Chain Patents (Class 104/172.1)
  • Patent number: 11936262
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric motor (2) comprising a switching unit (8) having a number of contact wires (24) arranged in relation to a connection ring (22) for coil ends of a stator winding, and comprising an annular frame part (28) having a number of sockets (30) into each of which an insulation-displacement contact (14) with an insulation-displacement slot (52) can be inserted or is inserted, between two insulation-displacement limbs (54) for making terminal contact with at least one w ire end (26) of the contact wires (24), said sockets (30) each comprising a socket slot (38), on opposing socket walls (36), which is flush with the insulation-displacement slot (52) of the insulation-displacement contact (14) plugged into said socket (30), and the two socket walls (36) of each socket (30) each have a first clamping contour (42) protruding into the socket slot (38), for each wire end (26) received in the socket slot (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Würzburg
    Inventors: Micha Dosch, Alexander Volkamer
  • Patent number: 11400013
    Abstract: A sprocket transmission mechanism of a massage device contains: a driven box, a pair of hollow holders, and two bendable chains. The driven box is driven by two drive shafts of a motor beside the driven box. The pair of hollow holders are rotatably connected with the two drive shafts respectively and have two grooves, and the pair of hollow holders are connected inside two inner sides of a chair or a bed respectively. The two bendable chains are accommodated in the two grooves individually. The two drive shafts have four sprockets fitted on two sides thereof individually, and two driven sprockets are rotatably connected between the two sides of the two shafts respectively, such that the two bendable chains are inserted into the pair of hollow holders to mesh with and to drive the four sprockets and the two driven sprockets to rotate individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventor: Dong-Her Wu
  • Patent number: 10919591
    Abstract: A transport system, which is designed in particular for a dryer for drying workpieces, such as vehicle bodies, and which has a plurality of transport carts. The transport carts can be moved on a rail system in a transport direction. Workpieces can be transported by means of the transport carts. Each transport cart has a transport cart chassis. The transport cart has a fastening device, which is designed to establish a connection between the transport cart and a workpiece carrier in order to transport the workpiece carrier by means of the transport cart. The fastening device has thermal insulation, which impedes heat transfer between a workpiece carrier and the transport cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: EISENMANN SE
    Inventor: Martin Riegraf
  • Patent number: 10913430
    Abstract: A dollie assembly for a vehicle wash includes a center link configured for attachment to a drive mechanism of the vehicle wash and having a throughhole with a first bushing extending therethrough along an axis between opposite ends with cylindrical bearing surfaces on opposite sides of the center link. A tire pushing roller is disposed on each of the bearing surfaces for rotation about the axis. A pair of track rollers are supported for rotation about the axis. The track rollers are disposed on an opposite side of the pair of tire pushing rollers from one another such that the pair of tire pushing rollers are between the pair of track rollers. The pair of track rollers are rotatable about the axis independently from pair of tire pushing rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: PISTON OPW, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Barry S. Turner, David L. Tognetti
  • Patent number: 10781080
    Abstract: An overhead travelling crane having a horizontally extending crane girder, which can be displaced in a railbound manner along a craneway, and having a crane trolley, which can be displaced along the crane girder and carries a lifting gear for raising and lowering a load. The lifting gear has a suspension structure formed as a cable or chain and the overhead travelling crane has electric drives for movements of the overhead travelling crane. The overhead travelling crane has an energy store connected to the drives to supply the drives with energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Konecranes Global Corporation
    Inventor: Lutz Dowy
  • Patent number: 10507980
    Abstract: A sorting clip for a garment conveyor attaches to a drive chain below which is a hanger support on which a group of garment hangers is suspended from a frontmost to a rearmost hanger. The clip has an upper portion fixed to the drive chain and a lower portion attached to the upper portion by a pivotable connected biased in a first direction of increasing angular separation between the two portions. An underside of the lower portion has disassociation teeth and a capture hook that contact the frontmost hanger to successively engage and separate the frontmost hanger from the other hangers, after which disengagement of the teeth from the frontmost hanger allows for sufficient pivoting of the lower portion in said first direction that the hook engages and captures the frontmost hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Inventors: Gabriel St-Jean, Dominique Berthiaume, Dominic Gosselin, Sabrina Lagacé
  • Patent number: 9850071
    Abstract: A roller-guided conveying element for a conveying facility, including a basis body, several rollers that are rotatably mounted on the basis body on two sides which are opposed to one another, as well as a holding member that is arranged on the basis body and is for holding an object to be conveyed. In each case, two rollers are arranged oppositely and equally offset in a crosswise manner at the two sides on the basis body. The conveying element with the rollers is designed such that a section of the conveying element, in each case with at least one roller of the two sides of the basis body, is rollingly movable in the guide channel of a longitudinal guidance body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: FERAG AG
    Inventor: Roberto Fenile
  • Patent number: 9586760
    Abstract: There is provided an electronic device transfer apparatus which has an excellent capacity of transferring DUTs between trays. An electronic device transfer apparatus, which transfers DUTs between trays, includes a device conveying unit. The device conveying unit includes a plurality of shuttles which hold the DUTs, an endless first guide rail which guides the shuttles, and first to third feeders which move the shuttles on the first guide rail. The shuttles are movable on the first guide rail over the entire circumference of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ADVANTEST CORPORATION
    Inventors: Haruki Nakajima, Hiroyuki Kikuchi, Tsuyoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8919576
    Abstract: A system for moving crates in a warehouse, in which crates (C) to be moved are organized in supply modules (M), each made up of a predetermined number of rows each having a predetermined number of crates. The system includes a translator device (1) for rows of crates that brings about the movement of at least one row of crates, so as to create at least one aisle (W) for passing between one row and another of the module, in which it is possible to gain access through a crates manipulator (3), which is able to move along the module and through the aisles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: OTO Melara S.p.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Chiappini, Gianluca Biselli
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8356556
    Abstract: Drive dog chains are assembled with alternating universal inside attachment links and outside sidebars and riveted pin connections. The universal inside attachment links have full size end sections and central sections of reduced height. Filler attachments are attached with machine screws to the central sections. Upper surfaces of the filler attachments are level with upper surfaces of the end sections and upper surfaces of the outside sidebars. Filler attachments are removed from selected ones of the center sections and replaced with pusher attachments secured at an end of each selected center section. A drive dog chain is manufactured and stored in uniform strands. Upon ordering, the pusher attachments replace the filler attachments at selected spacings on the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: U.S. Tsubaki, Inc.
    Inventors: David Piasecki, Satoru Kuyama, Amanda Holbrook
  • Publication number: 20120304884
    Abstract: A transport system according to the invention comprises a guide device having a first guide rail in the form of a first pipe (11) and a second guide rail in the form of a second pipe (12). The transport system comprises a toothed driving disk (330), which is engaged with an engagement element (340) extending along the lower pipe (12) and forms a positive drive. The engagement element (340) comprises counter-toothing, disposed along the pipe (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: MAURER SÖHNE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Richard Urich, Juerg Jakob
  • Patent number: 8322288
    Abstract: The invention presented comprises an operation system in which items to be processed by an operator, such as a washer/dryer, bulk sterilizer, or kiln, are fed into and removed from the operator by a continuous conveyor. A microcontroller controls actuators in loading zones distributed along the conveyor that switch the individual loading zones from bypass to push mode to alternately allow the items to remain stationary on the moving conveyor or be moved to a downstream loading zone when in the push mode. In a preferred embodiment, at least one loading zone is located at least partly within the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Lynx Product Group, LLC
    Inventors: Mark M. Misso, Frank D. Darrow, James Tomasine
  • Patent number: 8161888
    Abstract: A car wash roller and a manufacturing method are provided. The roller includes a body with first and second apertures and a shaft disposed in the first aperture. The body further includes a third aperture extending from a top surface to the first aperture. The shaft has an aperture that is aligned with the third aperture. The roller further includes a locking member disposed in both the third aperture and the aperture of the shaft that prevents the shaft from rotating relative to the body. The roller further includes first and second plastic sleeves that are disposed on the shaft, such that the sleeves do not rotate relative to the shaft. The roller further includes first and second plastic wheels that are rotatably coupled to the first and second plastic sleeves, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Vaughan Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Vaughan Balash
  • Patent number: 8146511
    Abstract: A dolly contains a main center link having two arms extending from a central portion. A pair of tire engaging rollers and a pair of track engaging rollers are supported on the arms. Bolts are provided and engage in offset bores formed in the arms. A pair of tire stabilizing rollers is supported on the bolts. The tire stabilizing rollers, the track engaging rollers and the tire engaging rollers each have a different effective diameter to a tangent point of tire contact. The effective diameter of the tire stabilizing rollers is greater than the effective diameter of the track engaging rollers. The effective diameter of the tire engaging rollers is greater than the effective diameter of the tire stabilizing rollers. The tire engaging rollers and the tire stabilizing rollers prevent the tire from engaging the tracking engaging rollers during operation of the dolly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sonny's Enterprises Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Analetto
  • Publication number: 20100024677
    Abstract: A switch assembly for a conveyor is provided. The switch assembly includes a rail section forming a portion of the conveyor assembly. The switch assembly has a first gear assembly pivotable about a first pivot axis and carrying a first gate and a second gear assembly pivotable about a second pivot axis and carrying a second gate, the second pivot axis being positioned below a plane extending perpendicular to the rail section from the first pivot axis. A trolley stop assembly for a conveyor is also provided. The trolley stop includes a body having a first side portion and a second side portion arranged to be disposed on first and second sides of a rail section. A pivot member extends through the body and at least a portion of the rail section. A stop member is carried by an upper portion of the body and a weighted member is also carried by the body arranged to position the stop member for engagement with a trolley. A conveyor assembly including a switch assembly and trolley stop is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventor: Todd Jager
  • Patent number: 7635245
    Abstract: A transporting rail unit includes a first driving mechanism driving the object to a first position on a rail. A second driving mechanism includes a member designed to displace in response to reception of a force from the object when the object moves forward to the first position from a second position in front of the first position on the rail. The second driving mechanism allows accumulation of an elastic repulsive force based on displacement of the member. The transporting rail unit allows the object to keep moving forward based on the elastic repulsive force even after the object is released from engagement with the first driving mechanism. If the second driving mechanism is interposed between the first driving mechanisms, the object can be transferred between the first driving mechanisms. A single transporting rail unit can be utilized in common. This results in reduction in the production and management costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Hidetaka Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7478597
    Abstract: A multiple axis gantry for providing movement along multiple axis is provided. The multiple axis gantry includes a pair of horizontal tracks and a vertical track to which a work piece carriage is attached. One drive motor provides an input for horizontal movement of the vertical track and a second drive motor provides an input for vertical movement of the work piece carriage. The vertical track of the gantry is driven proximate both ends to prevent cocking or binding during horizontal movement. Furthermore, the multiple axis gantry is configured such that manufacture of a gantry having custom dimensions for the horizontal tracks and vertical track is simple and cost effective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Pacific Bearing Company
    Inventors: Robert Schroeder, Glen Michalske
  • Patent number: 7467706
    Abstract: A device for conveying workpieces along a path of movement is described. The device includes a conveyor driven by a conveying drive unit. Spindle or spindle-like elements, on which the workpieces may be arranged, are fastened to the conveyor. The device also includes a synchronizing mechanism with at least one guide device, driven by a synchronizing drive unit, for guiding the spindle or spindle-like elements during movement of the conveyor. The synchronizing drive unit is mechanically coupled with the conveying drive unit to achieve synchronicity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Eisenmann Anlagenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Stefan Nothum
  • Patent number: 7255220
    Abstract: A conveyance system, wherein dividable horizontal conveyance units are connected to each other through joint plates and a support post and rails of the horizontal conveyance units are connected to each other without any step and clearance. A joint conveyance carnage assembly is conveyed by a force applied thereto from annular chains of the horizontal conveyance units through chain presser plates. When the rearmost one of the chain presser plates leaves the annular chain of the horizontal conveyance unit, the chain presser plate of the headmost first conveyance carriage reaches the annular chain of the horizontal conveyance unit and the joint conveyance carriage assembly is continuously conveyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Iwata Koki Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Iwai, Masanori Nonaka
  • Patent number: 7243605
    Abstract: An auto-laundry conveyor of three-tier design using upper, lower and intermediate track rails with a narrow slot between them. Dollies are provided in an endless loop conveyor chain and each dolly comprises a combination of a center link, a pair of reversely similar tire engaging rollers, a pair of reversely similar track engaging rollers outboard of the tire engaging rollers and a pair of reversely similar stabilizing rollers outboard of the track engaging rollers. The stabilizing rollers are effectively larger in diameter; i.e., higher than the track engaging rollers so as to prevent rolling contact between the stabilizing rollers and the track surface and to receive the tread surface of an off-center tire and keep the tread surface from interfering with rolling movement of the track engaging rollers. The conveyor is manufactured in 10-foot lengths except for the entry and exit sections which are of lengths X and Y wherein X plus Y equals 10 feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Belanger, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Barry S. Turner, David L. Tognetti
  • Patent number: 7201105
    Abstract: Guided devices are connected to the front and rear ends of the main body of a moving body. Each guided device is connected in a relatively rotatable fashion about a lateral axle to the lower part of a vertical shaft. A lateral roller supporting body is connected to the vertical shaft, and guide rollers supported and guided by guide bodies disposed in prescribed positions in a fixed path are provided on the right and left-hand ends of the roller support body. During movement, the roller supporting body connected to the vertical shaft too rotates integrally, and the axis of a lateral axle supporting the pair of right and left-hand guide rollers can be orientated orthogonal to the fixed path, whereby the guide rollers are able to rotate smoothly without causing slipping or frictional resistance. Thereby, the supporting unit can always be supported and guided smoothly in curved path sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyoshi Nishihara, Toshiyuki Iba
  • Patent number: 6997303
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a carrier and conveyor system that permits the carrier to be driven by at least two different types of conveyors or drive assemblies, including a power and free conveyor. The system includes a plurality of carriers, first and second areas, a power and free conveyor assembly, and a friction drive assembly. The power and free conveyor drivably engages the first and second carriers when the carriers are in the first area and is out of driving engagement with the carriers in the second area. The friction drive assembly is engageable with each carrier when the carriers are in the second area and out of driving engagement with each carrier when the carriers are in the first area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Jervis B. Webb Company
    Inventors: Melvin A. Edwards, Christopher L. Audia, Kelsey R. Schell, David M. Stewart
  • Patent number: 6679370
    Abstract: The conveying apparatus comprises a conveying path, a return path, an endless circulating driver and pallet supporting and driving means. The conveying path includes a horizontal inlet path, a horizontal outlet path, and an inclined path connected to at least one of the inner ends of the inlet and outlet path. The circulating driver circulates between the conveying path and return path. The supporting and driving mechanism are mounted at intervals on the circulating driver. The pallet supporting and driving mechanism include a front pallet support for supporting a front portion of the pallet, a rear pallet support for supporting a rear portion of the pallet, and a driving engager for automatically engaging with the pallet near the front pallet support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Kasagi
  • Patent number: 6679185
    Abstract: The trailing, load supporting component of a product conveyor is connected to a powered, leading component by a shock absorbing tow bar that employs relatively movable friction elements in a sandwich configuration to absorb the shock by sliding engagement at internal wear surfaces. A brake tongue slides between opposed brake pads of the sandwich which are placed under pressure against the tongue. A two-piece, telescoping tubular housing shields the brake assembly from contaminants and enhances the structural integrity of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Automatic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dennis Sullivan, Jaret Devin Land
  • Patent number: 6675954
    Abstract: Conveyor system accessories are disclosed, which provide an inexpensive way to stage, stockpile and/or sort work pieces and provides easy entry to and exit from a main conveyor. In particular, a trolley or trolleys that carry work pieces ride on the conveyor rail above the chain or intermesh with the chain on the inside of the track. These accessories are used with single track continuous conveyor systems, which greatly enhances the productivity of the single track system by permitting work pieces to be taken off-line without taking the work piece off a load pendant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventor: Jerry Taeger
  • Patent number: 6647894
    Abstract: A car wash wheel push roller dolly (20) is used for transporting a vehicle by pushing the vehicle wheel on a horizontal track in a car wash system consisting basically of a polyurethane dolly body (22) with an integrally formed upward portion (36) and a gusset (38) connecting the front to the rear. A front axle (40), a first rear axle (42) and a second rear axle (44) are all integrally formed with the dolly body and extend outwardly from each side of the body at right angles. Each distal end of the axles include a groove (46) adjacent to their ends. A pair of front rollers (50) are disposed on the front axle, next to a pair of conveyer chain links (48) also a pair of first rear rollers (52) and second rear rollers (54) engage their respective axles with all of the rollers attached with retaining rings (60). When a vehicle is positioned on the car wash endless chain conveyer horizontal track (58) and the chain links are attached to the endless chain, the vehicle may be pushed forward by the dolly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: Jose Luis Simoes
  • Publication number: 20030201147
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a carrier and conveyor system that permits the carrier to be driven by at least two different types of conveyors or drive assemblies, including a power and free conveyor. The system includes a plurality of carriers, first and second areas, a power and free conveyor assembly, and a friction drive assembly. The power and free conveyor drivably engages the first and second carriers when the carriers are in the first area and is out of driving engagement with the carriers in the second area. The friction drive assembly is engageable with each carrier when the carriers are in the second area and out of driving engagement with each carrier when the carriers are in the first area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Melvin A. Edwards, Christopher L. Audia, Kelsey R. Schell, David M. Stewart
  • Publication number: 20030201153
    Abstract: Conveyor system accessories are disclosed, which provide an inexpensive way to stage, stockpile and/or sort work pieces and provides easy entry to and exit from a main conveyor. In particular, a trolley or trolleys that carry work pieces ride on the conveyor rail above the chain or intermesh with the chain on the inside of the track. These accessories are used with single track continuous conveyor systems, which greatly enhances the productivity of the single track system by permitting work pieces to be taken off-line without taking the work piece off a load pendant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventor: Jerry Taeger
  • Patent number: 6637342
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a conveyor assembly and carrier for use with a conveyor wherein the carrier includes a frame having a longitudinal axis, a first pair of load wheels rotatably coupled to the frame, and a first pair of stabilizer wheels positioned laterally outward of the first pair of load wheels and rotatably coupled to the frame. The conveyor includes the carrier, a drive, and a stabilizer track having first and second channels spaced from one another. The first pair of stabilizer wheels are disposable for movement within the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Jervis B. Webb Company
    Inventors: Keith Jennings, Robert Goryca, Gary Ramse, Ricky L. Brown, David K. Meissner
  • Publication number: 20030192772
    Abstract: Conveyor system accessories are disclosed, which provide an inexpensive way to stage, stockpile and/or sort work pieces and provides easy entry to and exit from a main conveyor. In particular, a trolley or trolleys that carry work pieces ride on the conveyor rail above the chain or intermesh with the chain on the inside of the track. These accessories are used with single track continuous conveyor systems, which greatly enhances the productivity of the single track system by permitting work pieces to be taken off-line without taking the work piece off a load pendant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventor: Jerry Taeger
  • Publication number: 20030192771
    Abstract: Conveyor system accessories are disclosed, which provide an inexpensive way to stage, stockpile and/or sort work pieces and provides easy entry to and exit from a main conveyor. In particular, a trolley or trolleys that carry work pieces ride on the conveyor rail above the chain or intermesh with the chain on the inside of the track. These accessories are used with single track continuous conveyor systems, which greatly enhances the productivity of the single track system by permitting work pieces to be taken off-line without taking the work piece off a load pendant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventor: Jerry Taeger
  • Publication number: 20030159614
    Abstract: The trailing, load supporting component of a product conveyor is connected to a powered, leading component by a shock absorbing tow bar that employs relatively movable friction elements in a sandwich configuration to absorb the shock by sliding engagement at internal wear surfaces. A brake tongue slides between opposed brake pads of the sandwich which are placed under pressure against the tongue. A two-piece, telescoping tubular housing shields the brake assembly from contaminants and enhances the structural integrity of the unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Michael Dennis Sullivan, Jaret Devin Land
  • Patent number: 6609608
    Abstract: A drag catch conveyor including an endless, driven pulling chain which can be moved along a specified path, supporting blocks mounted to the pulling chain, a number of drag catches mounted to the pulling chain in mutually overlapping relation so as to be alternatively offset in a left direction and a right direction, and a rail system disposed below the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: PEP Fördertechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Schneuing
  • Publication number: 20030136297
    Abstract: A drive roller for moving heavy structures includes a body having a load bearing surface and a roller engaging surface. Rollers supported by endless link chains are moveable about the roller engaging surface of the body. A shaft is rotatably mounted on the body. A worm wheel is non-rotatably secured to and rotatable with the shaft. A worm gear engages the worm wheel. Rotation of the worm gear imparts a rotary motion to the worm wheel thereby rotating the shaft. A sprocket is non-rotatably secured to and rotatable with the shaft. The sprocket engages the endless link chains. Rotation of the shaft results in the sprocket driving the endless link chains and rollers about the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Paul Holtz
  • Patent number: 6588579
    Abstract: Conveyor system accessories are disclosed, which provide an inexpensive way to stage, stockpile and/or sort work pieces and provides easy entry to and exit from a main conveyor. In particular, a trolley or trolleys that carry work pieces ride on the conveyor rail above the chain or intermesh with the chain on the inside of the track. These accessories are used with single track continuous conveyor systems, which greatly enhances the productivity of the single track system by permitting work pieces to be taken off-line without taking the work piece off a load pendant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Jerry Taeger
  • Patent number: 6553916
    Abstract: The present invention provides a low clearance, compact guideway, train positioning system that can be installed in close quarters alongside an existing railroad track. The system is chain driven and features an improved over/under or vertical sprocket carriage drive system in which parts normally exposed to the elements are protected while, at the same time, horizontal space requirements alongside the track are reduced. The system employs a vertically oriented chain drive which employs enclosed vertically mounted drive and idler sprocket units and a chain tube enclosing the lower chain strand which further minimizes exposure of the mechanism chain to the elements by totally enclosing the lower chain path in the over/under arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Calbrandt, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley J. Goldbeck
  • 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: 6494304
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pallet conveyor system that includes a pallet assembly having a pallet and a workpiece coupled to the pallet, a production area where a production task is performed on the workpiece, and a delivery area wherein the pallet assembly is moved to or from the first production area. The pallet conveyor system also includes a first conveyor assembly to drive the pallet assembly through the first production area and a chain conveyor assembly to drive the pallet assembly through the first delivery area. The first conveyor assembly operably engages the pallet in the first production area but not in the delivery area. Conversely, the chain conveyor assembly drivably engages the pallet assembly in the delivery area but not in the production area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Jervis B. Webb Company
    Inventors: John Jaynes, Melvin Edwards, Kelsey Schell
  • Publication number: 20020144623
    Abstract: A device for automatically moving vehicles along guide ways of lifts is constituted by a pusher carriage movable horizontally with a corresponding actuator on a guide that is longitudinally fixable to at least one of the guide ways and is provided with at least one pair of arms that are articulated thereto and rotate in a scissor-like fashion on a horizontal plane flush with the upper resting surface of the guide way, from an active position, in which they are parallel one another and adjacent to at least one wheel and lie transversely above the wheel, to an inactive position, in which they are divaricated and aligned parallel to the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventor: Fabrizio Bonacini
  • Publication number: 20020129732
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-link conveyor chain which may be used (for example) in the glass industry, in particular to an enclosure member for protecting the integrity of the multi-link conveyor chain during use and to a method for manufacturing the multi-link conveyor chain incorporating the enclosure member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventor: Christopher Marshall
  • Patent number: 6435099
    Abstract: A powered pushing unit transfers ads no greater than a predetermined magnitude in one direction along the length of a load transfer system. The pushing unit includes a frame and a source of power for moving the pushing unit back and forth along the length of the load transfer system. A dog for engaging a load is pivotally mounted with respect to the frame. A restricting mechanism applies a load engaging force to hold the dog at a load transfer range of positions until the load is greater than the predetermined magnitude. A toggle joint is mounted between the dog and the frame. The toggle joint forms an angle in a first angular direction to lock the dog in a load engaging position during engagement of a load under the predetermined magnitude. The toggle joint further shifts to form an angle in a second angular direction upon engagement of a load in excess of the predetermined magnitude, thereby allowing the dog to pivot away from the load which is in excess of the predetermined magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Ridg-U-Rak, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Gunter
  • Patent number: 6422153
    Abstract: A car wash conveyor including a simplified and improved track structure using cut out flat support plates for mounting three tiers of tracks. The support plates allow equal widths of an intermediate and lower track, and incorporation of integral stanchions for support of tire guide rollers. The chain take up mechanism and the roller control mechanism together form an assembly able to be installed into the conveyor or removed for service as a single unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: Gilbert J. Reitsch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6397756
    Abstract: To move a rail-borne vehicle (2) over a preferably ascending partial section, a finite chain section (8) is pulled in a stationary guide (13) in parallel to the rail (23) using a cable (9). The vehicle (2) engages the chain section (8) via a chain hook (19). The two ends (35), (36) of the cable (9) are connected to the leading end (34) of the chain section (8). The vehicles (2) can be moved rapidly with this cost-saving arrangement. It is also possible to overcome steeper uphill sections than in the state of the art (pull-up devices of roller-coasters).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventors: Alfons Saiko, Reinhold Spieldiener, Robert Spieldiener, Patrick Spieldiener
  • Patent number: 6374747
    Abstract: A sound abatement method includes applying a sound abating material to at least one area of at least one component of the moving trolley. A sound abatement conveyor trolley includes a trolley body having at least one wheel for traveling in a track and one or more component cooperatively associated with the trolley body, which the components each include a sound abating material applied to the area for sound abatement. An element used in a conveyor trolley includes at least one area and a sound abating material applied to the area for sound abatement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Jervis B. Webb Company
    Inventors: Deepak Devnani, Christopher M. Ariss, Craig R. Smith
  • Patent number: 6367612
    Abstract: A retractable pusher dog for an overhead power and free conveyor system is provided. The retractable pusher dog comprises a body portion formed from a rectangular cylinder with a spring and pusher member disposed within the cylinder. When a force greater than the static spring force is applied to the pusher member, the pusher member retracts into the body portion thus reducing the overall height of the pusher dog. Due to its self-actuating retraction, the retractable pusher dog of the subject invention requires no modifications to the powered and free rails or to the load trolleys. The retractable pusher dog will prevent jamming of load trolleys by allowing the pusher dog to bypass an off-timed load carrier, introduced from a different powered rail, until it is properly aligned on the main rail. Also, the body plates of the pusher dog facilitates coupling the pusher dog to the drive chain without disassembling the drive chain thus reducing downtime of the conveyor system and labor costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Erie Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Felice Dosso, Larry O'Dell
  • Patent number: 6324992
    Abstract: A hybrid carrying truck is disclosed which has merits of both of a skid carrier and a carrying truck such that it can successively and smoothly transfer between different carrying lines to carry a work whatever the carrying lines are and can secure a removing position from the carrying line to a refuge area freely and with safety. The hybrid carrying truck includes traveling wheels mounted at front and back positions on the left and right sides of a truck body for being rolled on a pair of rails to allow the truck body to travel along a carrying line, a pair of left and right skid members mounted on a bottom face of the truck body and elongated in a carrying direction of the hybrid carrying truck, and a truck hauling engaging member mounted at a central position of the bottom face of the truck body in a widthwise direction of the truck body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Akira Morikiyo, Susumu Kawano, Ichiro Ueno
  • Publication number: 20010035106
    Abstract: A powered pushing unit transfers loads no greater than a predetermined magnitude in one direction along the length of a load transfer system. The pushing unit includes a frame and a source of power for moving the pushing unit back and forth along the length of the load transfer system. A dog for engaging a load is pivotally mounted with respect to the frame. A restricting mechanism applies a load engaging force to hold the dog at a load transfer range of positions until the load is greater than the predetermined magnitude. A toggle joint is mounted between the dog and the frame. The togglejoint forms an angle in a first angular direction to lock the dog in a load engaging position during engagement of a load under the predetermined magnitude. The toggle joint further shifts to form an angle in a second angular direction upon engagement of a load in excess of the predetermined magnitude, thereby allowing the dog to pivot away from the load which is in excess of the predetermined magnitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: Ridg-U-Rak, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Gunter
  • Publication number: 20010015150
    Abstract: An accumulator mechanism for stopping a carrier on an inverted power and free conveyor system when it approaches a stopped preceding carrier. A pivot arm on a leading trolley for each carrier has a retractable trolley dog which is normally driven by a chain dog projecting from a drive chain. The accumulator mechanism includes an actuator lever which is pivoted to mounting plates and carriers a cam roller that acts in a cam slot formed in a pivot plate. When the actuating lever is pivoted due to contacting a preceding carrier, the cam roller acts within the contour of the slot to pivotally displace the pivot plate. The pivot plate then pulls a lift link upwardly to pull on the pivot arm and retract the trolley dog from the chain dog. The slot is arranged to effect lost motion of the cam roller in the slot to accommodate over travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Mario L.V. Lipari, Mark C. Reid, John D. Gorby
  • Patent number: 6186073
    Abstract: A roller assembly for car wash conveyors having three pairs of pusher rollers on the upper end of a conveyor roller bar in order to reduce and make more uniform the roller wear. The roller pairs are arranged to respectively engage the upper, intermediate and lower tracks of the conveyor. The pairs of pusher rollers are each mounted on one of three parallel shafts arranged in a triangular pattern each roller in each pair confined between sets of two plates having holes receiving the shafts which are welded thereto. Two of the shafts are welded to the upper end of the roller bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Peco Corporation
    Inventor: Gilbert J. Reitsch, Jr.