US3712241A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endless towing conveyor
Assignee: Psb Intralogistics GmbH
•
Filing: 1971-01-04
•
Granted: 1973-01-23
•
Expires: 1991-01-04
Abstract
Abstract Endless towing conveyor having a suspension track disposed below the towing chain for running carts rolling thereon, where the movable part of a coupling device is disposed between a towing chain and running carts exclusively on the drivers or dogs of the towing chain and cooperate with a curved member on the running carts which is rounded forwardly in the direction of advancement and equipped with a vertical abutment surface in the back.
Inventors
- 👤 E Kuwertz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:52
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61B; B61B10/00; B61B10/02; B61B10/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
Endless towing conveyor comprising a towing chain, a suspension track disposed below said chain, carts having driven means movable on said track, driving means comprising each as movable members a driving finger and a latching lever on said towing chain disposed between said towing chain and one of said carts, said driven means having a curved portion at the forward end in the direction of travel for cooperation with said driving means and having a portion presenting a vertical abutment surface at the rearward end, and a stopping member below said chain in the path of movement of said driven means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
Endless towing conveyor comprising a towing chain, a suspension track disposed below said chain, carts having driven means movable on said track, driving means comprising each as movable members a driving finger and a latching lever on said towing chain disposed between said towing chain and one of said carts, said driven means having a curved portion at the forward end in the direction of travel for cooperation with said driving means and having a portion presenting a vertical abutment surface at the rearward end, and a stopping member below said chain in the path of movement of said driven means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
Endless towing conveyor in accordance with claim 1, where each said cart has a front and a rear running roller, and a cap covering each said roller, and said cap on said front running roller defining said curved portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
Endless towing conveyor in accordance with claim 2, where said driving means include a housing that is open at the bottom in which one said driving finger and one said latching lever are journalled for pivotal movement about horizontal axes, said latching lever having a nose retaining said driving finger in lowered vertical position and freeing said driving finger in raised position for pivotal upward movement in the direction opposite to the direction of travel, and said cap on said rearward running roller being devoid of a curved member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
Endless towing conveyor in accordance with claim 3, comprising a main conveyor channel and transfer conveyor branches and switches between said main conveyor channel and said transfer conveyor branches said channel and said branches being provided with eLements of equal form of construction such as equal towing chains, equal coupling devices and equal suspension tracks for carts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
Endless towing conveyor in accordance with claim 4, where said switches between the main conveyor channel and transfer conveyors comprise essentially a switch tongue and an actuating lever for moving said switch tongue, a vertical stud supporting said lever biased at one end and having a pin at the other end, said switch tongue being rectangularly shaped and having a slot receiving said pin for sliding movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
Endless towing conveyor in accordance with claim 5, comprising a flat nose at the free end of said switch tongue and slotted recesses in the ends of said suspension rail, slidingly receiving said flat nose.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
Endless towing conveyor in accordance with claim 6, including an electromagnet having a plunger in engagement with said actuating lever for moving said switch tongue, a biasing spring connected to one end of said actuating lever and a recoil spring connected to said end associated with said biasing spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
Endless towing conveyor in accordance with claim 7, where said switch tongue and said actuating lever include an angle of 90* between them when said switch tongue is inoperative.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
Endless towing conveyor in accordance with claim 8, where said carts are provided with rollers having a cross-section with an area parallel to the axis for rolling on the rectangular shaped switch tongue and an inwardly connecting area for rolling on rails of circular cross-section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
Endless towing conveyor in accordance with claim 9, comprising a catch in said switch tongue defining a recoil latch automatically actuated by the counterweight in its lower area.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
Endless towing conveyor in accordance with claim 10, comprising elastic intermediate areas defined by rubber elements provided intermediate the towing chain and said driving means.
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) | 1976-01-23 | 1976-07-24 | 1977-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-23 | 1980-07-24 | 1981-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-23 | 1984-07-24 | 1985-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |