US4763776A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for transporting an article
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1986-12-10
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Granted: 1988-08-16
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Expires: 2006-12-10
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for transporting articles, the articles being positioned on bar-like members which in turn are caused to bend periodically in a wave pattern. The periodic bending is controlled to produce a driving force on the articles in a predetermined direction.
Inventors
- 👤 Ichiro Okumura
- 👤 Kazuhiro Izukawa
- 👤 Takuo Okuno
- 👤 Takayuki Tsukimoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:43
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G54/00; B65G54/02; B65G27/00; B65G27/10; B65G27/16; B65G27/24; B65G35/00; H; H02; H02N; H02N2/00; H02N2/0005; H02N2/001; H02N2/0015; H02N2/02; H02N2/026; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/15; Y10T74/1558; Y10T74/1565; Y10T74/1576
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for transporting an article contacted by bar-like members in a predetermined direction, comprising steps of: arranging a plurality of bar-like members at locations along said predetermined direction; supporting said bar-like members near their ends; periodically bending said bar-like members in at least two directions normal to a longitudinal direction of the bar-like members at locations between their supports to deform the bar-like members in a wave shape and periodically moving the wave-shape deformation of the bar-like members; and bending the bar-like members such that their wave shape deformations take place in the same direction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for transporting an article contacted by bar-like members in a predetermined direction, comprising steps of: arranging a plurality of bar-like members at locations along said predetermined direction; supporting said bar-like members near their ends; periodically bending said bar-like members in at least two directions normal to a longitudinal direction of the bar-like members at locations between their supports to deform the bar-like members in a wave shape and periodically moving the wave-shape deformation of the bar-like members; and bending the bar-like members such that their wave shape deformations take place in the same direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method for transporting an article according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of bar-like members are arranged essentially parallel to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
90 words
A transport apparatus comprising: a plurality of bar-like members; support means for supporting said bar-like members near their ends; and vibration elements mounted on said bar-like members between said support means in at least two directions normal to a longitudinal direction of the bar-like members for periodically bending said bar-like members in at least two directions normal to a longitudinal direction of the bar-like members in wave shape and periodically moving the wave-shape deformation of the bar-like members; said bar-like members being arranged at locations along a direction of transport.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
A transport apparatus comprising: a plurality of bar-like members; support means for supporting said bar-like members near their ends; and vibration elements mounted on said bar-like members between said support means in at least two directions normal to a longitudinal direction of the bar-like members for periodically bending said bar-like members in at least two directions normal to a longitudinal direction of the bar-like members in wave shape and periodically moving the wave-shape deformation of the bar-like members; said bar-like members being arranged at locations along a direction of transport.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A transport apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said bar-like members are arranged in essentially parallel relationship with each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A transport apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said bar-like members are arranged to be periodically bent in the same direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A transport apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said bar-like members have square cross sections normal to the longitudinal direction thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
A transport apparatus comprising: a bar-like member; means pivotally supporting said bar-like member near its ends; and vibration elements mounted on said bar-like member in at least two directions normal to a longitudinal direction of the bar-like member between said supporting means for periodically bending said bar-like member in at least two directions normal to a longitudinal direction of the bar-like member in wave shape and periodically moving the wave-shape deformation of the bar-like member; said bar-like member being arranged at a location along a direction of transport.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
A transport apparatus comprising: a bar-like member; means pivotally supporting said bar-like member near its ends; and vibration elements mounted on said bar-like member in at least two directions normal to a longitudinal direction of the bar-like member between said supporting means for periodically bending said bar-like member in at least two directions normal to a longitudinal direction of the bar-like member in wave shape and periodically moving the wave-shape deformation of the bar-like member; said bar-like member being arranged at a location along a direction of transport.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A transport apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said bar-like member is arranged in essentially parallel relationship with at least one other bar-like member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A transport apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said bar-like members are arranged to be periodically bent in the same direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A transport apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said bar-like member has a square cross section normal to the longitudinal direction thereof.
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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) | 1991-08-16 | 1992-02-15 | 1992-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-16 | 1996-02-15 | 1996-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-16 | 2000-02-15 | 2000-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |