Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
In a conveyor having a frame, a transfer bar carried by the frame, the transfer bar having article supporting means thereon, and driving means for reciprocating the transfer bar on forward and return movements. the improvement comprising: an expandable and contractable section carried by the frame adjacent at least one end of the transfer bar, said section including a plurality of article supports relatively movable in the directions of forward and return movements of the transfer bar, said article supports forming a continuation of the article supporting means of the transfer bar; and, means for relatively moving said article supports to vary the spacing therebetween in response to forward and return movements of the transfer bar.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
In a conveyor having a frame, a transfer bar carried by the frame, the transfer bar having article supporting means thereon, and driving means for reciprocating the transfer bar on forward and return movements. the improvement comprising: an expandable and contractable section carried by the frame adjacent at least one end of the transfer bar, said section including a plurality of article supports relatively movable in the directions of forward and return movements of the transfer bar, said article supports forming a continuation of the article supporting means of the transfer bar; and, means for relatively moving said article supports to vary the spacing therebetween in response to forward and return movements of the transfer bar.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A conveyor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said article supporting means on said transfer bar comprises a series of freely rotatable rollers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A conveyor as set forth in claim 2 wherein said article supports of the expandable and contractable section are provided with freely rotatable article engageable rollers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A conveyor as set forth in claim 3 further comprising hold-back means for preventing return article movement during the return movement of said transfer bar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
91 words
A conveyor as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for relatively moving said article supports comprises a flexible connecting member secured to said transfer bar and to each of said article supports and effective to increase the relative spacing between said article supports in response to movement of the transfer bar in one direction, and abutments on the transfer bar and on each of said article supports engageable in response to movement of the transfer bar in the opposite direction to decrease the relative spacing between said article supports.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A conveyor as set forth in claim 5 wherein said driving means imparts harmonic accelerating and decelerating motion to said transfer bar during the forward and return movements thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A conveyor as set forth in claim 1 wherein one of said expandable and contractable sections is carried by the frame adjacent each end of the transfer bar.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
117 words
A conveyor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for varying the relative spacing between said article supports comprises a flexible connecting member secured at one end to said transfer bar, secured at the other end to said frame, and secured at spaced locations intermediate said ends to each of said article supports, said flexible connecting member being effective to increase the relative spacing between said article supports in response to movement of the transfer bar in one direction, and abutment means on the transfer bar and on each of said article supports engageable in response to movement of the transfer bar in the opposite direction to decrease the relative spacing between said article supports.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
A conveyor as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of said article supports comprises a base plate, an upright member attached to said base plate, said upright member carrying an article supporting member at the level of said article supporting means of the transfer bar, and a pair of guide rails carried by the frame for slidably supporting the base plates of a series of said article supports.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A conveyor as set forth in claim 9 wherein said article supporting member and said article supporting means are formed by freely rotatable rollers.