US3735867A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article conveyor with lateral switching mechanism
Assignee: HI-SPEED CHECKWEIGHER Co Inc A CORP OF NY
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Filing: 1972-07-21
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Granted: 1973-05-29
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Expires: 1992-07-21
Abstract
Abstract A conveyor having a plurality of plate-like article carriers for supporting a series of articles or article containers. A scanning means detects specific containers and diverts them to one side of the conveyor where they may be picked up by a second conveyor and removed to a storage position. A lateral extension of each platelike carrier permits the movement of the articles across the conveyor and onto a second conveyor.
Inventors
- 👤 F B Lake Forest Vanderhoof
- 👤 R Morris County Dederer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:21
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G17/00; B65G17/005; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02; B65G2811/00; B65G2811/06; B65G2811/0647
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
An article conveyor for detecting and directing one or more of a plurality of articles along a path lateral to the said conveyor comprising: a. an article transporting member; b. a plurality of article receiving transverse rods carried by the transporting member; c. spaced enders chains to receive the ends of said rods therebetween; d. means including sprocket wheels and a source of power connected to the chains to move the rods longitudinally within the conveyor; e. a plurality of article carriers carried by the rods and laterally slidable thereon, each of said carriers including a plate-like article support and a downwardly extending cam follower; f. a first elongated cam, said cam follower positioned relative to said support to enable the first elongated cam to engage the cam followers and divert the article carriers from their longitudinal path to a lateral position wherein a portion of the plate-like support extends outwardly of the side of the conveyor; g. means to move the cam followers into contact with the first cam, and h. means including a second elongated cam to return the article carriers to their original position on the conveyor rods.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
An article conveyor for detecting and directing one or more of a plurality of articles along a path lateral to the said conveyor comprising: a. an article transporting member; b. a plurality of article receiving transverse rods carried by the transporting member; c. spaced enders chains to receive the ends of said rods therebetween; d. means including sprocket wheels and a source of power connected to the chains to move the rods longitudinally within the conveyor; e. a plurality of article carriers carried by the rods and laterally slidable thereon, each of said carriers including a plate-like article support and a downwardly extending cam follower; f. a first elongated cam, said cam follower positioned relative to said support to enable the first elongated cam to engage the cam followers and divert the article carriers from their longitudinal path to a lateral position wherein a portion of the plate-like support extends outwardly of the side of the conveyor; g. means to move the cam followers into contact with the first cam, and h. means including a second elongated cam to return the article carriers to their original position on the conveyor rods.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An article conveyor according to claim 1, in which the means to move the cam follower into contact with the first elongated cam is a swingable cam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
An article conveyor according to claim 2 in which the swingable cam is moved from an open position wherein the cam followers are not moved into contact with the first elongated cam, to a closed position by a solenoid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A conveyor according to claim 3 wherein the solenoid is operated by an electric circuit controlled by a sensing means which is responsive to a characteristic of the articles delivered to the conveyor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A conveyor according to claim 4 wherein the articles delivered to the conveyor are sensed with regard to their height, the sensing equipment including a source of light at one side of the conveyor and a photosensitive element at the other side, the photosensitive element being coupled to the solenoid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A conveyor according to claim 1 wherein a deflecting guide is positioned at the lateral delivery position for moving the diverted articles off the supports.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A conveyor according to claim 6 wherein a second conveyor is positioned adjoining the delivery position to receive and remove the diverted articles.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3093245A
Cited
US3129803A
Cited
US3190432A
Cited
US3277995A
Cited
US3511357A
Cited
US3580379A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-28 | 1976-11-27 | 1977-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-28 | 1980-11-27 | 1981-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-28 | 1984-11-27 | 1985-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |