Conveyor system lift assembly

Claim 2

A lift assembly for use with a conveyor and comprising a frame, a lift supported for rotation relative to the frame about a generally vertical axis and mounted for reciprocating axial movement between a rest position generally in alignment with a conveyor and an extended position in raised relation to its rest position, the lift being movable through an elevated position intermediate its rest and extended positions upon reciprocation of the lift therebetween, and drive means for reciprocating the lift between its rest and extended positions, the drive means including an angular control operator operative upon movement of the lift between its rest and intermediate elevated positions to maintain the lift in nonrotating condition, and the angular control operator being operative upon reciprocation of the lift between its intermediate elevated and extended positions for imparting progressive rotational movements in one common angular direction to the lift during its reciprocation from its intermediate elevated position toward and away from its extended position.

Claim 3

The lift assembly of claim 1 wherein the angular control operator rotates the lift a predetermined angular amount in one angular direction to cause the lift to be disposed in a rest position at a preselected anglE to that initially occupied by the lift before its reciprocation by the drive means.

Claim 4

The lift assembly of claim 1 wherein the drive means includes a fluid actuated cylinder and a piston rod operated by the cylinder for reciprocating the lift between its rest and extended positions responsive to reciprocation of the piston rod by the cylinder.

Claim 5

The lift assembly of claim 3 wherein the lift is supported for rotation on the piston rod.

Claim 6

The lift assembly of claim 1 wherein the angular control operator further includes vertical guideway means on one of the lift and frame members, and a projection on the other of the lift and frame members, the projection being received in the vertical guideway means upon movement of the lift between its rest and intermediate elevated positions for maintaining the lift in a nonrotating condition.

Claim 7

A lift assembly for use with a conveyor and comprising a frame, a lift supported for rotation relative to the frame about a generally vertical axis and mounted for reciprocating axial movement between a rest position generally in alignment with a conveyor and an extended position in raised relation to its rest position, the lift being movable through an elevated position intermediate its rest and extended positions upon reciprocation of the lift therebetween, and drive means for reciprocating the lift between its rest and extended positions, the drive means including an angular control operator operative upon movement of the lift between its rest and intermediate elevated positions to maintain the lift in nonrotating condition, and the angular control operator being operative upon reciprocation of the lift between its intermediate elevated and extended positions for imparting rotational movement to the lift, the angular control operator comprising a disengageable positive one-way rotary drive operable to be drivingly engaged with the lift in its intermediate elevated position for rotating the lift a predetermined angular amount in one angular direction and to be disengaged after the lift has rotated said predetermined angular amount.

Claim 8

A lift assembly for use with a conveyor and comprising a frame, a lift supported for rotation relative to the frame about a generally vertical axis and mounted for reciprocating axial movement between a rest position generally in alignment with a conveyor and an extended position in raised relation to its rest position, the lift being movable through an elevated position intermediate its rest and extended positions upon reciprocation of the lift therebetween, and drive means for reciprocating the lift between its rest and extended positions, the drive means including an angular control operator operative upon movement of the lift between its rest and intermediate elevated positions to maintain the lift in nonrotating condition, and the angular control operator being operative upon reciprocation of the lift between its intermediate elevated and extended positions for imparting rotational movement to the lift, the angular control operator comprising a disengageable positive one-way rotary drive operable to be drivingly engaged with the lift in its intermediate elevated position for rotating the lift a predetermined angular amount in one angular direction and to be disengaged after the lift has rotated said predetermined angular amount.

Claim 9

The lift assembly of claim 6 wherein the rotary drive is disengaged responsive to return of the lift into its intermediate elevated position.

Claim 10

A lift assembly for use with a conveyor and comprising a frame, a lift supported for rotation relative to the frame about a generally vertical axis and mounted for reciprocating axial movement between a rest position generally in alignment with a conveyor and an extended position in raised relation to its rest position, the lift being movable through an elevated position intermediate its rest and extended positions upon reciprocation of the lift therebetween, and drive means for reciprocating the lift between its rest and extended positions, the drive means including an angular control operator operative upon movement of the lift between its rest and intermediate elevated positions to maintain the lift in nonrotating condition, and the angular control operator being operative upon reciprocation of the lift between its intermediate elevated and extended positions for imparting rotational movement to the lift, the angular control operator including a cam on one of the lift and frame members, and a cam follower on the other of the lift and frame members, the follower engaging the cam when the lift is raised to said intermediate elevated position, the follower and cam cooperating to rotate the lift a predetermined angular amount in one angular direction from a first angular condition to a second angular condition during vertical reciprocation of the lift between its intermediate elevated and extended positions, the follower disengaging the cam upon return of the lift to its intermediate elevated position and permitting linear nonrotating return of the lift therefrom vertically downwardly into its rest position with the lift being angularly oriented in its second angular condition.

Claim 11

A lift assembly for use with a conveyor and comprising a frame, a lift supported for rotation relative to the frame about a generally vertical axis and mounted for reciprocating axial movement between a rest position generally in alignment with a conveyor and an extended position in raised relation to its rest position, the lift being movable through an elevated position intermediate its rest and extended positions upon reciprocation of the lift therebetween, and drive means for reciprocating the lift between its rest and extended positions, the drive means including an angular control operator operative upon movement of the lift between its rest and intermediate elevated positions to maintain the lift in nonrotating condition, and the angular control operator being operative upon reciprocation of the lift between its intermediate elevated and extended positions for imparting rotational movement to the lift, the angular control operator including a cam on one of the lift and frame members, and a cam follower on the other of the lift and frame members, the follower engaging the cam when the lift is raised to said intermediate elevated position, the follower and cam cooperating to rotate the lift a predetermined angular amount in one angular direction from a first angular condition to a second angular condition during vertical reciprocation of the lift between its intermediate elevated and extended positions, the follower disengaging the cam upon return of the lift to its intermediate elevated position and permitting linear nonrotating return of the lift therefrom vertically downwardly into its rest position with the lift being angularly oriented in its second angular condition.

Claim 12

The lift assembly of claim 8 further including releasable fastening means for securIng the cam follower in adjusted position on said other of the lift and frame members, the cam follower being eccentrically mounted relative to its fastening means for selectively adjusting engagement of the cam follower with the cam in said intermediate elevated position of the lift.

Claim 13

A lift assembly for use with a conveyor and comprising a frame, a lift supported for rotation relative to the frame about a generally vertical axis and mounted for reciprocating axial movement between a rest position generally in alignment with a conveyor and an extended position in raised relation to its rest position, the lift being movable through an elevated position intermediate its rest and extended positions upon reciprocation of the lift therebetween, and drive means for reciprocating the lift between its rest and extended positions, the drive means including an angular control operator operative upon movement of the lift between its rest and intermediate elevated positions to maintain the lift in nonrotating condition, and the angular control operator being operative upon reciprocation of the lift between its intermediate elevated and extended positions for imparting rotational movement to the lift, the angular control operator rotating the lift a predetermined angular amount in one angular direction to cause the lift to be disposed in a rest position at a preselected angle to that initially occupied by the lift before its reciprocation by the drive means, said predetermined angular amount of rotation of said lift being a 90* angular displacement responsive to reciprocating movement of the lift from its intermediate elevated position toward and away from its extended position.

Claim 14

A lift assembly for use with a conveyor and comprising a frame, a lift supported for rotation relative to the frame about a generally vertical axis and mounted for reciprocating axial movement between a rest position generally in alignment with a conveyor and an extended position in raised relation to its rest position, the lift being movable through an elevated position intermediate its rest and extended positions upon reciprocation of the lift therebetween, and drive means for reciprocating the lift between its rest and extended positions, the drive means including an angular control operator operative upon movement of the lift between its rest and intermediate elevated positions to maintain the lift in nonrotating condition, and the angular control operator being operative upon reciprocation of the lift between its intermediate elevated and extended positions for imparting rotational movement to the lift, the angular control operator rotating the lift a predetermined angular amount in one angular direction to cause the lift to be disposed in a rest position at a preselected angle to that initially occupied by the lift before its reciprocation by the drive means, said predetermined angular amount of rotation of said lift being a 90* angular displacement responsive to reciprocating movement of the lift from its intermediate elevated position toward and away from its extended position.

Claim 15

A lift assembly for use with a conveyor and comprising a frame, a lift supported for rotation relative to the frame about a generally vertical axis and mounted for reciprocating axial movement between a rest position generally in alignment with a conveyor and an extended position in raised relation to its rest position, the lift being movable through an elevated position intermediate its rest and extended positions upon reciprocation of the lift therebetween, and drive means for reciprocating the lift between its rest and extended positions, the drive means including an angular control operator operative upon movement of the lift between its rest and intermediate elevated positions to maintain the lift in nonrotating condition, and the angular control operator being operative upon reciprocation of the lift between its intermediate elevated and extended positions for imparting rotational movement to the lift, and wherein first and second coaxial telescoping cylinders are provided on the frame and lift members, wherein a cam track is formed on one of the cylinders, and wherein a cam follower means is formed on the other of the cylinders, the cam track and cam follower means being operative upon reciprocation of the lift between its intermediate elevated and extended positions for rotating the lift a predetermined angular amount in one angular direction responsive to reciprocation of the lift between said intermediate elevated and extended positions.

Claim 16

A lift assembly for use with a conveyor and comprising a frame, a lift supported for rotation relative to the frame about a generally vertical axis and mounted for reciprocating axial movement between a rest position generally in alignment with a conveyor and an extended position in raised relation to its rest position, the lift being movable through an elevated position intermediate its rest and extended positions upon reciprocation of the lift therebetween, and drive means for reciprocating the lift between its rest and extended positions, the drive means including an angular control operator operative upon movement of the lift between its rest and intermediate elevated positions to maintain the lift in nonrotating condition, and the angular control operator being operative upon reciprocation of the lift between its intermediate elevated and extended positions for imparting rotational movement to the lift, and wherein first and second coaxial telescoping cylinders are provided on the frame and lift members, wherein a cam track is formed on one of the cylinders, and wherein a cam follower means is formed on the other of the cylinders, the cam track and cam follower means being operative upon reciprocation of the lift between its intermediate elevated and extended positions for rotating the lift a predetermined angular amount in one angular direction responsive to reciprocation of the lift between said intermediate elevated and extended positions.

Claim 17

The lift assembly of claim 11 wherein the cam track formed on said one cylinder is provided by a saw-tooth slot circumferentially extending about said one cylinder to provide upper and lower camming surfaces engageable with the cam follower means for imparting said rotational movement to the lift.

Claim 18

The lift assembly of claim 12 wherein the saw-tooth slot is configured and dimensioned to provide a 90* angular displacement of the lift during one operating cycle of the angular control operator upon reciprocation of the lift from its intermediate elevated position toward and away from its extended position.

Claim 19

The lift assembly of claim 12 wherein the cam follower means comprises a pair of cam follower rollers mounted on said other cylinder in diametrically opposed relation thereon for receipt in the saw-tooth slot of said one Cylinder.