US3693776A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pusher loading means for conveyors
Assignee: Spra-Con Co
•
Filing: 1971-09-30
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Granted: 1972-09-26
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Expires: 1991-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A system for loading articles on a conveyor which includes a plurality of article carrying areas and having a loading platform positioned alongside the path of conveyor movement. The system includes pusher means which are mounted on a separate conveyor and which engage articles positioned on the platform. The pusher means are guided by track means so that the articles move longitudinally in the direction of conveyor movement and transversely toward the conveyor so that the articles can be deposited on the conveyor in an extremely smooth but rapid fashion. The pusher means include automatically operated and pivotally mounted end paddles which corner articles engaged by the pusher means to insure transfer movement over the platform and toward the conveyor.
Inventors
- 👤 John Harrison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:52
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G17/00; B65G17/005; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
292 words
In a system for loading articles on a conveyor wherein the conveyor defines a plurality of article carrying areas, a loading platform positioned alongside the path of conveyor movement, means for loading articles on said platform, pusher means mounted on a separate carrier for movement with said conveyor and adapted to engage articles positioned on the platform, and drive means for the pusher means, the improvement comprising means for controlling the pusher means whereby the pusher means operate to deposit articles on the conveyor, said means for controlling the pusher means comprising guide means engaging the pusher means and thereby determining the position of the pusher means, said guide means operating to direct said pusher means in the direction of conveyor movement whereby articles engaged by the pusher means are moved by the pusher means longitudinally over said platform, and said guide means operating to simultaneously direct each pusher means angularly in a direction toward said conveyor when an article carrying area is in position for receiving an article whereby each pusher means will move articles transversely over the platform and onto article carrying areas of said conveyor, and wherein each of said pusher means comprises a transversely extending portion defining an article engaging face, a paddle attached to said transversely extending portion at the end of the pusher means remote from said conveyor, and means for moving said paddles for locating the paddles in an open position during loading of articles on said platform, and for thereafter moving said paddles to turn the paddles to a closed position whereby the paddles form a corner configuration with said transversely extending portions to thereby maintain the articles in engagement with the pusher means during movement of the pusher means toward the article conveyor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
292 words
In a system for loading articles on a conveyor wherein the conveyor defines a plurality of article carrying areas, a loading platform positioned alongside the path of conveyor movement, means for loading articles on said platform, pusher means mounted on a separate carrier for movement with said conveyor and adapted to engage articles positioned on the platform, and drive means for the pusher means, the improvement comprising means for controlling the pusher means whereby the pusher means operate to deposit articles on the conveyor, said means for controlling the pusher means comprising guide means engaging the pusher means and thereby determining the position of the pusher means, said guide means operating to direct said pusher means in the direction of conveyor movement whereby articles engaged by the pusher means are moved by the pusher means longitudinally over said platform, and said guide means operating to simultaneously direct each pusher means angularly in a direction toward said conveyor when an article carrying area is in position for receiving an article whereby each pusher means will move articles transversely over the platform and onto article carrying areas of said conveyor, and wherein each of said pusher means comprises a transversely extending portion defining an article engaging face, a paddle attached to said transversely extending portion at the end of the pusher means remote from said conveyor, and means for moving said paddles for locating the paddles in an open position during loading of articles on said platform, and for thereafter moving said paddles to turn the paddles to a closed position whereby the paddles form a corner configuration with said transversely extending portions to thereby maintain the articles in engagement with the pusher means during movement of the pusher means toward the article conveyor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said guide means comprise track means, first portions of said track means extending over said platform and alongside said conveyor for guiding the pusher means over the platform, second portions of the track means extending angularly inwardly to a position over said conveyor for guiding said pusher means away from the platform and to the conveyor, and third portions of said track means extending over said conveyor for guiding said pusher means along the conveyor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A construction in accordance with claim 2 wherein the means supporting the pusher means on said separate carrier comprise transversely extending rods, means slideably supporting said pusher means on said rods, said track means operating to drive said pusher means back and forth along the length of the rods for movement of the pusher means between positions over said platform and over said article conveyor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A construction in accordance with claim 1 including brushes extending along the bottom edge of said pusher means, said brushes sweeping said platform during movement of the pusher means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
126 words
A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said paddles are pivotally attached to said pusher means, paddle drive means carried by the pusher means, said means for moving the paddLes operating said paddle drive means, and wherein said guide means comprise track means, first portions of said track means extending over said platform and alongside said conveyor for guiding the pusher means over the platform, second portions of the track means extending angularly inwardly to a position over said conveyor for guiding said pusher means away from the platform and to the conveyor, and third portions of said track means extending over said conveyor for guiding said pusher means along the conveyor, said first portion of said track means being located opposite said induction stations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A construction in accordance with claim 5 wherein said induction stations are located at spaced apart intervals along said platform, said intervals being equal to at least twice the width of said article carrying areas, and said pusher means being spaced apart by corresponding intervals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
A construction in accordance with claim 6 wherein the article carrying areas on said article conveyor are divided into sets of alternating areas, and including first and second groups of induction means, one of said groups operating to deliver articles for engagement by pusher means delivering articles to one set of article carrying areas, and the other of said groups operating to deliver articles for engagement by pusher means delivering articles to the other set of article carrying areas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
A construction in accordance with claim 7 wherein said separate carrier operates in synchronism with said article conveyor, each of the pusher means on said separate carrier thereby moving in timed relationship with specific article carrying areas, said pusher means being located on said separate carrier whereby the pusher means move adjacent the trailing edge of each article carrying area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A construction in accordance with claim 8 including separate track means for guiding alternating pusher means, one track means guiding the pusher means delivering articles to one set of article carrying areas, and the other track means guiding pusher means delivering articles to the other set of article carrying areas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A construction in accordance with claim 5 wherein said paddle drive means comprise a rotating shaft connected to said paddles, said paddle drive means comprising means positioned alongside the platform for engaging the rotating shafts of each paddle as the associated pusher means move over the platform.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3339699A
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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) | 1975-09-26 | 1976-03-27 | 1976-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-26 | 1980-03-27 | 1980-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-26 | 1984-03-27 | 1984-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |