Gravity conveyor having velocity and back pressure control
First Claim
1. A gravity conveyor for conveying articles, comprising freely rotatable rotary elements defining a downwardly inclined conveying path;
- some of the rotary elements comprising non-displaceable rotary elements rotatable about parallel stationary axes and arranged in groups;
uppermost portions of the non-displaceable rotary elements in each group defining a profile plane;
the profile planes of the upstream and downstream groups being non-coplanar with one another, with the rotary elements of the downstream group being offset downwardly with respect to the profile plane of the upstream group;
the upstream and downstream groups being separated by a weight-sensitive one of the rotary elements;
the weight-sensitive rotary element mounted for rotation about a displaceable axis oriented parallel to the stationary axes;
biasing means applying an upward force to the weight-sensitive rotary element for positioning an uppermost portion of the weight-sensitive rotary element within the profile plane of the upstream group;
a brake disposed beneath the weight-sensitive rotary element;
the weight-sensitive rotary element being downwardly displaceable in response to being traversed by an article having a weight greater than the upward force of the biasing means to engage the brake and be braked thereby.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A gravity conveyor is comprised of freely rotatable rollers which include non-displaceable rollers rotatable about stationary axes, and weight-sensitive rollers which are downwardly displaceable under the weight of heavy articles. The non-displaceable rollers are arranged in groups. Upper portions of the non-displaceable rollers of each group define a profile plane. The profile planes of successive groups are mutually parallel and offset downwardly from one another to form a stepped conveying path. When the weight-sensitive rollers are depressed by heavy articles, they will engage, and be braked by, braking rollers disposed therebeneath. An upper portion of each weight-sensitive roller lies in the profile plane of the immediately upstream group of non-displaceable rollers. The weight-sensitive rollers can be mounted on a lever which, when the weight-sensitive rollers are depressed, causes an upstream brake to engage upstream rollers, thereby reducing back pressure applied by upstream articles against downstream articles.
10 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A gravity conveyor for conveying articles, comprising freely rotatable rotary elements defining a downwardly inclined conveying path;
- some of the rotary elements comprising non-displaceable rotary elements rotatable about parallel stationary axes and arranged in groups;
uppermost portions of the non-displaceable rotary elements in each group defining a profile plane;
the profile planes of the upstream and downstream groups being non-coplanar with one another, with the rotary elements of the downstream group being offset downwardly with respect to the profile plane of the upstream group;
the upstream and downstream groups being separated by a weight-sensitive one of the rotary elements;
the weight-sensitive rotary element mounted for rotation about a displaceable axis oriented parallel to the stationary axes;
biasing means applying an upward force to the weight-sensitive rotary element for positioning an uppermost portion of the weight-sensitive rotary element within the profile plane of the upstream group;
a brake disposed beneath the weight-sensitive rotary element;
the weight-sensitive rotary element being downwardly displaceable in response to being traversed by an article having a weight greater than the upward force of the biasing means to engage the brake and be braked thereby. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- some of the rotary elements comprising non-displaceable rotary elements rotatable about parallel stationary axes and arranged in groups;
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13. A gravity conveyor for conveying articles, comprising freely rotatable rotary elements defining a downwardly inclined conveying path;
- some of the rotary elements comprising non-displaceable rotary elements rotatable about parallel stationary axes and arranged in groups;
uppermost portions of the non-displaceable rotary elements in each group defining a profile plane;
the profile planes of the upstream and downstream groups being non-coplanar with one another, with the rotary elements of the downstream group being offset downwardly with respect to the profile plane of the upstream group;
the upstream and downstream groups being separated by a weight-sensitive one of the rotary elements;
the weight-sensitive rotary element mounted for rotation about a displaceable axis oriented parallel to the stationary axes;
biasing means applying an upward force to the weight-sensitive rotary elements for positioning an uppermost portion of each weight-sensitive rotary element in the profile plane of the upstream group;
a brake disposed beneath one of the 20 rotary elements spaced from the weight-sensitive rotary element and movable into braking engagement therewith in response to downward displacement of the weight-sensitive rotary element. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
- some of the rotary elements comprising non-displaceable rotary elements rotatable about parallel stationary axes and arranged in groups;
Specification