High efficiency sorting conveyor
First Claim
1. A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor, said sorting conveyor comprising:
- (a) a conveyor track;
(b) a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end; and
(c) an opposed roller motor assembly for moving said conveyor carts on said conveyor track, said opposed roller motor assembly including a cantilevered, drive roller connected to one pivot block assembly and another pivot block assembly adapted for positioning said drive roller,wherein a tension linkage couples said pivot block assemblies together and movement of each pivot block assembly mirrors movement of the other pivot block assembly; and
(d) each of said conveyor carts including;
(i) a trailer frame base, including;
a roller structure for engaging said conveyor track, a driven member responsive to said opposed roller motor assembly, adjacent spaced apart driven members, and a hitch mechanism for connecting each conveyor cart to an adjacent conveyor cart; and
(ii) a carrying surface for holding the objects.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track, a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end, and an opposed roller motor assembly. The opposed roller motor assembly may include a motor; a support frame attached to the conveyor track for supporting the motor; and a pair of cantilevered, drive rollers connected to the motor and to one pivot block assembly and another pivot block assembly adapted for positioning the drive roller adjacent to one surface of an extended fin driven member. The pivot block assemblies may be coupled together with a self-tensioning adjustment assembly. In some examples, the self-tensioning adjustment assembly may be adapted so that movement of each pivot block assembly mirrors movement of the other pivot block assembly.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor, said sorting conveyor comprising:
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(a) a conveyor track; (b) a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end; and (c) an opposed roller motor assembly for moving said conveyor carts on said conveyor track, said opposed roller motor assembly including a cantilevered, drive roller connected to one pivot block assembly and another pivot block assembly adapted for positioning said drive roller, wherein a tension linkage couples said pivot block assemblies together and movement of each pivot block assembly mirrors movement of the other pivot block assembly; and (d) each of said conveyor carts including; (i) a trailer frame base, including;
a roller structure for engaging said conveyor track, a driven member responsive to said opposed roller motor assembly, adjacent spaced apart driven members, and a hitch mechanism for connecting each conveyor cart to an adjacent conveyor cart; and(ii) a carrying surface for holding the objects. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification