Abstract: A connection device connects a driving device and a feeding device and is for use in a scale or combination scale. A connection element has at least one magnet. A receiving device, which is located within the feeding device, includes at least one iron core. The receiving device includes a protrusion, where the receiving device meshes with the connection element in the mounted state for a simple, interlocking, and backlash-free self-centering connection.

Abstract: The problem of singulating oblong articles (1a, 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b) that are unloaded in an arbitrary orientation onto a conveyor has been solved in that the conveying trough (4) is divided into a central, lower part (5) and surrounding upwards-and-outwards extending parts (6, 7), whereby the central part (5) vibrates with a longitudinal amplitude that is higher than that of the upwards-and-outwards extending parts (6, 7) at the same frequency.

Abstract: A robot screw-fastening device includes a nut runner that is attached to a distal end of an arm of a robot to fasten screws one by one. A screw magazine accommodates a plurality of screws to be fed to the nut runner. A magazine inserting-extracting mechanism inserts and extracts a screw retrieving position of the screw magazine to and from below the nut runner. The screw magazine includes a flat support surface with a slit-like opening that contacts with a bearing surface of each of the screws so as to support the screws in a hanging state. The slit-like opening allows an underhead section of each screw to extend therethrough so that the plurality of screws are arranged parallel to each other in a single row.

Abstract: A vibrator (16) for the tray (10) of a vibratory conveyor (slip conveyor). The conveyor (16) includes bases 19 and 20 supported by resilient mountings (17, 18) on a stationary structure 37. Elongated resilient mountings (17, 18) extend between bases (19, 22), with the tray (10) supported on the base (23).

Abstract: An excited frame vibratory conveyor is described and which includes a base frame; a motor mount made integral and with the base frame; a pair of vibratory motors mounted on the motor mount; and an electrical circuit for energizing the pair of vibratory motors in a fashion which reduces movement of the base frame in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A system (1) for supplying components, particularly for transporting small components includes a vibrating device (2) provided with a plate (3) forming a surface for enabling the components to be grasped by a robot and a vibrating element (12) arranged to be capable of vibrating the plate (3) in one of the three directions in space and to be capable of vibrating the plate (3) in directions corresponding to any combination whatsoever of the three directions x, y and z. For this purpose, the vibrating element includes vibrating actuators (12) respectively including a vibrating element arranged to move with at least five degrees of freedom.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for imparting movement to one or more articles includes placing the one or more articles on a surface of a support member and imparting vibratory motion to the support member by vibrating actutators connected to the support member wherein the vibratory motion includes at least a rotational vibratory component about one or more axes out-of-alignment with the gravity vector to produce effective force fields on the surface.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly includes a mounting assembly for moving a material to be conveyed. The mounting assembly is movable in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction. At least one resiliently deformable spring member is provided for storing energy therein responsive to a motion of the mounting assembly in the second direction. Energy stored in the spring member is usable to urge the mounting assembly and the associated material in the first direction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for imparting movement to one or more articles includes placing the one or more articles on a surface of a support member and imparting vibratory motion to the support member by vibrating actutators connected to the support member wherein the vibratory motion includes at least a rotational vibratory component about one or more axes out-of-alignment with the gravity vector to produce effective force fields on the surface.

Abstract: Linear vibratory conveyor including a utility weight and a counterweight that can be vibratingly moved in opposing directions via a drive unit, the utility weight and the counterweight being connected via a non-rigid connector that represents or includes a vibration amplifying means for the vibration produced by the drive unit.

Abstract: A right angle conveyor has a first trough and a second trough to move product by reciprocating motion with the second trough at an angle to the first trough. Rocker arms and corresponding reactor springs joined to a chassis form the first and second troughs. The first trough has a motor upon the chassis, eccentric cam, and a linkage to induce reciprocating motion into the conveyor. To induce reciprocation, the first trough has a first bracket connected to a yoke upon a trunnion joined to the chassis, a yoke connected to a slave drive spring bracket, a slave spring connected to the slave drive spring bracket and to a second bracket, the slave spring connected to a second bracket beneath the second trough. The yoke has three pinned connections to permit rotation.

Abstract: The tie bar supporting a feed tray (moving mass) is attached to the reaction mass using one leaf spring and one elastomeric spring. The elastomeric spring comprises first and second elastomeric pads which sandwich a portion of the tie bar to which the feed tray is attached. The elastomeric spring operates in shear with the spring rate of the elastomeric spring being adjusted by increasing/decreasing the compressive force exerted by the first and second elastomeric pads on the tie bar. The adjustable vibratory feeder has demonstrated greatly enhanced stability over other existing systems.

Abstract: Vibrational linear conveyor for conveying workpieces and powdery or granular materials with a useful mass and a counter mass, which are equal in magnitude, are mounted separately at a vibrating system and, for conveying, can be brought into an opposite oscillating or vibrating movement over an electromagnetic exciter element comprising a magnet coil and a magnet armature, both of which are parts of the useful or counter mass. The workpieces or materials are transported by means of the oscillating or vibrating movement on a trough-like conveying element, which is part of the useful mass, along the conveying element, the useful and counter masses of the same magnitude lying essentially one above the other and being built up symmetrically on either side of a vertical central plane, in which the centers of mass of the useful and counter masses are resting on a common line of action.

Abstract: A balanced flat stroke bi-directional conveyor for conveying object, granular and powder material. The unit utilizes the skewed sine wave trough stroke principle using primary eccentric counterweights wheels driven by a motor running at the secondary speed and equipped with the secondary eccentric counterweight wheels and a third counterweight wheel. The forces not in line with the trough stroke are absorbed with an isolation spring mounted between the drive assembly and the base, while the forces in line with the trough are balanced via a connected balancer.

Abstract: An article carrying apparatus is capable of inhibiting a force that acts on the apparatus due to vibration being applied to its carry section in order to carry an article. The article carrying apparatus includes: a carry section for restricting, to a circumferential direction, a carrying direction in which an article is carried; a cam mechanism to which a driving force is input from an input shaft and that is for applying a vibration to the carry section by transmitting, to the carry section, an oscillating motion having at least a circumferential direction component in the circumferential direction, wherein the vibration causes the article to be carried in the circumferential direction; and a balancer for inhibiting a force that acts on the input shaft due to the cam mechanism applying the vibration to the carry section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a weighing machine for weighing portions of material, which weighing machine comprises a frame structure on which a central distributor, a plurality of linear conveyors and a plurality of scales are mounted, and wherein the linear conveyors are arranged around the central distributor and each is configured as a conveyor duct suspended in relation to a counterweight by means of spring elements extending between the conveyor duct and the counterweight in such a manner that the transport duct is, by means of a vibrator intended therefore, caused to vibrate in a vibration pattern causing it to transport, during the vibration, maerial from the centra distributor and radially outwards to the scales. The invention is characterised in that the counterweight for each of the transport ducts in the linear conveyors are constituted of the frame structure of the machine, the spring elements for each transport duct being mounted directly on the frame structure.

Abstract: A two-way vibratory conveyor includes at least one trough mounted on a base and a drive which reciprocally moves the trough(s). The conveyor, which in one embodiment has two interconnected troughs and in another embodiment has a single trough, includes a drive which uses a single motor. In the two-trough conveyor, the two troughs are driven in opposite directions. In the single-trough conveyor, the single motor is used to selectively drive the trough in one of two opposite directions. The troughs are mounted to a base using springs and stabilizer arms. The stabilizer arms, which are made of ductile iron, have been found to be withstand larger loads and have a longer useful life than currently available stabilizer arms.

Abstract: A vibratory conveying device comprise an elongated trough for transporting materials, and a base underlying the trough. A plurality of elongated leaf springs support the trough on the base, with a vibratory drive system operatively connected to the base for effecting vibratory movement of the trough. Economical manufacture and efficient maintenance are facilitated by configuring the base so that it comprises a pair of sheet-like base side members, with a laterally extending drive support member extending therebetween. In the preferred form, the drive support member is detachably connected to the base side members with suitable mechanical fasteners. In turn, a pair of rotary vibratory drives of the drive system are removably mounted on respective opposite sides of the drive support member by a plurality of threaded mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: A vibratory conveying apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention includes a base, a trough, and at least one spring assembly mounting the trough on the base for vibratory conveyance of material in the trough. At least one of the spring assemblies of the conveying apparatus is configured for selective adjustment of the spring rate of the assembly, so that the conveying apparatus can be efficiently tuned for conveying different types of materials, without resort to varying the air gap of the associated electromagnetic vibratory drive, or by otherwise altering spring rates or weight ratios of the conveying apparatus.

Abstract: A differential motion conveyor includes a cylindrical moving magnet linear motor to drive a trough into vibration to convey material. The linear motor utilizes a compact, efficient and powerful design using an annular stator which drives an armature. The armature includes opposing shaft ends which are connected to either the trough or to a conveyor base, or to a counterweight depending on the conveyor design, to drive the trough into reciprocation to feed particles along the trough.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor employing an amplitude compensator to substantially impede the conveyor bed from moving beyond a given range of vibration amplitude is described. The amplitude compensator coacts with the conveyor bed as the vibrational amplitude of the bed increases in response to an increase in the mass of conveyed product, or to an increase in the vibrational force produced by the vibratory drive to impede or substantially eliminate premature wear or mechanical failure of leaf springs which support the bed.

Abstract: A vibratory system for a vibration feeder includes pulse means for generating electrical digital pulse signals. A controller controllably converts the electrical digital pulse signals either into an incrementally increasing or decreasing DC voltage level. At least one vibration block is coupled to the controller for being increased or decreased in its amplitude of vibration in response to the respective incrementally increasing or decreasing DC voltage level generated by the controller. A remotely located additional controller, such as a programmable logic controller, may be coupled to the controller for transmitting electrical digital pulse signals to control the amplitude of vibration.

Abstract: A vibratory conveying feeder includes a trough mounted by springs to a base with a vibratory driver bonded to the base and connected to the trough. The springs include a first vertically oriented spring at a front of the conveyor connected between the base and the trough and a second spring arranged between the trough and the base and arranged along a line about 20.degree. to the horizontal. The second spring is set between 40% to 80% of total spring rate. The base is tapered toward a rear side thereof to allow a plurality of such conveyor feeders to be mounted in a tight circle for delivering material radially outwardly of the center line of the circle in a weighing and distributing operation.

Abstract: A screening machine of the moving base type has an oscillating force reducer and a single counterbalance drive, with the weight of the drive counterbalance sized to underbalance the longitudinal reaction force exerted by the deck on the drive shaft, but to substantially overbalance the lateral reaction force exerted by the deck on the drive shaft. The weight of the force reducer, the spring constant of the spring which oscillates the force reducer, and overall cost are surprisingly reduced.

Abstract: Bearing failure and noise generation problems of prior art, vibratory feeders are eliminated in a construction including a bed (10) having an elongated, generally horizontal feeding or conveying surface (56) having opposed ends (52) and (54). Spaced resilient isolation elements (58) mount the bed (50) above the underlying terrain (68) and a rotatable shaft (74) with an eccentrically mounted weight (56) is journalled to the bed (50) for bi-directional rotation about a generally horizontal axis. A pair of dynamic balancers (82), (84) are connected to the bed, one on each side of the shaft (74) and serve to reduce the vertical component of vibration imparted to the surface (56).

Abstract: A vibratory device operating as a two mass vibrating system having an exciter mass and a work member mass spring coupled and supported by isolator springs and operating at a frequency less than the natural frequency of the system. Two or more cylindrical elastomer springs are mounted on a center beam of the work member having a spring rate in the shear direction for setting the required natural frequency and also provide a spring rate in the compression direction that will have a natural frequency substantially above the natural frequency in the shear direction. The cylindrical elastomer springs mounted to a single rigid center beam provides flexibility of design for a specific work member application.

Abstract: Known large vibrating conveyors are not readily suitable as such for conveying bulk materials or small articles into or out of a liquid bath, because the liquid transmits the vibrations to other structural parts, for example a vessel for the liquid, as a result of the incompressibility of the liquid. In order to remedy this, the vibrating conveyor device according to the invention has a compressible space or chamber underneath the vibrating part which damps the vibrations, when suitably coordinated with the liquid bath. The space is preferably gas-filled and its damping properties can be varied by feeding additional gas through a line which can be shut off by a member, or by bleeding some of the filling through a further line which can likewise be shut off by a member.

Abstract: A linear vibratory conveyor has a bottom plate and a vibratory conveyor track. Together with a trimming weight, the latter forms a vibrating mass. Further, a countermass is provided forming a mass vibrating in an opposite direction. The support of the masses, vibrating reciprocally, referred to the bottom plate takes place by way of spring elements formed by leaf springs. An electromagnetic vibratory drive fed by a cycled d-c potential engages between the masses vibrating reciprocally. A coupler of elastically damped action is provided between the masses vibrating reciprocally for the masses to vibrate exactly reciprocally one referred to the other even when out of resonance.

Abstract: A bidirectional vibratory drive unit is disclosed for use with vibratory driven feeder bowls and parts separators, including a base member having first and second pluralities of lower spring mount pads and a top member having corresponding first and second pluralities of upper spring mount pads. A plurality of springs alternatively attach between the first plurality of upper spring mount pads and the first plurality of lower spring mount pads or between the second plurality of upper spring mount pads and the second plurality of lower spring mount pads to change the bias of the top member relative to the base member. Electromagnetic coils are alternatively attachable to the base member and are operable in cooperation with the springs to vibrate the top member in alternative first or second driven directions relative to the base member.

Abstract: An isolator for use on a vibratory parts feeder incorporates a locating plate rotatable through three hundred sixty degrees in a horizontal plain to allow mounting adjustment and parts feeder micro alignment.

Abstract: The invention discloses a vibratory conveyor arranged so that the vibrations have a substantially greater horizontal than vertical movement. More particularly, the vertical acceleration of material carried by the material-carrying member is less than the acceleration of gravity and therefore the material conveyed does not physically leave the surface of the material-carrying member. The result is a smooth flow of material from one end of the material-carrying member to the other.

Abstract: A vibrating two mass conveyor apparatus for conveying material includes a driven mass, which defines the vibratory material conveying path, and a driver mass for imparting a vibrating conveying force to the driven mass. A vibratory driven is operatively associated with the driver mass for imparting a vibratory force to the driver mass. The driven mass is located adjacent the driver mass, and is connected to the driver mass by resilient devices, such as coil springs. Link arms also interconnect the driven mass and driver mass, with the one end of each arm pivotally connected to the driven mass the other end pivotally connected to the driver mass. Supports connected to the link arms proximate the nodes of the link arms connect the apparatus to a support structure, such as the floor or roof of a building in which the conveyor apparatus is installed.

Abstract: A dispersion feeder used in a combination weighing machine for distributively feeding product to be weighed out to a plurality of weighing units arranged around it. The feeder is characterized in that it includes a mechanism for effecting rotational movement of the center or apex of its dispersion table. This movement exerts a centrifugal force on product fed onto the table, including product in and near the center of the table, thereby ensuring that such product is removed from the table.

Abstract: A natural frequency vibratory conveyor which substantially improves upon the slow starting and stopping times and the power requirements associated with prior art natural systems is disclosed. The conveyor employs a drive member reciprocatively connected at one end to a drive motor assembly and resiliently connected at the opposite end to the conveyor platform. The conveyor can be operated at unusually high natural frequencies of vibration, thereby achieving high production rates, by employing opposed, adjustable springs to establish a high bidirectional spring rate between the conveyor platform and the base. Undesirable vertical components of vibration can thus be reduced without sacrificing productivity due to the high natural frequency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vibrating conveyor in which the frame (1) and the trough (2) of the vibrating device are attached to each other by rigid bars (6). At the attachment points of the bars (6) to the trough (2) and to the frame (1) there are resilient components such as rubber discs (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d), axially fitted to the bars (6).

Abstract: A weighing system includes a weighing apparatus composed of distributive table, a plurality of radial supply troughs disposed around the peripheral edge of the distributive table for being supplied with articles to be weighed from the distributive table, a plurality of weighing units supporting respective openable weighing hoppers for weighing articles supplied to the weighing hoppers, at least one of the distributive table and the radial supply troughs having a slide surface slanted radially outwardly to a large extent for allowing the articles to slide thereon, each of the radial supply troughs having a radially outer distal end disposed over one of the weighing hoppers, and a collection chute disposed below the weighing hoppers. A liquid drain device is disposed at the distal end of each of the radial supply troughs. A shutter is interposed between each of the radial supply troughs and a corresponding one of the weighing hoppers.

Abstract: A material dispensing apparatus including drive structure for driving a feeder bowl is disclosed. A control circuit for controlling the drive includes a Hall effect amplitude sensing transducer for monitoring the magnitude of bowl vibrations and a braking circuit for controlling the damping of vibratory motion after the requisite amount of material has been fed from the feeder bowl. The braking circuit selectively reverses the current flow through a drive coil which comprises a portion of the drive circuitry of the apparatus. This current reversal disrupts the rhythm of forced oscillations which feed material from the bowl and causes bowl motion to be damped. A mechanical brake coupled to the bowl complements the braking action of braking circuit and locks the bowl in place to prevent accidental dispensing of parts.

Abstract: A dynamically balanced vibratory conveyor system for conveying or feeding particulate material. The system comprises a horizontal trough, a counterweighting frame positioned adjacent to and generally coextensive with the trough, and a plurality of spaced, resilient elements interconnecting the trough and the frame. A driving device is connected between the trough and the frame to drive both the trough and the frame in reciprocating movement in opposed relative directions. The entire system is supported by a pair of trunnions or similar means which is connected to the resilient elements at a vibrationally neutral position so that practically no vibration is transmitted to the structure which supports the system.

Abstract: A drawdown hopper isolation system having a series of isolators supporting the hopper in spaced relation from a support surface. Each of the isolators is comprised, in preferred form, of a rubber block having an axial bore therethrough, a series of parallel nylon fabric lays being axially spaced one from another within the block. The nylon fabric lays are rotationally oriented in random fashion, relative to the axis of the block, so as to insure relatively even lateral deflection of the isolator in response to vibration of the hopper. A stud fixed to the hopper extends into one end of the isolator's bore, and a stud fixed to the hopper support surface extends into the other end of the isolator's bore, thereby locating the hopper in a desired position on the support surface.

Abstract: A vibrating machine, such as an oscillating conveyor, vibratory feeder, or vibratory screen, is mounted to a plurality of supports by a suspension that isolates machine vibrations from the supports. The suspension includes a plurality of U-shaped stirrups extending transversely beneath the machine at intervals spaced longitudinally of the machine. Each U-shaped stirrup extends between a pair of opposed supports to which the stirrup is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis of rotation that extends transversely of the vibrating machine. This axis of rotation is along or near the axis of the instantaneous center of rotation of the stirrup. The stirrups support the vibrating machine at surfaces spaced below the axis of rotation. These stirrup surfaces are located to intersect an axis passing through the region of the center of percussion of the stirrup about the axis of rotation. Vibrations in a direction longitudinal of the vibrating machine impart a rotational motion to each stirrup.