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US 11,885,075 B2Granted
Tie plate orientation device
AssigneeB & B Metals, Inc.
InventorCoty T. Coots
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Present embodiments relate to a tie plate orientation device. More specifically, but without limitation present embodiments relate to a tie plate orientation device that orients tie plates in a desired orientation for subsequent feeding, including an optional handheld magnetic device for manual assisted manipulation of the tie plates.
Claims16
A tie plate orientation device, comprising:
- a first conveyor;
- a second conveyor having a surface which is oriented in a direction transverse to said first conveyor, said first conveyor directing tie plates toward said second conveyor;
- a space located between said first conveyor and said second conveyor and capable of receiving said tie plates;
- wherein any one tie plate of said tie plates is capable of falling from said first conveyor through said space in a first orientation, and in a second orientation said any one tie plate of said tie plates engages said second conveyor and is reoriented so that said any one tie plate is capable of falling through said space.
1 more element
A tie plate orientation device, comprising:
- a conveyor which directs a plurality of tie plates in a first direction;
- a second conveyor which is downstream of said conveyor and is capable of receiving any said tie plate of said plurality of tie plates;
- a guide wall extending into a path defined by said conveyor;
- said second conveyor rotating tie plates to a desired orientation and an end of said guide wall stops rotation at said desired orientation of said tie plate.
1 more element
A method of orienting a tie plate, comprising steps of:
- moving said tie plate on a first conveyor;
- engaging said tie plate by a second transverse conveyor, if said tie plate is in one orientation of at least two orientations;
- rotating said tie plate by said second transverse conveyor to a second orientation of said at least two orientations;
- passing said tie plate through a space at an end of said first conveyor.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.