Single Horizontal Pivot Axis Only Patents (Class 198/861.3)
  • Patent number: 10836587
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to systems and methods for emptying and/or cleaning a tray within an assembly line grow pod. In one embodiment, a sanitizer component for cleaning a tray coupled to a cart in an assembly line grow pod is disclosed. The sanitizer component is coupled to a track such that the cart and the tray are received in the sanitizer component via the track. The sanitizer component comprises a first actuator arm positioned underneath the track and extendable through an opening in the track and an aperture at a bottom end of the cart to contact the tray such that the tray rotates in a first direction. The sanitizer component further includes an actuator motor coupled to the first actuator arm for extending the first actuator arm and a controller. The controller is communicatively connected to the actuator motor in the sanitizer component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: GROW SOLUTIONS TECH LLC
    Inventors: Gary Bret Millar, Mark Gerald Stott, Todd Garrett Tueller, Michael Stephen Hurst, Alan Ray Bentley, Taylor John Woodbury
  • Patent number: 10464756
    Abstract: A conveying device has: a main conveyor unit; a sub conveyor unit; and a lifting and lowering unit that lifts and lowers at least one of the main conveyor unit and the sub conveyor unit, wherein the main conveyor unit has a main conveying passage disposed in a fixed region, the main conveying passage conveying a conveyance object, wherein the sub conveyor unit has a sub conveying passage disposed in the fixed region, the sub conveying passage conveying the conveyance object in an intersecting direction with respect to a conveying direction of the main conveying passage, wherein a conveyance attitude is capable of being changed between a main conveyance attitude in which a conveying surface of the sub conveying passage is located below a conveying surface of the main conveying passage, and a sub conveyance attitude in which both ends in the intersecting direction of the conveying surface of the sub conveying passage are located above the conveying surface of the main conveying passage, and in the sub conveyanc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Itoh Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Itoh, Tatsuhiko Nakamura, Koji Ueda, Takahiro Itoh
  • Patent number: 9394111
    Abstract: A belt conveyor apparatus includes a conveyor frame with a belt support, a belt, a belt drive, and corner containment sidewalls releasably attached to the conveyor frame at a concave corner defined by the conveyor. The corner containment sidewalls each include a disk-shaped recess on an outboard surface at their lower/rearward edges, and corner rollers are rotatably mounted in the recesses, with an edge of each roller extending beyond the recess to engage and hold down the conveyor belt as the belt traverses the concave corner. The corner rollers greatly reduce sliding friction of the belt across the concave corner, and yet do not include lubricant, nor separate fasteners, nor create nib points. Thus, the rollers greatly facilitate maintenance, and reduce maintenance and component cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Dynamic Conveyor Corporation
    Inventors: Justin P. Caris, Paul A. Kuharevicz
  • Patent number: 8944239
    Abstract: A conveyor apparatus includes a frame, and a pivoting conveyor coupled to the frame. The pivoting conveyor includes a pivotable conveyor section having a free end shaped for supporting objects and a first conveying surface. The first pivotable conveyor section is pivotally coupled to the frame about a vertical axis for pivoting the free end from side-to-side, and a horizontal axis for pivoting the free end up and down. The pivoting conveyor also includes a second non-pivotable conveyor section having a second conveying surface. Furthermore, the pivoting conveyor includes a fixed transition plate located adjacent to the second conveying surface, and a shuttling transition plate located adjacent to the first conveying surface. The shuttling transition plate is configured to move laterally from side-to-side relative to the first conveying surface as the first pivotable conveyor section pivots about the vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Engineered Lifting Systems & Equipment Inc.
    Inventors: Colin A. Campbell, Brad R. H. Reger
  • Patent number: 8464859
    Abstract: A conveyor apparatus comprising a frame removably connectable to an extendable conveyor and a pivoting conveyor coupled to the frame. The pivoting conveyor includes a slewing conveyor section pivotally coupled to the frame for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis, and a tiltable conveyor section having one end pivotally coupled to the slewing conveyor section for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis and an opposing free end shaped for receiving objects being unloaded from the shipping container. Each section includes a conveying surface for conveying the objects from the free end of the tiltable conveyor section, and toward the extendable conveyor. The free end of the tiltable conveyor section can be moved from side-to-side by pivoting the slewing conveyor section about the vertical axis, and can be moved up and down by pivoting the tiltable conveyor section about the horizontal axis independent of the slewing conveyor section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Engineered Lifting Systems & Equipment Inc.
    Inventors: Colin A. Campbell, Brad R. H. Reger
  • Patent number: 8376132
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for stocking semifinished products for manufacturing tires for vehicle wheels, wherein a semifinished product is supplied on a roller conveyor along a supplying direction. Between the rollers of the conveyor at an unloading station, there are arranged arms of a lift. When the semifinished product reaches the unloading station, the arms are rotated around an axis parallel to the supplying direction in such a way as to lift the arms and slide the semifinished product by gravity on the arms along an unloading direction that is perpendicular to the supplying direction and to first ends of these arms. The semifinished product drops through gravity from the first ends onto a resting plane of a supporting bench positioned below the first ends and spaced apart therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuliano Domenico Scapaccino
  • Patent number: 8074793
    Abstract: A conveyor system and method of assembling same in which parts are fastened without the use of welding, clamps, or threaded fasteners such as bolts and screws is provided. A bracket and slot mechanism is used to attach one conveyor component to another. The bracket and slot mechanism allows components to be easily attached/detached by merely applying force to slide the bracket into the slot. Moreover, when engaged, the bracket is held securely in the slot so that the components do not become detached during normal operation of the conveyor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Design Fabrication & Installation, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd Jager
  • Patent number: 7997406
    Abstract: A conveyor apparatus includes a tail portion connected to a head portion such that the head portion is moveable relative to the tail portion from a first position to a second position located lower than the first position. It should be appreciated that such movement of the head portion can permit the drop height of the conveyor apparatus to be adjusted. At least one frame portion is moveably positioned between the tail portion and the head portion. A stacker is also provided that includes the conveyor apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Flsmidth A/S
    Inventor: Scott D. Schafer
  • Patent number: 7980386
    Abstract: The lifting system includes a lifting portion and a hinging portion for lifting a conveyor The lifting portion is fixed to a structure and extends from the structure to mate with the conveyor at a lifting point. The lifting portion moves the conveyor vertically upward and downward at the lifting point with no horizontal movement at the lifting point. The hinging portion is pivotally connected to the conveyor at a conveyor pivot and extends from the conveyor to engage the structure. The hinging portion is further pivotally connected to the structure to allow for controlled movement in an arced path at the conveyor pivot of the conveyor. The controlled movement of the conveyor along the arced path at the conveyor pivot varies the angular position of the conveyor and maintains the position of the conveyor over the transportable container as the lifting portion moves the conveyor vertically at the lifting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Dave Ours, Sharon Juntunen, Stanley L. Davis, Stanley L. Davis, II
  • Patent number: 7934591
    Abstract: A check-in system for receiving and transporting luggage from a passenger comprising a conveyor for transporting luggage. The conveyor having a top surface on which luggage is received and which extends from a front end to a rear end, a floor being adjacent to the front end of the conveyor for supporting a passenger. The top surface of the front end of the conveyor is substantially flush with the floor such that luggage may be slid from the floor onto the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Squid, Inc.
    Inventor: David Pierce Jones
  • Patent number: 7878320
    Abstract: A directional-change conveyor (1) is provided for conveying piece goods (2) along a first conveying strip and a second conveying strip oriented in a different direction. A transfer structure (3) is provided for transferring conveyed piece goods from the first to the second conveying strip. The first and second conveying strips are twin-belt conveyors (4, 5). The transfer structure (3) is provided with tilted non-driven guide rollers (11) in an angle sector (10) between the two revolving belts (6, 7) of the first twin-belt conveyor (4). The lateral revolving belts (6, 7; 8, 9) of the two twin-belt conveyors (4, 5) are provided as the only drive of the conveyor (1). The tilted non-driven (first) guide rollers (11) are the exclusive deflection elements in the angle sector (10) and deflect conveyed piece goods (2) from the first twin-belt conveyor (4) on a curved strip to the second twin-belt conveyor (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Knapp Logistik Automation GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Freudelsperger
  • Publication number: 20080105520
    Abstract: A conveyor assembly including a first conveyor frame configured to move along a path relative to a mounting frame and including a conveyor belt. The conveyor assembly further includes a second conveyor frame, connected to the first conveyor frame via a pivot, and configured to automatically rotate to change an angle between the first conveyor frame and the second conveyor frame in response to movement of the first conveyor frame relative to the mounting frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: KUHN KNIGHT INC.
    Inventors: Chris Albright, Claude McFarlane, George Cicci
  • Patent number: 7048112
    Abstract: A yoke for a food grade conveyor is formed of UHMW plastic molded as a single unit having left and right upright portions connected by vertically separated upper and lower cross portions. Each cross portion has a stanchion to provide a support face or ledge for connecting to a conveyor runner. The upright portions also include first ledges for supporting runners and second ledges for supporting side rails. The side rails can be screwed into the upper portion of the yoke. Smooth transition regions and curved surfaces promote cleanliness and sanitation. The runners are screwed onto the yokes at the support surfaces, and appropriately shaped stainless steel frame members are screwed onto the yokes. Modified yokes allow the inclusion of lower guides with channels. A flush-top conveyor arrangement is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Formigoni, William J. Nahlen
  • Patent number: 6719119
    Abstract: A roller conveyor extension includes a base frame having elongated parallel first and second tracks, each of the tracks having rearward and forward ends. First and second carriages reciprocate rearwardly and forwardly between the rearward and forward ends of, respectively, the first and second tracks. A roller support structure having back and front ends, and extending along an axis, supports a plurality of rollers, each of which rollers is adapted for rotational motion about a roller axis extending along an axis perpendicular to the roller support structure axis. The roller support structure is pivotably attached to each of the first and second carriages such that the roller support structure is capable of both rotational motion about a pivot axis and rearward and forward reciprocating motion with respect to the base frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Louis J. Hendzel, Robert R. Ricci
  • Patent number: 6708813
    Abstract: A product sorter for diverting products (M) towards a plurality of positions by performing an up and down pivotal movement about an axis of rotation (G3) while the products (M) are successively transported includes a transport conveyor (2) adapted to be bent and including a conveyor frame (21), a rotatory drive body (22) mounted on one of opposite ends of the conveyor frame (21), a rotatory driven body (23) mounted on the other of the opposite ends of the conveyor frame (21), and an endless transport belt (24) trained around and between the rotatory drive and driven bodies (22, 23), a drive source (5) for driving the rotatory drive body (22) to drive the transport belt (24); and an actuator (6) for pivoting the support framework (3) up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20030183494
    Abstract: A conveyor system for transitioning articles between an external intermittent conveyor and an external continuous conveyor system includes an upper conveyor and lower conveyor. Each conveyor includes an infeed arm movable toward and away from the intermittent conveyor. Each infeed arm defines an infeed end that is movable along a common arc and rotatable about a common pivot point. With the infeed ends traveling along a common arc, each infeed end is easily moved to the same optimal receiving position for receiving articles from the intermittent conveyor. Each conveyor may switch between a continuous mode, wherein articles are continuously discharged onto the continuous conveyor, and an intermittent mode, wherein articles are intermittently received from the intermittent conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Richard E. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 6619473
    Abstract: A bolt-together powered belt conveyor assembly includes adjustable tail assemblies which facilitate adjustment of the overall length of the conveyor, while positively securing the position of the end rollers relative to the conveyor sections. The conveyor assembly further includes an adjustable nose-over assembly, which is adjustable to accommodate a change in angle between adjacent conveyor sections. The conveyor assembly further includes a drive assembly which is connectable between end assemblies or slider bed conveyor sections and which is adapted to be installed on a horizontal, inclined or declined conveyor section. The position of the rollers, length of the conveyor sections and angle of incline of the conveyor section may be easily adjusted via adjustment of one or more fasteners of the conveyor assembly, thereby avoiding the need of welding various components of the conveyor assembly together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Rapistan Systems Advertising Corp.
    Inventor: Ernest A. Romeo
  • Patent number: 6494310
    Abstract: Flat items (2) which have an irregular and/or changeable thickness profile are individualized from a substantially lying stack (3/5), wherein the stack serves as buffer between the individualization and the supply of the items (2) and wherein the items (2) arranged in the stack are guided in a stack channel (1) towards the individualization. In order to allow individualization speeds in the range of several tens of thousands of items per hour, the items (2) are supplied to a pre-stack (3) in which the items are conveyed towards individualization in a loose order and being individually laterally guided, the pre-stack (3) is transformed into an individualizing stack (5) and the items are individualized only from the individualizing stack (5). In the individualizing stack (5) the items (2) are guided and conveyed and held in a stable order as a stack, i.e. with forces transmitted via the items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Frank Furter
  • Patent number: 6409011
    Abstract: A conveyor has an endless belt which encompasses a gate section and a fixed section thereof Both the gate section and fixed section have beds which extend lengthwise and widthwise thereof between rails which extend along the lengths of the section. The edges of the belt run along the rails and are hence guarded by the rails. The sections are joined at adjacent edges by hinges pivotally connected to the bed of the fixed section and extending across the joint to the gate section. The hinges are within the confines of the belt, that is within the path of the belt and between the edges of the belt, so as to enable the gate section to be pivoted to an open position allowing a passageway via the width of the conveyor. When in closed position, the hinge enables the ends of the rails to move into abutting relationship. Permanent guards on the outsides of the fixed section can extend above the belt to maintain safe operating conditions without interfering with the opening and closing of the gate section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Precision Handling Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory A. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 6302265
    Abstract: A conveyor assembly having upper and lower truss portions includes a hinge mechanism structurally arranged to be secured to the upper truss and lower truss portions. Rotational movement of the hinge mechanism lowers the lower truss portion while simultaneously positioning the upper truss portion in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the lower truss portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: CMI Corporation
    Inventor: John Cunningham
  • Patent number: 6296109
    Abstract: A fold linkage is provided that is usable in combination with a conveyor assembly having a foldable conveyor section and a main conveyor section. The fold linkage includes linkage members and hinge sections that are rotatably attached to each other and that are connectable to the conveyor sections without interference with the conveyor assembly truss members. The fold linkage further includes a pressure operated cylinder that is extendable and retractable so as to fold and unfold the conveyor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Astec Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry Nohl
  • Patent number: 6189684
    Abstract: A device for conveying printing substrates includes a frame, a plurality of spaced-apart and axially parallel cylindrical rollers supported on the frame, one of the rollers being a rotatably drivable drive roller, and the other rollers being freely rotatably supported, and an endless conveyor belt wrapped around all of the rollers and in operation being in frictional contact with the drive roller, two of the rollers being relatively closely adjacent one another, being spaced apart from one another a distance selected from the group thereof consisting of less than and not considerably greater than the diameter of the drive roller; the drive roller being movable in a direction towards and away from the two spaced apart rollers; and including a retaining device for firmly retaining the drive roller in an operating position wherein an outer side of the conveyor belt rests on the drive roller, the conveyor belt being wrapped around the drive roller over an angle on the order of magnitude of 180°, while the oth
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Martin Greive