Slide And Guide Or Wheel And Track Means To Movably Support Bucket Patents (Class 198/710)
  • Patent number: 11781194
    Abstract: A briquette cooling conveyor system includes an apron pan conveyor. The apron pan conveyor includes: an apron pan with openings adapted to drain water from the apron pan conveyor, an apron pan upper, carry strand, and an apron pan lower, return strand. The briquette cooling conveyor system further includes a carriage side flushing hopper positioned between the apron pan upper, carry strand and the apron pan lower, return strand, and the carriage side flushing hopper is configured to capture fines and water from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Midrex Techonologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Lloyd Lewis, Jr., Brian Voelker, Lemuel Orleans
  • Patent number: 11661721
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide apparatus and method for seabed resources collection. The apparatus comprises a main module and a plurality of seabed resources collecting devices releasably attached to the main module, wherein the main module and the plurality of collecting devices are configured to be launched from a surface vessel towards a seabed; the main module includes a control module which is configured to determine a mining path for each of the collecting devices based on characteristics of the seabed, control each of the collecting devices to collect seabed resources along the determined mining path and control transfer of the seabed resources collected by the collecting devices, wherein each collecting device is configured to be released from the main module after the apparatus is launched, and to collect seabed resources along the mining path determined by the main module after being released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: OCEAN MINERAL SINGAPORE HOLDING PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Anis Hussain, Aziz Merchant
  • Publication number: 20150136568
    Abstract: A conveyor system equipped with a roller track for holding and moving one side of material and a plurality of rails parallel to the roller track each having a carrier for holding and moving the other side of material on the rail, wherein each carrier is provided with a height adjuster for changing holding height of material, the holding height of material is raised after a carrier departs from the start point and the height adjuster engages with an operating bar which is set at a side of the rail, the holding height of material is lowered after a carrier departs from the end point toward the start point and the height adjuster engages with another operating bar which is set at a side of the rail, and the carrier which returns to the start point can pass below the material which moves while held at the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Satoru MATSUMOTO, Koukichi NAKATANI
  • Patent number: 9004267
    Abstract: A conveying system includes conveying cells (14) for accommodating in particular hot bulk goods or lumpy conveying material. The conveying cells have a bottom (16), a front wall (30) and a rear wall (31) in the conveying direction of the conveying system and side walls (15) connecting the latter. The conveying cells (14) open at the top are shielded from the surrounding atmosphere by a stationary and gas-tight top cover (17) that spans the open surface of the conveying cells. Both sealing elements (22; 34, 35) shielding intermediate spaces (32) existing between the conveying cells (14) in the conveying direction from the surrounding atmosphere and also sealing elements (22; 28) projecting laterally on both sides beyond the side walls (15) of the conveying cells (14) are disposed in the bottom region of the conveying cells (14) lying opposite the top cover (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Aumund Fordertechnik
    Inventors: Guido Kirbach, Matthias Moritz, Christian Niedzwiedz, Frank Reddemann
  • Publication number: 20120160638
    Abstract: A checkpoint system, wheeled bins for a checkpoint system, and methods for conveying articles in wheeled bins through a checkpoint system. Each bin has four wheels that do not extend below the bin's flat bottom. In this way, the bin can be slid on its bottom along a shallow, troughed divesting table while it is being filled and conveyed on its bottom through a checkpoint and rolled on its wheels along a deeper troughed discharge lane. A bin return beneath the discharge lane returns bins to a bin storage queue beneath the divesting table. A sorter at the output of the checkpoint selectively diverts bins to one or more discharge lanes, such as individual lanes for cleared and for suspect bin contents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Andrew N. Baker, Matthew L. Fourney
  • Patent number: 8056706
    Abstract: This invention is about water carrying lift that enables water to be used in watering fields (agricultural fields), energy production, etc by increasing the level of water in places like rivers, streams, creeks etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Zafer Koyuncu
    Inventor: Mehmet Koyuncu
  • Patent number: 8028822
    Abstract: Invention describes apparatus automating distributed item processing including pharmacy. Apparatus includes: portable vending cartridges, automatic vending modules, controllers. Cartridge contains conveyor transporting items inside carriers. Cartridges slide-into receptacles inside vending module. Controllers in real-time monitor presence of cartridges; inventory of carries, items; and execute controls of each cartridge and vending module including: indexing conveyors; loading and/or unloading items into/from carriers; maintaining items within specifications: environment, handling, safety with reports confirming compliance. Controllers execute in real-time optimization algorithm achieving required performance: rates of item loading/unloading, power consumption. Pharmacy applications include cartridges handling containers with medications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventor: Zachary L. Braunstein
  • Publication number: 20100116624
    Abstract: A rail section comprises a body portion. The rail section has a profile that provides one or more roller contact areas extending a length of the rail section. The rail section further comprises an end portion that defines one or more slots that allow the one or more roller contact areas to deflect elastically relative to the body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Michael W. Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 7080730
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus including a conveying member defining a loop that may be used for transferring a product into a container. The conveying member can be a belt, a chain, or plurality of hinged plates. The invention also includes first and second supporting members individually disposed at opposite sides of the loop and spaced a first distance apart from one another. The first and second supporting members support rotating movement of the conveying member. The invention also includes a moving device operable to translate the first and second supporting members concurrently along a path having at least one bend. The lengths of the portions of the conveying member disposed on opposite sides of the bend can be adjusted by the moving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: David C. Ours, Randall Cary, Gary Stolhanske, Stanley Davis
  • Publication number: 20040094390
    Abstract: A bucket elevator conveyor system of the straight horizontal, “C” and “Z” configurations. In these bucket elevator conveyor systems, loading of the buckets can occur anywhere along the horizontal run adjacent the take-up end and discharge of the buckets can be made at the drive area or along the bottom run of the upper horizontal sections of the “Z” and “C” configuration. This provides not only for discharge of the product from the buckets traveling along the lower path of the conveyor, but also provides for simple, intermediate discharge. In addition, there are provided relapping mechanisms to assure proper relapping of the buckets, This is accomplished by reason of a unique bucket design having a cam on one end combined with the front and rear flanges angled to assure proper operation and lapping of the buckets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Universal Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Bierschenk, Mark Parsons, Paul Grovert
  • Patent number: 6474521
    Abstract: A storage chest for vehicles comprises a box defining an opening and being sized for mounting to a motor vehicle; a door openably closing off the opening; a plurality of containers sized and shaped to receive and hold one or more items; a motorized drive assembly mounted to the box and connected to the plurality of containers to move the containers in a circuitous path for selective presentation thereof proximal to the opening; and, a subjacent secondary support assembly for supporting the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventor: James O. Young
  • Patent number: 6267226
    Abstract: A bucket elevator for use in grape harvesting which has buckets in sequential alignment which are each attached to a bucket elevator chain so that the orientation of each bucket will remain that of the chain to which it is attached. There are disclosures of shapes of buckets to facilitate collection, emptying and carrying materials and to avoid allowing spaces between the buckets which will ensnare with materials being carried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Inventor: Paul Laurence Jarmain
  • Patent number: 6108947
    Abstract: Bucket dredger, comprising: a swivelling ladder connected to a vessel, a driven upper wheel at the top end and a polygonal lower wheel (7) at the lower end of the ladder, one or more endless chains (6) which are guided along both wheels, and buckets (9) connected to the shackles (8) of these chains (6). For receiving the lateral force exerted on a bucket the bottom wall (12) of each bucket (9) is provided with two ribs (15) extending downwardly, which extend substantially parallel to the side walls (14) of the bucket and which, in the assembled state of the bucket, extend adjacent the chains (6) and between the chains and upright edges (16) placed on the lower wheel (7). The ribs (15) can extend along the length of two shackles (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: IHC Holland N. V.
    Inventors: Jacob Brand, Cornelis Van Der Zouwen
  • Patent number: 5119939
    Abstract: A bucket conveyor frame. At least one horizontal section and one vertical section are connected by a curved section. Each section has a central support tube. A plurality of plates connected to the support tube lie in approximately vertical planes. Upper and lower chain hold downs extend the length of the sections. A transport track delivers products from an infeed station to a discharge station and a return track returns the buckets to the infeed station in a continuous loop. Chain sprockets are located within enclosed housings at the infeed and discharge stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Meyer Machine Company
    Inventors: Eugene W. Teeter, Cynthia G. Campbell, Jimmie F. Lassiter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4988250
    Abstract: A bucket elevator type continuous ship unloader is used for both a sidewise shovelling operation and a catenary cleaning up operation. In this ship unloader, a bucket chain is wound around sprockets respectively provided at the front and rear ends of a horizontal frame and a sprocket provided above the rear sprocket such that it encircles the sprockets in an L-shaped form. The bucket chain is made loosened or taut by the upward or downward movement of the horizontal frame with respect to the upper sprocket. The horizontal frame is provided with a horizontal rail with which a roller provided on each bucket is fitted when the bucket chain is stretched tautly. During the sidewise shovelling operation, the buckets run while being guided by the rail. In consequence, the force acting on the bucket during the shovelling in the vertical direction as well as in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the bucket is exerted on the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 4958721
    Abstract: A bucket conveyor having a guide track, a plurality of independent buckets slidably engaged with the guide track and a driving mechanism that directly engages each bucket of the plurality of buckets during their movement around the guide track. The guide track is provided with a detachable segment which allows the removal of buckets from and the addition of buckets to the bucket elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventor: Chris R. Redford
  • Patent number: 4944387
    Abstract: A bucket conveyor system 13 for a harvesting machine which can move along a row of plants. The bucket conveyor system has a pair of parallel endless roller chains 18 guided for movement along a generally rectangular path 17, and open-topped buckets 19 connected to the chains 18 at equally spaced intervals along the chains. The buckets each have a rear lip 36 extending over and beyond the front wall 32 of the next rearward bucket 19 to prevent gaps through which harvested fruit or juice can fall. The sole connection of the buckets 19 to the chains 18 is by a single shaft 44 projecting outward from the upper end of each side wall 31 of the buckets. As a bucket 19 is elevated, a fixed vertical bucket guide 27c engages a substantially vertical front wall 32 of the bucket to keep the bucket erect, with the engagement of the bucket guide 27c with the bucket wall 32 being at a substantial distance from the pivot connections 44 of the bucket to the chains to minimize stress in the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Inventor: Desmond C. Burke
  • Patent number: 4860884
    Abstract: A bucket conveyor including self-scooping bucket elements, a support structure, and a mechanism for displacing the elements over a closed path along the support structure for conveying bulk material from a region below the structure to a region in the vicinity of the top of the support structure, the closed path having two substantially parallel reaches, each reach having a vertical portion. The support structure includes: a vertically oriented upper member extending from the region of the top of the support structure; a lower member connected to the upper member for pivotal movement relative to the upper member; and a base member connected to the lower member for pivotal movement relative to the lower member and having a longitudinal dimension which is inclined to the vertical and protrudes laterally from the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Fried. Krupp Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventor: Ludwig Kostrewa
  • Patent number: 4838410
    Abstract: A bucket conveyor comprising a plurality of buckets, a chain on which the buckets are mounted in series, a chain track on which the chain is mounted for movement thereon, a drive for moving the chain whereby the buckets are moved along a circuitous conveyor path between one bucket filling station and one bucket emptying station, and a device for moving the buckets around the axis of movement of the chain as required for the buckets to negotiate curves and turns in the conveyor path as the buckets move along the conveyor path on the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: REFAC International, Limited
    Inventor: George T. Gough
  • Patent number: 4830177
    Abstract: A bucket elevator-type continuous unloader in which guide rails are provided on a frame of a horizontal scraping section and rollers engaging with each guide rail are provided for a train of elevator buckets, wherein the guide rails are adapted to be engaged with or disengaged from the rollers of the train of elevator buckets, whereby both a lateral scraping system, in an engaged state and a catenary scraping system in a disengaged state can be selectively adopted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keitaro Baba, Yoshitaka Yagi
  • Patent number: 4817782
    Abstract: A bucket conveyor comprising a plurality of buckets, a chain on which the buckets are mounted in cantilevered relation to one side of the chain by an outwardly-extending bucket spindle connecting the chain to one side of the bucket, a chain track on which the chain is mounted for linear movement thereon, a drive for moving the chain whereby the buckets are moved along a circuitous conveyor path between one bucket filling station and one bucket emptying station, an auxiliary support wheel mounted for rotation on the side of the bucket opposite the bucket spindle in coaxial relation therewith, and an auxiliary track mounted in laterally spaced-apart relation to the chain track in supporting relation to the auxiliary support wheel to support the bucket on both sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Gough Holdings (Engineering) Limited
    Inventor: George T. Gough
  • Patent number: 4722433
    Abstract: A bucket elevator includes a continuous driven chain supporting inter-engaging buckets on swinging links. The links carry rollers which travel along guidance tracks which diverge from the track which guides the chain. Thus, the buckets pass around a curve of greater radius than the chain due to movement of the swinging links and will separate from each other while remaining horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: Gough Econ, Inc.
    Inventor: George T. Gough
  • Patent number: 4719059
    Abstract: A material handling device for transferring a formed good from an injection molding machine includes a pair of spaced tracks. Inner ends of the tracks are positioned below a mold carried by the machine with the track positioned transversely to opening and closing movement of the mold by the machine. On the track is a slidable basket which may be moved from the track inner end to an outer end away from the machine. Basket movement may be effected by activation of a pneumatic drive formed as part of the track and attached to the basket. During forming of a good, the basket is moved under the mold. When forming is complete, the mold opens and the good ejected. The good falls into the basket which has a cushion-like surface to inhibit damage. Opening of the mold starts a first timing period which lapses to activate the pneumatic drive to move the basket and good to the track outer end for good removal. During this first timing period the mold closes to begin a next forming cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Duraco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Braun, Lyle L. Bigelow
  • Patent number: 4671783
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for transmitting power to and from wheels via a train of links. The wheels have cam actuated members that effectively control the radial position of individual links as they enter, travel around, and exit the said wheels; thus, allowing for high operating speeds. The wheels also have cam manipulated members that transmit pwoer to and from the train of links such that the required engagement and disengagement of the said wheel and train of links occurs without relative slip greatly reducing wear and allowing for high operating speeds. An arrangement of links is disclosed that is especially suitable and complimentary to said wheels. Other devices are introduced that aid the said wheels and train of links as they work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Inventor: Timothy H. Seymour
  • Patent number: 4505378
    Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for successively receiving single newspapers being advanced by a conveyor loading device and advancing the same to a downstream location for additional processing. The apparatus includes an endless conveyor track having a conveyor chain that supports a multiplicity of pocket members in close proximity with the outer surface of the conveyor track and for movement about the extent of the track. The pocket members are equally spaced about the chain and each includes a pair of spaced spring biased arcuated fingers that are continually urged in a direction to engage and maintain a newspaper in a pocket when received from the loader. A cam controlled lever is operatively connected to the arcuated fingers and serves to control movement of the latter between positions for receiving and releasing a newspaper from a pocket and a position for maintaining one within a pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: George M. Statkus
  • Patent number: 4370931
    Abstract: A transportation system comprises a plurality of successive load carrying components, means for moving the components along a closed-loop path and means for controlling the speed of the components and their distance apart. The controlling means is operable by moving the components along the closed-loop path without rotation of the components traverse to the closed-loop path direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1983
    Inventor: Axel de Broqueville
  • Patent number: 4024947
    Abstract: A bulk material conveying apparatus consisting of an endless chain of elongated containers is disclosed. Each container has a closed end and an open end, with orientation of the containers alternating so that in a horizontal traveling position, open ends are adjacent and in sealing relationship. The ends of successive containers are pivoted together, and guide tracks and followers are provided at and near loading and unloading stations so that as the containers approach the station they are rotated from a horizontal end to end position to a vertical side by side stacked together position. In the station the containers move slowly for loading or unloading, then are rotated back to the horizontal position as they progress for high speed travel to the other station. While traveling between stations the containers are inverted so that their open ends are up at loading stations and down at unloading stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1977
    Inventor: Ernst G. Knolle
  • Patent number: 4004679
    Abstract: A new mechanical shovel adapted for mounting on a vehicle and for shovelling continuously onto a conveyor consists of a plurality of buckets pivotally mounted equidistantly around an axis to two spaced coaxial cam disc members rotatable by a drive about an axis. These two rotatable members are mounted between and each closely adjacent to another respective coaxial cam disc member also coaxial with the axis. The first-mentioned rotatable cam members have a plurality of cam tracks each for a respective bucket, while the second-mentioned cam members each have a single endless bucket-attitude determining cam track. Each bucket has cam followers each of which cooperates with two cam tracks, one on each member, so that the buckets pivot to the required attitude for shovelling and subsequent discharging as they are rotated about the axis. The inclination of the shovelling part of the bucket path can be changed by rotating the second-mentioned cam members about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1977
    Inventor: Steven Charles Lenkey