US3776344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article induction system
Assignee: Spra-Con Co
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Filing: 1972-03-10
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Granted: 1973-12-04
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Expires: 1992-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A system for handling articles which are to be moved from a supporting surface to a receiving area comprising an article engaging paddle and associated drive means. The drive means comprise a conveyor for moving the paddle over the supporting surface with the paddle in article engaging position. The conveyor automatically locates the paddle out of article engaging position upon return movement of the paddle, and then brings the paddle into position for engaging a succeeding article on the supporting surface. The paddle is preferably pivotally connected relative to the conveyor and a cam is positioned for engaging the paddle just prior to its movement into article engaging position. This cam serves to maintain the end of the paddle within relatively small lateral limits whereby the paddle can be inserted into article engaging position without sacrificing space requirements in the construction. The provision of the paddle is particularly useful in systems employing high speed conveyors as the supporting surface since the paddle insures movement of articles along the conveyor even if the conveyor surface should slip beneath an article located thereon.
Inventors
- 👤 J Harrison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:04
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/74; B65G47/84; B65G47/841
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
In an article induction system wherein articles are moved from a supporting surface to a receiving area, the improvement comprising an article engaging paddle, and conveyor means connected to said paddle whereby the paddle is movable over the supporting surface for engaging articles for movement of the articles to the receiving area, said conveyor means comprising an endless driven member and means for driving said member, a paddle support tied to said member whereby said paddle and said support are moved by said driven member, a movable carriage, mounting means for the Carriage positioning the carriage adjacent said driven member, a track defined by said carriage, said support engaging said track whereby said carriage moves with the support, the carriage track at least assisting in controlling the position of the paddle relative to said supporting surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
In an article induction system wherein articles are moved from a supporting surface to a receiving area, the improvement comprising an article engaging paddle, and conveyor means connected to said paddle whereby the paddle is movable over the supporting surface for engaging articles for movement of the articles to the receiving area, said conveyor means comprising an endless driven member and means for driving said member, a paddle support tied to said member whereby said paddle and said support are moved by said driven member, a movable carriage, mounting means for the Carriage positioning the carriage adjacent said driven member, a track defined by said carriage, said support engaging said track whereby said carriage moves with the support, the carriage track at least assisting in controlling the position of the paddle relative to said supporting surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said paddle is pivotally mounted on said carriage, a cam member mounted in the path of movement of said paddle for engaging the paddle and thereby pivoting the paddle, said cam member being positioned whereby the outer end of the paddle is moved substantially directly inwardly over the supporting surface with a minimum of lateral displacement of said end relative to an article located on the supporting surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said paddle support includes a plate member, said paddle being connected to said plate member and said plate member being pivotally mounted to permit the pivotal movement of the paddle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said support carries a pivot pin for connecting the plate to the support, a second spaced-apart pin carried on said support, an elongated slot defined by said plate receiving said second pin, the combination of said slot and pin determining the extent of pivoting movement of the plate and associated paddle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
114 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said endless driven member comprises a drive chain movable in a horizontal plane, said chain having spaced-apart flights moving parallel with each other and paralled to the direction of movement of said articles, the paddle support being tied to a chain section and extending perpendicularly relative to said flights, said paddle being located over said article supporting surface when said chain section is located in the light closest to said receiving area whereby the paddle is in an article engaging position, and said paddle being located out of article engaging position when said section is located in the other flight during return movement of the paddle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
A system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said paddle is pivotally mounted on said carriage, a cam member mounted in the path of movement of said paddle for engaging the paddle and thereby pivoting the paddle, said cam member being positioned whereby the outer end of the paddle is moved substantially directly inwardly over the supporting surface with a minimum of lateral displacement of said end relative to an article located on the supporting surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said carriage mounting means comprise opposed rails positioned adjacent said flight and extending parallel thereto, said carriage moving in reciprocal fashion along said rails as said paddle moves in and out of article engaging position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein the track defined by said carriage extends perpendicular to the path of movement of articles on said supporting surface, and wherein said paddle reciprocates relative to said carriage into and out of article engaging positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system in accordance with claim 8 including rollers mounted on said paddle support for engaging said track.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system in accordance with claim 7 including rollers mounted on said carriage for engaging said rails.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said supporting surface comprises an article conveyor and including means for driving said conveyor, said conveyor driving means driving the article conveyor surface at a speed approximating the speed of said paddle whereby the speed of articles on the conveyor surface will be maintained when an article slips relative to the conveyor surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A construction in accordance with claim 11 wherein the lower edge of said paddle is positioned closely adjacent the surface of said article conveyor when the paddle is in article engaging position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein said means for driving the article conveyor impart a high speed to the conveyor whereby significant momentum is developed in articles located on the conveyor, said receiving area being characterized by movable article receiving locations, and means for initiating the high speed driving means for said article conveyor responsive to movement of an article receiving location into position for receiving an article.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
75 words
A system in accordance with claim 13 including means for stopping the operation of the drive means for said endless driven member when said paddle has been moved to a position such that further movement thereof will move the paddle over the article conveyor surface into article engaging position, and means for reinstituting movement of said driven member and paddle upon operation of said means for initiating the high speed drive for said article conveyor.
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) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |