US3706370A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conveyor system
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1970-12-21
•
Granted: 1972-12-19
•
Expires: 1990-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A conveyor system comprising a plurality of tandem conveyor sections, each having an associated driver or power means, adjacent sections being coupled to each other by overrunning clutches, so that downstream sections can operate as fast or faster than upstream sections.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward J Bonafino
- 👤 Frederick W Doolittle
- 👤 Charles U Hayes
- 👤 James C Yarrington
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 03:47
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C3/00; B07C3/02; B07C3/08; B65; B65H; B65H29/00; B65H29/16; B65H2301/00; B65H2301/40; B65H2301/44; B65H2301/447; B65H2301/4473
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
In combination, a plurality of drive shafts which must be braked simultaneously or in a sequence which requires shafts to be braked in a sequence in which a first shaft is stopped first, a following shaft is stopped next, and following shafts are stopped in their successive order, and in which said plurality of shafts must all be driven at the same speed, or in a sequence in which the shafts successively following the first shaft are driven at speeds as high or higher than the speed of said first shaft, the combination comprising a plurality of driving motors, one for each of said shafts, coupled to the associated shafts, a corresponding plurality of brake devices, one for each of said motors, coupled to the associated motor shaft, a corresponding plurality of unidirectional clutch mechanisms, one for each of said shafts, for operatively connecting adjacent drive shafts, said unidirectional clutches being oriented so that drive shafts following the first shaft can overrun preceding shafts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
In combination, a plurality of drive shafts which must be braked simultaneously or in a sequence which requires shafts to be braked in a sequence in which a first shaft is stopped first, a following shaft is stopped next, and following shafts are stopped in their successive order, and in which said plurality of shafts must all be driven at the same speed, or in a sequence in which the shafts successively following the first shaft are driven at speeds as high or higher than the speed of said first shaft, the combination comprising a plurality of driving motors, one for each of said shafts, coupled to the associated shafts, a corresponding plurality of brake devices, one for each of said motors, coupled to the associated motor shaft, a corresponding plurality of unidirectional clutch mechanisms, one for each of said shafts, for operatively connecting adjacent drive shafts, said unidirectional clutches being oriented so that drive shafts following the first shaft can overrun preceding shafts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1, in which each of said drive shafts drives a section of a document conveyor, in which downstream sections must move documents as fast or faster than preceding sections in order to avoid document jams.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination as claimed in claim 2, in which a plurality of conveyor belts are provided in each card section, and resilient coupling means are provided for coupling the successive belts in each section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination as claimed in claim 3, in which said resilient coupling means includes a timing belt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
A conveyor system having a plurality of conveyor sections, a plurality of driving means, one for eacH of said sections, and a plurality of overrunning clutches, one for each of said sections, for coupling adjacent sections, said clutches being arranged so that an upstream conveyor section can drive downstream sections which are slower, and downstream sections can overrun the speed of an adjacent upstream section, and braking means for each of said driving means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
A conveyor system having a plurality of conveyor sections, a plurality of driving means, one for eacH of said sections, and a plurality of overrunning clutches, one for each of said sections, for coupling adjacent sections, said clutches being arranged so that an upstream conveyor section can drive downstream sections which are slower, and downstream sections can overrun the speed of an adjacent upstream section, and braking means for each of said driving means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A conveyor system as claimed in claim 5, in which each of said conveyor sections comprises an endless belt, and said coupling means comprise a timing belt for coupling adjacent sections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A conveyor system as claimed in claim 6, in which each of said conveyor sections is adapted to convey documents.
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) | 1975-12-19 | 1976-06-19 | 1976-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-19 | 1980-06-19 | 1980-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-19 | 1984-06-19 | 1984-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |