Patent US4403686A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4403686A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular chute assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-06-01
•
Granted: 1983-09-13
•
Expires: 2001-06-01
Abstract
Abstract A modular chute assembly for transportation and removal of parts and scrap from production operations in a manufacturing facility. The modular chute assembly is designed to be readily adapted to a variety of special chute configuration requirements and needs. Many complex chute layouts can be attained using the same relatively few basic chute components or modules. The modular chute system is also strong, lightweight, and inexpensive.
Inventors
- 👤 Jacob L. Rycenga
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:40
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G11/00; B65G11/18; B65G11/186
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly comprising a chute bottom and two chute sides, and chute sides each having a substantially flat body portion with an upper edge at one end and a lip means at the other end, said upper edge having a hem and said lip means including a recess that lies substantially perpendicular to said chute sides, said recess having a recess top and a recess bottom, said recess bottom extending inwardly from and perpendicular to said chute side and said recess top extending inwardly from said chute side and substantially parallel to said recess bottom, said recess bottom extending further inwardly than said recess top, said recess having a vertical width slightly larger than the vertical width of said chute bottom so as to integrally accommodate the edges of said chute bottom, wherein said chute sides and said chute bottom comprise a chute module, said modular chute assembly containing at least one chute module, and whereby said chute bottom and said chute sides are manufactured in varying standard widths and heights so as to be interchangeably combined into said chute module according to each user's chute requirements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly comprising a chute bottom and two chute sides, and chute sides each having a substantially flat body portion with an upper edge at one end and a lip means at the other end, said upper edge having a hem and said lip means including a recess that lies substantially perpendicular to said chute sides, said recess having a recess top and a recess bottom, said recess bottom extending inwardly from and perpendicular to said chute side and said recess top extending inwardly from said chute side and substantially parallel to said recess bottom, said recess bottom extending further inwardly than said recess top, said recess having a vertical width slightly larger than the vertical width of said chute bottom so as to integrally accommodate the edges of said chute bottom, wherein said chute sides and said chute bottom comprise a chute module, said modular chute assembly containing at least one chute module, and whereby said chute bottom and said chute sides are manufactured in varying standard widths and heights so as to be interchangeably combined into said chute module according to each user's chute requirements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a portion of said lip means that joins said body portion and said recess top of said lip means, said portion being bent or deformed inwardly from said body portion and forming two inside obtuse angle corners between said chute side and said chute bottom, and a plurality of equally spaced square holes contained in and running longitudinally along said body portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a rib that protrudes inwardly and runs longitudinally along said body portion of said chute side.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein more than one said rib is incorporated in each chute side.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein a plurality of said chute modules are connected together using connecting brackets and fasteners.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
105 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein said connecting brackets consist of round-edged, substantially rectangular blanks of structural material that are provided with two connecting slots, said connecting slots corresponding with said square holes that are provided on each end of said chute side of each chute module, said fasteners comprising round-headed carriage bolts and self-locking flange nuts, said chute modules being connected together so that said bolts protrude through said square holes from inside said chute modules and through said connecting holes of said connecting brackets and being retained by said nuts on the outside of said chute modules.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein the ends of said chute bottoms are offset or indented with respect to the ends of said chute sides when multiple chute modules are connected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said chute bottom is a substantially flat, smooth piece of sheet metal or other similar material in which a plurality of bottom ribs are formed to protrude downwardly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said chute bottom is provided with a plurality of upwardly protruding bottom ribs to reduce sliding friction and stiffen said chute bottom.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said chute bottom is coated or lined with a plastic layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said chute bottom is retainably engaged in assembled relationship with said chute sides by welding said chute bottom to said lip means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein said modular chute assembly is mounted to a surface with varying length mounting brackets and mounting legs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
93 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly as set forth in claim 12, wherein said mounting brackets include a variable length vertical portion, said vertical portion containing a mounting bracket slot, and a flange that provides a mounting surface, said flange having a centered hole for securing said mounting bracket to said surface, said mounting bracket being attached to said modular chute assembly by inserting a round-headed carriage bolt through said square hole from the inside of said chute side and through said mounting bracket slot and retaining said bolt with a self-locking flange nut.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
140 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly as set forth in claim 12, wherein said mounting legs includes a variable length vertical leg portion, said vertical leg portion having a mounting hole at one end, a horizontal bar to tie said vertical leg portions on opposite sides of said modular chute assembly together, and a brace connected to and running between said vertical leg portion and said chute side, said brace having mounting holes at its ends, said brace and said vertical leg portion being attached to said modular chute assembly by inserting a round-headed carriage bolt through from the inside of said chute side and through said mounting hole of said leg or said brace and retaining said bolt with a self-locking flange nut, the other end of said brace being attached to said vertical leg portion with a suitable fastener.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein a bounce screen is placed over a portion of said modular chute assembly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
95 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly as set forth in claim 15, wherein said bounce screen includes a perforated portion substantially corresponding to the width of said chute bottom, and bounce screen flanges that extend perpendicularly downward from said perforated portion, said bounce screen flanges having a plurality of bounce screen holes corresponding to said square holes for fastening thereto by inserting a round-headed carriage bolt from the inside of said chute side through said square hole and said bounce screen hole of said bounce screen flange and retaining said bolt with a self-locking flange nut.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
77 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein a change in slope of said chute bottom and hence said modular chute assembly is accommodated by equilaterally notching said chute sides in a V-shaped manner at the point of slope change, and in an amount corresponding to the degree of desired slope change, said notched chute sides being welded in the bent position to form a continuous chute side throughout said change in slope.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly as set forth in claim 17, wherein a portion of said chute side is unnotched to provide a reference point about which said notched chute sides are bent to conform to said change in slope.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly as set forth in claim 18, wherein said unnotched portion is said hem.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly as set forth in claim 18, wherein said unnotched portion is said recess bottom.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
A three-piece modular chute system as set forth in claim 17, wherein said chute bottom is bent at an appropriate angle to provide a continuous chute bottom throughout said change in slope.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
72 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a two-track modular chute assembly module, said two-track module having a pair of said chute sides and a common interior wall, said chute sides each having a parallel chute bottom attached to said lip means of each chute side, said common interior wall having said lip means deposed outwardly on each side to retainably engage said parallel chute bottoms.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
55 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein the lateral direction of said modular chute assembly can be changed by making a cut upward through said lip means of both of said chute sides and laterally bending or deforming said body portion to the appropriate angle of said lateral direction change.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
A three-piece modular chute assembly as set forth in claim 23, wherein said chute bottom is configured to reflect the lateral change of direction in one piece.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US484086A
Cited
US686452A
Cited
US1020909A
Cited
US1212524A
Cited
US1382897A
Cited
US1472427A
Cited
US1789885A
Cited
US2218444A
Cited
US2270909A
Cited
US2303976A
Cited
US2189691A
Cited
US4270748A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-09-12 | 1987-03-14 | 1987-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-12 | 1991-03-14 | 1991-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-12 | 1995-03-14 | 1995-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |