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US 2006/0219610 A1Published application
Tray stacking and buffer system and method of use
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsBarton Varney, Michael Wisniewski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for stacking and storing a plurality of trays includes a stacker system and a buffer system. The stacker system includes a component, e.g., a platform, which moves a tray between a raised position and a lowered position. The buffer system includes a plurality of opposing projections for capturing the tray when the component is in the raised position.
Claims21
A system for stacking and storing a plurality of trays, comprising:
- a stacker system having a component which moves a tray between a raised position and a lowered position;
- and
- a buffer system having a plurality of opposing projections for capturing the tray when the component is raised from the lowered position to the raised position.
A system for stacking and storing trays, comprising:
- a platform vertically moveable between a first position and a second position, the platform accommodating a tray;
- a first drive system connecting to the platform for raising and lowering the platform between the first position and the second position;
- opposing driven belts each of which includes a plurality of spaced apart lugs for capturing and storing the trays in a vertical, nested configuration;
- a second drive system connecting to the opposing driven belts for synchronously rotating the belts of the opposing driven belts in opposing directions;
- and
- a controller coordinating the movement of the opposing driven belts and the platform such that the platform is in the second position and the plurality of spaced apart lugs capture and lift the trays in a vertical, nested configuration.
3 more elements
A method of buffering trays, comprising:
- providing a tray onto a platform;
- raising the tray;
- synchronizing movement of a buffering system with the raising of the tray such that when the tray is in the raised position, the tray will be captured by the buffering system;
- and
- lifting the tray from the platform.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.