US3799327A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conveyor system and dog
Assignee: SCHULZ F ASS Inc
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Filing: 1971-12-07
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Granted: 1974-03-26
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Expires: 1991-12-07
Abstract
Abstract The conveyor system features plural endless and independently powered conveyor chains traveling individual guide tracks, one chain and track representing a main power conveyor line traversing the entire length of the system, and one or more further and similar chain and track-type branch lines which, at spaced zones therealong, converge and diverge in relation to the main line, paralleling the latter through some length. Thus, pusher dogs on the parallel-traveling conveyor reaches may selectively be brought into and out of propelling engagement with a given article-containing tray atop the parallel track reaches. As thus selectively impelled by only a single pusher dog on one or the other line, the tray may travel straight past a point of divergence or exit of a branch chain-track line in relation to the main line, or the tray may be mechanically switched into and out of one or more branch routes, under propulsion by a branch track dog, the power chain having been ''''de-dogged'''' from the chain at a zone of selection upstream of the diversion or exit zone. The diversion may be, for example, into and out of an elevator unit or ''''vertical'''', prior to entering which the trays are removed from the branch line, being later returned thereto for convergent re-entry to the main line. Selection of the path of tray travel is computer-controlled, and is effected through the agency of a pair of ganged mechanical tray-diverting (or returning) switch arms which pivot about axes upstream of the direction of power and branch chain travel, so that ''''spearing'''' of a tray is impossible. The ganged switch arms trip electrical limit switches at opposite extremities of the switch swing, the occurrence of which is governed by two or more movable ramp-type de-dogging units, at least one associated with each of the main and branch line tracks upstream of the diverting or exit zone. Under the control of such units dogs on the main power and branch chains are respectively left drivingly engaged with or drivingly disengaged from the trays, in effect disabling the selected pusher chain in the last named condition. Mechanical operation of the de-dogging units is in turn under the control of individual braking type electric motors intermittently operating the dedogging ramps. These motors receive energizing signals from a read-out unit or sub-assembly under the above-mentioned master computer control; and under such governing from the read-out unit the motors operate electrical limit switches timing 180* rotations thereof in determining whether dogging or de-dogging shall take place. Read-out signals are electromagnetically received by the reader from the magnetically coded strip or plate means on the bottoms of the trays, such means thus designating the tray''s destination, and being in due course re-coded for another trip of the tray through the system by write-in means similar to the read-out unit. In order to eliminate impact noise and shock upon its dogging engagement by a pusher dog traveling at considerable chain-powered speed, each tray has like front and rear walls of a semi-rigid nature, at least adjacent the bottom thereof, behind which the power chain and branch pusher dogs will engage to propel the trays; a yield of such wall portion in becoming dogged will absorb impact noises and at the same time will operate in the manner of a return spring in maintaining the dog''s tray propelling contact.
Inventors
- 👤 F Schulz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:41
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G19/00; B65G19/18; B65G19/22; B65G19/24; B65G19/26; B65G19/265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
374 words
A conveyor apparatus of the type comprising an elongated track that defines a path along which load carriers can move in a first zone, an elongated driving element extending along said track in a second zone and which is normally power driven lengthwise in a forward direction, and a propelling unit comprising a body constrained to move with the driving element in said second zone and a pusher member and a sensing member carried on said body for movement relative thereto, said pusher member being biased to an operative position in which a part on it projects into said first zone to be engageable with a load carrier and constrain the same to move with the driving element, and the sensing member normally being in a position in which a portion thereof projects into the first zone to be engageable with an overtaken load carrier and to be moved by such engagement and thereby effect movement of the pusher member away from its operative position, said apparatus being characterized by: A. means providing a toggle connection between the pusher member and the body by which the pusher member is releasably locked in its operative position, said toggle connection means being located wholly in said second zone and comprising at least one link having a pivotal connection with the body and having a motion transmitting connection with the pusher member by which swinging motion of said link in one direction imparts motion to the pusher member in the direction away from its operative position; B. means providing a first motion transmitting connection, between the sensing member and said link, whereby motion of the sensing member away from its said position imparts to the link swinging motion in said one direction; C. cam follower means constrained to movement on the body in opposite directions toward and from said first zone but confined to said second zone, said cam follower means being cooperable with cam means located adjacent to the driving element and in said second zone; and D. means providing a second motion transmitting connection, between said cam follower means and said link, whereby movement of the cam follower means in one of its said directions imparts motion to said link in its said one direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
374 words
A conveyor apparatus of the type comprising an elongated track that defines a path along which load carriers can move in a first zone, an elongated driving element extending along said track in a second zone and which is normally power driven lengthwise in a forward direction, and a propelling unit comprising a body constrained to move with the driving element in said second zone and a pusher member and a sensing member carried on said body for movement relative thereto, said pusher member being biased to an operative position in which a part on it projects into said first zone to be engageable with a load carrier and constrain the same to move with the driving element, and the sensing member normally being in a position in which a portion thereof projects into the first zone to be engageable with an overtaken load carrier and to be moved by such engagement and thereby effect movement of the pusher member away from its operative position, said apparatus being characterized by: A. means providing a toggle connection between the pusher member and the body by which the pusher member is releasably locked in its operative position, said toggle connection means being located wholly in said second zone and comprising at least one link having a pivotal connection with the body and having a motion transmitting connection with the pusher member by which swinging motion of said link in one direction imparts motion to the pusher member in the direction away from its operative position; B. means providing a first motion transmitting connection, between the sensing member and said link, whereby motion of the sensing member away from its said position imparts to the link swinging motion in said one direction; C. cam follower means constrained to movement on the body in opposite directions toward and from said first zone but confined to said second zone, said cam follower means being cooperable with cam means located adjacent to the driving element and in said second zone; and D. means providing a second motion transmitting connection, between said cam follower means and said link, whereby movement of the cam follower means in one of its said directions imparts motion to said link in its said one direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
said first motion transmitting connection means comprising a third link connected between the other arm of the sensing lever and a portion of the first mentioned link that is spaced from its pivotal connection to the body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
said first motion transmitting connection means comprising a third link connected between the other arm of the sensing lever and a portion of the first mentioned link that is spaced from its pivotal connection to the body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
112 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pusher member comprises a lever medially pivoted on the body, one arm of said pusher member comprising said part thereof, further characterized by: said toggle connection means further comprising a second link having near one of its ends a pivotal connection with the first mentioned link and having near its other end a pivotal connection with the other arm of the pusher member, said links being normally disposed forwardly of the pivot axis of the pusher member, so that swinging motion of the pusher member to carry said part thereon out of said first zone concurrently imparts a component of rearward motion to said part.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
8 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further characterized by:
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
384 words
A conveyor apparatus of the type comprising an elongated track upon which load carriers are guided for travel therealong, an elongated driving element at a level beneath the track and extending therealong, said driving element being normally power driven lengthwise in a forward direction, and a propelling unit comprising a body beneath the track which is constrained to move with the driving element and which has movable thereon a pusher member and a sensing member, the pusher member being normally in an operative position to which it is biased and at which a part thereon projects above the track to be engageable with a load carrier for constraining the same to move with the driving element, and the sensing member having a portion which normally projects above the track for engagement with any obstruction thereon, such as an overtaken load carrier, said sensing member being moved in consequence of relative forward motion of the propelling unit during such engagement and by its movement effecting motion of the pusher member out of its normal position, said apparatus being characterized by: A. the pusher member comprising a lever pivoted on the body for swinging motion about a substantially horizontal axis transverse to the track; B. toggle means comprising at least one link having one end pivotally connected with the body and having at its other end a connection with the pusher member whereby the pusher member can be releasably locked in its operative position and is moved therefrom in consequence of swinging motion of said link; C. means providing a motion transmitting connection between the sensing member and said link whereby movement of the sensing member out of its said position imparts swinging movement to said link; D. cam follower means movably carried by the body and confined to generally vertical motion relative thereto between defined limits, at both of which the cam follower means is located wholly below the level of the track, said cam follower means being cooperable with ramp means adjacent to the driving element and below said level; and E. means providing a motion transmitting connection between the cam follower means and said link whereby movement of the cam follower means from one of its limits of motion towards the other imparts motion to the pusher member away from its operative position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
384 words
A conveyor apparatus of the type comprising an elongated track upon which load carriers are guided for travel therealong, an elongated driving element at a level beneath the track and extending therealong, said driving element being normally power driven lengthwise in a forward direction, and a propelling unit comprising a body beneath the track which is constrained to move with the driving element and which has movable thereon a pusher member and a sensing member, the pusher member being normally in an operative position to which it is biased and at which a part thereon projects above the track to be engageable with a load carrier for constraining the same to move with the driving element, and the sensing member having a portion which normally projects above the track for engagement with any obstruction thereon, such as an overtaken load carrier, said sensing member being moved in consequence of relative forward motion of the propelling unit during such engagement and by its movement effecting motion of the pusher member out of its normal position, said apparatus being characterized by: A. the pusher member comprising a lever pivoted on the body for swinging motion about a substantially horizontal axis transverse to the track; B. toggle means comprising at least one link having one end pivotally connected with the body and having at its other end a connection with the pusher member whereby the pusher member can be releasably locked in its operative position and is moved therefrom in consequence of swinging motion of said link; C. means providing a motion transmitting connection between the sensing member and said link whereby movement of the sensing member out of its said position imparts swinging movement to said link; D. cam follower means movably carried by the body and confined to generally vertical motion relative thereto between defined limits, at both of which the cam follower means is located wholly below the level of the track, said cam follower means being cooperable with ramp means adjacent to the driving element and below said level; and E. means providing a motion transmitting connection between the cam follower means and said link whereby movement of the cam follower means from one of its limits of motion towards the other imparts motion to the pusher member away from its operative position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 4, further characterized by: said part on the pusher member being so located and arranged in relation to the pivot axis of the pusher member as to swing obliquely rearwardly and downwardly as the pusher member moves away from its operative position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
The apparatus of claim 5, further characterized by: said part being mounted on the pusher member for swinging motion relative thereto forwardly and downwardly away from a defined load carrier Engaging position and being biased to swing towards said position, such swinging of said part against its bias enabling a load carrier which travels forwardly relative to the propelling unit to pass the latter without interference from the pusher member even though the pusher member is in its operative position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
94 words
The apparatus of claim 4, further characterized by: F. the sensing member comprising a lever mounted on the body for swinging motion about a pivot axis substantially parallel to the axis about which the pusher member swings and spaced forwardly from said axis; and G. the sensing member having an arm which projects obliquely forwardly and upwardly from its pivot axis and on which there is an upper load carrier engaging surface which is inclined forwardly and downwardly to cause said arm to be cammed downwardly by its engagement against an overtaken load carrier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
259 words
A conveyor apparatus of the type comprising an elongated track upon which load carriers can move, an elongated driving element extending along said track at a level beneath the same and normally power driven lengthwise in a forward direction, and a propelling unit having a body beneath said track which is constrained to move with the driving element and which carries a pusher member and a sensing member, the pusher member being movable relative to the body to and from an operative position in which a part thereof projects above the track for engagement with a load carrier to constrain the same to move with the driving element, and the sensing member having a portion which normally projects above the track and which is adapted to be moved by engagement with an overtaken load carrier and by such motion to effect retraction of the pusher member out of its operative position, said conveyor apparatus being characterized by: A. said sensing member comprising a lever pivotally connected to the body and having an arm which projects obliquely forwardly and upwardly from the pivotal connection, said portion of the sensing member comprising an upper camming surface on said arm that is inclined forwardly and downwardly to be forced downwardly by engagement under an overtaken load carrier; and B. means providing a toggle connection between the sensing member and the pusher member whereby the pusher member is normally releasably locked in its operative position but is moved out of its operative position upon downward movement of said arm of the sensing member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
259 words
A conveyor apparatus of the type comprising an elongated track upon which load carriers can move, an elongated driving element extending along said track at a level beneath the same and normally power driven lengthwise in a forward direction, and a propelling unit having a body beneath said track which is constrained to move with the driving element and which carries a pusher member and a sensing member, the pusher member being movable relative to the body to and from an operative position in which a part thereof projects above the track for engagement with a load carrier to constrain the same to move with the driving element, and the sensing member having a portion which normally projects above the track and which is adapted to be moved by engagement with an overtaken load carrier and by such motion to effect retraction of the pusher member out of its operative position, said conveyor apparatus being characterized by: A. said sensing member comprising a lever pivotally connected to the body and having an arm which projects obliquely forwardly and upwardly from the pivotal connection, said portion of the sensing member comprising an upper camming surface on said arm that is inclined forwardly and downwardly to be forced downwardly by engagement under an overtaken load carrier; and B. means providing a toggle connection between the sensing member and the pusher member whereby the pusher member is normally releasably locked in its operative position but is moved out of its operative position upon downward movement of said arm of the sensing member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus of claim 8, further characterized by: C. the pusher member comprising a lever pivoted to the body for swinging movement about an axis parallel to and behind that about which the sensing member swings and having an upper arm comprising said part of the pusher member; and D. said toggle connection being arranged to cause said upper arm of the pusher member to swing rearwardly and downwardly in consequence of downward movement of said arm of the sensing member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1742789A
Cited
US3661094A
Cited
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 |