US3799325A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible conveyor system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-09-25
•
Granted: 1974-03-26
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Expires: 1992-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A flexible conveyor system includes a central power unit and a plurality of flexible conveyor units extending in opposite directions from the power unit. The power unit comprises a prime mover and a speed reducer system for supplying operating power to a longitudinal drive shaft. Each flexible conveyor unit comprises a flexible sheet which supports a plurality of powered roller assemblies having one or more idler roller assemblies therebetween. Each flexible conveyor unit further includes a flexible drive shaft which extends along the flexible sheet to drivingly interconnect the drive shaft of the power unit and the powered roller assemblies of the flexible conveyor unit. The drive shafts of the power unit and the flexible conveyor units support a plurality of sheave members each of which is aligned with a powered roller assembly. Each sheave member comprises a central cylindrical portion and opposed conical portions which taper inwardly from the cylindrical portion toward the drive shaft. A wide, flat belt extends around the sheave member and the adjacent roller to form a driving connection therebetween. The belt engages one of the conical portions of its respective sheave member in accordance with the direction of rotation of the drive shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 W Benson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:22
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G13/00; B65G13/11; B65G13/12; B65G13/02; B65G13/06; B65G13/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A flexible conveyor system comprising: a plurality of spaced, substantially horizontally disposed rollers; flexible sheet means supporting the rollers and extending generally perpendicularly with respect thereto whereby the rollers are adapted for posiTioning along a predetermined curved course upon flexure of the flexible sheet means; flexible drive shaft means supported on the flexible sheet means beneath the rollers for rotation about an axis extending longitudinally with respect to the flexible sheet means and drivingly interconnected to each of the rollers; and a prime mover drivingly connected to the flexible drive shaft means for actuating the rollers to transport articles along the course.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A flexible conveyor system comprising: a plurality of spaced, substantially horizontally disposed rollers; flexible sheet means supporting the rollers and extending generally perpendicularly with respect thereto whereby the rollers are adapted for posiTioning along a predetermined curved course upon flexure of the flexible sheet means; flexible drive shaft means supported on the flexible sheet means beneath the rollers for rotation about an axis extending longitudinally with respect to the flexible sheet means and drivingly interconnected to each of the rollers; and a prime mover drivingly connected to the flexible drive shaft means for actuating the rollers to transport articles along the course.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The flexible conveyor system according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of idler rollers each supported on the flexible sheet means between two of the powered rollers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
The flexible conveyor system according to claim 1 further characterized by: a centrally located power unit including said prime mover and a drive shaft operably connected to the prime mover for rotation thereby; flexible conveyor units extending in opposite directions from the power unit and each comprising said flexible sheet means, rollers supported on the flexible sheet means, and a flexible drive shaft drivingly interconnecting the drive shaft of the power unit and the rollers of the flexible conveyor unit; and wherein the flexible conveyor units are each hingedly connected to the power unit and to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
145 words
In a conveyor system of the type including a plurality of rollers mounted at spaced points along a course and a drive shaft extending beneath and generally perpendicularly to the rollers for supplying operating power to the rollers and thereby transporting articles along the course on the rollers, the improvement comprising: a plurality of sheave members mounted on the drive shaft at points corresponding to the positioning of the rollers, each sheave member including a central cylindrical portion and opposed inwardly tapered conical portions at the opposite ends of the central cylindrical portion; and a plurality of wise, flat belts each forming a driving connection between one of the sheave members and one of the rollers comprising the conveyor, each of said belts engaging one of the conical portions of its respective sheave member in accordance with the direction of rotation of the drive shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
145 words
In a conveyor system of the type including a plurality of rollers mounted at spaced points along a course and a drive shaft extending beneath and generally perpendicularly to the rollers for supplying operating power to the rollers and thereby transporting articles along the course on the rollers, the improvement comprising: a plurality of sheave members mounted on the drive shaft at points corresponding to the positioning of the rollers, each sheave member including a central cylindrical portion and opposed inwardly tapered conical portions at the opposite ends of the central cylindrical portion; and a plurality of wise, flat belts each forming a driving connection between one of the sheave members and one of the rollers comprising the conveyor, each of said belts engaging one of the conical portions of its respective sheave member in accordance with the direction of rotation of the drive shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
The conveyor system according to claim 4 wherein each roller of the conveyor comprises an elongate, relatively large diameter portion having a substantially uniform diameter throughout its length and a reduced diameter portion having the belt mounted therein, said reduction in diameter being substantially equal to the thickness of the belt whereby the belt cooperates with the remainder of the roller to provide a substantially continuous article engaging surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The conveyor system according to claim 4 wherein the belts each impose an upwardly directed force on the drive shaft and further including a plurality of downwardly facing hook-shaped bearing members each engaging the drive shaft at a point adjacent one of the sheave members for locating the drive shaft against the action of the upwardly directed force imposed by the belts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The conveyor system according to claim 6 wherein each of the rollers comprising the conveyor is supported at its opposite ends in a pair of upwardly facing U-shaped journal members whereby the drive belts interconnecting the drive shaft and the rollers of the conveyor may be readily replaced in the event of failure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a conveyor system of the type comprising a plurality of rollers mounted on spaced points along a course, a drive shaft extending generally perpendicularly to the rollers for supplying operating power thereto whereby articles are transported along the course on the rollers, and a plurality of drive belts each forming a driving connection between the drive shaft and one of the rollers, the improvement comprising: a plurality of upwardly facing U-shaped journal means each for receiving and rotatably supporting one of the rollers comprising the conveyor; and a plurality of downwardly facing hook-shaped bearing memBers for receiving and locating the drive shaft under the action of the tension applied thereto by the drive belts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a conveyor system of the type comprising a plurality of rollers mounted on spaced points along a course, a drive shaft extending generally perpendicularly to the rollers for supplying operating power thereto whereby articles are transported along the course on the rollers, and a plurality of drive belts each forming a driving connection between the drive shaft and one of the rollers, the improvement comprising: a plurality of upwardly facing U-shaped journal means each for receiving and rotatably supporting one of the rollers comprising the conveyor; and a plurality of downwardly facing hook-shaped bearing memBers for receiving and locating the drive shaft under the action of the tension applied thereto by the drive belts.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The conveyor system according to claim 8 wherein the hook-shaped bearing members are arranged in sets each including a pair of hook-shaped bearing members positioned on opposite sides of one of the drive belts.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
94 words
The conveyor system according to claim 9 further comprising a plurality of sheave members mounted on the drive shaft at points corresponding to the positioning of the rollers, each sheave member including a central cylindrical portion of substantially larger diameter than the drive shaft and a pair of conical members extending from the opposite ends of the cylindrical portion and tapering inwardly therefrom to the drive shaft, whereby the drive belt rides on one of the conical portions of its respective sheave member in accordance with the direction of rotation of the drive shaft.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
79 words
A flexible conveyor system comprising: flexible sheet means oriented substantially vertically; a plurality of substantially horizontally disposed rollers supported by the flexible sheet whereby the sheet means is adapted for flexure to support the rollers along a predetermined curved course; flexible drive shaft means extending along the flexible sheet means and supported for rotation with respect thereto; and belt means drivingly interconnecting the flexible drive shaft and the rollers for actuating the rollers to convey articles along the course.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
79 words
A flexible conveyor system comprising: flexible sheet means oriented substantially vertically; a plurality of substantially horizontally disposed rollers supported by the flexible sheet whereby the sheet means is adapted for flexure to support the rollers along a predetermined curved course; flexible drive shaft means extending along the flexible sheet means and supported for rotation with respect thereto; and belt means drivingly interconnecting the flexible drive shaft and the rollers for actuating the rollers to convey articles along the course.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
137 words
The flexible conveyor system according to claim 11 further characterized by: a reduced diameter portion formed in each of the rollers for receiving the belt means; the difference in diameter between the reduced diameter portion and the remainder of the roller being substantially equal to the thickness of the belt means; and a plurality of sheave members mounted on the flexible drive shaft means at points corresponding to the positioning of the rollers, each of said sheave members comprising a central cylindrical portion and outer conical portions which taper inwardly from the cylindrical portion toward the drive shaft, each of said sheave members receiving one of the belt means whereby said belt means engages one of the conical portions of its respective sheave member in accordance with the direction of rotation of the flexible drive shaft means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The flexible conveyor system according to claim 12 further comprising hook-shaped bearing meeans receiving the flexible drive shaft means adjacent each of the sheave members thereon for locating the flexible drive shaft means against the action of the tension in the belt means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
150 words
A flexible conveyor system comprising: a central power unit including: a frame supported on wheels; a prime mover mounted on the frame; and drive shaft means supported on the frame and operatively connected to the prime mover for rotation thereby; and a pair of flexible conveyor units extending in opposite directions from the power unit and each including: a frame supported on wheels and comprising a substantially vertically extending flexible sheet; a plurality of substantially horizontally disposed rollers mounted at spaced points along the frame; and flexible drive shaft means extending along the frame and forming a driving connection between the drive shaft of the power unit and to the rollers of the flexible conveyor unit, whereby the flexible conveyor units are adapted for flexure to position the rollers along a curved course and the power unit is thereafter adapted to operate the rollers to transport articles along the course.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
