Gripper conveyor with clear conveying path and related conveyor link
US7036658B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 13, 2003 |
| Grant date | May 2, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 25, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2201/0247
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Various conveyor designs suitable for conveying objects along a transport direction and various related link designs are disclosed. The conveyor may include a plurality of the connected links. Each link may have a length extending across the direction of transport and a width extending along the direction of transport, a conveying surface, and at least one gripping member moveable along at least a portion of length of the link from a first position to a second position. The gripping member when in the first position is disposed below the conveying surface of the link, and the gripping member when in the second position is disposed above the conveying surface of the link for contacting one of the objects to hold the object during transport. Various designs of gripping members and related elements are disclosed, including spring loaded, cam driven, rack and pinion, and overhead designs. Various elements of the disclosed designs may be combined in various ways to form numerous link and conveyor options.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.