US3695183A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sliders and locking arrangements for integrator platforms
Assignee: Dunlop Holdings Ltd
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Filing: 1971-06-02
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Granted: 1972-10-03
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Expires: 1991-06-02
Abstract
Abstract A platform conveyor having a constant speed high-speed section and variable-speed sections at either end, the platforms being adapted to slide relative to one another in the variable-speed sections and locking and sliding mechanism for connecting the platforms. The locking and sliding mechanisms allow platform movement and prevent platform movement as required.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Zuppiger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:51
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66B; B66B21/00; B66B21/10; B66B21/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
A conveyor comprising a plurality of platforms adapted to travel along a predetermined path, the platforms of elongated plan form having parallel longitudinal edges, the path of the conveyor including a constant-speed high-speed load-carrying section and variable speed sections at each end of the high-speed section, the platforms being adapted to slide laterally relative to one another in a direction parallel to their longitudinal axes in the variable-speed sections, and locking and sliding mechanisms for connecting platforms, the mechanisms comprising a slidable member for retention in one of a pair of adjacent platforms and slidable laterally along the platform parallel to one longitudinal edge thereof, attachment means for connecting the slidable member in the other one of the pair of adjacent platforms, the attachment means adapted to be fixed against lateral movement relative to the said other platform, and locking means for permitting movement of the attachment means in a direction normal to the longitudinal axes of the platforms whereby the platforms, when assembled, are permitted to move apart at predetermined sections in the path of the conveyor, the locking means adapted to retain the attachment means in a Retracted position to maintain the platforms in contact for at least the load-carrying constant-speed section of the conveyor path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
A conveyor comprising a plurality of platforms adapted to travel along a predetermined path, the platforms of elongated plan form having parallel longitudinal edges, the path of the conveyor including a constant-speed high-speed load-carrying section and variable speed sections at each end of the high-speed section, the platforms being adapted to slide laterally relative to one another in a direction parallel to their longitudinal axes in the variable-speed sections, and locking and sliding mechanisms for connecting platforms, the mechanisms comprising a slidable member for retention in one of a pair of adjacent platforms and slidable laterally along the platform parallel to one longitudinal edge thereof, attachment means for connecting the slidable member in the other one of the pair of adjacent platforms, the attachment means adapted to be fixed against lateral movement relative to the said other platform, and locking means for permitting movement of the attachment means in a direction normal to the longitudinal axes of the platforms whereby the platforms, when assembled, are permitted to move apart at predetermined sections in the path of the conveyor, the locking means adapted to retain the attachment means in a Retracted position to maintain the platforms in contact for at least the load-carrying constant-speed section of the conveyor path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
142 words
A conveyor as claimed in claim 1, each locking and sliding mechanism comprising a slider for relative lateral sliding in a co-operating recess in the one platform, an arm extending from the slider in a direction normal to the axis of movement of the slider, a pivot member for attachment to the said other platform, the pivot member adapted to be fixed against relative lateral movement in the said other platform and for rotation about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the platform, means in the pivot member for the reception of the arm extending from the slider, the arm capable of movement relative to the pivot member in a direction normal to the rotational axis of the pivot member, and an abutment on the arm for engagement by the locking means for retaining the arm in the retracted position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A conveyor as claimed in claim 2, including a second abutment on the arm, the second abutment positioned to limit the movement of the arm in the pivot member, whereby the maximum separation of platforms can be controlled.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A conveyor as claimed in claim 2, the arm comprising a rod slidable in the pivot member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A conveyor as claimed in claim 4, the locking means comprising a locking member, having a forked end comprising two spaced-apart members adapted to embrace the rod and abut against the abutment on the rod in the locking condition, to retain the rod in the retracted position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A conveyor as claimed in claim 5, the locking member being mounted on an extension of the pivot member for sliding laterally parallel to the axis of rotation of the pivot member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A conveyor as claimed in claim 5, the locking member including means for engagement with actuating means positioned in the path of the platforms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A conveyor as claimed in claim 7, the locking member including a spring for biasing the locking member to the locking condition, the locking member adapted to be moved to the unlocking condition by the actuating means positioned in the path of the platforms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
A conveyor as claimed in claim 1 wherein two sliding and locking mechanisms are provided for each adjacent pair of platforms, a mechanism being provided for positioning adjacent the end of each platform, the slidable member of one mechanism adapted to be retained in the first one of the pair of platforms and the slidable member of the other mechanism adapted to be retained in the second one of the pair of platforms by abutment with the said mechanism.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
A conveyor as claimed in claim 9, the path of the conveyor including a high-speed constant-speed return section, including abutment means for attachment on each of the platforms, the abutment means being adapted to abut against each other when the platforms are in the return section, the abutment means comprising a slidable member of the locking and sliding mechanism, for one platform of a pair and the attachment means of the locking and sliding mechanism for the other platforms.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A conveyor as claimed in claim 1, each platform including an arcuate recess extending along at least one longitudinal edge, the recesses adapted to retain the slidable members and permit lateral sliding thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A conveyor as claimed in claim 1 including guide rails and carriage means for attachment to the platforms for the support and guidance of the platforms on the said rails.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
64 words
A conveyor as claimed in claim 1, including first means for attachment to one of a pair of adjacent platforms for engagement with second means on the other of the pair of platforms, whereby in operation the first and second means can be engaged when the platforms are in the constant-speed high-speed section to prevent lateral movement of the platforms relative to each other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A conveyor as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first means comprises an abutment member, and the second means comprises the slidable member oF the locking and sliding mechanisms.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
A conveyor as claimed in claim 14, the abutment member including a locking member, and an abutment on the locking and sliding mechanism for engagement by the locking member when the slidable member and the abutment member are in engagement.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
58 words
A conveyor as claimed in claim 15 wherein the locking member comprises a latch including a recess for engagement with the abutment on the locking and sliding mechanism, a spring urging the latch into an engaging position and means for engagement with actuating means in the path of the platforms for moving the latch to a disengaged position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
A conveyor as claimed in claim 16, the latch being adapted to engage the abutment on the locking and sliding mechanism to prevent relative movement of the platforms in either direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the platforms.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
A conveyor as claimed in claim 1, the path of the conveyor including a return high-speed constant-speed section, including abutment means for attachment on each of the platforms, the abutment means being adapted to abut against each other when the platforms are in the return section.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A conveyor as claimed in claim 18 including locking means adapted to retain the abutment means, on each of the platforms, in abutment.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
60 words
A conveyor according to claim 1 wherein locking and sliding mechanisms are provided in two pairs between each of the platforms, one locking and sliding mechanism being located towards each end of the platforms and the arrangement being such that one sliding element and one locking element of the mechanisms is provided adjacent to each longitudinal edge of each platform.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-03 | 1976-04-03 | 1976-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-03 | 1980-04-03 | 1980-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-03 | 1984-04-03 | 1984-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |