Patents Examined by Matthew Marotta
  • Patent number: 8746443
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for adjusting the flanges in a conveyor belt structure (B) which comprises means (F) for fixing together a flange (C), the conveyor belt structure and said device; top support means (1) for fixing the device to the structure (B) of the conveyor belt with the fixing means (F); bottom support means (2) to which the flange (C) is fixed by means of the fixing means (F) passing through the conveyor belt structure (B); an adjusting screw (3) which allows raising or lowering of the flange (C); an adjusting nut (4) integral with the top support means (1) for allowing the upward or downward movement of the adjusting screw (3); a bush-holder (5) integral with the bottom support means (2); a bush (6) mounted in the bush-holder (5), for allowing rotation of the adjusting screw (3) relative to the bottom support means (2); a washer (7) for preventing friction between the adjusting screw (3) and the bush-holder (5); a lock-nut (8) for fixing the position of the adjusting screw (3);
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Steel Chile S.A.
    Inventors: Pablo Araya Arancibia, Alex Harnaldo Castro Castro
  • Patent number: 8720671
    Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting material from an origin to a destination includes a conveyor surface that moves a plurality of pivotal flight members along a continuous, predetermined path. The pivotal flight members allow the conveyor surface to freely travel along rollers positioned both within and outside of the conveyor loop for various applications. For example, various obstructions along the predetermined path pivot the flight members in either of two directions to trap, transport and release the material at desired locations. The flight members may be scraped and compressed to remove residual fluids if the conveyor system is used to collect liquids, such as released oil or other contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Brian Slone
  • Patent number: 8714344
    Abstract: A hopper of a commodity conveyor apparatus for use with an agricultural implement has a bin configured to hold a volume of a granular commodity. The bin is movable between a first position at which the bin can be loaded with the granular commodity and a second position at which residual granular commodity can be recovered from the bin. The hopper further has a fill opening formed in the bin and adapted for loading the granular commodity into the bin when the bin is in the first position. A discharge opening is configured to be flow-coupled to the commodity conveyor apparatus and a container is removably attached to the bin for recovering the residual granular commodity from the bin when the bin is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Trevor Kowalchuk, Kevin Hall
  • Patent number: 8708137
    Abstract: The object is to provide an article transporting device in which dust generation can be prevented and in which it is hard for the operator at the operator's transfer location to be injured. The device comprises a reciprocating movable body configured to move in a forward and backward directions on a travel path extending between an operator's transfer location P and a non-operator's transfer location Q, a cover body 22 which partially covers an area above the reciprocating movable body which travels over an entire length of the travel path, an article support 20 connected to the reciprocating movable body by a connecting portion which extends upwardly from the reciprocating movable body and vertically through the slit 24 provided to the cover body, the article support being configured to move above the cover body along a direction of the travel path. The slit is formed such that the connecting portion remains out of contact with the cover body, when the reciprocating movable body moves along the travel path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Yoshioka, Shigeharu Tanii
  • Patent number: 8678172
    Abstract: A rotary device (10), especially a transfer star, for the transport of articles (15) from a first processing device (1) to a second processing device (5). The rotary device (10) includes a plurality of gripping devices (60) for gripping and holding of articles (15) that are preferably electronically controlled. The distance between the articles (15) in the first processing device (1), e.g. in a heating unit, is different from the distance between the articles (15) in the second processing device (5), e.g. a blow molding device. An electronic control device (30) is located on top of the rotary device (10). This control device (30) controls the distance between the articles (15) fed into the second processing device (5). A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Klaus Voth
  • Patent number: 8678181
    Abstract: A conveyor belt roller guard comprises opposite first and second longitudinal side panels, opposite transverse side panels, and a bottom panel. The first and second longitudinal side panels, the transverse side panels, and the bottom panel are arranged in a manner adapted to define a u-shaped trough that comprises a cavity that is open from above. The first longitudinal side panel has a lower portion that is hinged relative to the transverse side panels about a first pivot axis in a manner such that the first longitudinal side panel can be swung downward while the bottom panel and the transverse side panels remain stationary. The first pivot axis extends substantially horizontal and parallel to the first longitudinal side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: Majid J. Jabber, Justin M. Malohn, Christopher L. Schmelzer
  • Patent number: 8636134
    Abstract: A tread plate assembly for a passenger conveyer system includes a first tread plate projecting from a first skirt plate, a second tread plate projecting from a second skirt plate and arranged adjacent the first tread plate, a link pivotally connected to the first skirt plate and slidably and pivotally connected to the second skirt plate, and a bridge member connected to the link and arranged between the first skirt plate and the second skirt plate to form a moving skirt of the passenger conveyer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: Richard N. Fargo
  • Patent number: 8573384
    Abstract: An improved bulk material conveyor belt scraper comprises a skirt that shields mounting surfaces from the bulk material dust. By shielding the mounting surfaces from bulk material dust, such dust does not interfere with the replacement of the scraper blade. The belt scraper also comprises an improved securing mechanism for attaching belt scrapers to belt scraper mounts. The improved securing mechanism comprises pegs that have an elongate transverse cross-section that more evenly distributes bearing loads between the belt scrapers and their respective mounts. This eliminates local yielding that can cause belt scrapers to become loose over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: Robert Todd Swinderman, Joerg Gauss, Oleg Meister
  • Patent number: 8561787
    Abstract: A conveyor installation for conveying and accumulating hanging items comprises a drive chain which is mounted to a guide rail, and retaining members which are mounted on rollers below the drive chain. The retaining members—together with the items to be transported which are suspended therefrom—are conveyed by the drive chain in a direction of conveyance and, if required, stopped and accumulated by means of a stopping device, with the drive connection being released between the drive chain and the retaining members by displacing the drive chain upwards due to a particular design of coupling members arranged on the lower side of the drive chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Dürkopp Fördertechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Wend, Paul Janzen