Loin puller machine with improved caterpillar drive assembly
AssigneeHall Fabrication, Inc.
InventorDavid Chappell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A loin puller machine includes a frame with the conveyor mounted on the frame for carrying loin carcasses past a series of cutting blades. A caterpillar drive assembly is mounted on the frame adjacent the conveyor to engage the carcass for movement past the blades. The caterpillar drive assembly includes a pair of sprockets and a chain trained about the sprockets, and a hydraulic motor operatively connected to one of the sprockets so as to rotate the sprockets and chain. The motor is positioned below the sprockets and chains to preclude accidental dripping of hydraulic fluid onto the sprockets, chain, or loin carcass.
Claims17
A loin puller machine, comprising:
- a frame;
- a conveyor on the frame for carrying a loin carcass;
- a track drive assembly mounted on the frame at an elevation higher than the conveyor and having sprockets and a chain trained about the sprockets to engage the loin carcass on the conveyor;
- and
- a hydraulic motor operatively connected to the track drive assembly to rotate the sprockets and chain, and being positioned below the track drive assembly.
A track drive assembly for a loin puller machine having a conveyor for transporting carcasses from an inlet end to an outlet end, the track assembly comprising:
- first and second sprockets adjacent the conveyor;
- a chain extending around the sprockets to engage the carcass;
- a motor drivingly connected to the first sprocket to rotate the first sprocket and thereby drive the chain around the first and second sprockets;
- and
- the motor being mounted beneath the first sprocket to preclude contamination of the track drive assembly in the event of a motor failure.
A method of conveying a carcass for cutting by a knife on a loin puller machine, comprising:
- positioning the carcass on a horizontal conveyor assembly;
- actuating the conveyor assembly to move the carcass past the knife;
- engaging the carcass laterally with a chain assembly as the carcass is moved past the knife;
- and
- rotating the chain assembly with a motor positioned beneath the chain assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.