US3858707A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conveyor system
Assignee: ROCKFORD AUTOMATION Inc
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Filing: 1973-11-07
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Granted: 1975-01-07
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Expires: 1993-11-07
Abstract
Abstract The conveyor system propels pallets by frictional contact between a rotating drive shaft and a drive wheel carried by the pallet. The drive wheel is pivotally mounted for movement between a drive position oblique to the drive shaft axis and a stop position with the wheel axis parallel to the drive shaft axis. Stops are selectively positioned to engage an arm connected to the drive wheel and move it to the stop position. The arm is provided with three vertical positions; a lower position where it passes the stop, an intermediate position where it engages the stop, and an upper position where it is released from the stop. Each pallet is provided with a rearwardly-facing stop to engage the arm and prevent collision between the pallets.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce E Block
- 👤 Alan F Kubinski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:28
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G35/00; B65G35/06; B65G35/063; B23; B23Q; B23Q7/00; B23Q7/14; B23Q7/1426
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
A conveyor system including: a frame; a drive shaft rotatably mounted on the frame; means for rotating the drive shaft; a plurality of pallets mounted for movement along a pathway parallel to the drive shaft; at least one drive wheel pivotally mounted on each pallet for movement between a drive position engaged with the drive shaft oblique to the longitudinal axis thereof, and a stop position in which no linear force is transferred from the drive shaft to the pallet; means for resiliently urging the drive wheel toward the drive position; a control arm extending laterally of said pathway and operatively connected to the drive wheel for moving it from the drive position to the stop position; stop means at a work station along said pathway for engaging the control arm and moving the drive wheel to the stop position; positioning means for engaging the pallet when it is stopped at the work station; reciprocating means for moving the positioning means between a position engaged with the pallet and a disengaged position; and means associated with the reciprocating means for effecting relative movement between the control arm and the stop means to disengage them simultaneously with movement of the positioning means to disengaged position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
A conveyor system including: a frame; a drive shaft rotatably mounted on the frame; means for rotating the drive shaft; a plurality of pallets mounted for movement along a pathway parallel to the drive shaft; at least one drive wheel pivotally mounted on each pallet for movement between a drive position engaged with the drive shaft oblique to the longitudinal axis thereof, and a stop position in which no linear force is transferred from the drive shaft to the pallet; means for resiliently urging the drive wheel toward the drive position; a control arm extending laterally of said pathway and operatively connected to the drive wheel for moving it from the drive position to the stop position; stop means at a work station along said pathway for engaging the control arm and moving the drive wheel to the stop position; positioning means for engaging the pallet when it is stopped at the work station; reciprocating means for moving the positioning means between a position engaged with the pallet and a disengaged position; and means associated with the reciprocating means for effecting relative movement between the control arm and the stop means to disengage them simultaneously with movement of the positioning means to disengaged position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the reciprocating means includes a mechanism operatively connected to the positioning means; and including a switch mounted at the work station for controlled actuation of said mechanism, and means on the pallet for throwing the switch when the pallet reaches the work station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the position Means includes a position pin at the work station and having an axis extending crosswise of the drive shaft axis; and the pallet has stationary means for engagement by the position pin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein the stationary means is in the form of an opening in the pallet for closely receiving the position pin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 4 in which the pallet opening is located on the longitudinal center line of the pallet; and the drive wheel and drive shaft are laterally offset from said center line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein the pallet has a second opening spaced from the other; and including a second position pin at the work station and having an axis extending crosswise of the drive shaft axis; and the reciprocating means also moves the second position pin into the second opening after the pallet has stopped at the work station.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination of claim 6 wherein the position pins have parallel axes, and the second position pin is arranged to engage its corresponding opening in a direction crosswise of a line connecting the position pins.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination of claim 7 in which the two pallet openings are located on the longitudinal center line of the pallet; and the drive wheel and drive shaft are laterally offset from said center line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
188 words
A conveyor system including: a frame; a drive shaft rotatably mounted on the frame; means for rotating the drive shaft; a plurality of pallets mounted for movement along a pathway parallel to the drive shaft; at least one drive wheel pivotally mounted on each pallet for movement between a drive position engaged with the drive shaft oblique to the longitudinal axis thereof, and a stop position in which no linear force is transferred from the drive shaft to the pallet; means for resiliently urging the drive wheel toward the drive position; a control arm extending laterally of said pathway and operatively connected to the drive wheel for moving it from the drive position ot the stop position; stop means at a work station along said pathway for engaging the control arm and stopping the pallet; positioning means for engaging the pallet when it is stopped at the work station; reciprocating means for moving the positioning means between a position engaged with the pallet and a disengaged position; and means for disengaging the control arm from the stop means simmultaneously with movement of the positioning means to disengaged position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
188 words
A conveyor system including: a frame; a drive shaft rotatably mounted on the frame; means for rotating the drive shaft; a plurality of pallets mounted for movement along a pathway parallel to the drive shaft; at least one drive wheel pivotally mounted on each pallet for movement between a drive position engaged with the drive shaft oblique to the longitudinal axis thereof, and a stop position in which no linear force is transferred from the drive shaft to the pallet; means for resiliently urging the drive wheel toward the drive position; a control arm extending laterally of said pathway and operatively connected to the drive wheel for moving it from the drive position ot the stop position; stop means at a work station along said pathway for engaging the control arm and stopping the pallet; positioning means for engaging the pallet when it is stopped at the work station; reciprocating means for moving the positioning means between a position engaged with the pallet and a disengaged position; and means for disengaging the control arm from the stop means simmultaneously with movement of the positioning means to disengaged position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A conveyor system as set forth in claim 9 wherein the positioning means includes a positioning pin mounted for vertical reciprocation, and the pallet has an opening for closely receiving the positioning pin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
A conveyor system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the control arm is mounted for vertical movement between a position for engaging the stop means and a raised position where it disengages the stop means; and wherein the means for disengaging the control arm includes a kick-off rod slideably mounted below the stop means for movement upwardly against the control arm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
A conveyor system as set forth in claim 11 wherein the means for disengaging the control arm also includes mechanical means associated with the kick-off rod and the positioning pin for raising the kick-off rod against the control arm as the positioning pin is retracted.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
A conveyor system as set forth in claim 12 wherein the mechanical means comprises a lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends; and a detent on the lever and resiliently urged to an operative position for raising the kick-off rod as the positioning pin is retracted, but pivotally mounted so that the detent is insensitive to extension of the positioning pin.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
A conveyor system as set forth in claim 13 wherein the lever is pivotally connected to the kick-off rod and the detent is at the end of the lever adjacent the positioning pin; and including a spring for urging the kick-off rod to a retracted position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
The combination of claim 9 wherein the reciprocating means includes a fluid-Operated mechanism operatively connected to the positioning means; and including a switch mounted at the work station at a position to be thrown by the pallet and for controlling flow of fluid to said mechanism when thrown to engage the positioning means with the pallet.
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) | 1978-01-06 | 1978-07-08 | 1979-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-06 | 1982-07-08 | 1983-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-06 | 1986-07-08 | 1987-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |