Food processing tree support
AssigneeSmithfield Foods, Inc.
InventorJason Earhart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An example tree support for a food processing system is provided. The food processing system includes an overhead support and a tree suspended from the overhead support by a fastener. The tree support includes a latch bracket configured to be positioned over a frame member of the overhead support, and a rotor configured to be coupled to the tree such that the rotor is positioned around at least a portion of the fastener of the food processing system and the latch bracket. Prior to failure of the fastener, the latch bracket and the rotor provide zero weight support to the tree. After failure of the fastener, the latch bracket and the rotor provide full weight support to the tree.
Claims20
A tree support for a food processing system including an overhead support and a tree suspended from the overhead support by a fastener, the tree support comprising:
- a latch bracket configured to be positioned over a frame member of the overhead support;
- and
- a rotor configured to be coupled to the tree such that the rotor is positioned around at least a portion of the fastener of the food processing system and the latch bracket;
- wherein prior to failure of the fastener, the latch bracket and the rotor provide zero weight support to the tree;
- and
- wherein after failure of the fastener, the latch bracket and the rotor provide full weight support to the tree.
A tree support system for a food processing system including an overhead support, comprising:
- a tree configured to be suspended from the overhead support of the food processing system by a fastener;
- and
- a tree support engaged with the overhead support and the tree, the tree support including:
- a latch bracket positioned over a frame member of the overhead support;
- and
- a rotor coupled to the tree such that the rotor is positioned around at least a portion of the fastener of the food processing system and the latch bracket;
- wherein prior to failure of the fastener, the latch bracket and the rotor provide zero weight support to the tree;
- and
- wherein after failure of the fastener, the latch bracket and the rotor provide full weight support to the tree.
A method of supporting a food processing tree, the method comprising:
- suspending a tree from an overhead support by a fastener;
- engaging a tree support with the overhead support and the tree by (i) positioning a latch bracket of the tree support over a frame member of the overhead support and (ii) coupling a rotor of the tree support to the tree such that the rotor is positioned around at least a portion of the fastener and the latch bracket;
- prior to failure of the fastener, providing zero weight support to the tree with the latch bracket and the rotor;
- and
- after failure of the fastener, providing full weight support to the tree with the latch bracket and the rotor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.