Multi-strand flat top conveyor
AssigneeAutomatic Systems, Inc.
InventorJeremy Adam Pych
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vehicle production assembly line includes a conveyor system to support a vehicle. The conveyor system includes a first side conveyor chain, a second side conveyor chain, and a middle conveyor chain positioned between the first side conveyor chain and the second side conveyor chain. The first side conveyor chain, the second side conveyor chain, and the middle conveyor chain are laterally aligned with each other and can be mechanically synchronized with a single motor.
Claims20
A vehicle production assembly comprises a conveyor system configured to support a vehicle, wherein the conveyor system comprises a first side conveyor chain, a second side conveyor chain, and a middle conveyor chain positioned between the first side conveyor chain and the second side conveyor chain, wherein the first side conveyor chain, the second side conveyor chain, and the middle conveyor chain are laterally aligned with each other to form a substantially continuous conveyor surface extending along a top surface of each of the first side conveyor chain, the second side conveyor chain, and the middle conveyor chain such that the conveyor surface has a width that is greater than a width of the vehicle to support each wheel of the vehicle on the top surface of the conveyor surface.
A method for assembling a vehicle along an assembly line comprises the steps of:
- positioning a vehicle on a conveyor system, wherein at least one wheel of the vehicle is positioned on a top surface of a first side conveyor chain of the conveyor system, wherein at least another wheel of the vehicle is positioned on a top surface of a second side conveyor chain of the conveyor system, wherein a body of the vehicle is positioned above a top surface of a middle conveyor chain of the conveyor system;
- and
- driving the conveyor system to move the vehicle downstream along the assembly line.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.