US4941566A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spiral conveyor with textured capstan
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1989-02-21
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Granted: 1990-07-17
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Expires: 2009-02-21
Abstract
Abstract A capstan for a spiral conveyor includes a plurality of grooves in the external surface thereof for controlling the driving friction between the outer surface of the capstan and the inner edge of a conveyor belt in contact with it. In one embodiment of the invention, the grooves are oriented vertically such that they contact the inner edge at an angle relative to motion therebetween. In another embodiment, the grooves are inclined to the vertical such that they contact the inner edge at right angles to the relative motion. In a further embodiment, the grooves are inclined generally parallel to the relative motion.
Inventors
- 👤 Guy L. Irwin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:33
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G21/00; B65G21/16; B65G21/18; B65G23/00; B65G23/32; B65G23/36; B65G2207/00; B65G2207/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A spiral conveyor, comprising: a conveyor belt; said conveyor belt being of a type that is capable of telescoping at one edge to conform to a spiral shape; a capstan; said capstan being generally cylindrical with a vertical central axis; means for rotating said capstan about said vertical central axis; a peripheral surface on said capstan; at least a portion of said conveyor belt being conformed in said spiral shape with an inner edge thereof contacting said peripheral surface; means for applying a longitudinal tension to said conveyor belt at least in a vicinity of a departure of said conveyor belt from said spiral shape; said inner edge including a plurality of protuberances; a plurality of grooves in said peripheral surface; and said plurality of grooves being shaped and disposed to interact with said plurality of protuberances to modify a cumulative friction between said inner edge and said peripheral surface; said capstan includes a plurality of parallel vertical bars; outer surfaces of said vertical bars forming said peripheral surface; and said plurality of grooves being disposed in said outer surfaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A spiral conveyor, comprising: a conveyor belt; said conveyor belt being of a type that is capable of telescoping at one edge to conform to a spiral shape; a capstan; said capstan being generally cylindrical with a vertical central axis; means for rotating said capstan about said vertical central axis; a peripheral surface on said capstan; at least a portion of said conveyor belt being conformed in said spiral shape with an inner edge thereof contacting said peripheral surface; means for applying a longitudinal tension to said conveyor belt at least in a vicinity of a departure of said conveyor belt from said spiral shape; said inner edge including a plurality of protuberances; a plurality of grooves in said peripheral surface; and said plurality of grooves being shaped and disposed to interact with said plurality of protuberances to modify a cumulative friction between said inner edge and said peripheral surface; said capstan includes a plurality of parallel vertical bars; outer surfaces of said vertical bars forming said peripheral surface; and said plurality of grooves being disposed in said outer surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A spiral conveyor according to claim 1, wherein: a U-shaped resin member disposed on each of said vertical bars; and outer surfaces of said U-shaped resin members forming said peripheral surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A spiral conveyor according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of grooves is aligned in a vertical direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A spiral conveyor according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of grooves is inclined at an inclination with respect to a vertical direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A spiral conveyor according to claim 4, wherein said inclination is generally at right angles to a relative motion of said inner edge with respect to said peripheral surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A spiral conveyor according to claim 4, wherein said inclination is generally parallel to a relative motion of said inner edge with respect to said peripheral surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A spiral conveyor according to claim 1, wherein: an inclination of said plurality of grooves providing a modification in a friction between said peripheral surface and said inner edge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A spiral conveyor according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of grooves is aligned in a vertical direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A spiral conveyor according to claim 7, wherein said inclination is generally at right angles to a relative motion between said peripheral surface and said inner edge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A spiral conveyor according to claim 7, wherein said inclination is generally parallel to a relative motion between said peripheral surface and said inner edge.
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) | 1993-07-16 | 1994-01-15 | 1994-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-16 | 1998-01-15 | 1998-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-16 | 2002-01-15 | 2002-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |