US4088220A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endless conveyors for the horizontal rotary conveyance of objects
Assignee: W AND M AUTOMATION KARL MULLER
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Filing: 1976-05-19
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Granted: 1978-05-09
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Expires: 1996-05-19
Abstract
Abstract An endless conveyor having two adjacent, aligned, parallel chain loops each having two rectilinear portions. Between the loops and entrained by friction are suspended carrier members for carrying objects along the two rectilinear conveying tracks defined by the chains. A latching device comprising a spring-loaded, U-shaped member which wedges between spaced chain links thereby preventing sliding of the carrier members at the loop ends is provided to allow passage from one track to the other.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruno Jacksch
- 👤 Karl Muller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:17
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q7/00; B23Q7/14; B23Q7/1426; B23Q7/1447; B23Q7/1452; B23Q7/1457; B65; B65G; B65G17/00; B65G17/002; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
An endless conveyor comprising an endless chain forming a loop having two substantially rectilinear portions extending between two curvilinear portions; means for driving said endless chain; and a plurality of carriers on said chain, each being slidably mounted on said chain and frictionally transported thereby over said rectilinear portions; each carrier being provided with means including a spring-loaded unitary member for wedging between spaced apart links of said chain as said carrier passes from a rectilinear portion to a curvilinear portion of said chain.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
An endless conveyor comprising an endless chain forming a loop having two substantially rectilinear portions extending between two curvilinear portions; means for driving said endless chain; and a plurality of carriers on said chain, each being slidably mounted on said chain and frictionally transported thereby over said rectilinear portions; each carrier being provided with means including a spring-loaded unitary member for wedging between spaced apart links of said chain as said carrier passes from a rectilinear portion to a curvilinear portion of said chain.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
An endless conveyor in accordance with claim 1 wherein each curvilinear portion is semicircular and the engaging means forms a straight, chord-like extension wedged between a plurality spaced apart links of said chain as the associated carrier passes from a rectilinear to a curvilinear portion of said chain.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An endless conveyor as defined in claim 2 wherein said endless chain is driven by a sprocket wheel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An endless conveyor in accordance with claim 3 wherein said sprocket wheel drives a curvilinear portion of said chain.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An endless conveyor in accordance with claim 2 wherein said endless chain is driven by a sprocket wheel at each curvilinear portion thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A conveyor as defined in claim 1 wherein two endless chains are provided and disposed in parallel alignment with said carrier members positioned suspended therebetween over the rectilinear portions thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A conveyor as defined in claim 6 wherein a separate sprocket wheel drives each of said endless chains.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as definded in claim 1 wherein each carrier comprises an inside and outside members which are spring loaded relative to one another to wedge one of the members between a plurality of spaced apart links as the carrier moves from a rectilinear to a curvilinear portion of said chain.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the inside member is U-shaped and the side walls thereof are wedged between a plurality of spaced apart links as said carrier moves from a rectilinear to a curvilinear portion of said chain.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the spring tension is adjusted to prevent contact of said inside member with said chain when suspended from said outside member over a rectilinear portion of said chain.
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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) | 1981-05-08 | 1981-11-07 | 1982-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-08 | 1985-11-07 | 1986-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-08 | 1989-11-07 | 1990-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |