Gravity conveyor having velocity and back pressure control
US5934438A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 18, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 10, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 18, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2205/04
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A gravity conveyor is comprised of freely rotatable rollers which include non-displaceable rollers rotatable about stationary axes, and weight-sensitive rollers which are downwardly displaceable under the weight of heavy articles. The non-displaceable rollers are arranged in groups. Upper portions of the non-displaceable rollers of each group define a profile plane. The profile planes of successive groups are mutually parallel and offset downwardly from one another to form a stepped conveying path. When the weight-sensitive rollers are depressed by heavy articles, they will engage, and be braked by, braking rollers disposed therebeneath. An upper portion of each weight-sensitive roller lies in the profile plane of the immediately upstream group of non-displaceable rollers. The weight-sensitive rollers can be mounted on a lever which, when the weight-sensitive rollers are depressed, causes an upstream brake to engage upstream rollers, thereby reducing back pressure applied by upstream articles against downstream articles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.