Patents by Inventor Fukukazu Kato

Fukukazu Kato has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7971706
    Abstract: A conveyor having conveyor chain 100 adapted to be engaged and driven by drums 180 and 190 having spiral flights. The conveyor chain has a number of interconnected conveying modules 120, 140, 150 and 160. Selected modules 120 are aligned in the direction of travel parallel to the axis of rotation of the drums. Each of the aligned modules has a traveling guide socket 122 on the back surface, which engages with flight portions 180a and 190a of the spiral drums, so that the chain is advanced by the rotation of the drums. The modules are rectangular and are interconnected in columns and rows, preferably in a brick pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Hajime Ozaki, Katsutoshi Shibayama, Satoshi Hotchi, Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Fukukazu Kato
  • Publication number: 20090266683
    Abstract: A conveyor having conveyor chain 100 adapted to be engaged and driven by drums 180 and 190 having spiral flights. The conveyor chain has a number of interconnected conveying modules 120, 140,150 and 160. Selected modules 120 are aligned in the direction of travel parallel to the axis of rotation of the drums. Each of the aligned modules has a traveling guide socket 122 on the back surface, which engages with flight portions 180a and 190a of the spiral drums, so that the chain is advanced by the rotation of the drums. The modules are rectangular and are interconnected in columns and rows, preferably in a brick pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Hajime Ozaki, Katsutoshi Shibayama, Satoshi Hotchi, Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Fukukazu Kato
  • Patent number: 6854397
    Abstract: A metallic frame member provided for use in a traveling frame assembly, guide rail or receiving rail in a conveyor system. A rear section extends longitudinally of the frame member. A pair of inclined sections are bent in directions in which they extend towards each other from lateral ends of the rear section. A pair of front sections are bent in directions in which they extend from lateral ends of the pair of inclined sections generally in parallel to the rear section. A pair of side sections are bent from lateral ends of the front sections towards the rear section. The rear section and pair of inclined sections define a longitudinal concavity having a generally C-like vertical cross-sectional profile. Each of the side sections are folded back at the free end inside or outside thereof to form a folded portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Yamakyu Chain Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atusi Terajima, Motoya Koeda, Seiichi Fukazawa, Kazuyuki Kobayashi, Fukukazu Kato
  • Patent number: 6708818
    Abstract: The crossover conveyor chain system includes a first conveyor chain (S1) and a second conveyor chain (S2) crossing the first conveyor chain (S1) to transfer the product from the first conveyor chain (S1) to the second conveyor chain (S2) while reorienting the product to a direction nearly perpendicular to that on the first conveyor chain (S1). The first conveyor chain (S1) is supported on an end bar (10) or a small-diameter sprocket, and the second conveyor chain (S2) is formed a plurality of chain unit pairs each including at least two types of chain units (A) different in length from each other and a coupling pin (B). Each of the chain units (A) has front convex portions (1) and front concave portions (3), disposed alternately at the front thereof, rear convex portions (2) and rear concave portions (4), disposed alternately at the back thereof, and a transfer overhanging portion (7) formed integrally at one lateral thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Yamakyu Chain Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fukukazu Kato, Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Keiji Ohara
  • Publication number: 20030168321
    Abstract: The crossover conveyor chain system includes a first conveyor chain (S1) and a second conveyor chain (S2) crossing the first conveyor chain (S1) to transfer the product from the first conveyor chain (S1) to the second conveyor chain (S2) while reorienting the product to a direction nearly perpendicular to that on the first conveyor chain (S1). The first conveyor chain (S1) is supported on an end bar (10) or a small-diameter sprocket, and the second conveyor chain (S2) is formed a plurality of chain unit pairs each including at least two types of chain units (A) different in length from each other and a coupling pin (B). Each of the chain units (A) has front convex portions (1) and front concave portions (3), disposed alternately at the front thereof, rear convex portions (2) and rear concave portions (4), disposed alternately at the back thereof, and a transfer overhanging portion (7) formed integrally at one lateral thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Fukukazu Kato, Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Keiji Ohara
  • Publication number: 20030029351
    Abstract: There is provided a metallic frame member usable in a traveling frame assembly, guide rail or receiving rail used in a conveyor system. It includes a rear section extending longitudinally of the frame member (3a), a pair of inclined sections (3b) bent in directions in which they extend towards each other from lateral ends of the rear section (3a), a pair of front sections (3c) bent in directions in which they extend from lateral ends of the pair of inclined sections (3b) generally in parallel to the rear section and a pair of side sections (3d) bent from lateral ends of the front sections (3c) towards the rear section (3a), the rear section (3a) and pair of inclined sections (3b) defining together a longitudinal concavity having a generally C-like vertical cross-sectional profile, and each of the side sections (3d) being folded back at the free end inside or outside thereof to form a folded portion (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Atusi Terajima, Motoya Koeda, Seiichi Fukazawa, Kazuyuki Kobayashi, Fukukazu Kato
  • Patent number: 6196381
    Abstract: A chain unit has a central rib extending transversely and protruding portions extending from the rib to the front and rear side alternatively. The protruding portion is defined by two vertical side walls extending from the rib with the same height and a closed end portion combining the end portions of side walls. The closed end portion has an opening so as to enable the chain units to be placed in a row and column by being coupled with a connecting rod. At least two connected end portions are cylindrical shaped so as to surround the opening, and the cylindrical surface of the two closed end portions engages with a tooth of the sprocket which enters between the side walls. At least two corresponding recesses are formed in the lower surface of the rib for providing enough space to accept the tooth of the sprocket. The bottom of the chain unit has a circular arc surface extending from the rib towards the front and rear sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Yamakyu Chain Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fukukazu Kato, Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Keiji Ohara
  • Patent number: 6050397
    Abstract: A conveyor chain unit possessing a central straight rib extending longitudinally from one end of the unit to the other end. The rib has a vertical height extending from the conveying surface to the bottom surface of the unit. A plurality of pairs of vertical side walls extend from the rib perpendicular to through-holes to form projections. The projections are positioned alternately on opposite sides of the rib having equal interval spacing. The number of the projections on one side is even and identical to the projections on the opposite side. At least one pair of projections positioned on opposite sides of the rib have recesses that are formed at the rib, and the projections are connected along the full height of the rib and spaced in a manner that chain units may be coupled together interchangeably via projections on either side of the rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Yamakyu Chain Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fukukazu Kato, Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Keiji Ohara