Patent US4108304A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4108304A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Powered roller accumulation conveyor
Assignee: Unex Conveying Systems Inc
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Filing: 1978-02-21
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Granted: 1978-08-22
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Expires: 1998-02-21
Abstract
Abstract This invention discloses an accumulation conveyor of the powered roller type, having a power-driven belt passing through a plurality of independent operating zones arranged in tandem along the length of the conveyor. The belt is held in contact with the driven rollers by resiliently-biased pressure rollers, the pressure rollers exerting at least sufficient pressure to maintain the belt in contact with the driven rollers. In each zone, additional pressure is applied to the pressure rollers to increase or decrease the pressure of the belt against the driven rollers. This pressure is applied by spring-biased roller cams actuated by linkages responsive to load-sensing means in a downstream zone and whereby the kinetic energy generated by the moving load is used to actuate the cams.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J. McKnight
- 👤 Frank J. Neuwirth
- 👤 Robert W. Gotham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:41
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/22; B65G47/26; B65G47/261; B65G2203/00; B65G2203/04; B65G2203/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
289 words
An accumulation conveyor comprising a pair of laterally spaced siderails, each having a normally vertical web, a plurality of axles extending between said siderails, a roller rotatably mounted on each axle and adapted to carry articles to be transported by said conveyor, a power-driven propelling member, a plurality of vertically movable rollers supporting the propelling member with adjustable first mechanical means cooperating therewith for urging said rollers upward against the propelling member, said first mechanical means being resilient, and means for detecting the presence of an article on said conveyor, said means being operatively connected to an adjustable second mechanical means which cooperates with said vertically movable rollers for urging a plurality of said rollers selectively either upward or downward to further vary the pressure of said vertically movable rollers against the propelling member by exerting a supplementary force on said vertically movable rollers, said secondary mechanical means including a movable cam means adapted to selectively bias said vertically movable rollers against said propelling member, said secondary mechanical means further including an adjustable tension spring means attached to said cam means and adapted to regulate the bias exerted by said vertically movable rollers against said propelling member, said second mechanical means further including an actuator assembly interconnecting said cam means with said article detecting means and comprising: a. a slidable member; b. a rod means slidably secured with respect to said slidable member, said rod means including a first stop means and a second stop means thereon; and c. a first compression spring means positioned about said rod and abutting said slidable member, said first compression spring means positioned between said second stop means and said slidable member to bias said slidable member with respect to said rod member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
289 words
An accumulation conveyor comprising a pair of laterally spaced siderails, each having a normally vertical web, a plurality of axles extending between said siderails, a roller rotatably mounted on each axle and adapted to carry articles to be transported by said conveyor, a power-driven propelling member, a plurality of vertically movable rollers supporting the propelling member with adjustable first mechanical means cooperating therewith for urging said rollers upward against the propelling member, said first mechanical means being resilient, and means for detecting the presence of an article on said conveyor, said means being operatively connected to an adjustable second mechanical means which cooperates with said vertically movable rollers for urging a plurality of said rollers selectively either upward or downward to further vary the pressure of said vertically movable rollers against the propelling member by exerting a supplementary force on said vertically movable rollers, said secondary mechanical means including a movable cam means adapted to selectively bias said vertically movable rollers against said propelling member, said secondary mechanical means further including an adjustable tension spring means attached to said cam means and adapted to regulate the bias exerted by said vertically movable rollers against said propelling member, said second mechanical means further including an actuator assembly interconnecting said cam means with said article detecting means and comprising: a. a slidable member; b. a rod means slidably secured with respect to said slidable member, said rod means including a first stop means and a second stop means thereon; and c. a first compression spring means positioned about said rod and abutting said slidable member, said first compression spring means positioned between said second stop means and said slidable member to bias said slidable member with respect to said rod member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the power-driven propelling member is a plastic covered cable and the vertically movable rollers supporting the propelling members contain peripheral grooves in which the propelling member travels and wherein each roller is carried on a threaded shaft passing through an aperture in the web of a siderail.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the first mechanical means for urging the rollers upward is a resilient variably exerting force on said shafts tending to reduce the angle the shafts make with the portions of the web thereabove, said force being regulated by screw-adjustmemt means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor are elements projecting above the article-supporting rollers which element are displaced by articles passing thereover, said displacement, by means of connecting linkages, activating said second mechanical means for varying the pressure of the vertically movable rollers supporting the propelling member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the second mechanical means for varying the pressure of the vertically movable rollers supporting the propelling member are roller cams, operatively connected to the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor, which are spring-biased to adjustably exert pressure against bars attached to the shafts on which the propelling member supporting rollers are carried.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor is actuated by the kinetic energy developed by a moving article.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein the first mechanical means for urging the rollers upward are resilient elements variably exerting force on said shafts tending to reduce the angle the shafts make with the portions of the web thereabove, said force being regulated by screw-adjustmemt means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor are elements projecting above the article-supporting rollers which elements are displaced by articles passing thereover, said displacement, by means of connecting linkages, activating said second mechanical means for varying the pressure of the vertically movable rollers supporting the propelling member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein the second mechanical means for varying the pressure of the vertically movable rollers supporting the propelling member are roller cams, operatively connected to the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor, which are spring-biased to adjustably exert pressure against bars attached to the shafts on which the propelling member supporting rollers are carried.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor is actuated by the kinetic energy developed by a moving article.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor are elements projecting above the article-supporting rollers which elements are displaced by articles passing thereover, said displacement, by means of connecting linkages, activating said second mechanical means for varying the pressure of the vertically movable rollers supporting the propelling member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein the second mechanical means for varying the pressure of the vertically movable rollers supporting the propelling member are roller cams, operatively connected to the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor, which are spring-biased to adjustably exert pressure against bars attached to the shafts on which the propelling member supporting rollers are carried.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor is actuated by the kinetic energy developed by a moving article.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein the second mechanical means for varying the pressure of the vertically movable rollers supporting the propelling member are roller cams, operatively connected to the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor, which are spring-biased to adjustably exert pressure against bars attached to the shafts on which the propelling member supporting rollers are carried.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor is actuated by the kinetic energy developed by a moving article.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor is actuated by the kinetic energy developed by a moving article.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor are elements projecting above the article-supporting rollers which elements are displaced by articles passing thereover, said displacement, by means of connecting linkages, activating said second mechanical means for varing the pressure of the vertically movable rollers supporting the propelling member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein the second mechanical means for varying the pressure of the vertically movable rollers supporting the propelling member are roller cams, operatively connected to the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor, which are spring-biased to adjustably exert pressure against bars attached to the shafts on which the propelling member supporting rollers are carried.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor is actuated by the kinetic energy developed by a moving article.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination set forth in claim 8 wherein the second mechanical means for varying the pressure of the vertically movable rollers supporting the propelling member are roller cams, operatively connected to the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor, which are spring-biased to adjustably exert pressure against bars attached to the shafts on which the propelling member supporting rollers are carried.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination set forth in claim 8 wherein the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor is actuated by the kinetic energy developed by a moving article.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination set forth in claim 9 wherein the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor is actuated by the kinetic energy developed by a moving article.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination set forth in claim 11 wherein the second mechanical means for varying the pressure of the vertically movable rollers supporting the propelling member are roller cams, operatively connected to the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor, which are spring-biased to adjustably exert pressure against bars attached to the shafts on which the propelling member supporting rollers are carried.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination set forth in claim 11 wherein the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor is actuated by the kinetic energy developed by a moving article.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination set forth in claim 14 wherein the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor is actuated by the kinetic energy developed by a moving article.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination set forth in claim 17 wherein the second mechanical means for varying the pressure of the vertically movable rollers supporting the propelling member are roller cams, operatively connected to the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor, which are spring-biased to adjustably exert pressure against bars attached to the shafts on which the propelling member supporting rollers are carried.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination set forth in claim 17 wherein the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor is actuated by the kinetic energy developed by a moving article.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination set forth in claim 18 wherein the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor is actuated by the kinetic energy developed by a moving article.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination set forth in claim 20 wherein the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor is actuated by the kinetic energy developed by a moving article.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination set forth in claim 26 wherein the means for detecting the presence of an article on the conveyor is actuated by the kinetic energy developed by a moving article.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
57 words
The conveyor as defined in claim 1 further comprising a second compression spring means positioned about said rod means and in abutment with said slidable member and said first stop means of said rod means to bias said rod means with respect to said slidable member oppositely with respect to the bias of said first stop means.
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) | 1981-08-21 | 1982-02-20 | 1982-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-21 | 1986-02-20 | 1986-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-21 | 1990-02-20 | 1990-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |