Overhead material handling system and track block
First Claim
1. A material handling system, comprising:
- a track structure having a channel generally defined therein, the track structure comprising a turntable rotatably coupled thereto, wherein a rotational position of the turntable generally defines one or more paths along the channel;
a carrier mechanism generally coupled to the track structure via the channel, wherein the carrier mechanism is operable to travel along the one or more paths; and
a maintenance station, comprising;
a stub track having a channel generally defined therein, the stub track being operably coupled to the track structure via the turntable, wherein one of the one or more paths leads to the stub track;
a power supply;
one or more connectors operable to electrically couple the carrier mechanism to the power supply when the carrier mechanism is at a docking position along the stub track; and
one or more stop blocks removably coupled to the stub track, wherein the one or more stop blocks generally prevent a movement of the carrier mechanism beyond one or more respective ends of the stub track.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a material handling system (100) and method (200) for isolating a carrier mechanism (110) from the system. The system (100) comprises a track (103) having a channel (105), a turntable (115), and a carrier mechanism (110) coupled to the track structure via the channel. The system (100) further comprises a maintenance station (125), comprising a stub track (130), wherein the stub track is operably coupled to the track structure (103) via the turntable (115). The maintenance station (125) further comprises a power supply (135) and one or more connectors (140) operable to electrically couple the carrier (110) to the power supply (135). One or more stop blocks (145) are provided which are removably coupled to the stub track (130), wherein the stop blocks each comprise a body (155) having a rod (160) extending therefrom. The rod (160) is operable to pass through a hole (165) in the stub track channel (132), wherein a pin (180) is removably coupled to the rod, therein selectively fixing the stop block (145) to the track (130).
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A material handling system, comprising:
-
a track structure having a channel generally defined therein, the track structure comprising a turntable rotatably coupled thereto, wherein a rotational position of the turntable generally defines one or more paths along the channel;
a carrier mechanism generally coupled to the track structure via the channel, wherein the carrier mechanism is operable to travel along the one or more paths; and
a maintenance station, comprising;
a stub track having a channel generally defined therein, the stub track being operably coupled to the track structure via the turntable, wherein one of the one or more paths leads to the stub track;
a power supply;
one or more connectors operable to electrically couple the carrier mechanism to the power supply when the carrier mechanism is at a docking position along the stub track; and
one or more stop blocks removably coupled to the stub track, wherein the one or more stop blocks generally prevent a movement of the carrier mechanism beyond one or more respective ends of the stub track. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method for isolating a carrier mechanism coupled to material handling system, the method comprising:
-
providing a turntable and a stub track, wherein the turntable and stub track each comprise a channel;
rotating the turntable to a transfer position, wherein the turntable channel aligns with the stub track channel;
translating the carrier mechanism from the turntable channel to the stub track channel;
inserting one or more stop blocks into the stub track channel, wherein a rod associated with each stop block extends through a respective hole in the stub track channel; and
inserting a pin through a hole in an end of each of the rods, therein sandwiching the stub track channel between the respective stop block and pin, therein generally fixing each stop block with respect to the stub track and generally limiting a movement of the carrier mechanism along the stub track channel. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A stop block for a material handling system, comprising:
-
a generally L-shaped body;
one or more rods extending from the body, wherein the one or more rods each comprise a thru-hole near and end thereof; and
one or more pins, wherein the one or more pins are operable to selectively reside within the one or more respective thru-holes. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
Specification