INDUCTION LOADING TARGET DISPLAY

• US 3,802,548 A
• Filed: 09/25/1972
• Issued: 04/09/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edward A. Wentz, John H. Swam
• Original Assignee: Edward A. Wentz, John H. Swam
• Inventors: Wentz, Edward A., Swam, John H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blunk, Evon C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Valenza, Joseph E.
• Application Number:
  US05/292,174
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 198/40 40/13L,13K 340/378
• US Class Current: 198/357
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/52 Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices loading or unloading by means not incorporated in, or not operatively associated with, conveyors B65G65/00; transfer of workpieces during metal rolling B21B41/00

Abstract

A moving induction conveyor is targeted by a visual display for placement of articles thereon whereby the articles are deposited onto a receiving conveyor at proper locations. The visual display is synchronized with operation of the receiving conveyor through an optically controlled switching system to form a moving target.

Claims

1. In combination with a receiving conveyor and a drivingly interrelated feed-in conveyor from which articles are adapted to be conveyed along a path of travel toward spaced locations on the receiving conveyor, means for targeting locations on the feed-in conveyor at which articles must be placed to insure transfer to the spaced locations on the receiving conveyor, comprising a plurality of visual indicators positioned along the feed-in conveyor to define a target zone generally parallel to the path of travel of the articles, control means connected to said indicators for sequentially activating and deactivating the same to effect movement of said target zone along the feed-in conveyor, and operating means connected to the control means and driven at a fixed speed ratio to the receiving conveyor for synchronizing said movement of the target zone with movement of the receiving conveyor.

2. The combination of claim 1 including a loading zone located upstream of said feed-in conveyor along said path of travel, said indicators extending from the feed-in conveyor into the loading zone.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said indicators comprise closely spaced lamps that are energized and extinguished in sequence to define the target zone.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the control means comprises a plurality of switch devices for respectively activating the indicators.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said operating means comprises a plurality of sensing means for operating the switch devices, a source of radiation for triggering said sensing means to operate the switch devices and means driven by the receiving conveyor for sequentially transmitting radiation to the sensing means from said source of radiation.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said operating means comprises a plurality of sensing means for operating the switch devices, a source of radiation for triggering said sensing means to operate the control means and means driven by the receiving conveyor for sequentially transmitting radiation to the sensing means from said source of radiation.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said indicators comprise closely spaced lamps that are energized and extinguished in sequence to define the target zone.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the control means comprises a plurality of switch devices for respectively activating the indicators.

9. The combination of claim 1 wherein said feed-in conveyor includes an endless belt subject to slippage and distortion while conveying the articles.

10. In combination with a receiving conveyor and a belt conveyor driven at a fixed speed ratio to the receiving conveyor, means for targeting locations on the belt conveyor at which articles are adapted to be placed to insure transfer thereof to predetermined spaced locations on the receiving conveyor, comprising visual indicator means mounted adjacent the belt conveyor for defining a target zone on the belt conveyor, control means operatively connected to the indicator means for effecting movement of the target zone along the belt conveyor, and operating means driven by the receiving conveyor independently of the belt conveyor for synchronizing said movement of the target zone with movement of the receiving conveyor.