Support For Conveying Member Patents (Class 198/763)
  • Patent number: 11242206
    Abstract: A conveyor includes a trough with a floor having an upper surface configured to receive items to be conveyed in at least a first direction from a first end to a second end. The conveyor also includes a platform with at least one exciter attached thereto. The at least one exciter has at least one shaft with an eccentric mass attached thereto, the shaft having an axis of rotation about which the mass is rotated. The conveyor also includes a base. At least one first toroidal resilient member is disposed between the trough and the platform, and at least one second toroidal resilient member disposed between the platform and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corp.
    Inventors: Steve Massman, Kerry Quinn
  • Patent number: 10804785
    Abstract: The invention discloses a control system and a vibration control method for an LRA. The vibration control method comprises: providing an induction coil, the arrangement and the winding of the induction coil able to obtain an inductive voltage proportional to LRA vibration speed; generating a vibration signal according to inductive voltage and feeding back to a driver connected to the LRA to control the vibration of LRA; wherein the generated vibration signal satisfying the following: when induction voltage is lower than a low-speed threshold, the vibration signal causes the driver to apply a driving force in the same direction; when induction voltage is higher than a high-speed threshold, the vibration signal causes the driver to apply a driving force in the opposite direction; when induction voltage is between the low-speed threshold and the high-speed threshold, the vibration signal does not force the driver to apply force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: TOPRAY MEMS INC.
    Inventors: Chin-Sung Liu, Shin-Ter Tsai, Tzu-Kuang Fang
  • Patent number: 10799418
    Abstract: A cushion structure for a massager movement touch switch includes a movement main body and touch switch, where the main body includes a massage head, movement box and fixing plate, where the fixing plate is positioned below the movement box and has guide holes, and the bottom side of the movement box is configured with guide rods, each guide rod movably passed through the corresponding guide hole; springs are configured between the movement box and fixing plate, and the movement box, fixing plate respectively have positioning grooves adapted for the abutment and positioning of the upper, lower sides of each spring. One side of the touch switch is fixed to the fixing plate, and another side thereof is configured with a transmission rod, with an elastic body configured between the upper side of the transmission rod and the bottom side of the movement box, thereby having a cushioning function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: U YOUNG APPLIANCE MANUFACTURING (XIAMEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chih-Ming Hsu
  • Patent number: 10197129
    Abstract: An exemplary suspension member for a reciprocating conveyor has a horizontally oriented resilient spring member, two bases, and a support. The spring member has a main body, two ends, and a center with a mounting portion. Each base has a retention portion for retaining an end of the spring member. The support supports a tray disposed on top of the mounting portion and has at least one support member extending downward to engage the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Mayfran International, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Robert Tamlin
  • Patent number: 10046916
    Abstract: A vibratory apparatus includes a first mass comprising a first deck with a path of travel between a first point and a second point along the first deck, a second mass comprising a second deck with a path of travel between a first point and a second point along the second deck, a shaft coupled to the first mass and at least one eccentric weight coupled to the shaft, and at least one resilient member in the form of a plate having a thickness, the plate coupled at a first end to the first deck and at a second end to the second deck, the plate having a thickness disposed transverse to the path of travel along the first and second decks, the plate having at least one opening formed therethrough to form a web having a spring characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Steve Massman, Vincent Brice
  • Patent number: 10006802
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dispersing feed device including: a dispersion table adapted to receive articles supplied from above and to feed the articles to multiple sections on the periphery of the dispersion table; a first elastic unit inclinedly connected to the dispersion table, the first elastic unit having a first natural frequency; a second elastic unit connected to the dispersion table inclinedly in a direction different from the inclination direction of the first elastic unit, the second elastic unit having a second natural frequency which is different from the first natural frequency; and at least one vibrating source adapted to vibrate the dispersion table through the first and second elastic units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: ISHIDA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Kageyama, Yuji Okamoto
  • Patent number: 9481525
    Abstract: A vibratory conveyor is described and which includes a base frame; a reciprocally moveable conveyor bed supported by elongated springs and which are attached to each of the conveyor bed, and the base frame, and four unbalanced motors mounted on the base frame, and wherein the unbalanced motors when selectively energized, generate a vibratory force which is transmitted to the reciprocally moveable conveyor bed, and where, selective energizing of the four unbalanced motors can effect the movement of a product along the conveyor bed at a selectively variable speed in a manner not possible heretofore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Key Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean D. Dunham, Christopher A. Woiler, Jeffrey Sloop, Michael T. Jones, Eugene Groenewald, Koby J. Campbell, Mark Schmidtgall
  • Patent number: 9446432
    Abstract: A vibratory apparatus includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall and at least one pair of mated interior walls, the first sidewall, the second sidewall and the at least one pair of mated interior walls depending longitudinally between an inlet end and an outlet end. The at least one pair of mated interior walls is disposed laterally between the first and second sidewalls. At least one deck depends between the first and second sidewalls, and is divided into longitudinally depending sections by the at least one pair of mated interior walls. The apparatus also includes an exciter coupled to the at least one deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Dickinson, William Gerald Lichtenberger
  • Patent number: 9266436
    Abstract: An ice breaking pantograph is described, having a sliding element moveable between an operative position where it is engaged to an overhead train or tram power line and a non-operative position where it is separated from the overhead power line; at least one arm, having a first end which can be hinged to a train or tram vehicle and a second end connected to the sliding element; an active actuator on the arm to move it in order to move the sliding element between the operative position and the non-operative position; a vibrator operating on the sliding element and activatable in the operative position of the sliding element to remove ice and/or snow from the overhead power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: TESMEC S.P.A.
    Inventor: Antonio Nitti
  • Publication number: 20140116852
    Abstract: A vibratory apparatus for feeding discrete articles. The vibratory apparatus has a tray for receiving the discrete articles and a vibratory drive for imparting a vibration movement to the tray. A retaining device releasably retains the tray to the vibratory drive. The retaining device includes a tray locking assembly selectively moveable between a locked position to lock the tray to the vibratory drive and an unlocked position to unlock the tray from the vibratory drive. In the unlocked position the tray can be removed from the vibratory drive. In the locked position the tray is locked to the vibratory drive in a vibration transmission relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: COUNTLAB INC.
    Inventor: Loris BASSANI
  • Publication number: 20140041997
    Abstract: A treatment device for free-flowing bulk material includes a bulk material carrier with an inclined treatment area, a counter-vibration mechanism, which extends longitudinally under the bulk material carrier and runs horizontally or likewise in an inclined manner, a cable suspension for suspending the counter-vibration mechanism, supports for supporting the bulk material carrier in the vertical direction on the counter-vibration mechanism, a spring assembly with several springs connecting the bulk material carrier and the counter-vibration mechanism and providing an elastic support perpendicular to the vertical direction both in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction of the counter-vibration mechanism, and a vibration exciter for exciting the treatment area in the longitudinal and transverse direction of the counter-vibration mechanism. The treatment device is distinguished by a small constructional outlay and low maintenance requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: VIBRA MASCHINENFABRIK SCHULTHEIS GMBH & CO.
    Inventor: Wilhelm Schultheis
  • Publication number: 20120318643
    Abstract: A spring for a vibratory conveyor is described and which includes an elongated substantially planar main body which is mounted on a vibratory conveyor for moving a source of product, and which has a longitudinal axis, and a predetermined spring constant, and wherein the elongated main body can repeatedly flex and twist about the longitudinal axis without substantially degrading the spring constant of the elongated main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventor: David W. Hufford
  • Patent number: 8225924
    Abstract: A non-contact conveyance system of the invention has a static pressure table for levitating a conveyance object upward, a pair of conveying units having vibrating plates and actuators and a moving unit for moving the conveying units in a conveying direction. Then, retaining forces are applied to front and rear edge portions of the conveyance object facing to the vibrating plates by exciting deflection standing waves in the vibrating plates by the actuators. Then, when the conveying units are moved while applying the retaining forces to the edge portions of the conveyance object, the conveyance object is conveyed following the move of the conveying units. Thereby, a number of parts may be cut and the system may be downsized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Institute of National Colleges of Technology, Japan
    Inventor: Hiromi Isobe
  • Patent number: 7997403
    Abstract: A mechanical interface for transferring a reciprocating movement from one element to another element releasably mountable thereto. The interface comprises at least three interface points, at least two of which being laterally spaced apart, and at least two of which being longitudinally spaced apart. A motion generator provides a reciprocating movement, which is transferred from the one element to the other element via at least one of the interface points. The interface point(s) transferring the movement includes contact portions having curved contact surfaces, such that the curved contact surfaces are in abutment with opposing contact surfaces of the interface point when the elements are mounted, thereby transferring the reciprocating movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Mydata Automation AB
    Inventors: Andreas Larsson, Martin Dahlberg, Robert Axelsson, Kristofer Karlsson
  • Patent number: 7754984
    Abstract: A transportation device capable of smoothly transporting even an object having a sticky surface or the like and a weighing device including the same are provided. A transportation device is for transporting an object placed on a trough in a predetermined direction by reciprocating the trough by a parallel link mechanism, and a control unit controls the rotation driving of a rotatable motor such that the trough moves forward with respect to the transportation direction at a higher velocity than backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Sugioka, Hiroshi Hattori, Masaya Fujii, Takuya Iwasa, Takuyu Kubo
  • Patent number: 7735633
    Abstract: A vibratory feeder for delivery of material in different directions comprising a set of vibrators that are vibrationally isolated from each other to enable activation of one of the vibrators to vibrationally direct conveyable material in a first direction and activation of another vibrator to vibrationally direct conveyable material in a second direction while at the same time the vibrators are vibrationally isolated from each other through a set of isolators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventor: Richard Kraus
  • Publication number: 20100116625
    Abstract: A mechanical interface for transferring a reciprocating movement from one element to another element releasably mountable thereto. The interface comprises at least three interface points, at least two of which being laterally spaced apart, and at least two of which being longitudinally spaced apart. Motion means provides a reciprocating movement, which is transferred from the one element to the other element via at least one of the interface points. The interface point(s) transferring the movement comprises contact portions having curved contact surfaces, such that the curved contact surfaces are in abutment with opposing contact surfaces of the interface point when the elements are mounted, thereby transferring the reciprocating movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: MYDATA AUTOMATION AB
    Inventors: Andreas Larsson, Martin Dahlberg, Robert Axelsson, Kristofer Karlsson
  • Patent number: 7712513
    Abstract: A method for controlling the retention time of a casting retained in a mold comprises providing a vibratory shakeout conveyor having a conveying surface, placing the mold on the conveyor; and imparting a vibratory force to the conveyor at a predetermined angle to the conveying surface whereby the predetermined angle determines the retention time of said casting in said mold. A plurality of sensors for detecting mold position and media breakdown may also be employed to detect appropriate mold retention time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Carrier Vibrating Equipment Co.
    Inventor: Charles Edwin Mitchell, III
  • Publication number: 20090272627
    Abstract: A vibratory feeder for delivery of material in different directions comprising a set of vibrators that are vibrationally isolated from each other to enable activation of one of the vibrators to vibrationally direct conveyable material in a first direction and activation of another vibrator to vibrationally direct conveyable material in a second direction while at the same time the vibrators are vibrationally isolated from each other through a set of isolators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Richard Kraus
  • Publication number: 20090101480
    Abstract: A parts conveyor apparatus that conveys parts using the vibrations includes an electromagnetic motor that generates the vibrations; a rotary panel which is mounted on an output shaft of the electromagnetic motor and rotates eccentrically by the rotation of the output shaft; and a spring member which vibrates by the rotation of the rotary panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru FUYAMA, Shin TAKEDA
  • Patent number: 7497324
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Conveyor Dynamics Corporation
    Inventors: Fred T. Chauvin, Michael Didion
  • Publication number: 20080283366
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for coating, topping, and conveying foods. The apparatus includes a first frame, spring assemblies, a vibrating assembly including an upper pan, a middle pan, a lower pan, and a second frame mounted to the lower pan with the spring assemblies. The second frame is an excited frame and the upper pan, the middle pan, the lower pan are vibrationally connected. The apparatus also includes a vibratory drive unit mounted and adapted to impart energy to the second frame. In addition, the apparatus has a wire conveyor belt assembly including a wire conveyor belt, and a housing that receives the wire conveyor belt. The wire conveyor belt assembly is suspended inside of the vibratory assembly by the first frame such that the wire conveyor belt assembly is isolated from the vibratory assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: James Karpinsky, James Bakos, Scott Rose, Travis Renkly
  • Patent number: 7439454
    Abstract: A transport apparatus that enables a trough to be easily removed in one step, and a combination weighing apparatus provided with the same are provided. The transport apparatus includes a trough and a reciprocating movement mechanism, and is configured to convey an article placed in the trough in a predetermined direction. The reciprocating movement mechanism includes a motor box, and a support member. The trough has one of a protruding part and a depressed part, while the support member had the other of the protruding part and the depressed part. The motor is configured to move the trough via the support member along the conveyance direction such that the trough moves faster in a direction opposite the conveyance direction than in the conveyance direction. The protruding part is removably connected to the depressed part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Komatsu, Yukio Wakasa
  • Patent number: 7413073
    Abstract: A moving table supports a parts conveying member. A fixed table is disposed below the moving table and supports the moving table so as to freely vibrate the moving table through a vibration generator. The vibration generator includes a first elastic member and a piezoelectric element mounted to the first elastic member. One end of the first elastic member is fixed to the moving table and the other end is fixed to the fixed table. A support member includes a second elastic member. One of the second elastic member is fixed to the moving table and the other end member is fixed to the fixed table. Accordingly, the piezo-driven parts feeder can be reduced in height, the stress that acts on the vibration generator can be restricted, sufficient amplitude can be ensured and the stress on the vibration generator can be restricted even during high-frequency driving, and the replacement of the vibration generator and the change and control of the resonance frequency can easily be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuuichi Narukawa, Tetsuyuki Kimura
  • Patent number: 7213700
    Abstract: Provided is a part carriage device which can smoothly convey a part. A base part, a piezoelectric vibration part, a weight part, a vibration transmission part, a carriage way are arranged from a lowest side of a piezo-driven parts feeder in this order. In addition, a straight line L10 for connecting a barycentric position of the piezoelectric vibration part, a barycentric position of the vibration transmission part, and a barycentric position of the weight part is approximately in parallel to a carriage angle ?10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuuichi Narukawa, Tetsuyuki Kimura
  • Patent number: 7185756
    Abstract: A discharge device for worked material is provided. The worked material produced by the press working is received on a chute arranged just below a lower die. The chute is driven to make a reciprocating motion within a substantially horizontal plane in response to a die stroke. At a moment of stopping of the forward movement of the chute, an inertia force acting on the worked material from the chute is greater than a static frictional force. Or otherwise, a force taking effect upon starting of a backward movement of the chute is greater than the static frictional force. Consequently, the worked material is due to be discharged from the chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Matsumoto Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatsuki Matsumoto, Shinsuke Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7182200
    Abstract: A moving table supports a parts conveying member. A fixed table is disposed below the moving table and supports the moving table so as to freely vibrate the moving table through a vibration generator. The vibration generator includes a first elastic member and a piezoelectric element mounted to the first elastic member. One end of the first elastic member is fixed to the moving table and the other end is fixed to the fixed table. A support member includes a second elastic member. One of the second elastic member is fixed to the moving table and the other end member is fixed to the fixed table. Accordingly, the piezo-driven parts feeder can be reduced in height, the stress that acts on the vibration generator can be restricted, sufficient amplitude can be ensured and the stress on the vibration generator can be restricted even during high-frequency driving, and the replacement of the vibration generator and the change and control of the resonance frequency can easily be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuuichi Narukawa, Tetsuyuki Kimura
  • Publication number: 20040251114
    Abstract: A bidirectional vibratory feeder for transporting objects in a curved path has a trough assembly including an elongated, generally horizontal bed defining the curved path, and a center of gravity. Resilient isolators are connected to the trough assembly and adapted to isolate the trough assembly from underlying terrain. An exciter mass assembly includes an exciter frame and a vibration generator coupled to the exciter frame for generating vibratory forces, the exciter mass assembly having a center of gravity. At least one horizontally disposed resilient coupling is connected between the exciter mass assembly and the trough assembly, and at least one vertically disposed link is connected between the exciter mass assembly and the trough assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Markowski, Kurt Christopherson, Eric Dickinson, Richard B. Kraus
  • Patent number: 6827201
    Abstract: A bidirectional vibratory feeder for transporting objects in a curved path has a trough assembly including an elongated, generally horizontal bed defining the curved path, and a center of gravity. Resilient isolators are connected to the trough assembly and adapted to isolate the trough assembly from underlying terrain. An exciter mass assembly includes an exciter frame and a vibration generator coupled to the exciter frame for generating vibratory forces, the exciter mass assembly having a center of gravity. At least one horizontally disposed resilient coupling is connected between the exciter mass assembly and the trough assembly, and at least one vertically disposed link is connected between the exciter mass assembly and the trough assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Markowski, Kurt Christopherson, Eric Dickinson, Richard B. Kraus
  • Patent number: 6782995
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Precision Components & Assemblies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Didion, Fred T. Chauvin
  • Patent number: 6745893
    Abstract: A bearing system which is for suspending the swing frame of a conveyor grate in a swinging manner on a support structure. Two elastic spring rods are arranged next to each other in a common plane of swinging. The spring rods have a first end clamped in a fixed manner on clamping points of a first structural component. The second ends of the spring rods are clamped in a fixed manner to connection points on a rigid coupling system. The rigid coupling system is connected with the second structural component. The spring rods are inclined toward each other in the swinging plane. The coupling system is connected with the second structural component so that it can be tilted in the swinging plane via a flexible connection. Because of the inclination of the spring rods, when they are jointly deflected, one of the spring rods always describes a downward arc and the other an upward arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Karl Von Wedel
  • Patent number: 6705459
    Abstract: Complexity of construction of a vibratory feeder is minimized in an assembly including a base (10; 108, 114, 116, 118) and an elongated, generally horizontal feeder (14; 100) spaced from the base (10; 108, 114, 116, 118). A rotatably mounted eccentric (32; 126) is journaled on the feeder (14; 100) and is operable, when rotated, to impart vibration to the feeding surface (20; 104) of the feeder (14; 100). The feeder (14; 100) is interconnected to the base (10; 108, 114, 116, 118) by an interconnection that consists essentially of springs (60; 130) having first ends (62) connected to the feeder and opposite ends (64) connected to the base (10; 108, 114, 116, 118) while being located on a generally horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventor: Albert Musschoot
  • Patent number: 6655523
    Abstract: An excited frame conveyor is described with a conveyor bed movably supported on a frame having a structural frequency and a vibratory drive on the frame operable to vibrate the frame at an operational frequency that is greater than the structural frequency of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Key Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Todd Jones, James Dale Ruff, James Gale
  • Patent number: 6536750
    Abstract: A motion restraint system is disclosed for use in association with a vibratory apparatus, such as a vibratory conveyor. The motion restraint system comprises a flexible restraint member which is positioned to extend generally laterally of the associated vibratory apparatus. A connector member connects the vibratory apparatus to the flexible restraint member so that lateral motion of the vibratory apparatus is restrained. At the same time, horizontal and vertical vibratory motion of the apparatus is permitted. Elastomeric isolation elements are positioned for operative engagement with opposite ends of the flexible restraint member to absorb the horizontal and vertical motions imparted to the flexible restraint member by the vibratory apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Martin
  • Patent number: 6439374
    Abstract: An oscillatory drive unit for use in an oscillating system to be oscillated substantially at the resonance point of the oscillating system, wherein the oscillating system includes a mass to be oscillated and a countermass to which the mass is connected by resilient coupling members. The oscillatory drive unit includes a piston-cylinder-component that is operatively connected to the mass and the countermass. The piston-cylinder-component includes a cylinder chamber and a piston. The piston is arranged for reciprocal movement between a first end position and a second end position. Gas is introduced under pressure into the cylinder chamber within an energizing range of piston positions defined by a first energizing position and a second energizing position of the piston, and gas is vented from the chamber within a venting range of piston positions defined by a first venting position and a second venting position of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Netter GmbH
    Inventor: Dietrich Kröger
  • Patent number: 6357579
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold E. Patterson, Stanley P. Turcheck, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6349817
    Abstract: A mounting bracket assembly for connecting a single rotary vibrator to a vibratory feeding device that includes an elastomer spacer member retained and sandwiched between a base plate and a vibrator mounting plate. The mounting plate assembly converts sinusoidal forces exerted by the rotary vibrator to predominantly linear impelling pulses that are in a direction that is perpendicular to a first surface of the base plate. The base plate may be attached to the vibratory feeding device directly or by an adjustable pivot assembly. The direction of movement of items carried on a surface of the vibratory feeding device is directly related to the direction of rotation of the rotary vibrator. The mounting bracket assembly may also include at least one isolation member for minimizing contact of the vibrator mounting plate and retaining members used therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Inventor: Theodore S. Wadensten
  • Patent number: 6298978
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanical vibrating drive system for supplying a consistent, elliptical driving force to a conveyor trough. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vibrating conveyor has a set of vertical leaf springs connecting the conveyor trough to a vibratory frame, and a set of horizontal leaf springs connecting the vibratory frame to a stationary frame. The leaf springs amplify the motion initiated by a reversible motor, and the net result is a force output from the drive module that produces a uniform elliptical vibratory motion throughout the length of the conveyor trough. By reversing the motor, a symmetric elliptical motion for moving product in the opposite direction is generated without any further adjustments to the leaf springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Carrier Vibrating Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Bo Richard Rosenstrom
  • Patent number: 6279731
    Abstract: A conveyor tray is yieldably mounted on a table base and during table operation conveys articles therealong by vibratory motion. A base supports an electric motor for driving a power output shaft journalled on the base. Eccentrics mounted on the power output shaft impart orbital motion to bearing housings each mounted on a flexible connector plate. The upper ends of the connector plates are coupled to the table tray and impart arcuate motion to the tray. The connector plates are of fiberglass reinforced material with each plate supporting a bearing housing with an eccentric. Plates in place on each connector plate are detachably mounted to vary vibratory tray travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Ronald L. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20010015314
    Abstract: An oscillatory drive unit for use in an oscillating system to be oscillated substantially at the resonance point of the oscillating system, wherein the oscillating system includes a mass to be oscillated and a countermass to which the mass is connected by resilient coupling members. The oscillatory drive unit includes a piston-cylinder-component that is operatively connected to the mass and the countermass. The piston-cylinder-component includes a cylinder chamber and a piston. The piston is arranged for reciprocal movement between a first end position and a second end position. Gas is introduced under pressure into the cylinder chamber within an energizing range of piston positions defined by a first energizing position and a second energizing position of the piston, and gas is vented from the chamber within a venting range of piston positions defined by a first venting position and a second venting position of the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventor: Dietrich Kroger
  • Patent number: 6237748
    Abstract: An oscillatory drive unit for use in an oscillating system to be oscillated substantially at the resonance point of the oscillating system, wherein the oscillating system includes a mass to be oscillated and a countermass to which the mass is connected by resilient coupling members. The oscillatory drive unit includes a piston-cylinder-component that is operatively connected to the mass and the countermass. The piston-cylinder-component includes a cylinder chamber and a piston. The piston is arranged for reciprocal movement between a first end position and a second end position. Gas is introduced under pressure into the cylinder chamber within an energizing range of piston positions defined by a first energizing position and a second energizing position of the piston, and gas is vented from the chamber within a venting range of piston positions defined by a first venting position and a second venting position of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Netter GmbH
    Inventor: Dietrich Kroger
  • Patent number: 6179117
    Abstract: A conveying system with a frame supporting a conveying member suitable to move products thereon. A drive, which is preferably an electromagnetic drive having a mass that vibrates back and forth along a substantially straight path, is connected to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Allen Machinery, Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Gilman
  • Patent number: 6161679
    Abstract: A vibratory drive unit is modular in construction and includes a base member, a top member, a number of lower spring mounting members detachably mounted to the base member, a corresponding number of upper spring mounting members detachably mounted to the top member, a corresponding number of spring members connected between the number of upper and lower spring mounting members and means for vibrating the top member relative to the base member. The various components of the vibratory drive unit are configured provide for either clockwise or counter-clockwise operation using identical drive unit components to thereby minimize component complexity and component inventory required therefore. A vibratory bowl is further provided and includes a number of locator pins extending from a bottom surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: S. Neal Graham
  • Patent number: 6161680
    Abstract: A spring connection for a vibratory conveyor having a trough member including a side wall, includes two fasteners which are welded to the side wall. The connection includes a spring connection plate with corresponding fastener holes to receive the fasteners. Nuts are threaded onto the fasteners and torqued down to clamp the connection plate onto the side wall of the trough member. The spring connection plate carries a spring bracket with a mounting hole for connection to one or more springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Larry Martin, William Reed
  • Patent number: 6145652
    Abstract: A vibrating conveying system having a plurality of rotating shafts and associated eccentric weights uses a sliding eccentric weight or weights mounted on one or more driving shafts to reverse the movement of the articles carried by the conveyor. The sliding weights move between first and second spaced positions relative to the driving shaft when the rotation of the driving shaft is reversed and are latched into place once in the selected positions preventing further movement while the apparatus is operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Carrier Vibrating Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Durnil
  • Patent number: 6112883
    Abstract: In order to provide the capability of distributing a material that is conveyed, a vibratory distribution conveyor includes a deck having a distribution edge. The distribution edge extends between an inlet end and an end remote therefrom and the deck is subjected to vibratory motion to cause material to be conveyed from the inlet end toward the end remote therefrom. With this arrangement, the declination of the deck is controlled about a longitudinal axis to control the distribution characteristics of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard B. Kraus, Edward Steffes, Jr., Claude T. Guenther-Hutchens, Dean C. Bichler
  • Patent number: 6105753
    Abstract: A linear vibratory parts feeder is formed from modular components detachably mounted to one another. A counterweight is detachably mounted to a reversible mounting plate and a plurality of lower spring anchors are detachably mounted to the counterweight. A corresponding plurality of upper spring anchors are detachably mounted to a linear parts transport track, and a drive springs are detachably mounted to corresponding pairs of upper and lower spring anchors. The counterweight may be detachably mounted to either one of opposite mounting surfaces of the mounting plate, which is configured to permit complete access to all feeder components and further to permit placement of upstream and downstream feeder units in close proximity to the feeder of the present invention. The counterweight and spring anchors are configured to maximize the vibratory drive efficiency of this feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: S. Neal Graham
  • Patent number: 6062797
    Abstract: A top platform with interchangeable guide lanes for use on vibratory feed devices is described. The top platform comprises a rectangular deck member on which is attached a brace means including at least one elevator brace, and at least one holddown brace for holding one or more conventional anti-static delivery tubes in a ski-slope configuration. The top deck also comprises a plurality of mounting holes arranged in an orderly rank and file configuration to secure and facilitate adjustment of the guide lanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: US Vibra Inc.
    Inventor: Jefferson J. Gaines
  • Patent number: 6047811
    Abstract: A vibratory conveyor and method of making the conveyor having a frame to which a locator sheet having accurately punched and shaped locator holes for locating spring mounts fixed to the frame. Each mount preferably is a plug having corners which engage notches of one of the holes to accurately locate the plug. Each hole also has a portion which extends beyond the periphery of the plug to expose the frame so that the plug can be welded to the frame. After welding, a protective washer is slipped over each plug and welded to the plug and sheet. When located and fixed in this manner, each mount is located relative to one end of the conveyor, angularly located, and horizontally located. The sheet or another locator sheet can also have other holes to locate other conveyor components such as cross tubes, braces, and the conveyor drive. Each sheet preferably is constructed of corrosion resistant cladding for enabling a less corrosion resistant material to be used for the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: David R. Zittel
    Inventors: David R. Zittel, Steven B. Malchow
  • Patent number: RE38756
    Abstract: In order to provide the capability of distributing a material that is conveyed, a vibratory distribution conveyor includes a deck having a distribution edge. The distribution edge extends between an inlet end and an end remote therefrom and the deck is subjected to vibratory motion to cause material to be conveyed from the inlet end toward the end remote therefrom. With this arrangement, the declination of the deck is controlled about a longitudinal axis to control the distribution characteristics of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard B. Kraus, Edward Steffes, Jr., Claude T. Guenther-Hutchens, Dean C. Bichler