Patent US3905487A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3905487A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Continuous stacking apparatus
Assignee: GREENE LINE Manufacturing CORP
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Filing: 1974-03-04
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1994-03-04
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for continuously stacking articles which does not require shutdown for either stack removal or changes in article size or construction. A first stacking platform stacks material to the desired height by gradually lowering until the desired number of articles have been conveyed onto said first stacking platform. At this time, a second stacking platform automatically extends to assume the stacking operation while the first platform is discharging its stacked load. After discharging its load, the first stacking platform is returned to the stacking position and the second stacking platform is retracted allowing the built-up load to fall onto the first stacking platform. In this manner stacking may be carried out as a continuous operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth E Hoke
- 👤 Gerald D Haynes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:25
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H29/00; B65H29/66; B65H29/50; B65H29/58; B65H29/62; B65H31/00; B65H31/32; B65H31/34; B65H33/00; B65H33/12; B65H2701/00; B65H2701/10; B65H2701/17; B65H2701/176; B65H2701/1762; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/10; Y10S414/102; Y10S414/103
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A continuous stacking apparatus comprising: a. conveyor means for moving shingled articles from a cutter to a stacker, said conveyor means including a pivotal conveyor for moving said shingled articles, said pivotal conveyor being pivotal in the vertical plane; b. gap creating means extending at least partially over and across said conveyor means and being engageable with and operable to create gaps in said shingled articles providing distinct groups of said articles; c. a first stacking platform; d. a second stacking platform, said second stacking platform being extendable and retractable; e. sensing means positioned adjacent said conveyor means and being operable to sense said gaps when said gaps pass said sensing means; f. drive means connected to said second stacking platform and operable upon command from said sensing means to cause said second stacking platform to extend to the stacking position; g. lifting means connected to said pivotal conveyor and operable to lift said pivotal conveyor upon command from said sensing means; and h. lowering means connected to said first platform operable to lower said first platform.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A continuous stacking apparatus comprising: a. conveyor means for moving shingled articles from a cutter to a stacker, said conveyor means including a pivotal conveyor for moving said shingled articles, said pivotal conveyor being pivotal in the vertical plane; b. gap creating means extending at least partially over and across said conveyor means and being engageable with and operable to create gaps in said shingled articles providing distinct groups of said articles; c. a first stacking platform; d. a second stacking platform, said second stacking platform being extendable and retractable; e. sensing means positioned adjacent said conveyor means and being operable to sense said gaps when said gaps pass said sensing means; f. drive means connected to said second stacking platform and operable upon command from said sensing means to cause said second stacking platform to extend to the stacking position; g. lifting means connected to said pivotal conveyor and operable to lift said pivotal conveyor upon command from said sensing means; and h. lowering means connected to said first platform operable to lower said first platform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first stacking platform is vertically movable, said first stacking platform moving vertically downward a distance equal to the height of stacked articles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second stacking platform is slidably retractable from said stacking position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second stacking platform is a grate mounted on rollers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first stacking platform has a loading height capacity of from about 5 feet to about 7 feet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second stacking platform has a loading height capacity of from about 12 inches to about 17 inches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said liFting means incrementally pivot said pivotal conveyor from about 12 inches to about 18 inches in the upward vertical plane at the same time that said second stacking platform moves to the stacking position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said lifting means for pivoting said pivotal conveyor in a vertical plane is a motor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
277 words
A continuous stacking apparatus comprising: a. conveyor means for moving shingled articles from a cutter to a stacker, said conveyor means including a pivotal conveyor for moving said shingled articles, said pivotal conveyor being incrementally pivotal from a first position to a plurality of raised positions wherein said pivotal conveyor is incrementally raised to a maximum of from about 12 inches to about 18 inches in the vertical plane; b. a first stacking platform, said first stacking platform being vertically movable, said first stacking platform moving vertically downward a distance directly equal to the height of the stacked articles, said first stacking platform having a stacking height capacity of from about 5 feet to about 7 feet; c. a second stacking platform, said second stacking platform being slidably removable from the stacking position, said second stacking platform having a stacking height capacity of from about 12 inches to about 18 inches; d. means for aligning said shingled articles; e. roller means for confining said shingled articles in the proper alignment; f. gap creating means extending at least partially over and across said conveyor means and being engageable with and operable to create gaps in said shingled articles providing distinct groups of said articles; g. sensing means positioned adjacent said conveyor means and being operable to sense said gaps when said gaps pass said sensing means; h. drive means connected to said second stacking platform and operable upon command from said sensing means to cause the extension of said second stacking platform to the stacking position while at the same time lifting means connected to said pivotal conveyor causes said pivotal conveyor to pivot to the raised position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
277 words
A continuous stacking apparatus comprising: a. conveyor means for moving shingled articles from a cutter to a stacker, said conveyor means including a pivotal conveyor for moving said shingled articles, said pivotal conveyor being incrementally pivotal from a first position to a plurality of raised positions wherein said pivotal conveyor is incrementally raised to a maximum of from about 12 inches to about 18 inches in the vertical plane; b. a first stacking platform, said first stacking platform being vertically movable, said first stacking platform moving vertically downward a distance directly equal to the height of the stacked articles, said first stacking platform having a stacking height capacity of from about 5 feet to about 7 feet; c. a second stacking platform, said second stacking platform being slidably removable from the stacking position, said second stacking platform having a stacking height capacity of from about 12 inches to about 18 inches; d. means for aligning said shingled articles; e. roller means for confining said shingled articles in the proper alignment; f. gap creating means extending at least partially over and across said conveyor means and being engageable with and operable to create gaps in said shingled articles providing distinct groups of said articles; g. sensing means positioned adjacent said conveyor means and being operable to sense said gaps when said gaps pass said sensing means; h. drive means connected to said second stacking platform and operable upon command from said sensing means to cause the extension of said second stacking platform to the stacking position while at the same time lifting means connected to said pivotal conveyor causes said pivotal conveyor to pivot to the raised position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said second stacking platform is a grate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said roller means for confining said shingled articles in the proper alignment comprise a plurality of wheels rotating in a direction so as to continually push said shingled articles against said aligning means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said means for aligning said shingled articles is adjustable.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
214 words
A method for continuously stacking shingled articles comprising: a. shingling articles on a conveyor; b. conveying said shingled articles to gap creating means; c. creating gaps in said shingled articles at appropriate intervals of time; d. conveying said shingled articles subsequent to said gap creating means to a stacking area; e. stacking said shingled articles on a first stacking platform until said first stacking platform has received a full load of stacked articles, said gap creating means creating a gap in the conveyance of said shingled articles at a time such that when said first stacking platform has received a full load of stacked articles and is ready to be removed for unloading, a gap in the conveyance of shingled articles is present at the point of stacking; f. removing said first stacking platform from the stacking area to be unloaded while simultaneously drive means operable upon command from gap sensing means extend a second stacking platform into the stacking area; g. lifting the means for conveying said shingled articles from said gap creating means to said stacking area; h. returning said first stacking platform to the stacking position; and i. retracting said second stacking platform to allow the shingled articles stacked on said second stacking platform to fall on said first stacking platform.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
214 words
A method for continuously stacking shingled articles comprising: a. shingling articles on a conveyor; b. conveying said shingled articles to gap creating means; c. creating gaps in said shingled articles at appropriate intervals of time; d. conveying said shingled articles subsequent to said gap creating means to a stacking area; e. stacking said shingled articles on a first stacking platform until said first stacking platform has received a full load of stacked articles, said gap creating means creating a gap in the conveyance of said shingled articles at a time such that when said first stacking platform has received a full load of stacked articles and is ready to be removed for unloading, a gap in the conveyance of shingled articles is present at the point of stacking; f. removing said first stacking platform from the stacking area to be unloaded while simultaneously drive means operable upon command from gap sensing means extend a second stacking platform into the stacking area; g. lifting the means for conveying said shingled articles from said gap creating means to said stacking area; h. returning said first stacking platform to the stacking position; and i. retracting said second stacking platform to allow the shingled articles stacked on said second stacking platform to fall on said first stacking platform.
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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) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |