Pocket for conveyor belt allowing pivotal movement of an article held therein
US6311830A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 7, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 6, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 7, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G47/902
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A conveyor system for transporting elongate articles along a conveying surface to a workstation. The conveying surface forms an endless path having an upper conveying path and a lower return path. The conveying surface has article holders fixedly connected on the conveying surface for holding the elongated articles on the conveying surface with longitudinally extending sides of the article essentially extending outwardly from the conveying surface. A gripping device is positioned adjacent the conveying surface and pivots about an axis for unloading and loading the article to and from the conveying surface in a single pivotal motion. A first article holder type includes a pair of arcuate portions positioned to form a discontinuous cylindrical configuration having open areas between each end of the arcuate portions and an upper lip for receiving a complementary groove in the elongate article. The open areas provide access for releasing the article from the article holder when the gripping device pivots away from the article holder. Another article holder type includes a pivoting holder that pivots at least a portion of the article holder and supported article toward the direction of …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.