Material flow rail
US4645056A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 1985 |
| Grant date | Feb 24, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 24, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G13/11
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved material flow rail construction of the type employed to transmit containers or articles from one location to another gravity force. The improved material fow rail comprises a substantially U-shaped channel within which a multiplicity of mounting bolts are attached. Individual bearing assemblies are placed on the mounting bolts. By placing the individual bearing assemblies closely adjacent one another in a longitudinal direction with respect to the support channel, the flow rail has the ability to transmit parts having very small "footprint" areas since a large space between rollers is not presented for parts or components thereof to become caught. By providing a loose fit between the bearing inner races and the supporting mounting bolts, the inner race is permitted to rotate slightly with respect to the mounting bolts thereby presenting new wear surfaces as the flow rail is put into use. Additionally, such loose fit may be provided between the mounting bolts and the support channel to permit the latter to rotate with respect to the former, also presenting new wear surfaces.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.