Gantry conveyor apparatus
AssigneeUnova IP Corp.
InventorWilliam M. Faitel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gantry conveyor apparatus for transporting components between work stations in an assembly line. The apparatus includes an elevated gantry beam and two gantry carts movably mounted to roll along the beam. The gantry conveyor apparatus also includes a conveyor coupled to each gantry cart. The conveyor moves the carts along the gantry beam between stations in an assembly line. A lift tube is supported on each gantry cart and engages a part at one station, raises the part to an elevated transport position, and lowers and releases the part at a subsequent station. The apparatus also includes a harmonic lift drive coupled to the lift tubes and drives the lift tubes using a single motor rather than a separate motor at each lift.
Claims16
A gantry conveyor apparatus for transporting a plurality components between work stations in an assembly line, the apparatus comprising:
- a stationary elevated gantry beam;
- at least two gantry carts movably mounted to roll along the beam;
- a conveyor coupled to each gantry cart and configured to move the carts along the gantry beam between stations in an assembly line;
- a lift supported on each gantry cart and configured to engage a part at one station, raise the part to an elevated transport position, and lower and release the part at a subsequent station;
- and
- a harmonic lift drive coupled to the lifts and configured to drive the lifts using a single motor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.