Modular roller conveyor
AssigneeLaitram, L.L.C.
InventorBryant G. Ragan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular roller conveyor comprising a plurality of conveyor modules interconnected by a plurality of links. Each conveyor module comprises an entry end and an exit end, opposing side rails, and a conveying surface coupled to the opposing side rails. The links are operable to rotate the conveyor modules between a stacked configuration and a coplanar configuration. In alternative embodiments, a plurality of modular roller conveyors may be pivotally connected by hinges disposed along the perimeter of the bottom conveyor module. Each conveyor module may include separators at its entry and exit ends and wheels on the bottom conveyor module. Additionally, a system is disclosed that includes a stacking tool operable to transition the modular roller conveyor between the stacked and coplanar configurations.
Claims20
A modular roller conveyor comprising:
- a plurality of conveyor modules connected by a plurality of links, each conveyor module comprising an entry end and an exit end, opposing side rails, and a conveying surface coupled to the side rails and operable to transport items from the entry end to the exit end,
- wherein the side rails each have a height that extends a distance above the conveying surface,
- wherein the links are rotatably connected to the side rails of the conveyor modules and operable to transition the conveyor modules between a stacked configuration and a coplanar configuration,
- wherein, in the stacked configuration, one of the conveyor modules is positioned on the bottom and each additional conveyor module is arranged along a vertical axis above the conveyor module on the bottom, and
- wherein, in the coplanar configuration, the conveying surface of each of the conveyor modules is sequentially aligned and continuous along a single plane.
A modular roller conveyor system comprising:
- a plurality of modular roller conveyors, each modular roller conveyor comprising a plurality of conveyor modules connected by a plurality of links, each conveyor module comprising an entry end, an exit end, opposing side rails, and a conveying surface coupled to the side rails and operable to transport items from the entry end to the exit end,
- wherein the links are rotatably connected to the side rail of the conveyor modules and operable to transition the conveyor modules between a stacked configuration and a coplanar configuration,
- wherein, in the stacked configuration, one of the conveyor modules is positioned on the bottom and each additional conveyor module is arranged along a vertical axis above the conveyor module on the bottom, and
- wherein, in the coplanar configuration, the conveying surface of each of the conveyor modules is sequentially aligned and continuous along a single plane,
- a plurality of hinges disposed along a perimeter of the bottom conveyor module,
- wherein the modular roller conveyors, in the stacked configuration, are pivotally connectable at the hinges.
A modular roller conveyor system comprising:
- a modular roller conveyor comprising a plurality of conveyor modules connected by a plurality of links, each conveyor module comprising an entry end and an exit end, opposing side rails, a conveying surface coupled to the side rails and operable to transport items from the entry end to the exit end, and a pusher roller rotatably mounted between the opposing side rails and disposed at the entry end of each of the conveyor modules,
- wherein the links are rotatably connected to the side rail of the conveyor modules and operable to transition the conveyor modules between a stacked configuration and a coplanar configuration,
- wherein, in the stacked configuration, one of the conveyor modules is positioned on the bottom and each additional conveyor module is arranged along a vertical axis above the conveyor module on the bottom, and
- wherein, in the coplanar configuration, the conveying surface of each of the conveyor modules is sequentially aligned and continuous along a single plane, and
- a stacking tool removably attached to the modular roller conveyor and operable to reposition the conveyor modules between the stacked configuration and the coplanar configuration.
A modular roller conveyor comprising:
- at least three conveyor modules connected by a plurality of links, each conveyor module comprising an entry end and an exit end, opposing side rails, and a conveying surface coupled to the side rails and operable to transport items from the entry end to the exit end,
- wherein the links are rotatably connected to the side rails of the conveyor modules and operable to transition the conveyor modules between a stacked configuration and a coplanar configuration while keeping the conveying surface of each conveyor module in a parallel relationship with the conveying surface of the conveyor module on the bottom,
- wherein, in the stacked configuration, one of the conveyor modules is positioned on the bottom and each additional conveyor module is arranged along a vertical axis above the conveyor module on the bottom, and
- wherein, in the coplanar configuration, the conveying surface of each of the conveyor modules is sequentially aligned and continuous along a single plane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.