US3774545A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conveyor chain structure
Assignee: FKI Industries Inc
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Filing: 1971-11-08
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Granted: 1973-11-27
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Expires: 1991-11-08
Abstract
Abstract A conveyor structure including a power track in which a conveyor chain travels and a free track along which free trolleys travel. The conveyor chain includes alternate main links that the pivotally interconnected by alternate pairs of upper and lower links through pivot pins. The construction of the links and pivot pins is such that there is permissible movement between the main links and the pivot pins about horizontal axes and permissible movement between the pairs of links and pivot pins about vertical axes. In one form, the conveyor comprises a tow line conveyor structure including a floor having a track slot therein through which the tow pin of carriers or tow carts is adapted to extend and a chain supporting structure beneath the slot. In another form, the conveyor comprises an overhead power and free conveyor comprising a load supporting free track on which the carriers are movable and a power track in which the conveyor is moved.
Inventors
- 👤 K Karlstrom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:38
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61B; B61B10/00; B61B10/04; B61B10/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
338 words
In a conveyor system, the combination comprising load supporting means along which carriers are moved in a predetermined path, supporting means mounted along said load supporting means defining a conveyor chain supporting structure including a side wall and a base wall, and a conveyor chain in said supporting means comprising a plurality of alternate main links, alternate pairs of upper and lower links between said main links, each said main link comprising a central body and ends, at least some of the main links having interengaging means for selectively engaging a carrier, each said end having a vertically extending opening therein, the axially outermost portion of said opening being substantially straight in transverse cross section, each said opening of said main link being elongated in an axial direction with respect to the main link, each said pair of said upper and lower links including an opening therein which is elongated in an axial direction, a pivot pin extending through each said opening of each end of said main link and said openings in one end of said pairs of links, each said pivot pin having a centrally enlarged body portion, transversely extending end portions having a length in a direction transversely of the pair of links which is greater than the width of the openings in said links, and an intermediate interconnecting portion which has a width less than the transverse dimension of said central enlarged portion and said transverse end portions, said centrally enlarged body portion of each said pivot pin having a surface engaging the outermost edge of the respective opening of the main link, said surface being convex in vertical cross section and substantially straight in horizontal cross section whereby there is substantially no permissible movement between said main link and said pivot pin about a vertical axis but at least permissible pivotal movement about a horizontal axis between the main link and the pivot pin, and there is no permissible movement about a vertical axis between the pairs of links and the pivot pin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
338 words
In a conveyor system, the combination comprising load supporting means along which carriers are moved in a predetermined path, supporting means mounted along said load supporting means defining a conveyor chain supporting structure including a side wall and a base wall, and a conveyor chain in said supporting means comprising a plurality of alternate main links, alternate pairs of upper and lower links between said main links, each said main link comprising a central body and ends, at least some of the main links having interengaging means for selectively engaging a carrier, each said end having a vertically extending opening therein, the axially outermost portion of said opening being substantially straight in transverse cross section, each said opening of said main link being elongated in an axial direction with respect to the main link, each said pair of said upper and lower links including an opening therein which is elongated in an axial direction, a pivot pin extending through each said opening of each end of said main link and said openings in one end of said pairs of links, each said pivot pin having a centrally enlarged body portion, transversely extending end portions having a length in a direction transversely of the pair of links which is greater than the width of the openings in said links, and an intermediate interconnecting portion which has a width less than the transverse dimension of said central enlarged portion and said transverse end portions, said centrally enlarged body portion of each said pivot pin having a surface engaging the outermost edge of the respective opening of the main link, said surface being convex in vertical cross section and substantially straight in horizontal cross section whereby there is substantially no permissible movement between said main link and said pivot pin about a vertical axis but at least permissible pivotal movement about a horizontal axis between the main link and the pivot pin, and there is no permissible movement about a vertical axis between the pairs of links and the pivot pin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said centrally enlarged body portion of each said pivot pin has a transverse surface on the side opposite to that of the first-mentioned surface on said intermediate portion, said surface being convex in vertical cross section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said intermediate portion of each said pivot pin is circular in cross section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said intermediate portion of each said pivot pin is cylindrical.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one wheel is rotatably supported on the body of at least some of the main links.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the outermost edge of the opeNing in each said main link is generally curved in vertical cross section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein each said link of said pair of links includes a generally annular recess in the outer surface thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein the depth of said recess in each said pair of links is substantially equal to the thickness of a transversely extending end portion of the pivot pin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said load supporting means comprises a floor having a slot therein through which the tow pin of a carrier is adapted to extend.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
301 words
In a power and free conveyor system, a conveyor chain comprising a plurality of alternate main links, at least some of the main links having interengaging means for selectively engaging a carrier, alternate pairs of links, each said main link comprising a central body and ends, each said end having a vertically extending opening therein, the axially outermost portion of said opening being substantially straight in transverse cross section, each said opening of said main link being elongated in an axial direction with respect to the main link, each said pair of said upper and lower links including an opening therein which is elongated in an axial direction, a pivot pin extending through each said opening of each end of said main link and said openings in one end of said pair of links, each said pivot pin having a centrally enlarged body portion, transversely extending end portions having a length in a direction transversely of the pair of links which is greater than the width of the openings in said links, and an intermediate interconnecting portion which has a width less than the transverse dimension of said central enlarged portion and said transverse end portions, said centrally enlarged body portion of each said pivot pin having a surface engaging the outermost edge of the respective opening of the main link, said surface being convex in vertical cross section and substantially straight in horizontal cross section whereby there is substantially no permissible movement between said main link and said pivot pin about a vertical axis but at least permissible pivotal movement about a horizontal axis between the main link and the pivot pin and there is no permissible movement about a horizontal axis but at least permissible movement about a vertical axis between the pairs of links and the pivot pin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
301 words
In a power and free conveyor system, a conveyor chain comprising a plurality of alternate main links, at least some of the main links having interengaging means for selectively engaging a carrier, alternate pairs of links, each said main link comprising a central body and ends, each said end having a vertically extending opening therein, the axially outermost portion of said opening being substantially straight in transverse cross section, each said opening of said main link being elongated in an axial direction with respect to the main link, each said pair of said upper and lower links including an opening therein which is elongated in an axial direction, a pivot pin extending through each said opening of each end of said main link and said openings in one end of said pair of links, each said pivot pin having a centrally enlarged body portion, transversely extending end portions having a length in a direction transversely of the pair of links which is greater than the width of the openings in said links, and an intermediate interconnecting portion which has a width less than the transverse dimension of said central enlarged portion and said transverse end portions, said centrally enlarged body portion of each said pivot pin having a surface engaging the outermost edge of the respective opening of the main link, said surface being convex in vertical cross section and substantially straight in horizontal cross section whereby there is substantially no permissible movement between said main link and said pivot pin about a vertical axis but at least permissible pivotal movement about a horizontal axis between the main link and the pivot pin and there is no permissible movement about a horizontal axis but at least permissible movement about a vertical axis between the pairs of links and the pivot pin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein said centrally enlarged body portion of each said pivot pin has a transverse surface on the side opposite to that of the first-mentioned surface on said intermediate portion, said surface being convex in vertical cross section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination set forth in claim 11 wherein said intermediate portion of each said pivot pin is circular in cross section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination set forth in claim 12 wherein said intermediate portion of each said pivot pin is cylindrical.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |