US4609320A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible workpiece transporter and roller assembly therefor
Assignee: Integrated Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1984-06-20
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Granted: 1986-09-02
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Expires: 2004-06-20
Abstract
Abstract A flexible workpiece transporter is provided with a guide roller adapted to move laterally with the flexible workpiece transporter to thereby inhibit chafing of the guide roller as a result of the lateral movement of the transporter relative to the guide roller. Chafing of the guide roller can be further inhibited by providing the guide roller with ends which are tapered so as to contact a relatively smooth upper surface of the transporter rather than a pair of relatively sharp longitudinal edges thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard H. Rubin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:56
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10P; H10P72/00; H10P72/30; H10P72/32; H10P72/3202; H10P72/3212; F; F16; F16H; F16H7/00; F16H7/18; F16H2007/185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A workpiece transporter, comprising flexible transporting means for transporting a workpiece from one location to another location, said transporting means including a metal band having relatively sharp longitudinal edges and a concave cross-sectional shape, said metal band being extendable and retractable between said locations, guiding means for guiding said metal band during its extension and retraction, said guiding means including a roller having a central portion out of contact with said metal band and a pair of tapered ends sized and shaped so as to contact a relatively smooth upper surface of said metal band but not said relatively sharp longitudinal edges of said metal band, and mounting means for mounting said guiding means such that said roller is movable in a lateral direction conjointly with said metal band, whereby chafing of said roller by said relatively sharp longitudinal edges of said metal band is inhibited by inhibiting said metal band from moving laterally relative to said roller.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A workpiece transporter, comprising flexible transporting means for transporting a workpiece from one location to another location, said transporting means including a metal band having relatively sharp longitudinal edges and a concave cross-sectional shape, said metal band being extendable and retractable between said locations, guiding means for guiding said metal band during its extension and retraction, said guiding means including a roller having a central portion out of contact with said metal band and a pair of tapered ends sized and shaped so as to contact a relatively smooth upper surface of said metal band but not said relatively sharp longitudinal edges of said metal band, and mounting means for mounting said guiding means such that said roller is movable in a lateral direction conjointly with said metal band, whereby chafing of said roller by said relatively sharp longitudinal edges of said metal band is inhibited by inhibiting said metal band from moving laterally relative to said roller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A workpiece transporter according to claim 1, wherein said roller is made from a plastic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A workpiece transporter according to claim 2, wherein said plastic material is nylon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A workpiece transporter according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes a pair of linear bearings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A workpiece transporter according to claim 1, wherein said guiding means maintains said transporting means horizontal and level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A workpiece transporter according to claim 1, further comprising supplying means for supplying a vacuum to said metal band so as to maintain a workpiece thereon during the extension and retraction of said metal band.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A workpiece transporter according to claim 4, wherein said mounting means includes a shaft about which said roller rotates.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A workpiece transporter according to claim 7, wherein said roller moves laterally together with said shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A workpiece transporter according to claim 7, wherein said roller moves laterally independently of said shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A workpiece transporter according to claim 1, wherein said central portion of said roller has a first diameter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A workpiece transporter according to claim 10, wherein each of said tapered ends of said roller tapers from a second diameter to a third diameter, said second diameter being greater than said first and third diameters.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
A workpiece transporter according to claim 11, wherein the portion of each tapered end having said second diameter is adjacent to said central portion of said roller and the portion of each tapered end having said third diameter is remote from said central portion of said roller.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a roller assembly adapted for use in combination with a flexible, extendable and retractable load arm made from a metal band having relatively sharp longitudinal edges and a concave cross-sectional shape, the improvement comprising a roller having a central portion out of contact with the load arm and a pair of tapered ends sized and shaped so as to contact a relatively smooth upper surface of said metal band but not the relatively sharp longitudinal edges thereof and mounting means for mounting said roller such that said roller is movable in a lateral direction conjointly with the load arm, whereby chafing of said roller by the relatively sharp longitudinal edges of the load arm is inhibited by inhibiting the load arm from moving laterally relative to said roller.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a roller assembly adapted for use in combination with a flexible, extendable and retractable load arm made from a metal band having relatively sharp longitudinal edges and a concave cross-sectional shape, the improvement comprising a roller having a central portion out of contact with the load arm and a pair of tapered ends sized and shaped so as to contact a relatively smooth upper surface of said metal band but not the relatively sharp longitudinal edges thereof and mounting means for mounting said roller such that said roller is movable in a lateral direction conjointly with the load arm, whereby chafing of said roller by the relatively sharp longitudinal edges of the load arm is inhibited by inhibiting the load arm from moving laterally relative to said roller.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A roller assembly according to claim 13, wherein said roller is made from plastic material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
A roller assembly according to claim 14, wherein said plastic material is nylon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A roller assembly according to claim 13, wherein said mounting means includes a pair of linear bearings.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A roller assembly according to claim 16, wherein said mounting means includes a shaft about which said roller rotates.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
A roller assembly according to claim 17, wherein said roller moves laterally together with said shaft.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
A roller assembly according to claim 17, wherein said roller moves laterally independently of said shaft.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
A roller assembly according to claim 13, wherein said central portion of said roller has a first diameter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
A roller assembly according to claim 20, wherein each of said tapered ends of said roller tapers from a second diameter to a third diameter, said second diameter being greater than said first and third diameters.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
A roller assembly according to claim 21, wherein the portion of each tapered end having said second diameter is adjacent to said central portion of said roller and the portion of each tapered end having said third diameter is remote from said central portion of said roller.
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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) | 1989-09-01 | 1990-03-03 | 1990-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-01 | 1994-03-03 | 1994-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-01 | 1998-03-03 | 1998-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |