US3690433A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nonsynchronous transfer apparatus
Assignee: Polaroid Corp
•
Filing: 1970-07-16
•
Granted: 1972-09-12
•
Expires: 1990-07-16
Abstract
Abstract Closed loop conveyor apparatus for moving pallet supported workpieces comprising a pair of endless chain conveyors having guide rollers engaging guide rails, and pallet support rollers contacting the underside of the pallets. As a work station is approached, the support rollers may be rotated to slow down the speed of the pallets relative to the conveyors so that indexing means may remove the pallets from the conveyors and properly align the pallets at the work station. After a machining or assembly operation is completed, the pallets are replaced on the support rollers which may be rotated to smoothly increase their speed relative to that of the conveyors.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel A Buldini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:20
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G17/00; B65G17/24; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A workpiece conveyor system wherein a plurality of pallets are independently substantially horizontally transported between a plurality of work stations disposed along a conveyor line comprising: a pair of independent endless roller chain conveyors disposed parallel to one another, each of said roller chain conveyors including a plurality of substantially horizontally pivotally interconnected links, and independently rotatable pallet support rollers; rail means for supporting said endless roller chain conveyors; guide means engaging said endless roller chain conveyors and adapted to ride against said rail means in order to guide said endless roller chain conveyors along a predetermined path; and means in direct communicatioN with same of said pallet support rollers to adjust the rate of rotation of said pallet support rollers in order to regulate the speed of pallets supported thereby relative to the speed of the chain conveyors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A workpiece conveyor system wherein a plurality of pallets are independently substantially horizontally transported between a plurality of work stations disposed along a conveyor line comprising: a pair of independent endless roller chain conveyors disposed parallel to one another, each of said roller chain conveyors including a plurality of substantially horizontally pivotally interconnected links, and independently rotatable pallet support rollers; rail means for supporting said endless roller chain conveyors; guide means engaging said endless roller chain conveyors and adapted to ride against said rail means in order to guide said endless roller chain conveyors along a predetermined path; and means in direct communicatioN with same of said pallet support rollers to adjust the rate of rotation of said pallet support rollers in order to regulate the speed of pallets supported thereby relative to the speed of the chain conveyors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means to regulate the rate of rotation of said pallet support rollers comprises: first endless belt means for contacting the periphery of said support rollers to impart rotation thereto decelerate said pallets relative to the endless roller chain conveyors; and second endless belt means for contacting the periphery of said support rollers to impart rotation thereto to accelerate said pallets relative to the endless roller chain conveyors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising inner and outer casing members substantially enclosing said endless roller chain conveyors. chain
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said endless roller chain conveyors are located substantially vertically beneath said pallets and said pallet support rollers are larger than said guide rollers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said endless roller chain conveyors are disposed laterally of and below said pallets, and said pallet support rollers are disposed directly beneath said pallets.
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) | 1975-09-12 | 1976-03-13 | 1976-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-12 | 1980-03-13 | 1980-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-12 | 1984-03-13 | 1984-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |