Patents by Inventor Robert C. Beesley
Robert C. Beesley 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).
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Patent number: 9856087Abstract: A surface platform for a conveyor belt includes a platform member having an upper surface and a rail member at one side of the upper surface. The upper surface has a first portion adjacent the rail member, a second portion adjacent the first portion, and a third portion adjacent the second portion. The second portion extends upward at a distance and in a direction such that when an article is placed on the platform member in contact with the rail the article extends to, and no further than, the second portion. The first portion may be horizontal or curved.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Robert C. Beesley
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Patent number: 9821961Abstract: A device and method of adjusting a spacing of holders located on first and second endless loop includes releasing a clutch to allow the endless loops to be adjusted and operating an adjustment assembly to simultaneously move the first endless loop a distance in a first direction and the second endless loop an equal distance in a second direction opposite the first direction. After the adjustment the timing and pitch of the center of articles gripped by the holders is unchanged relative to the system in which the device is located.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Robert C. Beesley, Chad Jones
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Publication number: 20170247197Abstract: Devices and methods for buffering articles may include use of an infeed conveyor, an outfeed conveyor, and at least two accumulation conveyors defining a path extending between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor. Each accumulation conveyor includes an entrance portion adjacent the infeed conveyor for receiving articles from the infeed conveyor and an exit portion adjacent the outfeed conveyor for delivering articles to the outfeed conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2017Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Robert C. Beesley, Jason Bedenbaugh
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Patent number: 9688482Abstract: Devices and methods for buffering articles may include use of an infeed conveyor, an outfeed conveyor, and at least two accumulation conveyors defining a path extending between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor. Each accumulation conveyor includes an entrance portion adjacent the infeed conveyor for receiving articles from the infeed conveyor and an exit portion adjacent the outfeed conveyor for delivering articles to the outfeed conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2016Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Robert C. Beesley, Jason Bedenbaugh
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Patent number: 9682828Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of articles and a related transfer device are provided for transferring flow between a first conveyor drivable in a first direction and a second conveyor drivable in a second opposite direction. The first and second conveyors may have at least one curved portion, and a transfer device is movable along the first and second conveyors. The transfer device has a pivotable frame and a movable guide to lengthen a transfer path when in the curved portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2016Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Robert C. Beesley
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Patent number: 9670007Abstract: A device for accumulating articles within a system may include a frame, a mass-flow infeed conveyor supported by the frame for receiving articles from the system, and a mass-flow outfeed conveyor supported by the frame for receiving articles from the infeed conveyor and returning the articles to the system. A single-filing device is supported by the frame and includes a plurality of parallel endless loop conveyors. The endless loop conveyors each have an upstream end located laterally from and between upstream and downstream ends of the infeed conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2016Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Robert C. Beesley, Mark Nunn
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Publication number: 20170107063Abstract: An apparatus for diverting a stream of articles that includes an input conveyor belt conveying a stream of articles in a direction of travel and at an input speed and an output conveyor belt operating at an output speed and disposed parallel with the input conveyor belt in the same direction of travel. A diverter element extending along the input conveyor belt and is moveable between the direction of travel and an opposite direction wherein the diverter element operates in one of two modes of operation depending upon the input speed and the output speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Robert C. Beesley, J. Mark NUNN, Doug A. IMES
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Publication number: 20160347549Abstract: A device and method of adjusting a spacing of holders located on first and second endless loop includes releasing a clutch to allow the endless loops to be adjusted and operating an adjustment assembly to simultaneously move the first endless loop a distance in a first direction and the second endless loop an equal distance in a second direction opposite the first direction. After the adjustment the timing and pitch of the center of articles gripped by the holders is unchanged relative to the system in which the device is located.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2016Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Robert C. Beesley, Chad Jones
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Publication number: 20160340129Abstract: A device for accumulating articles within a system may include a frame, a mass-flow infeed conveyor supported by the frame for receiving articles from the system, and a mass-flow outfeed conveyor supported by the frame for receiving articles from the infeed conveyor and returning the articles to the system. A single-filing device is supported by the frame and includes a plurality of parallel endless loop conveyors. The endless loop conveyors each have an upstream end located laterally from and between upstream and downstream ends of the infeed conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventors: Robert C. Beesley, Mark Nunn
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Publication number: 20160325943Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of articles and a related transfer device are provided for transferring flow between a first conveyor drivable in a first direction and a second conveyor drivable in a second opposite direction. The first and second conveyors may have at least one curved portion, and a transfer device is movable along the first and second conveyors. The transfer device has a pivotable frame and a movable guide to lengthen a transfer path when in the curved portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2016Publication date: November 10, 2016Inventor: Robert C. Beesley
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Publication number: 20160297618Abstract: A device and a method for transferring articles between an infeed conveyor at a first speed and an outfeed conveyor at a second speed different than the first speed include use of at least a first variable speed conveyor downstream of the infeed conveyor, and a second variable speed conveyor downstream of the first variable speed conveyor and upstream of the outfeed conveyor. The speeds of the variable speed conveyors are cycled between the first speed and the second speed without any article being conveyed by conveyors at different speeds. At least one additional variable speed conveyor may be included.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Inventor: Robert C. Beesley
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Publication number: 20160272437Abstract: Devices and methods for buffering articles may include use of an infeed conveyor, an outfeed conveyor, and at least two accumulation conveyors defining a path extending between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor. Each accumulation conveyor includes an entrance portion adjacent the infeed conveyor for receiving articles from the infeed conveyor and an exit portion adjacent the outfeed conveyor for delivering articles to the outfeed conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2016Publication date: September 22, 2016Inventors: Robert C. Beesley, Jason Bedenbaugh
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Publication number: 20140305775Abstract: A surface platform for a conveyor belt includes a platform member having an upper surface and a rail member at one side of the upper surface. The upper surface has a first portion adjacent the rail member, a second portion adjacent the first portion, and a third portion adjacent the second portion. The second portion extends upward at a distance and in a direction such that when an article is placed on the platform member in contact with the rail the article extends to, and no further than, the second portion. The first portion may be horizontal or curved.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Robert C. Beesley
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Patent number: 7264113Abstract: A link is disclosed for a conveyor, as is a conveyor itself, suitable for conveying objects along a transport direction, a plurality of the links being attachable to form the conveyor, the link includes a body having a length extending along the direction of transport and a width extending across the direction of transport, and two opposed gripping members extending from the body. At least one of the gripping members is a movable gripping member movable from a first opened position to a second gripping position, the movable gripping member includes a gripping end, the gripping members being located so as to contact one of the objects via the gripping end when the movable gripping member is in the second position to hold the object relative to the body during transport.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Hartness International, Inc.Inventors: Thomas P. Hartness, Robert C. Beesley, Mark W. Davidson, William R. Hartness, III
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Patent number: 7261199Abstract: A conveyor is disclosed suitable for conveying objects such as containers to a processing station. The conveyor includes a plurality of connected links, and at least one gripping member extending from each of the links. Each gripping member is movable relative to its respective link for gripping a container by the neck of the container. A guide structure is disposed on the link for mating a component of the processing station to the neck of the container for processing the container. The processing station may be a filler such as a rotary filler, a capper, or a rinser. Related individual links, conveying systems, and filler components are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2004Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Hartness International, Inc.Inventors: Thomas P. Hartness, William R. Hartness, III, Mark W. Davidson, Frank Brennan, Robert C. Beesley
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Patent number: 7216758Abstract: A link is disclosed for a conveyor suitable for conveying objects along a transport direction. The link includes a body having a length extending across the direction of transport and a width extending along the direction of transport. The body has a conveying surface and two opposed gripping members extending from the conveying surface. Each gripping member is movable from a first opened position to a second gripping position. The gripping members each include a gripping arm configured to be pivotable relative to the conveying surface when the gripping members move from the first position to the second position. The gripping arms are located so as to be able to contact one of the objects when the gripping members are in the second position to hold the object relative to the link during transport. The link includes at least one spring member urging the gripping members toward the second position. Various other related options are disclosed, along with related conveyors.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2004Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Hartness International, Inc.Inventors: Thomas P. Hartness, William R. Hartness, III, Mark W. Davidson, Frank Brennan, Robert C. Beesley
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Patent number: 7207434Abstract: A conveyor is disclosed suitable for conveying objects along a transport direction. The conveyor includes a plurality of connected links, each link having a length extending across the direction of transport and a width extending along the direction of transport. Each link has a conveying surface and at least one movable gripping member extending from the conveying surface of the link. Each gripping member is movable from a first opened position to a second gripping position. The gripping members each include a gripping arm having a pivot point, a gripping end spaced from the pivot point, and a cam follower extending outward from the gripping arm between the pivot point and the gripping end. The gripping arm is located so as to be able to contact one of the objects via the gripping end when the gripping member is in the second position to hold the object relative to the link during transport. Each link includes at least one spring member urging the gripping members toward the second position.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2004Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: Hartness International, Inc.Inventors: Thomas P. Hartness, William R. Hartness, III, Mark W. Davidson, Frank Brennan, Robert C. Beesley
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Patent number: 7191896Abstract: A spiral accumulator apparatus is disclosed for controlling the flow of articles. The apparatus includes an infeed conveyor driven in a first direction to convey articles therealong in the first direction along a first path that is at least partially curved, and an outfeed conveyor driven in an opposite direction to convey articles therealong in the opposite direction along a second path that is at least partially curved. The infeed and outfeed conveyors are spaced apart and generally parallel along at least a portion of the first and second paths so as to define a space therebetween. A movable transport member is disposed generally across and movable along the space, and an article transfer member is carried by the transport member and operably disposed between the infeed and outfeed conveyors to transfer articles between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2006Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Hartness International, Inc.Inventors: Thomas P. Hartness, Robert C. Beesley, Marc Monaghan
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Patent number: 7055676Abstract: A conveyor suitable for conveying objects along a transport direction, and a related link are disclosed. The link may include a link body having a length extending across the direction of transport and a width extending along the direction of transport, each link body having a conveying surface. At least one gripping member is movably secured to the link body and has a gripping arm extendable from the conveying surface of the link body. Each gripping member is moveable between a first opened position and a second gripping position. The gripping arm is located so as to be able to contact one of the objects when the gripping member is in the second position to hold the object relative to the link body during transport. Various options for link designs are disclosed, including slidable and/or pivotable designs.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2003Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Hartness International, Inc.Inventors: Thomas P. Hartness, William R. Hartness, III, Mark W. Davidson, Frank Brennan, Robert C. Beesley
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Patent number: 7055677Abstract: A conveyor suitable for conveying objects along a transport direction, and related links, are disclosed. The conveyor includes a plurality of connected links, each link having a length extending across the direction of transport and a width extending along the direction of transport. Each link also has a body, a cam follower member, and at least one gripping member. A gear drive mechanism may be used to interconnect the cam follower member and the gripping member. The cam follower member is movable to selectively move the gripping member between a first position and a second position. The gripping member when in first position is disposed in an open position, and the gripping member when in the second position is disposed in a gripping position for contacting one of the objects to hold the object during transport. Gear-drive mechanisms of various designs may be used to interconnect the cam follower member and gripping member.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2004Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Hartness International, Inc.Inventors: Thomas P. Hartness, William R. Hartness, III, Mark W. Davidson, Frank Brennan, Robert C. Beesley