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US 8,776,999 B2Granted
Articulating frame for continuous conveyor
AssigneeDyco, Inc.
InventorsPeter D. Yohe, Ronald H. Cordingly, Thomas M. Zurewich, Yakov Kushnir
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to an apparatus having an articulating frame for conveying articles, as well as self-propelled articulating frames.
Claims26
An articulating frame for supporting a continuous belt comprising:
- a plurality of fasteners each having an axis that is substantially parallel with each other;
- a first link of a plurality of first links, the first link having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to rotatably receive a fastener of the plurality of fasteners and the first end having an engagement feature formed therein, the second end configured to rotatably receive a fastener of the plurality of fasteners that is adjacent to the fastener rotatably received by the first end, and the second end having an engagement feature formed therein, the second end of a first link of the plurality of first links being engaged with a first end of an adjacent first link of the plurality of first links;
- a second link of a plurality of second links, the second link having a third end and a fourth end, the third end configured to rotatably receive a fastener of the plurality of fasteners and the third end having an engagement feature formed therein, the fourth end configured to rotatably receive a fastener of the plurality of fasteners that is adjacent to the fastener rotatably received by the third end, and the fourth end having an engagement feature formed therein, the fourth end of a second link of the plurality of second links being engaged with a third end of an adjacent second link of the plurality of second links;
- the plurality of first links overlapping the plurality of second links such that an overlapping second end of a first link of the plurality of first links rotatably receiving the same fastener of the plurality of fasteners as a corresponding third end of a second link of the plurality of second links, and an overlapping first end of a first link of the plurality of first links rotatably receiving the same fastener of the plurality of fasteners as a corresponding fourth end of a second link of the plurality of second links;
- and
- wherein the first link of the plurality of first links has a first surface and an opposed second surface, and the second link of the plurality of the second links has a third surface and an opposed fourth surface, the fourth surface facing away from the first surface of the plurality of first links;
- wherein at least a portion of the first surface of the first link of the plurality of first links and the fourth surface of the second link of the plurality of second links secures a conveyor retainer for supporting the continuous belt.
4 more elements
An articulating frame comprising:
- a plurality of fasteners each having an axis that is substantially parallel with each other;
- a plurality of first links having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to rotatably receive a fastener of the plurality of fasteners and the first end having an engagement feature formed therein, the second end configured to rotatably receive a fastener of the plurality of fasteners that is adjacent to the fastener rotatably received by the first end, and the second end having an engagement feature formed therein, the second end of a first link of the plurality of first links being engaged with a first end of an adjacent first link of the plurality of first links;
- a plurality of second links having a third end and a fourth end, the third end configured to rotatably receive a fastener of the plurality of fasteners and the third end having an engagement feature formed therein, the fourth end configured to rotatably receive a fastener of the plurality of fasteners that is adjacent to the fastener rotatably received by the third end, and the fourth end having an engagement feature formed therein, the fourth end of a second link of the plurality of second links being engaged with a third end of an adjacent second link of the plurality of second links;
- the plurality of first links overlapping the plurality of second links such that an overlapping second end of a first link of the plurality of first links rotatably receiving the same fastener of the plurality of fasteners as a corresponding third end of a second link of the plurality of second links, and an overlapping first end of a first link of the plurality of first links rotatably receiving the same fastener of the plurality of fasteners as a corresponding fourth end of a second link of the plurality of second links;
- and
- wherein the first link of the plurality of first links has a fifth surface and an opposed sixth surface, and the second link of the plurality of the second links has a seventh surface and an opposed eighth surface, the fifth surface and the seventh surface of the links facing in substantially the same direction, and the sixth surface and the eighth surface of the links facing in substantially the same direction.
3 more elements
A retention member for use with an articulating frame for supporting a continuous belt, the retention member comprising:
- a body having a receiving surface and being securable to a frame movable between a first position and a second position, the body including a channel formed therein configured to support a continuous belt, the body including opposed flanges having facing protruding surfaces;
- in response to the frame being moved toward the first position, receiving surfaces of adjacent bodies are brought toward each other, one side of facing protruding surfaces of adjacent bodies forming a first substantially continuous surface to slidably support the continuous belt;
- in response to the frame being moved toward the second position, receiving surfaces of adjacent bodies are brought toward each other, opposite surfaces of facing protruding surfaces of adjacent bodies associated with the first position of the frame forming a second substantially continuous surface to slidably support the continuous belt.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.