With Specified Bearing Patents (Class 198/750.4)
-
Patent number: 9278812Abstract: A wear strip assembly for a slat in a reciprocating conveyor system. The wear strip assembly includes a wear block underneath the end of the slat and wear strip member that covers the end of the slat. The slat is sandwiched between these two members, thus providing the end of the slat with protection as it reciprocates back and forth on the exit or off-load end of the conveyor system.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Keith Manufacturing Co.Inventors: Michael Feigner, Troy Short
-
Publication number: 20140183004Abstract: A wear strip assembly for a slat in a reciprocating conveyor system. The wear strip assembly includes a wear block underneath the end of the slat and wear strip member that covers the end of the slat. The slat is sandwiched between these two members, thus providing the end of the slat with protection as it reciprocates back and forth on the exit or off-load end of the conveyor system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: KEITH MANUFACTURING CO.Inventors: Michael Feigner, Troy Short
-
Patent number: 8616365Abstract: A reciprocating slat conveyor includes a plurality of laterally and substantially parallel longitudinal trough-like subdecks and a plurality of longitudinal slats adjacent to and parallel to each other. The slats are in a sliding relationship with a pair of adjacent subdecks and cover the longitudinal space between the pair of adjacent subdecks. The subdecks longitudinally support two adjacent slats at or near a slat longitudinal side edge. The subdecks conduct the movement of the slats, preferably without distinct bearing elements therebetween. Some preferred embodiments include raised double-seal system.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Hallco Industries Inc.Inventors: Timothy M. Berthelsen, Brady L. Byers, Gregory P. Danis
-
Patent number: 8342319Abstract: An improved front-drive reciprocating slat conveyor has a plurality of sets of longitudinally extending slats spaced across the width of a receptacle floor. A cross beam is secured to each set of slats. The cross beams are secured to rod extensions that are connected to the piston rods of a hydraulic drive system by non-alignment critical connectors. The cross beams have connecting elements that engage receiving elements on the slats. The connecting elements and receiving elements are held together by pins or similar connectors. A frame extends across the width of the receptacle. Bearing guides guide and align the rod extensions when the cylinder rods are extended or retracted.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Inventor: David W. Lutz
-
Publication number: 20120138430Abstract: Movable conveyor slats (12) have side parts (42, 44) which rest on top parts (32) of bearings (30). The bearings (30) have a generally U-shaped cross section and they fit on wings (16, 18) which extend outwardly and slope upwardly from the sides of a fixed conveyor slat (10). The movable slats (12) have web (48, 50) and lower flange portions (52, 54) which with the side parts (42, 44) form laterally outwardly opening channels. The wings (16, 18) and the bearings (30) are received within the channels (56, 58).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: KEITH MANUFACTURING CO.Inventors: James P. Drago, John Thomas
-
Patent number: 8083052Abstract: Movable conveyor slats (12) have side parts (42, 44) which rest on top parts (32) of bearings (30). The bearings (30) have a generally U-shaped cross section and they fit on wings (16, 18) which extend outwardly and slope upwardly from the sides of a fixed conveyor slat (10). The movable slats (12) have web (48, 50) and lower flange portions (52, 54) which with the side parts (42, 44) form laterally outwardly opening channels. The wings (16, 18) and the bearings (30) are received within the channels (56, 58).Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2008Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Keith Mfg. Co.Inventors: James Prentice Drago, John Thomas
-
Patent number: 8006828Abstract: Movable conveyor slats (10, 10?) have side parts (14, 14?, 16, 16?) which rest on top parts (94) of bearings (92). The bearings (92) have a generally U-shaped cross section and they fit on wings (72, 74) which extend outwardly and upwardly from the sides of a fixed conveyor slat (12). The movable slats (10, 10?) have a web (22, 24) and lower flange portions (26, 28) which with the side parts (14, 16) form laterally outwardly opening channels. The wings (72, 74) and the bearings (92) are received within the channel spaces.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Keith Manufacturing Co.Inventors: Kenneth A. Stout, Robert Moore, James P. Drago, Michael Kloepfer
-
Publication number: 20110147167Abstract: A reciprocating slat conveyor includes a plurality of slats arranged in a plurality of slat sets, with each slat having a receiving element. A cross-beam assembly is connected to the slats, wherein the cross-beam assembly includes a plurality of linear members. One cross-beam is connected to at least one linear member. Each cross-beam includes a plurality of connecting elements configured to engage the receiving elements on the slats. A plurality of bearing guides are configured to guide the linear members. An under-mount drive assembly of the conveyor comprises a plurality of cylinders, with each piston rod connected to a linear member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventor: David W. Lutz
-
Patent number: 7926646Abstract: A reciprocating slat conveyor includes a plurality of laterally and substantially parallel longitudinal trough-like subdecks and a plurality of longitudinal slats adjacent to and parallel to each other. The slats are in a sliding relationship with a pair of adjacent subdecks and cover the longitudinal space between the pair of adjacent subdecks. The subdecks longitudinally support two adjacent slats at or near a slat longitudinal side edge. The subdecks conduct the movement of the slats, preferably without distinct bearing elements therebetween. Some preferred embodiments include raised double-seal system.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2008Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Hallco Industries, Inc.Inventors: Timothy M. Berthelsen, Brady L. Byers, Gregory P. Danis
-
Publication number: 20100307891Abstract: An improved front-drive reciprocating slat conveyor has a plurality of sets of longitudinally extending slats spaced across the width of a receptacle floor. A cross beam is secured to each set of slats. The cross beams are secured to rod extensions that are connected to the piston rods of a hydraulic drive system by non-alignment critical connectors. The cross beams have connecting elements that engage receiving elements on the slats. The connecting elements and receiving elements are held together by pins or similar connectors. A frame extends across the width of the receptacle. Bearing guides guide and align the rod extensions when the cylinder rods are extended or retracted.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Inventor: David W. Lutz
-
Publication number: 20100025196Abstract: Movable conveyor slats (12) have side parts (42, 44) which rest on top parts (32) of bearings (30). The bearings (30) have a generally U-shaped cross section and they fit on wings (16, 18) which extend outwardly and slope upwardly from the sides of a fixed conveyor slat (10). The movable slats (12) have web (48, 50) and lower flange portions (52, 54) which with the side parts (42, 44) form laterally outwardly opening channels. The wings (16, 18) and the bearings (30) are received within the channels (56, 58).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2008Publication date: February 4, 2010Inventors: James Prentice Drago, John Thomas
-
Publication number: 20100025194Abstract: Movable conveyor slats (10, 10?) have side parts (14, 14?, 16, 16?) which rest on top parts (94) of bearings (92). The bearings (92) have a generally U-shaped cross section and they fit on wings (72, 74) which extend outwardly and upwardly from the sides of a fixed conveyor slat (12). The movable slats (10, 10?) have a web (22, 24) and lower flange portions (26, 28) which with the side parts (14, 16) form laterally outwardly opening channels. The wings (72, 74) and the bearings (92) are received within the channel spaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2008Publication date: February 4, 2010Inventors: Kenneth A. Stout, Robert Moore, James P. Drago, Michael Kloepfer
-
Patent number: 7546915Abstract: A linear actuator is provided comprising a housing, a rectangular elongate shaft operably coupled to the housing, and a scraper assembly. The shaft has a hardened bearing surface in sliding engagement with a hardened bearing surface of the housing, thus providing a hard-on-hard bearing between the shaft and housing, wherein the shaft is prevented from rotating with respect to the housing. The scraper assembly comprises first and second resilient members positioned within a recess of the housing, wherein one or more scraper blades are disposed between the first and second resilient members. A retaining member coupled to the housing generally compresses the first and second resilient members within the recess, therein biasing a scraping edge of the one or more scraper blades against the shaft bearing surface, wherein the retaining member, one or more scraper blades, and the first resilient member are operable to clear debris from elongate shaft.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2006Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: Zaytran, Inc.Inventors: Theodore S. Zajac, Jr., Brian K. Thompson
-
Publication number: 20090107807Abstract: A reciprocating floor includes at least one drive beam operable to move in a reciprocating fashion with a plurality of floor slats (14) mounted to the drive beam. At least some of the floor slats (14) have longitudinally extending downwardly depending mounting members (208). Elongate bearing members (236) slidably support associated floor slats (14), at least some of the bearing members (236) defining a longitudinally extending locking slot or keyway (504) within which the mounting member (208) of its associated floor slat (14) is slidably received. The mounting member (208) and the locking slot or keyway (504) cooperate to inhibit upwards movement of the floor slat (14) away from its associated bearing member (236).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2006Publication date: April 30, 2009Inventor: Rene Wegkamp
-
Patent number: 7510072Abstract: The conveyor floor slat is an extruded translucent UHMW polyethylene member with a top plate and two side walls. The top plate has an upwardly facing cargo support surface and a downwardly facing bearing surface between the two side walls. A support and hold down flange with a downwardly facing horizontal support surface and an upwardly facing horizontal hold down surface is integral with the bottom edge of each side wall. The UHMW polyethylene can be formed by extrusion, reduces slat weight and requires less force to reciprocate back and forth to discharge cargo than expected. A rubber like seal can be mounted in a seal holder on the outboard side of one sidewall. A seal contact flange is integral with the outboard side of the other side wall.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2007Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Inventor: Arthur L. Wilkens
-
Patent number: 7461738Abstract: A reciprocating slat conveyor includes a plurality of side-by-side support beams (12) and conveyor slats (14) which fit onto the support beam (12). The support beams (12) are constructed from metal. The conveyor slats (14) are constructed from plastic. In one embodiment (FIGS. 1-4) the plastic slats (12) are snapped fit onto the support beams (12). In some other embodiments (FIGS. 6 and 7) the conveyor slats (110, 112) are slid lengthwise onto the support beams (102).Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2007Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Keith Manufacturing Co.Inventors: Scott Michael Delamarter, Daniel W. Jackson, James Prentice Drago
-
Patent number: 7374034Abstract: Fixed conveyor slats (12) in the nature of beams extend over a window in a support framework (70, 72, 74, 76, 86, 88) for the movable and fixed slats (10, 12) of the reciprocating slat conveyor. The fixed slats (12) support the movable slats (10), including in the region of the window. The fixed and movable slats (12, 10) are box beams, providing them with strength and stiffness in the region of the window. The fixed slats (12) are covered by planks of bearing material (46). Side portions (14, 16) of the movable slats (10) set down on side portions (50, 48) of the planks of bearing material (46). The planks of bearing material (46) are connected at one end only to the fixed slats (12). The bearing material (46) is capable of withstanding the heat of hot asphalt concrete and protects the fixed slats (12) from contact with the asphalt concrete.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2006Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Keith Investments, LLCInventor: Raymond Keith Foster
-
Patent number: 7316307Abstract: An elongated plastic slide bearing (10) comprises a top (30), sidewalls (32, 34) depending from the top (30), and connecting to walls (36, 44, 48 and 38, 46, 50) that form laterally inwardly extending recesses (40, 42). Lock ribs (62, 64) extend upwardly and inwardly from the inner walls (44, 46) of the recesses (40, 42) to upper edges (66, 68). The upper edges (66, 68) are spaced below the bearing top (30). The bearing (10) is adapted to be set down onto a support beam (14) that includes laterally outwardly projecting lock flanges (22, 24) at its top. The lock ribs (62, 64) contact the lock flanges (22, 24). When the bearing (10) is pushed downwardly, the lock ribs (62, 64) bend outwardly and allow the lock ribs (62, 64) to move into a position below the lock flanges (22, 24). When that happens, the lock ribs (62, 64) assume substantially unstressed positions in which their upper edges (66, 68) are below the lock flanges (22, 24).Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2006Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Inventors: Raymond Keith Foster, Daniel W. Jackson, Brian Lance Salyer
-
Patent number: 7243780Abstract: A screw (114) is rotated to move a head (110, 110?) against a first squeeze bar (30) and through a threaded opening (114) in a second squeeze bar (32), for moving the squeeze bars (30, 32) relatively together. This movement rotates cam bars (100, 102, 104, 106) in position, causing them to move a lower spread bar (24) away from an upper spread bar (22). This pulls downwardly on a bolt (16) which is connected to the lower spread bar (24). As the bolt (16) moves downwardly, its head (18) pushes downwardly on an upper clamp member (52?), moving it towards a lower clamp member (54?). This firmly clamps bottom flanges (78, 80) on a conveyor slat (70) between the upper and lower clamps member (52?, 54?), firmly securing the slat (70) to a transverse drive beam (56?).Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2005Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Keith Investments, LLCInventors: Raymond Keith Foster, John Scott Cook
-
Patent number: 7243779Abstract: Fixed conveyor slats (12) in the nature of beams extend over a window in support framework (53, 100, 102, 116, 118) for the movable and fixed slats (10, 12) in a reciprocating slat conveyor. The fixed slats (12) support the movable slats (20), including in the region of the window. The movable slats (10) are in the nature of box beams, providing them with strength and stiffness in the region of the window. At the rear end of the conveyor, the movable slats (10) move onto support brackets (120) which prevent the rear end portions of the slats (10) from being damaged when they are in a position overhanging a rear wall (84) and material is dropped from above down onto the rear end portions of the slats (10).Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2005Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Inventor: Raymond Keith Foster
-
Patent number: 7163100Abstract: Slats and a supporting structure for a reciprocating floor located on a surface of a base are provided. The slats may be constructed of ultra high molecular weight materials. The slats may be configured to be retained on the surface of the base.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2005Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Dickinson, Paul W. Peterson, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7152729Abstract: Reciprocating floor conveyor include floor slats and slide bearings. The floor slats include a top section, first and second side walls that extend downward from the top section, a first bottom flange integral with the first side wall and a second bottom flange integral with a second side wall. A top section cantilever portion extends laterally outward from the second side wall. A seal flange is integral with the first side wall and includes a seal support surface and a seal flange wall that cooperate with the first side wall to form a seal retainer channel position below the cantilever portion of an adjacent floor slat. The slide bearings have a cross beam, and right and left walls. Wings extend laterally outward from the top of the walls and sit on guide beams.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2003Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Wilkens Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Wilkens, Michael A. Aldridge, Jr., Rodney D. Damrow
-
Patent number: 7104393Abstract: A bearing for a reciprocating floor conveyor. The reciprocating floor conveyor includes a plurality of sub-deck guide beams and a plurality of floor slats. The bearing includes a load carrying top having an upper surface to receive at least one floor slat thereon and an opposed lower surface mating with one of the guide beams. The upper surface of the top includes a plurality of clean-out grooves. A first leg and a second leg each extend from the top with the legs spaced from each other a distance slightly longer than the width of one of the guide beams. A hinge mechanism permits the legs to move between two positions, a use position with the distance between the legs slightly shorter than the width of one of the guide beams and an installation position where the legs are separated or wider than the guide beam while installing onto the guide beam.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2005Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Inventor: Arthur L. Wilkens
-
Patent number: 6942089Abstract: The load supporting and moving surface of the conveyor is made up of longitudinal members called slats. The slats are edge to edge with small gaps between the edges. The slats are supported on bearing parts and bearing strips which are supported on longitudinal beams which are evenly spaced and extending lengthwise of the cargo space of the conveyance in which the conveyor is installed. The longitudinal beams are supported by and fastened to the cross beams of the conveyance. The longitudinal beams, bearing strips, bearing parts and slats of the conveyor are all installable from directly above the cross beams. The slats are held in place vertically by interlocking with the bearing parts. There is a juncture formed at every contact between a longitudinal beam and a cross beam. Bearing parts are installed a 10% to 50% of the junctures. The conveyor also comprises means to reciprocate the slats a stroke length. The longitudinal length of each bearing part is between 0.5 and 0.95 of the stroke length.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2003Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Keith Investments, LLCInventor: Manfred W. Quaeck
-
Patent number: 6786324Abstract: Guide for slats of a reciprocally moving floor of a transport or loading surface, stationary or mobile, such as a loading floor of a trailer, the slats being supported on locations that are spaced apart in slat direction, on rectangular tubular longitudinal profiles that may or may not be continuous, guides being arranged between the longitudinal profiles and the slats, which guides substantially have an inverted U-shape with an upper body situated on top of the longitudinal profile and two legs on either side of the longitudinal profile extending downward from the upper body, at least one of which legs being provided with a flange at the lower end for engagement of the lower surface of the longitudinal profile, the guide being designed for keeping the longitudinal profile between the legs and between the flange and the upper body, the one portion of the portions of the legs situated opposite each other on either side being shortened into a short protrusion engaging over the upper corner of the longitudinal pType: GrantFiled: November 8, 2002Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: Cargo Floor B.V.Inventor: Frans Arian Heino De Raad
-
Patent number: 6782994Abstract: A plurality of laterally spaced apart, longitudinally extending, V-shaped upper conveyor slats (10) are provided. Each upper conveyor slat (10) has a crown and opposite side portions that slope laterally outwardly and downwardly from the crown. The side portions have lower surfaces. A plurality of laterally spaced apart, longitudinally extending, V-shaped lower conveyor slats (12) are provided. These lower conveyor slats (12) are positioned between the upper conveyor slats (10). Each lower conveyor slats includes a valley and side portions that slope laterally outwardly and upwardly from the valley. The side portions have upper and lower surfaces. The side portions of the upper conveyor slats (10) overhang the side portions of the lower conveyor slats (12). A plurality of slide bearings (14) are positioned vertically between the upper and lower conveyor slats (10, 12) where the side portions of the upper conveyor slats (10) overhang side portions of the lower conveyor slats (12).Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2003Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Keith Investments L.L.C.Inventor: Raymond Keith Foster
-
Patent number: 6585106Abstract: Bolt fasteners extend through a bottom wall (38) in longitudinal guide beams (14), to secure the guide beams (14) to transverse frame members (70, 72). The guide beams (14) include sidewalls (40, 42) which extend upwardly from the bottom wall (30) to laterally outwardly extending top flanges (44, 46). The bolts may be installed from above by use of a tool that is inserted into the space between the sidewalls (40, 42). After the guide beams (14) are secured to the frame members (70, 72), bearing/seal members (48) are friction-fitted onto the tops of the support beams (14). Conveyor slats are installed in the spaces between the support beams (14). The conveyor slats (10) include side portions (20, 22) which extend laterally outwardly into positions above the bearing/seal members (48). The side members (20, 22) include downwardly extending beads B which contact the upper surfaces (62) of the bearing/seal members (48).Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2002Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Inventor: Raymond Keith Foster
-
Patent number: 6575293Abstract: Conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80) are positioned vertically between side portions of upper and lower clamp members (52, 54). The upper clamp member (52) is within the conveyor slat (70) and its side portions are above the conveyor slat flanges (78, 80). The lower clamp member (54) is welded or otherwise secured to a transverse drive beam (56). Its side portions are below the conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80). Bolts (164) project upwardly through openings in the transverse drive beam (56) and the lower clamp member (54) and thread into threaded openings (160) in the upper clamp member (52). Or, bolts (170) extend downwardly from the upper clamp part (52) through openings in the lower clamp part (54) and openings in the drive beam (56), to nuts (170) that are below the drive beam (56). Tightening of the bolts (170) causes the conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80) to be clamped between the two clamp members (52, 54).Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Inventor: Raymond Keith Foster
-
Patent number: 6513648Abstract: The container of a mobile cargo trailer is provided with a reciprocating slat type conveyor floor in which the elongated slats are supported at their lateral edges on V-shaped bearings which are mounted on Y-shaped supports integral with sub-deck sections on the container bottom and joined together with watertight seals. Three cross beams are connected to different groups of the slats and are coupled to hydraulic cylinders located outwardly of the front end of the container and in horizontal alignment with the slats. The cylinders are coupled to a hydraulic fluid pressure source through an arrangement of control valves to effect movement of the group of slats simultaneously in a load moving direction and sequentially in the opposite, slat-retracting direction, with interengaging abutments on the cross drives arranged for moving one of the cross drives and its slats by hydraulic power applied only to the other two cross drive cylinders.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2000Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Inventors: Olof A. Hallstrom, Steven A. Hallstrom, Daniel C. Hallstrom
-
Publication number: 20020148705Abstract: A bearing system which is for suspending the swing frame of a conveyor grate in a swinging manner on a support structure. Two elastic spring rods are arranged next to each other in a common plane of swinging. The spring rods have a first end clamped in a fixed manner on clamping points of a first structural component. The second ends of the spring rods are clamped in a fixed manner to connection points on a rigid coupling system. The rigid coupling system is connected with the second structural component. The spring rods are inclined toward each other in the swinging plane. The coupling system is connected with the second structural component so that it can be tilted in the swinging plane via a flexible connection. Because of the inclination of the spring rods, when they are jointly deflected, one of the spring rods always describes a downward arc and the other an upward arc.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2002Publication date: October 17, 2002Inventor: Karl Von Wedel
-
Patent number: 6457578Abstract: A moving slat conveyor in which the slats are reciprocally mounted on cross beams and wherein the slats are provided with depressed areas above the respective beams so that the slats fall and rise during their reciprocal movement. All of the slats are moved in unison to carry the goods thereon to an advanced position and in sequence groups of slats are retuned to their home position. During the return the slats lower whereby their upper surface is below the plane of the remaining slats that are supporting the goods.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2001Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Inventors: Jean-Guy Y. Bouchard, Laurent J. Y. Trudel, Joseph A. P. Robitaille
-
Patent number: 6409009Abstract: Conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80) are positioned vertically between side portions of upper and lower clamp members (52, 54). The upper clamp member (52) is within the conveyor slat (70) and its side portions are above the conveyor slat flanges (78, 80). The lower clamp member (54) is welded or otherwise secured to a transverse drive beam (56). Its side portions are below the conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80). Bolts (164) project upwardly through openings in the transverse drive beam (56) and the lower clamp member (54) and thread into threaded openings (160) in the upper clamp member (52). Or, bolts (170) extend downwardly from the upper clamp part (52) through openings in the lower clamp part (54) and openings in the drive beam (56), to nuts (170) that are below the drive beam (56). Tightening of the bolts (170) causes the conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80) to be clamped between the two clamp members (52, 54).Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2000Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Inventor: Raymond Keith Foster
-
Publication number: 20020046927Abstract: Conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80) are positioned vertically between side portions of upper and lower clamp members (52, 54). The upper clamp member (52) is within the conveyor slat (70) and its side portions are above the conveyor slat flanges (78, 80). The lower clamp member (54) is welded or otherwise secured to a transverse drive beam (56). Its side portions are below the conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80). Bolts (164) project upwardly through openings in the transverse drive beam (56) and the lower clamp member (54) and thread into threaded openings (160) in the upper clamp member (52). Or, bolts (170) extend downwardly from the upper clamp part (52) through openings in the lower clamp part (54) and openings in the drive beam (56), to nuts (170) that are below the drive beam (56). Tightening of the bolts (170) causes the conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80) to be clamped between the two clamp members (52, 54).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2001Publication date: April 25, 2002Inventor: Raymond Keith Foster
-
Patent number: 6209712Abstract: A conveying apparatus (1) for use in a shelf channel of rack storage facilities. The conveying apparatus (1) comprises circulating conveying means (2) for conveying and storing goods. The conveying means (2) is an endless loop formed partially by a roller chain (3) and partially by a tape (4). The roller chain (3) includes a plurality of chain links. Adjacent chain links are interconnected by an axes of a roller. The plurality of interconnected chain links includes two end links (31, 32). The end links (31, 32) are interconnected by the tape (4). A rail (10) extends linearly and supports a portion of said endless loop. The rail (10) has a loading/unloading end where the goods are loaded onto said conveying means (2) and unloaded from said conveying means (2). The rail (10) includes a first and a second deflection member (5, 6). The first deflection member (5) is located in a region of the loading/unloading end and the second deflection member (6) is located in a region remote from the loading/unloading end.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1998Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Gilgen Fordersysteme AGInventor: Hans-Rudolf Haldimann
-
Patent number: 6206179Abstract: A chain conveyor comprises a roller chain (6) [should read “8”] and a supporting rail (5) for vertically supporting the roller chain (6) [should read “8”]. The roller chain (6) [should read “8”] consists of a plurality of supporting rollers (3) that are interconnected by means of chain links (1). The chain links are of U-shaped design inasmuch as they comprise two legs (11, 12) and a base portion (10) located there between. The mean length (L) of the base portion (10) corresponds at least approximately to the distance (A) of the axes of two adjacent supporting rollers (3). The front faces of adjacent base portions of adjacent chain links are correspondingly designed and act as stops, inasmuch as they limit the mutual rotating movement of adjacent chain links, exceeding a predetermined angle, in such a way that the roller chain can transmit thrust forces.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1998Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Gilgen Fordersysteme AGInventor: Hans-Rudolf Haldimann
-
Patent number: 6179109Abstract: A conveying apparatus (1) for shelf channels of shelf storage facilities comprises two parallely arranged, circulating conveying means (2) for receiving pallets (P). The conveying means (2) are partially designed as support roller chains (3) whose ends are interconnected by a rope (3). Two deflections (5, 6) are provided per conveying means (2) by means of which the particular conveying means is divided into an upper (7) and a lower run (8). In order to bring the two conveying means into a defined initial position after unloading the last pallet, several chain links (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) of the end region of the particular chain (3) near the unloading end are provided with a smooth surface. Moreover, an end stop member (15, 16) is provided for each conveying means (2) that limits the path of displacement of the chain (3) in the unloading direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Gilgen FordersystemeInventor: Hans-Rudolf Haldimann
-
Patent number: RE37121Abstract: In a walking floor reciprocating slat conveyor having a plurality of floor beams to support a load, and being longitudinally reciprocal to move the load longitudinally to an unloaded condition, and being supported by a transverse subfloor, having guides to control movement of the floor beams, and bearing/seal devices mounted to the subfloor and in bearing and sealing contact with the floor beams to prevent material that is part of the load supported by the floor beams from migrating below the floor beams.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1998Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Inventor: Richard T. Gist