US 3,945,105 AGranted

Automatic grate changing system and methods of utilizing and constructing same

OwnerThomas Beaty, Jr., Daniel Fournierinventors

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Abstract

An apparatus and method for automatically replacing damaged conveyor grates which can be remotely controlled. The apparatus is disposed slightly above the empty, return side of the conveyor at the cool end, and performs its function in this maintenance area. The apparatus employs a plurality of working heads which remove the damaged grate and replace it with a new grate without interrupting conveyor motion. The working heads are suspended above the conveyor in the maintenance area by a plurality of carriages which permit the working heads to access any grate within the maintenance area. The carriages also allow the working heads to move with the conveyor during the grate replacement cycle. Although the manipulation of these heads and carriages is largely automatic, the operator can initiate, direct and observe the apparatus' movements from a remote station thereby isolating him from a hazardous environment.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A method of utilizing an automatic system for selectively replacing articles which are removably interconnected to a movable conveyor, said system including:

first means for clampingly engaging a first article connected to said conveyor;
second means for disengaging said first article from said conveyor;
third means for positioning a second article on said conveyor at the same location previously occupied by said first article;
fourth means for connecting said second article to said conveyor;
fifth means for selectively moving said first, second, third, and fourth means;
and
sixth means, operably connected with said fifth means, for selectively engaging and disengaging said fifth means with and from said movable conveyor, respectively;
said method comprising the steps of:
engaging a first article connected to said conveyor;
disengaging said first article from said conveyor;
positioning a second article on said conveyor at the same location previously occupied by said first article;
connecting said second article to said conveyor;
selectively moving said first, second, third and fourth means;
selectively engaging and disengaging said fifth means with and from said movable conveyor, respectively, so that said fifth means moves with said conveyor while said first and second means are removing said first article from said conveyor, and disengaging said fifth means from said conveyor after said third and fourth means have connected said second article to said conveyor;
and
automatically controlling the operations and movements of said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth means.

13 more elements

An automatic system for selectively replacing articles which are removably interconnected to a movable conveyor, comprising, in combination:

first means for clampingly engaging a first article connected to said conveyor;
second means for disengaging said first article from said conveyor;
third means for positioning a second article on said conveyor at the same location previously occupied by said first article;
fourth means for connecting said second article to said conveyor;
fifth means for selectively moving said first, second, third and fourth means;
sixth means, operably connected with said fifth means, for selectively engaging and disengaging said fifth means with and from said movable conveyor, respectively, so that said fifth means moves with said conveyor while said first and second means are removing said first article from said conveyor, and said fifth means is disengaged from said conveyor after said third and fourth means have connected said second article to said conveyor;
and
seventh means for automatically controlling the operations and movements of said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth means.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.