Abstract: Drive motor size and energy costs are reduced in a bidirectional vibratory conveyor that includes a bed (10) with an elongated generally horizontal conveying surface (16) terminating an opposite ends (12, 14). Isolation springs (26) mount the bed (10) above the underlying terrain (32) and a vibration inducing assembly (40) that includes a rotatable shaft (56) and an eccentrically mounted weight (58) is mounted to the bed (10). A pair of generally horizontally acting, vibration amplification systems (72) are mounted on the bed (10) and sandwich the vibration inducing assembly (40). Conveying direction can be reversed simply by reversing the direction of rotation of the motor shaft (56).

Abstract: A spring support bracket for supporting a sheet metal trough intermittently on leaf springs provides an L-shaped bracket for a welding connection to a side wall and bottom wall of the sheet metal trough and a spring block extending outwardly from the vertical member of the L-shaped bracket and tilted to the vertical rearwardly of the trough. The spring block includes an aperture for receiving a fastener for connecting a leaf spring thereto so that the trough may be supported by a plurality of leaf springs arranged intermittently along the length of the trough and on opposite lateral sides of the troughs.

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.

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 base-excited vibratory conveyor includes an elongated conveyor trough, and an elongated support structure extending generally beneath the conveyor trough. A plurality of springs operatively interconnect the trough with the support structure, whereby vibratory drive of the support structure effects vibratory motion of the trough for conveyance of materials therealong. The support structure includes a plurality of cross-member assemblies which facilitate operative connection of the springs to the support structure, while enhancing the structural integrity of the support structure. The overall conveyor construction can be relatively lightweight in configuration, thus facilitating economical manufacture and operating efficiency.

Abstract: A circuit board fabrication apparatus and method having a vibratory feeder tray is disclosed. The feeder tray is preferably of low mass and horizontally-disposed and has multiple grooves which closely fit electronic parts, and hollowed-out bottom portions, generally below the rails separating the grooves. The hollow portions significantly contribute to low mass. Almost 50% of the mass of the tray's top plate may be removed. The parts are picked up one at a time and placed at precise positions on circuit board substrates by the rotating nozzles of a pick-and-place turret. An electromagnetic coil operating below the grooves of the feeder tray smoothly and continuously advances the parts in the grooves to the region in which they are picked up by the nozzles. Additionally, a slider table supporting the vibratory feeder tray positions each groove of the feeder tray in turn at the uptake point of the turret.

Abstract: A conveyor system with a support apparatus for maintaining non-pendular substantially straight-line motion of the material-conveying member thereof, wherein the support apparatus includes straight-line linkage which is mounted between a rigid supporting surface and the material-conveying member so as to restrict movement of the material-conveying member to a substantially straight-line non-pendular path parallel with the path of conveyance. Each straight-line linkage assembly which supports the material-conveying member includes a set of three linkage arms which are pivotally interconnected with resilient bushings that continually urge the linkage to a central neutral or resting position during movement thereof. Two of the linkage arms are pivotally connected in spaced relation at one end to a rigid support, and are each pivotally connected at their opposite end to a third intermediate linkage arm which is disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A mechanism for attaching a trough on top of a base of a vibratory feeder adapted to vibrate in a specified direction includes a pair of mutually engageable couplers, one attached to the bottom surface of the trough and the other attached to the top surface of the base. Either one of them is protruding and the other is indented such that the former can be tightly inserted into the latter. The protrusion and the indentation of these couplers are so oriented with respect to the direction of vibrations of the base that the total force on the coupler attached to the base obtained by vectorially summing the force of vibration acceleration and the load of the trough will always have a component in the direction in which the protrusion and indentation of the couplers are oriented so as to keep these couplers engaged together.

Abstract: A resonant vibrating conveyer is disclosed which has a vibratory drive and spring supports connecting the trough with an intermediate frame which is, in turn, attached to a foundation via springs. The forces transmitted to the foundation are reduced to a minimum while permitting a relatively light-weight construction of the conveyer. This is achieved by arranging first pre-loaded springs with countervibrating masses acting at the point of attachment of second pre-loaded springs between the conveyer trough and the intermediate frame.

Abstract: A linear vibratory feeder having a base, an overlying track support plate and a counterweight with an internal structure between the base and support plate and a pair of outer side plates secured to each of a plurality of separate, longitudinally spaced parts of the internal structure. A first pair of vertical, relatively flexible, flat leaf springs extend between the base and internal structure and a second pair of generally upright but slightly inclined, flat leaf springs extend between the internal structure and support plate. The first and second pairs of leaf springs are mounted in overlapping relationship to provide a low profile feeder and a short moment arm between the centers of gravity of the upper support plate assembly and counterweight.

Abstract: A vibratory flow feed conveyor with a removable conveyor pan includes a base mounted on a supporting surface, a vibrator frame fixed to the base, a conveyor pan mountable on the vibrator frame for oscillatory movement with respect thereto, connecting members on the conveyor pan and cooperating mating connector members on the vibrator frame for removably attaching the conveyor pan to the vibrator frame, and a vibrator operatively associated with the vibrator frame for imparting oscillatory movement to the vibrator frame and the conveyor pan.

Abstract: A vibratory feeder for in-line transportation of small electronic parts having a base mounted vibrator sub-assembly for importing controllable rectilinear movement to parts disposed with a channelled deck superposed thereto and deliver such parts reliably and uniformly to a pick point defined therein. The vibrator sub-assembly includes an upper and lower plate having a magnetic vibrator and a plurality of cylindrical springs operatively interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor is provided that has only horizontal conveying motion acting on material lying in the plane of an elongate trough. A vibration generating apparatus is positioned selectively between the ends of the conveying trough. The vibration generating apparatus can be repositioned to any desired location along the trough to take advantage of the improved conveying action and the reduced deflection and twisting of the trough. The vibration generating apparatus includes a driving motor using a flexible drive to power two pairs of counter-rotating eccentric weights, with one pair being driven at twice the speed of the other pair so as to provide a motion on the material that moves the material along the plane of the trough with virtually no vertical component relative to the plane of the trough.

Abstract: A dispenser for fungible articles such as pharmaceutical tablets in which an elongated trough is vibrated at a downwardly oriented horizontal angle to dispense articles is single file alignment. An optical detector is mounted adjacent to the trough discharge end and is coupled to a counter for indicating the number of articles dispensed from the trough. The counter may be preset by an operator to dispense a preselected number of articles. The trough is releasably held to the dispenser cabinet by electromagnets which are energized simultaneously with the vibration motor. A container into which articles are to be dispensed is releasably captured beneath the discharge end of the trough adjacent to the detector.

Abstract: An actuator for a vibratory material feeder comprises a base, a tray support, at least one spring for mechanically coupling the base and tray support, and a spring mount for mounting the spring to an actuator mounting surface on one of the base and tray support. The spring mount comprises first and second bearings each having a spring-abutting surface for supporting the spring therebetween, an arcuate surface and at least one hole therethrough; first and second bearing blocks each having an arcuate surface for mating with the arcuate surface of a corresponding one of the first and second bearings, and at least one hole therethrough. One of the bearing blocks abuts the actuator mounting surface. The spring mount further comprises at least one fastener having a shaft extending through the at least one hole of each of the first and second bearings and bearing blocks and a corresponding at least one hole in the spring.

Abstract: A vibrator conveyor system, for example in the form of a circular or linear conveyor, has a reciprocating plate adapted for carrying a container, and electromagnetic oscillating armature motors for moving said plate along a primary advancement direction or vector; each motor has a stationary stator, an armature secured to the reciprocating plate, and an excitation coil driven by alternating current or pulsating direct current, the coil being disposed on a pole piece the stator, the pile piece having a stator pole surface cooperating with an armature pole surface. The reciprocating plate is elastically supported by spring elements in a manner limiting its vertical and horizontal motion. The elongated spring elements are aligned along at least a portion of the rim of the plate with equal inclination with respect to a plane containing the conveyor advancement vector, and are fastened to the plate.

Abstract: A vibratory feeder having a tray with a conveying surface and springs. The springs are each made up of flat plate like first leaves and flat plate like second leaves rigidly attached together. One part of each spring is connected to the tray and the other part is connected to the base. The longitudinal axis of the leaves extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tray. The springs are spaced from each other whereby the tray is vibrated in an arcuate path relative to the base to vibrate the tray for moving material on the tray.

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: A parts feeding apparatus of the piezoelectric drive type consists of a base, a plurality of bimorph cell assemblies each including a leaf spring the lower end of which is fixed to the base and two piezoelectric elements each fixed on respective sides of each leaf spring to vibrate each leaf spring when AC voltage is applied to the piezoelectric elements, and a conveyor connected with the lower end of each connecting member. Furthermore, the upper end of each bimorph cell assembly is connected with the lower end of each connecting member so that the vibration of each bimorph cell assembly is transmitted to the conveyor to feed articles placed on it. Each connecting member has lower bending stiffness than each leaf spring by forming one or more semicircular cut-out portions in it or selecting its thickness or its material so that an external force acting on each piezoelectric element in vibration is decreased.

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: An apparatus for conveying and discharging pressed products or similar items from a press. The apparatus has a discharging trough which can be mounted on a portion of the body of the press, and a reciprocating member for causing a reciprocatory motion of the discharging trough. The reciprocating member is driven by a driving mechanism so as to make such an action that a difference exists between the forward moving speed and the backward moving speed, thereby allowing the discharge of the pressed products or similar items along the discharging trough.

Abstract: An apparatus for ordered feeding of workpieces on a table in a row along a feed path defining a plane and having a longitudinal direction to and from workpiece processing machines and the like having a base, two sets of leaf springs spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the feed path, each of the sets of leaf springs extending in a plane which is perpendicular to the feed path and is connected at portions adjacent respective ends thereof to the base and the table, respectively, the corresponding portions of each of the sets of leaf springs being alternately connected to the base and to the table; and vibratory drive means for applying forces to the table which are parallel to the feed path, the sets of leaf springs oscillating only in a plane parallel to the feed path and where the drive means imparts a speed of displacement greater than the speed of return of the feed path caused by the sets of leaf springs.

Abstract: A chute for use with an electromagnetically vibratable parts feeder has an inlet end attached to a bowl tangentially thereto and an outlet end remote from the inlet end. A leaf spring assembly is disposed below the chute and attached thereto adjacent to the outlet end. The leaf spring assembly is inclined at an angle to the chute, and comprises a pair of parallel spaced leaf springs or a sole leaf spring. Each of the leaf springs has an upper end coupled to the chute and a lower end adapted for attachment to a stationary base such as a machine base. The upper end is located more closely than the lower end to the outlet end of the chute. When the bowl is electromagnetically vibrated in circular back-and-forth movements, the chute is reciprocably moved back and forth to cause parts to move forward therealong due to inertia.

Abstract: An improved arrangement for mounting the lift bar of a humper type conveyor in which the lift bar is mounted on the conveyor frame structure by means of support arm structure. The support arm structure is disposed generally parallel to the path of travel of conveyed articles and a mount is provided for mounting one end of the support arm structure on the conveyor frame and another mount for mounting the lift bar on the other end of the support arm structure. The preferred construction for the support arm structure comprises a pair of spaced apart fiberglass elements which are separated at their ends by spacers. An eccentric is disposed to operate through the second-mentioned mount to impart displacement to the lift bar, the fiberglass support arm elements resiliently flexing in the process.

Abstract: A control arrangement for vibratory conveyors, including bowl and linear types, in which the vibration frequency is set by the behavior of the conveyor and not by an applied frequency. A sensor, SC, senses the behavior of the conveyor and a frequency, of controlled amplitude and phase, is derived from the sensor output to energize conveyor drive means, AV and AH1 to AH3. User controls (HA, VA, PA) for amplitude and phase can be mark/space adjusters (HMS, VMS, DMS) effective on the base circuits of transistors connected to electromagnetic actuators. Low voltage operation (less than 50v) is provided without proportionally increased current, partly by energy recovery from the inductors in the actuators. Two levels of protection against supply ripple are included (RT, RLA) and the actuator drive can be stabilized against supply variation (MSC). The low-voltage operation provided is both safer and more efficient than mains voltage operation.

Abstract: A poultry conveyor for conveying birds in a poultry processing plant including a support frame, an elongate conveying trough, mounting means movably mounting the conveying trough on the support frame for movement along a generally horizontal path with the trough being inclined with respect to the horizontal, and drive means for reciprocally moving the conveying trough along the generally horizontal path to cause birds deposited in the conveying trough to be moved along the trough in a given direction.

Abstract: A control arrangement for vibratory conveyors, including bowl and linear types, in which the vibration frequency is set by the behavior of the conveyor and not by an applied frequency. A sensor, SC, senses the behavior of the conveyor and a frequency, of controlled amplitude and phase, is derived from the sensor output to energize conveyor drive means, AV and AH1 to AH3. User controls (HA, VA, PA) for amplitude and phase can be mark/space adjusters (HMS, VMS, DMS) effective on the base circuits of transistors connected to electromagnetic actuators. Low voltage operation (less than 50v) is provided without proportionally increased current, partly by energy recovery from the inductors in the actuators. Two levels of protection against supply ripple are included (RT, RLA) and the actuator drive can be stabilized against supply variation (MSC). The low-voltage operation provided is both safer and more efficient than mains voltage operation.

Abstract: An excited frame, vibratory conveying apparatus is described for efficiently conveying particulate material. The apparatus has an elongated conveying member mounted by beam springs on an excited frame means. The excited frame means has a balanced vibratory drive means for vibrating the excited frame along a line of force that passes through the center of mass of the apparatus and preferably through the center of masses of conveying member and the excited frame means. The ratio of the weight of the conveying member to the weight of the excited frame means should be between 1.5 and 3.5 and preferably between 2.5 and 3.5. Such an arrangement provides for minimum transmission of vibration both horizontal and vertical into the stationary supporting structure and further minimizes rocking motion.

Abstract: Compact, lightweight transport apparatus for use particularly in hostile environments employs a plurality of groups of rails flexurally mounted to a base and corresponding groups of slats flexurally mounted to the rails and forming a slat array. Corresponding groups of slats and rails are reciprocated out of phase so that the slat group orbits relative to the base along an orbital path. The different slat-rail groups are also reciprocated out of phase with one another so that an object placed on the slat array is advanced incrementally along the slat array in a very gentle fashion.

Abstract: A two-mass heavy duty vibratory machine has a frame in the form of a box-like cage in which a working member, such as a screen, is received. In one embodiment of the disclosure, the frame is resiliently mounted on a stationary support surface and the working member is resiliently suspended from the frame. In another embodiment of the disclosure, the working member is resiliently mounted on the stationary support surface and the frame is suspended from the working member. In both embodiments, an exciter is mounted on the frame at a location outside the frame and spaced from the working member.

Abstract: A vibratory feeder has an elongated base assembly that is supported on a foundation by longitudinally spaced vibration isolators. Projecting upwardly from the base assembly at longitudinally spaced locations are a plurality of leaf springs with upper portions that support a trough assembly. The base and trough assemblies have masses, with the centers of these masses being spaced apart along an upwardly extending axis. The trough assembly is driven transversely of the upwardly extending axis by a driver. The assembly masses create inertia forces acting at the mass centers, and these forces form a force couple urging a rotational motion on the feeder as a whole. The leaf springs are arranged to deflect along non-parallel paths to guide the trough assembly in both curvilinear translation and rotation with respect to the base.

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 reversible vibratory parts feeder including a feeder bowl with an upwardly inclined spiral ramp mounted on a generally circular base. The base is flexibly supported on a massive mounting plate by a plurality of leaf springs extending angularly upward from the mounting plate and arranged in a circular, symmetrical array about the axis of the base. An electromagnetic motor is mounted on the mounting plate directly beneath the base in cooperating relation with an armature attached to the bottom of the base for causing oscillating vibratory movement of the base and the feeder bowl in a path of travel with both vertical and angular components as determined by the inclination of the leaf springs.

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.

Abstract: A vibratory outfeed conveyor has a base, a feed strip resiliently mounted on the base, and a vibrator connected to the feed strip for feeding objects. A mounting bracket extends downward generally perpendicularly from the base, and an upper region of the mounting bracket is secured to a vertical surface of a support element so that the base extends horizontally over the upper surface of the support element. Spacers support the base above the upper surface of the support element so that a midregion of the base between the spacers is bendable downward. Screws engage the vertical surface and the lower region of the mounting bracket for moving the lower region of the mounting bracket away from the vertical surface while the upper region of the mounting bracket is secured to the vertical surface to apply leverage force to the base bending the midregion of the base toward the upper surface and pressing the free end of the base downward to hold the free end securely in place.