Abstract: A conveyor system, is provided having a continuous looped conveyor belt having first and second conveyor belt portions, first and second opposite ends, and having first and second direction reversing members disposed at the first and second opposite ends. Each of the first and second conveyor belt portions also has an upper surface, and a lower surface. A series of regularly spaced followers are provided on the belt, and these followers are moved by a conveyor belt drive mechanism comprising at least one rotational drive member which is positioned in, and which rotates in, a plane which is parallel to the upper or lower surfaces of the first or second conveyor belt portions. The rotational drive member includes a series of teeth on the drive member. When rotated, the teeth releaseably engage with the followers on the belt to provide a low profile conveyor drive system.

Abstract: A conveyor system, is provided having a continuous looped conveyor belt having first and second conveyor belt portions, first and second opposite ends, and having first and second direction reversing members disposed at the first and second opposite ends. Each of the first and second conveyor belt portions also has an upper surface, and a lower surface. A series of regularly spaced followers are provided on the belt, and these followers are moved by a conveyor belt drive mechanism comprising at least one rotational drive member which is positioned in, and which rotates in, a plane which is parallel to the upper or lower surfaces of the first or second conveyor belt portions. The rotational drive member includes a series of teeth on the drive member. When rotated, the teeth releaseably engage with the followers on the belt to provide a low profile conveyor drive system.

Abstract: The invention described herein is transfer assembly for transferring articles from an input conveyor to an output position. The transfer assembly includes a support structure and a conveyor assembly mounted to the support structure. The conveyor assembly has a working conveyor surface with an input end and an output end. The output end is moveable in a substantially lateral direction between a first position and a second position. The first position is such that the working conveyor surface is substantially laterally positioned away from the output position while the second position is such that a portion of the working conveyor surface is positioned above the output position.

Abstract: A turntable for production line applications is provided which is suitable for large surface area applications, such as, for example, in the production of automobiles. The turntable has an annular platform surface around a central vertical structure which houses a vertically orientated drive motor. The platform is preferably supported at its outer edge by a series of rollers or casters, and is supported at its inner edge by a ring bearing. By providing a vertically orientated motor in the central structure, more useable space on the turntable is provided. In addition, the turntable is more easily maintained, and is less prone to accidental damage. As such, a turntable of improved overall efficiency is provided.

Abstract: The invention described herein is transfer assembly for transferring articles from an input conveyor to an output position. The transfer assembly includes a support structure and a conveyor assembly mounted to the support structure. The conveyor assembly has a working conveyor surface with an input end and an output end. The output end is moveable in a substantially lateral direction between a first position and a second position. The first position is such that the working conveyor surface is substantially laterally positioned away from the output position while the second position is such that a portion of the working conveyor surface is positioned above the output position.

Abstract: A turntable for production line applications is provided which is suitable for large surface area applications, such as, for example, in the production of automobiles. The turntable has an annular platform surface around a central vertical structure which houses a vertically orientated drive motor. The platform is preferably supported at its outer edge by a series of rollers or casters, and is supported at its inner edge by a ring bearing. By providing a vertically orientated motor in the central structure, more useable space on the turntable is provided. In addition, the turntable is more easily maintained, and is less prone to accidental damage. As such, a turntable of improved overall efficiency is provided.

Abstract: A curved conveyor section comprises a generally flat substantially horizontally disposed curved belt-supporting bed having first and second opposite ends and first and second direction reversing members disposed at the first and second opposite ends, respectively. A continuous loop curved conveyor belt has arcuate inner and outer edges with a common substantially vertical centre axis and is mounted on the belt-supporting bed in looped relation around the direction reversing members so as to have an article carrying portion disposed above the belt-supporting bed and a return portion disposed below the belt-supporting bed, thus defining a looped path for the conveyor belt and presenting a substantially horizontal article carrying top surface. A motor driven continuous loop drive chain or belt is oriented in a substantially horizontal plane and has a plurality of driving members disposed along its looped length.

Abstract: A curved conveyor section comprises a flat, horizontally disposed curved belt-supporting bed. Direction reversing members are disposed at each end of the conveyor section. A continuous loop curved conveyor belt has arcuate inner and outer edges with a common substantially vertical center axis, and is mounted on the belt-supporting bed. An article carrying portion of the conveyor section is disposed above the belt-supporting bed, and a return portion is disposed below the belt-supporting bed. A motor driven continuous loop drive chain or belt is oriented in a substantially horizontal plane and has a plurality of driving members disposed along its looped length. A plurality of driven receptors are securely mounted on the curved conveyor belt along its looped path. The driving members drivably engage a consecutive subset of the plurality of co-operating receptors. The driven receptors are a plurality of teeth, each of which is mounted to the curved conveyor belt by means of an elastomeric member.

Abstract: A robotic gripping device comprises a fixed frame, and a hold down plate vertically moveable in relation to the fixed frame between a raised release position and a lowered hold down position. A moveable support platform retained by the fixed frame is moveable between an extended position where the support platform is opposed to the hold down plate to permit the retention of packages therebetween, and a retracted position where the support platform is no longer opposed to the hold down plate. The support platform further comprises pairs of generally parallel side members, with roller members disposed between each pair of side members, and a belt member looped around the roller members. A package receiving portion of the belt member faces the hold down plate when the support platform is in its extended position.