# US 2017/0283173 A1 · Conveyor for conveying suspended objects > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0283173 A1 - Document ID: US20170283173A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/472,407 - Filed: 2017-03-29 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-29 - Assignees: Dematic Corp. - Applicants: Dematic GmbH - Inventors: Thomas Otto - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170283173A1 ## CPC - B65G 9/008: {Rails or switches} - B65G 9/006: {Arresting, braking or escapement means} - B65G 19/025: {for suspended articles} - B65G 23/14: Endless driving elements extending parallel to belt or chain {(B65G23/18 takes precedence)} - B65G 47/61: for articles - 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) ## Abstract A conveyor for suspended objects has a first rail profile having a first, upper track and a second track arranged below the first track, a conveyor chain having lateral friction roller pressing surfaces to drive the conveyor chain continuously in the first track. Holding adapters for conveyed objects are coupled to the conveyor chain, with the holding adapters being transferred into the first rail profile by an induct switch. A pressing piece arranged on a side of the conveyor chain opposite the drive roller is adjustable between an active and a passive position. The adjustment path of the pressing piece is dimensioned such that in the active position the conveyor chain is in contact with the drive roller and in the passive position the conveyor chain is not in contact with the drive roller, whereby in the active position the drive roller can be driven by the conveyor chain. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A conveyor for conveying suspended objects, said conveyor comprising: a first rail profile having a first, upper track and a second track arranged below the first track; a conveyor chain having lateral friction roller pressing surfaces, against which friction rollers can be pressed to drive the conveyor chain, wherein the conveyor chain can be moved continuously in a direction of conveyance in the first track of the rail profile; holding adapters for holding objects to be conveyed, each holding adapter having a head part which is mounted so as to be able to roll in the second track of the rail profile and is coupled to the conveyor chain; and at least one induct switch, via which the holding adapters can be transferred from a second rail profile into the first rail profile, wherein the induct switch comprises a third rail profile having a track, along which the head part of the respective holding adapter can be guided so as to be able to roll, a drive belt for conveying the holding adapters along the third rail profile, and a drive roller driving the drive belt; wherein a pressing piece that is adjustable between an active position and a passive position is arranged on a side of the conveyor chain opposite a drive roller, and wherein the adjustment path of the pressing piece is dimensioned such that in the active position of the pressing piece the conveyor chain is in contact with the drive roller and in the passive position of the pressing piece the conveyor chain is not in contact with the drive roller, wherein in the active position the drive roller can be driven by the conveyor chain. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The conveyor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressing piece comprises a counter roller that is adjusted between an active position and a passive position perpendicular to a rotary spindle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The conveyor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rotary spindle of the counter roller is suspended from a housing of a roller seat in a spring-loaded manner. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The conveyor as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rotary spindle of the counter roller can be pressed against the friction roller pressing surfaces of the conveyor chain that face away from the drive roller against a spring force. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The conveyor as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second rail profile is formed as a buffer section having at least one stopping device for blocking and releasing a further conveyance of objects towards the induct switch, and wherein the stopping device is coupled to a switching device that activates the adjustment of the pressing piece, wherein by releasing the stopping device the pressing piece can be adjusted from the passive position into the active position to bring the conveyor chain into contact with the drive roller. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The conveyor as claimed in claim 5, wherein the stopping device is electrically coupled to the switching device which activates the pressing piece. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The conveyor as claimed in claim 5, wherein the stopping device is mechanically or hydraulically coupled to the switching device which activates the pressing piece. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The conveyor as claimed in claim 1, wherein elevations that protrude perpendicular to the direction of conveyance are formed on an outer surface of the drive belt in order to convey the holding adapters further in the direction of conveyance. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The conveyor as claimed in claim 8, wherein the elevations comprise elastically bendable fingers. ### Claim 10 A conveyor for conveying suspended objects, said conveyor comprising: a first rail profile having a first, upper track and a second track arranged below the first track; a conveyor chain having lateral friction roller pressing surfaces, against which friction rollers can be pressed to drive the conveyor chain, wherein the conveyor chain can be moved continuously in a direction of conveyance in the first track of the rail profile; holding adapters for holding objects to be conveyed, each holding adapter having a head part which is mounted so as to be able to roll in the second track of the rail profile and is coupled to the conveyor chain; and at least one induct switch, via which the holding adapters can be transferred from a second rail profile into the first rail profile, wherein the induct switch comprises a third rail profile having a track, along which the head part of the respective holding adapter can be guided so as to be able to roll, a drive belt for conveying the holding adapters along the third rail profile, and a drive roller driving the drive belt; wherein a pressing piece that is adjustable between an active position and a passive position is arranged on a side of the conveyor chain opposite a drive roller, and wherein the adjustment path of the pressing piece is dimensioned such that in the active position of the pressing piece the conveyor chain is in contact with the drive roller and in the passive position of the pressing piece the conveyor chain is not in contact with the drive roller, wherein in the active position the drive roller can be driven by the conveyor chain, and wherein the second rail profile is formed as a buffer section having at least one stopping device for blocking and releasing a further conveyance of objects towards the induct switch, and wherein the stopping device is coupled to a switching device that activates the adjustment of the pressing piece, wherein by releasing the stopping device the pressing piece can be adjusted from the passive position into the active position to bring the conveyor chain into contact with the drive roller. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The conveyor as claimed in claim 10, wherein the pressing piece comprises a counter roller that is adjusted between an active position and a passive position perpendicular to a rotary spindle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The conveyor as claimed in claim 11, wherein the rotary spindle of the counter roller is suspended from a housing of a roller seat in a spring-loaded manner. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The conveyor as claimed in claim 11, wherein elevations that protrude perpendicular to the direction of conveyance are formed on an outer surface of the drive belt in order to convey the holding adapters further in the direction of conveyance. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The conveyor as claimed in claim 13, wherein the elevations comprise elastically bendable fingers. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The conveyor as claimed in claim 10, wherein the stopping device is electrically coupled to the switching device which activates the pressing piece. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The conveyor as claimed in claim 10, wherein the stopping device is mechanically or hydraulically coupled to the switching device which activates the pressing piece.