Vertical assembly line
First Claim
1. An assembly line, comprising:
- a first pallet elevator;
a second pallet elevator;
an upper track configured to transport a plurality of pallets between the first pallet elevator and the second pallet elevator, the plurality of pallets including a first set of pallets and a second set of pallets;
a lower track disposed below the upper track, the lower track configured to transport the plurality of pallets between the second pallet elevator and the first pallet elevator;
a lower track drive system disposed between the first pallet elevator and the second pallet elevator, the lower track drive system configured to engage the first set of the pallets;
an upper track drive system configured to engage at least one pallet of the second set of pallets and to drive a remainder of the second set of the pallets via the at least one pallet; and
wherein the first pallet elevator is configured to transport the plurality of pallets between the lower track and the upper track, the second pallet elevator is configured to transport the plurality of pallets between the upper track to the lower track, and the lower track drive system is independent of the upper track drive systemwherein each pallet of the plurality of pallets includes a plurality of flanges comprising a front flange, a middle flange, and a rear flange;
the lower track drive system includes a drive chain extending from the first pallet elevator to the second pallet elevator;
the lower track drive system includes a plurality of drive dogs fixed to the drive chain and configured to engage the front flange and the rear flange of each pallet; and
the plurality of drive dogs of the lower track drive system includes a first set of drive dogs, the first set of drive dogs including a fixed dog and a deflecting dog.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An assembly line may include a first pallet elevator, a second pallet elevator, an upper track, and a lower track. The upper track may be connected between the first elevator and the second elevator, and may be configured to transport pallets between the first pallet elevator and the second pallet elevator. The lower track disposed below the upper track, and may be configured to transport pallets between the second pallet elevator and the first pallet elevator. A lower track drive system may be connected between the first pallet elevator and the second pallet elevator, and may be configured to engage a first set of a plurality of pallets. An upper track drive system may be configured to engage at least one of the plurality of pallets and to drive a second set of the plurality of pallets via the at least one pallet.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. An assembly line, comprising:
-
a first pallet elevator; a second pallet elevator; an upper track configured to transport a plurality of pallets between the first pallet elevator and the second pallet elevator, the plurality of pallets including a first set of pallets and a second set of pallets; a lower track disposed below the upper track, the lower track configured to transport the plurality of pallets between the second pallet elevator and the first pallet elevator; a lower track drive system disposed between the first pallet elevator and the second pallet elevator, the lower track drive system configured to engage the first set of the pallets; an upper track drive system configured to engage at least one pallet of the second set of pallets and to drive a remainder of the second set of the pallets via the at least one pallet; and wherein the first pallet elevator is configured to transport the plurality of pallets between the lower track and the upper track, the second pallet elevator is configured to transport the plurality of pallets between the upper track to the lower track, and the lower track drive system is independent of the upper track drive system wherein each pallet of the plurality of pallets includes a plurality of flanges comprising a front flange, a middle flange, and a rear flange;
the lower track drive system includes a drive chain extending from the first pallet elevator to the second pallet elevator;
the lower track drive system includes a plurality of drive dogs fixed to the drive chain and configured to engage the front flange and the rear flange of each pallet; and
the plurality of drive dogs of the lower track drive system includes a first set of drive dogs, the first set of drive dogs including a fixed dog and a deflecting dog. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of moving pallets, the method comprising;
-
providing an assembly line comprising a first pallet elevator, a second pallet elevator, an upper track, and a lower track, providing a first set of pallets disposed on the upper track and a second set pallets disposed on the lower track; moving, substantially continuously via an upper track drive system, the first set of pallets at a substantially constant speed; and moving, intermittently via a lower track drive system, the second set of pallets according to positions of the first pallet elevator and the second pallet elevator. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
Specification