Conveyors: power-driven – With alarm or indicator
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-16
2001-08-21
Bidwell, James R. (Department: 3651)
Conveyors: power-driven
With alarm or indicator
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276515
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a steady-flow conveyor, in particular, a luggage conveying belt comprising a continuous load carrier unit for the transport of objects and/or persons especially for use inside buildings or a locations which, for example, like luggage carrousels at airports, are accessible to limited or unlimited varying groups of persons.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Such steady-flow conveyors, that is, conveyor systems equipped with a load carrier designed to enable the continuous conveyance of materials (object and/or persons) on a given transport route from the checking-in point to the delivery point and, in numerous cases also back again (circular conveyor route) and, in particular, the luggage carrousels/luggage conveyor systems at the withdrawal departments of airports, are being watched every day by a multitude of people—while persons are waiting for very particular goods to be delivered—e.g. their personal items of luggage—which are forwarded to them by means of the particular conveyor belt/conveyor system.
This time of waiting and watching usually is passing by without any special benefit for anybody and, in general, is experienced as utterly boring by the persons concerned.
On the other hand, it is always a problem on the advertising sector to find hoarding, objects and times for advertising which will arouse or, respectively catch, the interest and the attention of as large and as widely spread a group of persons as possible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above-referenced problems are solved by the invention in question, namely, a steady-flow conveyor of the above-described type which distinguishes itself in that it works with a load carrier which, at one or several of its longitudinal sections, that is, at one or several successive points in longitudinal direction, is provided with at least one holding device to which at least one advertising medium is attached.
All the people who are watching the conveying belt while they are waiting for the arrival of an object necessarily look at the advertising media which are continuously passing by during their waiting time and, according to the general experience of life, they will at least unconsciously take note of the advertising message conveyed by these advertising media.
Thus, the steady-flow conveyor which constitutes the object of the invention provides an advertising medium which above all distinguishes itself in that it is located within the visual field of the groups of market participants addressed and which is being observed with attention practically all the time.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the steady-flow conveyor comprises a load carrier including a belt, a band or a plate. This type of steady-flow conveyor is widely used, above all on the sector of luggage conveyance—e.g. as conveyor table or as round-and-round walking or conveying track with any number of turns, upward and downward movements. In accordance with this embodiment of the present invention, holding device(s), which accommodate the advertising media, can be attached to the belt, band or, most preferably to the plate of the conveyor. The advertising media extends over or above the surface plane of the load carrier. Moreover, this may even be implemented during the course of retrofitting already existing (installed) conveyors. Particularly in the case of steel-plate conveyors, a retrofit is technically feasible without any problems in that individual common-type plates or lamellas are replaced by plates or lamellas, respectively, which are provided with a holding device according to the invention.
The holding device(s) is (are) preferably (ideally) positioned at the top side or, respectively, at the surface of the load carrier and, therefore, will prejudice neither the drive nor the forward or backward movement of the load carrier, nor will it (they) cause problems while passing a possible hollow way or tunnel course (e.g. between closely adjacent limiting walls or through the radiological department).
In a preferential variant of construction the holding device(s) is (are) situated in the lateral area, that is, along one or both longitudinal edge(s) of the load carrier. This has the advantage that at least the central area continues to be available for the transport of goods and/or persons throughout this longitudinal sector.
The holding device(s) preferably comprises(comprise) locking and/or anchoring facilities to which the advertising medium can be attached with free motion at a plane parallel to the conveying plane and/or in perpendicular and/or diagonal direction towards it, that is, at an angle to the conveying plane. The locking or anchoring with free motion at a plane parallel to the conveying plane, for example, by means of ball-and-socket or walk-along joint(s) ensures that the respective advertising medium is rotatable in or, respectively, parallel to the conveying plane and, therefore, can also easily follow the transverse movements of the load carrier, irrespective of its dimensions, in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the load carrier. The—preferably additional—use of locking and/or anchoring facilities with free perpendicular and/or diagonal (at an angle) motion towards the conveying level, for example, in the form of spring (element) joints, creates the respective prerequisites so that the advertising medium can also follow an upward and downward course of the conveying track.
The spring (element) joints can—if necessary also in combination with additional (single) pressure springs (in particular, helical springs)—also be arranged at one or several planes in such a way that they form a buffer or crusher zone at the respective plane(s). This buffer or crusher zone protects the holding device, the advertising media attached to it or contained therein and also the plate(s)/lamella(s) carrying the holding device from bumps and percussive impacts that may occur e.g. when luggage is thrown onto the steady-flow conveyor.
The holding devices should be equipped with safety appliances against unintentional and/or unauthorized opening or detachment.
As advertising media both advertising boards and, in particular, also real shape models (that is, the “real”, “true” standard shape) or mock-ups of a suitcase, of a traveling bag, a knapsack or any other common or uncommon item of luggage, may be taken into consideration.
Even the advertised object itself may, however, be used as advertising medium provided that it can be transported on the respective conveyor or conveying system.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4496141 (1985-01-01), Nayate
patent: 5280831 (1994-01-01), Conklin, Jr.
patent: 5330044 (1994-07-01), Conklin, Jr.
patent: 5427227 (1995-06-01), Crandall et al.
patent: 6044961 (2000-04-01), Hine
patent: 9824713 (1998-06-01), None
Bidwell James R.
Davidson Davidson & Kappel LLC
LandOfFree
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