Material handling system
US5348141A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 29, 1993 |
| Grant date | Sep 20, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 29, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2201/02
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A material handling system particularly adapted for irregular or headed workpieces having easily damaged surfaces. The handling system receives and takes away from a multitude of process machines, by elevating, conveying, storing and distributing in a singulated pocketed fashion so as not to cause damage to the workpieces. The system lowers the workpieces and accumulates them in a central fashion to provide a storage or staging area to keep a constant flow to the next process machine. Bifurcated L-shaped pick-up forks are used to elevate the workpieces to a horizontal conveyor which includes a plurality of adjacent pocketed carriers forming a continuous surface. Each carrier holds a single workpiece. The workpieces are individually removed from each carrier and are passed through a tube which centers the parts between a pair of adjacent belts for staging.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.