Patent US4896760A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4896760A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pusher elements and cross tubes for a sortation conveyor for products with high-friction surfaces
Assignee: Intelligrated Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1989-01-18
•
Granted: 1990-01-30
•
Expires: 2009-01-18
Abstract
Abstract A sortation conveyor for packages and products comprising a frame defining a main line of the conveyor and at least one branch outlet extending laterally therefrom. An endless conveying apron is supported for movement on the frame along the main line. The apron comprises a pair of endless chains joined together by a plurality of cross tubes affixed to the chains and extending transversely of the frame in parallel spaced relationship. A pusher element is slidably mounted on and between each adjacent pair of cross tubes throughout the length of the apron. The pusher elements are moveable with and by the apron in the conveying direction. Diverter structure is provided for shifting a desired number of pusher elements transversely of the apron along those cross tubes to which they are mounted to divert a desired package or product onto the branch outlet. A low-friction layer is located on each of the cross tubes and a package or product contacting cap is located on each of the pusher elements. Each cap has at least one package or product contacting surface sloping upwardly and inwardly of the cap to impart to the package or product a lifting force as well as a horizontal force such that the weight of the package or product on the cross tubes and thus the sliding friction forces are reduced, whereby the sortation conveyor can accommodate products with high-friction surfaces.
Inventors
- 👤 George M. Triantafilou
- 👤 Thomas C. Yu
- 👤 Robert R. Babel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:48
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/74; B65G47/84; B65G47/841; B65G47/844; B65G2207/00; B65G2207/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
In a sortation conveyor for packages and products, said conveyor comprising a frame defining a main line of the conveyor and at least one branch outlet extending laterally therefrom, an endless conveying apron supported for movement on said frame along said main line and having a top run moveable in the conveying direction and a bottom run moveable in a return direction, said apron comprising a pair of endless chains joined together by a plurality of cross tubes affixed to said chains and extending transversely of said frame in parallel spaced relationship, a plurality of pusher elements, each pusher element being slidably mounted on and between adjacent pairs of cross tubes throughout the length of said apron, said pusher elements being moveable with and by said apron in said conveying direction, and means for shifting a desired number of said pusher elements transversely of said apron along those cross tubes to which they are mounted to divert a desired package or product onto said branch outlet, the improvement comprising a low-friction layer on each of said cross tubes and a package or product contacting cap on each of said pusher elements having at least one package or product contacting surface sloping upwardly and inwardly of said cap to impart to said package or product a lifting force as well as a horizontal force such that the weight of the package or product on said cross tubes and thus the sliding friction forces are reduced whereby said sortation conveyor can accommodate products with high-friction surfaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
254 words
In a sortation conveyor for packages and products, said conveyor comprising a frame defining a main line of the conveyor and at least one branch outlet extending laterally therefrom, an endless conveying apron supported for movement on said frame along said main line and having a top run moveable in the conveying direction and a bottom run moveable in a return direction, said apron comprising a pair of endless chains joined together by a plurality of cross tubes affixed to said chains and extending transversely of said frame in parallel spaced relationship, a plurality of pusher elements, each pusher element being slidably mounted on and between adjacent pairs of cross tubes throughout the length of said apron, said pusher elements being moveable with and by said apron in said conveying direction, and means for shifting a desired number of said pusher elements transversely of said apron along those cross tubes to which they are mounted to divert a desired package or product onto said branch outlet, the improvement comprising a low-friction layer on each of said cross tubes and a package or product contacting cap on each of said pusher elements having at least one package or product contacting surface sloping upwardly and inwardly of said cap to impart to said package or product a lifting force as well as a horizontal force such that the weight of the package or product on said cross tubes and thus the sliding friction forces are reduced whereby said sortation conveyor can accommodate products with high-friction surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said low-friction layer on said cross tubes is chosen from the class consisting of tungsten disulfide, nitrate base with tungsten disulfide, polyamide and UHMWPE.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said cross tubes are made of steel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said low-friction layer comprises UHMWPE.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said pusher cap is made of a material chosen from the class consisting of wood, rubber, urethane, polyethylene, and ABS.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein each pusher element cap comprises a block-like structure having a top surface, a bottom, a forward end facing in the conveying direction, a rearward end facing opposite the conveying direction, and a pair of sides, at least one of said sides comprising said package or product contacting surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one sloping package or product contacting surface lies at an angle to the vertical of from about 5° to about 40°.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one sloping package or product contacting surface lies at an angle to the vertical of about 10°.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said pusher caps has a clear height above said apron of from about 1 inch to about 6 inches.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said pusher caps has a clear height above said apron of about 2.5 inches.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The structure claimed in claim 2 wherein said cross tubes are made of steel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The structure claimed in claim 4 wherein said cross tubes are made of steel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure claimed in claim 2 wherein said pusher cap is made of a material chosen from the class consisting of wood, rubber, urethane, polyethylene, and ABS.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said pusher element cap is made of ABS.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The structure claimed in claim 4 wherein each of said pusher caps has a clear height above said apron of about 2.5 inches.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein said at least one sloping package or product contacting surface lies at an angle to the vertical of from about 5° to about 40°.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein said at least one sloping package or product contacting surface lies at an angle to the vertical of about 10°.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein each of said pusher caps has a clear height above said apron of from about 1 inch to about 6 inches.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein each of said pusher caps has a clear height above said apron of about 2.5 inches.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein both sides are package or product contacting surfaces and are mirror images of each other.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
93 words
The structure claimed in claim 6 including an extension on each pusher element cap bottom extending centrally thereof from one of said sides to the other of said sides, and having an end adjacent each of said cap sides, said extension extending downwardly between said cross tubes supporting its respective pusher element, said extension end adjacent said at least one sloping package or product contacting surface curving upwardly to meet and blend with said sloping surface whereby to prevent packages or products from being pinched between each cap and its respective cross tubes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
86 words
The structure claimed in claim 20 including an extension on each pusher element cap bottom extending centrally thereof from one of said sides to the other of said sides, and having an end adjacent each of said cap sides, said extension extending down between said cross tubes supporting its respective pusher element, said extension ends each curving upwardly to meet and blend with its adjacent sloping package or product contacting surface whereby to prevent packages from being pinched between each cap and its respective cross tubes.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
54 words
The structure claimed in claim 22 wherein each pusher element comprises a cap and a base, said base being slidably mounted on and between said adjacent pair of cross tubes supporting said pusher element, the lower corners of said sloping package or product contacting surfaces and the adjacent portions of said base being relieved.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure claimed in claim 23 wherein said low-friction layer on said cross tubes is chosen from the class consisting of tungsten disulfide, nitrate base with tungsten disulfide, polyamide and UHMWPE.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-29 | 1993-07-31 | 1994-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-29 | 1997-07-31 | 1998-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-29 | 2001-07-31 | 2002-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |