Tire conveyor assembly and components thereof

• US 7,975,829 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2010
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unique Metal Designs, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Unique Metal Designs, Inc.
• Inventors: Rogers, Don A., Musick, Rick A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dillon, Jr.; Joe
• Application Number:
  US12/755,568
• Publication Number:
  US 20100193323A1
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• Field of Search: 198/456, 198/457.07, 198/370.07, 198/598
• US Class Current: 198/457.07
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2201/0273 Tires
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/22 Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors during feeding B65G47/14
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/493 by use of light responsive means
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/8823 Pivoting stop, swinging in or out of the path of the article
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/8861 Stop in the form of a clamp on one or both sides of the article

Abstract

An improved conveyor assembly includes a conveyor belt for conveying a product to one or more product operations is disclosed. Such conveyor assembly includes a pair of spaced apart side frames that support the conveyor belt and between which the conveyor belt rotates. The side frames are formed from an upstanding member and a inwardly extending horizontal member. Both the frame upstanding member and the frame horizontal member carry a series of elongated slots. One or more L-shaped brackets are formed from a generally upstanding member and an inwardly extending member. Both the bracket upstanding member and the bracket horizontal member carry a series of elongated slots. The bracket horizontal member slots are configured to overlay the frame elongate horizontal member slots, and the bracket upstanding member slots are configured to overlay the frame upstanding member slots for attaching components to the frames.

Claims

1. A diverter assembly connected with a product primary conveyor apparatus for changing direction of travel of a product being carried by said primary conveyor apparatus to a side conveyor apparatus, said conveyor apparatus including a first side frame and an oppositely disposed second side frame supporting a conveyor belt rotating betweens said first side frame and said second side frame, which comprises:

(i) a diverter piston assembly affixed to said first side frame;

(ii) means for absorbing transmitted force comprising a diverter pivot arm pivotally affixed to said first side frame, and pivotally connected to said diverter piston assembly with an elastomeric component; and

(iii) a diverter paddle affixed to said pivot arm,

said diverter piston assembly being actuatable to pivot said diverter pivot arm, said diverter pivot arm in turn causing said diverter paddle to pivot and contact a product being carried by said primary conveyor for diverting said product onto a side conveyor disposed opposite said diverter, said elastomeric component absorbing force transmitted back through the diverter paddle when a product is contacted by the diverter paddle.

2. The diverter assembly of claim 1, wherein retracting said diverter piston assembly actuates said diverter paddle.

3. The diverter assembly of claim 1, wherein extending said diverter piston assembly actuates said diverter paddle.

4. The diverter assembly of claim 1, wherein said product is one or more of unmounted tires, wheel mounted tires, green tires, or boxes.