Abstract: An endless roller chain conveyor of the over/under type supporting carriers or pallets which independently travel along the horizontal runs of the conveyor upon demand, while the roller chain is allowed to continuously run at a constant speed. The chains are commercially available multi-strand roller chain. The carriers or pallets may be stopped and held along the horizontal runs of the conveyor (both top and bottom) using mechanically driven stop assemblies located at required load, unload, holdback, or workstation positions assigned to the particular application. The carriers or pallets are driven on the roller chains by way of guide sprockets, alignment bars, and support rollers. The guide sprockets are attached to an adjustable clutch assembly of the type, which allows for adjustment of the rolling resistance to accommodate the particular load requirements of the specific application for a particular machine.

Abstract: A buffer/brake system is provided for carriers used in an automated assembly system. The rear ends of the carriers are each equipped with a flexible ring that is compressed when an upstream carrier strikes the flexible ring. Compression of the flexible ring causes it to expand and thereby engage the sidewalls of the track and the frictional engagement of the ring against the sidewalls of the track act as a brake for the struck carrier. The ring acts to absorb the shock resulting from the collision between the queued carrier and the oncoming carrier, thereby limiting the transfer of impact forces from pallet to pallet along the track. The ring is carried by a rotatable support which has a laterally extended ring abutment surface. The rotatable ring support is able to swivel, relative to the carrier to which it is attached, as the track makes turns in the assembly system.

Abstract: Machinery for automated manufacture of formed wire structures such as innerspring assemblies for mattresses and seating and flexible support structures includes one or more coil formation devices configurable to produce helical spring coils having a terminal convolution which extends beyond an end of the coil; a conveyor system having a plurality of flights slidably mounted upon a continuous track and connected to a chain and driven by an index driver, the flights being connected to a drive system which enables variable spacing between the flights so that the conveyor can be loaded with articles at one spacing interval and be unloaded at a different interval; a coil transfer machine which removes a row of coils from the conveyor and inserts the coils into an innerspring assembler; an innerspring assembler having first and second sets of coil-engaging dies in a parallel arrangement, each set of dies having an upper row positioned over a lower row, the dies being mounted upon carrier bars which are vertically t

Abstract: An upstream side first conveyor 5 and a downstream side second conveyor 6 are disposed in a mounting area A capable of mounting electronic components P by a transfer head 23. When mounting electronic components P on a large substrate 30A, the large substrate 30A is positioned on the first conveyor 5 and second conveyor 6 which are used as the mounting stage, and the electronic components P are mounted by the transfer head 23. When mounting electronic components on small substrates, the second conveyor 6 is used as the mounting stage, and the small substrate is positioned, and electronic components P are mounted by the transfer head 23, while the first conveyor 5 is used as a waiting stage, and next small substrate is waiting thereon, so that efficient mounting depending on the size of substrates may be realized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting articles to a delivery point sequence includes at least one sortation assembly adapted to sort articles and a buffer. The buffer is operable to arrange and convey containers of articles sorted in a first sort pass to an induct of the at least one sortation assembly for a second sort pass or process of the articles. The buffer automatically arranges the containers in an arranged manner prior to conveying the containers and articles to the induct of the at least one sortation assembly for the second sort process. The second sort process is then performed to sort the articles to a delivery point sequence or carrier walk sequence depth of sort. A conveyor assembly may be operable to convey containers to an appropriate one of multiple sortation assemblies and/or buffers to increase the sequencing matrix capability of the apparatus.

Abstract: A transporting installation (10, 110) comprises at least one conveyor belt (11, 111) on which are mounted at intervals carriages (12, 112) each equipped above with a horizontal roller (13, 113) for support of transport members (14) and side guide wheels (19, 119) running inside parallel opposing and facing C rails (20, 120). For support of roller and wheels the carriage has a U bracket (15, 115) fastened on the belt and with seats opening upward on the U arms for support of a support pin in a zone at the sides of the roller. The ends of the pin project on the two sides of the bracket (15, 115) to each support one of said guide wheels with there being between the wheels and the bracket spacers (22, 122) removable transversally to the pin to free a space for axial running of the guide wheels towards the center of the carriage. In this manner the wheels can be shifted in the direction of withdrawing them from the C guide rails upon removal of the spacers.

Abstract: A device for transporting printed products including a plurality of individual pocket grippers, each pocket gripper having a first connector on one side and a second connector on a second side, and having gripping elements for gripping a printed product. A plurality of transport units is also provided, with each transport unit being movable along a track and being releasably attached to the first connector of a respective one of the plurality of pocket grippers. Also disclosed is a method for transporting printed products including the steps of gripping a printed product in a gripper pocket, moving the gripper pocket along a track, and releasing the gripper pocket while the printed product remains gripped.

Abstract: The transport device serves to horizontally convey workpieces and has a plurality of plate elements, which are plug connected onto a vertically aligned tooth belt and are guided by it along an endless path. Each plate element is separately connected to the tooth belt and separately replaceable. The transport device ensures extremely precise positioning of the plate elements at the processing stations for the workpieces in a simple manner.

Abstract: An endless roller chain conveyor of the over/under type supporting carriers or pallets which independently travel along the horizontal runs of the conveyor upon demand, while the roller chain is allowed to continuously run at a constant speed. The chains are multi-strand roller chains. The carriers or pallets may be stopped and held along the horizontal runs of the conveyor (both top and bottom) using mechanically driven stop assemblies located at required load, unload, holdback, or workstation positions assigned to the particular application. The carriers or pallets are driven on the roller chains by way of guide sprockets, alignment bars, and support rollers. The guide sprockets are attached to an adjustable clutch assembly of the type which allows for adjustment of the rolling resistance to accommodate the particular load requirements of the specific application for a particular machine.

Abstract: A plane-template conveyor for a thermoforming plant for obtaining a plurality or moulding of thermoformed hollow objects including at least one thermoforming press having at least one male die or mould, at least one female die and at least one picking up and transferring group for sequentially picking up and transferring mouldings of thermoformed objects from a die to a template conveyor, the said conveyor comprising a support frame which delimits an endless path, a plurality of templates movably mounted on the said endless path and each having a number of receiving seats equal to that of the objects of one mould, a plurality of driving means spaced along the said endless path to cause a sequential and discontinuous movement of the said templates at a predetermined speed between one template and the other.

Abstract: A work conveying apparatus is comprised of a conveying rail for moving carriages with works and a returning rail for returning the carriages without works to the conveying rail. The returning rail is disposed along the conveying rail while being perpendicularly inclined from the conveying rail. Selector rails are disposed at both ends of the conveying rail, respectively. The selector rails are swingable between a horizontal position extending from the conveying rails and a vertical position extending from the returning rail. The selector rails are swung to transfer the carriages between the conveying rail and the returning rail.

Abstract: In order to prevent deformations, cracks and breakages of thin-walled ceramic honeycomb shaped bodies upon conveying them, a system for conveying such ceramic shaped bodies and cradles used for the system are provided.

Abstract: A workpiece carrier (10) for conveying one or more workpieces with a belt conveyor (12,18) is described, which reduces the production cycle time of an industrial manufacturing plant. The workpiece carrier (10) includes energy storage devices (24,32,38), into which energy of motion of the workpiece carrier (10) is transferred when the workpiece carrier is braked against or stopped on the belt conveyor (12,18). The energy storage devices each include a coupling element (28,36), advantageously a friction wheel 28 or contacting piece 36, urged into continuous contact with the conveyor belt, and a spring device, advantageously a spiral spring 30 or a coil spring 34, connected with the friction wheel and put under tension when the workpiece carrier (10) is braked. If the workpiece carrier is no longer braked or stopped, the spring device is released and delivers stored energy by driving the friction wheel or contacting piece, where by the workpiece carrier (10) is additionally accelerated.

Abstract: A pallet conveyor apparatus for moving pallets, which carry components of a dynamo-electric machine, along and between routes of a manufacturing line is provided. The pallet conveyor apparatus includes a plurality of pallets, at least one substantially horizontal rail structure, at least one loop-shaped conveyor belt, and a drive for causing the conveyor belt to move along an upper track of the rail structure. The conveyor apparatus may be driven with a drive cartridge that fits within the rail structure. A pallet for use with the apparatus has a platform and a seat portion. The platform has an upper surface that supports the component. The seat portion has a substantially inverted “U” shape. The seat portion of the rail structure has a central surface and two opposing surfaces. The dimensions of the seat portion and the rail structure are such that when the seat portion fits over the rail structure a pallet will be prevented from falling off the rail structure.

Abstract: In a pallet changer apparatus, a pallet changing arm is connected to a motor via a raising/lowering mechanism and an intermittent drive unit. During operation of the motor, the pallet changing arm is raised from a lowermost position to an uppermost position, and is held at the uppermost position, and then is lowered from the uppermost position to the lowermost position. The pallet changing arm is also connected to the motor via a turning mechanism and a second cam drive portion. During operation of the motor, the pallet changing arm is turned while being held at the uppermost position. The pallet changing arm is moved up and down and turned by using the single motor provided above a table. The table below the pallet changing arm is reduced in size so as to allow an operator to perform operations without being impeded by the table.

Abstract: A pallet conveyor apparatus for moving pallets, which carry components of a dynamo-electric machine, along and between routes of a manufacturing line is provided. The pallet conveyor apparatus includes a plurality of pallets, at least one substantially horizontal rail structure, at least one loop-shaped conveyor belt, and a drive for causing the conveyor belt to move along an upper track of the rail structure. The conveyor apparatus may be driven with a drive cartridge that fits within the rail structure. A pallet for use with the apparatus has a platform and a seat portion. The platform has an upper surface that supports the component. The seat portion has a substantially inverted “U” shape. The seat portion of the rail structure has a central surface and two opposing surfaces. The dimensions of the seat portion and the rail structure are such that when the seat portion fits over the rail structure a pallet will be prevented from falling off the rail structure.

Abstract: A hybrid carrying truck is disclosed which has merits of both of a skid carrier and a carrying truck such that it can successively and smoothly transfer between different carrying lines to carry a work whatever the carrying lines are and can secure a removing position from the carrying line to a refuge area freely and with safety. The hybrid carrying truck includes traveling wheels mounted at front and back positions on the left and right sides of a truck body for being rolled on a pair of rails to allow the truck body to travel along a carrying line, a pair of left and right skid members mounted on a bottom face of the truck body and elongated in a carrying direction of the hybrid carrying truck, and a truck hauling engaging member mounted at a central position of the bottom face of the truck body in a widthwise direction of the truck body.

Abstract: A device for transporting printed products including a plurality of individual pocket grippers, each pocket gripper having a first connector on one side and a second connector on a second side, and having gripping elements for gripping a printed product. A plurality of transport units is also provided, with each transport unit being movable along a track and being releasably attached to the first connector of a respective one of the plurality of pocket grippers. Also disclosed is a method for transporting printed products including the steps of gripping a printed product in a gripper pocket, moving the gripper pocket along a track, and releasing the gripper pocket while the printed product remains gripped.

Abstract: A display panel transporting apparatus and a display panel transporting unit improves efficiency of display panel manufacturing processes and a display panel production line. The display panel transporting unit includes a loaded cassette transporting unit for transporting loaded cassettes in which display panels are housed in a vertical direction, an empty cassette transporting unit for transporting empty cassettes, and a display panel transporting unit for removing display panels from a loaded cassette and loading the display panels in an empty cassette.

Abstract: An apparatus for retention and release of pallets used in a production line system comprising pallets, means for advancing pallets, latching means, rolling means, and a rail member, wherein the latching means are pivotally coupled to the advancing means to allow pivoting of the latching means about a horizontal axis, the rolling means are affixed to the latching means, and the rail member is adapted to exert an upward force on the rolling means during advancement of the pallet for causing pivotal rotation of the latching means for sequential release of each pallet when removal of the pallet is desired.

Abstract: A basket storage and retrieval apparatus and method has spaced parallel rows of storage racks with multiple horizontal tiers having aisles between the storage racks. Guides are connected to the aisle and a stacker retriever is connected to the guides. The stacker retriever has at least one vertical member. A carriage is mounted on the vertical member for moving up and down the vertical member and for aligning with storage rack tiers on opposite sides of the aisle. Carriers are mounted on the carriage for moving into horizontal tiers and for lowering baskets within the tiers for resting on the tiers and raising baskets from the tiers for moving the raised baskets toward the carriage. A robotic input lane extends through the storage racks. A robotic output lane extends through the storage racks. An input transfer conveyor is connected to the robotic input lane and an output transfer conveyor is connected to the robotic output lane.

Abstract: The computer manufacturing system includes an assembly unit wherein various assembly parts are assembled into a main chassis according to a process order to complete the assembly of a computer body, an aging and test unit for testing and checking the performance of the computer body transferred from the assembly unit, and a package unit for packaging the computer body transferred from the aging and test unit. The assembly unit, the aging and test unit, and the package unit are sequentially aligned in accordance with process sequences. The assembly unit and the package unit are aligned to the opposite facing each other while the aging and test unit is located between the assembly unit and the package unit.

Abstract: A director assembly for selectively directing a transport carrier from one conveyor path portion to another. The director assembly having a pair of spaced director rails positioned below and in between drive and support rails of the conveyor. The pair of spaced director rails can be selectively raised and rotated and then lowered to direct the carrier to the new path portion.

Abstract: A detented safety coupling assembly for use with an indexing apparatus for advancing a workpiece through a series of workstations is disclosed. The indexing apparatus may include a plurality of workstations arranged in spaced relationship, at least one pallet which supports the workpiece as it passes through the workstations and a drive assembly for moving the pallet through the workstations. The safety coupling assembly releasably couples the drive assembly and the pallet such that movement of the drive assembly causes corresponding movement of the pallet when the forces acting on the coupling assembly do not exceed a predetermined value. The coupling assembly ceases to couple the drive assembly and the pallet, without breakage, when the forces acting on the coupling assembly exceed a predetermined value.

Abstract: Each of the wheeled worktables 1, which is isolated from the others, travels self-dependently with drive of the motor M and the sensor (optical recognition device) 5 is provided on each wheeled worktable 1 while the optical recognition tape T as the recognition object for the sensor 5 is attached to the predetermined conveyance passage on the floor 11 for inducement of the wheeled worktables 1.

Abstract: A pallet for carrying dynamo-electric machine component workpieces of different dimensions is provided with first and second support members, at least one of which is movably mounted on the pallet so that the distance between the support members can be adjusted to accommodate a wide range of differently dimensioned workpieces. The pallet may include an aperture which allows a removal device to pass through and remove a workpiece from, or deposit a workpiece to the pallet. Each movable support member is releasably locked so that a user may unlock and adjust the support members to a desired position.

Abstract: Baggage handling conveyor system for conveying articles needed to be supported by trays as well as articles not needed such support, comprising a delivery platform for receiving articles, a storage device for storing trays and a conveyor for selectively and automatically moving a tray from the storage device to the delivery platform. The conveyor is movable between a position establishing a conveying connection between the storage device and the delivery platform, and a position disrupting the connection. Articles may be moved from the delivery platform to a predetermined destination. The system reduces the risk of, e.g., back injuries to the staff. The system is well suited for airport check-in counters.

Abstract: A conveyor (12) is provided that includes a power mechanism housing (18), a power mechanism (16), a linkage (27), and a connecting bar (10). The power mechanism housing is formed to include a power slot (26). The power mechanism is positioned to lie in the power mechanism housing. The linkage includes a first end coupled to the power mechanism and a second end spaced apart from the first end. One of the linkage and power mechanism is positioned to extend through the power slot. The connecting bar is coupled to the second end of the linkage and configured to support a product at a position wherein the power mechanism is positioned to lie between the power slot formed in the power mechanism housing and the product.

Abstract: A conveyor (12) is provided that includes a power mechanism housing (18), a power mechanism (16), a linkage (27), and a connecting bar (10). The power mechanism housing is formed to include a power slot (26). The power mechanism is positioned to lie in the power mechanism housing. The linkage includes a first end coupled to the power mechanism and a second end spaced apart from the first end. One of the linkage and power mechanism is positioned to extend through the power slot. The connecting bar is coupled to the second end of the linkage and configured to support a product at a position wherein the power mechanism is positioned to lie between the power slot formed in the power mechanism housing and the product.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a continuous flow transfer system designed to transfer the contents of a mail tray into a cartridge for subsequent processing and then, after processing, to transfer the contents of the cartridge back into a mail tray without disrupting the facing or orientation of each piece of mail. The continuous flow transfer system comprises both a cartridge loader and a cartridge unloader, both of which have a tray section, a transfer conveyor and a cartridge section. The tray section, or infeed section, of the cartridge loader is designed to deliver filled mail trays to the transfer section of the loader. At the transfer section, the contents of each mail tray are deposited into an intermediate container that is affixed to the transfer section. The transfer section then delivers the contents of the intermediate container into empty cartridges being fed onto the cartridge section, or discharge section, of the loader.

Abstract: A pallet accelerator transfers workpiece pallets at high speeds from a pre-stop to a work stop in a conveyorized manufacturing line. While a workpiece is being processed in the work stop position, a pallet is released from a release stop into the pallet accelerator at the pre-stop position. The pallet accelerator has two fingers which engage the pallet. The pallet accelerator is pneumatically actuated to accelerate the pre-stop pallet forward while simultaneously pushing the work stop pallet downstream out of the work stop. The pallet accelerator resets for the next pallet released from the release stop while the pallet at the work stop is processed.

Abstract: A conveyer system for receiving, orienting and conveying pouches is disclosed. The conveyor system includes a plurality of pucks, each puck having a lower extent with a recess extending upwardly from the lower surface thereof and having an upstanding cylindrical wall. An indexing conveyer includes a belt in a closed loop configuration supported by an idler roller at one end and with a drive roller at the other end with a motor to drive the rollers and belt in a step and repeat operation. The exterior surface of the belt is formed with a plurality of plates with a cleat on each plate to receive the recesses of a plurality of pucks thereacross. An infeed conveyer has a spine alignable with the cleat at the input end of the indexing conveyor adapted to receive and orient pucks from the infeed conveyer to the indexing conveyer. The infeed conveyer has an input end and an output end, the output end being located adjacent to the input end of the indexing conveyer.

Abstract: An automatic pallet changer system in an automatic machining center has a first track for receiving a first pallet having a first workpiece thereon, and a second track for receiving a second pallet having a second workpiece thereon. The first and second tracks are side-by-side and extend from a region outside the enclosure to a region inside the enclosure adjacent the receiver. A linear drive unit is arranged between the first and second tracks and has a carriage which moves along a longitudinally extending carriage guide. The carriage has a member for engaging with the first or second pallet depending upon whether the linear drive unit is rocked to the left or to the right. A motor is connected to the linear drive unit for causing a movement of the carriage along the carriage guide. A rocker unit is connected to the linear drive unit for rocking the linear carriage unit to the left or to the right.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a drive carrier and a driven carrier movably supported by guide rails via guide rollers rotatably mounted thereon. The drive carrier is connected in driven relation to a conveyor chain. A load-support member composed of a flatbed truck has front and rear engagement plugs removably received in a socket of the driven carrier and a socket of the drive carrier, respectively. The flatbed truck is conveyed in the same direction as the movable carrier while the overall weight of the flatbed truck is supported by the drive and driven carriers. At a curved portion of the conveyance path, the driven carrier is caused to move relative to the drive carrier to cancel out a difference between the length of a part of the curved conveyance path portion between the engagement plugs and the distance of a straight-line between the engagement plugs.

Abstract: An apparatus for temporarily storing or buffering and/or setting the pitch of products, comprised of a conveyor belt, a product carrier for transporting by the conveyor belt and for carrying a plurality of products, a feed conveyor for feeding products into the product carrier at a first predetermined location of the conveyor belt, and a discharge element such as a robot, top loader or pushing member for discharging the products from the product carrier at a second predetermined location a distance from the first predetermined location.

Abstract: A system monitored operations test area utilizes a central feed spur to deliver assembled products to parallel rows of test stations on each of its sides. A pivotal, sliding lift gate is mounted to each side of the central spur and is movable between vertical and horizontal positions. The gate can be moved along the length of the spur as needed. When the lift gate is in place, the operator can slide a unit into a desired test slot across the horizontally disposed gate which spans the distance between the spur and the selected test station.

Abstract: Trays for temporary reception of accumulations of parallel cigarettes are being introduced into and withdrawn from open-sided containers for groups of trays. The containers are provided with partitions defining tray-receiving compartments in a predetermined distribution, and the trays are assembled into groups wherein the trays are arrayed in such a way that they can be pushed, as a unit, into an empty container whereby each tray of the array enters a discrete compartment. Analogously, a set of mobile suction-operated devices is used to simultaneously withdraw an entire group of arrayed trays from the compartments of a filled container. The introduction of groups of filled or empty trays into containers can take place at a first level, and the evacuation of groups of filled or empty trays from filled containers can take place at a different second level. The second level can receive filled trays from a tray filling unit and the first level can serve for delivery of empty trays to the tray filling unit.