US3793965A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Accumulating load trolley and conveyor system
Assignee: Ehrsam Co
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Filing: 1972-08-17
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Granted: 1974-02-26
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Expires: 1992-08-17
Abstract
Abstract A conveyor system of the power-and-free type having an accumulation capability is provided. A trolley track extends in juxtaposition with an endless driving means and the relative spacing therebetween is varied to provide a drive region and an accumulation region. A load trolley for use in the system includes a first drive member having an unyieldable drive position relative to the trolley for driving engagement with the driving means and a second drive member having a yieldable drive position relative to the trolley. The relative positions of the first and second trolley drive members and the system driving means are such that the driving means drivingly contacts at least the unyieldable first drive member along the driving region of the trolley track and contacts only the second yieldable drive member along the accumulation region of the trolley track. The yieldable drive member is preferably a spring biased dog. Stop means selectively interposable in the trolley path at the accumulation region prevent advancement of the load trolley and the yieldable drive member yields to the increased force of the driving means to permit its passage relative thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 R Winters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:22
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61B; B61B10/00; B61B10/02; B61B10/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A trolley comprising in combination, a frame, means for mounting said frame for travel along a track, a first dog member extending from said frame for drive engagement with a suitable driving means for moving said trolley in a particular direction, said first dog member being uNyieldable relative to said frame in said particular direction of trolley movement and a second dog member extending from said frame to allow drive engagement therewith by said driving means independently of said first dog member for moving said trolley in said particular direction, said second dog member being yieldable to permit passage of said driving means relative thereto only on the application of a predetermined force of said driving means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A trolley comprising in combination, a frame, means for mounting said frame for travel along a track, a first dog member extending from said frame for drive engagement with a suitable driving means for moving said trolley in a particular direction, said first dog member being uNyieldable relative to said frame in said particular direction of trolley movement and a second dog member extending from said frame to allow drive engagement therewith by said driving means independently of said first dog member for moving said trolley in said particular direction, said second dog member being yieldable to permit passage of said driving means relative thereto only on the application of a predetermined force of said driving means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The trolley of claim 1 wherein said second dog member has at least a portion disposed outward of said first mentioned dog to form a drive surface thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
A trolley comprising in combination, a frame, wheel members mounted on said frame, a first drive member having a fixed drive position for transmitting driving force to said trolley in a particular direction and a second drive member also having a drive position for transmitting a driving force to said trolley in the same said particular direction and being yieldable with relation thereto upon the application of a predetermined force.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
A trolley comprising in combination, a frame, wheel members mounted on said frame, a first drive member having a fixed drive position for transmitting driving force to said trolley in a particular direction and a second drive member also having a drive position for transmitting a driving force to said trolley in the same said particular direction and being yieldable with relation thereto upon the application of a predetermined force.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The trolley of claim 3 wherein said two drive members have coplanar drive surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The trolley of claim 4 wherein said yieldable drive member comprises a lever device spring biased to its drive position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The trolley of claim 5 wherein said yieldable drive member comprises a pivotably mounted dog member, a dog stop member mounted on said frame and spring means acting between said frame and said dog member for biasing said dog member to its drive position against said dog stop member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The trolley of claim 6 wherein the dog contacting surface of said stop member is a resilient force absorbing material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The trolley of claim 4 wherein said first mentioned drive member includes a pair of parallel spaced plate members and said second drive member is mounted intermediate said plate members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The trolley of claim 8 wherein said yieldable drive member comprises a lever device spring biased to its drive position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The trolley of claim 9 wherein the drive surface of said second drive member extends outward of the drive surface of said pair of parallel plate members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
219 words
A conveyor system comprising in combination: a. trolley track means; b. a load trolley supported by and adapted to move along said trolley track means in a predetermined path, said trolley including first dog means mounted thereon and having an unyieldable drive position and second dog means mounted thereon and having a drive position yieldable with relation to said trolley upon application of a predetermined driving force thereto; c. a driving means adapted for movement along a path substantially parallel said trolley track along first and second regions thereof and including a pusher dog extending therefrom, said driving means being spaced from said trolley track a first distance along said first region thereof to permit driving contact between said pusher dog and said first trolley dog means and being spaced a second distance therefrom along said second region thereof to permit contact between said pusher dog and only said second trolley dog means; and d. stop means interposable in the path of said trolley in said second region for applying a force to said trolley in a direction opposite the direction of travel of said driving means and of a magnitude as great as said predetermined force, whereby said second dog means drive position yields, said pusher dog may move relative thereto and said trolley is prevented from advancing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
219 words
A conveyor system comprising in combination: a. trolley track means; b. a load trolley supported by and adapted to move along said trolley track means in a predetermined path, said trolley including first dog means mounted thereon and having an unyieldable drive position and second dog means mounted thereon and having a drive position yieldable with relation to said trolley upon application of a predetermined driving force thereto; c. a driving means adapted for movement along a path substantially parallel said trolley track along first and second regions thereof and including a pusher dog extending therefrom, said driving means being spaced from said trolley track a first distance along said first region thereof to permit driving contact between said pusher dog and said first trolley dog means and being spaced a second distance therefrom along said second region thereof to permit contact between said pusher dog and only said second trolley dog means; and d. stop means interposable in the path of said trolley in said second region for applying a force to said trolley in a direction opposite the direction of travel of said driving means and of a magnitude as great as said predetermined force, whereby said second dog means drive position yields, said pusher dog may move relative thereto and said trolley is prevented from advancing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
129 words
A conveyor system comprising in combination: a. an endless driving means including dog members extending therefrom and spaced therealong; b. a trolley track means juxtaposed to said endless drive means and having at least one accumulating station spaced further from said drive means than the regions immediately before and after said station; and c. a trolley mounted on said track means and including a first drive member having an unyieldabLe drive position and a second drive member having a yieldable drive position, said first member engaging said driving dog when said trolley is in a position on the track other than the accumulating station and said first member being free of said driving dog at said accumulating station, said second member engaging said driving dog at said accumulating station.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
129 words
A conveyor system comprising in combination: a. an endless driving means including dog members extending therefrom and spaced therealong; b. a trolley track means juxtaposed to said endless drive means and having at least one accumulating station spaced further from said drive means than the regions immediately before and after said station; and c. a trolley mounted on said track means and including a first drive member having an unyieldabLe drive position and a second drive member having a yieldable drive position, said first member engaging said driving dog when said trolley is in a position on the track other than the accumulating station and said first member being free of said driving dog at said accumulating station, said second member engaging said driving dog at said accumulating station.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
96 words
The conveyor system of claim 12 wherein said drive position of said second drive member is yieldable relative to said trolley upon the application of a predetermined force applied thereto by said driving dog and further including trolley stop means interposable in the path of said trolley at said accumulating station for opposing the advance of said trolley such that said predetermined force is applied to said second drive member by said driving dog, whereby said second drive member drive position yields, said driving dog may advance relative thereto and said trolley is prevented from advancing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The conveyor system of claim 13 wherein said second drive member comprises a lever device spring biased to its drive position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
The conveyor system of claim 14 wherein said trolley includes a frame and said second drive member comprises a pivotably mounted dog member, a dog stop member mounted on said frame and spring means acting between said frame and said trolley dog member for biasing the latter to its drive position in contact with said dog stop member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The conveyor system of claim 14 wherein said first and second drive members have drive surfaces coplanar with one another.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
The conveyor system of claim 16 wherein said driving means is positioned above said trolley, said driving dog members depending therefrom and the drive surface of said second drive member extends upwardly from said trolley beyond the drive surface of said first drive member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
60 words
The conveyor system of claim 17 wherein a portion of the driving surface of said second drive member is vertically coextensive with a portion of the drive surface of said first drive member whereby said driving dog may simultaneously contact the drive surfaces of said first and second drive members in positions along said track other than said accumulating station.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The conveyor system of claim 13 wherein said trolley track means is inclined downwardly in the direction of travel of said driving means along that length of said accumulating station rearward of said trolley stop means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
51 words
The conveyor system of claim 19 wherein said trolley further includes a retaining member spaced rearwardly of said first and second drive members thereon and having a trolley retaining position for nonyieldably contacting a particular driving dog member to limit the forward movement of said trolley relative to said dog member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB902651A
Cited
US3664267A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-25 | 1977-08-27 | 1978-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-25 | 1981-08-27 | 1982-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-25 | 1985-08-27 | 1986-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |