CA1283380C - Conveyor system - Google Patents
Conveyor systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1283380C CA1283380C CA000522482A CA522482A CA1283380C CA 1283380 C CA1283380 C CA 1283380C CA 000522482 A CA000522482 A CA 000522482A CA 522482 A CA522482 A CA 522482A CA 1283380 C CA1283380 C CA 1283380C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- trackway
- section
- upper level
- loop
- level section
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G35/00—Mechanical conveyors not otherwise provided for
- B65G35/06—Mechanical conveyors not otherwise provided for comprising a load-carrier moving along a path, e.g. a closed path, and adapted to be engaged by any one of a series of traction elements spaced along the path
Abstract
CONYEYOR SYSTEM
ABSTRACT OF THE INYENTION
A conveyor system including a first horizontal trackway having a flat movable flexible chain extending between a plurality of work stations with the trackway having at one end thereof a loop section.
There are a plurality of pallets movable by frictional engagement with the chain for carrying work pieces along the trackway between the work stations. A second trackway is provided adjacent the first trackway loop section and has a continuous flat flexible chain, the second trackway has an upper level section and a lower level section with the upper level section being in the same horizontal plane as the first trackway. The second trackway has two legs connected by an intermediate section with both legs in pallet transfer communication with the first trackway. The lower level section of the second trackway is spaced below the upper level section and has two legs-connected by an intermediate section with each leg of the lower level section being connected to a corresponding leg of the upper level section to form a continuous loop. The second continuous trackway is driven independent of the first trackway and there is a switch for diverting the pallets to either the first trackway loop section or the upper level of the second trackway.
ABSTRACT OF THE INYENTION
A conveyor system including a first horizontal trackway having a flat movable flexible chain extending between a plurality of work stations with the trackway having at one end thereof a loop section.
There are a plurality of pallets movable by frictional engagement with the chain for carrying work pieces along the trackway between the work stations. A second trackway is provided adjacent the first trackway loop section and has a continuous flat flexible chain, the second trackway has an upper level section and a lower level section with the upper level section being in the same horizontal plane as the first trackway. The second trackway has two legs connected by an intermediate section with both legs in pallet transfer communication with the first trackway. The lower level section of the second trackway is spaced below the upper level section and has two legs-connected by an intermediate section with each leg of the lower level section being connected to a corresponding leg of the upper level section to form a continuous loop. The second continuous trackway is driven independent of the first trackway and there is a switch for diverting the pallets to either the first trackway loop section or the upper level of the second trackway.
Description
3LZ~333~3~
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
. . _ .
ConYeyor systems of various types are well known in the prior art. One typical type of conveyor system often found in manufacturing plants is a type wherein there is provided a conveyor means mounted on uprights or standards and enbodying flexible chains that ~ ex in both horfzontal and vert;cal directions allowing construction of conveyors that will by friction en~agement move a plurality of pallets from one station to another station. These chains may be made from ~etal or plas~ic and one campany ~hat makes such chains for conveyor systems is Rexnord Incorporated.
In using such a conveyor system work pieces are usually mounted on individual pallets and conveyed to a series of stations where a mechanical operation takes place to make or assemble the work pieces. In automating assembly of work pieces it is highly desfrable to have quality inspections done at least at one station and many times at several or all of work stations so that when the work piece is completely assembled it is satisfactory. If during the transfer of the pallets carrying the work pieces the inspection indicates that a work ;piece is defect-Ye in some manner, that work pfece should be subjected ;:
2Q to independent rework or repair and further inspection to make it satisfactory. It is desirable that if during the transfer of work p~eces fro0 one station to the next it is found through inspection that the work piece is defective, it should be removed from the line and repaired and placed back on thP line automatically. In most all continuous conveyor systems there is a prGblem of how to conveniently place the repafr station and have the pallets carryfn~ the work piece to be repafred removed from the iine automatically and placed back on the line with a minimum of disruption of the main assembly line.
l ~ .
.
~ Z~33~
By this invention there is provided a conveyor system having a repair track that operatPs independently of the main transfer track sys~em and has switching means for diverting the pallets containing the work pieces to be repaired to the repair track and after repair returning the pallets to the main conveyor track system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION `
A conveyor system comprising a first horizontal trackway having a ~ at ~ovable flexible chain extending between a plurality of work stations and the trackway has a loop section at one enq thereof.
A plurality of pallets movable by fr;ctional engagement with the flexible chain are provided for carrying work pieces along the trackway between the work stations. A second trackway is located adjacent the first trackway loop section and has a continuous flat flexible chain with an upper level section and a lower level section with the upper 15~ level séction being in the same horizontal plane as the first trackway. The upper level has two legs connected by an intermediate section with both of the legs in pallet transfer communication with the :
first trackway~ The lower level section of the second trackway is spaced below the upper level section and has two legs connected by an intermediate section with each leg of the lower level section being ~ ~ connected to a corres,ponding leg of the upper level section to form a ;~ continuous loop. Drive means are provided for moving the continuous; chain of the second trackway independent of the first trackway chain and there are switching means for diverting the pallets to either the first trackway loop or the upper level of the second trackway.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
With reference to the accompanyiny drawing, FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a portion of the conveysr system of the present invention.
~ . .
~ -2-gLz a 3 3~3~) FIG. 2 is a side elevational view taken along lines 2-2 of Fig. l with parts broken away and showing a portion of the conveyor system of the present invention. ;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the conveyor system of the present invention showing the arrangement of the trackways.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the conveyor system of the present invention taken along lines 4-4 of Fig~ l.
FIG. 5 is a top pian view of a portion of the conveyor system of the present invention showing a portion of the driYe mechanism arrangement.
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view taken along lines 6-6 of Fig. 5 shuwing a portion of the conveyor system of the present invention.
~;~
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Wi~h reference to accompanying drawings, there is shown, particularly in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, a first horizontal trackway lO
- - , having a flat movable flexible chain 12 which may extend between a plurality of work stations (not shcwn) and the trackway has a loop section 14 at one end thereof. The ~ exible chain 12 may be driven by any convenient means and follows along between two center guide rails 16 and 18. With reference particularly to Fig. 4, the flexible chain 12 fs pulled over chain wear strips 20 and the upper ~ at surface 22 of ; ~ the cha1n 12 has resting on it a pallet 24. Pallet 24 has a center downwardly directed member 26 which contacts the upper surface 22 of the chain 12 and has a work piece supporting member 28 that will carry the work pieces through a plurality of work stations as the pallet is being carried by frictional engagement with the flexible chain 12 around the trackway lO. The work piece supporting member 28 is additionally supp~rted by ruts1de rails 30 and 32 wh~ch have between ` ~
~;2833~
the upper surface of the rail and the pallet low friction strips 34 and 36 which are secured to the outside rails 30 and 32 respective. It will be noted particularly in Fig. 4 that the first trackway 10 is supported on a stand 38 so that the work pieces (not shown) supported on ~he pallets 24 are elev~ted to a working height above the floor. As can be seen, particularly in Fig. 1, the`first trackway 10 has a straight section 37 leading from a work station (not shown) and makes a right angle curve bend into the loop section 14 and in that bend there is placed a corner disk 40 which guides the ~ exible chain 12 around the bend. The chain makes a right angle curve bend lea~ing ~he loop section 14 and is also guided by a corner disk 41 back to a straight section 39 of the flrst trackway. The direction of movement of the chain 12 is shown by arrows.
Adjacent the first trackway loop section 14 is a second trackway 42 which has a continuous ~ at ~ exible chain 44. The second trackway has an upper level section 46 and a lower level section 48 - .
~Figs. 2 and 3) with the upper level section being in the same horizontal plane as the first trackway 10. With reference to Fig. 3 the upper level has ~o legs 50 and 52 connected by an intermediate section 54 with both of the legs 50 and 52 in pallet transfer communication with the first trackway 10. Intermediate section 54 is parallel to loop section 14 of the first trackway 10. The lower level section 48 of the second trackway 42 is spaced below the upper level section 46 and it has two le~s 56 and 58 connected by an intermediate section 60. Each leg 56 and 58 of the lvwer level section 48 is connected to a corresponding leg 50 and 52 respectively of the upper level section 46 to form a continuous loop as best seen in Fig. 3. The right angle curve bends of the upper level section 46 have corner disks 53 and 55 and the lower level section 48 have corner disks 57 and 59, .
~.Z833~ , each being supported by a bearing structure 61 (Fig. 2) secured to the frame 38 which disks rotate and guide the flexible chain 44. The , transition reverse bend of the second trackway between the legs 56 and 58 of the lower level section 48 and the legs 50 and 52 respectively of the upper level section 46 are guided by sprockets 63 and 67 respectively which engage the chain 44 of the second trackway. To support the ehain 44 between the sprockets 63 and 67 and the corner disks 57 and 59 are roller guides 65 (Fig. 2). The second trackway chain 44 is driven independently of the first trackway chain 12 and this may be done in any convenient manner such as by drive means 62 which by appropriate arrangement moves the continuous chain 44 in one direction. The second trackway 42 is constructed similar to that shown and described in connection with the first trackway 10 and ~s provided with center rails 64 and 66 and outside rails 68 and 70 which have low friction strips 79 and 81 respectively. The pallets 24 are guided and moved by frictional engagement with the second trackway chain 44 and supported on the rails 68 and 70 in the manner desrribed above in connection with the first trackway 10. Portions of the first trackway 10 and its loop section 14 and the upper section 46 of the second trackway 42 have a coYer 75 which is secured to the stand 38 by any suitable means. This cover 7~ may have plastic guide members to assist in directing the pallets during their movement along the respective trackways.
With reference to Fig. 1, there is shown a switching means 72 2~ for diverting the pallets 24 to either the first trackway loop section 14 or the upper level 46 of the second trackway 42. The switching means 72 may be an elongated finger member 74 movable about a pivot 76 and the finger member may be moved from a first position to a second position by any convenient means, such as an electromechanical ~LZ833~30 arrangement (not shown). As seen in Fig. 1, the finger member 74 is in a position to allow the pallets to continue on the first trackway 10 and enter the loop section 14 thereof. The second position of the finger member 74 would be to move it about the pivot 76 across the 5 first trackway chain 12 to block the passage of the palle~s onto the loop section 14 and divert them onto the upper level section 46 of the second trackway chain 44 and onto leg 50 thereof. Because the second trackway chain 44 is moving the pallet would frictionally engage the trackway chain 44 and be directed alon~ the upper level section 46. By 10 appropriate stop means 77 along the upper level section the pallet would be retained for subsequent repair of the work piece carried by the pallet. Once the work piece has been reworked the stop ~eans 77 is remwed and by frictional engagement the pallet is moved by the chain 44 and returned to the first trackway via leg 52 of the upper level 15 section 46.
With reference to Figs. 1, 5 and 6, there is shown the preferred embodiment drive arrangement for the second trackway flexible chain 44 ~hich is essentially a drive motor 78 (Fig. 1 ) which through a belt 86 and pulley arrangement 88 engages the chain 44 in the area o~ a 20 reverse loop BO and drives the chain in one direction. The chain 44 is reverse looped with the center rails 64 and 66 and outside rails 68 and - 70 arranged to permit the pallet to move in the same horizontal plane and generally in the same direction. It will be understood that the pallPt will leave a portion of the second trackway chain as the chain .
25 is being diverted downwardly into the loop 80 and is picked up by another portion of the second trackway chain as the chain is being directed upwardly from the loop and travels on its way between the inner rails 64 and 66. There are other arrangements that may be used to drive the second trackway flexible chain 44.
~.z~333~3 In automated assembly lines, including conveyor systems, it is desirable that at least one work station will inspect the work piece being carried by the palle~ along ~he first trackway. Oftentimes, inspections take place at various work stations and sometimes all the work stations along the trackway. These inspections can ronsjst of 9 for example, photoelectric sensors that detect if a part has ac~ually been placed in the work piece assembly or if it has been skipped.
Sensors can also detect misalignment of the respective parts in the work piece assembly, etc. By control means if a defect is found in the work piece, a code number corresponding to the pallet carrying the defective wsrk piece may be stored in the control means. hhen the identified pallet reaches the defective work piece inspection station 82 immediately before the loop section 14 of the first trackway an appropriate signal from the control means 90 will signal the switching means 72 and move the finger member 74 to block passage of the pallet onto the loop section 14 and ~uides the pallet onto the second trackway 42 which would be ieg 50 of the upper level section 46. The pallet carrying the defective work piece would be moved along the second trackway 42 until it reaches a stop 77 which retains the pallet until the defective work piece has been repaired whereupon the stop 84 is released and the pallet carrying the repaired work piece is permitted ;~ to travel by frictional engagement along the second trackway chain 44 and is deposited back onto the first trackway chain 12 at the junction between She do~mstream ~ovement of the chain 12 and second trackway chain 44.
:~
While there has been shcwn and described a specific embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that it is not limited thereto and~it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
. . _ .
ConYeyor systems of various types are well known in the prior art. One typical type of conveyor system often found in manufacturing plants is a type wherein there is provided a conveyor means mounted on uprights or standards and enbodying flexible chains that ~ ex in both horfzontal and vert;cal directions allowing construction of conveyors that will by friction en~agement move a plurality of pallets from one station to another station. These chains may be made from ~etal or plas~ic and one campany ~hat makes such chains for conveyor systems is Rexnord Incorporated.
In using such a conveyor system work pieces are usually mounted on individual pallets and conveyed to a series of stations where a mechanical operation takes place to make or assemble the work pieces. In automating assembly of work pieces it is highly desfrable to have quality inspections done at least at one station and many times at several or all of work stations so that when the work piece is completely assembled it is satisfactory. If during the transfer of the pallets carrying the work pieces the inspection indicates that a work ;piece is defect-Ye in some manner, that work pfece should be subjected ;:
2Q to independent rework or repair and further inspection to make it satisfactory. It is desirable that if during the transfer of work p~eces fro0 one station to the next it is found through inspection that the work piece is defective, it should be removed from the line and repaired and placed back on thP line automatically. In most all continuous conveyor systems there is a prGblem of how to conveniently place the repafr station and have the pallets carryfn~ the work piece to be repafred removed from the iine automatically and placed back on the line with a minimum of disruption of the main assembly line.
l ~ .
.
~ Z~33~
By this invention there is provided a conveyor system having a repair track that operatPs independently of the main transfer track sys~em and has switching means for diverting the pallets containing the work pieces to be repaired to the repair track and after repair returning the pallets to the main conveyor track system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION `
A conveyor system comprising a first horizontal trackway having a ~ at ~ovable flexible chain extending between a plurality of work stations and the trackway has a loop section at one enq thereof.
A plurality of pallets movable by fr;ctional engagement with the flexible chain are provided for carrying work pieces along the trackway between the work stations. A second trackway is located adjacent the first trackway loop section and has a continuous flat flexible chain with an upper level section and a lower level section with the upper 15~ level séction being in the same horizontal plane as the first trackway. The upper level has two legs connected by an intermediate section with both of the legs in pallet transfer communication with the :
first trackway~ The lower level section of the second trackway is spaced below the upper level section and has two legs connected by an intermediate section with each leg of the lower level section being ~ ~ connected to a corres,ponding leg of the upper level section to form a ;~ continuous loop. Drive means are provided for moving the continuous; chain of the second trackway independent of the first trackway chain and there are switching means for diverting the pallets to either the first trackway loop or the upper level of the second trackway.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
With reference to the accompanyiny drawing, FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a portion of the conveysr system of the present invention.
~ . .
~ -2-gLz a 3 3~3~) FIG. 2 is a side elevational view taken along lines 2-2 of Fig. l with parts broken away and showing a portion of the conveyor system of the present invention. ;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the conveyor system of the present invention showing the arrangement of the trackways.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the conveyor system of the present invention taken along lines 4-4 of Fig~ l.
FIG. 5 is a top pian view of a portion of the conveyor system of the present invention showing a portion of the driYe mechanism arrangement.
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view taken along lines 6-6 of Fig. 5 shuwing a portion of the conveyor system of the present invention.
~;~
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Wi~h reference to accompanying drawings, there is shown, particularly in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, a first horizontal trackway lO
- - , having a flat movable flexible chain 12 which may extend between a plurality of work stations (not shcwn) and the trackway has a loop section 14 at one end thereof. The ~ exible chain 12 may be driven by any convenient means and follows along between two center guide rails 16 and 18. With reference particularly to Fig. 4, the flexible chain 12 fs pulled over chain wear strips 20 and the upper ~ at surface 22 of ; ~ the cha1n 12 has resting on it a pallet 24. Pallet 24 has a center downwardly directed member 26 which contacts the upper surface 22 of the chain 12 and has a work piece supporting member 28 that will carry the work pieces through a plurality of work stations as the pallet is being carried by frictional engagement with the flexible chain 12 around the trackway lO. The work piece supporting member 28 is additionally supp~rted by ruts1de rails 30 and 32 wh~ch have between ` ~
~;2833~
the upper surface of the rail and the pallet low friction strips 34 and 36 which are secured to the outside rails 30 and 32 respective. It will be noted particularly in Fig. 4 that the first trackway 10 is supported on a stand 38 so that the work pieces (not shown) supported on ~he pallets 24 are elev~ted to a working height above the floor. As can be seen, particularly in Fig. 1, the`first trackway 10 has a straight section 37 leading from a work station (not shown) and makes a right angle curve bend into the loop section 14 and in that bend there is placed a corner disk 40 which guides the ~ exible chain 12 around the bend. The chain makes a right angle curve bend lea~ing ~he loop section 14 and is also guided by a corner disk 41 back to a straight section 39 of the flrst trackway. The direction of movement of the chain 12 is shown by arrows.
Adjacent the first trackway loop section 14 is a second trackway 42 which has a continuous ~ at ~ exible chain 44. The second trackway has an upper level section 46 and a lower level section 48 - .
~Figs. 2 and 3) with the upper level section being in the same horizontal plane as the first trackway 10. With reference to Fig. 3 the upper level has ~o legs 50 and 52 connected by an intermediate section 54 with both of the legs 50 and 52 in pallet transfer communication with the first trackway 10. Intermediate section 54 is parallel to loop section 14 of the first trackway 10. The lower level section 48 of the second trackway 42 is spaced below the upper level section 46 and it has two le~s 56 and 58 connected by an intermediate section 60. Each leg 56 and 58 of the lvwer level section 48 is connected to a corresponding leg 50 and 52 respectively of the upper level section 46 to form a continuous loop as best seen in Fig. 3. The right angle curve bends of the upper level section 46 have corner disks 53 and 55 and the lower level section 48 have corner disks 57 and 59, .
~.Z833~ , each being supported by a bearing structure 61 (Fig. 2) secured to the frame 38 which disks rotate and guide the flexible chain 44. The , transition reverse bend of the second trackway between the legs 56 and 58 of the lower level section 48 and the legs 50 and 52 respectively of the upper level section 46 are guided by sprockets 63 and 67 respectively which engage the chain 44 of the second trackway. To support the ehain 44 between the sprockets 63 and 67 and the corner disks 57 and 59 are roller guides 65 (Fig. 2). The second trackway chain 44 is driven independently of the first trackway chain 12 and this may be done in any convenient manner such as by drive means 62 which by appropriate arrangement moves the continuous chain 44 in one direction. The second trackway 42 is constructed similar to that shown and described in connection with the first trackway 10 and ~s provided with center rails 64 and 66 and outside rails 68 and 70 which have low friction strips 79 and 81 respectively. The pallets 24 are guided and moved by frictional engagement with the second trackway chain 44 and supported on the rails 68 and 70 in the manner desrribed above in connection with the first trackway 10. Portions of the first trackway 10 and its loop section 14 and the upper section 46 of the second trackway 42 have a coYer 75 which is secured to the stand 38 by any suitable means. This cover 7~ may have plastic guide members to assist in directing the pallets during their movement along the respective trackways.
With reference to Fig. 1, there is shown a switching means 72 2~ for diverting the pallets 24 to either the first trackway loop section 14 or the upper level 46 of the second trackway 42. The switching means 72 may be an elongated finger member 74 movable about a pivot 76 and the finger member may be moved from a first position to a second position by any convenient means, such as an electromechanical ~LZ833~30 arrangement (not shown). As seen in Fig. 1, the finger member 74 is in a position to allow the pallets to continue on the first trackway 10 and enter the loop section 14 thereof. The second position of the finger member 74 would be to move it about the pivot 76 across the 5 first trackway chain 12 to block the passage of the palle~s onto the loop section 14 and divert them onto the upper level section 46 of the second trackway chain 44 and onto leg 50 thereof. Because the second trackway chain 44 is moving the pallet would frictionally engage the trackway chain 44 and be directed alon~ the upper level section 46. By 10 appropriate stop means 77 along the upper level section the pallet would be retained for subsequent repair of the work piece carried by the pallet. Once the work piece has been reworked the stop ~eans 77 is remwed and by frictional engagement the pallet is moved by the chain 44 and returned to the first trackway via leg 52 of the upper level 15 section 46.
With reference to Figs. 1, 5 and 6, there is shown the preferred embodiment drive arrangement for the second trackway flexible chain 44 ~hich is essentially a drive motor 78 (Fig. 1 ) which through a belt 86 and pulley arrangement 88 engages the chain 44 in the area o~ a 20 reverse loop BO and drives the chain in one direction. The chain 44 is reverse looped with the center rails 64 and 66 and outside rails 68 and - 70 arranged to permit the pallet to move in the same horizontal plane and generally in the same direction. It will be understood that the pallPt will leave a portion of the second trackway chain as the chain .
25 is being diverted downwardly into the loop 80 and is picked up by another portion of the second trackway chain as the chain is being directed upwardly from the loop and travels on its way between the inner rails 64 and 66. There are other arrangements that may be used to drive the second trackway flexible chain 44.
~.z~333~3 In automated assembly lines, including conveyor systems, it is desirable that at least one work station will inspect the work piece being carried by the palle~ along ~he first trackway. Oftentimes, inspections take place at various work stations and sometimes all the work stations along the trackway. These inspections can ronsjst of 9 for example, photoelectric sensors that detect if a part has ac~ually been placed in the work piece assembly or if it has been skipped.
Sensors can also detect misalignment of the respective parts in the work piece assembly, etc. By control means if a defect is found in the work piece, a code number corresponding to the pallet carrying the defective wsrk piece may be stored in the control means. hhen the identified pallet reaches the defective work piece inspection station 82 immediately before the loop section 14 of the first trackway an appropriate signal from the control means 90 will signal the switching means 72 and move the finger member 74 to block passage of the pallet onto the loop section 14 and ~uides the pallet onto the second trackway 42 which would be ieg 50 of the upper level section 46. The pallet carrying the defective work piece would be moved along the second trackway 42 until it reaches a stop 77 which retains the pallet until the defective work piece has been repaired whereupon the stop 84 is released and the pallet carrying the repaired work piece is permitted ;~ to travel by frictional engagement along the second trackway chain 44 and is deposited back onto the first trackway chain 12 at the junction between She do~mstream ~ovement of the chain 12 and second trackway chain 44.
:~
While there has been shcwn and described a specific embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that it is not limited thereto and~it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (7)
1. A conveyor system comprising:
a first horizontal trackway having a flat movable flexible chain extending between a plurality of work stations, said trackway having a loop section at one end thereof;
a plurality of pallets movable by frictional engagement with the flexible chain for carrying work pieces along the trackway between the work stations;
a second trackway adjacent the first trackway loop section and having a continuous flat flexible chain, said second trackway having an upper level section and a lower level section with the upper level section being in the same horizontal plane as the first trackway and having two legs connected by an intermediate section with both of the legs in pallet transfer communication with the first trackway, the lower level section of the second trackway being spaced below the upper level section and having two legs connected by an intermediate section, each leg of the lower level section being connected to a corresponding leg of the upper level section to form a continuous loop;
drive means for moving the continuous second trackway independent of the first trackway; and switching means for diverting the pallets to either the first trackway loop section or the upper level of the second trackway.
a first horizontal trackway having a flat movable flexible chain extending between a plurality of work stations, said trackway having a loop section at one end thereof;
a plurality of pallets movable by frictional engagement with the flexible chain for carrying work pieces along the trackway between the work stations;
a second trackway adjacent the first trackway loop section and having a continuous flat flexible chain, said second trackway having an upper level section and a lower level section with the upper level section being in the same horizontal plane as the first trackway and having two legs connected by an intermediate section with both of the legs in pallet transfer communication with the first trackway, the lower level section of the second trackway being spaced below the upper level section and having two legs connected by an intermediate section, each leg of the lower level section being connected to a corresponding leg of the upper level section to form a continuous loop;
drive means for moving the continuous second trackway independent of the first trackway; and switching means for diverting the pallets to either the first trackway loop section or the upper level of the second trackway.
2. The conveyor system of Claim 1 wherein the loop section of the first trackway connects parallel sections of the trackway.
3. The conveyor system of claim 1 wherein the intermediate section of the upper level section of the second trackway is parallel to the loop section of the first trackway.
4. The conveyor system of claim 1 further comprising means to detect defective work pieces being carried along the first trackway and control means responsive to said means to detect defective work pieces to cause the switching means to divert the pallet carrying the defective work piece to the second trackway.
5. An automated conveyor system comprising:
a first horizontal trackway having a flat movable flexible chain extending between a plurality of work stations, said trackway having a loop section at one end thereof;
a plurality of coded pallets movable by frictional engagement with the flexible chain for carrying work pieces along the trackway between the work stations;
a second trackway adjacent the first trackway loop section and having a continuous flat flexible chain, said second trackway having an upper level section and a lower level section with the upper level section being in the same horizontal plane as the first trackway and having two legs connected by an intermediate section with both of the legs in pallet transfer communication with the first trackway, said upper level section intermediate section being parallel to the loop section of the first trackway, the lower level section of the second trackway being spaced below the upper level section and having two legs connected by an intermediate section, each leg of the lower level section being connected to a corresponding leg of the upper levels section to form a continuous loop;
drive means for moving the continuous section trackway independent of the first trackway;
switching means for diverting the pallets to either the first trackway loop or the upper level of the second trackway;
sensor means to detect defective work pieces;
control means to identify coded pallets and store coded pallet identification responsive to said means to detect defective work pieces and then signal said switching means to cause the switching means to divert the coded pallet carrying the defective work pieces to the second trackway; and stop means operable to retain and release the pallets diverted to the second trackway on the upper level section thereof.
a first horizontal trackway having a flat movable flexible chain extending between a plurality of work stations, said trackway having a loop section at one end thereof;
a plurality of coded pallets movable by frictional engagement with the flexible chain for carrying work pieces along the trackway between the work stations;
a second trackway adjacent the first trackway loop section and having a continuous flat flexible chain, said second trackway having an upper level section and a lower level section with the upper level section being in the same horizontal plane as the first trackway and having two legs connected by an intermediate section with both of the legs in pallet transfer communication with the first trackway, said upper level section intermediate section being parallel to the loop section of the first trackway, the lower level section of the second trackway being spaced below the upper level section and having two legs connected by an intermediate section, each leg of the lower level section being connected to a corresponding leg of the upper levels section to form a continuous loop;
drive means for moving the continuous section trackway independent of the first trackway;
switching means for diverting the pallets to either the first trackway loop or the upper level of the second trackway;
sensor means to detect defective work pieces;
control means to identify coded pallets and store coded pallet identification responsive to said means to detect defective work pieces and then signal said switching means to cause the switching means to divert the coded pallet carrying the defective work pieces to the second trackway; and stop means operable to retain and release the pallets diverted to the second trackway on the upper level section thereof.
6. The conveyor system of claim 5 wherein the loop section of the first trackway connects parallel sections of the trackway.
7. The conveyor system of claim 5 wherein the intermediate section of the upper level section of the second trackway is parallel to the loop section of the first trackway.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US802,389 | 1985-11-27 | ||
| US06/802,389 US4715286A (en) | 1985-11-27 | 1985-11-27 | Conveyer system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1283380C true CA1283380C (en) | 1991-04-23 |
Family
ID=25183564
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000522482A Expired - Fee Related CA1283380C (en) | 1985-11-27 | 1986-11-07 | Conveyor system |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4715286A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1283380C (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE19706365C1 (en) * | 1997-02-19 | 1998-07-09 | Preh Elektro Feinmechanik | Segment of a conveyor for workpiece carriers of a manufacturing facility |
| ATE252505T1 (en) | 1999-08-23 | 2003-11-15 | Rexnord Marbett Spa | LATERALLY SWIVELING CONVEYOR CHAIN |
| DE102004031443A1 (en) * | 2004-06-29 | 2006-01-26 | Bosch Rexroth Aktiengesellschaft | Conveying device with a trolley with achsfluchtenden casters |
| US7322459B2 (en) * | 2006-05-01 | 2008-01-29 | Garvey Corporation | Differential speed conveyor accumulation system and method |
| US8626329B2 (en) * | 2009-11-20 | 2014-01-07 | Agr Automation Ltd. | Product assembly system and control software |
Family Cites Families (22)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1817373A (en) * | 1927-10-31 | 1931-08-04 | Hopkins Edmund Charles | Conveyer |
| US1930318A (en) * | 1932-04-04 | 1933-10-10 | Mojonnier Bros Co | Distributing conveyer |
| US2635555A (en) * | 1946-02-25 | 1953-04-21 | Hansson Elis Harry | Conveying means |
| US3127849A (en) * | 1957-09-09 | 1964-04-07 | Mechanical Handling Sys Inc | Sub-flooring conveyor control system |
| US2940400A (en) * | 1958-02-28 | 1960-06-14 | Allied Steel & Conveyors | Automatic selective dispatch and transfer conveyor system |
| DE1223304C2 (en) * | 1961-02-18 | 1973-02-01 | Neckermann Versand Kgaa | Conveyor system in shipping houses or the like. |
| US3338177A (en) * | 1964-12-28 | 1967-08-29 | Arthur G Mirel | Automatic article-transporting system |
| US3357539A (en) * | 1966-07-06 | 1967-12-12 | Fmc Corp | Conveyor system |
| US3599789A (en) * | 1969-08-05 | 1971-08-17 | Mojonnier Bros Co | High-speed case-sorting apparatus |
| US3580391A (en) * | 1969-10-24 | 1971-05-25 | Gen Electric | Solid-state pulsed electronic control for high-speed conveyor sorting device |
| US3648618A (en) * | 1970-03-09 | 1972-03-14 | Cutler Hammer Inc | Subfloor conveyor system and dolly therefor |
| US3639728A (en) * | 1970-07-17 | 1972-02-01 | Scan Systems Inc | Material container sorting apparatus and method |
| US3673967A (en) * | 1970-08-17 | 1972-07-04 | Frederic F Kropf | Conveyor system for drive-in restaurants |
| US3722426A (en) * | 1971-04-15 | 1973-03-27 | E Beer | Automated track-guided material handling system with electrical pulse programming |
| US3768631A (en) * | 1971-11-12 | 1973-10-30 | E Ragnvald | Conveyor belt chain |
| US3892372A (en) * | 1973-08-30 | 1975-07-01 | Mosler Safe Co | Pneumatic carrier system with station control |
| US4069764A (en) * | 1974-03-28 | 1978-01-24 | Regie Nationale Des Usines Renault | Manufacturing production line and method |
| US4106636A (en) * | 1976-11-24 | 1978-08-15 | Burroughs Corporation | Recirculation buffer subsystem for use in sorting and processing articles including mail flats |
| US4160500A (en) * | 1977-09-12 | 1979-07-10 | Ga-Vehren Engineering Company | Turn conveyor |
| DE2845799C2 (en) * | 1978-10-20 | 1985-05-09 | Gustav Georg Veith GmbH & Co KG, 8000 München | Conveyor device for in-house overhead conveyance |
| DE3114032C2 (en) * | 1981-04-07 | 1983-04-14 | Gerd 8151 Osterwarngau Stückler | Parts feed for an assembly table |
| US4416202A (en) * | 1981-05-15 | 1983-11-22 | Industrial Management Co. | Conveyor bench/work station with shunt |
-
1985
- 1985-11-27 US US06/802,389 patent/US4715286A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1986
- 1986-11-07 CA CA000522482A patent/CA1283380C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US4715286A (en) | 1987-12-29 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4658947A (en) | Transfer mechanism | |
| CA2345399C (en) | Dual level tilting tray package sorting apparatus | |
| US3792785A (en) | Automated storage and freight terminal apparatus | |
| EP1010647A1 (en) | System for the automatic loading and/or unloading of products | |
| KR950013928A (en) | Method and apparatus for wearing or relaminating goods transporter in multi-storey warehouse | |
| US4230219A (en) | Cavity identification handling system | |
| CA1319901C (en) | Arrangement for conveyor systems | |
| CA1283380C (en) | Conveyor system | |
| EP0425021A1 (en) | Conveyor | |
| FI87383C (en) | Device for separating and transporting materials | |
| US5036772A (en) | Suspension conveyor system | |
| EP0316038A3 (en) | Automatic loading unit for sheet units onto functional machines equipped with a conveyor | |
| US3250377A (en) | Package sorting system and transfer mechanism therefor | |
| US4848537A (en) | Storage conveyor | |
| GB1565992A (en) | Transfer systems | |
| US4770285A (en) | Conveyor device having a rotatable pallet and device for rotating a pallet | |
| CN209792033U (en) | Intelligent detection disk returning system | |
| US4148391A (en) | Accumulator and conveyor for a row of items | |
| US3451525A (en) | Sorting conveyor | |
| CN218987959U (en) | Commodity steering and dividing device | |
| US4979863A (en) | Apparatus for handling a group of unit loads | |
| US5117966A (en) | Conveyor system | |
| US5253747A (en) | Equipment adapted to perform a coordinated transfer of packaged signature bundles form packaging assemblies to downstream machines | |
| US7114607B2 (en) | Method for operating a vertical accumulating conveyor system | |
| US3520399A (en) | Flat sheet conveyer |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |