Patents by Inventor Stephen C. Fye
Stephen C. Fye 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: 10053297Abstract: An apparatus includes a movable conveyor belt adapted for conveying articles supported by a conveying surface in a conveying direction, the conveyor belt including guide links. Guides in the form of at least two stationary rods elongated in the conveying direction engage the guide links of the conveyor belt during conveyance. The guides may form part of a conveyor frame including connectors spaced in the conveying direction connecting to at least one upper guide and at least one lower guide without projecting between them. An elongated support may be provided for supporting the connectors, and may include at least portion curved in the conveying direction and a vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2017Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: SPAN TECH LLCInventors: James L. Layne, Stephen C. Fye, Scott Dayton Barbour
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Publication number: 20180072509Abstract: An apparatus includes a movable conveyor belt adapted for conveying articles supported by a conveying surface in a conveying direction, the conveyor belt including guide links. Guides in the form of at least two stationary rods elongated in the conveying direction engage the guide links of the conveyor belt during conveyance. The guides may form part of a conveyor frame including connectors spaced in the conveying direction connecting to at least one upper guide and at least one lower guide without projecting between them. An elongated support may be provided for supporting the connectors, and may include at least portion curved in the conveying direction and a vertical direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2017Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: James L. Layne, Stephen C. Fye, Scott Dayton Barbour
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Publication number: 20180029800Abstract: An apparatus for conveying an object in a conveying direction includes a conveyor comprised of a plurality of modular links adapted for interconnecting to form a chain. At least one of the links comprises a rounded upper portion forming an apical region for contacting and supporting the article for conveyance along at least a forward run in the conveying direction. The at least one link further including a forwardly projecting portion associated with a first transverse connector forming a part of the upper portion and a rearwardly projecting portion associated with a second transverse connector forming part of the upper portion. The first and second connectors may be staggered in the conveying direction and a direction transverse to the conveying direction. Further aspects pertain to a link with an apical engaging structure, and a sprocket with a removable tooth.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2016Publication date: February 1, 2018Applicant: SPAN TECH LLCInventors: Stephen C. FYE, James L. LAYNE, Scott Dayton BARBOUR
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Patent number: 9290331Abstract: A diverter is for intended use in connection with a diverter conveyor for diverting articles moving in a conveying direction from a primary path of travel to one of three different optional paths of downstream travel. The diverter includes a plurality of guides, each mounted for relative movement thereto from a first position to a second position. Depending on the position, the diverter is caused to follow one of the several downstream paths of travel. Related aspects include a conveyor incorporating the diverter and methods of use and manufacture.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: SPAN TECH LLCInventor: Stephen C. Fye
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Publication number: 20150353294Abstract: A diverter is for intended use in connection with a diverter conveyor for diverting articles moving in a conveying direction from a primary path of travel to one of three different optional paths of downstream travel. The diverter includes a plurality of guides, each mounted for relative movement thereto from a first position to a second position. Depending on the position, the diverter is caused to follow one of the several downstream paths of travel. Related aspects include a conveyor incorporating the diverter and methods of use and manufacture.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2014Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventor: Stephen C. FYE
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Publication number: 20140305774Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus is for use with a driven conveyor comprising a modular link belt including a plurality of outer links along a lateral side of the conveyor. A follower is adapted for engaging the outer side links of the conveyor belt, said follower including a normal position to a disabling position. The following is follower adapted for disabling the drive in the disabling position, such as by actuating a switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2012Publication date: October 16, 2014Inventors: James L. Layne, Lewis W. Ward, Stephen C. Fye, Brian Keith Thomas, Ervin Puskar
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Patent number: 8727109Abstract: An apparatus for conveying one or more objects along a conveying path in a conveying direction includes an endless conveyor chain formed of modular links arranged in rows in a direction transverse to the conveying direction. The links include spaced outer side links forming a part of a conveying surface for the objects to be conveyed and intermediate links interconnected with side links by connector rods, the chain having at least a forward run for conveying one or more objects in the conveying direction. A driver is provided for driving the conveyor chain, and includes a first sprocket adapted for engaging at least one side link along at least one side of the chain, the first sprocket mounted for rotation about an axis generally orthogonal to the conveying direction and the transverse direction. The sprocket may comprise a split sprocket, and may be adapted for pivoting movement.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2012Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Span Tech LLCInventors: James L. Layne, Lewis W. Ward, B. Keith Thomas, Michael Seiler, Stephen C. Fye
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Publication number: 20130068595Abstract: An apparatus for conveying one or more objects along a conveying path in a conveying direction includes an endless conveyor chain formed of modular links arranged in rows in a direction transverse to the conveying direction. The links include spaced outer side links forming a part of a conveying surface for the objects to be conveyed and intermediate links interconnected with side links by connector rods, the chain having at least a forward run for conveying one or more objects in the conveying direction. A driver is provided for driving the conveyor chain, and includes a first sprocket adapted for engaging at least one side link along at least one side of the chain, the first sprocket mounted for rotation about an axis generally orthogonal to the conveying direction and the transverse direction. The sprocket may comprise a split sprocket, and may be adapted for pivoting movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Inventors: James L. Layne, Lewis W. Ward, B. Keith Thomas, Michael Seiler, Stephen C. Fye
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Patent number: 7690496Abstract: A diverter is for intended use in connection with a diverter conveyor for diverting articles moving in a conveying direction from a first path of travel to a second path of travel. The diverter includes a guide mounted for relative movement thereto from a first position adjacent one side of the diverter corresponding to the first path of travel to a second position adjacent another side of the diverter corresponding to the second path of travel. A magnetic coupling is formed between the diverter and the guide for maintaining the guide in either the first position or the second position. A selector may be provided as part of a switch for switching the guide between the first and second positions. Related aspects include a conveyor incorporating the diverter and methods of use and manufacture.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2008Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Span Tech LLCInventors: Stephen C. Fye, Lewis W. Ward, B. Keith Thomas, Ashok R. Anumula
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Publication number: 20080142341Abstract: A conveyor is for possible use in transferring articles between two adjacent conveyors. In one embodiment, the conveyor includes a pair of idler structures and a drive structure for collectively guiding and moving a conveyor belt or chain relative to a bed. At least one of the drive structure or idler structures is mounted or positioned so at to be capable of moving relative to the belt or chain to provide tensioning therefor. In another embodiment, a bed assembly including the chain or belt, the drive structure, and the idler structure is also substantially fully releasable from a corresponding base for servicing or clearing a jam. In either case, the conveyor may be driven using a slave drive associated with an adjacent conveyor. Related methods are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: James L. Layne, Michael D. McDaniel, Stephen C. Fye, B. Keith Thomas, Lewis W. Ward
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Patent number: 7308979Abstract: A conveyor for possible use in transferring articles between two adjacent conveyors is disclosed. In one embodiment, the conveyor includes a pair of idler structures and a drive structure for collectively guiding and moving a conveyor belt or chain relative to a bed. At least one of the drive structure or idler structures is mounted or positioned so at to be capable of moving relative to the belt or chain to provide tensioning therefor. In another embodiment, a bed assembly including the chain or belt, the drive structure, and the idler structure is also substantially fully releasable from a corresponding base for servicing or clearing a jam. In either case, the conveyor may be driven using a slave drive associated with an adjacent conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2004Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: Span Tech LLCInventors: James L. Layne, Michael D. McDaniel, Stephen C. Fye, B. Keith Thomas, Lewis W. Ward
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Patent number: 6959803Abstract: A conveyor for possible use in transferring articles between two adjacent conveyors is disclosed. In one embodiment, the conveyor includes a pair of idler structures and a drive structure for collectively guiding and moving a conveyor belt or chain relative to a bed. At least one of the drive structure or idler structures is mounted or positioned so at to be capable of moving relative to the belt or chain to provide tensioning therefor. In another embodiment, a bed assembly including the chain or belt, the drive structure, and the idler structure is also substantially fully releasable from a corresponding base for servicing or clearing a jam.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2003Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Span Tech LLCInventors: James L. Layne, Michael D. McDaniel, B. Keith Thomas, Stephen C. Fye
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Patent number: 6758776Abstract: A split sprocket assembly, related apparatus, and a method of mounting a sprocket to a rotatable structure, such as a drive or idler drum, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the sprocket assembly is comprised of at least three sections or segments, each of which is secured to the adjacent section or segment by a fastener, such as a tangentially-extending bolt and nut combination. The sprocket assembly includes a plurality of receivers, each for receiving a key that corresponds to a keyway formed in the rotatable structure. In one embodiment, at least one of the keyways is truncated and, thus, extends only partially across the rotatable structure in the axial direction. A key substantially identical to the truncated keyway in length and width is placed therein, such that the sprocket is prevented from traveling or “walking” along the rotatable structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Span Tech LLCInventors: Stephen C. Fye, James L. Layne, Michael D. McDaniel
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Publication number: 20030144098Abstract: A split sprocket assembly, related apparatus, and a method of mounting a sprocket to a rotatable structure, such as a drive or idler drum, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the sprocket assembly is comprised of at least three sections or segments, each of which is secured to the adjacent section or segment by a fastener, such as a tangentially-extending bolt and nut combination. The sprocket assembly includes a plurality of receivers, each for receiving a key that corresponds to a keyway formed in the rotatable structure. In one embodiment, at least one of the keyways is truncated and, thus, extends only partially across the rotatable structure in the axial direction. A key substantially identical to the truncated keyway in length and width is placed therein, such that the sprocket is prevented from traveling or “walking” along the rotatable structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2002Publication date: July 31, 2003Inventors: Stephen C. Fye, James L. Layne, Michael D. McDaniel
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Patent number: 6543609Abstract: A split housing for a sprocket in a conveyor system is disclosed. The sprocket includes a first, preferably upper portion that mates with a second, preferably lower portion to define a curved guide track for guiding a conveyor belt from a forward to a return run, or vice versa. The split nature of the housing allows for the removal of one portion, such as the upper portion, in a vertical direction without the need for moving the adjacent sprocket or guide rail. Hence, the other portion may remain attached to a stable structure used to support the conveyor system.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Span Tech LLCInventors: James L. Layne, Stephen C. Fye, Michael D. McDaniel
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Patent number: 6481567Abstract: An intermediate drive for a conveyor system is disclosed. The drive includes at least one, and preferably a plurality of spaced parallel drive sprockets gang mounted on a common drive shaft. In the preferred embodiment, each sprocket engages a separate conveyor belt to drive it in the same direction in an endless path along a conveyor guide rail. Each guide rail includes a recessed portion that preferably matches the contour of the corresponding sprocket. By juxtaposing each sprocket in the recessed portion, engagement between each drive sprocket and the corresponding modular link belt is made. The drive may also be used along a curved section of the conveyor system, in which case the drive sprockets have different diameters for driving the belts at different speeds, and the contour of the recessed portions correspond to the adjacent drive sprocket.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2001Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Span Tech LLCInventors: James L. Layne, Stephen C. Fye, Michael D. McDaniel
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Publication number: 20020108840Abstract: A split housing for a sprocket in a conveyor system is disclosed. The sprocket includes a first, preferably upper portion that mates with a second, preferably lower portion to define a curved guide track for guiding a conveyor belt from a forward to a return run, or vice versa. The split nature of the housing allows for the removal of one portion, such as the upper portion, in a vertical direction without the need for moving the adjacent sprocket or guide rail. Hence, the other portion may remain attached to a stable structure used to support the conveyor system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2001Publication date: August 15, 2002Inventors: James L. Layne, Stephen C. Fye, Michael D. McDaniel
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Patent number: D505764Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2003Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Span Tech LLCInventors: Michael D. McDaniel, Wendell S. Bell, Stephen C. Fye
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Patent number: D658842Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2011Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Span Tech LLCInventors: James L. Layne, Lewis W. Ward, B. Keith Thomas, Stephen C. Fye
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Patent number: D804137Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: SPAN TECH LLCInventors: Stephen C. Fye, James L. Layne, Scott D. Barbour