US3916797A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power driven conveyor
Assignee: ROCKFORD AUTOMATION Inc
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Filing: 1974-03-11
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Granted: 1975-11-04
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Expires: 1994-03-11
Abstract
Abstract Spaced, parallel trackways extend in a closed, horizontal loop. Each trackway is formed from two identical extrusions welded together to provide a generally C-shaped cross-section. An endless conveyor chain rides in each trackway opening, and carries roller wheels outside the trackway. Pallets ride on the roller wheels to be driven thereby, or merely supported on the moving roller wheels when the pallets are stopped. Inside each trackway are pairs of wheels mounted on an upright axle and bearing against opposite sides of the trackway to support the pallet load. A common drive train powers each conveyor chain whose linear speed is equal, but whose speed around the arcuate ends is different relative to the pallets.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce E Block
- 👤 Philip H Samuelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:26
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G17/00; B65G17/24; B65G47/00; B65G47/22; B65G47/26; B65G47/261; B65G47/268; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
A power driven conveyor having spaced, parallel trackways extending in a closed loop so that the conveyor is and endless conveyor, and comprising, in combination: each trackway having identical elongate, upper and lower extruded members welded together to provide a generally Cshaped cross-section, each trackway having wall means defining an internal passageway and arranged to provide a laterally opening access to the passageway, said access opening facing the other trackway and extending the full length of the trackway; the upper member having a generally upright face on the wall means directly above the access opening and defining part of the internal passageway; the lower member having a generally upright face on the wall means opposite the access opening and at a level there-below, and defining part of the internal passageway; the lower member also having an upwardly facing bearing surface at the bottom of the access opening; a conveyor chain disposed in each access opening and in contact with the bearing surface; each chain having a plurality of wheels mounted thereon and disposed in the internal passageway; about one-half of said wheels arranged to contact and ride against the upright face directly above the access opening, and the remainder arranged to contact and ride against the upright face opposite the access opening; and means engaged with the conveyor chains for driving them along their respective trackway.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
A power driven conveyor having spaced, parallel trackways extending in a closed loop so that the conveyor is and endless conveyor, and comprising, in combination: each trackway having identical elongate, upper and lower extruded members welded together to provide a generally Cshaped cross-section, each trackway having wall means defining an internal passageway and arranged to provide a laterally opening access to the passageway, said access opening facing the other trackway and extending the full length of the trackway; the upper member having a generally upright face on the wall means directly above the access opening and defining part of the internal passageway; the lower member having a generally upright face on the wall means opposite the access opening and at a level there-below, and defining part of the internal passageway; the lower member also having an upwardly facing bearing surface at the bottom of the access opening; a conveyor chain disposed in each access opening and in contact with the bearing surface; each chain having a plurality of wheels mounted thereon and disposed in the internal passageway; about one-half of said wheels arranged to contact and ride against the upright face directly above the access opening, and the remainder arranged to contact and ride against the upright face opposite the access opening; and means engaged with the conveyor chains for driving them along their respective trackway.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A power driven conveyor as set forth in claim 1 wherein the conveyor chains have sidebars on opposite sides of the access opening with rollers disposed between the sidebars; and the upper member has a longitudinally extending lip which overlies at least part of the sidebars and serves as a shield for the rollers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A power driven conveyor as set forth in claim 1 including a frame for supporting the trackways; each lower member having outwardly extending flanges at opposite sides of the bottom thereof; and means engaged with the flanges for mounting the trackways on the frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A power driven conveyor as set forth in claim 1 wherein the conveyor chains carry roller wheels outside the access opening and closely adjacent the trackway; and including a plurality of pallets extending between the trackways and supported on the roller wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
A power driven conveyor as set forth in claim 4 wherein the closed loop of the conveyor is in a horizontal plane, thereby providing inner and outer Trackways; the conveyor having end portions in which the inner and outer trackways are concentric and have a common arc center; and the pallets have an arcuate outer edge disposed at about the same radius as the inner edge of the outer trackway.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A power driven conveyor as set forth in claim 5 wherein the concentric trackways are stretch-bent into their semicircular shape; and a support structure extending between the trackways and passing through said common arc center to hold the concentric trackways in said semicircular position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
105 words
A power driven conveyor as set forth in claim 1 wherein the last-mentioned means includes six sprockets and a motor for driving the sprockets; each trackway having its wall means cut away at the bottom side thereof to accommodate two sprockets disposed with their teeth at a level to engage the conveyor chain; one of said two sprockets being on a common shaft with a corresponding sprocket in the other trackway, and operatively connected to the motor, whereby the conveyor chains are driven; and a third of said sprockets being positioned at a level below the other two and operating to tension the conveyor chain.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
A power driven conveyor as set forth in claim 7 wherein the conveyor chains carry roller wheels outside the access opening and closely adjacent the trackway; and including a plurality of pallets extending between the trackways and supported on the roller wheels; and at least one roller wheel mounted between said two sprockets at the level of the roller wheels on the conveyor chain to support the pallets as they pass thereby.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
A power driven conveyor as set forth in claim 8 in which the conveyor chains have sidebars on opposite sides of the access opening with rollers disposed between the sidebars; each upper member has a longitudinally extending lip which overlies at least part of the sidebars and serves as a shield for the rollers, each lower member has outwardly extending flanges at opposite sides of the bottom thereof; a frame for supporting the trackways; and means engaged with the flanges for mounting the trackways on the frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
105 words
A power driven conveyor as set forth in claim 9 wherein the closed loop of the conveyor is in a horizontal plane, thereby providing inner and outer trackways; the conveyor having end portions in which the inner and outer trackways are concentric and have a common arc center; the concentric trackways being stretch-bent into their semicircular shapes; the frame including a support structure extending between the trackways and passing through said common arc center to hold the concentric trackways in said semicircular position; and the pallets having an arcuate outer edge disposed at about the same radius as the inner edge of the outer trackway.
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) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |