Object adjusting apparatus and related methods for use with automotive manufacturing systems are disclosed. A disclosed object adjuster for an automotive manufacturing system includes a frame. The object adjuster also includes a guide supported by the frame and positioned near a conveyor configured to convey an object. The object adjuster also includes a receiver slidably coupled to the guide. The receiver includes a portion that is configured to engage an attachment movably coupled to the object to adjust the attachment when the object moves.

A link for a conveyor chain includes a first portion and a second portion laterally spaced apart from the first portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging pin, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging pin. The first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin protrude laterally away from one another. The first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin may each have an oblong cross-section. At least one retainer can secure a connecting pin against movement relative to at least one of the first portion and the second portion, and each retainer can be positioned substantially within one of the first portion and the second portion.

Disclosed is an apparatus including a frame configured to support a conveyor system having a conveyor belt. The apparatus can include a carriage configured to support a conveyor tension roller, the carriage being fastened to the frame to allow the carriage to be transitioned to and from an engaging position and a disengaging position. The engaging position can be a position at which the conveyor tension roller will contact with the conveyor belt when installed, and the disengaging position can be a position at which the conveyor tension roller will not making contact with the conveyor belt when installed.

Various embodiments are directed to conveyor apparatuses and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, a conveyor apparatus comprises a conveyor frame including a plurality of opposing sidewalls extending in a length direction and a bottom panel comprising a hinged configuration relative to the opposing sidewalls such that the bottom panel is configured for movement throughout a range of rotational motion between a closed position and an open position; and a bottom panel positioning assembly comprising: a mounting bracket secured to one of the opposing sidewalls; a positioning element slidably engaged relative to the mounting bracket and configurable between a nominal position and an engaged position; and a retention element configured to bias the positioning element towards the nominal position; wherein the bottom panel positioning assembly is configured to facilitate selective arrangement of the bottom panel based at least in part on an arrangement of the positioning element.

Disclosed is an apparatus including a frame configured to support a conveyor system having a conveyor belt. The apparatus can include a carriage configured to support a conveyor tension roller, the carriage being fastened to the frame to allow the carriage to be transitioned to and from an engaging position and a disengaging position. The engaging position can be a position at which the conveyor tension roller will contact with the conveyor belt when installed, and the disengaging position can be a position at which the conveyor tension roller will not making contact with the conveyor belt when installed.

A conveying device (1) has conveying carts (2) arranged one behind another and spaced apart by an interspace (4). One conveying cart (2) has a cover (6) and another has a cross-belt conveyor (8) for conveying material transverse to the conveying direction. The cover (6) covers the interspace (4) between the conveying carts (2) so that the cover (6) of the one conveying cart (2) is under the upper run (21) of the transverse belt (10) of the other conveying cart (2). When negotiating curves, the cover (6) engages between an underside (22) of the upper run (21) and a first support plane (20) to hinder the transverse belt (10) from moving in the transverse conveying direction. When travelling straight ahead the cover (6) engages between the first support plane (20) and a second support plane (24) to permit movement of the transverse belt (10) in the transverse conveying direction.

A link for a conveyor chain includes a first portion and a second portion laterally spaced apart from the first portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging pin, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging pin. The first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin protrude laterally away from one another. The first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin may each have an oblong cross-section. At least one retainer can secure a connecting pin against movement relative to at least one of the first portion and the second portion, and each retainer can be positioned substantially within one of the first portion and the second portion.

A conveyor chain includes a first link, a second link, and a coupler link. The first link includes a first sprocket-engaging portion and a second sprocket-engaging portion, each protruding laterally away from one another. The second link includes a first sprocket-engaging portion and a second sprocket-engaging portion, each protruding laterally away from one another. The coupler link couples the first link to the second link, and the coupler link is positioned laterally between the first sprocket-engaging portion and the second sprocket-engaging portion of each link. The coupler link includes a first joint pivotably coupled to the first link and a second joint pivotably coupled to the second link. The first joint permits pivoting movement of the first link about a plurality of axes, and the second joint permits pivoting movement of the second link about a plurality of axes.

A drive mechanism for a chain conveyor includes an elongated shaft that extends along an axis and is configured to be driven to rotate by a motor. A sprocket is integrally formed with the shaft. The sprocket includes a plurality of lobes that extend around a perimeter of the shaft. Each lobe is spaced apart from an adjacent lobe by a recessed portion. Each of the recessed portions is configured to receive a drive pin of the chain conveyor.

In some aspects, a conveyor chain includes a first link, a second link, and a coupler link coupled between the first link and the second link. The first link includes a first portion and a second portion, the second portion oriented parallel to and laterally spaced apart from the first portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging pin protruding laterally, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging pin protruding laterally. The second link includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging portion protruding laterally, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging portion protruding laterally. A flight bar is positioned adjacent an end of the first sprocket-engaging portion of the first link.