Patents Assigned to Jervis B. Webb Company
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Patent number: 7174836Abstract: A station control system for and method of controlling the operation of a driverless vehicle. The system includes a vehicle travel path, a plurality of station tags in readable proximity to the travel path, and a vehicle movable along the travel path. Each of the tags are pre-programmed with a unique and arbitrary tag identifier. The vehicle has a tag reader and a controller communicating with the reader with the tag reader is configured to read tag identifiers from the tags. The controller is configured to receive the tag identifiers from the tag reader and access a correlation table having a function command associated with the tag idendifier. The method includes the steps of reading the tag identifier associated with one of the plurality of tags, accessing the correlation table to identify a command in the function field associated with the tag identifier, and executing any identified command.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2003Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Jervis B. Webb CompanyInventors: Mark Marino, Wayne D. Ross
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Patent number: 7090042Abstract: A vehicle having a load frame with wheels, a drive frame, a drive wheel, a non-driven rigid castor wheel, and a pivot link assembly. The drive wheel and non-driven rigid castor wheel are each fixed to move with the drive frame. The pivot link assembly couples the drive frame to the load frame to permit the drive frame to move vertically relative to the load frame. The pivot link assembly also has a first pivot axis about which the drive frame is rotatable relative to the load frame.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2003Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Jervis B. Webb CompanyInventors: Jon L. Coveyou, Lewis R. Poole
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Patent number: 7011487Abstract: A vehicle (10) includes a hollow transfer device (20), a side translating assembly (40), and a lift mast assembly (90). The transfer device has at least one substantially open end and a longitudinal opening intersecting the substantial open end. The lift mast assembly is cooperatively associated with the transfer device to move the transfer device substantially vertically, and the side translating assembly is also operatively associated with the transfer device to move the transfer device substantially horizontally between at least one side of the vehicle and a center of the vehicle. The invention contemplates use in a newsprint roll handling apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2001Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Jervis B. Webb CompanyInventors: Alfred J. Kafka, Harry E. Smith, Wallace I. Miller, Jr., Keith Westphal, Jon L. Coveyou
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Patent number: 6997303Abstract: The present invention is directed to a carrier and conveyor system that permits the carrier to be driven by at least two different types of conveyors or drive assemblies, including a power and free conveyor. The system includes a plurality of carriers, first and second areas, a power and free conveyor assembly, and a friction drive assembly. The power and free conveyor drivably engages the first and second carriers when the carriers are in the first area and is out of driving engagement with the carriers in the second area. The friction drive assembly is engageable with each carrier when the carriers are in the second area and out of driving engagement with each carrier when the carriers are in the first area.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2003Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Jervis B. Webb CompanyInventors: Melvin A. Edwards, Christopher L. Audia, Kelsey R. Schell, David M. Stewart
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Patent number: 6971464Abstract: A vehicle guidance system for guiding a vehicle along a magnetic marker including a first magnetic sensor having a sensing axis, the first sensor measuring a first magnetic field. A second magnetic sensor has a sensing axis, the second sensor measuring a second magnetic field. The sensing axis of the second magnetic sensor crosses the sensing axis of the first magnetic sensor at a vehicle guide point. A processor is configured to receive data representative of the magnetic field measured by the first and second sensors and to calculate a lateral offset between the guide point and the magnetic marker based upon the measured magnetic fields. A method for guiding a vehicle in response to a marker having magnetic field is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2002Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Jervis B. Webb CompanyInventors: Mark Marino, George Lewis, legal representative, Elvin K. Honey, deceased
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Patent number: 6966431Abstract: A system for transporting articles along a treatment path in a treatment area. The conveyor system includes a conveyor and a plurality of pendulums. The conveyor includes first and second drive segments laterally spaced from and parallel to one another. The pendulums include first pendulums moving along the first drive segment and second pendulums moving along the second drive segments in aligned and opposed pairs. Further features of the invention include a guide assembly having a first element coupled to move with a carrier assembly and a second element engaging the first element to stabilize the rotational orientation of the carrier assembly. Other features of the present invention include a conveyor system configuration that facilitates transportation of articles about horizontal curves as well as a unique pendulum configuration particularly suited for use with the invention.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2003Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Jervis B. Webb CompanyInventors: John H. Jaynes, David M. Stewart, Christopher L. Audia, Kelsey R. Schell, Robert H. Kubsik, Melvin Edwards
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Patent number: 6938752Abstract: The present invention is directed to a conveyor system for transporting a workpiece. The conveyor system includes a drive assembly and a carrier plate. The drive assembly includes a frame, a drive belt, and a drive mechanism supported by the frame and engaging the drive belt. The carrier plate is adapted to support a workpiece and is disposed on the drive belt to move with the drive belt.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2002Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Jervis B. Webb CompanyInventors: Brian G. Stewart, John H. Jaynes
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Patent number: 6902051Abstract: A conveyor assembly including a conveyor defining a conveying direction and a carrier assembly operably coupled to the conveyor. The carrier assembly includes a carrier frame, a rotating mechanism coupled to move with the carrier and having a rotatable shaft with a rotary axis parallel to the conveying direction. The carrier assembly further includes a workpiece mounting frame coupled to rotate with the rotatable shaft. The invention is also directed to a workpiece treatment system having the conveyor assembly described above as well as a method of using the conveyor assembly to convey workpieces through a treatment system.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2003Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Jervis B. Webb CompanyInventors: Noel F. Dehne, Melvin Edwards
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Patent number: 6773574Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing thimbles (12) from stubs (20) of an anode yoke which includes the step of advancing a ram (20) towards each stub with the force applied by the ram against the stub being limited to a preset maximum, and another step of advancing the rams at the same speed to push the stubs through the thimbles.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Jervis B. Webb CompanyInventor: Robert Kubsik
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Patent number: 6637342Abstract: The present invention is directed to a conveyor assembly and carrier for use with a conveyor wherein the carrier includes a frame having a longitudinal axis, a first pair of load wheels rotatably coupled to the frame, and a first pair of stabilizer wheels positioned laterally outward of the first pair of load wheels and rotatably coupled to the frame. The conveyor includes the carrier, a drive, and a stabilizer track having first and second channels spaced from one another. The first pair of stabilizer wheels are disposable for movement within the channels.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2000Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Jervis B. Webb CompanyInventors: Keith Jennings, Robert Goryca, Gary Ramse, Ricky L. Brown, David K. Meissner
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Patent number: 6564890Abstract: A vehicle including a load frame, a drive assembly, and a pivot link assembly. The load frame includes castor wheels to rollingly support the load frame on a support surface. The drive assembly includes a drive frame, a drive wheel, and a rigid castor wheel wherein the drive wheel and rigid castor wheel are each mounted to the drive frame. The pivot link assembly couples the drive frame to the load frame and permits the drive frame to move vertically and angularly relative to the load frame.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Jervis B. Webb CompanyInventor: Jon L. Coveyou
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Patent number: 6557724Abstract: A vertical conveyor including first and second conveyors having first and second ends. The first conveyor is vertically aligned with and above the second conveyor. The vertical conveyor also includes a third conveyor having a free end and a coupled end. The third conveyor is pivotable about its coupled end to permit movement of its free end between a raised position and a lowered position and includes a reversible drive operable in a first direction to move an article toward the coupled end and in a second direction to move an article toward the free end. The free end is operably aligned with the first end of the first conveyor when the free end is in its raised position and operably aligned with the first end of the second conveyor when the free end is in its lowered position. The invention is also directed to a method of moving articles through a vertical conveyor that includes first, second, and third conveyors.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2000Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Jervis B. Webb CompanyInventors: Donald LeCroy, Donald L. Anderson, Christopher J. Murphy
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Publication number: 20030075420Abstract: A conveyor chain includes a number of interconnected links. Each link includes a bearingless wheel assembly that has a simple structure and a wheel made of a special wheel material that is suitable for use as a conveyor wheel material in a corrosive environment. The bearingless wheel assembly includes a wheel having a center bore, a hub extending through the center bore of the wheel and having a flange, and a retainer for engaging the hub to secure the wheel between the flange and the retainer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2002Publication date: April 24, 2003Applicant: Jervis B. Webb CompanyInventor: Donald E. Larkins
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Publication number: 20030047429Abstract: The present invention is directed to a conveyor system for transporting a workpiece. The conveyor system includes a drive assembly and a carrier plate. The drive assembly includes a frame, a drive belt, and a drive mechanism supported by the frame and engaging the drive belt. The carrier plate is adapted to support a workpiece and is disposed on the drive belt to move with the drive belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2002Publication date: March 13, 2003Applicant: Jervis B. Webb CompanyInventors: Brian G. Stewart, John H. Jaynes
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Patent number: 6513646Abstract: A stabilizer assembly for use with a conveyer system includes a stabilizer member that pivots from a first position to a second position towards a vertically-curved track section as a conveyor carrier moves into the vertically-curved section. A method for stabilizing a conveyor carrier includes installing a stabilizer member adjacent to the vertically-curved section of the conveyor track, and pivoting the stabilizer member from a first vertical position towards a second position as the conveyor carrier moves into the vertically-curved section of the conveyor track. A conveyor system includes a conveyor track having a vertically-curved section, a conveyor carrier placed on the conveyor track for traveling along the conveyor track, and a stabilizer assembly that includes a stabilizer member pivotable from a first position to a second position towards the vertically-curved section as a conveyor carrier moves into the vertically-curved section.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2001Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: Jervis B. Webb CompanyInventor: Richard Olsen
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Patent number: 6494304Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pallet conveyor system that includes a pallet assembly having a pallet and a workpiece coupled to the pallet, a production area where a production task is performed on the workpiece, and a delivery area wherein the pallet assembly is moved to or from the first production area. The pallet conveyor system also includes a first conveyor assembly to drive the pallet assembly through the first production area and a chain conveyor assembly to drive the pallet assembly through the first delivery area. The first conveyor assembly operably engages the pallet in the first production area but not in the delivery area. Conversely, the chain conveyor assembly drivably engages the pallet assembly in the delivery area but not in the production area.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2000Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Jervis B. Webb CompanyInventors: John Jaynes, Melvin Edwards, Kelsey Schell
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Patent number: 6487976Abstract: A cam bar assembly for transferring a trolley from driving engagement with a first chain to driving engagement with a second chain wherein the cam bar assembly includes a cam bar having a first longitudinal axis, a cam surface centered about the first longitudinal axis, a second longitudinal axis, and a cam face centered about the second longitudinal axis. The second longitudinal axis is offset from the first longitudinal axis. The present invention is also directed to a power and free conveyor having the cam bar assembly as well as a drive trolley disposed within a free track for movement in a driven direction and having a retractable surface movable between an engaging position and a retracted position. The power and free conveyor also includes a first drive chain, a second drive chain, and a transfer zone having an entrance and an exit.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2000Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Jervis B. Webb CompanyInventors: Rodney K. Robison, James P. Fahner, Jeffrey F. Kaufman, Robert J. MacKenzie, Greg A. Whitehead
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Patent number: 6450325Abstract: The present invention relates to a powered roller bed with multiple rows of rollers, wherein two or more self-powered rollers are provided on each row along the bed. The rollers are preferably powered by electromagnetic motors having a stationary shaft and a rotating cylinder thereon so that each one can be independently controlled and operated. The present invention preferably provides a means of installing and removing each roller by hand without the aid of tools.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2000Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Jervis B. Webb CompanyInventor: Deepak Devnani
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Patent number: 6435035Abstract: A chain tension monitoring apparatus and method includes a conveyor drive having a fixed frame and a floating frame. The floating frame supports a conveyor drive unit and is biased against the fixed frame by a compression spring to oppose forces generated by the conveyor drive operation. A force sensor is mounted to the floating frame to sense chain pull applied thereto. A pre-compression load is applied to the force sensor and chain pull is monitored as a function of the pre-compression load and actual load sensed by the force sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1999Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Jervis B. Webb CompanyInventors: Robert Kubsik, Dan Carter
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Patent number: 6374747Abstract: A sound abatement method includes applying a sound abating material to at least one area of at least one component of the moving trolley. A sound abatement conveyor trolley includes a trolley body having at least one wheel for traveling in a track and one or more component cooperatively associated with the trolley body, which the components each include a sound abating material applied to the area for sound abatement. An element used in a conveyor trolley includes at least one area and a sound abating material applied to the area for sound abatement.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Jervis B. Webb CompanyInventors: Deepak Devnani, Christopher M. Ariss, Craig R. Smith