Patent US3743077A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3743077A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable speed conveyor
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1970-12-28
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Granted: 1973-07-03
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Expires: 1990-12-28
Abstract
Abstract A variable speed conveyor having an endless conveyor member composed of longitudinally spaced load-bearing sections which are relatively movable with at least a component of relative motion parallel to the conveyor path. The conveyor member is driven endwise in a manner such that the velocity of each load-bearing section parallel to the conveyor path varies along the path between the conveyor in-feed and out-feed stations to maximize the average conveyor velocity along the path and/or to provide the conveyor with different in-feed and out-feed velocities. The conveyor is useful both as an article conveyance and a pedestrian conveyance.
Inventors
- 👤 A Hammitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:34
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66B; B66B21/00; B66B21/10; B66B21/12; B66B23/00; B66B23/02; B66B23/08; B66B23/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
A variable speed conveyor comprising: An endless conveyor member including a number of relatively flat and laterally rigid load bearing sections spaced longitudinally of said member each including a pair of rigid plate members movable toward and away from one another in the endwise direction of said conveyor member and having spaced tongues along their adjacent edges extending in said direction, the tongues on one plate member extending between the adjacent tongues on the other plate member, slidably interfitting guide means on the adjacent tongues of the plate members joining the tongues for relative movement in said endwise direction, spring means operatively connected between the plate members of each conveyor section for yieldably urging the respective plate members toward one another in the endwise direction of said conveyor member and hinge means joining the adjacent load bearing sections on pivot axes extending transversely of said conveyor member; means supporting said conveyor member for endwise movement; said conveyor member having a load bearing run extending along a linear path of motion between an in-feed station and an outfeed station; and means for driving said conveyor member endwise to cause movement of said load bearing sections within said conveyor run from said in-feed station to said out-feed station in such a way that the velocity of said load bearing sections along said conveyor path varies between said stations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
A variable speed conveyor comprising: An endless conveyor member including a number of relatively flat and laterally rigid load bearing sections spaced longitudinally of said member each including a pair of rigid plate members movable toward and away from one another in the endwise direction of said conveyor member and having spaced tongues along their adjacent edges extending in said direction, the tongues on one plate member extending between the adjacent tongues on the other plate member, slidably interfitting guide means on the adjacent tongues of the plate members joining the tongues for relative movement in said endwise direction, spring means operatively connected between the plate members of each conveyor section for yieldably urging the respective plate members toward one another in the endwise direction of said conveyor member and hinge means joining the adjacent load bearing sections on pivot axes extending transversely of said conveyor member; means supporting said conveyor member for endwise movement; said conveyor member having a load bearing run extending along a linear path of motion between an in-feed station and an outfeed station; and means for driving said conveyor member endwise to cause movement of said load bearing sections within said conveyor run from said in-feed station to said out-feed station in such a way that the velocity of said load bearing sections along said conveyor path varies between said stations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
147 words
An endless conveyor member for a variable speed conveyor comprising: a number of relatively flat and laterally rigid load bearing sections spaced longitudinally of said member each including a pair of rigid plate members movable toward and away from one another in the endwise direction of said conveyor member and having spaced tongues along their adjacent edges extending in said direction, the tongues on one plate member extending between the adjacent tongues on the other plate member, slidably interfitting guide means on the adjacent tongues of the plate members joining the tongues for relative movement in said endwise direction, spring means operatively connected between the plate members of each conveyor section for yieldably urging the respective plate members toward one another in the endwise direction of said conveyor member and hinge means joining the adjacent load bearing sections on pivot axes extending transversely of said conveyor member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
147 words
An endless conveyor member for a variable speed conveyor comprising: a number of relatively flat and laterally rigid load bearing sections spaced longitudinally of said member each including a pair of rigid plate members movable toward and away from one another in the endwise direction of said conveyor member and having spaced tongues along their adjacent edges extending in said direction, the tongues on one plate member extending between the adjacent tongues on the other plate member, slidably interfitting guide means on the adjacent tongues of the plate members joining the tongues for relative movement in said endwise direction, spring means operatively connected between the plate members of each conveyor section for yieldably urging the respective plate members toward one another in the endwise direction of said conveyor member and hinge means joining the adjacent load bearing sections on pivot axes extending transversely of said conveyor member.
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) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |