US3921789A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for transferring articles from a conveyor
Assignee: PPG Industries Inc
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Filing: 1974-02-08
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Granted: 1975-11-25
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Expires: 1994-02-08
Abstract
Abstract A junction of a main line conveyor and a branch line conveyor is provided with a vertically movable transfer unit having upper and lower conveyor sections. When an article is being transferred from either section, the other section is aligned with the main line conveyor so as to permit continuance of conveyance along the main line during at least some of the transfer operation.
Inventors
- 👤 John A Goldinger
- 👤 Dwight R Peterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:20
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/52; B65G47/53; B65G47/54
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for transferring articles in a transverse direction from a generally horizontal main line conveyor upon which said articles are being conveyed at close intervals, without interrupting said conveying, comprising: a vertically movable frame supporting a generally horizontal lower conveyor section and a generally horizontal upper conveyor section overlying and vertically spaced from said lower conveyor section; each of said upper and lower conveyor sections including means to convey an article in one given direction; means for vertically moving said frame to selectively align said upper conveyor section and said lower conveyor section with an elevation corresponding To the elevation of a main line conveyor; means for transporting an article off one of said conveyor sections in a direction transverse to said given direction when the other of said conveyor sections is aligned with said elevation of a main line conveyor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for transferring articles in a transverse direction from a generally horizontal main line conveyor upon which said articles are being conveyed at close intervals, without interrupting said conveying, comprising: a vertically movable frame supporting a generally horizontal lower conveyor section and a generally horizontal upper conveyor section overlying and vertically spaced from said lower conveyor section; each of said upper and lower conveyor sections including means to convey an article in one given direction; means for vertically moving said frame to selectively align said upper conveyor section and said lower conveyor section with an elevation corresponding To the elevation of a main line conveyor; means for transporting an article off one of said conveyor sections in a direction transverse to said given direction when the other of said conveyor sections is aligned with said elevation of a main line conveyor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for transporting comprises transversely oriented conveyor means extending within said frame at a height at which an article carried by said lower conveyor section will be engaged by said transversely oriented conveyor means when said upper conveyor section is in alignment with said main line conveyor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said lower conveyor section is comprised of a plurality of rollers on shafts rotatably mounted on elongated, upstanding stems, and said transversely oriented conveyor means comprises a belt conveyor having a plurality of belts extending between said rollers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for transporting comprises hoist means extendable over said frame at an elevation at which said hoist means may engage an article carried by said upper conveyor section when said lower conveyor section is aligned with said main line conveyor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein there is additionally provided a hoist means extendable over said frame at an elevation at which said hoist means may engage an article carried by said upper conveyor section when said lower conveyor section is aligned with said main line conveyor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
159 words
A conveyor system comprising: a generally horizontal main line conveyor having means for conveying articles in a given direction; at least one work station laterally displaced from said main line conveyor; a vertically movable frame interposed between upstream and downstream main line conveyor sections adjacent to said work station, said frame supporting a generally horizontal lower conveyor section and a generally horizontal upper conveyor section overlying and vertically spaced from said lower conveyor section; each of said upper and lower conveyor sections having means to convey an article in the same given direction as said main line conveyor; and means for vertically moving said frame to selectively align said upper conveyor section and said lower conveyor section with the elevation of said main line conveyor; and means for transporting an article off one of said conveyor sections and toward said work station when the other of said conveyor sections is aligned with said elevation of said main line conveyor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
159 words
A conveyor system comprising: a generally horizontal main line conveyor having means for conveying articles in a given direction; at least one work station laterally displaced from said main line conveyor; a vertically movable frame interposed between upstream and downstream main line conveyor sections adjacent to said work station, said frame supporting a generally horizontal lower conveyor section and a generally horizontal upper conveyor section overlying and vertically spaced from said lower conveyor section; each of said upper and lower conveyor sections having means to convey an article in the same given direction as said main line conveyor; and means for vertically moving said frame to selectively align said upper conveyor section and said lower conveyor section with the elevation of said main line conveyor; and means for transporting an article off one of said conveyor sections and toward said work station when the other of said conveyor sections is aligned with said elevation of said main line conveyor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said means for transporting comprise transversely oriented conveyor means extending within said frame at a height at which an article carried by said lower conveyor section will be engaged by said transversely oriented conveyor means when said upper conveyor section is in alignment with said main line conveyor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said lower conveyor section is comprised of a plurality of rollers on shafts rotatably mounted on elongated, upstanding stems, and said transversely oriented conveyor means comprise a belt conveyor having a plurality of belts extending between said rollers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said work station comprises a branch line conveyor extending transversely from said main line conveyor with the entrance end of said branch line aligned with the discharge end of said transversely oriented conveyor means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said means for transporting comprises hoist means extendable over said frame at an elevation at which said hoist means may engage an article carried by said upper conveyor section when said lower conveyor section is aligned with the elevation of said main line conveyor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 9 wherein there is additionally provided hoist means extendable over said frame at an elevation at which said hoist means may engage an article carried by said upper conveyor section when said lower conveyor section is aligned with the elevation of said main lIne conveyor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 11 wherein there is provided an auxilliary work station on the opposite side of said main line conveyor from said branch line conveyor, adapted to receive articles transported by said hoist means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
237 words
A method of transferring articles toward a transversely displaced work station from a main line conveyor upon which said articles are being horizontally conveyed at close intervals comprising the steps of: a. aligning a first conveyor section between upstream and downstream portions of the main line conveyor so as to provide a continuous path for conveyance of articles therebetween; b. stopping a selected article on said first conveyor section; c. vertically translating said first conveyor section out of alignment with said main line conveyor portions, and aligning a second conveyor section with said main line conveyor portions in place of said first conveyor section so as to restore the continuous path for conveyance of articles therebetween; d. transferring said selected article from said first conveyor section in a direction transverse to said main line conveyor, and at the same time conveying a subsequent article from said upstream portion to said downstream portion of the main line conveyor by way of said second conveyor section; e. vertically translating said first and said second conveyor sections so as to return said first section into alignment with said main line portions and to remove said second section from alignment with said main line portions; and f. repeating the sequence of steps (a) through (e) for each article to be transferred, whereby transfers from the main line are accomplished without affecting the continuous conveying of articles along the main line conveyor.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
237 words
A method of transferring articles toward a transversely displaced work station from a main line conveyor upon which said articles are being horizontally conveyed at close intervals comprising the steps of: a. aligning a first conveyor section between upstream and downstream portions of the main line conveyor so as to provide a continuous path for conveyance of articles therebetween; b. stopping a selected article on said first conveyor section; c. vertically translating said first conveyor section out of alignment with said main line conveyor portions, and aligning a second conveyor section with said main line conveyor portions in place of said first conveyor section so as to restore the continuous path for conveyance of articles therebetween; d. transferring said selected article from said first conveyor section in a direction transverse to said main line conveyor, and at the same time conveying a subsequent article from said upstream portion to said downstream portion of the main line conveyor by way of said second conveyor section; e. vertically translating said first and said second conveyor sections so as to return said first section into alignment with said main line portions and to remove said second section from alignment with said main line portions; and f. repeating the sequence of steps (a) through (e) for each article to be transferred, whereby transfers from the main line are accomplished without affecting the continuous conveying of articles along the main line conveyor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
110 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said second conveyor section overlies said first conveyor section, the vertical translating of step (c) comprises lowering said first and second conveyor sections as a unit, the vertical translating of step (e) comprises raising said first and second conveyor sections as a unit, and the transferring of step (d) is accomplished by means of belts which extend into the area of said first conveyor section when said first conveyor section is in the lowered position, said selected article being lifted from said first conveyor section by said belts and carried toward said work station by said belts when said first conveyor section is lowered.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said work station comprises the entrance end of a branch line conveyor extending transversely from said main line at an elevation aligned with said belts, and the transferring of step (d) comprises introducing said selected article onto said branch line conveyor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said articles are in the form of sheets.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the intervals between successive sheets being conveyed on the main line conveyor are about twelve seconds or less, and the vertical translating of step (c) and the vertical translating of step (e) are performed during said intervals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
95 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said first conveyor section overlies said second conveyor section, the vertical translating of step (c) comprises raising said first and second conveyor sections as a unit, the vertical translating of step (e) comprises lowering said first and second conveyor sections as a unit, and the transferring of step (d) comprises engaging said selected article on said first conveyor section when in the raised postion with hoist means, lifting said selected article from said first conveyor section with said hoist means, and depositing said selected article onto said work station.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said articles are in the form of sheets.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the intervals between successive sheets being conveyed on the main line conveyor are about 12 seconds or less, and the vertical translating of step (c) and the vertical translating of step (e) are performed during said intervals.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
232 words
A method of introducing an article into a stream of articles being conveyed at close intervals on a main line conveyor comprising the steps of: a. aligning a first conveyor section between upstream and downstream portions of the main line conveyor so as to provide a continuous path for conveyance of articles therebetween; b. vertically translating said first conveyor section out of alignment with said main line conveyor portions, and aligning a second conveyor section with said main line conveyor portions in place of said first conveyor section so as to restore the continuous path for conveyance of articles therebetween; c. transferring an article to be inserted onto said first conveyor section, and at the same time conveying another article from said upstream portion to said downstream portion of the main line conveyor by way of said second conveyor section; d. vertically translating said first and said second conveyor sections so as to return said first section into alignment with said main line portions and to remove said second section from alignment with said main line portions; e. operating said first conveyor section to carry said article to be inserted onto said downstream portion of the main line conveyor; and f. repeating the sequence of steps (a) through (e) for each article to be inserted, whereby the insertions are made without affecting the continuous conveying of articles along the main line conveyor.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
232 words
A method of introducing an article into a stream of articles being conveyed at close intervals on a main line conveyor comprising the steps of: a. aligning a first conveyor section between upstream and downstream portions of the main line conveyor so as to provide a continuous path for conveyance of articles therebetween; b. vertically translating said first conveyor section out of alignment with said main line conveyor portions, and aligning a second conveyor section with said main line conveyor portions in place of said first conveyor section so as to restore the continuous path for conveyance of articles therebetween; c. transferring an article to be inserted onto said first conveyor section, and at the same time conveying another article from said upstream portion to said downstream portion of the main line conveyor by way of said second conveyor section; d. vertically translating said first and said second conveyor sections so as to return said first section into alignment with said main line portions and to remove said second section from alignment with said main line portions; e. operating said first conveyor section to carry said article to be inserted onto said downstream portion of the main line conveyor; and f. repeating the sequence of steps (a) through (e) for each article to be inserted, whereby the insertions are made without affecting the continuous conveying of articles along the main line conveyor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
106 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said second conveyor section overlies said first conveyor section, the vertical translating of step (b) comprises lowering said first and second conveyor sections as a unit, the vertical translating of step (d) comprises raising said first and second conveyor sections as a unit, and the transferring of step (c) comprises conveying the article to be inserted onto said first conveyor section on belts which extend into the area of said first conveyor section when said first conveyor section is in the lowered position, said article to be inserted being lifted from said belts when said first conveyor section is raised.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said articles are in the form of sheets.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the intervals between successive sheets being conveyed on the main line conveyor are about twelve seconds or less, and the vertical translating of step (b) and the vertical translating of step (d) are performed during said intervals.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
87 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said first conveyor section overlies said second conveyor section, the vertical translating of step (b) comprises raising said first and second conveyor sections as a unit, the vertical translating of step (d) comprises lowering said first and second conveyor sections as a unit, and the transferring of step (c) comprises engaging said article to be inserted with hoist means and depositing said article to be inserted onto said first conveyor section while said first conveyor section is in the raised position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 25 wherein said articles are in the form of sheets.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the intervals between successive sheets being conveyed on the main line conveyor are about twelve seconds or less, and the vertical translating of step (b) and the vertical translating of step (d) are performed during said intervals.
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) | 1978-11-24 | 1979-05-26 | 1979-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-24 | 1983-05-26 | 1983-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-24 | 1987-05-26 | 1987-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |