US3923150A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for conveying objects
Assignee: INDUSTRIE TREUHAND AG Firma
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Filing: 1974-04-08
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Granted: 1975-12-02
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Expires: 1994-04-08
Abstract
Abstract An article conveyor includes track sections that comprise a rotary sleeve. Recesses formed in the sleeve carry rotatable spheres whose diameters are larger than the recesses. The spheres can be arranged with their inner ends projecting into an inner bore of the sleeve for free unobstructed rotation. Alternatively, there is provided a support member within the sleeve having a support surface which rotatably engages inner portions of the spheres. The sleeve and support surface can be mounted for relative rotation, and with the sleeve or support member being driven to frictionally rotate the spheres. The support member can comprise a tubular belt which is driven axially through the sleeve to rotate the spheres about axes that are transverse to the sleeve axis.
Inventors
- 👤 Werner Jager
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:10
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G13/00; B65G13/08; B65G13/10; B65G13/02; B65G13/06; B65G13/07; B65G39/00; B65G39/02; B65G39/025; B65G2207/00; B65G2207/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
In an article conveyor having a plurality of track sections arranged to define a conveying track, each track section comprising: rotary housing means mounted for rotation, said rotary housing means including: wall means defining an inner bore, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses formed in said wall means; each recess having an inner end opening into said bore and an outer end opening outwardly of said housing means; a plurality of spheres rotatably mounted in said recesses for free rotation in all directions; said spheres each having a diameter which is larger than the inner and outer recess ends such that said spheres are retained by said recesses, with an outer portion of each sphere projecting through said outer end of its respective recess to support articles being conveyed, and an inner portion of each sphere projecting through said inner end of its respective recess and into said bore for free rotary movement therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
In an article conveyor having a plurality of track sections arranged to define a conveying track, each track section comprising: rotary housing means mounted for rotation, said rotary housing means including: wall means defining an inner bore, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses formed in said wall means; each recess having an inner end opening into said bore and an outer end opening outwardly of said housing means; a plurality of spheres rotatably mounted in said recesses for free rotation in all directions; said spheres each having a diameter which is larger than the inner and outer recess ends such that said spheres are retained by said recesses, with an outer portion of each sphere projecting through said outer end of its respective recess to support articles being conveyed, and an inner portion of each sphere projecting through said inner end of its respective recess and into said bore for free rotary movement therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A conveyor according to claim 1 wherein each sleeve includes a plurality of apertures, other than said recesses, for admitting dirt, dust, and the like.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A conveyor according to claim 1 wherein said wall means comprises a pair of radially spaced walls, each of said walls containing aligned openings to define said recesses.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A conveyor according to claim 1 wherein said rotary housing means comprises a plurality of sleeves aligned axially, and a pair of supporting discs located at the ends of said aligned sleeves to couple said sleeves together.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
119 words
In an article conveyor having a plurality of track sections arranged to define a conveying track, each track section comprising: a hollow sleeve having a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses; said sleeve being mounted for rotation; a support member located within said sleeve; said support member having an outer cylindrical support surface; a plurality of spheres rotatably disposed in said recesses for rotation in all directions; the diameter of each sphere being larger than its associated recess such that said recess retains said sphere within said sleeve; inner portions of said spheres being supportably engaged by said cylindrical support surface to position outward portions of said spheres radially outwardly of said sleeve in contacting relation with articles being conveyed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
119 words
In an article conveyor having a plurality of track sections arranged to define a conveying track, each track section comprising: a hollow sleeve having a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses; said sleeve being mounted for rotation; a support member located within said sleeve; said support member having an outer cylindrical support surface; a plurality of spheres rotatably disposed in said recesses for rotation in all directions; the diameter of each sphere being larger than its associated recess such that said recess retains said sphere within said sleeve; inner portions of said spheres being supportably engaged by said cylindrical support surface to position outward portions of said spheres radially outwardly of said sleeve in contacting relation with articles being conveyed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
An article conveyor according to claim 5 wherein said sleeve and said support member are relatively rotatable, with one of said sleeve and said support member being driven to rotatably drive said spheres through frictional contact with said support surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
An article conveyor according to claim 5 wherein said sleeve is freely rotatable relative to said supporting member such that said spheres rotatably travel around the circumference of said support surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An Article conveyor according to claim 5 wherein said sleeve and said support member are rigidly interconnected for common rotation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An article conveyor according to claim 5 wherein said support member is arranged to be driven relative to said sleeve so as to frictionally drive said spheres.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
An article conveyor according to claim 9 wherein said support member comprises an endless belt passing axially through said sleeve; said belt being arranged to be driven axially through said sleeve to frictionally rotate said spheres about axes that are disposed transverse to the axial direction of said sleeve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
An article conveyor according to claim 9 wherein said support member is rotatably driven about an axis which is coincident with the axis of said sleeve to frictionally drive said spheres about axes that are parallel to the axis of said sleeve.
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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) | 1978-12-01 | 1979-06-02 | 1979-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-01 | 1983-06-02 | 1983-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-01 | 1987-06-02 | 1987-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |