Gear Drive Patents (Class 198/791)
  • Patent number: 11845628
    Abstract: A drive transferring unit includes a first roller, a second roller, a first clutch, a second clutch, a transferring section, and a control section. The first roller includes a first shaft section. The second roller includes a second shaft section. The first clutch switches between enabling transfer of a driving force to the first shaft section and interrupting transfer thereof. The second clutch switches between enabling transfer of the driving force to the second shaft section and interrupting transfer thereof. The transferring section transfers the driving force from one of the first roller and the second roller to the other. The control section selects between first control in which the first clutch is in the on state and the second clutch is in the off state and second control in which the second clutch is in the on state and the first clutch is in the off state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Soichiro Kii
  • Patent number: 11840404
    Abstract: A roller plate assembly includes a base plate having a plurality of openings distributed along a length and a width of the base plate. The roller plate assembly includes at least two cross supports coupled to the base plate. The roller plate assembly also includes a roller shaft extending at least partially through the at least two cross supports and a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted to the roller shaft. Each roller is disposed within a corresponding one of the plurality of openings and configured to project at least partly over the upper surface of the base plate. The plurality of rollers are configured to allow a package to move across the plurality of rollers from a first edge of the roller plate assembly to a second edge of the roller plate assembly in the length direction of the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Crown Plastics Co.
    Inventor: Peter Ellerhorst
  • Patent number: 10139040
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus, comprising a housing, a first plurality of gears positioned within the housing, a second plurality of gears positioned within the housing, and a plurality of wheels positioned externally of the housing, are usable for rotating cylindrical objects. Each gear of the second plurality of gears is engaged with two gears of the first plurality of gears, and the housing is adapted to contain gear lubricating fluid therein. The plurality of wheels is connected with the first plurality of gears, and each wheel, of the plurality of wheels, has a diameter that is larger than a height of the housing. The plurality of wheels rotates one or more cylindrical objects positioned thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Inventor: Joe C. McQueen
  • Patent number: 9908706
    Abstract: A power drive unit (PDU) may comprise a first motorized roller comprising an outer rotor having a first magnetic member disposed on a radially inner surface of the outer rotor and may have a liner disposed on a radially outer surface of the outer rotor. The PDU may further comprise an inner rotor having a second magnetic member disposed on a radially outer surface of the inner rotor, the inner rotor configured to drive a shaft. The PDU may further comprise a stator located between the outer rotor and the inner rotor, the stator having at least one winding in electromagnetic communication with the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member. The PDU may further comprise a second motorized roller comprising a cylindrical member coupled to the shaft and may have a second liner disposed on a radially outer surface of the cylindrical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Lubomir A. Ribarov, Jacek F. Gieras, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150090563
    Abstract: Provided is a driving force transmission device including: an actuator (22) that, in a case where one of a first annular gear (11), a second annular gear (14), and a carrier (16) is an input member, another one is an output member, and the remaining one is a rotational member, causes one of the input member and the output member to rotate integrally with the rotational member. When driving force is inputted from the drive source to the input member and input member is rotated unidirectionally, the rotation direction of the output member in the case where one of the input member and the output member rotates integrally with the rotational member is reversed with respect to that in a case where one of the input member and the output member does not rotate integrally with the rotational member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Takuji Uesugi, Yuji Nakayashiki, Taku Fukita, Akira Kuroda, Masao Umezawa, Yoshihiro Matsuo
  • Publication number: 20150071692
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device, which is incorporated in an image forming apparatus, includes a sheet holding and conveying roller pair having two rollers to convey a sheet while holding the sheet between the two rollers at a nip where the two rollers contact each other, and a gate member disposed movable with rotation of the sheet holding and conveying roller pair to correct skew of the sheet in a sheet conveying direction when a leading end of the sheet in the sheet conveying direction abuts against the gate member. The gate member has a contact surface against which the sheet abuts. The contact surface of the gate member is disposed upstream from the nip of the sheet holding and conveying roller pair in the sheet conveying direction. A setting position of the contact surface is adjusted according to thickness of the sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuya MARUTA, Kohsuke YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 8915332
    Abstract: A mechanical device for reducing the energy absorbed by an electric motor of a handling plant. The device includes a first rotating member moved by the motor of the handling plant. The device also includes a second rotating member connected to the first member through a first transmission apparatus. A third rotating member is connected to the second rotating member through a second transmission apparatus, which develops a transmission ratio equal to unity. The device further includes a fourth rotating member operatively connected to the rotor of the electric motor. The fourth rotating member and the third rotating member are connected through a third transmission apparatus, which develops a transmission ratio equal to unity. The device includes a sixth rotating member connected to a fifth rotating member through a fifth transmission apparatus. The sixth rotating member and the first rotating member are connected through a sixth transmission apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Giorgio Jezek
  • Publication number: 20140367227
    Abstract: A power drive unit, including a plurality of diagonal rollers arranged at a circumference around a central roller axis and each of the plurality of diagonal rollers having a respective diagonal roller axis, a first drive motor coupled to a roller carrier and configured to rotate the plurality of diagonal rollers around the central roller axis, and a second drive motor coupled to a gear carrier and configured to rotate each of the diagonal rollers around the respective diagonal roller axis. The diagonal roller axes are tilted by a common skew angle with respect to the central roller axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Uwe Schneider
  • Patent number: 8887898
    Abstract: A conveyor roller (10) has a cover (20), an axle (40), and a magnetic brake (50) having a magnetic component (51) and a braking component (54). The cover (20) is supported rotatably about an axis of rotation relative to the axle (40). The magnetic brake (50) is provided kinematically between the axle (40) and the cover (20) and is connected to the axle (40) and the cover (20) so that rotation of the cover (20) about the axis of rotation can be retarded by the magnetic brake (50). The magnetic component (51) and the braking component (54) are arranged displaceably relative to each other between a rest position and a braking position. A centrifugal device (60) for a rotational speed-dependent displacement of at least one of the magnetic brake components (51, 54) is provided between the rest position and the braking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Interroll Holding AG
    Inventor: Jerome Sejourne
  • Publication number: 20140097066
    Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus includes a transfer roller that provides a transfer force of a first direction onto the upper surface of a recording medium; a retard roller that faces the transfer roller to form a transfer nip and provides a transfer force of a second direction opposite to the first direction onto the lower surface of the recording medium; a driving unit that drives the retard roller; and a power delivery unit that connects the driving unit to the retard roller by using a magnetic force and provides a magnetic driving force that is smaller than the transfer force provided by the transfer roller when one recording medium exists in the transfer nip and is larger than a frictional force between two or more recording media when the two or more recording media exist in the transfer nip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hyun-soo KIM
  • Publication number: 20140041998
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a feeding roller and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting a driving force to the feeding roller. The power transmission mechanism includes a one-way compound gear mechanism that integrally includes a first one-way gear mechanism which is engaged with a first gear rotating forwardly or reversely by receiving the driving force from the driving source, rotates together with the first gear in a forward direction by receiving the driving force from the first gear at the time of the forward rotation and rotates idly with respect to the first gear at the time of the reverse rotation, and a second one-way gear mechanism which rotates idly with respect to the first gear at the time of the forward rotation and rotates with the first gear in a reverse direction by receiving the driving force from the first gear during the reverse rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidefumi MINEMURA, Tomoya TAKIKAWA
  • Patent number: 8601974
    Abstract: A conveying device for a deposition device includes a transport device and a carrier. The transport device includes a main body, two wheels, a connection shaft, and a first bevel gear. The connection shaft is mounted on the main body. The two wheels are mounted on two opposite ends of the connection shaft. The first bevel gear is sleeved on the connection shaft. The carrier includes a revolving frame, a rotating shaft, a second bevel gear, and at least one carrying bar. The rotating shaft is mounted on the revolving frame. The second bevel gear is sleeved on one end of the rotating shaft and meshed with the first bevel gear. The revolving frame rotates relative to the rotating shaft. The at least one carrying bar is mounted on the revolving frame and driven by the rotating shaft to rotate. Each carrying bar includes supporting elements for carrying workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Pei Wang
  • Patent number: 8453829
    Abstract: Disclosed is a high performance washing inducing transfer unit. The transfer unit includes support structures spaced apart from each other, bottom rotary transfer structures including a bottom shaft rotatably mounted odd number mounts of the support structures, bottom transfer rollers coupled to the bottom shaft and wires radially arranged and connected to the bottom transfer rollers, a top rotary transfer structure including a top shaft located above the bottom shaft and top transfer rollers coupled to the top shaft, a drive device to rotate the bottom and top shafts for transfer of an object, an intermediary rotary transfer structure including an intermediary shaft mounted to even number mounts, intermediary transfer rollers coupled to the intermediary shaft and wires radially arranged and connected to the intermediary transfer rollers, and a linkage device to transmit power of the drive device to the intermediary shaft of the intermediary rotary transfer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Yeong Hwan Kim
  • Publication number: 20130087433
    Abstract: A conveyor roller (10) has a cover (20), an axle (40), and a magnetic brake (50) having a magnetic component (51) and a braking component (54). The cover (20) is supported rotatably about an axis of rotation relative to the axle (40). The magnetic brake (50) is provided kinematically between the axle (40) and the cover (20) and is connected to the axle (40) and the cover (20) so that rotation of the cover (20) about the axis of rotation can be retarded by the magnetic brake (50). The magnetic component (51) and the braking component (54) are arranged displaceably relative to each other between a rest position and a braking position. A centrifugal device (60) for a rotational speed-dependent displacement of at least one of the magnetic brake components (51, 54) is provided between the rest position and the braking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: Interroll Holding AG
    Inventor: Jerome Sejourne
  • Patent number: 8381901
    Abstract: A motorized conveyor roller prevents slip between a power transmission mechanism in a roller tube and the roller tube due to aging. The power transmission mechanism includes a first closed-bottom cylindrical member fit over a second closed-bottom cylindrical member and a bolt for axially pressing the members against one another. The first member receives torque from a motor and a double-sided tape is laid on an outer surface of the first member. Facing surfaces of the first and second members are tapered, and the circumferential wall with the double-sided tape is expandable diametrically. The bolt diametrically expands the circumferential wall pressed by the tapered surface. Thus, an adhesive force of the double-sided tape sandwiched between the circumferential wall and the roller tube is exerted to adhere the outer surface of the first member to an inner surface of a roller tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Kyowa Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8360226
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for the contamination-free, precisely defined, horizontal orientation and subsequent transfer of thin, shock-sensitive crystalline plates, especially glass plates (11), into a defined vertical position. The glass plates (9) are oriented, transferred, and fed in the correct position for further processing without using an industrial robot and without being contaminated by humans. The apparatus is inexpensive and safe to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Grenzebach Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Niewiera
  • Patent number: 7882945
    Abstract: A rolling conveyor has a plurality of feed rollers that define a conveyor surface, in which the feed rollers are joined on their end regions rotatably to a first and a second bearing assembly, at least some of the feed rollers on the second bearing assembly each have a first drive wheel, which is in rotary drive communication each with one second drive wheel, the second drive wheels are located on a rotatable drive shaft, with which they are in rotary drive communication, wherein the drive shaft is joined rotatably to a third bearing assembly, which is embodied separately from the first and second bearing assemblies, so that a drive shaft assembly comprising the drive shaft and the associated third bearing assemblies is joined as a unit detachably to the rolling conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Marco Willi, Volker Porzer, Hans-Peter Buttau, Peter Ludwig, Uwe Lindemann
  • Publication number: 20110005903
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for the contamination-free, precisely defined, horizontal orientation and subsequent transfer of thin, shock-sensitive crystalline plates, especially glass plates (11), into a defined vertical position. The glass plates (9) are oriented, transferred, and fed in the correct position for further processing without using an industrial robot and without being contaminated by humans. The apparatus is inexpensive and safe to operate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: GRENZEBACH MASCHINENBAU GMBH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Niewiera
  • Patent number: 7866461
    Abstract: Roller actuating device for flattening machines used for metal products in the shape of sheet metal, strips or the like, also used with similar machines for other applications, comprising a device for transmitting motion to driven rolls (8), extremely functional and capable of transmitting higher torques as well as their independent control. Such device overcomes the frequent problems concerning the space available for installing gimbal adapters. This can be achieved by using adapters (4) provided with teeth which, with the same flange diameter, are able to provide higher torques, and in any case, can be used in any applications in which it is necessary to have reduced operating angles of the adapters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Claudio Vigano′, Lucá Sandrin
  • Publication number: 20100018840
    Abstract: Roller actuating device for flattening machines used for metal products in the shape of sheet metal, strips or the like, also used with similar machines for other applications, comprising a device for transmitting motion to driven rolls (8), extremely functional and capable of transmitting higher torques as well as their independent control. Such device overcomes the frequent problems concerning the space available for installing gimbal adapters. This can be achieved by using adapters (4) provided with teeth which, with the same flange diameter, are able to provide higher torques, and in any case, can be used in any applications in which it is necessary to have reduced operating angles of the adapters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Claudio Vigano, Luca Sandrin
  • Patent number: 7594572
    Abstract: A conveying line, in particular a friction roller conveying line, with at least one driving roller driving goods, the driving roller being driven by a drive shaft and the drive shaft having a chain drive. The drive shaft driving the driving roller carries at least two toothed wheels which interact with at least one driving chain driven by the drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Grob-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Vogl, Johann Lochbrunner
  • Publication number: 20080128247
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for conveying an article on a plurality of rotatable main shafts arranged in parallel. The apparatus includes a plurality of auxiliary shafts inserted through the main shafts, respectively, so as to prevent deflection or bending of the main shafts, and a plurality of bearing members disposed between the main shafts and the auxiliary shafts for supporting the main shafts and allowing rotation of the main shafts. Therefore, the main shaft can be prevented from deflection or bending caused by its own weight or an article placed thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: APRO System Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jum-Lyul HAN
  • Patent number: 7299915
    Abstract: The present technique, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment, relates to a motorized pulley. The exemplary motorized pulley includes a rim or housing inside of which are disposed an electric motor and a gear assembly, which is configured to transfer torque of the electric motor to the housing. Thus, during operation of the motor, the exemplary pulley rotates the housing in relation to a support structure to which the motorized pulley is mounted. To improve the dissipation of heat generated during operation of the motor, the motor is thermally coupled to the frame. Additionally, the rotor shaft of the exemplary motorized pulley extends into the external environment surrounding the pulley, thereby facilitating the operation of a machine element located externally with respect to the pulley via the electric motor disposed within the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Yehia M. El-Ibiary
  • Patent number: 7261201
    Abstract: A chain-driving mechanism and a conveyor apparatus of the present invention include a plurality of rollers (20) arranged to convey to-be-conveyed objects, a driving mechanism that drives the rollers (20) in conjunction with each other, and a motor (80) that exerts a driving force onto the driving mechanism. The driving mechanism includes a plurality of sprockets (40) that rotate coaxially with and together with the rollers (20), an endless chain (50) wound onto the sprockets (40), and a chain guide (60, 61, 62) disposed adjacent to the chain (50) so as to sandwich the chain (50) from the outside in the upward and downward directions. With this structure, there is no need to adjust the stretch of the chain, and the chain can be prevented from slipping off. Additionally, the structure can be made simpler, and costs can be made smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Hirata Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuyoshi Tachibana, Seiji Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 7198752
    Abstract: For automatic transportation and lifting and lowering of specimens in an automatic stainer, a drive system comprises a motor (16) and a side wall assembly (40), the motor (16) being coupled on the drive side to a first (12) and a second (14) crank system. The first (12) and second (14) crank systems are respectively coupled to the side wall assembly (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Thiem
  • Patent number: 7014037
    Abstract: A conveying device for conveying workpieces, for example in a production line, the conveying device including at least one driving line divided into several sections, and each section being able to convey workpieces independently from other sections. At least one central drive is provided which drives the section for a conveying of the workpieces via a coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Grob-Werke Burkhart Grob e.K.
    Inventor: Werner Groitl
  • Patent number: 7007795
    Abstract: A transport conveyor for workpieces, pallets, or workpiece carriers which includes a drive transmission that includes a traction coupling that interrupts the transfer of torque and driving force to the conveyor rollers, belt or the like upon an interruption in the movement of the workpieces, pallets or workpiece carriers on the conveyor. The transmission traction device includes contact-free couplings which can be integrated in the rollers or be mounted outside the drive path of the rollers. Because the couplings operate without physical contact, they are free from wear commonly incurred in the drive transmission as an incident to the interruption of workpiece movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Bleichert Forderanlagen GmbH
    Inventors: Ludwig Zoller, Dirk Watzlawek
  • Patent number: 6935486
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved live roller conveyor system for preventing damage to conveyed cases of goods when stopped upon live rollers. In an embodiment of the invention, a live roller comprises a drive shaft with a plurality of roller members rotatably affixed thereto. One or more bushings are provided between an inner surface of each roller member and an outer surface of said drive shaft. When a conveyed case is stopped along the conveyor, for example, during case layer formation for loading onto a pallet, the rollers underneath the case stop rotating relative to the drive shaft due to slippage between the bushings and drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Production Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: O'Neal Wright Davis
  • Patent number: 6772873
    Abstract: A roller conveyor includes a frame having a plurality of roller rotatably supported thereon by respective pairs of roller bearings. A drive system is provided for selectively rotatably driving each of the plurality of rollers. The drive system includes a gear secured to each of the plurality of rollers and a plurality of belts extending between adjacent ones of the gears. As a result, rotation of one of the gears causes rotation of the adjacent one of the gears. The belts are toothed timing belts that are arranged in a two-column, staggered manner along the roller conveyor. The roller conveyor is well suited for relatively high speed operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Dillin Engineered Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Charles R. Coleman
  • Patent number: 6502690
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a driving roll for a roller way or conveyor belt in which at least one roller base (102) is provided with a universal coupling device (106, 114), modular drive wheels (104) corresponding to the coupling device (106, 114) are formed and a variable number of drive wheels (104) can mesh with the coupling device (106, 114) (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Interroll Holding AG
    Inventor: Dieter Specht
  • Patent number: 6460690
    Abstract: A roller conveyer includes a motor and a plurality of rollers which are disposed on at least opposing lateral sides of the conveyance path and are adapted to convey articles on and along the conveyance path through rotation thereof. The rollers disposed on at least one side of the conveyance path each include a roller body and a first gear attached coaxially to the roller body. The roller body and the first gear may rotate either together or in a state in which relative sliding rotation therebetween. Adjacent first gears are interlockingly engaged, via one or more second gears disposed therebetween, to thereby rotate the rollers concurrently. Rotational torque of the motor is input directly or indirectly to any one of the first gears. The motor is preferably disposed at an intermediate portion in the direction of conveyance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Hirata Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuyoshi Tachibana, Yoshio Kikukawa, Takayoshi Moriyama
  • Patent number: 6412623
    Abstract: A roller conveyor having side wings spaced apart from each other for accommodating rollers that are arranged between these side wings successively in the direction of conveyance. These rollers are rotatably supported at both ends by trunnions extending into these rollers on their face sides, and are driven by a motor. In addition, at least one roller is in driving connection via a gearing with a driving motor arranged on a side wing on the driving side. In this case, the driving motor may be designed in the form of a bow-like section which is open on the side facing away from the rollers. In this case, the driving motor and the gearing, may be combined in a geared motor, and are accommodated within the box-like section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Axmann Fördertechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Axmann, Manfred Fessenbecker
  • Publication number: 20020066646
    Abstract: A roller conveyor system is disclosed having a frame with a pair of spaced apart rails and at least one roller assembly having an elongated shaft. A first bearing assembly is secured to one rail while a second bearing assembly is secured to the other rail so that the bearing assemblies are aligned with each other and each bearing assembly includes an inner and outer race. The elongated roller shaft extends through the inner races of the bearing assemblies so that a flat formed on the shaft is radially aligned with the inner race of one of the bearing assemblies. A threaded fastener is then threadably secured to the bearing inner race and has one end adapted to abut against the shaft flat. With the fastener in abutment with the shaft flat, the other end of the fastener is substantially flush with an outer surface of the bearing race.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Douglas McTaggart, Andrew Noestheden
  • Publication number: 20020066647
    Abstract: A modular roller conveyor system is disclosed having a first and second pair of elongated vertical supports. The first pair of vertical supports are adjustably secured together so that the first pair of supports are spaced apart and parallel to each other at a user selected spacing between the first pair of vertical supports. Similarly, the second pair of vertical supports are also adjustably secured together so that the second pair of vertical supports are spaced apart and parallel to each other at the same user selected spacing. A first elongated rail is then secured to the upper end of one of the first pair of vertical supports and to the upper end of one of the second pair of vertical supports. A second rail is then secured to the upper end of the other of both the first and second pair of vertical supports so that the rails are spaced apart and parallel to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Douglas McTaggart, Andrew Noestheden
  • Patent number: 6367618
    Abstract: A clutch that adjusts the amount of torque transmitted to a transportation roller in a friction roll line shaft conveyor. The clutch includes a driver bevel gear that rotatably mounts on a line shaft of the conveyor and intermeshes with and drives a driven bevel gear that is fixed to a roller shaft of the conveyor. The driver bevel gear and the driven bevel gear couple drive power from the line shaft to the roller shaft. A compression spring is positioned between the driver bevel gear and a first stop collar. A second stop collar is positioned next to the driver bevel gear and opposite the spring. An annular hub supports the driver bevel gear, the spring and the stop collars and is supportable on and rigidly connectable to the conveyor line shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Unova IP Corp.
    Inventor: Philip S. Szuba
  • Publication number: 20010030110
    Abstract: A roller conveyor having side wings spaced apart from each other for accommodating rollers that are arranged between these side wings successively in the direction of conveyance. These rollers are rotatably supported at both ends by means of trunnions extending into these rollers on their face sides, and are driven by a motor. In addition, at least one roller is in driving connection via a gearing with a driving motor arranged on a side wing on the driving side. In this case, the driving motor may be designed in the form of a box-like section which is open on the side facing away from the rollers. In this case, the driving motor and the gearing, may be combined in a geared motor, and are accommodated within the box-like section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: NORBERT AXMANN, MANFRED FESSENBECKER
  • Patent number: 6158574
    Abstract: A conveyor having a series of rollers in longitudinally spaced relationship along the length of two conveyor side rails, each roller extending across the space between the side rails. Each of the rollers has a drive gear mounted at one end. A set of idler gears is provided, each positioned so as to intermesh with adjacent drive gears, thus transmitting power to all of the rollers in the series. The rollers are readily removable through a slot in the top of each side rail, thus enabling convenient, independent replacement of each roller. The idler gears are mounted on shafts, which in turn are mounted in bearings bolted to the side rails. The idler gears and shafts are also readily removable individually without requiring removal of any other rollers, drive gears or idler gears. The shaft of one roller in the series is considered a main drive shaft and is coupled to a power unit. The conveyor is provided in discrete lengths so that it is usable in modular form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventors: Dwon A. Williams, Eddie H. Woods
  • Patent number: 6086065
    Abstract: An arrangement for feeding sheets from a sheet store to either one of a plurality of stations includes a movable carriage which receives sheets fed from the store and which has driving cogwheels for coaction with a fixed cog railway outside the carriage.The fixed cog railway includes a path selection slide that includes cog segments that can fit into the cog railway. The selector slide can be switched to either one of two possible positions by means of a processor-controlled, motor-driven arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: De La Rue Cash Systems AB
    Inventor: Lars Svensson
  • Patent number: 6052978
    Abstract: A drive transmission for the feed rolls of a forage harvester includes a planetary gear set arranged such that an input shaft drives the sun gear while a further input shaft is provided by a reversible, variable speed motor that is connected to the ring gear of the planetary gear set so as to effect speed and direction changes in the output of the planetary gear set that is defined by the planet carrier. Thus, the length of cut of crop products fed to the cutterhead by the feed rolls is controlled by varying the speed of the motor in order to vary the delivery speed of the feed rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Bernd Kempf
  • Patent number: 5766685
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting thin materials, such as printed circuit boards, through an apparatus for treatment of said boards with an etchant, rinse or other chemical process step, including a transport conveyor having a plurality of rotation members with a specially configured rim for contacting the thin materials and moving them through the apparatus with a longer contact path in each rotation of a rotation member than the circumference of the rotation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Atotech USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley Bryan Smith, G. Allen Blakeslee
  • Patent number: 5553700
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting thin materials, such as printed circuit boards, through an apparatus for treatment of said boards with an etchant, rinse or other chemical process step, including a transport conveyor having a plurality of rotation members with a specially configured rim for contacting the thin materials and moving them through the apparatus with a longer contact path in each rotation of a rotation member than the circumference of the rotation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Atotech USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley B. Smith, G. Allen Blakeslee
  • Patent number: 5526923
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive unit, in particular for loading equipment in an airplane, with a drive element (8) contained in a housing (7). According to the invention the drive unit is connected to the housing (7) by linear guides (25, 26) which are guides for vertical movement. The transmission includes a planetary gear in which the planet gear carrier is made in the form of a swivelling planet wheel rocker (16). Supporting elements (23, 24) are provided on the planet wheel rocker (16) and these engage respective stops (34, 35). The supporting elements provide an opposing moment on the planet wheel rocker (16) as a reaction to a braking moment exerted on a conveying wheel (9). This causes an upward contact pressure (arrow 43) to be exerted on the drive element (8) and thereby on the conveying wheel (9). In this manner, the contact pressure (arrow 43) is optimally adjusted to a load placed on the conveying wheel, so that wear and maintenance are reduced and overloading of the equipment is avoided (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Elektro-Metall Export GmbH
    Inventors: Torbjorn Johansson, Josef Neumeier
  • Patent number: 5528410
    Abstract: A scanner base for an optical scanner, including two end plates, a contact image sensor connected between the end plates, a roller mounted between holes on the end plates and disposed in contact with the contact image sensor, and a motor drive mounted on one end plate and controlled to turn the roller, causing the roller to carry the document to be scanned over the contact image sensor for scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Silitek Corporation
    Inventor: John Cheng
  • Patent number: 5525025
    Abstract: A loading/unloading apparatus used in conjunction with stations from which or to which objects are loaded or unloaded. The loading/unloading apparatus includes a pickup/receiving member which is used in the transfer of objects to and from the stations. The pickup/receiving member includes one or more driven roller elements which are arranged close to an end of the pickup receiving member and which are utilized in the transfer of the object either to or from the station. The loading/unloading apparatus also includes moving devices for moving the pickup/receiving member in a translational direction along a longitudinal axis of the pickup member either towards or away from the station. The loading/unloading apparatus is particularly adapted for use with passive loading/unloading stations which are not provided with electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Industrial Contractors Holland B.V.
    Inventors: Jan Ootmar Ten Cate, Vincent J. Mol
  • Patent number: 5485911
    Abstract: A cantilevered-shaft type roller conveyor in which roller units are cantilevered inwardly from side frames. Each roller unit includes a sleevelike roller member supported directly on and surrounding a drive member, the latter being rotatably supported on a cantilevered shaft which is secured to and projects inwardly from the side frame. The drive member has a bevel drive gear which is fixedly and integrally formed on an inner free end thereof, which drive gear is driven from a mating bevel gear secured to a rotatable line shaft which is positioned inside the respective side frame and extends longitudinally of the conveyor. The drive member is preferably constructed of a suitable bearing material, such as sintered metal, to function both as a driving member and as a bearing to permit direct rotatable support of the sleeve roller member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Newcor, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell W. Kettelson, Dion Spurr
  • Patent number: 5450945
    Abstract: An intermediate roller for driving a carrying roller of an accumulating roller conveyor and including a sprocket wheel for engaging a chain of the accumulating roller conveyor, a mating gear for engaging a gear connected with the carrying roller, the mating gear being arranged coaxially with the sprocket wheel and being fitted together with the sprocket wheel, with the sprocket wheel and the mating gear having cooperating form-locking elements defining a chamber for receiving a damping element for providing a limited circumferential backlash between the sprocket wheel and the mating gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Gebhardt Fordertechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Gunter Gebhardt
  • Patent number: 5375696
    Abstract: The rollers of a live roller conveyor are driven by drive wheels, which are driven from a driveshaft extending along the conveyor. When the drive wheels and their respective conveyor rollers are in contact with each other, the drive wheels cause the conveyor rollers to rotate. When the drive wheels and conveyor rollers are out of contact, the rollers are not driven and can accumulate product. Relative motion between the drive wheels and the conveyor rollers causes the drive to be engaged and disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: The Interlake Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ellsworth H. Collins, William A. Fultz, James F. Mattingly
  • Patent number: 5287956
    Abstract: A conveyor has a drive wheel which is driven from a driveshaft and which moves into and out of driving engagement. In the preferred embodiment, there is a drive gear mounted on the drive shaft, and the drive gear drives a drive wheel, which is mounted on a drive wheel mounting frame that pivots about the axis of the drive shaft, so that the drive wheel is constantly driven from the driveshaft and pivots into and out of driving engagement with the conveyor roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: The Interlake Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ellsworth H. Collins, James F. Mattingly, Willliam A. Fultz
  • Patent number: RE35851
    Abstract: The rollers of a live roller conveyor are driven by drive wheels, which are driven from a driveshaft extending along the conveyor. When the drive wheels and their respective conveyor rollers are in contact with each other, the drive wheels cause the conveyor rollers to rotate. When the drive wheels and conveyor rollers are out of contact, the rollers are not driven and can accumulate product. Relative motion between the drive wheels and the conveyor rollers causes the drive to be engaged and disengaged.This is a Reissue of a Patent which was the subject of a Reexamination Certificate No. B1 5,375,696, dated Nov. 12, 1996, Request No. 90/003,811.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Interlake Material Handling, Inc.
    Inventors: Ellsworth H. Collins, William A. Fultz, James F. Mattingly
  • Patent number: RE36891
    Abstract: A conveyor has a drive wheel which is driven from a driveshaft and .[.which moves.]. .Iadd.relative motion between the drive wheel and conveyor roller causes movement .Iaddend.into and out of driving engagement. In the preferred embodiment, there is a drive gear mounted on the drive shaft, and the drive gear drives a drive wheel, which is mounted on a drive wheel mounting frame that pivots about the axis of the drive shaft, so that the drive wheel is constantly driven from the driveshaft and pivots into and out of driving engagement with the conveyor roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventors: Ellsworth H. Collins, William A. Fultz, James F. Mattingly