US3670906A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article loading system
Assignee: Miller Engineering Corp
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Filing: 1970-01-14
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Granted: 1972-06-20
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Expires: 1990-01-14
Abstract
Abstract Discloses a feed conveyor and a main or receiving conveyor in the form of an endless belt trained over two or more sprockets and containing a series of openings or apertures through which articles on the conveyor are fed gravitationally onto an elevator. A fixed stop is located over the elevator so that articles, fed onto the conveyor, are selectively turned so as to form an open pattern in an accumulating zone on said conveyor and ultimately come into abutting relation with the stop. The open pattern is closed and is held in fixed position until one of said apertures comes into registry with the elevator below the fixed stop so that the layer or pattern of articles held in said position pass gravitationally through said aperture onto a pallet on said elevator platform. A unique control system involves the use of an auxilliary control conveyor driven in synchronism with the main conveyor and which contains actuating members in the form of cams judiciously placed so as to actuate control members, such as limit switches or pneumatic valves to perform specific functions at specific points on said conveyor.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank H Miller Jr
- 👤 David L Witherspoon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:20
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/02; B65G47/04; B65G47/06; B65G47/08; B65G47/084; B65G47/086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
An article loading system, for loading articles in the form of layers onto a pallet supported on a vertically movable elevator which is incrementally lowered to receive successive layers of said articles, said system comprising: A. an article feeding means; B. an article receiving conveyor including: 1. a receiving zone for receiving said articles from said article feeding means 2. a loading zone comprising an aperture in said conveyor through which said articles gravitationally pass onto said pallet on said elevator; C. a fixed stop disposed over said elevator for stopping said articles and for maintaining said articles in fixed position over said elevator for loading onto said pallet through said aperture; D. power means for driving said receiving conveyor; E. a positioning station for displacing an article to the side of the original line of travel which includes: 1. a turning station for selectively turning articles clockwise and counterclockwise to the side of their original line of travel so that said turned articles lie with their longitudinal axes at about 90* from their original position; 2. said turning station comprising an article turning member which includes a. a cross piece, b. two projecting legs, said legs being slightly flared so as to form an open mouth in alignment with articles fed from said article feeding means onto said receiving conveyor; 3. a first power means to selectively turn said member 90* counterclockwise and 90* clockwise.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
236 words
An article loading system, for loading articles in the form of layers onto a pallet supported on a vertically movable elevator which is incrementally lowered to receive successive layers of said articles, said system comprising: A. an article feeding means; B. an article receiving conveyor including: 1. a receiving zone for receiving said articles from said article feeding means 2. a loading zone comprising an aperture in said conveyor through which said articles gravitationally pass onto said pallet on said elevator; C. a fixed stop disposed over said elevator for stopping said articles and for maintaining said articles in fixed position over said elevator for loading onto said pallet through said aperture; D. power means for driving said receiving conveyor; E. a positioning station for displacing an article to the side of the original line of travel which includes: 1. a turning station for selectively turning articles clockwise and counterclockwise to the side of their original line of travel so that said turned articles lie with their longitudinal axes at about 90* from their original position; 2. said turning station comprising an article turning member which includes a. a cross piece, b. two projecting legs, said legs being slightly flared so as to form an open mouth in alignment with articles fed from said article feeding means onto said receiving conveyor; 3. a first power means to selectively turn said member 90* counterclockwise and 90* clockwise.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
a loading zone comprising an aperture in said conveyor through which said articles gravitationally pass onto said pallet on said elevator; C. a fixed stop disposed over said elevator for stopping said articles and for maintaining said articles in fixed position over said elevator for loading onto said pallet through said aperture; D. power means for driving said receiving conveyor; E. a positioning station for displacing an article to the side of the original line of travel which includes:
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
a loading zone comprising an aperture in said conveyor through which said articles gravitationally pass onto said pallet on said elevator; C. a fixed stop disposed over said elevator for stopping said articles and for maintaining said articles in fixed position over said elevator for loading onto said pallet through said aperture; D. power means for driving said receiving conveyor; E. a positioning station for displacing an article to the side of the original line of travel which includes:
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
said turning station comprising an article turning member which includes a. a cross piece, b. two projecting legs, said legs being slightly flared so as to form an open mouth in alignment with articles fed from said article feeding means onto said receiving conveyor;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
said turning station comprising an article turning member which includes a. a cross piece, b. two projecting legs, said legs being slightly flared so as to form an open mouth in alignment with articles fed from said article feeding means onto said receiving conveyor;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
An article loading system, as defined in claim 1, in which said turning station comprises: A. a second power means to selectively raise said receiving member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
An article loading system, as defined in claim 1, in which each of said projecting legs of said turning member comprises: A. a pivotably mounted gate; B. a spring in operative relation with said gate for holding said gate closed when the turning member is turning, but which allows the gate to open and the articles to pass through said gate after the turn is complete.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
a first power means to selectively turn said member 90* counterclockwise and 90* clockwise.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
a first power means to selectively turn said member 90* counterclockwise and 90* clockwise.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
An article loading system, as defined in claim 3, the combination with said spring of a trigger in operative relation with said gate, A. the further combination therewith of a dog located at the end of the swing of said turning member to trip said trigger to swing the gate outwardly, and B. a dog to engage said trigger on the return swing to wind up the spring for the next cycle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
An article loading system, as defined in claim 3, in which each of said flared legs contain an angular extension, A. said extension flaring medically inwardly then turning sharply outwardly to form a surface which directs an article into said turning member.
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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 |