US3613864A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transport system with roller tracks, containers and at least one switch for the tracks
Assignee: Mannesmann Geisel GmbH
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Filing: 1970-03-16
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Granted: 1971-10-19
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Expires: 1990-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A switch in a roller track system with a single, low level switch blade controlling passage of a single guide pin in the bottom front of a container across the switch, and into the appropriate branch of the roller track; additional guide pins and guide rolls on the container run in appropriate tracks, to guide the container without bouncing.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerhard Lingg
- 👤 Welsch Leimen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 05:03
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G13/00; B65G13/08; B65G13/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
In a conveyor and transport system which includes a roller track system, at least one switch and containers for being rolled on the track system, comprising: a relatively low-positioned switch blade in the switch governing operative direction of a pin steering channel in the switch; a solenoid coupled to the switch blade for controlling and adjusting the position of the switch blade: code carrier means on a container storing manifestations of signals representing the destination of the carrier on the track system for the control of the solenoid; a plurality of guide rails on the switch, the container provided with guide rolls for engaging the guide rails, to guide the container through the switch and preventing lifting of the container from the track system; guide chutes in the switch adjacent the guide rails; and a plurality of guide pins on the container, one thereof running in the steering channel for steering the container in direction in accordance with the position of the switch blade, the remaining guide pins cooperating with the guide chutes to provide additional guidance of the container in and across the switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a conveyor and transport system which includes a roller track system, at least one switch and containers for being rolled on the track system, comprising: a relatively low-positioned switch blade in the switch governing operative direction of a pin steering channel in the switch; a solenoid coupled to the switch blade for controlling and adjusting the position of the switch blade: code carrier means on a container storing manifestations of signals representing the destination of the carrier on the track system for the control of the solenoid; a plurality of guide rails on the switch, the container provided with guide rolls for engaging the guide rails, to guide the container through the switch and preventing lifting of the container from the track system; guide chutes in the switch adjacent the guide rails; and a plurality of guide pins on the container, one thereof running in the steering channel for steering the container in direction in accordance with the position of the switch blade, the remaining guide pins cooperating with the guide chutes to provide additional guidance of the container in and across the switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a conveyor and transport system which includes a roller track system, at least one switch, and containers for being rolled on the track system, comprising: a switch inserted in the roller track system, including a steering channel means and a switch blade having first position to complete a first steering channel and a second position to provide a second steering channel branching off a common entrance portion of the two channels, the switch further including guide rails including a first one extending along the direction of the first guide channel, and a second one extending along the second guide channel; and a container for passage over the track system and having at least one steering pin extending down near the front end thereof for guiding in and through the steering channel means, selectively through the first and the second steering channel in dependence upon the position of the switch blade, the container further having guide roll means journaled about the pin for selective engagement with the first or the second rail as the container passes through the switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a conveyor and transport system which includes a roller track system, at least one switch, and containers for being rolled on the track system, comprising: a switch inserted in the roller track system, including a steering channel means and a switch blade having first position to complete a first steering channel and a second position to provide a second steering channel branching off a common entrance portion of the two channels, the switch further including guide rails including a first one extending along the direction of the first guide channel, and a second one extending along the second guide channel; and a container for passage over the track system and having at least one steering pin extending down near the front end thereof for guiding in and through the steering channel means, selectively through the first and the second steering channel in dependence upon the position of the switch blade, the container further having guide roll means journaled about the pin for selective engagement with the first or the second rail as the container passes through the switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a system as in claim 2, the switch further including a first guide chute along the first guide rail but laterally displaced therefrom, and a second guide chute along the second guide rail, laterally displaced therefrom; the container including a first rear guide pin positioned to enter the first guide chute only when the switch blade steers the container, through operation of the front guide pin thereof, so that the front pin passes through the first guide channel, the container including a second rear guide pin positioned to enter the second guide chute only, when the switch blade steers the container, through operation of the front guide pin thereof, so that the front pin passes through the second guide channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a system as in claim 3, there being rear guide rolls means on the container, there being additional guide rails positioned in relation to the first and second guide rails for coacting with the guide roll means respectively when running along the first or second guide rails, the rear guide roll means engaging the additional guide rails prior to completed passage of the first or of the second rear guide pin through the first or the second guide chute.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a system as in claim 4, the front and the rear guide roll means each comprising a pair of rolls of different diameters, respective one thereof for engagement with the first rail, the respective other one for engagement with the second rail, the first and second rails having differently offset portions in cross-sectional profile.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a system as in claim 5, at least some of the rolls having rubberized reeling surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a system as in claim 5, at least some of the rolls made of plastic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
In a system as in claim 4, at least some of the guide rails having plastic coated runways.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
In a system as in claim 3, the guide chutes having plastic coated runways.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
In a system as in claim 2, the roller track operated so that the container enters the switch at lower speed than upon crossing the switch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3098454A
Cited
US3307162A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-18 | 1975-04-19 | 1975-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-18 | 1979-04-19 | 1979-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-18 | 1983-04-19 | 1983-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |