Conveyors – chutes – skids – guides – and ways – Rollerways – Submerging and rising
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-15
2001-01-30
Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 3651)
Conveyors, chutes, skids, guides, and ways
Rollerways
Submerging and rising
C193S0350SS, C193S034000, C193S038000, C193S00200R, C193S003000, C193S004000, C193S0250FT, C193S037000, C198S750400, C198S850000, C198S817000, C198S468110, C198S740000, C198S744000, C198S747000, C198S748000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179109
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention refers to a conveyor device for shelf channels in shelf-storage systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conveying apparatuses for shelf channels of shelf storage facilities of the kind discussed herein usually comprise two circulating conveying means arranged parallel to each other by means of which the goods in the particular shelf channels can be loaded and also unloaded again. The conveying means are not driven, but are displaced by an unloading vehicle, for instance a fork lift truck, upon loading and unloading the goods. Usually, one half of the conveying means is designed as a roller chain or a support roller chain, while the other half consists of a rope that interconnects the chain to a continuously circulating conveying means. Such a design lowers the costs and saves weight as compared to a conveying means that is entirely constituted by a chain.
As the two conveying means of a shelf channel are not coupled to each other, the danger exists that they are displaced relative to each other. One reason for such a displacement can consist in the fact that the first pallet is put in a skewed and/or offset manner onto the particular conveying means upon loading. Another reason for such a displacement is that the last pallet is unloaded in a skewed or offset manner. Such errors can add in time to a large relative offset between the two conveying means. Finally, this can lead to a situation in which stored goods rest not only on the chain, but partially on the rope interconnecting the free ends of the chain. It is understood that this is unwelcome and can lead to malfunctions and defects.
Thus, it is the object of the invention to suggest a conveying apparatus for shelf channels of shelf storage facilities that is put, upon unloading the last pallet, into a defined initial state in which both conveying means are aligned both with reference to each other as well as absolutely.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the conveying apparatus designed according to the present invention, the conveying means is entrained up to an end stop member upon unloading the last pallet. Thereafter, the last pallet can be pulled off the chain easily as the last chain links are provided with a smooth surface. Once the last pallet has been unloaded, the two conveying means are aligned parallel to each other. Upon loading a new pallet, it slides over the chain links that are provided with a smooth surface until it abuts against an entrainment device that is provided in the initial region close to the loading end of the particular conveying means. Only then the two conveying means are entrained by the pallet.
In order to make sure that the two conveying means are not entrained by the inserted pallet as long as the pallet has not abutted the entrainment device, in a preferred embodiment, a catch member is suggested that arrests the particular conveying means in the final position.
In a further preferred embodiment, a stationary slide member is suggested that is located in the end region of each shelf channel at the unloading end thereof, the top surface of the slide member at least partially extending above the chain links that have a smooth top surface. Preferably, the top surface of that slide member extends at least partially below the means for ensuring a non-positive connection between the chains and the pallets. By means of such a slide member, upon unloading the last pallet, the chain is entrained by the pallet as long as the last chain links provided with a non-positive connection move downwards at the deflection. In this manner, the two conveying means are parallely aligned upon unloading the last pallet.
Such a slide member has the further advantage that the moving conveying means and the now frontmost pallet, respectively, can slow down on the slide member upon unloading the in each case frontmost pallet, without the danger that stored goods would be moved beyond the end of the shelf.
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Ellis Christopher P.
Gilgen Fordersysteme
Shapiro Jeffrey A.
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
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