US5316130A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Zero pressure accumulation conveyor
Assignee: Dematic Corp
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Filing: 1992-07-01
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Granted: 1994-05-31
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Expires: 2012-07-01
Abstract
Abstract A zero-pressure accumulating conveyor including a bed defined by rotatable rollers mounted in parallel sidewalls and powered by an endless drive chain. Pneumatic actuators lift the drive chain into engagement with the rollers to empower same. Sensor rollers divide the bed into distinct zones. Sensor rollers are retained in operative position relative to the conveyor bed by unique sensor brackets. A primary sensor roller bracket includes a bore with a piston movable there within; the cooperating secondary sensor roller bracket is spring biased in a first direction. Valves, and pneumatic circuitry controlled by such valves, extend along the length of the conveyor. Such valves are operated by the primary sensor roller brackets to regulate the flow of air pressure into the bores of the brackets and into the actuators. The actuators, when the pressure therein is bled-off, allow the chain in a particular zone to drop out of contact with the rotatable rollers. When the bore in the primary sensor roller bracket is pressurized, the bracket moves in an arc that forces the sensor roller below the plane of the conveyor. In such position, the sensor roller is not actuated as items travel thereover, and the life of the accumulating conveyor is significantly extended.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin A. Heit
- 👤 John J. Wilkins
- 👤 William C. Rau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:27
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G17/00; B65G17/30; B65G17/38; B65G17/42; B65G17/44; B65G47/00; B65G47/22; B65G47/26; B65G47/261; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/06; B65G2203/00; B65G2203/04; B65G2203/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
An accumulating conveyor comprising: a) a first sidewall and a second, parallel sidewall, b) a plurality of rotatable rollers located within said sidewalls along the length of the conveyor to define a bed for said conveyor, c) drive means for contacting said rollers to rotate same, d) motor means for energizing said drive means, e) sensor means positioned at regular intervals along the length of said conveyor to divide same into a plurality of zones, f) each of said sensor means including a primary sensor roller bracket situated inboard of one sidewall and a secondary roller bracket situated inboard of the other side wall, said brackets being aligned with one another for movement in concert, g) a sensor roller secured within said brackets to extend across the bed of said conveyor parallel to said rotatable rollers, h) a bore formed in each primary sensor roller bracket and a piston movable within said bore, i) a pneumatic circuit, including a pressurized line, extending along the length of the conveyor and being connected to each bore to pressurize same and thus move the piston therewithin, and j) valves located proximate to said sensor rollers, whereby pivotal movement of said sensor rollers operates said valves and controls the operation of said pneumatic circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
An accumulating conveyor comprising: a) a first sidewall and a second, parallel sidewall, b) a plurality of rotatable rollers located within said sidewalls along the length of the conveyor to define a bed for said conveyor, c) drive means for contacting said rollers to rotate same, d) motor means for energizing said drive means, e) sensor means positioned at regular intervals along the length of said conveyor to divide same into a plurality of zones, f) each of said sensor means including a primary sensor roller bracket situated inboard of one sidewall and a secondary roller bracket situated inboard of the other side wall, said brackets being aligned with one another for movement in concert, g) a sensor roller secured within said brackets to extend across the bed of said conveyor parallel to said rotatable rollers, h) a bore formed in each primary sensor roller bracket and a piston movable within said bore, i) a pneumatic circuit, including a pressurized line, extending along the length of the conveyor and being connected to each bore to pressurize same and thus move the piston therewithin, and j) valves located proximate to said sensor rollers, whereby pivotal movement of said sensor rollers operates said valves and controls the operation of said pneumatic circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
An accumulating conveyor as defined in claim 1 wherein said primary sensor roller bracket comprises an upwardly and forwardly projecting arm, a cylindrical body with an outwardly opening bore, and a depending leg, and means defined in said arm to receive one end of one of said sensor rollers and one end of one said rotatable rollers in parallel relationship.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
An accumulating conveyor as defined in claim 2 wherein a retainer bushing is seated in the open end of said bore, said bushing having an axial bore, and said piston has a projecting rod that extends through said axial bore.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
An accumulating conveyor as defined in claim 3 further including a spring that is seated in said bushing and projects into said bore to fit about said projecting rod, said spring urging the piston inwardly against the pressure introduced into said bore by said pneumatic circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An accumulating conveyor as defined in claim 3 wherein a seal is situated about the periphery of said piston to engage the wall of said bore.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
An accumulating conveyor as defined in claim 2 wherein a lug is formed on the underside of said arm of said primary sensor roller bracket, and each of said valves is retained in a bracket secured to one of said sidewalls, said bracket having at least one cut-out formed therein, said lug fitting into said cut-out to assure alignment between said primary sensor roller bracket and said bracket for said control valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
An accumulating conveyor as defined in claim 2 wherein said secondary roller sensor bracket comprises an upwardly and forwardly projecting arm, a body, and a depending leg, means defined in said arm to receive one end of one of said sensor rollers and one end of one of said rotatable rollers in parallel relationship.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
An accumulating conveyor as defined in claim 7 wherein one end of a spring is secured to said depending leg of said secondary roller sensor bracket, and the opposite end of said spring is secured to the adjacent sidewall, said spring exerting a biasing force upon said brackets and said rollers secured therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
An accumulating conveyor as defined in claim 8 wherein several, laterally spaced notches are formed in said adjacent sidewall, one end of said spring being selectively secured within one of said notches to adjust the biasing force upon said brackets and said rollers secured therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
An accumulating conveyor as defined in claim 8 wherein a connecting rod extends longitudinally between the depending legs of a pair of secondary sensor roll brackets, one end of said connecting rod being secured to one of said brackets and the other end of said connecting rod being secured to the other of said brackets.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
241 words
A method of operating an accumulating conveyor, a said accumulating conveyor comprising: a) a first sidewall and a second, parallel sidewall, b) a plurality of rotatable rollers located within said sidewalls along the length of the conveyor to define a bed for the conveyor, c) drive means for contacting said rollers to rotate same, d) motor means for energizing said drive means, e) a plurality of sensor means positioned along regular intervals along the length of said conveyor to divide same into a plurality of zones, f) each of said sensor means including a primary sensor roller bracket situated inboard of one sidewall and a secondary sensor roller bracket situated inboard of the other sidewall, g) a sensor roller secured within said brackets to extend across the bed of said conveyor parallel to said rotatable rollers, h) a bore formed in each primary sensor roller bracket and a piston movable within said bore, and i) valves located proximate to said sensor rollers, the method of operating said accumulator comprising the steps of: 1) biasing each sensor roller to actuate each sensor valve; 2) pressurizing the bore of each primary sensor roller bracket to force said piston to project therefrom; until said piston engages said adjacent valve, and 3) pivoting said sensor roller until said sensor roller achieves a position below the plane of the bed of the conveyor, whereby objects passing along the conveyor bed will not contact said sensor roller.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
241 words
A method of operating an accumulating conveyor, a said accumulating conveyor comprising: a) a first sidewall and a second, parallel sidewall, b) a plurality of rotatable rollers located within said sidewalls along the length of the conveyor to define a bed for the conveyor, c) drive means for contacting said rollers to rotate same, d) motor means for energizing said drive means, e) a plurality of sensor means positioned along regular intervals along the length of said conveyor to divide same into a plurality of zones, f) each of said sensor means including a primary sensor roller bracket situated inboard of one sidewall and a secondary sensor roller bracket situated inboard of the other sidewall, g) a sensor roller secured within said brackets to extend across the bed of said conveyor parallel to said rotatable rollers, h) a bore formed in each primary sensor roller bracket and a piston movable within said bore, and i) valves located proximate to said sensor rollers, the method of operating said accumulator comprising the steps of: 1) biasing each sensor roller to actuate each sensor valve; 2) pressurizing the bore of each primary sensor roller bracket to force said piston to project therefrom; until said piston engages said adjacent valve, and 3) pivoting said sensor roller until said sensor roller achieves a position below the plane of the bed of the conveyor, whereby objects passing along the conveyor bed will not contact said sensor roller.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method of operating the accumulating conveyor of claim 11 further including the step of: 4) bleeding the pressurized air from the bore of each primary sensor roller bracket so that said sensor roller pivots upwardly above the plane of the bed of the conveyor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of operating the accumulating conveyor of claim 11 further including the step of: 5) correlating the opening and closing operation of the adjacent valve with the operation of said drive means in the preceding, upstream zone of said conveyor.
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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) | 1997-05-30 | 1997-11-29 | 1998-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-05-30 | 2001-11-29 | 2002-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-05-30 | 2005-11-29 | 2006-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |