Rollerways Patents (Class 193/35R)
  • Patent number: 6164434
    Abstract: Apparatus for transporting profiles of different size and cross section, such as flats, angles, I sections, U sections, T sections and bulb sections, in longitudinal direction, includes a plurality of support elements for transporting the sections along a transport path, a stop mechanism arranged laterally of the support elements along the transport path, and a clamping device movable in the direction of the transport path, wherein each support element is formed by two rollers, with at least one of the rollers being movable with respect to the other one of the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Oxytechnik Gesellschaft fur Systemtechnik mbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Lentz, Michael Tomtzig
  • Patent number: 6132158
    Abstract: The present invention features a universal, low profile, expandable flow track system that can be drop-load mounted to almost any supporting frame or pallet rack. The flow track system of the invention features a flow track that mounts flush with its end supports, and is infinitely adjustable along both the horizontal axis and depth axis of the storage frame. The flow track is quickly assembled to, adjusted upon, and removed from, the storage frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Unex Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Pfeiffer, Frank J. Neuwirth
  • Patent number: 6112875
    Abstract: The method and apparatus for repairing worn frame rails of a roller conveyor is described in which a multi-layer reinforcement strip having a layer of sheet metal and at least one layer of high density plastic material is affixed to the worn frame rails. The reinforcement strip is provided with a plurality of openings formed therein, corresponding in size and spacing to the series of openings in the frame rail prior to being worn for supporting a series of roller support shafts. The multi-layer re-aligns the rollers and reduces conveyor vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Edward F. Gibson
  • Patent number: 6105746
    Abstract: Roller rail comprising a lower profile whose section is one of, U-shaped or omega-shaped, a plurality of rollers, and an upper profile made of a steel band, cut and embossed, used as a roller carrier. The band comprises edges which are folded and crimped on upper rims of the lower profile, which edges are linked together by crossbeams between which the rollers are positioned. The process of manufacture of a roller rail comprises preparing by, one of, folding or profiling operations, a sheet metal band, a lower profile with one of, U-shaped or omega-shaped section, and an upper profile carrying a plurality of rollers and assembling the profiles together by folding and crimping the edges of the sheet metal band constituting the upper profile onto upper rims of the lower profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Sipa Roller
    Inventor: Gilles Faisant
  • Patent number: 6102185
    Abstract: A low profile flow track is described for use in storage facilities, such as warehouses. The flow track requires no assembly upon the pallet rack frame, and does not add appreciable height to the space allotted between the pallet rack beams for storing containers and other items. The flow track has an end plate that is positioned just one inch on top of the horizontal support surface of the pallet rack beam. The end plate is secured to the sides of the flow track, and side plates are specially contoured to provide support upon the step profile of the pallet rack beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Unex Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Neuwirth, Harold Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 6089385
    Abstract: A roller type stand for the display and supply of commodities has an elongated base, an elongated slide case, and a large number of rollers attached to the slide case. A large number of concave portions for receiving mounting shafts of the rollers are formed to support walls of the slide case. Inwardly projecting ribs are integrally formed with side walls of the base as one piece. The support walls of the slide case are detachably inserted between the ribs and a bottom wall of the base, and upper sides of the mounting shafts are held by the ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Enukanto Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshio Nozawa
  • Patent number: 6076647
    Abstract: A conveyor roller includes a generally cylindrical roller tube and a pair of stub shafts rotatably mounted in each end thereof. At least one of the stub shafts is mounted for axial movement between an extended position and a retracted position. When in the extended position, the stub shafts on each end of the conveyor engage respective mounting holes in the conveyor frame. To insert the conveyor roller in the conveyor frame, the movable stub shaft is moved to a retracted position while the roller is lowered into the conveyor frame. When the stub shaft aligns with the mounting holes in the conveyor frame, the stub shaft is urged back to the extended position by a biasing member to engage the mounting hole in the conveyor frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Interroll Holding AG
    Inventor: Charles Agnoff
  • Patent number: 6073743
    Abstract: A case flow system consisting essentially of a roller bed arrangement equipped with a plurality of independent wheels disposed in a spaced-apart relationship along a set of steel axles joined to a pair of side rails. A plurality of inverted generally U-shaped support members extends from the rear to the front of each bed and is located adjacent to the wheels. A set of cross beams are disposed underneath and in contact with the support members so that the load on the bed may be transferred from the support members to the side rails while simultaneously reducing the load on the axles. The improvement in weight distribution is such that bearingless, inexpensive wheels may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Frazier Industrial Company
    Inventor: Roger W. Mefford
  • Patent number: 6068107
    Abstract: A transfer device for transferring objects, including pedestrians, between sequential moving-surfaces disposed in a common plane. The device comprises first rollers housed in a platform and defining a first object bearing-surface disposed substantially in the common plane. In one embodiment, the rollers comprise balls; in another, they comprise cylinders. A plate mounted on the platform defines a comb that slidably meshes with ribs of a conveyer belt that defines one of the moving surfaces. Second rollers are housed in the plate, providing a second object bearing-surface. The platform pivots within a limited and adjustable angle towards and away from one of the moving surfaces, when an object becomes jammed between the platform and the moving surface, and slides perpendicularly to said angle, by a small amount, when the ribs force the comb laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Constructions Industrielles de la Mediterranee - CNIM
    Inventor: Roger Brun-Jarret
  • Patent number: 6059280
    Abstract: A shaft portion of a retard roller is supported by a pair of supporting members so that the retard roller can be assuredly supported and easily detached. One of the pair of supporting members is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction of the shaft portion. By moving the movable supporting member in a direction of separating from the shaft portion, the retard roller can be detached. A regulation device regulates movement of the movable supporting member in the direction of separating from the shaft portion at a position where the pair of supporting members engage with the shaft portion and is provided on a guide cover for blocking an opening for mounting/detaching the retard roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Yamauchi, Akimitsu Hoshi, Yukitoshi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 5996764
    Abstract: An arrangement for supporting rollers in a roller conveyor includes at least three support rails arranged parallel to each other. The support rails define a set of holes aligned coaxially with each other. A bearing block is arranged on an intermediate one of the support rails. The bearing block includes a base strip defining a groove extending in a longitudinal direction along a lower side, and defining a hole extending in a lateral direction. An upper portion of the intermediate support rail is disposed in the groove and the hole is aligned coaxially with the set of holes in said support rails. A plurality of bearing supports extending from an upper side of the base strip. Each of the bearing supports defines a bearing surface extending in the lateral direction. Adjacent ones of the bearing supports are spaced apart from each other in both the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: AMBEC, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul E. Barkley
  • Patent number: 5964338
    Abstract: A conveying system includes first and second straight side supports arranged parallel to one another on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis. A plurality of roller structures is provided, each having opposite ends mounted in respective ones of the side supports. An endless web is mounted for travel along the rollers in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Each roller structure is associated with a set of mounting holes formed in the side supports, whereby each set comprises a first series of holes formed in the first side support and a second series of holes formed in the second side support. One end of the roller structure is mounted in a selected one of the holes of the first series, and the other end of the roller structure is mounted in a selected one of the holes of the second series. Each hole of the first series is aligned with a respective hole of the second series to form a pair of aligned holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Sandvik Sorting Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Vann Schroader
  • Patent number: 5964337
    Abstract: A glass workpiece processing apparatus, such as a glass washer, includes a frame, a pair of rails attached to and extending along the frame, a plurality of workpiece supporting rollers positioned along the pair of rails, and a pair of bearing stands rotatably supporting each roller. Each bearing stand includes a base removably attached to one rail, a bearing attached to said base which rotatably supports the roller, and a releasable bearing retaining member attaching the bearing to the base. The bearing retaining member may be a snap-on clip including locking projections engaging corresponding locking notches in the base. Alternatively, the retaining member may include a stop screw threaded through a portion of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Billco Manufacuring, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Hallahan
  • Patent number: 5957265
    Abstract: A conveyor includes an assembly for bridging the gap at the end of a conveyor section. It includes an idler roller at the end of the conveyor section. The idler roller is seated in upwardly open slots and can lift completely out of the conveyor frame if an article becomes entrapped between the idler roller and the conveyor belt, in order to release the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Tekno, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert T. Clopton
  • Patent number: 5951228
    Abstract: The present invention features a universal flow rack system that can be affixed to almost any supporting frame or pallet rack. The flow rack system of the invention features a flow track that is "snap-locked" into place upon the storage frame in an almost instantaneous fashion. This allows for quick assembly, adjustment and removal of the flow track at any time. The flow rack system is positionable about the storage frame or pallet rack in any orthogonal position (X and Y axes) about the horizontal plane of the frame, thus allowing for overhangs and unique positioning thereupon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Unex Conveying Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Pfeiffer, Frank J. Neuwirth
  • Patent number: 5944169
    Abstract: A removable conveyor disposed between the scale platform of an airline check-in and the main conveyor system for transporting luggage to be loaded on an airplane. The portable conveyor is constructed of lightweight materials, such as aluminum, and is easily manipulated by the check-in counter attendant. In one embodiment the removable conveyor is pivotally attached to a side rail of the main conveyor so that it may be easily moved by the attendant between the horizontal working position and the vertical storage position. A locking mechanism is provided to secure the movable conveyor in the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: David S. Allen
  • Patent number: 5927650
    Abstract: A conversion device for installation in a recess of an aircraft deck, such that the installed device forms part of the aircraft deck for use in load securement or handling, comprises a turnable member with at least two functional faces. Each functional face comprises a different functional unit, such as active or passive roller units, locking devices, fixation rails, running surfaces or the other standard features. A rotational mounting is provided for the turnable member and is so constructed and so mounted in the recess that the turnable member is enclosed within the recess and can be locked in a position such that one of its functional faces forms at least part of the aircraft deck, i.e. faces upward. This arrangement enables rapid conversion of the deck so that it can be used for various purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Telair International GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Huber
  • Patent number: 5921370
    Abstract: A cooling bed plate transfer grid insert which is height adjustable independently of its mounting to the grid. The insert has an outer frame which is clampable to the grid and an inner frame supporting a roller and which is clampable to the outer frame and height adjustable relative to the outer frame so that the mounting of the outer frame to the grid need not be disturbed when adjusting the height of the roller or when replacing the inner frame and roller assembly for repair of the insert. The inner frame is thus easily and inexpensively replaceable without the necessity of replacing the outer frame. The replaceable inner frame includes stationary bearings for the rotating roller shaft to provide improvement in wear life of perhaps about 200 per cent. Springs are provided to allow the roller to flexibly move downwardly under load of plates being moved thereover so that each of the rollers underlying a plate bears its share of the load, but the rollers are biased to the desired unloaded height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: Ronald L. Plesh, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5918719
    Abstract: A slab transport tire roller includes a tire which is diminished in thermal stress. A tire assembly disposed at each of outer peripheral portions of a pipe for passing cooling water therethrough includes the tire adapted to contact a slab, support members connecting the tire to the pipe, and rotation preventing means engaging the tire with the support members to render the tire rotatable with the support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Masamichi Hino, Teruo Hamatsuka, Toshifumi Toyotomi, Shigeki Morie, Akira Shinosaki, Yasuhiko Horibe
  • Patent number: 5908102
    Abstract: A high capacity and easy to maintain insert for a cooling bed plate transfer grid. The insert supports a wide high capacity roller in a grid pocket modified by removal of a portion of a grid member wherein the modified pocket has more than double the width. High capacity bearings which receive the roller axle are mounted in the frame, which is of modular construction to allow replacement of worn bearings as well as other repair and rebuilding easily. The insert is constructed so that it may be inverted to allow unworn portions of the bearings to experience axle contact whereby the bearing life is increased. In order that inserts may be installed or replaced at a remote location thereby requiring removal of the grid to the remote location, the height of the grid is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Inventor: Ronald L. Plesh, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5908104
    Abstract: A transfer device for transferring objects, including pedestrians, between sequential moving-surfaces disposed in a common plane. The device comprises first rollers housed in a platform and defining a first object bearing-surface disposed substantially in the common plane. In one embodiment, the rollers comprise balls; in another, they comprise cylinders. A plate mounted on the platform defines a comb that slidably meshes with ribs of a conveyor belt that defines one of the moving surfaces. Second rollers are housed in the plate, providing a second object bearing-surface. The platform pivots within a limited and adjustable angle towards and away from one of the moving surfaces, when an object becomes jammed between the platform and the moving surface, and slides perpendicularly to said angle, by a small amount, when the ribs force the comb laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Constructions Industrielles de la Mediterrane--CNIM
    Inventor: Roger Brun-Jarret
  • Patent number: 5884518
    Abstract: A runout and braking device, particularly for medium steel rolled sections, includes a run-in roller table and a braking device arranged laterally offset and parallel to the run-in roller table, wherein the run-in roller table and the braking device form a runout and braking system. The runout and braking device of the above-described type includes a braking device with a rigidly arranged braking trough with a bottom which is outwardly inclined relative to the horizontal direction. The run-in roller table includes a lifting bottom forming a plane, wherein conveying rollers mounted below the lifting bottom protrude above the plane of the lifting bottom. Pivoting devices are provided for pivoting the run-in roller table together with the lifting bottom and the conveying rollers arranged below the lifting bottom about a laterally offset pivoting point into an inclined position toward the braking trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rolf Stodt, Hans-Peter Drugh
  • Patent number: 5865579
    Abstract: An adaptor is provided for a vehicle load bed having stake pockets along lateral edges. The adaptor allows pallets having indented peripheries to roll over the bed and to be locked in place on the bed. The adaptor has a base lying on the bed and guides in the form of upright walls disposed along lateral edges of the base. The guides keep the pallet on the bed as the pallet rides along the bed. Stakes on the bottom of the base are locked into the pockets to retain the adaptor to the bed. Extending from the walls are lips disposed over the pallet so as to limit or eliminate the pallet's vertical travel. The pallets ride on elongate rollers journalled between roller supports. The supports are fixed on the base parallel to the walls. Apertures of the same shape are defined both in the lips and the base and are aligned with one another. To fix the pallets to the adaptor, locking members are passed through the lip apertures, fit with indents of the pallets and passed through the base apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: James D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5857554
    Abstract: A conveyor, comprising a conveyor frame having a pair of spaced side members each having a plurality of mounting means to mount a plurality of rollers in spaced relation between the side members, each roller being provided with a bearing means having a socket, the rollers being mounted in spaced relation between said pair of side members on stub spindles, each stub spindle having a support portion which inter-engages with a mounting means non-rotatably to mount the stub spindles on the side members, there being a pair of opposed stub spindles for each roller and each stub spindle having an end portion which is received in a socket provided at each end of the roller to permit each roller to rotate about a roller axis and wherein at least at one end of each roller the support portion and the mounting means are configured for inter-engagement by relative movement therebetween transverse to said roller axis characterised in that each stub spindle is provided with retaining means to retain the end portion of the s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Conveyor Units Limited
    Inventor: Edward William Toye
  • Patent number: 5853281
    Abstract: A ramp is used for loading and unloading recreational vehicles, especially snowmobiles, trucks, trailers and the like. The preferred ramp is a three section ramp with two outer sections and a center section connected to fold from side to side for storage and transport purposes. Each outer ramp section is equipped with a series of rollers spaced along the ramp section to allow the skis of a snowmobile to advance along the ramp without binding. The rollers are preferably made with a rigid core and a rotating outer sleeve of PVC. The tubing is slit helically from end to end so that it can be removed and installed without dismantling the ramp. The center section of the ramp is equipped with lateral cleats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Inventor: Mervin Blair Farmer
  • Patent number: 5823733
    Abstract: A vehicle mounted hoist includes container supporting roller assemblies configured to support a container for loading, unloading, transporting and/or dumping wherein the roller assemblies are vertically adjustable to provide for a variety of differently sized containers. The hoist includes a tilt frame and a plurality of brace devices mounted to the tilt frame and being for supporting a plurality of rollers in at least two different vertical positions, and includes a plurality of rollers sized and configured to be mounted to the brace devices to collectively support a container thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Inventor: Kent Kruzick
  • Patent number: 5766298
    Abstract: A runway for conveying glass tubing, as the tubing is drawn from a source of molten glass, embodies support assemblies having rotating sleeves mounted on guide shafts to contact the tubing. A circulating humid atmosphere is maintained in an enclosure during an initial portion of the tube draw to reduce frictive damage to the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: David L. Ashley, John M. Dafin, Michael R. Heslin, Jason S. Watts, Paul A. Williams
  • Patent number: 5762177
    Abstract: An improved conveyor is provided which has a plurality of rotatable shafts with a plurality of first disc rollers mounted on each of the shafts for rotation therewith. The first disc rollers are located at a first location on each of the shafts and are spaced from each other at at least a distance X on the shaft. The disc rollers on adjacent shafts are spaced from the disc rollers on each adjacent shaft and are adapted to support and transport a flat product having a width of at least about 2X. A plurality of second rollers are mounted on each of the shafts for rotation therewith at a second location on the shafts. Preferably, each of the second rollers has a length of at least about 2X and preferably a circumference substantially equal to that of the disc rollers. Thus, the second rollers are adapted to support a flat panel product having a width less than about 2X.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Lee Baker, Wayne David Klossner
  • Patent number: 5738199
    Abstract: A roller assembly is removably mounted on the floor of a vehicle. The assembly has a floor unit which is mounted on the vehicle floor and an erectable unit pivotally supported on the floor unit. This assembly has a retracted configuration in which the erectable unit is retracted in abutment against the floor unit. In the retracted configuration the assembly is adapted for moving cargo therelong in a first direction. The assembly further has an erected configuration in which the erectable unit is retained in a position normal to the floor unit. In this second configuration the assembly is adapted for moving cargo in a second direction at an acute angle relative to the first direction. To facilitate movement of the cargo, a first set of rollers is mounted on the floor unit of the assembly for universal movement and a second set of rollers is mounted on the erectable unit of the assembly for rotational movement about a single axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Ancra International Corporation
    Inventor: Edward Moradians
  • Patent number: 5664657
    Abstract: A gravity-convyor roller with two longitudinal spars (1) extending mutually parallel, in which a plurality of rollers (2) are held rotatably and which are connected to one another via connecting parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: P.E.E.M. Forderanlagen Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventor: Helmut Neukam
  • Patent number: 5657857
    Abstract: A pivotal idler frame assembly for conveyors is disclosed in one preferred embodiment of the present invention as including an idler frame assembly selectively disposed in a pivotal relationship to a stationary conveyor frame. The idler frame assembly consists of a hinge member rotatably engaging at least two fixation members of the idler frame assembly and at least two support flanges of the conveyor frame which are correspondingly disposed in alignment with the fixation members. By releasing the operable engagement of a stabilizer member, the idler frame assembly may be pivoted in relation to the conveyor frame to remove the rollers of the idler frame from communication with a moving member. In addition, the structural hinge member provides means for slideably removing the idler frame assembly from beneath the moving member and adjacent the conveyor frame to expose the rollers of the idler frame assembly for dismounting and mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Inventors: Marvin C. Neilson, Norman A. Whittaker
  • Patent number: 5657854
    Abstract: A roller conveyor composed of a main body, several rollers, a roller's fixed block and a transmission device and is shaped as a rectangle or a circular arc. The two sides of the main body are preferably composed of an aluminum extrusion frame. The roller is fixed on the aluminum extrusion frame at the two sides of the main body by coupling with a pair of roller's fixed blocks, one being connected to a concave trough positioned on each side of the main body. The inner part of the roller includes a bearing stand of cup shape, a central shaft, an end cover, and a bearing of industrial use. On the outer surface, there is a concave trough for connection with a PU belt and a transmission device to turn and power the rollers. Also, another embodiment of the invention employs a leaning cone roller-type conveyor to make the roller comply with the circular arc shape and enable the conveyor to make a turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Kuan-Chou Chen, Kuo-Ching Liu, Duen-Jyh Shyr
  • Patent number: 5645155
    Abstract: The invention is embodied in a conveyor roller noise-isolator and wear-prevention system for mounting a conveyor roller to a conveyor system support frame. An apparatus is provided in which a conveyor roller axle is mounted to a conveyor side frame by a resilient bushing which serves to isolate the noise generated at the roller, prevent the noise generated at the interface between the axle and the frame, and prevent wear on the axle and the frame. The bushing achieves these goals by eliminating metal-to-metal contact at the mount interface and by having interference fits with the axle and with the frame to prevent relative motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Automotion, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry Houghton
  • Patent number: 5531315
    Abstract: The present invention is characterized by an apparatus for carrying extra-thin printed boards, etc., wherein a plurality of rotation axles are oriented in a direction perpendicular to a carrier direction in which the printed boards are to be carried, a plurality of disks are fixed to each of the rotation axles at suitable intervals, each disk having opposed side faces having rims, the disks on adjacent axles in a carrier direction partially overlapping one another in the direction in which the printed boards are to be carried and being free from interference with each other. A plurality of supporting shafts are provided at the rims of right and left side faces of each disk, the supporting shafts on disks on axles which are adjacent to one another overlap one another by a fixed length but not interfering with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Gaisha Ishii Hyoki
    Inventor: Teruyuki Nakano
  • Patent number: 5476167
    Abstract: A roller track for a storage rack arranged for gravitational flow of load-bearing pallets having two walls disposed in parallel relation to each other and a plurality of freely rotatable rollers journalled between the walls, each on a spindle, in such manner that the rollers extend upwardly from a space between the walls. Each wall has a separate aperture associated with a respective one of the rollers. Each roller is journalled on a spindle. Each end of the spindle has a shoulder portion larger than the associated aperture. Also, each end of the spindle has a pintle portion extending outwardly through the associated aperture, beyond the outer surface of the wall having the associated aperture. The roller track further has structures for securing at least some of the pintle portions to each wall where the secured pintle portions extend outwardly beyond the planes defined by the outer surfaces of such wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Unarco Material Handling, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Highsmith
  • Patent number: 5474412
    Abstract: The present invention features a universal flow rack system that can be affixed to almost any supporting frame or pallet rack. The flow rack system of the invention features a flow track that is "snap-locked" into place upon the storage frame in an almost instantaneous fashion. This allows for quick assembly, adjustment and removal of the flow track at any time. The flow rack system is positionable about the storage frame or pallet rack in any orthogonal position (X and Y axes) about the horizontal plane of the frame, thus allowing for overhangs and unique positioning thereupon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Inventors: Harold Pfeiffer, Frank J. Neuwirth
  • Patent number: 5472179
    Abstract: An insert for use with a cooling bed plate transfer grid including a plurality of longitudinal side grid members and a plurality of transverse cross grid members extending between the side grid members and coacting therewith to define a plurality of grid pockets, each sized to removably receive an insert. The insert includes a housing sized to fit in the pocket and including front and rear end flange portions adapted to seat on successive cross members. The housing is fixedly secured to the successive cross members by J bolts which extend downwardly and beneath the respective cross members for clamping engagement with the respective cross members. The housing further defines a central slot in which a roller is mounted. The roller is mounted on the central journal portion of a pin and the pin further includes rectangular end portions slidably received in vertical slots defined by the housing at opposite sides of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Allor Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard J. Wendt, Darryl R. Wendt
  • Patent number: 5454460
    Abstract: A roller assembly having modular replaceable and interchangeable components for use in agricultural machines having endless conveyors with edges which pass over or under roller assemblies. The roller assembly has a long wearing resilient outer tire which is secured to a hub assembly. The hub assembly is comprised of two hub members having central bores forming a cavity within which resides bearings. The bearings are selectively sealed with a resilient washer element. A spacer on each respective end of the roller assembly is optionally added to accommodate mounting to a machine frame and for repair. An optional flange attaches on one side of the roller to help align the conveyor. The modular components may be packaged to provide a kit of parts usable for modular assembly, repair, or replacement purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Inventor: John L. Lane
  • Patent number: 5435427
    Abstract: A roller track for a storage rack arranged for gravitational flow of load-bearing pallets comprises two steel walls disposed in parallel relation to each other and a plurality of freely rotatable rollers journalled between the walls, each on a steel spindle supported by the walls, in such manner that the rollers extend upwardly from a space between the walls. The ends of at least some of said spindles are welded to the walls by welds disposed substantially between the spindle ends and the planes defined by the outer surfaces of the walls, preferably between the spindle ends and the walls. In embodiments wherein the welds are disposed substantially between the spindle ends and the walls, either the ends of the welded spindles are frusto-conical or the walls are dimpled inwardly at the ends of the welded spindles, so as to facilitate spot welding. In another embodiment, the welds comprise filler metal contained substantially within apertures in the walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Unarco Material Handling, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Guiher
  • Patent number: 5427218
    Abstract: In a movable plate (1) of an injection moulding machine, there are arranged a threaded hole (29) and a supporting hole (28) in series in the substantially horizontal direction. A supporting portion (22) of a support cylinder (12) is fitted into the supporting hole (28), and a roller member (14) is externally rotatably fitted to a bearing portion (23) of the support cylinder (12). An annular flange portion (25) is provided between the supporting portion (22) and the bearing portion (23). An outer diameter (D) of the flange portion (25) is so set as to be larger than an inner diameter (A) of the supporting hole (28) and to be smaller than an outer diameter (B) of the roller member (14). The bolt (16) is screwed into the threaded hole (29) so as to press the flange portion (25) onto the movable wall (1) through the support cylinder (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kosmek
    Inventor: Keitaro Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 5423418
    Abstract: A conveyor system of the type having rotatable members supported by a pair of side frame members having a rear wall and outwardly facing flanges forming a C-channel configuration and provided with a safety guard having a complimentary C-channel configuration mounted in frictional engagement to cover the exposed edges of the flanges and the channel of the side frame members. The safety guard includes an integral, molded resilient material having a rear wall and extending flanges which are normally disposed angled toward one another and slideably receive the flanges of the side member in a releasable friction fit relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Inventor: James F. Furrow
  • Patent number: 5421442
    Abstract: A roller for a conveyor comprises a roller shaft, a generally cylindrical roller tube rotatably mounted to the roller shaft, and an axially moveable shuttle disposed at one end of the roller shaft. The shuttle is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. A spring biases the shuttle to the extended position. The shuttle has a tapered-end portion which mates with a mounting hole in a frame member supporting the roller. The spring urges the tapered-end portion of the shuttle into engagement with the mounting hole in the frame so as to eliminate play between the shuttle and the mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Interroll Holding, A.G.
    Inventor: Charles Agnoff
  • Patent number: 5421698
    Abstract: In a device for compacting stacks of die-cuts and correcting their position on a conveyor-feeder with at least one belt, the single stacks are supported and elevated by a structure operating directly adjacent to the belt and affording a surface which ensures stable support to the stack while offering minimal resistance to the movements occasioned in positioning; the compacting action is produced by pairs of moving plates which flank the supporting and elevating station on all sides and impinge on the vertical faces of the stack in directions coinciding with the transverse and longitudinal axes of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: G.D S.p.A.
    Inventors: Armando Neri, Mario Turra
  • Patent number: 5421441
    Abstract: A conveyor roller assembly comprises a roller supported at opposite ends on first and second opposing end supports with first and second axle members. Each of the axle members comprises a stub axle having one end securely fixed to a mounting flange. Each mounting flange is attached to a respective one of the end supports with the stub axles protruding into an adjacent end of the roller for supporting the roller between the end supports. A bearing member is inserted in each end of the roller for engaging the axle members. Preferably, the mounting flange comprises a molded plastic element having a generally flat, elongated configuration with a pair of spaced apertures for passing of mounting screws therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Inventor: William R. Mason
  • Patent number: 5415272
    Abstract: A spring clip for damping vibration in a live roller conveyor between a pair of spaced apart roller shafts, each of which has a longitudinal axis, relative to a pair of spaced apart, parallel rails with aligned holes through which opposite ends of the roller shafts pass. The clip is a U-shaped fastener with a pair of opposing arms joined by a bight. The arms have notches for receipt of the roller shafts. When installed between the pair of roller shafts, the U-shaped fastener acts as a spring and exerts a force on the roller shafts tending to seat them so that two adjacent flats of each roller shaft are lodged against two flats of each rail hole thereby damping up-and-down and side-to-side vibration of the shafts in the holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventors: Raymond T. Boschert, Gary W. Vanzant
  • Patent number: 5390775
    Abstract: A modular roller mat for providing rolling movement of cargo units over the floor of a cargo deck. The roller mat comprises a plurality of interconnected roller tray assemblies. Each roller tray assembly comprises a tray and a plurality of modular roller assemblies including a housing and a roller unit. The tray includes a floor, a first side wall, a second side wall and a flange extending inwardly from each side wall. The housing includes a plate and a downwardly extending collar. The plate extends between the side walls of the tray and is removably attached to the flanges of the tray. The collar includes an annular sleeve through which the roller unit is inserted. The roller unit includes a rotatable retainer member. Once inserted, the roller unit retainer is rotated such that retaining lugs on the roller unit retainer engage the sleeve to retain the roller unit in the housing. The roller assemblies are easily removed and replaced in the tray and are interchangeable with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: AAR Corp.
    Inventors: William H. Herrick, Ronald J. Vermeulen, Robert S. Plue
  • Patent number: 5361884
    Abstract: In a lower portion of a movable plate (1) of an injection moulding machine, there are provided a plurality of conveying rollers (10) arranged with a predetermined interval in the horizontal direction. The roller (10) comprises a support block (11) facing the movable plate (1), a support cylinder (12) fitted into an upper portion of the block (11), a roller member (14) externally mounted to the support cylinder (12), a bolt (16) inserted into a bore (15) of the support cylinder (12) through an annular clearance (17) and a positioning pin (18) fitted into a lower portion of the block (11) and the movable plate (1). The bolt (16) is screwed into the threaded hole (29) of the movable plate (1), so that the bolt (16) presses the support cylinder (12) onto the movable plate (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kosmek
    Inventor: Keitaro Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 5350048
    Abstract: A gravity type roller conveyor for conveying articles has a plurality of rollers mounted on an elongated support member which is movingly positioned within a base. The base is made of at least two components from a plurality of interchangeable modular components which can be assembled in a variety of ways to produce a base which fits within given requirements. The cases are releasably secured to a frame to complete the conveyor. The frame has a plurality of mounting holes in order to easily allow the changing in width of the conveyor. The base incorporates one or more skid plates to stop the articles on the conveyor. An elongated hose is positioned between the base and the support member and, when inflated, causes the support members to raise rollers upwardly so that the rollers project above the skid plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Inventor: John F. Wylie
  • Patent number: 5337875
    Abstract: A roller type material rack comprises a base frame, two receiving mounts, and two rollers. The rollers are pivoted respectively to the receiving mounts for holding the material. The receiving mounts are pivoted symmetrically to the base frame such that the receiving mounts can be located at a predetermined position. The receiving mounts can be therefore adjusted to hold the materials having various shapes and sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Inventor: Adolfo Lee
  • Patent number: RE34924
    Abstract: A roller track for a storage rack arranged for gravitational flow of load-bearing pellets. Freely rotatable rollers are journalled, each on a spindle, between two parallel walls. Rollers of a first group are journalled on spindles bolted to the walls. Rollers of a second group are journalled on spindles held by but not bolted to the walls. Each of the latter spindles has, at each end, a shoulder portion larger than an aperture in one of the walls and a pintle portion fitted into the aperture. The pintle portion has a cylindrical wall and the aperture has a cylindrical margin. Along at least a substantial portion of the roller track, every third roller is a roller of the first group while every other roller is a roller of the second group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: UNR Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Highsmith