MATERIAL HANDLING AND LOAD CONVEYANCE SYSTEM

• US 20140159326A1
• Filed: 12/06/2013
• Published: 06/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Copus, Gary D.
• Original Assignee: Copus, Gary D.
• Inventors: Copus, Gary D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,056,620 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/28.5
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2301/254 by using roller-shaped wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2301/256 by using endless belts
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/008 having more than two axes
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/009 of the single-track type
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/02 involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable or convertible
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 13/00 Roller-ways storage devices comprising roller-ways B65G1/02; endless-chain conveyors comprising load-supporting rollers B65G17/00; rollers or arrangements thereof B65G39/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 7/04 Rollers

Abstract

A multipurpose loading and unloading and/or material handling and moving apparatus including a closed chain continuous roller grid disposed on and around a continuous elongate table, the roller grid comprising a plurality of parallel axles pivotally coupled at their ends by parallel first and second sets of independent mechanical links.

Claims

1. A material handling and load conveying system, comprising:

a continuous roller deck having a continuous exterior surface;

a closed chain continuous track roller grid disposed around said continuous roller deck and engaging substantially the entirety of said continuous exterior surface; and

a load-bearing deck disposed either above or below said closed chain continuous track roller grid for supporting a load;

wherein said closed chain continuous track roller grid includes a plurality of roller assemblies disposed generally parallel with one another, each of said roller assemblies pivotally connected to adjacent roller assemblies through mechanical links.

2. The material handling and load conveying system of claim 1, wherein said continuous roller deck includes parallel and generally planar upper and lower portions, respectively, and first and second semicircular end portions joining said upper and lower portions.

3. The material handling and load conveying system of claim 2, wherein at least one of said top portion, said bottom portion and first and second semicircular end portions includes guide rails to contain said continuous closed chain track roller grid tracking properly along said exterior surface.

4. The material handling and load conveying system of claim 2, wherein said rollers have ends with an outer flange so as to facilitate tracking on said continuous roller deck.

5. The material handling and load conveying system of claim 2, wherein each of said roller assemblies includes an outer roller and an inner roller, said inner roller having an outer diameter smaller than that of the inner diameter of said outer roller, thus creating a space or air gap between said inner and outer roller.

6. The material handling and load conveying system of claim 5, wherein each of said inner rollers is coaxially disposed around an axle.

7. The material handling and load conveying system of claim 6, further including an inner link and an outer link pivotally connected to each end of each of said axles.

8. The material handling and load conveying system of claim 7, wherein each pair of said inner and outer links, pivotally connected to the same axle are slightly spaced apart using a spacer.

9. The material handling and load conveying system of claim 8, wherein each of said inner and outer links are curved with a radius slightly larger than the radius of said semicircular ends of said continuous roller deck.

10. The material handling and load conveying system of claim 8, wherein the difference in radius between said inner and outer links and said continuous roller deck corresponds to an increased radius as measured from a center common to said closed chain continuous track roller grid and said semicircular ends of said continuous roller deck, using the longitudinal axis of said axles as a measuring point.

12. The material handling and load conveying system of claim 1, wherein said load-bearing deck is connected to, and elevated above, said continuous roller deck and said closed chain continuous track roller grid using a plurality of legs, such that said conveying system can be used as a rolling table.

13. The material handling and load conveying system of claim 1, further including at least one pair of spaced-apart end panels disposed at an end of said load-bearing deck, said end panels having an end roller mounted between said end panels.

14. The material handling and load conveying system of claim 13, wherein said system is employed as a continuous track rolling table and said end rollers are spaced apart from said closed chain continuous track roller grid and slightly elevated above a line of rollers engaging said lower portion of said continuous roller deck.

15. The material handling and load conveying system of claim 1, wherein said system is employed as a continuous track stationary roller conveyor and said end rollers are disposed apart from and slightly below the line of rollers on said upper portion of said continuous roller deck.

11. The material handling and load conveying system of claim xx, wherein axles have threaded ends on each of which a nut is disposed, and wherein said inner and outer links are spaced apart by a washer.

16. A continuous track roller table, comprising:

a continuous roller deck having parallel upper and lower portions and first and second semicircular end portions defining a continuous exterior surface;

a continuous track roller grid disposed around said continuous roller deck and engaging substantially the entirety of said continuous exterior surface; and

a load-bearing deck coupled to and disposed above said continuous roller deck for supporting a material load above said continuous track roller grid;

wherein said closed chain continuous track roller grid includes a plurality of roller assemblies disposed generally parallel with one another, each of said roller assemblies pivotally connected to adjacent roller assemblies through a closed chain of mechanical links.

17. A continuous track stationary roller conveyor, comprising:

a continuous roller deck having parallel upper and lower portions and first and second semicircular end portions defining a continuous exterior surface;

a continuous track roller grid disposed around said continuous roller deck and engaging substantially the entirety of said continuous exterior surface; and

a ground-engaging deck coupled to and disposed below said continuous roller deck for supporting said continuous roller deck and said continuous track roller above ground;

wherein said closed chain continuous track roller grid includes a plurality of roller assemblies disposed generally parallel with one another, each of said roller assemblies pivotally connected to adjacent roller assemblies through a closed chain of mechanical links.