US4144960A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and methods for automatically transferring articles from a continuously movable conveyor to a work station
Assignee: LUCAS HARTRIDGE Inc A VA Corp
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Filing: 1977-06-16
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Granted: 1979-03-20
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Expires: 1997-06-16
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for automatically transferring articles from a continuously movable conveyor to a work station, and return, the transfer apparatus comprising a carriage mounted alongside the conveyor between the latter and the work station and for reciprocating movements along a path parallel to the movement of the conveyor. The carriage has two article support portions, one of which is adapted to receive an article from the conveyor and move it into the work station, and the other of which is adapted to receive an article from the work station and return it to the conveyor. The conveyor is provided with means for stopping selected articles carried by the conveyor to enable the transfer of articles from and to the conveyor to be effected. The movements of the carriage are controlled in such manner as to ensure the presence thereon of an article in readiness to be transferred to the work station prior to the completion of work performed on a preceding article in the work station.
Inventors
- 👤 George Scourtes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:50
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/52; B23; B23Q; B23Q7/00; B23Q7/14; B23Q7/1426; B23Q7/1431; B65G37/00; B65G37/02; B65G47/53; B65G47/54
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
In material handling apparatus of the kind including a conveyor for conveying articles along a continuous path extending toward, alongside, and beyond a work station located adjacent one side of said conveyor and between the ends of said path, means forming a pathway leading into and out of said work station, and means upstream from said work station for shifting articles off and to said one side of said conveyor, the improvement comprising support means independent of said conveyor and said pathway at said one side of said conveyor for receiving an article shifted off said conveyor and supporting such article in an initial position upstream from said pathway while others of said articles continue to be conveyed along said path; means for transferring such article from said initial position to a second position in register with said pathway; means for moving such article from said second position into said work station via said pathway; means for returning said transferring means to said initial position following movement of such article into said work station, thereby enabling said support means to receive another article from said conveyor while the first-mentioned article is at said work station; and means for returning such first-mentioned article from said work station to said conveyor between the ends of its path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
215 words
In material handling apparatus of the kind including a conveyor for conveying articles along a continuous path extending toward, alongside, and beyond a work station located adjacent one side of said conveyor and between the ends of said path, means forming a pathway leading into and out of said work station, and means upstream from said work station for shifting articles off and to said one side of said conveyor, the improvement comprising support means independent of said conveyor and said pathway at said one side of said conveyor for receiving an article shifted off said conveyor and supporting such article in an initial position upstream from said pathway while others of said articles continue to be conveyed along said path; means for transferring such article from said initial position to a second position in register with said pathway; means for moving such article from said second position into said work station via said pathway; means for returning said transferring means to said initial position following movement of such article into said work station, thereby enabling said support means to receive another article from said conveyor while the first-mentioned article is at said work station; and means for returning such first-mentioned article from said work station to said conveyor between the ends of its path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for returning such first-mentioned articles to said conveyor includes said transferring means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including stop means movable into and out of the path of articles on said conveyor to stop a selected article; and means for moving said stop means into and out of said path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the means for moving said stop means is yieldable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said stop means is yieldable in the direction of movement of articles on said conveyor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 including second stop means upstream of the first-mentioned stop means and movable into said path to stop an article trailing said selected article; and means for moving said second stop means into and out of said path in timed relation with such movement of said first-mentioned stop means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including locking means at said work station for releasably locking an article therein; and means for moving said locking means into and out of locking engagement with an article in said work station.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
208 words
Material handling apparatus comprising means forming a work station; means forming a pathway into said work station; an elongate conveyor for conveying articles along a continuous path leading toward, alongside, and beyond said work station; means upstream from said work station for shifting an article off said conveyor; transfer means independent of said conveyor and having first and second article supports spaced from one another for supporting articles shifted off said conveyor while others of said articles continue to be conveyed along said path; means mounting said transfer means to one side of and between the ends of said conveyor path for movement towards said work station from an initial position upstream from said pathway in which one of said supports is enabled to receive an article shifted off said conveyor by said shifting means to a second position in which said one of said supports is in register with said pathway, the spacing between said supports being such that the other of said supports is in register with said pathway and is enabled to receive an article from said work station when said transfer means is in said initial position; and means for moving said transfer means from said initial position to said second position, and return.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
