Abstract: A transfer conveying mechanism includes a transfer track supported by a transfer support arm. Above the transfer track is a chain guide and depending therefrom are transfer sprockets. Extending about the transfer sprockets is an endless chain having at least one push dog attached thereto. The push dogs move the carrier into and across the transfer track. Attached above the transfer support arm is a sprocket, which is rotatably connected to a pivot plate. The pivot plate is attached to a structural steel assembly from which the transfer conveying mechanism depends. As the sprocket is rotated by a motor and chain transmission, the transfer conveying mechanism rotates in order to direct a carrier to a desired conveyor track.

Abstract: A multi-speed variable spacing conveyor system is shown and described herein having at least a first conveyor operating at a first speed and having a plurality of workpiece carriers thereon in a first spaced configuration. Operably communicating with the first conveyor is at least a second conveyor operating at a second speed. Between the at least first conveyor track and the at least second conveyor track is a transfer mechanism, which allows movement of workpiece carriers therebetween. The second conveyor operating at the second speed allows a second spaced configuration of the workpiece carriers. When disposed in the second spaced configuration, less conveyor track is necessary to hold and move a number of carriers through an inclined and declined portion of conveyor track, as well as a through a workstation resulting in less manufacturing and operating costs.

Abstract: An overhead conveyor includes a rotator system for rotating a work piece as it travels along a conveying track. A carrier movable along the track is propelled by an endless conveyor chain disposed within said track. The carrier is detachably connected to the chain and includes an uncoupling assembly for detaching the carrier from the chain. A support post extends upwardly from an upper surface of the carrier and an upper portion of the support post is attached to an upper arm of a C-shaped load arm. The C-shaped load arm is provided with a lower arm having a rotatable platter attached thereto. A camming pin is fixedly attached to said platter and a camming assembly is affixed to an underside of the track wherein the track is provided with flanges to receive said camming pin. Upon engagement of the camming pin with the flanges of the track, the platter is rotated a preselected amount.

Abstract: A load carrying unit including a vertically movable pin for engagement with a movable chain of a chain conveyor includes a vertically movable chain engaging pin assembly attached to a front end of a frame structure of the load carrying unit, wherein the vertically moving chain engaging pin assembly includes a cam follower and is vertically movable in response to the position of the cam follower. The cam follower is in cooperating relation with a cam which is provided with a cam surface which follows the contour of a chain guide assembly which includes the movable chain therein.

Abstract: A conveyor system of the present invention includes a conveyor track defining a conveyor path with at least one load carrying unit movable along the conveyor track. The load carrying unit includes a movable pin for engagement with a movable endless conveyor chain of the conveyor track for engaging or disengaging the load carrying unit to or from the conveyor track. A pair of spaced rear wheels are mounted onto an elongated transversely extending shaft or rod at a rear end of the load carrying unit wherein the elongated shaft or rod extends outwardly from the load carrying unit and includes a workpiece mounting assembly on the end thereof. The elongated shaft is rotatable with the movement of the rear wheels and therefore rotates a workpiece which is mounted to the shaft during movement along the conveying path.

Abstract: A load carrying unit for use along a predetermined conveying track including an endless moving conveyor chain. The load carrying unit is provided with a depending vertically movable conveyor chain engagement pin which is selectively movable between a conveyor chain engaged position coupling the load carrying unit to the conveyor chain so that the load carrying unit moves with the conveyor chain, and a conveyor chain disengaged position uncoupling the load carrying unit from the conveyor chain. The device for disengaging the movable pin from the conveyor chain includes an elongated pivotally attached horizontal bar extending transversely along the front end of the load carrying unit and spaced forwardly therefrom and engagable with a rear end of a downstream load carrying unit which pivots the elongated bar inwardly toward the load carrying unit.

Abstract: A conveyor system having at least two conveyor tracks for moving load carrying units to different locations within a facility in which the conveyor system is installed, includes a device for selectively engaging and disengaging the load carrying units to and from the conveyor tracks, and a device for selectively pushing the load carrying units out of alignment with one of the conveyor tracks and into alignment with the other of the conveyor tracks.

Abstract: A conveyor system having at least two conveyor tracks for moving load carrying units to different locations within a facility in which the conveyor system as installed, includes a device for selectively engaging and disengaging the load carrying units to and from the conveyor tracks, and a device for selectively pushing the load carrying units out of alignment with one of the conveyor tracks and into alignment with the other one of the conveyor tracks.

Abstract: A conveying system includes a movable conveyor track with a plurality of load carrying units movable with the conveyor track for conveying workpieces along the path defined by the conveyor track. Each of the load carrying units includes a device to selectively couple and uncouple the load carrying units from the conveyor track so that the load carrying units can selectively and individually be coupled to the conveyor track for movement therewith. In one embodiment, the system includes accumulation areas at preselected locations along with counting and calculating systems to determine and control the number of load carrying units between accumulation areas. In a second embodiment, means are provided to release load carrying units at preselected time intervals from each accumulation area.

Abstract: A conveying system for moving load carrying units, such as carts or pallets, along a predetermined conveying path includes an endless moving conveyor chain traveling in a chain guide channel defining the conveying path. The carts to be conveyed each have a depending movable conveyor chain engagement pin which is selectively movable between a conveyor chain engaged position coupling the cart to the conveyor chain so that the cart moves with the conveyor chain, and a conveyor chain disengaged position uncoupling the cart from the conveyor chain so that the cart remains stationary. The carts also include a fixed depending cart guide finger spaced from the conveyor chain engagement pin which cart guide finger also remains out of contact with the conveyor chain. Further, the conveyor system also includes a load carrying unit and a unit guide channel located over and in alignment with the chain guide channel along at least portions of the length of the chain guide channel.

Abstract: A conveyor device for transferring a workpiece along a conveyor path between work stations located at various positions along the conveyor path includes a pallet for supporting a workpiece which is rotatable and a pallet drive device located at selected work stations along the conveyor path. The pallet drive device is drivingly connectable to the pallet positioned at that work station to rotate the pallet so as to present various portions of the workpiece supported on the pallet to an inspection or manufacturing process.

Abstract: A device for interrupting the movement of load carrying units, such as carts or pallets, moving with a conveyor system. The device includes a movable conveyor engagement mechanism associated with each of the carts which is movable between a conveyor system engagement position and disengagement position by a movable actuator disposed at a first preselected location along the conveyor path at which the movement of a cart is to be interrupted. The movable actuator is controlled by a trigger mechanism disposed at a second predetermined location upstream of the movable actuator. The trigger mechanism is activated in response to a following cart moving with the conveyor past the trigger mechanism.

Abstract: A device for selectively coupling a movable load bearing unit, such as a pallet, to a link chain conveyor flight so that the pallet will selectively be moved with the conveyor flight along a path defined by the conveyor flight. The coupling device includes a stem mounted to the pallet for longitudinal movement in a vertical direction and a flight engagement pin longitudinally aligned with and depending from the stem. The stem is sized and configured for insertion into one of the openings of the link chain. The pin is generally rectangular in transverse cross-section. In addition, the coupling device also has a generally planar plate extending generally perpendicularly from the pin in a direction upstream therefrom, relative to the direction of movement of the conveyor flight, and in a direction downstream therefrom, relative to the direction of movement of the conveyor flight.

Abstract: An endless conveyor system for moving load bearing units along a path defined by the conveyor system which has a discontinuity or gap along the path such as may be required to accommodate a conveyor system drive or tensioning device. The endless conveyor system includes a transfer station located at the discontinuity or gap to move the load bearing units across the discontinuity without interruption to the flow of load bearing units along the path.