Stop mechanism for assembly line

#The present invention relates to an assembly line mechanism and, more particularly, to a stop mechanism for moving articles on an assembly line.

#Assembly conveyor systems often incorporate pneumatic deceleration stop assemblies on the conveyor track to decelerate pallets or moving articles and position them accurately for machining and assembly operations. The use of these pneumatic stops on conveyor systems increase the number of skilled mechanics required for installation and maintenance of the stop and, hence, the lifetime cost of the conveyor system.

#In accordance with the present invention, a stop for stopping moving articles on a conveyor system which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art is disclosed. In another aspect of the present invention, the stop has a base and a stop arm which is operable to stop a pallet. A further aspect of the present invention provides a stop arm which is rotatable about a location on the base and is translatable generally perpendicular to the conveyor. In yet another aspect of the present invention, an actuator arm is coupled to the stop arm to regulate the movement of the stop arm. A cam follower is coupled to the actuator arm to rotate said actuator arm. A linkage rotatably mounted to said stop arm and slidably mounted to the base.

#The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a stop mechanism of the current invention;

#FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the stop mechanism of the present invention;

#The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

#Referring generally to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of a stop mechanism 20 of the present invention includes a stop body 22 which functions to rotatably mount several members of a four-bar linkage assembly to stop a pallet 26 or other moveable article or object such as a box, crate, engine block workpiece, crank shaft workpiece or the like, on an industrial conveyor system. Although the pallet stop is shown in use with a chain driven conveyor, stop mechanism 20 is equally usable with other conveyor systems such as an electric motor driven roller system. Such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,862, entitled “Torque Limiting Roller Drive for Conveyors” and U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,202 entitled “Friction Control for Bearing Surface of Roller,” which are incorporated by reference herein. Positioned generally below the conveyor, stop mechanism 20 includes a generally H-shaped stop arm 24 which functions to stop the pallet at a specific location on a conveyor system. Stop arm 24 is coupled to stop body 22 by a pair of links 26 and 28. Each link 26 and 28 is rotatably coupled to the lower end 30 of stop arm 24 at its first end 32 by coupling pin 33 and rotatably and slidably coupled to the stop body 22 at its second end 34. Stop arm 24 is further coupled to the stop body 22 by an actuator arm 36. Actuator arm 36 is rotatably coupled to the central portion 38 of stop arm 24 at its first end 40, and is rotatably coupled to stop body 22 at a central location 42. Actuator arm 36 is rotatable within stop body 22 about a central location cavity 44.

#Stop body 22 is generally formed by a pair of spaced apart planar members 46 and 48. Generally disposed within these members 46 and 48 is stop arm 24 which is located at a first end 50 of stop body 22 and a pivot arm 52 located at a second end 54 of stop body 22. Pivot arm 52 is generally U-shaped and is rotatably coupled to the second end 54 of stop body 22 via a through pin 56. Upper portion 58 of pivot arm 52 is adapted to engage a clevis 60 which is functionally coupled to a solenoid drive 62. Supported between first 64 and second 66 arms of clevis 60 is a cam follower 68 on a pin 70 which engages the lower surface of the second end of the actuator.