A shock absorbing tow bar for connecting between a drive trolley and a load carrying trolley of a conveyor system. The tow bar includes a pair of tubes that reciprocate relative to each other. A plunger is located within a first of the tubes and attached to a second tube. Mounted on the plunger are a pair of brake surfaces that frictionally engage the first tube. The brake surfaces are biased toward the first tube by springs and the force applied to the brake surfaces is adjustable through an adjustment mechanism including a pair of wedges upon which the springs are located. An adjustment rod is joined with the adjustment mechanism and extends outwardly from the tow bar to allow an operator to adjust the friction produced by the brake surfaces without disassembly of the tow bar.
Shock Absorbing Tow Bar For Trolley-Type Conveyor Systems
Gareth D. Summa - Denver MO N. Duane Smith - Kansas City MO
Assignee:
Conveyor Technology Group Inc. - Kansas City MO
International Classification:
B61B 1200
US Classification:
213 62R
Abstract:
A shock absorbing tow bar for connection between the accumulating trolley and load carriage of a power and free conveyor system is disclosed. The tow bar includes one component that is connectable to the accumulating trolley and another that is connectable to the intermediate trolley of the load carriage. Limited relative shifting is permitted between the components of the tow bar. Moreover, the components are threadably intercoupled so that such relative shifting requires a screwing or unscrewing action that serves to cushion movement between the accumulating trolley and load carriage.
Gareth D. Summa - Kansas City KS Andrew L. Meyer - Prairie Village KS
Assignee:
Conveyor Technology Group, Inc. - Kansas City KS
International Classification:
B61B 1002
US Classification:
1041724
Abstract:
A stop mechanism for detaching a conveyor trolley from a drive system which normally drives the trolley along a conveyor track. A ramp can be moved into the path of a trolley dog so that the trolley dog moves upwardly along an inclined ramp surface to disengage the trolley dog from a drive dog carried by a driven chain of the conveyor system. The actuating mechanism for the ramp includes a pivotal cam plate actuated by a power cylinder. A cam slot in the cam plate receives a cam roller connected with a guide link which moves in a vertical guide slot. The guide link is connected with the ramp to move it up and down under the control of the actuating cylinder.
Shock Absorbing Tow Bar For Trolley-Type Conveyor Systems
Gareth D. Summa - Denver MO N. Duane Smith - Kansas City MO
Assignee:
Conveyor Technology Group Inc. - Kansas City KS
International Classification:
B61G 900
US Classification:
213 62R
Abstract:
A shock absorbing tow bar for connection between the accumulating trolley and load carriage of a power and free conveyor system is disclosed. The tow bar includes one component that is connectable to the accumulating trolley and another that is connectable to the intermediate trolley of the load carriage. Limited relative shifting is permitted between the components of the tow bar. Moreover, the components are threadably intercoupled so that such relative shifting requires a screwing or unscrewing action that serves to cushion movement between the accumulating trolley and load carriage.
Automatic Seal Crossover System For Power And Free Conveyor On-Floor Carriages
Gareth D. Summa - Denver MO Darrel Hespe - Olathe KS
Assignee:
Mid-West Conveyor Company - Kansas City KS
International Classification:
B61B 1000
US Classification:
10413009
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a seal crossover system which includes two seal plates adjacent to slot crossover portions of separate respective conveyor loops as they diverge (or converge) past a switch in a power and free conveyor system. The seal plates are driven by respective pneumatic cylinders which are pneumatically linked to a switch cylinder such that the seal plates are automatically extended or retracted depending upon the condition of the switch. Thus a respective slot crossover portion of each conveyor loop is selectively and alternately sealed or opened to allow unimpeded passage of a load carriage and a drive trolley, respectively.
Shock Absorbing Tow Bar For Trolley-Type Conveyor Systems
Gareth D. Summa - Denver MO N. Duane Smith - Kansas City MO
Assignee:
Conveyor Technology Group, Inc. - Kansas City KS
International Classification:
B61B 1200
US Classification:
213 62R
Abstract:
A shock absorbing tow bar for connection between the accumulating trolley and load carriage of a power and free conveyor system includes one component that is connectable to the accumulating trolley and another that is connectable to the intermediate trolley of the load carriage. Limited relative shifting is permitted between the components of the tow bar. Moreover, the components are threadably intercoupled so that such relative shifting requires a screwing or unscrewing action that serves to cushion movement between the accumulating trolley and load carriage.
Apparatus For Storage And Retrieval Of Thin Trays And Sheets
Gareth D. Summa - Riverside MO George K. Reed - Kansas City KS Harold S. Burt - Kansas City KS
Assignee:
Mid-West Conveyor Company, Inc. - Kansas City KS
International Classification:
B65G 106
US Classification:
414280
Abstract:
An apparatus for selectively storing a thin tray or sheet in an elongate storage location, and retrieving trays therefrom, includes a tray extractor and a transport assembly. The tray extractor comprises a tray engagement mechanism and a tray linear movement actuator. The tray engagement mechanism operates as a hand to selectively grip or release trays which are being handled by the apparatus. The tray linear movement actuator acts as an arm to position the tray engagement mechanism and, when operated, to move an engaged tray. The tray linear movement actuator comprises a linear movement link and pulley arrangement which moves an engaged tray along a linear path of motion, and which maintains the tray engagement mechanism in a selected orientation with respect to that path of movement. The tray engagement mechanism comprises an X-shaped scissors mechanism having a plurality of jaws thereon. Scissors motion of the mechanism opens and closes the pairs of jaw members to selectively engage or disengage a tray.
Center Link Pusher Dog For Power And Free Conveyors
A center link pusher dog assembly for power and free conveyors includes a pusher dog member with a mounting base and a pusher dog projection upstanding therefrom. The mounting base has depending lugs and a rear shoulder to engage an abutment formed by a reduced central area of a center link of a conveyor chain. A bore through the pusher dog member recevies a bolt for clamping a center link between the pusher dog member and a conventional chain support type of power trolley. The lugs engage upstanding teeth on a mounting end of the power trolley and side walls of the center link to fix the longitudinal position of the pusher dog member relative to the power trolley and the center link and to fix its lateral position relative to the center link.