High speed transporter for multiple station production line
US4718810A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 6, 1985 |
| Grant date | Jan 12, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 6, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49828
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A high-speed, bidirectional transporter for a multiple station production line provides for the programmable pickup, transport and delivery of materials at non-sequential work stations along the production line. The transporter is self-propelled by a rack and pinion drive and moves along a track that defines a course through the multiple work stations. A turntable on the transporter carries an extensible and retractable arm whose motion, when coupled with a materialladen pallet, provides for either the pickup or delivery of a pallet to or from an individual work station. Coupling and uncoupling of the arm with a pallet is effected by the controlled rotation of the turntable, which is capable of 180 degrees of rotation to also impart to the transporter the ability to transfer pallets off of both sides to address a work station on either side of the track.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.