208 words
Material handling apparatus comprising means forming a work station; means forming a pathway into said work station; an elongate conveyor for conveying articles along a continuous path leading toward, alongside, and beyond said work station; means upstream from said work station for shifting an article off said conveyor; transfer means independent of said conveyor and having first and second article supports spaced from one another for supporting articles shifted off said conveyor while others of said articles continue to be conveyed along said path; means mounting said transfer means to one side of and between the ends of said conveyor path for movement towards said work station from an initial position upstream from said pathway in which one of said supports is enabled to receive an article shifted off said conveyor by said shifting means to a second position in which said one of said supports is in register with said pathway, the spacing between said supports being such that the other of said supports is in register with said pathway and is enabled to receive an article from said work station when said transfer means is in said initial position; and means for moving said transfer means from said initial position to said second position, and return.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said first support includes driven means for imparting movement to an article carried by said first support; and means for driving said driven means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said second support includes driven means for imparting movement to an article carried by said second support, and means for driving said second driven means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
199 words
In material handling apparatus of the kind including a conveyor having an article-supporting run for conveying articles along a path, a work station mounted at one side of and alongside said conveyor between the ends of said run, means forming a pathway leading into and out of said work station, means for shifting successive selected articles off and to said one side of said conveyor, means for moving articles shifted off said conveyor into and out of said work station via said pathway, and means for returning articles moved out of said work station to said conveyor run between the ends of the latter, the improvement comprising article support means independent of said conveyor and said pathway mounted adjacent said one side of said conveyor for receiving a second selected article shifted off said conveyor run while a first selected article is in said work station and supporting said second article in a rest position out of register with said pathway while others of said articles are conveyed along said path; and transfer means for moving said second article from said rest position into register with said pathway following movement of said first article out of said work station.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
199 words
In material handling apparatus of the kind including a conveyor having an article-supporting run for conveying articles along a path, a work station mounted at one side of and alongside said conveyor between the ends of said run, means forming a pathway leading into and out of said work station, means for shifting successive selected articles off and to said one side of said conveyor, means for moving articles shifted off said conveyor into and out of said work station via said pathway, and means for returning articles moved out of said work station to said conveyor run between the ends of the latter, the improvement comprising article support means independent of said conveyor and said pathway mounted adjacent said one side of said conveyor for receiving a second selected article shifted off said conveyor run while a first selected article is in said work station and supporting said second article in a rest position out of register with said pathway while others of said articles are conveyed along said path; and transfer means for moving said second article from said rest position into register with said pathway following movement of said first article out of said work station.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said transfer means moves said second article into register with said pathway prior to the return of said first article to said conveyor run.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said article support means has a portion thereof in register with said pathway when said support means supports said second article in said rest position for receiving and supporting said first article following movement of the latter out of said work station.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
237 words
A method of transferring articles from an elongate conveyor to a work station adjacent said conveyor and returning said articles to said conveyor, said method comprising conveying articles in succession along a path leading to, alongside, and beyond said work station; shifting a first selected article off said conveyor and to one side of said conveyor between its ends onto a carriage capable of supporting at least two of said articles; continuing the conveying of others of said articles along said path; moving said carriage alongside said conveyor from an initial position to a second position in which said first selected article is adjacent said work station; moving said first selected article into said work station while said carriage is in said second position; returning said carriage to said initial position; shifting a second selected article off said conveyor and to said one side of said path onto said carriage while said first article is in said work station; continuing the conveying of others of said articles along said path; moving said first selected article from said work station onto said carriage following return movement of the latter to its initial position; moving said carriage to its second position following its reception of said first selected article from said work station; moving said second selected article into said work station while said carriage is in its second position; and returning said first selected article to said conveyor.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
237 words
A method of transferring articles from an elongate conveyor to a work station adjacent said conveyor and returning said articles to said conveyor, said method comprising conveying articles in succession along a path leading to, alongside, and beyond said work station; shifting a first selected article off said conveyor and to one side of said conveyor between its ends onto a carriage capable of supporting at least two of said articles; continuing the conveying of others of said articles along said path; moving said carriage alongside said conveyor from an initial position to a second position in which said first selected article is adjacent said work station; moving said first selected article into said work station while said carriage is in said second position; returning said carriage to said initial position; shifting a second selected article off said conveyor and to said one side of said path onto said carriage while said first article is in said work station; continuing the conveying of others of said articles along said path; moving said first selected article from said work station onto said carriage following return movement of the latter to its initial position; moving said carriage to its second position following its reception of said first selected article from said work station; moving said second selected article into said work station while said carriage is in its second position; and returning said first selected article to said conveyor.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of transferring articles from an elongate conveyor to a work station and return, said method comprising conveyor articles in succession along a path leading to, alongside, and beyond said work station; shifting a first selected article off said conveyor between its ends; moving said first selected article in a first direction leading into said work station while continuing to convey others of said articles along said path; shifting a second selected article off said conveyor between its ends following movement of said first selected article into said work station and supporting said second selected article in a rest position off said conveyor while said first selected article is in said work station and while continuing to convey others of said articles along said path; removing said first selected article from said work station in a direction opposite said first direction; moving said second selected article into said work station; and returning said first selected article to said conveyor between its ends.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of transferring articles from an elongate conveyor to a work station and return, said method comprising conveyor articles in succession along a path leading to, alongside, and beyond said work station; shifting a first selected article off said conveyor between its ends; moving said first selected article in a first direction leading into said work station while continuing to convey others of said articles along said path; shifting a second selected article off said conveyor between its ends following movement of said first selected article into said work station and supporting said second selected article in a rest position off said conveyor while said first selected article is in said work station and while continuing to convey others of said articles along said path; removing said first selected article from said work station in a direction opposite said first direction; moving said second selected article into said work station; and returning said first selected article to said conveyor between its ends.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 15 wherein said first selected article is returned to said conveyor following movement of said second selected article into said work station.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
256 words
A method of transferring articles from a conveyor having a continuous article supporting run extending to, alongside and beyond a work station adjacent said conveyor, and return, said method comprising moving articles on said conveyor in succession along said run; interrupting movement of said articles and moving a first selected article off said conveyor run between the ends of said run; continuing the movement of others of said articles along said run following the movement of said selected article off said run; positioning said first article in register with a pathway extending into said work station; moving said first selected article in a direction leading into said work station via said pathway; interrupting movement of said others of said articles along said run and moving a second selected article off said conveyor run between the ends of the latter and supporting said second selected article in a rest position out of register with said pathway while said first selected article is in said work station; continuing the movement of others of said articles along said run following the movement of said second selected article off said run; moving said first selected article in the opposite direction leading out of said work station via said pathway; moving said second selected article from said rest position into register with said pathway following movement of said first selected article out of said work station; moving said second selected article into said work station via said pathway; and returning said first selected article to said conveyor run between its ends.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
256 words
A method of transferring articles from a conveyor having a continuous article supporting run extending to, alongside and beyond a work station adjacent said conveyor, and return, said method comprising moving articles on said conveyor in succession along said run; interrupting movement of said articles and moving a first selected article off said conveyor run between the ends of said run; continuing the movement of others of said articles along said run following the movement of said selected article off said run; positioning said first article in register with a pathway extending into said work station; moving said first selected article in a direction leading into said work station via said pathway; interrupting movement of said others of said articles along said run and moving a second selected article off said conveyor run between the ends of the latter and supporting said second selected article in a rest position out of register with said pathway while said first selected article is in said work station; continuing the movement of others of said articles along said run following the movement of said second selected article off said run; moving said first selected article in the opposite direction leading out of said work station via said pathway; moving said second selected article from said rest position into register with said pathway following movement of said first selected article out of said work station; moving said second selected article into said work station via said pathway; and returning said first selected article to said conveyor run between its ends.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein said first selected article is returned to said conveyor following movement of said second selected article into said work station.
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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) | 1982-03-19 | 1982-09-18 | 1983-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-03-19 | 1986-09-18 | 1987-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-03-19 | 1990-09-18 | 1991-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |