Entire Conveyor Pivots About Horizontal And Vertical Axes Patents (Class 198/861.4)
  • Patent number: 10815075
    Abstract: A system includes a robot configured to load and/or unload from a location, such as a cargo carrier or building. The robot includes a base unit that has a transport system to move the base unit. A mast extends from the base unit, and the mast has a mast conveyor. An End of Arm Tool (EoAT) is coupled to the mast. The EoAT includes an EoAT conveyor configured to move a cargo item to and from the mast conveyor. A gripper mechanism is configured to move between a retracted position where the gripper mechanism is clear of the cargo item on the EoAT conveyor and an extended position where the gripper mechanism is able to grip the cargo item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Bastian Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: William A. Bastian, II, Ariel Marie Roberts, Craig Adam Lawrence, Eugene Anthony Oskay, Joshua Michael Hoeing
  • Patent number: 10421653
    Abstract: A manhole cover moving assembly and method for moving a manhole cover works to lift, lower, rotate, extend, retract, and laterally displace a manhole cover over a short distance and in difficult to access areas. The moving assembly detachably attaches a hitch to a mobile mount for portability. The moving assembly provides a mast and a shaft that operate at adjustable relative to create mechanical advantages while moving the manhole cover. A telescoping support arm adjusts the angle of the shaft relative to the mast. The shaft carries a pulley apparatus and a cable that suspends the manhole cover. The mast rotates about a hitch. The shaft pivots about the mast. The shaft also extends and retracts. Further, as the angle of the shaft is changed through manipulation of the telescoping support arm, the mechanical advantage is increased for facilitating movement of the manhole cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas Poczciwinski
  • Patent number: 9780179
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a third first-conductivity-type semiconductor layer on a semiconductor substrate; a first pillar-shaped semiconductor layer formed on the semiconductor substrate and including a first first-conductivity-type semiconductor layer, a first body region, a second first-conductivity-type semiconductor layer, a first second-conductivity-type semiconductor layer, a second body region, a second second-conductivity-type semiconductor layer, and a third second-conductivity-type semiconductor layer; a first gate insulating film around the first body region; a first gate around the first gate insulating film; a second gate insulating film around the second body region; a second gate around the second gate insulating film; an output terminal connected to the second first-conductivity-type semiconductor layer and the first second-conductivity-type semiconductor layer; and a first contact that connects the first gate and the second gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: UNISANTIS ELECTRONICS SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Fujio Masuoka, Hiroki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9056727
    Abstract: A multi-piece shaft for an idler roller including a tube having a first end and a second end. The shaft includes a first stub secured to the first end of the tube by a mechanical interlock and a second stub secured to the second end of the tube by a mechanical interlock. The first stub extends from the first end and the second stub extends from the second end when secured to the tube such that the tube, the first stub and the second stub define a length of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. White, Todd W. Kirkpatrick
  • 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: 8800629
    Abstract: The invention provides in a first aspect an applier apparatus for applying a sheet of flexible material to a cylindrical body such as a tire building drum. The apparatus includes a support frame; a conveyor table having one or more conveyor belts mounted thereon; said conveyor table further comprising a plurality of support legs, each support leg having an outer leg portion and an inner leg portion, wherein each inner leg portion is mounted to the support frame, said conveyor table being connected to each of the outer leg portion of the support legs; the outer leg portion of each support leg having a first end slidably received over the inner leg portion and a second end connected to a nut; and wherein the nut is mounted onto a linear screw which is rotatably mounted onto a second end of the inner leg portion; said linear screw being driven by a motor wherein the nut is raised and lowered by operation of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: George Michael Stoila, Dale Eugene Wells, Thomas Alan Sells, Thierry Royer
  • 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: 8167115
    Abstract: The invention relates to method of supporting a unloading conveyor bridge extending substantially horizontally at the bottom level of a bulk material pile storage, implemented as supports in the area of the bridge ends as well as in at least one point therebetween. At least one of the supports is positionally adjusted in the vertical direction. The support force is thereby kept substantially constant at the actual support point. For the adjustment can be used spring loading, fluid pressure loading or gravity loading, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Ilkka Saari, Arvo Jonkka
  • Patent number: 8025140
    Abstract: A material processing apparatus comprises a conveyor that is rotatable in vertical direction around a horizontal axis that is situated in an element rotatable in horizontal direction relative to the apparatus. The element is articulated to the apparatus at a main point of articulation, and at a point remote from the main point of articulation, articulated to a variable length element which in turn is articulated to the apparatus, and the element is connected to an actuator causing the horizontal rotational movement of the element together with the conveyor, defined by said main point of articulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Metso Minerals Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Whyte, Stephen Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20110083411
    Abstract: A suspension system for an unloading conveyor of an agricultural harvester vehicle, has a first support configured to hold the unloading conveyor in a vertical unloading position; a second support configured to hold the unloading conveyor in a horizontal unloading position; a control circuit coupled to the first and second supports, wherein the control circuit is configured to selectively engage at least one gas charged hydraulic accumulator to one of the first support and the second support to thereby spring-load the unloading conveyor in the vertical or the horizontal direction (or both).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Ryan Patrick Mackin, Daniel James Burke, Bruce Alan Coers
  • Publication number: 20100213033
    Abstract: An aggregate processing apparatus (90) comprising a conveyor (10) having its base (11) coupled to the apparatus, the coupling (40) allowing the conveyor t pivot about a first axis that is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the conveyor, and to pivot substantially at the base towards and away from said apparatus. The conveyor is actuatable between a deployed state (FIG. 4) in which it projects from said apparatus, and a folded state (FIG. 5) in which it is disposed substantially against said apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: David Trimble
  • Patent number: 7708132
    Abstract: An automated adjustment system is provided for positioning a speed reduction belt assembly to receive an elongated wood article exiting a processing machine. The speed reduction belt assembly has opposite first and second ends. The automated adjustment system includes a horizontal adjustment mechanism operable to adjust an angle of the speed reduction belt assembly in a horizontal plane. The automated adjustment system also includes a vertical adjustment mechanism operable to adjust the height of one of the first and second ends of the belt assembly relative to the other of the first and second ends of the belt assembly, thereby adjusting an inclination of the belt assembly. The automated adjustment system further includes a control unit in communication with the horizontal and vertical adjustment mechanisms for sending control signals thereto. The control signals determine the angle and inclination of the belt assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Les Produits Gilbert Inc.
    Inventors: Sylvain Gilbert, Daniel Paré
  • Patent number: 7673743
    Abstract: A conveyor conveys sheets and deposits the sheets at a location to be stacked. The conveyor includes a sensor for determining the presence of a sheet before the sheet arrives at the location. A controller is coupled to the sensor and responsive to sensor inputs for controlling a movable support for projecting into a projected orientation to receive the sheets as the sheets exit the conveyor. The movable support moves to a retracted orientation to assist a stack to be withdrawn therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Padana AG
    Inventors: Arlington D. Ruff, Clifford A. Ruff, Jürgen F. Trost
  • Patent number: 7552818
    Abstract: The invention relates to support means, which is for supporting a lateral conveyor adapted for mounting upon a mobile chassis, including a tail section, middle section and at least one head section having pivot points related to the conveyor frame separating said sections from each other. The support means includes a variable length mounting arm comprising at least first and second sections and first and second ends, and means for locking the length of the mounting arm into at least one fixed length corresponding to the length of the conveyor in use. The first end is fixed immobile in relation to the mobile chassis and the second end is fixed immobile in relation to the head section of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Metso Minerals (Cappagh) Ltd.
    Inventors: Marko Kalevi Makinen, Stephen Alexander Whyte, Kari Heikki Olavi Antila
  • Patent number: 7500814
    Abstract: An air cart for use in an agricultural seeder includes a frame; a material tank carried by the frame; an arm pivotally coupled with the frame; a conveyor coupled with the arm for conveying material to the tank; and a hydraulic positioning system coupled with the conveyor for automatically moving the conveyor to a selected one of a plurality of predetermined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Bradley J. Meyer
  • Patent number: 7296676
    Abstract: A system for conveying material is disclosed. The system includes: a hopper having a feed end and a discharge end, wherein the feed end is configured to receive material; and an elongate conveyor downstream from the discharge end, wherein the elongate conveyor is configured to pivot about at least three axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Construction Equipment Company
    Inventors: Roger G. Smith, Jason D. Gerard
  • Patent number: 7234909
    Abstract: The object of the invention is an apparatus for storage of wood chips in a curved-top stockpile the apparatus consisting of a central tower, which supports a conveyor for loading the chips and a beam-like turning pile composer, and a unloading beam supported on ground level on the lower part of the tower as well as on supporting wheels and furnished with unloading devices for transporting the wood chips towards the center of the apparatus. The central tower is furnished at one side with a tubular ex-central opening, and the tower occupies a central tube for delivering the wood chips either upwards or downwards from the opening. The unload drive for the unloading device is positioned inside the tower and the stockpile yard is furnished with a wall at the reach of the unloading device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Arvo Jonkka
  • Patent number: 7223059
    Abstract: A vehicle for conveying material is disclosed. The vehicle includes: an elongate vehicle frame; a hopper with a feed end and a discharge end, wherein the feed end is configured to receive the material; and an elongate material conveyor supported via the vehicle frame with a feed end downstream from the discharge end of the hopper and extending from its feed end to a discharge end. A substantial portion of the elongate material conveyor is configured to pivot about at least three axes, and the elongate material conveyor is adjustable among an inoperative position and plural extended positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Construction Equipment Company
    Inventors: Roger G. Smith, Jason D. Gerard
  • Patent number: 7101140
    Abstract: The object of the invention is an apparatus for storage of wood chips in a curved-top stockpile the apparatus consisting of a central tower which supports a conveyor for loading the chips and a beam-like turning pile composer, and a unloading beam supported on ground level on the lower part of the tower as well as on supporting wheels and furnished with unloading devices for transporting the wood chips towards the center of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Arvo Jonkka
  • Patent number: 7000757
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved stacker reclaimer apparatus for building up and discharging bulk material. The improved stacker reclaimer apparatus includes only one stacker bearing to separate the stacker machine from the reclaimer machine. A torque reaction member is rotatable connected to the stacker upper column. The torque reaction member is made of an arm portion and a torque arm bearing frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventors: Hans J. Schlegel, Helmut Wolf
  • Publication number: 20040256201
    Abstract: A magnetic centerguide for a grid structured for travel along the path of a conveyor. The grid defines a support surface that supports a pan. The guide generally comprises a magnet-carrying guide member mounted to the grid, normally but not necessarily on the grid centerline, and adjustable in a vertical direction relative to the support surface. The guide functions with numerous types of pans having different configurations of dough-carrying pockets and inter-pocket gaps. The guide member automatically adjusts its vertical position to contact the underside of the pan under a pocket or in an inter-pocket gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: APV Baker
    Inventors: John M. Hamilton, Ramanathan Ravindran, Mark S. Hittle
  • Publication number: 20040256202
    Abstract: A method of retrofitting a magnetic centerguide to a grid. The grid is of the type adapted to carry a pan along a path defined by a conveyor to which the grid is attached. The centerguide is of bifurcated construction which is split at one or both ends of its structure in order to allow it to be maneuvered about the grid structure for partial assembly. After being partly assembled, a fastener secures the bifurcated portion together to provide a magnetic centerguide in which the underside of a magnet is attracted to and thereby guides a pan when placed on the grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: APV Baker
    Inventors: John M. Hamilton, Ramanathan Ravindran, Mark S. Hittle
  • Patent number: 6662939
    Abstract: A framework for a belt conveyor comprising a base structure having a three point mounting arrangement in which the mountings are in a substantial triangular displacement with one upper mounting and two lower mountings. A boom structure has its inward end pivotally connected to the base structure through the three mountings and has an elongate boom member and an elongate support member. The boom member is pivoted to the upper mounting with the support member being pivoted to one of the lower mountings. The support member underlies the boom member and towards its mounted inward end is cranked outwardly and has outer end pivotally connected to the boom structure. A mounting plate is provided near to the crank between which and the second of the lower mountings, a ram and cylinder arrangement is connected. The mountings are displayed angularly to enable the boom structure to be capable of articulation between an outbound upwardly inclined horizontal orientation and an inward substantially vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Powerscreen International Distribution Limited
    Inventors: Daniel McCusker, Neil Suitor
  • Patent number: 6543622
    Abstract: A portable screen includes a conveyor which has a working position in which it extends out the end of the chassis, swivels, raises and lowers, and has a storage position in which it folds flat against the side of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Terex Corporation
    Inventor: Boris Fridman
  • Patent number: 6227357
    Abstract: The invention is a device, such as a chute or a conveyor belt, for receiving and transferring work pieces in a factory, mounted on a set of legs with lockable wheels at the bottom of each leg. Each leg is equipped with an hydraulic extension unit that is operated by air pressure. The air pressure is provided, for instance, from a machine, such as a press, that performs work on the work piece. Each leg is individually adjustable by the pneumatic extension unit, allowing the device atop the legs to be adjusted in height from the support surface, and maintained level or tilted from side to side or front to back. The wheels on the leg bottoms allow the device supported on the legs to easily move from one location to another on the factory floor. The legs may optionally be designed to fold up against the bottom of the supported device for ease of storage of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventor: William L. Brown, Sr.