Device for the pressureless accumulation of loads on roller conveyors

Claim 2

An accumulator conveyor for transporting loads from an upstream end to a downstream end comprising: a plurality of rollers in direct contact with said loads, said rollers forming sucessive load carrying sections from said upstream end to said downstream end; at least one endless belt in direct contact with said rollers for frictionally driving said rollers; each of said load carrying sections having: a sensing means responsive to said load in a downstream corresponding section, said sensing means being pivotable about an axis parallel to said plurality of rollers and comprising a link, and means biasing said sensing means to a rest position; a means for blocking at least one of said rollers against rotation in each of said load carrying sections, said means for blocking including a pivotal pawl lockingly engagable with a complimentary roller comprising one of said plurality of rollers, said pawl being out of engagement with said complimentary roller in the rest position and means biasing said pawl into engagement with said complimentary roller in said blocking position; and elongated connecting means coupled to said sensing means and to said means for blocking, and coupled to said sensing means and said means for blocking in said downstream corresponding section so that said rollers in each of said load carrying sections can only be blocked against rotation when an adjacent downstream corresponding section is itself loaded, said complimentary roller including a ratchet wheel; said elongated connecting means including an abutment affixed to said connecting means for bearing forwardly against said pawl in the rest position of said sensing means, said connecting means further comprising abutments affixed thereto for engagement with said link of said sensing means and said link of said sensing means of said downstream corresponding section.

Claim 3

The conveyor of claim 1, wherein actuator means are provided in a first or leading load carrying section of said conveyor for disengaging said means for blocking in said first or leading section for restarting said conveyor.

Claim 4

The conveyor of claim 1, wherein each of said load carrying sections comprises a belt driven by two drive rollers, and said sensing means being disposed between two consecutive load carrying sections and outside the confines of said belt driven by said two drive rollers.

Claim 5

An accumulator conveyor for transporting loads from an upstream end to a downstream end comprising: a plurality of rollers in direct contact with said loads, said rollers forming successive load carrying sections from said upstream end to said downstream end; at least one endless belt in direct contact with said rollers for frictionally driving said rollers; each of said load carrying sections having: a sensing means responsive to said load in a downstream corresponding section, said sensing means being pivotable about an axis parallel to said plurality of rollers and comprising a link, and means biasing said sensing means to a rest position; a means for blocking at least one of said rollers against rotation in each of said load carrying sections, said means for blocking including a pivotable pawl lockingly engagable with a complimentary roller comprising one of said plurality of rollers, said pawl being out of engagement with said complimentary roller in the rest position and means biasing said pawl into engagement with said complimentary roller in said blocking position; and elongated connecting means coupled to said sensing means and to said means for blocking, and coupled to said sensing means and said means for blocking in said downstream corresponding section so that said rollers in each of said load carrying sections can only be blocked against rotation when an adjacent downstream corresponding section is itself loaded, said complimentary roller comprising a slotted wheel; said elongated connecting means including an abutment affixed to said connecting means for bearing forwardly against said pawl in the rest position of said sensing means, said connecting means further comprising abutments affixed thereto for engagement with said link of said sensing means and said link of said sensing means of said downstream corresponding section.

Claim 6

An accumulator conveyor for transporting loads from an upstream end to a downstream end comprising: a plurality of rollers in direct contact with said loads, said rollers forming successive load carrying sections from said upstream end to said downstream end; at least one endless belt in direct contact with said rollers for frictionally driving said rollers; each of said load carrying sections having: a sensing means responsive to said load in a downstream corresponding section, said sensing means being pivotable about an axis parallel to said plurality of rollers and comprising a link, and means biasing said sensing means to a rest position; a means for blocking at least one of said rollers against rotation in each of said load carrying sections, said means for blocking including a pivotable pawl lockingly engagable with a complimentary roller comprising one of said plurality of rollers, said pawl being out of engagement with said complimentary roller in the rest position and means biasing said pawl into engagement with said complimentary roller in said blocking position; and elongated connecting means coupled to said sensing means and to said means for blocking, and coupled to said sensing means and said means for blocking in said downstream corresponding section so that said rollers in each of said load carrying sections can only be blocked against rotation when an adjacent downstream corresponding section is itself loaded, said complimentary roller comprising a slotted wheel; said elongated connecting means including an abutment affixed to said connecting means for bearing forwardly against said pawl in the rest position of said sensing means, said connecting means further comprising abutments affixed thereto for engagement with said link of said sensing means and said link of said sensing means of said downstream corresponding section.

Claim 7

The conveyor of claim 4, wherein actuator means are provided in a first or leading load carrying section of said conveyor for disengaging said means for blocking in said first or leading section for restarting said conveyor.

Claim 8

The conveyor of claim 4, wherein each of said load carrying sections comprises a belt driven by two drive rollers, and said sensing means being disposed between two consecutive load carrying sections and outside the confines of said belt driven by said two drive rollers.