US 8,807,320 B2Granted

Independent discharge sorting conveyor

AssigneeMantissa Corporation

InventorsJ. David Fortenbery, David Patrick Erceg, Gonzalo Sotelo, Charles P. Howell, III, Gregory P. Kissel, Daniel H. Weckerle, LeRoy A. Winkler, III

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Abstract

A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track and a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end. At least one of the conveyor carts may include a frame base for engaging the conveyer track; a carrying tray for holding the objects; and a support for supporting the carrying tray above the frame base. A tilting mechanism including at least one gear having at least one cam is adapted for tilting the carrying tray toward at least one side of the conveyor. The present inventions may further include a tilt sensor for determining the direction of tilt of the tray. In addition, a drive motor and a driven member attached to the frame base may be included for moving the conveyor carts around the track.

Claims49

Dependent claims

A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor, said sorting conveyor comprising:

(a) a conveyor track;
(b) a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end;
and
(c) at least one of said conveyor carts including
(i) a frame base for engaging said conveyer track,
(ii) a carrying tray for holding the objects,
(iii) a support for supporting said carrying tray above said frame base,
(iv) a tilting mechanism including at least one gear having at least one cam for tilting said carrying tray toward at least one side of the conveyor, and
(v) a self-tensioning adjustment assembly including:
a drive clamp plate connected to said lower base portion, a lever connected to said self-tensioning adjustment assembly and adapted to adjust said pivot block assemblies, and
wherein said lever is adapted so that movement of each pivot block assembly mirrors movement of the other pivot block assembly, and said self-tensioning adjustment assembly includes a self-tensioning clamp plate for supporting said lever, and the clamp plate includes a mounting bracket connecting the proximate end of the lever to the clamp plate;
a lever retainer affixed to said self-tensioning clamp plate to retain a distal handling end of said lever in an operating position;
a coupling arm connecting said lever and said connecting roller link;
a spring assembly between said coupling arm and said connecting roller link;
and said second link is a motor adjustment link.

12 more elements

A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor, said sorting conveyor comprising:

(a) a conveyor track;
(b) a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end;
(c) at least one of said conveyor carts including
(i) a frame base for engaging said conveyer track,
(ii) a carrying tray for holding the objects,
(iii) a support for supporting said carrying tray above said frame base,
(iv) a tilting mechanism including at least one gear having at least one cam for tilting said carrying tray toward at least one side of the conveyor,
(v) a self-tensioning adjustment assembly including:
a drive clamp plate connected to said lower base portion, a lever connected to said self-tensioning adjustment assembly and adapted to adjust said pivot block assemblies, and
wherein said lever is adapted so that movement of each pivot block assembly mirrors movement of the other pivot block assembly, and said self-tensioning adjustment assembly includes a self-tensioning clamp plate for supporting said lever, and the clamp plate includes a mounting bracket connecting the proximate end of the lever to the clamp plate;
a lever retainer affixed to said self-tensioning clamp plate to retain a distal handling end of said lever in an operating position;
a coupling atm connecting said lever and said connecting roller link;
a spring assembly between said coupling arm and said connecting roller link;
and said second link is a motor adjustment link, and
(vi) a tilt sensor for determining the direction of tilt of said tray;
and
(d) a drive motor and a driven member attached to said frame base for moving said conveyor carts around said track.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/529,584Filed 21 Jun 2012
Published: US 2013/0341157 A126 Dec 2013
Granted: 19 Aug 2014
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

B65G 47/38
Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor: by dumping, tripping, or releasing load carriers
B65G 17/12
Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying…:…
B65G 47/962
Devices for tilting links or platform: tilting about an axis substantially parallel to the conveying direction
B65G 2201/0264
Articles: luggage