US3777873A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Brick conveyor
Assignee: Forrest Paschal Machinery Co
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Filing: 1972-05-04
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1992-05-04
Abstract
Abstract Trays of brick, stacked two courses to a tray, one atop the other, are marshalled along a main index conveyor to a first transfer point, where a first transfer carriage removes the upper course from each tray, and transfers it to an auxiliary index conveyor synchronized with and driven in the same direction as the main conveyor. The bricks then proceed down parallel paths on the main and auxiliary conveyors in single layers facilitating grading and inspection, yet maintaining the economy realized from a multi-layered path. After inspection and grading a separator sheet is placed atop the lower course on the main conveyor, and, upon reaching a second transfer point, the upper course is returned to its original position atop one of the lower courses by means of a second transfer carriage. During the transfer, other operations may be performed, such as everting of the upper course and the forming of tyne courses in selected lower courses.
Inventors
- 👤 G Stuart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:53
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G60/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/10; Y10S414/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
Method of grading and inspecting articles proceeding along a main indexing conveyor in double-course tiers comprising the steps of: a. successively receiving said double-course tiers of incoming articles at a first transfer point; b. removing and transferring the upper course to an auxiliary indexing coNveyor synchronized with and parallel to the main indexing conveyor; c. conveying the upper course and lower course separately for a period of time while each course is graded and inspected; and d. returning said upper course from said auxiliary conveyor to its initial position atop a lower course on the main conveyor at a second transfer point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
Method of grading and inspecting articles proceeding along a main indexing conveyor in double-course tiers comprising the steps of: a. successively receiving said double-course tiers of incoming articles at a first transfer point; b. removing and transferring the upper course to an auxiliary indexing coNveyor synchronized with and parallel to the main indexing conveyor; c. conveying the upper course and lower course separately for a period of time while each course is graded and inspected; and d. returning said upper course from said auxiliary conveyor to its initial position atop a lower course on the main conveyor at a second transfer point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said upper layer is replaced onto a different tier in step (d) than that from which it was taken.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein a separator sheet is placed atop each of the lower courses on the main conveyor prior to step (d).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein selected articles from the lower course are lifted and removed simultaneously with the lifting of the upper course from selected tiers on the main conveyor, the selected articles from the lower course being deposited on an auxiliary table prior to the placing of the upper course on the auxiliary conveyor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein during step (d), the upper course is everted 180*, thereby depositing the articles thereof face up on the lower course preparatory to the stacking operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for grading and inspecting articles proceeding along a main index conveyor in double course tiers comprising: a. an auxiliary index conveyor extending along a portion of the length of the main conveyor, said auxiliary conveyor being synchronized with and moving parallel with said main conveyor; b. a first transfer carriage including a first gripping means for lifting the upper course from each tier on the main index conveyor at a first transfer position and transferring said upper course to one end of the auxiliary conveyor; c. a second transfer carriage including means for lifting each upper course from said auxiliary conveyor at a second transfer position and transferring said upper course back onto one of the lower courses on said main conveyor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for grading and inspecting articles proceeding along a main index conveyor in double course tiers comprising: a. an auxiliary index conveyor extending along a portion of the length of the main conveyor, said auxiliary conveyor being synchronized with and moving parallel with said main conveyor; b. a first transfer carriage including a first gripping means for lifting the upper course from each tier on the main index conveyor at a first transfer position and transferring said upper course to one end of the auxiliary conveyor; c. a second transfer carriage including means for lifting each upper course from said auxiliary conveyor at a second transfer position and transferring said upper course back onto one of the lower courses on said main conveyor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said first transfer carriage further includes a second gripping means for gripping and lifting selected articles from the lower course along with the upper course to form a tyne course in selected tiers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said first and second gripping means are activated independently of each other so that articles from the lower courses are transferred only in selected tiers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said second transfer carriage includes an everting means for rotating upper courses 180* as they are transferred back to the main conveyor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3039593A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |