ACTIVE CONTROL ROLLER TOP MODULAR CONVEYING ASSEMBLY

• US 20140116853A1
• Filed: 10/24/2013
• Published: 05/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eric Medin Chinnock, Joseph Robert Labermeier, Justin Michael Stefano, Tad Chandler Rinehart
• Original Assignee: Eric Medin Chinnock, Joseph Robert Labermeier, Justin Michael Stefano, Tad Chandler Rinehart
• Inventors: Chinnock, Eric Medin, Stefano, Justin Michael, Rinehart, Tad Chandler, Labermeier, Joseph Robert
• Granted Patent: US 9,227,785 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 198/779
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 17/061 the load carrying surface being formed by profiles, rods, bars, rollers or the like attached to a single traction element B65G17/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 17/24 comprising a series of rollers which are moved , e.g. over a supporting surface, by the traction element to effect conveyance of loads or load-carriers
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 17/40 Chains acting as load-carriers
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 39/20 attached to moving belts or chains
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/261 Accumulating articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/268 by means of belt or chain conveyor

Abstract

A modular conveying assembly includes active roller control for reducing backline pressure without product to product contact when accumulating products. The conveying assembly includes a first roller belt module having a top surface and at least one first roller axle support extending above the top surface. The first axle support supports at least one roller above the top surface. The at least one roller is rotatably coupled to a rotatably driven drive axle, such that rotation of the drive axle causes rotation of the roller. A clutch including a driven surface fixed to the drive axle engages a driving member to rotatably drive the drive axle and, thus the roller.

Claims

1. A modular conveying assembly module comprising:

a body having a top surface;

a first driven axle mounted to the body for conveyance therewith;

a roller fixed to the first driven axle; and

a first driven surface fixed to the first driven axle and configured to be selectively engaged by a driving member to affect rotation of the first driven axle.

2. The modular conveying assembly module of claim 1, including axle supports supporting the first driven axle above the top surface of the body.

3. The modular conveying assembly module of claim 1, further comprising:

a second driven axle mounted relative to the body for conveyance therewith;

a second roller fixed to the second driven axle; and

a second driven surface fixed to the second driven axle and configured to be selectively engaged by a second driving member to affect rotation of the second driven axle.

4. The modular conveying assembly module of claim 3, wherein the second driven axle is coaxial to the first driven axle.

5. The modular conveying assembly module of claim 3, wherein the first driven surface and the second driven surface are staggered relative to one another.

6. The modular conveying assembly module of claim 1, wherein the roller defines a non-cylindrical shape.

7. The modular conveying assembly module of claim 1, wherein the roller is configured to support an object for conveyance, and

wherein the first driven surface is not arranged to support the object for conveyance.

8. The modular conveying assembly module of claim 1, wherein the first driven surface is positioned proximal an end of the first driven axle.

9. The modular conveying assembly module of claim 1, wherein the first driven surface includes a tapered surface.

10. The modular conveying assembly module of claim 1, wherein a first hinge member extending forwardly from the body in a direction of conveyor travel and including a first opening for receiving a first hinge pin, a second hinge member extending from the body in a direction opposite to the first hinge member and including a second opening for receiving a second hinge pin.

11. The modular conveying assembly module of claim 10, wherein at least one of the modules includes a leading edge and a trailing edge and wherein the first hinge member extends from the leading edge and the second hinge member extends from the trailing edge.

12. The modular conveying assembly module of claim 1, wherein the first driven axle is a roller axle having at least one roller rotatably fixed thereto.

13. The modular conveying assembly module of claim 1, wherein the first driven axle is coupled to a roller axle having at least one roller rotatably fixed thereto.

14. The modular conveying assembly module of claim 13, wherein the first driven axle counter rotates the roller axle.

15. A modular conveying assembly comprising:

a first belt module including a body having a top surface;

a driven axle supported above the top surface by the axle support;

a driven surface fixed to the driven axle; and

a driving member engageable with the driven surface, wherein said driven surface is rotatably driven upon engagement of the driving member with the driven surface.

16. The modular conveying assembly of claim 15, wherein the driving member is a stationary element laterally adjacent said first belt module.

17. The modular conveying assembly module of claim 15, wherein the member includes a motor coupled to a continuous belt arranged for selective contact with the driven surface, the motor driving the continuous belt at a variable speed.

18. The modular conveyor assembly of claim 15, wherein the driven surface rotates when in contact with the driving member.

19. The modular conveyor assembly of claim 15, wherein the driven surface defines at least two diameters, the driving member arranged to contact one of the two diameters.