
In combination with an elongated conveyor and an article carrying device suspended therefrom for movement along a predetermined path between at least two operational stations, means for angularly orientating the article carrying device about a substantially vertical axis comprising means for selectively positioning the device in one position about said vertical axis at one of the two stations, and means responsive to movement of the device by the conveyor toward the other of the two stations for angularly displacing the device to a second position about the vertical axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said article carrying device includes a carrier frame and load transferring means pivotally connected to the carrier frame and a connector suspended from the conveyor, a link member pivotally connected by the load transferring means to the carrier frame about a pivot axis substantially parallel to and spaced below the conveyor, and swivel means pivotally connecting the link member to the connector about said vertical axis intersecting the pivot axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said means for angularly displacing the device includes a positioning arm connected to and laterally projecting from the link member, a camming element secured to the link member in transverse spaced relation to the positioning arm and a plurality of stationary elements sequentially engageable with the positioning arm and the camming element to incrementally displace the link member about the vertical axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein said selective positioning means includes detent means yieldably holding the link member and the article carrying device only in either of said two positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein the swivel means includes a swivel pin secured to the connector and projecting through the link member and a head secured to the swivel pin adapted to engage the link member in spaced relation to the connector, said detent means including a projection mounted on the pin receivable in a notch formed in the link member intersecting the vertical axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said article carrying device further includes a hook pivotally mounted on the carrier frame and a release arm slidably mounted on the carrier frame, said hook and release arm projecting from the carrier frame spaced 180* relative to each other about the vertical axis, said release arm being aligned with and spaced below the positioning arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the relative positioning means includes detent means yieldably holding the article carrying device only in either of said two positiOns.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
The combination of claim 7 wherein said article carrying device includes a carrier frame and load transferring means pivotally connected to the carrier frame and a connector suspended from the conveyor, a link member pivotally connected by the load transferring means to the carrier frame about a pivot axis substantially parallel to and spaced below the conveyor, and swivel means pivotally connecting the link member to the connector about said vertical axis intersecting the pivot axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein the swivel means includes a swivel pin secured to the connector and projecting through the link member and a head secured to the swivel pin adapted to engage the link member in spaced relation to the connector, said detent means including a projection mounted on the swivel pin receivable in a notch formed in the link member intersecting the vertical axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said article carrying device includes a release element projecting therefrom, said release element being operatively orientated relative to said vertical axis in only one of said two positions of the article carrying device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
89 words
In combination with a conveyor and a carrier frame, means for angularly orientating the carrier frame relative to the conveyor comprising swivel means for rotatably suspending the carrier frame from the conveyor about a substantially vertical axis, means for selectively positioning the carrier frame in a first angular position relative to said vertical axis, means for incrementally displacing the carrier frame toward a second angular position during movement of the conveyor by a predetermined distance, and means for releasably holding said carrier frame in said first and second positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
89 words
In combination with a conveyor and a carrier frame, means for angularly orientating the carrier frame relative to the conveyor comprising swivel means for rotatably suspending the carrier frame from the conveyor about a substantially vertical axis, means for selectively positioning the carrier frame in a first angular position relative to said vertical axis, means for incrementally displacing the carrier frame toward a second angular position during movement of the conveyor by a predetermined distance, and means for releasably holding said carrier frame in said first and second positions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2612265A
Cited
US3291303A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-02 | 1975-02-01 | 1975-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-02-01 | 1979-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-02 | 1983-02-01 | 1983-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |