US3670863A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endless conveyor system
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1970-03-31
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Granted: 1972-06-20
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Expires: 1990-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A flexible conveyor assembly including an endless chain of ''''clam shell'''' units linked together. Each unit includes two unit halves formed as longitudinally-sectioned, closed-ended, hollow cylinders. These units have interlocking joints which hold the halves together, and allow the halves to rotate concentrically with respect to each other, thus allowing the unit to ''''clam shell'''' around a cartridge. Each unit assembly is attached to the next adjacent unit by a spherical double-tapered sleeve joint which holds a set pitch to pitch length while allowing roll, fan and twist misalignment between the units. At each end of the element assembly are double pin guides which fit around flexible rod guide rails.
Inventors
- 👤 Otto H Meier
- 👤 Richard F Leopold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 04:37
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41A; F41A9/00; F41A9/01; F41A9/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
347 words
A flexible conveyor assembly comprising: an endless chain of conveyor units each unit including: a first unit half portion formed as a longitudinally-sectioned, hollow cylinder having first and second end walls; each of said first half portions having a first pair of transversely spaced apart, longitudinally journalled rollers mounted to a first means extending transversely from said first end wall, and a second pair of transversely spaced apart, lOngitudinally journalled rollers mounted to a second means extending transversely from said second end wall; a second unit half portion formed as a longitudinallysectioned, hollow cylinder having first and second end walls; said first and second half portions being journalled for mutual coaxial rotation by a first pivotal connection between said respective first end walls and a second pivotal connection between said respective second end walls; the first half portion of each unit being journalled to the second half portion of the next adjacent unit by a pivotal connection providing relative movement at least about an axis transverse to the path of movement of said chain; a first transfer station for receiving each unit in sequence and for providing relative movement between the respective first and second half portions to thereby initially open and subsequently close a lateral passageway into said unit; a second transfer station for receiving each unit in sequence and for providing relative movement between the respective first and second half portions to thereby initially open and subsequently close said lateral passageway into said unit; and guide means disposed at least in part between said first and second stations for engaging each unit as it passes between said first and second stations for positively maintaining said respective lateral passageway of each such unit closed; said guide means including a rail extending between said first and second transfer stations, said first pair of rollers of each unit being adapted to straddle and ride on said first rail, and a second rail extending between said first and second transfer stations, said second pair of rollers of each unit being adapted to straddle and ride on said second rail.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
347 words
A flexible conveyor assembly comprising: an endless chain of conveyor units each unit including: a first unit half portion formed as a longitudinally-sectioned, hollow cylinder having first and second end walls; each of said first half portions having a first pair of transversely spaced apart, longitudinally journalled rollers mounted to a first means extending transversely from said first end wall, and a second pair of transversely spaced apart, lOngitudinally journalled rollers mounted to a second means extending transversely from said second end wall; a second unit half portion formed as a longitudinallysectioned, hollow cylinder having first and second end walls; said first and second half portions being journalled for mutual coaxial rotation by a first pivotal connection between said respective first end walls and a second pivotal connection between said respective second end walls; the first half portion of each unit being journalled to the second half portion of the next adjacent unit by a pivotal connection providing relative movement at least about an axis transverse to the path of movement of said chain; a first transfer station for receiving each unit in sequence and for providing relative movement between the respective first and second half portions to thereby initially open and subsequently close a lateral passageway into said unit; a second transfer station for receiving each unit in sequence and for providing relative movement between the respective first and second half portions to thereby initially open and subsequently close said lateral passageway into said unit; and guide means disposed at least in part between said first and second stations for engaging each unit as it passes between said first and second stations for positively maintaining said respective lateral passageway of each such unit closed; said guide means including a rail extending between said first and second transfer stations, said first pair of rollers of each unit being adapted to straddle and ride on said first rail, and a second rail extending between said first and second transfer stations, said second pair of rollers of each unit being adapted to straddle and ride on said second rail.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A conveyor assembly according to claim 1 wherein: each said transfer station includes a sprocket for receiving each unit in sequence, and first and second guide surfaces for camming against said first and second pairs of rollers of each received unit for thereby causing relative pivotal movement of the respective first and second half portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A conveyor assembly according to claim 1 wherein: said pivotal connection between adjacent units is effectively spherical permitting fanning and twist between adjacent units.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A conveyor assembly according to claim 3 wherein: said first and second rails are resilient and adapted for movement relative to each other, thereby accomodating fanning and twist between adjacent units while maintaining the respective lateral passageways closed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A conveyor assembly according to claim 4 further including: first spring means adjacent said first transfer station bearing centrifugally against the return run of said endless chain of units; and second spring means adjacent said second transfer station bearing centrifugally against the return run of said endless chain of units.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US737216A
Cited
US2006343A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-20 | 1975-12-20 | 1976-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-20 | 1979-12-20 | 1980-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-20 | 1983-12-20 | 1984-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |