Conveyors – chutes – skids – guides – and ways – Chutes
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-11
2001-06-12
Valenza, Joseph E. (Department: 3651)
Conveyors, chutes, skids, guides, and ways
Chutes
C414S276000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244416
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to material handling systems and, more particularly, to gravity conveying systems, namely flow bays.
A flow bay is an area filled with a series of parallel gravity conveying rails, known as flow rails, which are spaced apart and usually arranged in lanes. The lanes may be fed from a perpendicular feed conveyor and typically terminate in a loading dock or other destination point. In this manner, boxed or crated goods, typically relatively large in size, such as appliances, furniture, cabinets, and the like, can be manually transported down one of the lanes of the flow bay by a slight manual push.
Conventionally, such flow bays have been manufactured by erecting a series of lateral support beams on the subsurface and attaching the flow rails to the support beams such as by clamping or welding. The area between the flow rails is typically provided with a walking surface made up of plywood sheets which is also supported by the cross members.
The difficulty with the known flow bay construction technique is primarily that it is extremely labor-intensive to erect. Often, it is necessary to replace a previous flow bay during a plant shutdown period, which may be a relatively short period, such as three or four days. This is necessary in order to have the flow bay operational again after the shutdown. Because of the labor intensity in erecting the prior known flow bays, it has been extremely difficult to erect an entire flow bay in a relatively short period of time. Additionally, the support surfaces of such prior flow bays, while accommodating the movement of persons on the plywood support surfaces, were not necessarily safe. When a fluid is spilled on such surface, it could result in the surface becoming slippery, thus possibly contributing to a fall. Furthermore, the human support surface was significantly below the flow rails which made lateral movement along the flow bay difficult at best.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a flow bay assembly which is exceptionally easy to erect thereby allowing an entire flow bay area to be installed in a relatively short period of time. Furthermore, a flow bay assembly, according to the invention, is exceptionally functional in operation, especially in providing safe movement of persons in the area.
A flow bay assembly, according to an aspect of the invention, includes a plurality of spaced apart deck modules and a plurality of flow rails. Each of the flow rails is between a pair of deck modules. A plurality of connecting members connect adjacent deck modules and support the flow rails.
According to another aspect of the invention, a plurality of elongated deck modules are laterally positioned and configured to define flow rail supporting surfaces between adjacent deck modules. Adjacent deck modules may be interconnected by slip-lock fasteners which assemble adjacent modules without the necessity for tools.
A flow bay assembly, according to the invention, can be interconnected without the necessity for bolting or welding of members together. The deck modules may be configured to be adjustable to a proper orientation from above the deck surface thereby further facilitating ease of assembly. The deck modules are preferably made from steel and provided with an anti-skid upper surface to thereby promote safety in operation. Furthermore, the components making up the flow bay assembly may be manufactured off-site thereby reducing labor costs and further facilitating ease of assembly on the job site.
These and other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.
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Sharma Rashmi
United Erectors, Inc.
Valenza Joseph E.
Van Dyke Gardner, Linn & Burkhart, LLP
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