150 words
A flexible conveyor system comprising: a central power unit including: a frame supported on wheels; a prime mover mounted on the frame; and drive shaft means supported on the frame and operatively connected to the prime mover for rotation thereby; and a pair of flexible conveyor units extending in opposite directions from the power unit and each including: a frame supported on wheels and comprising a substantially vertically extending flexible sheet; a plurality of substantially horizontally disposed rollers mounted at spaced points along the frame; and flexible drive shaft means extending along the frame and forming a driving connection between the drive shaft of the power unit and to the rollers of the flexible conveyor unit, whereby the flexible conveyor units are adapted for flexure to position the rollers along a curved course and the power unit is thereafter adapted to operate the rollers to transport articles along the course.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
The flexible conveyor system according to claim 14 wherein the central power unit further comprises at least one roller positioned in alignment with the rollers of the flexible conveyor units and means drivingly interconnecting the roller of the central power unit and the drive shaft of the central power unit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
113 words
The flexible conveyor System according to claim 14 wherein the flexible drive shaft of each flexible conveyor unit is drivingly connected to each roller of the flexible conveyor unit by a driving connection including: a sheave member mounted on the flexible drive shaft in alignment with the roller and comprising a central cylindrical portion and inwardly tapered conical portions extending in opposite directions from the cylindrical portion; and a wide, flat belt extending around the roller and around the sheave member to drivingly interconnect the drive shaft and the roller, said belt engaging one of the conical portions of the sheave member in accordance with the direction of rotation of the drive shaft.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
61 words
The flexible conveyor system according to claim 16 further comprising a plurality of downwardly facing hook-shaped bearing members each engaging the flexible drive shaft of one of the flexible conveyor units at a point adjacent one of the sheave members on the drive shaft to locate the flexible drive shaft against the action of the tension of the corresponding drive belt.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The flexible conveyor system according to claim 14 further including means hingedly interconnecting the central power unit and the flexible conveyor units whereby the system is adapted to convey articles over a course including an inclined portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
222 words
A flexible conveyor system comprising: a central power unit including: a prime mover; speed reducer means driven by the prime mover; slip clutch means driven by the speed reducer means; drive shaft means driven by the slip clutch means; and at least one substantially horizontally disposed roller drivingly connected to the drive shaft means; and a plurality of flexible conveyor units extending in opposite directions from the power unit and each including: substantially vertically extending flexible sheet means; a plurality of substantially horizontally disposed rollers mounted at spaced intervals along the flexible sheet means; flexible drive shaft means operatively connected to the drive shaft means of the central power unit and extending along the flexible sheet means; a plurality of sheave members mounted on the flexible drive shaft at point corresponding to the positioning of the rollers and each comprising a central cylindrical portion and opposed, inwardly tapered conical portions; and a plurality of wide, flat belts each extending around one of the sheave members and one of the rollers and thereby forming a driving connection between the flexible drive shaft in the roller, whereby the flexible conveyor units are adapted for flexure in a generally horizontal plane to position the rollers along a curved course and the power unit is adapted to operate the rollers to transport articles along the course.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
222 words
A flexible conveyor system comprising: a central power unit including: a prime mover; speed reducer means driven by the prime mover; slip clutch means driven by the speed reducer means; drive shaft means driven by the slip clutch means; and at least one substantially horizontally disposed roller drivingly connected to the drive shaft means; and a plurality of flexible conveyor units extending in opposite directions from the power unit and each including: substantially vertically extending flexible sheet means; a plurality of substantially horizontally disposed rollers mounted at spaced intervals along the flexible sheet means; flexible drive shaft means operatively connected to the drive shaft means of the central power unit and extending along the flexible sheet means; a plurality of sheave members mounted on the flexible drive shaft at point corresponding to the positioning of the rollers and each comprising a central cylindrical portion and opposed, inwardly tapered conical portions; and a plurality of wide, flat belts each extending around one of the sheave members and one of the rollers and thereby forming a driving connection between the flexible drive shaft in the roller, whereby the flexible conveyor units are adapted for flexure in a generally horizontal plane to position the rollers along a curved course and the power unit is adapted to operate the rollers to transport articles along the course.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
60 words
The flexible conveyor system according to claim 19 wherein the central power unit includes a frame which supports the remaining components thereof and further comprising means hingedly interconnecting the flexible sheet means of the flexible conveyor units and the frame of the central power unit and thereby adapting the system to transport articles over a course including an inclined portion.
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) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |