Conveyors: power-driven – Conveyor section – Pusher conveyor and separate load support surface
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-10
2001-08-14
Noland, Kenneth W. (Department: 3651)
Conveyors: power-driven
Conveyor section
Pusher conveyor and separate load support surface
C414S416060
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273239
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
Generally, the invention relates to conveyer devices. More specifically, the invention relates to such devices which have an extensive two dimensionally disposed collection zone and a plurality of transfer assemblies distributed across the collection zone to provide for the desired conveyance.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous methods exist to convey objects. Typical examples of conventional conveyers include those having moving belts of a desired width which convey objects resting thereupon. Ordinary belt type conveyers are limited to operation where the conveyance is generally aligned with horizontal. Such belt type conveyers may be utilized to convey objects resting thereupon vertically when paddles are attached to the belt for movement therewith. Numerous other types of conveyer assemblies are conventionally known in the art.
Various deficiencies exist with existing conveyer devices which typically lack a relatively large, two dimensionally disposed, collection zone. Various attempts have been made to provide a conveyer device capable of collecting falling workpieces for subsequent conveyance. These attempts have been less efficient than desired. As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a conveyer device which provides a large two dimensionally disposed collection zone upon which workpieces may fall and be conveyed to a discharge area. The present invention substantially fulfills these needs.
SUMMARY
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of conveyer devices, your applicant has devised a conveyer device for a conveyance of workpieces in a direction of conveyance. The conveyer device has a power source, means to transfer power from the power source, a plurality of troughs forming a collection zone and a plurality of transfer assemblies powered by the power source. The collection zone has a length and a width. Each of the transfer assemblies act to provide for conveyance of any workpieces positioned within a respective trough. Each transfer assembly has an endless loop drive member and drive means with the endless loop drive member moving in an endless loop in response to power from the means to transfer power. The drive means further has at least one workpiece engagement member which has a cycle of movement. The drive means provides for moving any encountered workpieces within the respective trough across the collection zone in a direction of conveyance. The cycle of movement of the workpiece engagement member having a collecting direction and a redeployment direction. The collecting direction provides for the workpiece engagement member to move relative to the respective trough in the direction of conveyance at a gathering position. This provides for the respective workpiece engagement member to move relative to the respective trough and make contact with at least a first encountered workpiece present within the respective trough to move any encountered workpieces in the direction of conveyance. The redeployment direction provides for the workpiece engagement member to move relative to the respective trough opposite the direction of conveyance at a passage position. This provides for the respective workpiece engagement member to remain at least substantially outside of the respective trough while moving in the redeployment direction.
My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combinations of them herein disclosed and it is distinguished from the prior art in these particular combinations of these structures for the functions specified.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide for conveyer device which may collect falling workpieces from a large, two dimensionally disposed, collection zone and convey the workpieces for subsequent discharge from the collection zone.
Other objects include;
a) to provide for a conveyer device which may collect falling workpieces while the conveyer device is positioned in close proximity to a ground surface with the collection zone of the conveyer device positioned in close proximity to the ground surface.
b) to provide for a plurality of conveyance assemblies disposed across the collection zone with each conveyance assemblies having workpiece engagement members attached thereto wherein each workpiece engagement member moves in an endless loop pattern relative to the collection zone and alternating between a collecting period wherein the workpiece engagement member moves in a collecting direction and a redeployment period wherein the workpiece engagement member moves in redeployment direction.
c) to provide for a plurality of troughs extending across the collection zone.
d) to provide for a plurality of passageways though the collection zone of the conveyer device for passage therethrough of debris for elimination of the debris from the conveyance procedure.
e) to provide for each trough to be defined by opposing support surfaces with a passageway therebetween defining the base of the trough.
f) to provide for each workpiece engagement member to move relative to the trough at a gathering position during the collecting period of the endless loop pattern wherein a portion of the workpiece engagement member makes contact with a first encountered workpiece present within the trough to move any encountered workpieces in a direction of conveyance relative to the collection zone.
g) to provide for each workpiece engagement member to move relative to the trough at a passage position during the redeployment period of the endless loop pattern wherein the workpiece engagement member remains substantially outside of the trough.
h) to provide for each endless loop drive member to be positioned within a housing having an access slot extending therealong for passage therethrough of the workpiece engagement members during the collecting period of the endless loop pattern of the workpiece engagement members.
i) to provide for each endless loop drive member to be positioned within the housing wherein the workpiece engagement members remain within the housing during the redeployment period of the endless loop pattern of the workpiece engagement members.
j) to provide for a transfer movement of the conveyer device generally perpendicular to a direction of conveyance during a conveyance procedure.
k) to provide for a deployment movement of the conveyer device generally aligned with the direction of conveyance during the conveyance procedure.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated the preferred embodiments of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4717012 (1988-01-01), Swapp et al.
patent: 4890723 (1990-01-01), Debuisson et al.
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