# US 2008/0184552 A1 · Buffer arrangement

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- Number: US 2008/0184552 A1
- Document ID: US20080184552A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/009,777
- Filed: 2008-01-22
- Published: 2008-08-07
- Earliest claimed: 2007-02-07
- Inventors: Gunter Lang
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080184552A1

## CPC

- B65G 47/8884: {Stops acting asynchronously, e.g. one stop open, next one closed or the opposite}
- B65G 21/18: in three-dimensionally curved paths
- B65G 47/5109: {first In - First Out systems: FIFO}
- B65G 2201/0267: Pallets
- Y10T 29/53478: with magazine supply
- Y10T 29/53543: including transporting track
- B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

The buffer arrangement according to the invention comprises a slide path (6) for a workpiece carrier (3). Preferably, the slide path (6) is coil-like wound and supported on a central column (15). The slide path (6) comprises preferably at least one slide track (7, 8) and possibly one or several guide tracks (9, 10). The workpiece carriers (3) slide on the slide tracks (7, 8) preferably with the front sides of the centering and clamping bolts disposed on the slide tracks (7, 8).

## Claims

### Claim 1

Buffer arrangement for workpiece carriers (3) comprising:
a sloped slide path (6) on which the workpiece carriers (3) are lined up; and,
a controllable release arrangement (26) at the lower end of the slide path (6) for releasing individual workpiece carriers (3).

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

Buffer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein workpiece carriers (3) comprise each a workpiece clamping arrangement and at least one clamping bolt (4), slide path (6) including a slide track (7,8) and slide path (6) extends from its beginning to its lower end and is so arranged that the at least one clamping bolt (4) rests with its front side (14) thereof on the slide track (7,8).

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

Buffer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the slide path (6) is coil-like spiraled.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

Buffer arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the slide track (7, 8) has an upper slide edge (12).

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

Buffer arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the slide path (6) is provided with at least one guide track (9).

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

Buffer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the slide path (6) is connected to a pallet lift (22).

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

Buffer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the release arrangement (26) comprises at least one controlled barrier (27) for the controlled release of the workpiece carrier (3) for its transfer from the slide path (6) to a delivery location (42).

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

Buffer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the slide path (6) is provided with a vibration generator (43).

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

Buffer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein an automatic handling arrangement (32) is provided for supplying workpiece carriers (3) to, and for releasing them from, the buffer arrangement (1).

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

Buffer arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the automatic handling arrangement (32) includes at least one piston-rod-free air cylinder (39) for moving the automatic handling arrangement (32) in a front horizontal direction and which supports and guides a carriage on which an arm (35) with a pallet fork (33) is pivotally and movably supported.