Article transport device
First Claim
1. An article transport device, comprising:
- an endless revolving body that is configured to move along a cyclic path in a substantially horizontal direction;
a plurality of article supports each of which supports an article, wherein the article supports move together with the endless revolving body with the supports spaced apart from each other in a traveling direction;
support means for supporting the article supports to the endless revolving body such that the article supports can move between a transport position adjacent the endless revolving body and an away position spaced apart from the transport position; and
guide means for causing at least some of the article supports to move from the transport position to the away position and to move from the away position to the transport position, at an article delivering location or an article receiving location along the cyclic path of the endless revolving body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An article transport device comprises an endless revolving body that is configured to move along a cyclic path in a substantially horizontal direction; a plurality of article supports each of which supports an article, wherein the article supports move together with the endless revolving body with the supports spaced apart from each other in a traveling direction; a support mechanism for supporting the article supports to the endless revolving body such that the article supports can move between a transport position adjacent the endless revolving body and an away position spaced apart from the transport position; and a guide mechanism for causing at least some of the article supports to move from the transport position to the away position and to move from the away position to the transport position, at an article delivering location or an article receiving location along the cyclic path of the endless revolving body.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An article transport device, comprising:
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an endless revolving body that is configured to move along a cyclic path in a substantially horizontal direction;
a plurality of article supports each of which supports an article, wherein the article supports move together with the endless revolving body with the supports spaced apart from each other in a traveling direction;
support means for supporting the article supports to the endless revolving body such that the article supports can move between a transport position adjacent the endless revolving body and an away position spaced apart from the transport position; and
guide means for causing at least some of the article supports to move from the transport position to the away position and to move from the away position to the transport position, at an article delivering location or an article receiving location along the cyclic path of the endless revolving body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An article transport device, comprising:
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a plurality of vehicles that are configured to move along a closed path;
an article support supported by at least some of the vehicles, for supporting an article;
a link mechanism for supporting the article support with respect to the vehicle such that the article support can move between a transport position adjacent corresponding one of the vehicles and an away position spaced apart from the transport position; and
a guide that causes the article support to move between the away position and the transport position. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification