US4023670A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic master frame transport apparatus
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 1976-01-14
•
Granted: 1977-05-17
•
Expires: 1996-01-14
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus suitable for use in transporting microfiche master frames, preferably containing microfiche, either from a loading station to an operating station and from the operating station selectively back to the loading station for a repeat transport by said apparatus, or to an exit station. The transport apparatus comprises a feed mechanism for feeding a master frame from the loading station to the operating station, and from the operating station to an elevator. The elevator lifts the master frame which is then selectively ejected from the elevator to either a recycle means or an exit means. The exit means delivers the master frames ejected thereto to an exit station from where the master frames may be removed from the transport apparatus, while the recycle means delivers the master frames delivered thereto back to the loading station from where the master frames are recycled through the transport apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Alva F. Mathes
- 👤 Eugene Lemieux
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:27
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/02; G03B27/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A transport apparatus suitable for use in transporting microfiche master frames, said apparatus comprising: means defining a loading station for storing a plurality of master frames to be transported by said apparatus; means defining an operating station; a pair of conveying belt members spaced apart to receive a master frame therebetween at a lifting station, said belt members adapted to be advanced in a substantially vertical direction; a plurality of ribs on each of said belt members for supporting a master frame thereon; feeding means for feeding first and second master frames from said loading station to said operating station in succession, said second master frame when fed to said operating station engaging and feeding said first master frame from said operating station to said lifting station where said first master frame is lifted by said ribs of said advancing belt members; means defining an exit station; an exit slide member for delivering a master frame from said belt members to said exit station; and first transferring means for tranferring a master frame being lifted by said belt members from said ribs to said exit slide member which delivers the master frame to said exit station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A transport apparatus suitable for use in transporting microfiche master frames, said apparatus comprising: means defining a loading station for storing a plurality of master frames to be transported by said apparatus; means defining an operating station; a pair of conveying belt members spaced apart to receive a master frame therebetween at a lifting station, said belt members adapted to be advanced in a substantially vertical direction; a plurality of ribs on each of said belt members for supporting a master frame thereon; feeding means for feeding first and second master frames from said loading station to said operating station in succession, said second master frame when fed to said operating station engaging and feeding said first master frame from said operating station to said lifting station where said first master frame is lifted by said ribs of said advancing belt members; means defining an exit station; an exit slide member for delivering a master frame from said belt members to said exit station; and first transferring means for tranferring a master frame being lifted by said belt members from said ribs to said exit slide member which delivers the master frame to said exit station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a recycle slide member interposed between said lifting station and said exit slide member for returning a master frame from said belt members to said loading station; second transferring means movable from a normal nontransferring position to a transferring position for transferring a master frame being lifted by said belt members from said ribs to said recycle slide member; and means for moving said second transferring means to said transferring position when it is desired to transfer a master frame from said belt members to said recycle slide member rather than to said exit slide member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein: said first transferring means comprises a first inclined ramp member adapted to be interposed between said spaced belt members for sliding an advancing master frame from said ribs onto said exit slide member; and said second transferring means comprises a second inclined ramp member adapted to be interposed between said spaced belt members for sliding an advancing master frame from said ribs onto said recycle slide member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: at least one slide member in addition to said exit slide member for delivering a master frame to one station other than said exit station; and one transferring means in addition to said first transferring means for transferring a master frame being lifted by said belt members from said belt members to said one slide member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-05-16 | 1980-11-15 | 1981-05-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-16 | 1984-11-15 | 1985-05-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-16 | 1988-11-15 | 1989-05-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |