US3770102A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Accumulator with transport override
Assignee: GOOD M DE
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Filing: 1971-07-30
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Granted: 1973-11-06
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Expires: 1991-07-30
Abstract
Abstract This invention discloses an accumulator conveyor having a powered propelling member passing through a plurality of independent operating zones arranged in tandem along the conveyor. In each zone, the propelling member is shiftable between an article propelling and an article non-propelling position by pneumatically actuated pressure rollers acting on the propelling member. A valve operated by an article detecting sensor in each zone operates to supply or exhaust fluid pressure to the actuators. An auxiliary valve system connected between a secondary pressure source and the actuators operates to shift all of the operating zones into an article propelling position thereby overriding the accumulator function of the conveyor.
Inventors
- 👤 Good M De
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:39
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/22; B65G47/26; B65G47/261; B65G2203/00; B65G2203/04; B65G2203/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
317 words
An accumulator conveyor havinG a plurality of rollers forming an article transporting track, a driven propelling member, means supporting said propelling member in driving contact with said rollers, a plurality of pneumatically powered actuator means for effecting engagement and disengagement of said propelling member from said rollers, said actuator means being arranged in tandem along said conveyor, a source of air under pressure and a first conduit connecting it in parallel to each of said actuator means, a valve interposed in said conduit between said source of air and each of said actuator means, a plurality of sensors for detecting the presence of an article on said conveyor, one said sensor operatively connected to each of said valves, each of said actuators having a pneumatically inflatable member, said conveyor characterized by a primary source of air under pressure connected to each inflatable member and a plurality of control valves, one said control valve interposed between said source and each of said inflatable members, each of said control valves being operatively connected to one of said sensor, actuation of said sensor shifting the control valve associated therewith to a closed position for effecting disengagement of said propelling member from said rollers, said conveyor characterized by a second conduit connected to said source of air and to each of said inflatable members between the control valve associated with each valve and said inflatable member, a master valve in said second conduit, said master valve when open admitting air under pressure to all of said inflatable members to thereby shift said propelling member into engagement with said rollers irrespective of whether or not any of said control valves are open for causing movement of all articles on the article propelling track, a normally closed check valve between said master valve and each of said inflatable members to prevent air admitted by said sensor controlled valves from entering said secondary conduit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
317 words
An accumulator conveyor havinG a plurality of rollers forming an article transporting track, a driven propelling member, means supporting said propelling member in driving contact with said rollers, a plurality of pneumatically powered actuator means for effecting engagement and disengagement of said propelling member from said rollers, said actuator means being arranged in tandem along said conveyor, a source of air under pressure and a first conduit connecting it in parallel to each of said actuator means, a valve interposed in said conduit between said source of air and each of said actuator means, a plurality of sensors for detecting the presence of an article on said conveyor, one said sensor operatively connected to each of said valves, each of said actuators having a pneumatically inflatable member, said conveyor characterized by a primary source of air under pressure connected to each inflatable member and a plurality of control valves, one said control valve interposed between said source and each of said inflatable members, each of said control valves being operatively connected to one of said sensor, actuation of said sensor shifting the control valve associated therewith to a closed position for effecting disengagement of said propelling member from said rollers, said conveyor characterized by a second conduit connected to said source of air and to each of said inflatable members between the control valve associated with each valve and said inflatable member, a master valve in said second conduit, said master valve when open admitting air under pressure to all of said inflatable members to thereby shift said propelling member into engagement with said rollers irrespective of whether or not any of said control valves are open for causing movement of all articles on the article propelling track, a normally closed check valve between said master valve and each of said inflatable members to prevent air admitted by said sensor controlled valves from entering said secondary conduit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
183 words
An accumulator conveyor having a plurality of rollers forming an article transporting track, a driven propelling member engageable and disengageable from said rollers; said conveyor having a plurality of sections arranged in tandem; an article detecting sensor in each section; separate and independent means in each section for bringing together and separating said rollers and propelling member for effecting drive and non-drive of said rollers, said means having an inflatable actuator and a valve operatively connected to a sensor for controlling the admission of a primary source of air under pressure to said actuator, said actuator in each said section positioned on an opposite side of said conveyor with respect to an adjacent section to thereby prevent lateral shifting of said propelling member as said propelling member is shifted toward and away from said rolers, said conveyor characterized by a secondary source of air under pressure connected to each of said actuators and a master valve, said master valve when open admitting air under pressure to all of said actuators simultaneously irrespective of whether some or all of said control valves are closed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
183 words
An accumulator conveyor having a plurality of rollers forming an article transporting track, a driven propelling member engageable and disengageable from said rollers; said conveyor having a plurality of sections arranged in tandem; an article detecting sensor in each section; separate and independent means in each section for bringing together and separating said rollers and propelling member for effecting drive and non-drive of said rollers, said means having an inflatable actuator and a valve operatively connected to a sensor for controlling the admission of a primary source of air under pressure to said actuator, said actuator in each said section positioned on an opposite side of said conveyor with respect to an adjacent section to thereby prevent lateral shifting of said propelling member as said propelling member is shifted toward and away from said rolers, said conveyor characterized by a secondary source of air under pressure connected to each of said actuators and a master valve, said master valve when open admitting air under pressure to all of said actuators simultaneously irrespective of whether some or all of said control valves are closed.
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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) | 1976-11-05 | 1977-05-07 | 1977-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-05 | 1981-05-07 | 1981-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-05 | 1985-05-07 | 1985-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |