Patent · US Expired

Power and free conveyor

US6554127B1 · kind B1 · utility

12Cited by
26References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 7, 2001
Grant dateApr 29, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 7, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB61B10/025
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention relates to a power & free conveyor which comprises a free rail (3) and a power chain (1) that follows said free rail (3), to a large extent, in a parallel manner. A transport carriage (4) provided with a front runner (5) and a rear runner (6) are arranged on the free rail (3). The front runner (5) and the rear runner (6) each comprise a carrier (11, 14) that can pivot between two positions. In an area of the movement path of the transport carriage (4), the course of the power chain (1) deviates from that of the free rail (3) so that the transport carriages (4) can no longer be moved via the front runner carrier (1) thereof. Instead, the transport carriage is pushed by the interaction between a chain carrier (2) and the rear runner carrier (14) that is swung out into a carrying position. The rear runner carrier (14) comprises two stabile positions which can be changed by overcoming a resistance. To this end switch-over devices (24, 22) are provided which are arranged at the necessary locations along the movement path of the transport carriages (4).

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.