Conveyors: power-driven – Conveyor system for moving a specific load as a separate unit – System includes linear conveyor or portion thereof which...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-20
2001-04-17
Valenza, Joseph E. (Department: 3651)
Conveyors: power-driven
Conveyor system for moving a specific load as a separate unit
System includes linear conveyor or portion thereof which...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216847
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention involves a device for the delivery of mixed-item loads, especially workpiece mounts, workpieces, containers or pallets.
A device for transferring workpieces or workpiece mounts from a first conveyor line to a second conveyor line placed at a right angle thereto is known from German patent document DE 30 12 355 C2. The conveyor lines are each constructed out of two conveyors placed at a distance from each other and in a parallel arrangement. The transfer device consists of an endless transfer belt, guided deflection rollers, which forms a transfer conveyor line between the two conveyors of the first conveyor line. The transfer belt is run by a drive motor, which is integrated with the transfer conveyor line into an assembly unit. The assembly unit is suspended on the supporting frame of the first conveyor line through a connecting frame. The workpiece mounts, or other items, transported on the first conveyor line are lifted by the transfer conveyor line and are laterally transported from the to the second conveyor line. After this, the transfer device is lowered again. The lifting/lowering movement of the transfer device is achieved by a piston/cylinder unit. Additional guidance of the transfer conveyor line with the transfer belt is provided by the fixed connecting frame of the transfer device having two guide rods spaced apart from each other. These spaced guide rods reduce the stress of lateral forces incurred by the piston rod of the piston/cylinder unit. The use of the additional guide rods, in addition to the piston/cylinder unit, increases the construction costs and complexity of the lifting device.
Consequently, there exists a need for a device for the delivery of mixed-item loads, especially workpiece mounts, workpieces, containers or pallets, having a compact construction style, in particular a low overall height, and the ability to dependably deliver mixed-item loads.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention advances a device for the delivery of mixed item loads, especially workpiece mounts, workpieces, containers or pallets from a first conveyor line to a second conveyor line. Each conveyor line consists of a pair of generally parallel conveyors placed a preselected distance apart. The delivery device of the present invention includes at least one conveyor element located between the conveyors of the first conveyor line and positioned in generally parallel, adjacent relation to a conveyor of the second conveyor line, and a pair of linear drive units positioned at opposing ends of the conveyor element. The linear drive units are operationally connected to the conveyor element by a coupler. The linear drive units selectively move the conveyor element between a neutral position wherein the conveyor element is positioned below the transport level of the first conveyor line to a delivery position wherein the conveyor element is positioned above the transport level.
In a preferred embodiment, there exists two conveyor elements positioned generally parallel and a preselected distance apart. In this embodiment, the delivery device includes at least four linear drive units, each of which is operationally connected to an end of one of the conveyor elements. When so positioned, the linear drive units define the corners of an imaginary parallelogram. Placement of the linear drive units in this arrangement provides stable support for the conveyor elements. Furthermore, positioning the drive elements in proximity to the ends of the conveyor elements reduces the amount of torsional stress incurred by the conveyor elements. Additionally, utilization of a pair of conveyor elements assures dependable delivery of the mixed item load to the second conveyor line. Moreover, by using four linear drive units, the delivery device assumes a smaller, compact construction since the forces incurred by the delivery device are distributed among the plurality of linear drive units.
According to another aspect of the invention, each linear drive unit is attached to a conveyor element by a coupler. Employing a coupler between the drive rod of the linear drive unit and the conveyor elements minimizes the induction of lateral forces into the drive rod. Also, the use of these couplers avoids jamming of the conveyor element which may occur when the linear drive units are actuated in a non-synchronous manner.
In a preferred form, each coupler includes a pushing element depending from the connecting frame which supports the conveying element and depends within a guide element extending from the linear drive unit. Positioned within the guide element is a vertically reciprocal drive rod. The pushing element is connected to the drive rod of the linear drive unit by a ball and socket joint, which transfers force essentially in the vertical direction only. Also, preferably, the end of the pushing element is formed having a conical surface that engages the ball and socket joint, while the top region of the guide element is formed with a counterpressure surface. Consequently, when the drive rod of the linear drive unit is actuated in the vertically upward direction, the drive rod of the linear drive unit will urge the conical surface of the pushing element into abutting contact with the counterpressure surface of the guide element. The abutting contact between the conical surface of the pushing element and the counterpressure surface of the guide element hold the conveyor element stationary in the delivery position, thereby assuring the efficient and dependable transfer of the mixed-item load from the first conveyor line to the second conveyor line. Also, preferably, the pushing element has a cylinder shape oriented lengthwise in the vertical direction, while the conical surface depending from the pushing element is arranged in a ring shape with the conical surface partially surrounding the ball and socket joint.
These and other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction the drawings.
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EPO search report for European patent application 99250123.0-2308, corresponding to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/294,556.
Copy of Dialog®database printout containing an abstract of DE 3109219 in English.
Copy of Dialog®database printout containing an abstract of DE 3012355 in English.
Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
Sharma Rashmi
Valenza Joseph E.
Van Dyke Gardner, Linn & Burkhart, LLP
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