US3738475A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conveyor system
Assignee: Eaton Corp
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Filing: 1971-07-16
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Granted: 1973-06-12
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Expires: 1991-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A conveyor system comprising a conveyor for transporting articles from any selected one of a plurality of input devices to any selected one of a plurality of output devices having conveyor position means for indicating movement of said conveyor and logic control means for selecting the input and output devices and synchronizing discharge to and from said conveyor with the movement thereof. The system comprises conveyor position sensor having an opaque sensor wheel driven by a drive wheel of a belt or chain conveyor. The sensor wheel is formed with a plurality of concentric, annular rows of signal means, with the signal means of each row spaced apart a rotational distance corresponding to a predetermined linear distance of the conveyor belt or chain. Photoelectric and magnetic means are provided to sense passing of the signal means as the sensor wheel is rotated and the conveyor belt is moved.
Inventors
- 👤 K Lee
- 👤 A Liddell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:56
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/34; B65G47/46; B65G47/50; B65G47/503
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
A conveyor system comprising: a plurality of article input chutes; a plurality of article output chutes; a conveyor comprising a plurality of article holding containers, each container capable of holding a plurality of articles and adapted to receive selected articles discharged from one or more of said article input chutes, each operable to discharge all of said articles therein to any selected one of said article output chutes, and drive means for driving said conveyor; a sensor wheel connected to be rotated by said conveyor; a plurality of signal means carried by said sensor wheel the signal means being spaced one from another a rotational distance about said sensor wheel corresponding to a predetermined linear distance along said conveyor; signal sensing means positioned to sense passage of said signal means and establishing an electrical signal in response to such passage; a plurality of signal input means, each located adjacent a respective one of said article input chutes, each for providing signals identifying the desired one of said article output chutes to which an article carried by the associated one of said article input chutes is to be delivered; and control logic means connected to receive said electrical signals from said sensing means in said signal input means for selectiVely and synchronously controlling discharge of articles from said article input chutes to selected ones of said containers and from said containers to said article output chutes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
235 words
A conveyor system comprising: a plurality of article input chutes; a plurality of article output chutes; a conveyor comprising a plurality of article holding containers, each container capable of holding a plurality of articles and adapted to receive selected articles discharged from one or more of said article input chutes, each operable to discharge all of said articles therein to any selected one of said article output chutes, and drive means for driving said conveyor; a sensor wheel connected to be rotated by said conveyor; a plurality of signal means carried by said sensor wheel the signal means being spaced one from another a rotational distance about said sensor wheel corresponding to a predetermined linear distance along said conveyor; signal sensing means positioned to sense passage of said signal means and establishing an electrical signal in response to such passage; a plurality of signal input means, each located adjacent a respective one of said article input chutes, each for providing signals identifying the desired one of said article output chutes to which an article carried by the associated one of said article input chutes is to be delivered; and control logic means connected to receive said electrical signals from said sensing means in said signal input means for selectiVely and synchronously controlling discharge of articles from said article input chutes to selected ones of said containers and from said containers to said article output chutes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A conveyor system as defined in claim 1 wherein: said signal input said comprises means for reading an identification code carried by sAid articles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
87 words
The device of claim 1 wherein; said signal means are disposed in a plurality of concentric annular rows, with the signal means of one of said rows being spaced a rotational distance about said sensor wheel corresponding to the linear distance along said conveyor between adjacent ones of said containers and the signal means of a second of said rows being spaced a rotational distance about said sensor wheel corresponding to a predetermined increment of the linear distance along said conveyor between adjacent ones of said containers.
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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) | 1976-06-11 | 1976-12-11 | 1977-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-11 | 1980-12-11 | 1981-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-11 | 1984-12-11 | 1985-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |