# US 10,766,702 B2 · Modular chute for the transport of articles > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,766,702 B2 - Document ID: US10766702B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/377,015 - Filed: 2019-04-05 - Published: 2019-10-10 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-07 - Assignees: Talos Engineered Products, LLC - Applicants: Talos Engineered Products, LLC - Inventors: Zachary Casper; Jathan Richard; Gerrit Hale; Dewayne Sullivan; Matt Harvey - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10766702B2 ## CPC - B65G 11/063: {for articles} - B65G 11/06: of helical or spiral form - B65G 11/183: {for articles} - B65G 21/08: Protective roofs or arch supports therefor - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) ## Abstract An improved modular chute comprising a stanchion comprising a plurality of rib connection points; a plurality of rib assemblies extending from the stanchion, each of the rib assemblies comprising at least a first rib, a second rib, and a tie rod connecting the first rib to the second rib; and a lining disposed within one or more of the rib assemblies, wherein the lining comprises a plurality of lining sections. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A modular chute for the transport of articles comprising: (a) a stanchion comprising a plurality of rib connection points; (b) a plurality of rib assemblies extending from the stanchion, each of said rib assemblies comprising at least a first rib; a second rib, and a tie rod connecting said first rib to said second rib, and wherein each of said ribs comprises: (i) a first end portion comprising a tie rod mounting point, (ii) a second end portion comprising a connection member, (iii) a support member connecting said first end portion to said second end portion and comprising at least a first guidewire receiving member; and (c) a lining disposed within one or more of said rib assemblies, wherein said lining comprises a plurality of lining sections. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The modular chute of claim 1, further comprising a support wire attached to each of said first guidewire receiving members. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The modular chute of claim 1, wherein each of said connection members comprises an inner end and an outer end. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The modular chute of claim 3, wherein said rib connection points comprise apertures in said stanchion, and wherein said inner ends are removably inserted into said apertures. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The modular chute of claim 4, wherein each of said lining sections comprises an inner edge, an outer edge, an upper edge, and a lower edge, and wherein each of said edges defines a shape for each lining section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The modular chute of claim 5, wherein the shape defined by said edges is rectangular, thereby forming a substantially linear chute. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The modular chute of claim 5, wherein the shape defined by said edges is trapezoidal, wherein said inner edge is substantially equidistant from said outer edge and said upper edge and said lower edge diverge from each other in a direction from said inner edge to said outer edge, thereby forming a spiraling chute. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The modular chute of claim 5, wherein each of said inner edges extends substantially horizontally from said stanchion, and wherein each of said outer edges extends substantially vertically to at least one of said tie rods, thereby forming an outer radius wall. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The modular chute of claim 5, further comprising an inner radius guard, wherein said inner radius guard comprises a plurality of guard sections. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The modular chute of claim 9, wherein each of said guard sections is removably coupled to at least one of said outer ends by at least a hinge member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The modular chute of claim 10, wherein each of said lining sections is removably coupled to at least one of said guard sections. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The modular chute of claim 11, wherein each of said guard sections comprises ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The modular chute of claim 1, wherein each of said ribs comprises ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The modular chute of claim 13, wherein each of said ribs is tubular. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The modular chute of claim 1, wherein said lining comprises ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The modular chute of claim 1, wherein said stanchion comprises ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene. ### Claim 17 A modular chute for the transport of articles comprising: (a) an infeed mounting portion and a discharge mounting portion; (b) a plurality of rib assemblies disposed between said infeed mounting portion and said discharge mounting portion, each of said rib assemblies comprising at least a first rib; a second rib, and a tie rod connecting said first rib to said second rib, and wherein each of said ribs comprises: (i) a first end portion comprising a tie rod mounting point and (ii) a second end portion comprising a connection member; (c) a lining disposed within one or more of said rib assemblies, wherein said lining comprises a plurality of lining sections; and (d) an inner radius guard and an inner radius support, wherein said inner radius support comprises a plurality of support sections and said inner radius guard comprises a plurality of guard sections, wherein each of said support sections is removably coupled to at least one connection member, and wherein each of said guard sections is removably coupled to at least one of said support sections. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The modular chute of claim 17, wherein each of said lining sections is removably coupled to at least one of said guard sections. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The modular chute of claim 17, wherein said infeed mounting portion is removably coupled to an infeed unit. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The modular chute of claim 19, wherein said discharge mounting portion is removably coupled to a discharge unit. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The modular chute of claim 17, further comprising a support member connecting said first end portion to said second end portion. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The modular chute of claim 21, wherein said support member comprises at least a first guidewire receiving member. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The modular chute of claim 22, further comprising a support wire attached to each of said first guidewire receiving members. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The modular chute of claim 20, wherein each of said lining sections comprises an inner edge, an outer edge, an upper edge, and a lower edge, and wherein each of said edges defines a shape for each lining section. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The modular chute of claim 24, wherein the shape defined by said edges is rectangular, thereby forming a substantially linear chute. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The modular chute of claim 25, wherein the shape defined by said edges is trapezoidal, wherein said inner edge is substantially equidistant from said outer edge and said upper edge and said lower edge diverge from each other in a direction from said inner edge to said outer edge, thereby forming a spiraling chute. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The modular chute of claim 24, wherein each of said inner edges extends substantially horizontally from said stanchion, and wherein each of said outer edges extends substantially vertically to at least one of said tie rods, thereby forming an outer radius wall.