US3948186A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Overhead power and free conveyor system
Assignee: Jervis B Webb Co
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Filing: 1975-04-24
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Granted: 1976-04-06
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Expires: 1995-04-24
Abstract
Abstract An overhead power and free conveyor system in which a carrier is propelled along a portion of the carrier track of the system in the conventional manner by a pusher on a driven chain engaging a driving dog on the carrier. The carrier is propelled along another portion of the carrier track of this system by a self-propelled tractor, with provision for transferring a carrier from one of these forms of propulsion to another. Preferably, the tractor travels on the carrier track when propelling a carrier or a train of carriers, which may be directly coupled to the tractor. Alternately, the tractor travels on the carrier track and pulls a tow bar, supported by a separate track, and equipped with a pusher engageable with the carrier driving dog.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward W. McCaul
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:17
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61B; B61B10/00; B61B10/02; B61B10/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
In a conveyor system including a carrier track; a plurality of carriers supported thereon; means for propelling said carriers along one portion of said carrier track comprising a chain track adjacent to said carrier track, an endless driven chain supported by said chain track, pushers carried by said chain and a driving dog on each carrier engageable by one of said pushers; a self-propelled tractor for propelling said carriers along another portion of the carrier track; and stations at which the propulsion of a carrier is transferrable between said propelling means and said tractor; the improvement wherein said tractor is supported by and travels on said other portion of the carrier track, releasable coupling elements are provided on said tractor and carriers for the propulsion of at least one of said carriers by said tractor, and at least one of said stations includes a switch in said other portion of the carrier track, and separate tracks for said carriers and said tractor selectively connectable with said other portion of the carrier track by said switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a conveyor system including a carrier track; a plurality of carriers supported thereon; means for propelling said carriers along one portion of said carrier track comprising a chain track adjacent to said carrier track, an endless driven chain supported by said chain track, pushers carried by said chain and a driving dog on each carrier engageable by one of said pushers; a self-propelled tractor for propelling said carriers along another portion of the carrier track; and stations at which the propulsion of a carrier is transferrable between said propelling means and said tractor; the improvement wherein said tractor is supported by and travels on said other portion of the carrier track, releasable coupling elements are provided on said tractor and carriers for the propulsion of at least one of said carriers by said tractor, and at least one of said stations includes a switch in said other portion of the carrier track, and separate tracks for said carriers and said tractor selectively connectable with said other portion of the carrier track by said switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A conveyor system according to claim 1 wherein said one station includes said carrier propelling means adjacent to said separate carrier track, means for releasing said coupling elements, and a feeder device for advancing said carriers on to said separate carrier track and into a position for engagement by said carrier propelling means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A conveyor system according to claim 1 including releasable coupling elements provided on the carriers whereby said tractor can propel a plurality of carriers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A conveyor system according to claim 3 further including means for selectively rendering the coupling element of one carrier operable and non-operable with respect to the coupling element of another carrier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A conveyor system according to claim 4 further including cam means on one carrier operable to disengage the driving dog of another carrier from a chain pusher when the coupling elements of such two carriers are in engagement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A conveyor system according to claim 1 wherein the releasable coupling elements include a fixedly mounted element and a moveably mounted element, one of said elements being mounted on the carrier and the other on the self-propelled tractor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A conveyor system according to claim 6 wherein a follower member is operatively connected to the moveable coupling element, and a cam member is mounted adjacent the carrier supporting track, said cam member being engageable by the follower member to release the moveable coupling element from the fixedly mounted coupling element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A conveyor system according to claim 1 wherein the releasable coupling element includes a member fixedly mounted on the carrier and including laterally projecting portions, and a pair of coupling members pivotally mounted on the tractor and adapted to engage said laterally projecting portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A conveyor system according to claim 8 wherein said pair of coupling members include a follower connected thereto, and a cam mounted adjacent the carrier track, the cam being engageable by the follower to move the coupling members to released position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A conveyor system according to claim 1 wherein the carrier driving dog is moveable to a disengaged position relative to a pusher by driving dog releasing means mounted on the carrier, and means on the tractor for operating the driving dog releasing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
A conveyor system according to claim 1 wherein the carrier includes a driving dog releasing lever capable of moving the driving dog to a disengaged position relative to a pusher, and the self-propelled tractor is provided with a cam associated with the coupling element on the tractor for operating the driving releasing lever on the carrier.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
130 words
A conveyor system according to claim 1 wherein the releasable coupling elements comprise a fixed bumper on the carrier having a T-shaped forward end portion and a pair of moveable coupling members pivotally mounted on the self-propelled tractor adapted to straddle the carrier bumper and engage the T-shaped forward end portion thereof, a driving dog releasing lever mounted on the carrier and adapted to move the carrier driving dog to a disengaged position relative to a pusher, and a cam member mounted on the tractor between said pair of moveable coupling elements, the cam member being adapted to move the driving dog releasing lever and carrier driving dog to disengaged position when the coupling members on the self-propelled tractor are engaged with the T-shaped end portion of the carrier bumper.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
A conveyor system according to claim 1 wherein said releasable coupling elements comprise a pusher element engageable with the carrier, a tow bar connecting the pusher element to the tractor, and a tow bar track mounted adjacent to the carrier track for supporting the pusher element and tow bar.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
A conveyor system according to claim 13 wherein said releasable coupling elements include a plurality of tow bars and longitudinally spaced pusher elements, each pusher element being engageable with a carrier whereby a plurality of carriers may be propelled by the tractor.
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) | 1979-04-06 | 1979-10-06 | 1980-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-04-06 | 1983-10-06 | 1984-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-04-06 | 1987-10-06 | 1988-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |