US3613868A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conveyor wheel
Assignee: Case LLC
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Filing: 1970-08-05
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Granted: 1971-10-19
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Expires: 1990-08-05
Abstract
Abstract A rotatable conveyor wheel adapted for moving articles such as fruit or the like. The conveyor wheel includes a hub rotatable about a fixed axis disposed above a surface along which the articles are to be moved. The outer periphery of the wheel is defined by annular resilient cushions which are yieldably engageable with the articles to move the same along the surface. The annular cushions are mounted on a rim which is connected about the hub by a plurality of resilient spokes. By this arrangement, the rim and cushions may move relative to the fixed axis of rotation to accommodate articles of a variety of sizes or variable volumes of articles.
Inventors
- 👤 Calvin P Rickerd
- 👤 Tommy A Middlesworth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:51
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23N; A23N3/00; A01; A01K; A01K43/00; B; B65; B65G; B65G35/00; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02; B65G2201/0202; B65G2201/0211; B65G2207/00; B65G2207/42; B65G2812/00; B65G2812/99
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A rotary conveyor for moving articles along a surface, comprising: a wheel mounted for rotation adjacent said surface, said wheel having a hub defining the axis of rotation of the wheel, a rim portion including resilient cushioning means defining a periphery of the wheel in spaced relation to said surface, said cushioning means being yieldably engageable with the articles to move the same along said surface as the wheel is rotated, and resilient spokes connected between said hub and said rim portion permitting said rim portion to shift relative to said surface to accommodate articles therebetween of a variety of sizes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A rotary conveyor for moving articles along a surface, comprising: a wheel mounted for rotation adjacent said surface, said wheel having a hub defining the axis of rotation of the wheel, a rim portion including resilient cushioning means defining a periphery of the wheel in spaced relation to said surface, said cushioning means being yieldably engageable with the articles to move the same along said surface as the wheel is rotated, and resilient spokes connected between said hub and said rim portion permitting said rim portion to shift relative to said surface to accommodate articles therebetween of a variety of sizes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The subject matter of claim 1, wherein each of said spokes extends from said rim portion to said hub along a curvilinear path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The subject matter of claim 2, wherein said path extends from said rim portion to said hub inwardly and forwardly in the direction of rotation of said wheel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The subject matter of claim 1, wherein each of said spokes comprises a flexible member extending between said rim portion and said hub along a curved path extending inwardly toward said hub in the direction of rotation of said wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The subject matter of claim 1, wherein said wheel is mounted above said surface and said axis of rotation is fixed in a substantially horizontal plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The subject matter of claim 1, wherein each of said spokes comprises a generally semicylindrical member defined about an axis extending parallel to the axis of rotation of said wheel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The subject matter of claim 1, wherein said cushioning means includes a plurality of annular cushions mounted on said rim portion in spaced relation to define annular spaces between said cushions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-18 | 1975-04-19 | 1975-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-18 | 1979-04-19 | 1979-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-18 | 1983-04-19 | 1983-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |