US3857476A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Helical endless-belt mechanisms for fuel or empty distray transporting and lifting
Assignee: THEODORE EQUIPMENT CORP
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Filing: 1973-01-29
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Granted: 1974-12-31
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Expires: 1993-01-29
Abstract
Abstract The conveyor has a pliable endless belt adapted to negotiate a multiplicity of helical convolutions in a non-planar or twisted mode, and is also adapted to negotiate straight runs tangentially continuing with the helical rungs, with the belt in the straight runs operating in a flat planal untwisted mode. The belt is composed of a link-type chain having pins and rollers with tolerances among the component operating parts as to provide extension and contraction capabilities and of chain-connected separate and independent slats, supported by fixed helical track bars substantially at the mid-length of the slats, leaving the free ends of the slats free to flex toward conformity with flatbottomed objects transported, whereby slack is introduced in each convolution to prevent snubbing or binding. A sprocket wheel engages the chain at substantially each convolution. A common driving means permits these sprockets to turn only in unison. The slats are adapted to and carry the chain at their mid-length and between the track bars. The slats slidably engage the track bars in a manner that prevents any substantial lateral or uplift movement of the slats but steer-wandering and creep-jogging are not inhibited. The sprocket wheels are set with slack chain between them. The slack is obtained from the aggregate of the clearances among the component parts of the chain, and less than the accumulative total per convolution of clearances between adjacent sprockets to prevent crowding the outer track bar or choking the inner track bar. Where high inclines of travel runs are required, or where spaced-phased travel of conveyed objects is required, positive pusher means may be incorporated on spaced slats whereby such operation is effectuated with high facility.
Inventors
- 👤 S Heifetz
- 👤 G Ran
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:20
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G21/00; B65G21/16; B65G21/18; B65G17/00; B65G17/06; B65G17/065; B65G17/066; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02; B65G2207/00; B65G2207/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
In a multi-convoluted helical conveyor of the character described for transporting substantially flat-bottomed full or empty dishtrays, the combination of a supporting structure, a pair of helically-parallel track bars supported by said structure, a plurality of chain-driving sprockets, and an endless, slatted, link-chain belt comprised of a bowable and twistable link-chain, a plurality of separate, independent, freeended, semi-flexible plastic slats, the free and deflectable ends of said slats extending transversely over and substantially beyond the track bars, said track bars disposed at an inclined angle not over the friction angle of the dishtrays upon the slats, said slats having integral, bifurcated chain-engaging and track bar engaging means at their mid-lengths to fixedly engage said chain and to slidably engage said track bars flanking said bifurcated means, said bifurcated means having outwardly directed and opposed recesses to snugly yet slidably fit said track bars, said recesses being in close sliding relationship with the upper, nether and inner surfaces of said track bars to prevent uplift, tilting and lateral shifting of the slats, said recesses being of maximum length as to minimize the orientative wandering of the slats during their travel under the influence of said sprockets, whereby loadless slats are confined to move sequentially in a twisted, ribbon-like non-planal mode and whereby the ends of deflected slats move in groups in supportive planal contact with transported dishtrays, such supportive slats being selectively independently flexed according to the weight disposition of any particular dishtray.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
242 words
In a multi-convoluted helical conveyor of the character described for transporting substantially flat-bottomed full or empty dishtrays, the combination of a supporting structure, a pair of helically-parallel track bars supported by said structure, a plurality of chain-driving sprockets, and an endless, slatted, link-chain belt comprised of a bowable and twistable link-chain, a plurality of separate, independent, freeended, semi-flexible plastic slats, the free and deflectable ends of said slats extending transversely over and substantially beyond the track bars, said track bars disposed at an inclined angle not over the friction angle of the dishtrays upon the slats, said slats having integral, bifurcated chain-engaging and track bar engaging means at their mid-lengths to fixedly engage said chain and to slidably engage said track bars flanking said bifurcated means, said bifurcated means having outwardly directed and opposed recesses to snugly yet slidably fit said track bars, said recesses being in close sliding relationship with the upper, nether and inner surfaces of said track bars to prevent uplift, tilting and lateral shifting of the slats, said recesses being of maximum length as to minimize the orientative wandering of the slats during their travel under the influence of said sprockets, whereby loadless slats are confined to move sequentially in a twisted, ribbon-like non-planal mode and whereby the ends of deflected slats move in groups in supportive planal contact with transported dishtrays, such supportive slats being selectively independently flexed according to the weight disposition of any particular dishtray.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
In a conveyor according to claim 1 wherein there is a vertically disposed drive shaft suitably attached to said structure, said shaft being connected to a plurality of rotative power take-off means each at a different level said power take-off means being connected to a sprocket engaged with said chain at its respective level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
In a conveyor according to claim 1 wherein the chain is of metal and capable of bowing and twisting.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a conveyor according to claim 1 wherein the slats are of molded plastic material of substantial scuff resistance and of relatively high lubricity and stiffness yet flexible.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
In a conveyor according to claim 1 wherein the chain in its extended condition is longer than in its compressed condition, and adjustable sprocket orienting means whereby the operating length of chain between sprockets is set to a distance within the said chain''s extended and compressed lengths.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
260 words
In a multi-convoluted helical conveyor of the character described for transporting substantially flat-bottomed dishtrays, the combination of a supporting structure, a pair of helically-parallel track bars comprised of an inner and outer track bars supported by said structure, said track bars being arranged in a plurality of identical convolutions, a slatted-chain belt composed of an endless link-chain of pin and roller character having inherent clearances in its component parts, permitting accumulative lengthwise extension or contraction, and a plurality of independent dishtray-supporting plastic slats, said slats having integral bifurcated depending means attaching said chain to said slats at their midlength, said track bars being disposed at an angle less than the friction angle between the dishtrays and the slats, said slats being slidably supported at points immediately outward of said depending means to provide maximum free length of the ends of the slats, at least three sprocket wheels of equal size engaging the link-chain at points one convolution apart, each pair of sprockets confining a length of chain equivalent to the length of the convolution of the track bars between the corresponding pair of sprockets, a unitary driving means having a common driving source for turning all sprockets in unison, and independent locking means on each sprocket for positioning adjacent sprockets to create a loose, untensioned and uncompressed length of chain between each pair of adjacent sprockets, whereby a positive slack is obtained and maintained from the aggregate of said clearances in the link-chain, and whereby frictional snubbing and frictional braking against the respective inner and outer track bars is prevented.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
260 words
In a multi-convoluted helical conveyor of the character described for transporting substantially flat-bottomed dishtrays, the combination of a supporting structure, a pair of helically-parallel track bars comprised of an inner and outer track bars supported by said structure, said track bars being arranged in a plurality of identical convolutions, a slatted-chain belt composed of an endless link-chain of pin and roller character having inherent clearances in its component parts, permitting accumulative lengthwise extension or contraction, and a plurality of independent dishtray-supporting plastic slats, said slats having integral bifurcated depending means attaching said chain to said slats at their midlength, said track bars being disposed at an angle less than the friction angle between the dishtrays and the slats, said slats being slidably supported at points immediately outward of said depending means to provide maximum free length of the ends of the slats, at least three sprocket wheels of equal size engaging the link-chain at points one convolution apart, each pair of sprockets confining a length of chain equivalent to the length of the convolution of the track bars between the corresponding pair of sprockets, a unitary driving means having a common driving source for turning all sprockets in unison, and independent locking means on each sprocket for positioning adjacent sprockets to create a loose, untensioned and uncompressed length of chain between each pair of adjacent sprockets, whereby a positive slack is obtained and maintained from the aggregate of said clearances in the link-chain, and whereby frictional snubbing and frictional braking against the respective inner and outer track bars is prevented.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
In a conveyor according to claim 6 wherein the slats are provided with a pair of of lugs depending from the nether side thereof and adapted to embracingly engage said link-chain between said lugs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
In a conveyor according to claim 6 wherein the said track bars are round in cross-section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
In a conveyor according to claim 7 wherein the said lugs are provided with semi-circular grooves on their outer surfaces which are adapted to be disposed between the track bars and facing outwardly and of such magnitude as to closely yet slidably fit between and around said track bars whereby lateral shift and uplift of the slats is minimal and steer-wandering and creep-jogging are prevented.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-30 | 1978-07-01 | 1978-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-30 | 1982-07-01 | 1982-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-30 | 1986-07-01 | 1986-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |