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US 4,004,682 AGranted
Type S chain
AssigneeAdamation, Inc.
InventorStephen H. Schuler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A conveyor chain for a dishwasher conveyor which is adapted for movement in two directions. The links are pinned such that there is relative oscillatory movement in the horizontal plane and also pivotal motion in a vertical plane. The links include rollers which contact a conveyor pan and a limited top surface to carry trays. The top surface is designed such that if a tray is obstructed, the conveyor chain will continue to run.
Claims9
A dishwasher conveyor which comprises:
- a. a plurality of links, each link having an upper and lower surface and a yoke and a collar connected integrally therewith;
- the collar adapted to be rotatably received within the yoke of a next successive link;
- the collar of the link including opposed slots which define the limits of relative oscillatory movement about a first axis between the collar and the next successive link;
- and wherein the collar of one link includes an opening adjacent to an opening of the collar of the next successive link to allow maximum pivotal movement therebetween about a second axis and wherein the openings define a recess which recess receives the tooth of a sprocket;
- b. a sleeve rotatably received within the collar of the yoke, the sleeve having an upper domed surface which extends beyond the upper surface of the link;
- c. a wheel-like roller having a hole in the center thereof received in the sleeve and extending below the lower surface of the link;
- and
- d. means to secure the collar of one link to the yoke of the next link and the sleeve and the roller to the collar portion, the secured links adapted for relative oscillatory motion one to the other about the first axis, which motion is limited by the slots in the collar and for pivotal motion about the second axis.
5 more elements
A dish collection and distribution system for transporting trays which comprise:
- a. a conveyor pan which includes an arcuate section and which pan is adapted to support conveyor chains;
- b. at least one continuous conveyor chain supported by the conveyor pan, the conveyor chain including a plurality of links, each link having an upper and lower surface and a yoke and a collar connected integrally therewith;
- the collar adapted to be rotatably received within the yoke of a next successive link;
- the collar of the link including opposed slots which define the limits of relative oscillatory movement about a first axis between the collar and the next successive link;
- and wherein the collar of one link includes an opening adjacent to an opening of the collar of the next successive link to allow maximum pivotal movement therebetween about a second axis and wherein the openings define a recess, which recess receives the tooth of a sprocket;
- a sleeve rotatably received within the collar of the yoke, the sleeve having an upper domed surface which extends beyond the upper surface of the link;
- a wheel-like roller having a hole in the center thereof received in the sleeve and extending below the lower surface of the link;
- and
- means to secure the collar of one link to the yoke of the next link and the sleeve and the roller to the collar portion, the secured links adapted for relative oscillatory motion one to the other about the first axis, which motion is limited by the slots in the collar and for pivotal motion about the second axis;
- and
- c. sprocket means to drive the conveyor chain whereby the conveyor chain travels on the conveyor pan.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.