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US 6,279,732 B1Granted
Carousel apparatus
AssigneeTexonics, Inc.
InventorEdward A. Thompson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A carousel apparatus including a track plate, two or more tracks that define a closed circuit, and an alignment block that travels about the closed circuit while maintaining a fixed orientation. The alignment block may be adapted to support a load so that the load may be recirculatively transported while maintaining a fixed orientation.
Claims34
An apparatus comprising:
- a track plate;
- two or more tracks within said track plate arranged in a spaced relationship, said two or more tracks defining a closed circuit;
- and
- an alignment block configured to engage said two or more tracks to constrain rotational motion of said alignment block and to travel about said closed circuit while maintaining a fixed orientation.
1 more element
A carousel, comprising:
- a track plate;
- a set of tracks configured in operative relation to said track plate and defining a closed circuit;
- an alignment block configured to engage said set of tracks to constrain rotational motion of said alignment block;
- a driving mechanism configured to drive said alignment block about said closed circuit;
- a pusher coupled to said driving mechanism and rotatably coupled to said alignment block, said pusher configured to rotate about said alignment block to affect a change in direction of said alignment block as said alignment block travels about said closed circuit;
- and
- wherein said alignment block is adapted to at least partially support or guide a load and to travel about said closed circuit while maintaining a fixed orientation so that the load may be transported.
4 more elements
A carousel, comprising:
- a first track plate;
- a second track plate;
- a first plurality of tracks defining a first closed circuit;
- a second plurality of tracks defining a second closed circuit;
- a first alignment block configured to engage said first plurality tracks;
- two or more cam-following bearings coupled to said first alignment block and configured to constrain rotational motion of said first alignment block upon engagement of said first plurality of tracks;
- a second alignment block configured to engage said second plurality of tracks;
- two or more cam-following bearings coupled to said second alignment block and configured to constrain rotational motion of said second alignment block upon engagement of said second plurality of tracks;
- a driving mechanism;
- a first pusher coupled to said driving mechanism and rotatably coupled to said first alignment block, said first pusher configured to direct said first alignment block about said first closed circuit and to rotate about said first alignment block to affect a change in direction of said first alignment block;
- a second pusher coupled to said driving mechanism and rotatably coupled to said second alignment block, said second pusher configured to direct said second alignment block about said second closed circuit and to rotate about said second alignment block to affect a change in direction of said second alignment block;
- and
- wherein said first and second alignment blocks are adapted to cooperatively support a load and to travel about said first and second closed circuits in tandem, maintaining a constant relative position and a fixed orientation so that the load may be recirculatively transported.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.