Mobile module for transportating a carrier from a first modular line to second modular line
First Claim
1. A manufacturing line, comprising:
- a first line including a first plurality of stationary modules positioned in series and defining a first path through the first line, the first line including a first friction drive system for transporting an article along the first path;
a second line including a second plurality of stationary modules positioned in series and defining a second path through the second line, the second line including a second friction drive system for transporting the article along the second path; and
a mobile module supported by ground-engaging elements and including a third friction drive system for transporting the article along a third path defined by the mobile module, the mobile module being movable between a first position defining a first continuous path along the first path and third path, and a second position defining a second continuous path along the second path and the third path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A manufacturing line includes a first line and a second line. The first line includes a first plurality of stationary modules positioned in series and defining a first path through the first line, and a first friction drive system for transporting an article along the first path. The second line includes a second plurality of stationary modules positioned in series and defining a second path through the second line. The second line also includes a second friction drive system for transporting the article along the second path. A mobile module is supported by ground-engaging elements and includes a third friction drive system for transporting the article along a third path defined by the mobile module. The mobile module is movable between a first position defining a first continuous path along the first path and third path, and a second position defining a second continuous path along the second path and the third path.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A manufacturing line, comprising:
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a first line including a first plurality of stationary modules positioned in series and defining a first path through the first line, the first line including a first friction drive system for transporting an article along the first path; a second line including a second plurality of stationary modules positioned in series and defining a second path through the second line, the second line including a second friction drive system for transporting the article along the second path; and a mobile module supported by ground-engaging elements and including a third friction drive system for transporting the article along a third path defined by the mobile module, the mobile module being movable between a first position defining a first continuous path along the first path and third path, and a second position defining a second continuous path along the second path and the third path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of operating a manufacturing line, including:
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transporting an article from a first line to a second line, at least in part, by; supporting the article on a carrier, the carrier being supported by a trolley assembly; moving the trolley assembly along a first path defined by the first line using a first friction drive system; moving the trolley assembly from the first path to a second path defined by a mobile module using the first friction drive system and a second friction drive system of the mobile module when the mobile module is in a first position, wherein the first path is continuous with the second path in the first position; transporting the mobile module from the first position to a second position; and moving the trolley assembly from the second path to a third path defined by the second line using the second friction drive system and a third friction drive system of the second line when the mobile module is in the second position, wherein the second path is continuous with the third path in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification