By Biasing Means Patents (Class 198/626.6)
  • Patent number: 11603275
    Abstract: A drive transmission device includes a chassis fixed to an apparatus main body and a driving roller that is driven by a driving source. A belt member transmits rotational force of the driving roller. A tension roller contacts the belt member to apply tension to the belt member. A support member supports the tension roller rotatably and is swingable about a rotational shaft of the chassis. A screw fixes the support member to the chassis at a predetermined position. A retaining member is able to be engaged with the chassis, in which the support member is arranged and fixed between a part of the retaining member and the chassis in an insertion direction of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kuniaki Sato, Hiroyuki Saito
  • Patent number: 11130602
    Abstract: A tilt-able flat table, mounted on cams in a frame, retrieves rows of containers from a stage and deposits them in a box. The table is mounted on a horizontal tilt axle which is borne between two parallel cams. The tilt angle determines the path of the containers into the box. The cams rotate about a cam axis which determines the position of the table relative to the frame. Container top bands engage the containers on the table and move them in the forward-rearward direction on the table. The frame is movable relative to the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Inventor: William Gary Beall
  • Patent number: 10358249
    Abstract: A label positioning mechanism has a conveying mechanism, a label dispensing mechanism disposed on a side of the conveying mechanism, a first labeling mechanism disposed together with the label dispensing mechanism on the same side of the conveying mechanism and positioned proximate to the label dispensing side, and a second labeling mechanism which is disposed on another side of the conveying mechanism and opposes the first labeling mechanism. A first tight-fitting winding belt of the first labeling mechanism and a second tight-fitting winding belt of the second labeling mechanism move in opposite transmission directions and come into contact with each other to rotate bottles. Therefore, the label positioning mechanism is capable of rotating labeled bottles by a specific angle by adjusting the speeds of the conveying mechanism, the first tight-fitting winding belt, and the second tight-fitting winding belt so as to render ensuing processes speedy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Inventor: Chien-Hsing Wang
  • Patent number: 10308436
    Abstract: A modular conveyor belt constructed of a series of conveyor belt modules, some of which include retainers for removably retaining plates, such as cutting boards, to the outer surface of the belt. The longitudinal extent of each of the retained plates in the direction of belt travel exceeds the articulation pitch of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Elena Rose Yasinski, Timothy J. DeRoche
  • Patent number: 9701478
    Abstract: A container gripping device for use on machines which are used for filling, capping, sterilizing, or the like containers, particularly fluid containers such as plastic bottles, wherein the device has a base adapted for attachment to the links of a chain conveyor, wherein the device has a container gripper body mounted on the base, wherein the base is provided with a hook structure at each of its ends, wherein the gripper body ends have recessed floor portions, wherein locking tabs on the hook structures are in engagement with the upper surface of the recessed floor portion, and wherein the longitudinal outer end surface of the hook structures lie substantially flush with the faces of the body ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventor: John M. Leslie
  • Patent number: 9694979
    Abstract: A conveyor belt including a plurality of spaced hinge rods, each of the plurality of rods including a first end and a second end; a plurality of plate elements including a first side edge and a second side edge, the plurality of plate elements overlying the spaced hinge rods such that the plurality of plate elements define a product support surface; wherein each side edge of the plate elements includes a side edge connector having a bendable retaining tab disposed at the first side edge and the second side edge and two holes for receiving a respective end of one of the hinge rods therein. The bendable retaining tab is configured to bend and thereby cover one of the two holes on the side edge connector, thereby restraining movement of the hinge rod within the respective hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Ulchak, Thomas O. Perdue
  • Publication number: 20150096771
    Abstract: A conveyor includes a frame, at least two arms at least one of which is movably mounted to the frame, at least two rails wherein each rail is coupled to an end of one of said at least two arms, at least two belts wherein each belt is rotatably mounted on one of said at least two rails such that the belts are capable of engaging plants therebetween and moving the plants along a conveyor axis, and one or more bias members which are configured to bias said at least one movable arm toward the other one of said at least two arms. The conveyor further comprises an expanding mechanism which is configured to exert an outward force on said at least one movable arm upon engagement so that said at least one movable arm move away from another arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventors: Bruce Francis, William Wells, Jimmy Lee Stokes
  • Patent number: 8910774
    Abstract: A woodworking facility with a workpiece support and a belt or chain arrangement for registering the movement of a workpiece that lies on the workpiece support and is transported thereon in order to be processed. The belt or chain arrangement includes a belt or chain that is guided over at least two deflection pulleys and is designed for contacting the workpiece transverse to the moving direction of the belt or the chain by a pressing device assigned to the belt or chain. The pressing device includes several pressing elements that are moved together with the belt or chain in the moving direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Hans Hundegger
  • Patent number: 8770387
    Abstract: A vertical lift conveyor for lifting bulk, or particulate, material includes a lower, generally horizontal intake stage for receiving the bulk material on a first endless carrier belt and a second endless support belt positioned in closely-spaced relation to the first belt. The two belts are displaced at essentially the same speed, with their respective adjacent edge portions maintained in intimate contact with one another by means of low friction guides and belt tension to confine the bulk material between the two belts during transport. Plural spaced belt engaging arrangements are disposed along the vertical run of the conveyor to provide support for the bulk material and maintain the edge seal between the two moving belts. The vertical lift conveyor further includes an intake stage adapted to receive the bulk material and movable between an extended, use position and a retracted storage, or transport, position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: KSi Conveyor, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Kaeb, Tom Fehr, Geoffrey Jason Furrer
  • Patent number: 8710380
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method weigh an object, in particular a flat item of mail, during transport. A conveying device having an endless conveying belt and a counterpart conveying element is able to temporarily grip an object in a clamping region and to transport it in a transporting direction. Weighing scales are able to weigh the object while the object is gripped in a clamping region. The damping element is configured to damp vibrations of an object gripped in the clamping region. The damping element has a surface which is curved in the transporting direction. The endless conveying belt is guided in such a way around the curved surface that the endless conveying belt rests areally against the curved surface in a damping region and the endless conveying belt and the counterpart conveying element are configured to guide the object gripped in the clamping region past the curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jürgen Francke
  • Patent number: 8683903
    Abstract: The powered endless belt (14) of a lower conveyor (12) transports workpieces (16) past a scanning station (18) and then past a slicing station (20), whereat the workpieces are sliced into desired thickness by a powered blade (23). An upper hold-down conveyor (24) includes a powered belt (26) that assists in holding the workpieces stationary and stable as workpieces travel past the slicing station (20). In this regard, the belt is of a compliant construction and is operated at a low enough tension to enable it to substantially conform to the contour of the upper surface of the workpiece, thereby to apply a substantially uniform load about the entire upper surface area of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: John Bean Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Strong, Norman A. Rudy, Nicholas C. Tipper
  • Patent number: 8528725
    Abstract: A conveying device has a substrate conveying device for conveying a flexible substrate while holding the flexible substrate upright, with one end part in a width direction of the flexible substrate being on an upper side; and a substrate retaining device. The substrate retaining device has a pair of grip rollers; a support mechanism rotatably supporting the pair of grip rollers; a transmission mechanism transmitting a force to pressure contact one of the grip rollers with the other grip roller; a first driving device configured to adjust a pressure contact force of the pair of grip rollers; an angle adjusting mechanism configured to incline the pair of grip rollers with respect to a conveying direction of the flexible substrate; and a second driving device configured to adjust an inclination angle of the pair of grip rollers with respect to the conveying direction of the flexible substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Nishizawa, Shoji Yokoyama, Takanori Yamada
  • Patent number: 8302762
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for transporting flat products having at least one feeder feeding the flat products in a first transport direction, and having at least two conveying units for forwarding the flat products in a second transport direction. The conveying units are configured symmetrically and in each case have a plurality of guiding elements which can be set against the flat sides of the products. It is possible for the flat products to be received between in each case two adjacent guiding-element pairs and to be gripped by them and, as a result, to be transported upright in the second transport direction. During the movement in the second transport direction, the guiding elements are moved gradually out of holding engagement with the flat products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Palamides GmbH
    Inventors: Cristovao Mesquita, Martin Schweitzer
  • Patent number: 7861852
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for conveying pro-filled objects, particularly bottles or parisons comprising an annular collar between two sliding planes with the aid of at least one conveying apparatus, at least one part of which rests against the object in a frictionally engaging manner and is supported on receiving elements or pressure rollers. The part of the conveying apparatus that rests against the object in a frictionally engaging manner is resilient or is mounted in a resilient fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Sidel Participations, S.A.S.
    Inventors: Franz Klaiber, Peter Novak
  • Patent number: 7731017
    Abstract: A device for driving load conveyors or transporters in the form of a driving and guiding means (4), integrated in a line of conveyors or transporters (1 and 2) and extending along the longitudinal axis of said conveyors or transporters (1 and 2), perpendicularly to their plane and essentially formed by the combination of a driving belt (5), arranged along at least one longitudinal edge or in the extension of longitudinal edges of at least one conveyor or transporter (1 and 2) or two successive conveyors or transporters (1 and 2), and of a guide applying (6) the loads against the driving belt (5), arranged along the longitudinally opposite edges. Particular applicability is in the field of conveying by means of pallet conveyors or transporters, in particular with change of rate of transport and/or of level between conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Sidel Participations SAS
    Inventor: Zmaj Petrovic
  • Patent number: 7654385
    Abstract: Machine for front joining and sticking of oblong wood workpieces by toothed front joints and referential procedure consists of the flow press and entrance conveying line, and solves the problem of simple and quality front joining and sticking of workpieces, which travel through them fast and fluently in a consecutive row, irrespective of possible yet allowed curvature and dimensional deviation. This is enabled by the construction of entrance conveyors and exit conveyors of the conveying line, equipped with mechanisms for adjustment of side chain units, and with elastic couplings, whereby inside the side chain units the elastic insertions are placed, and inside pressing conveyors other elastic insertions are placed. Joints among individual entrance conveyors, among individual exit conveyors, and among conveyors are likewise elastic constructions by means of adjustable screws placed between fixed cantilevers, and between tension cantilevers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventors: Gregor Ledinek, Pavel Ledinek
  • Patent number: 7500554
    Abstract: An apparatus for conveying mail flats in an upright position with at least one conveying module has a circulating, horizontally oriented floor belt guided via return rollers, and two endless lateral guide belts guided via deflection rollers. A distance of the lateral guide belts from one another at ends of the conveying modules is greater than a thickest mail item. A height of a first lateral guide belt is less than that of a second lateral guide belt. Below the first lateral guide belt an elastic, narrow, endless pressure belt is provided, which is resiliently pressed against a lower part of the second lateral guide belt by pressure deflection rollers and pressed away from the second lateral guide belt by the mail items according to their thickness. Guide rails are mounted obliquely to a conveying direction and tangentially to the pressure deflection rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Holger Schererz, André Tolksdorf
  • Patent number: 7464808
    Abstract: A gripping intake system for a dual belt conveyor includes a hopper for storing granular material adjacent the return sections of the upper and lower loop belts of the dual belt conveyor, at least one hold down roller engaging the lower loop belt such that the upper and lower loop belts are held in spaced apart configuration prior to the conveying sections of the upper and lower loop belts being biased towards one another in face-to-face conveying relationship whereby granular material falling from the hopper comes into contact with the upper and lower loop belts which engage and accelerate the granular material via gravity and frictional contact with the belts to approximately the same speed as the belts and then feed the accelerated granular material into the dual belt conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventor: John Bohnker
  • Patent number: 7334676
    Abstract: A compensating roller system is adapted to adjust to size variation of product moving through a conveyor system. In one example, the compensating roller system is used to control a force resulting in deflection of a conveyor belt. In a specific implementation of such an example, a first rail is configured to support a first conveyor belt. A plurality of rollers is attached to the first rail and supports a conveyor belt moving over the rollers. The attachment allows each roller to pivot independently of movement of other rollers. Each of the rollers' movement is against a bias, and allows for deflection of the conveyor belt. A second rail may be configured as the first rail, and oriented define a channel for product movement between conveyor belts carried by the first and second rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Pearson Packaging Systems
    Inventors: Casey L. McGourin, Richard A. McQuary, Jacob M. Culley, Michael J. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7032737
    Abstract: A conveying apparatus for transporting open containers is provided with at least two conveying elements located opposite to each other that are adapted frictionally or positively engage the containers. Each conveying element comprises a plurality of gripping elements by means of guiding rails. The gripping elements each comprise at least two lip members located distantly to each other as seen in conveying direction and elastically resilient at least in a direction crosswise to the conveying direction, in order to grasp the containers laterally. The gripping elements are adapted to grasp and guide the containers, such that additional guiding elements can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: VT Zurich Marketing PTE, Ltd.
    Inventor: Walter C. Egger
  • Patent number: 6994387
    Abstract: A device for gripping, holding, releasing, and conveying objects of varying sizes and shapes, comprising an elongated torus (120) enclosing a fluid material (121), an outer roller assembly (136), and an inner roller assembly (134). Torus (120) may be made of a flexible membrane and able to seal in fluid material (121). Fluid material (121) can be a gas, liquid, solid particles, semisolid particles, or mixtures of these. Central channel (128) of torus (120) is collapsed due to pressure of fluid material (121) within torus (120). Gripping and conveying action is achieved by rolling motion of roller assemblies (134) and (136) which move collapsed channel (128) along the longitudinal (elongated) axis of torus (120). This causes front portion of the torus to slide radially inward to grip objects. Further movement of the roller assemblies can cause the object to be pulled completely inside the collapsed channel (121) and conveyed to the rear portion of the collapsed channel and out of torus (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventors: Gary Dean Ragner, William Ross Kinney
  • Publication number: 20030183488
    Abstract: A conveyor apparatus transports materials along an incline. The apparatus includes an endless base conveyor belt that is tensioned between lower and upper end rollers and is aligned with the incline. A drive means drives the base belt at a selected speed and in a selected direction along the incline. An endless hanging overhead conveyor belt is provided above the base belt, and has a substantially flat conveyance surface for covering materials placed on the base belt. A drive roller of the hanging overhead belt is coupled to the upper end roller of the base belt so as to drive the hanging overhead belt at a speed and direction similar to that of the base belt. The hanging overhead belt extending toward and in proximity to an input transport conveyor for transporting articles at a speed slower than the speed of the hanging belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Mark R. Frich
  • Patent number: 6626283
    Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying pieces or units of mail, or similar articles, comprises a fixed side and a movable side. The fixed side comprises a first conveyor belt which has a first inner run section partially defining an article flow path and which is routed around a plurality of pulleys which have their axes fixed with respect to the article flow path. The movable side comprises a second conveyor belt which has a second inner run section cooperating with the first inner run section of the first conveyor belt so as to cooperate therewith in defining the article flow path and which is routed around a plurality of pulleys or wheels which are movable with respect to the article flow path so as to accommodate the conveyance of different articles, having different thickness dimensions, along the article flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: William E. McBride
  • Patent number: 6598731
    Abstract: A feeder conveyor belt system applies force to the upper surface of objects and assists in moving the objects over a planar surface. The feeder conveyor belt is mounted on a suspension system which allows the feeder conveyor belt to adjust to the contour of objects being transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Eldetco, Inc.
    Inventor: Don Lunghi
  • Patent number: 6557696
    Abstract: A conveyor apparatus transports materials along an incline. The apparatus includes an endless base conveyor belt that is tensioned between lower and upper end rollers and is aligned with the incline. A drive means drives the base belt at a selected speed and in a selected direction along the incline. An endless and freely hanging tension-less overhead conveyor belt is provided above the base belt, and has a substantially flat conveyance surface for conforming to and covering materials placed on the base belt. A drive roller of the tension-less overhead belt is coupled to the upper end roller of the base belt so as to drive the tension-less overhead belt at a speed and direction similar to that of the base belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Mark R. Frich
  • Patent number: 6427827
    Abstract: The transport apparatus for magnetic cards includes a belt drive with an endless belt having a portion bearing on the information-bearing card conveyed by it and an opposing retaining member opposite the belt drive, on which the portion bearing on the information-bearing card can press the card during further transport. The portion of the endless belt on the opposite side from the information-bearing card is acted on with pressurized gas, especially pressurized air, to press the endless belt against the information-bearing card. The opposing retaining member can be another belt drive with another endless belt bearing on the information-bearing card, which is also acted on by compressed gas to provide additional clamping force to hold the information-bearing card fixed without vibration during transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Altantic Zeiser GmbH
    Inventor: Anders Berndtsson
  • Patent number: 6382399
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for conveying articles, particularly articles such as containers, or bottles, having a neck portion with a neck ring thereon, along an article conveying path with the articles being urged along the article conveying path by article engaging members extending from a plurality of sections of an elongated movable member that extends from a guide along a guide path adjacent and horizontally offset from the article conveying path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Goldco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. Simkowski
  • Patent number: 6354430
    Abstract: A method of causing a wound-on member to contact a printed wiring board and conveying the printed wiring board by utilizing a frictional force produced between the wound-on member and the printed wiring board, the method including the steps of providing two conveying units each of which includes a wound-on member and two rotatable wheels on which the wound-on member is wound to have a straightly extending portion which straightly extends between the two rotatable wheels, such that the two conveying units are spaced from each other in a direction parallel to a printed wiring board, and such that the respective straightly extending portions of the two wound-on members of the two conveying units cooperate with each other to sandwich the printed wiring board in a direction substantially parallel to the printed wiring board, and conveying the printed wiring board by rotating the rotatable wheels of the two conveying units, and thereby moving the two wound-on members, while utilizing a frictional force produced bet
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunio Oe
  • Patent number: 6296107
    Abstract: The invention relates to an individual track (1), in particular for off-take conveyor devices (2), having a base frame (4) and conveyor means (28) arranged thereon for displacing an elongated component (3) relative to the base frame (4). The conveyor means (28) and the guide elements (33) thereof are arranged on at least one individual guide frame (8 to 10) arranged in the direction of displacement of the component (3) and is mounted so that it can be automatically adjusted relative to the base frame (4) at least in a direction perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the component (3) by means of at least one adjustment drive (11). The adjustment drives (11) of the individual guide frame (8 to 10) are designed to apply a uniform pressure force to the component (3) is it is moved along.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Greiner Extrusionstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Baumgartner-Pichelsberger
  • Patent number: 6282864
    Abstract: There is provided for a packaging machine an overhead boom arrangement 20 having a number of endless belts 22, 23 driven around sets of rollers 25. The belts 22, 23 contact the tops of articles/bottles 11 or carton blanks 50 and are driven at the same speed as the speed of the articles through the packaging machine. At least one of the belts 23 is height adjustable relative to the other belt or belts 22. The boom arrangement holds the articles 11 whilst the blanks 50 are being folded around.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Johannes Jänen
  • Patent number: 6220330
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying labels to articles being moved in a single-file along a conveyor assembly by a primary conveyor belt. Articles such as video cassette containers or CD containers are conveyed in an upright singulated fashion along a conveyor assembly. Each individual article enters a labeling station where the article contacts a biasing assembly that includes a biasing belt. The biasing belt exerts a lateral force on the article to press the article into contact with a stationary guide assembly. The biasing belt is operated at substantially the same speed as the primary conveyor belt such that the article is held in contact with the stationary guide assembly as the article moves along the labeling station. A labeling unit applies a label to the article as the article is held in contact with the stationary guide assembly by the biasing belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Dorner Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: Terrence E. O'Brien, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6216756
    Abstract: A log processing apparatus is disclosed for processing a log with tapered sides, the log processing apparatus including a frame assembly, and infeed guide assembly including upstream and downstream pairs of guides configured to grip and center the tapered log along a travel path. The log processing apparatus may also include a saw assembly positioned adjacent the guides and configured to cut the tapered log in a cutting plane perpendicular to the travel path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: Howard Carl Mason
  • Patent number: 6189758
    Abstract: A driving device for an elongated element such as a cable includes a device for simultaneously and symmetrically moving two driving track belts apart or closer together in relation to the elongated element. With this driving device, the two track belts can be brought against the elongated element while the elongated element's longitudinal axis remains constant. A single handle allows for simple adjustment of a gap between the two driving track belts and a spring device absorbs instantaneous variation of a transverse dimension of the elongated element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Plumettaz SA
    Inventor: Michel Cherix
  • Patent number: 6170733
    Abstract: A mounting device for use with a printed circuit board solder machine having a pair of conveyors, where the printed circuit board is disposed between the conveyors for transport through the solder machine includes a body having a top and bottom portion. The top portion of the body includes structure for connecting the body to one of the pair of conveyors. The body is breakable when a predetermined pressure is exerted on the body to prevent damaged devices from interfering with the operation of the solder machine. Structure is further provided on the body for grasping a printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Fritz & Hill Corporation
    Inventor: James Arthur Fritz, Sr.