Interfaced conveyor systems and driverless vehicle for use therein
AssigneeSI Handling Systems, Inc.
InventorKatsuhiro Nagahori
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A conveyor system such as one having chain propelled driverless vehicles is interfaced with a conveyor system such as one having rotating shafts propelling a driverless vehicle. The last mentioned driverless vehicle is provided with a contact arm which extends transversely of its vehicle and is selectively operated so as to cause both vehicles to move at the same speed. While both vehicles are moving at the same speed, one or more events may take place such as transferring goods from one vehicle to another on the fly.
Claims9
A driverless vehicle comprising a base mounted on support wheels, at least one drive wheel assembly pivotable about an upright axis on said base between a drive position and an accumulation position, means for selectively enabling said base to push another vehicle in the same direction, said means including an arm connected to said assembly and adapted to move the drive wheel assembly toward its accumulation position upon contact with another vehicle, and means for moving said contact arm between an extended position wherein the arm extends transversely beyond the side edge of the base and a retracted position.
A driverless vehicle comprising a base mounted on support wheels, at least one drive wheel assembly pivotable about an upright axis on said base between a drive position and an accumulation position, means for pushing another vehicle by interfacing said base with another vehicle moving in the same direction, said means including a contact arm movably supported by said base for movement between an extended position wherein the arm extends transversely beyond a side edge of the base and a retracted inoperative position.
Apparatus comprising a pair of interfaced conveyor systems of different types comprising a first system wherein driverless vehicles are propelled by a chain or cable and a second system wherein driverless vehicles are propelled along tracks by contact between a drive wheel and a rotating shaft, the drive wheels on the vehicles of the second system being pivotable about an upright axis between a drive position and an accumulation position to thereby vary the speed of the vehicles of the second system, the vehicles of one of said systems having selectively movable pushing means thereon for pushing contact with a vehicle of the other system so that two vehicles of the respective systems moving along adjacent portions of the systems move in the same direction at the same speed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.