Slat for a conveyor

Abstract

A slat for a conveyor where the conveyor has one or more curves. The slat has landing gears carrying wheels set apart from the slat, and the wheels are capable of engaging a surface distinctive from the landing gears.

Claims

1. A conveyor comprising: a) a support for slats; said support comprising first and second tracks separate from each other; b) said slats comprising article carrying sides and opposed sides; said opposed sides comprising a first landing gear and wheel combination depending from said opposed sides and a second landing gear and wheel combination depending from said opposed sides; said first wheel and said second wheel, having axes of rotation parallel to said opposed sides, engaging said first and second tracks corresponding to an article transportation path of said conveyor; c) a chain link of a plurality of chain links connected to each opposed side; d) a first roller bearing, having an axis of rotation perpendicular to said opposed sides, connected to some of said plurality of chain links and contacting a first wall corresponding to said article transportation path of said conveyor, wherein said first wheel, said second wheel and said first roller bearing share a common horizontal alignment; and e) a drive for driving said chain links about said conveyor.

2. The conveyor of claim 1, wherein said first track comprises an upper and lower rail.

3. The conveyor of claim 2, wherein a first clevis connects said first roller bearing to one or more of said plurality of chain links.

4. The conveyor of claim 3 comprising a second roller bearing, having an axis of rotation perpendicular to said slat, connected to some of said plurality of chain links and contacting a second wall corresponding to said article transportation path of said conveyor, wherein said first wheel, said second wheel, said first roller bearing and said second roller bearing share a common horizontal alignment.

5. The conveyor of claim 4, wherein a second clevis connects said second roller bearing to one or more of said plurality of chain links.

6. The conveyor of claim 5 further comprising: a) a connector extending between said upper rail and said lower rail; and b) a protector.

7. The conveyor of claim 6, wherein said landing gears are integral with said slat.

8. An endless carrier for a conveyor utilizing slats; said slats comprising: article carrying sides and opposed sides; said opposed sides comprising a chain link, a first landing gear and wheel combination depending from said opposed sides and a second landing gear and wheel combination depending from said opposed sides; said wheels, having axes of rotation parallel to said opposed sides, adapted to engage first and second tracks of said conveyor; one or more of said chain links comprising a first roller bearing, having an axis of rotation perpendicular to said opposed sides, adapted to contact a first wall of said conveyor, wherein said tracks and said first wall correspond to an article transportation path of said conveyor and said first wheel, said second wheel and said first roller bearing share a common horizontal alignment.

9. The endless carrier of claim 8, wherein said tracks limit vertical and horizontal movement of said wheels.

10. The endless carrier of claim 9, wherein a first clevis connects said first roller bearing to said one or more chain links.

11. The endless carrier of claim 10, wherein said landing gears are integral with said slat.

12. The endless carrier of claim 11, wherein one or more of said chain links comprises a second roller bearing, having an axis of rotation perpendicular to said slat, adapted to contact a second wall corresponding to said article transportation path of said conveyor.

13. The endless carrier of claim 12, wherein a second clevis connects said second roller bearing to one or more of said plurality of chain links.

14. The endless carrier of claim 13 comprising: a) a connector extending between an upper rail and a lower rail of said tracks; and b) a protector.

15. A slat for a conveyor; said slat comprising: an article carrying side and an opposed side; said opposed side comprising: a chain link comprising a first roller bearing including an axis of rotation perpendicular to said opposed side and first and second landing gear and wheel combinations depending from said opposed side, wherein said landing gears' wheels include axes of rotation parallel said opposed side and said first roller bearing and said landing gears' wheels share a common horizontal alignment.

16. The slat of claim 15, wherein a first clevis connects said first roller bearing to said chain link.

17. The slat of claim 16, wherein said chain link comprises a second roller bearing opposite said first roller bearing.

18. The slat of claim 17, wherein a second clevis connects said second roller bearing to said chain link.

19. The slat of claim 18, wherein said second clevis shares a common horizontal alignment with said first roller bearing and said landing gears' wheels.

20. The slat of claim 19, wherein said landing gears' wheels are adapted to engage first and second tracks of said conveyor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an isometric view that shows a conveyor incorporating multiple curves and opposed tracks for interacting with wheels associated with the slats' landing gears.

(2) FIG. 2 is an isometric view that shows a conveyor incorporating multiple curves and opposed tracks for interacting with wheels associated with the slats' landing gears.

(3) FIG. 3 is a top view of a conveyor incorporating multiple curves and opposed tracks for interacting with wheels associated with the slats' landing gears.

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective of a spiral conveyor and opposed tracks for interacting with wheels associated with the slats' landing gears.

(5) FIG. 5 is an isometric view that shows a helical conveyor incorporating multiple curves and opposed tracks for interacting with wheels associated with the slats' landing gears.

(6) FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred embodiment of slats in accordance with the present invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is an view of the inferior sides of a section of slats of the endless carrier.

(8) FIG. 8 is a rear view of a preferred embodiment of a slat of the endless carrier.

(9) FIG. 9 is a rear view of a preferred embodiment of a slat of the endless carrier.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(10) Among other things, the present invention is a slat for a conveyor. Preferred embodiments of the current slat are compatible with a plethora of conveyors, including straight conveyors, curved conveyors as well as conveyors having both straight and curved sections. Preferred embodiments of the current slat can be attached together by any means acceptable in the art to form an endless loop that traverses about the conveyor. Each slat has a first side for carrying articles, a central transverse axis and a second side opposite the first side that is provided with landing gears on opposed sides of the central transverse axis. A wheel is set apart from the second side of the slat and carried by the landing gear such that the wheel is capable of engaging a surface that is distinct from the landing gear.

(11) For many years, the conveyor industry has utilized conveyors with slats to move articles. Most of the prior art slats ride against the slat support and generate frictional resistance. Such friction forces decrease the efficiency of such conveying systems while simultaneously increasing the power consumption and wear and tear of such conveying systems.

(12) Some manufacturers of conveying slats have attempted to reduce frictional resistance by incorporating bearings into the slats. In such prior slat systems, the bearings contact the slat support at angles other than generally normal to the slat. The prior use of these radially located bearings requires the use of oversized bearings and decreases the efficiency of these systems. Because Applicants' landing gear/wheel combination is generally perpendicular to the slat, the current invention can pull greater package loads than the prior systems while the landing gear/wheel combination results in the present invention pulling lesser conveyor loads than prior systems. Through experimentation, the inventors have discovered that integral slat/landing gear/wheel combinations are well suited for the practice of the current invention. By way of example, integral slat/landing gear/wheel combinations have fewer parts to wear out and are easier to assemble and replace.

(13) FIG. 1 is an isometric view depicting a slat support (150) of conveyor (30) incorporating multiple curves, walls (180) and opposed tracks (210) for interacting with wheels associated with the slats' landing gears. Slat support (150), walls (180) and opposed tracks (210) are supported by any conveyor frame (not shown) acceptable in the art. In this view, except for the section of slats (60) of endless carrier (40) illustrated in FIG. 1, the remaining slats (60) of endless carrier (40) have been cut away to reveal slat support (150). Among other things, the FIG. 1 slat support (150) illustrates varying height, pitch, radius and direction.

(14) FIG. 2 is an isometric view depicting a slat support (150) of conveyor (30) incorporating multiple curves, walls (180) and opposed tracks (210) for interacting with wheels associated with the slats' landing gears. Slat support (150), walls (180) and opposed tracks (210) are supported by any conveyor frame (not shown) acceptable in the art. In this view, except for the section of slats (60) of endless carrier (40) illustrated in FIG. 2, the remaining slats (60) of endless carrier (40) have been cut away to reveal slat support (150). Among other things, the FIG. 2 slat support (150) illustrates varying height, radius and direction.

(15) FIG. 3 is a top view depicting a slat support (150) of conveyor (30) incorporating multiple curves, walls (180) and opposed tracks (210) for interacting with wheels associated with the slats' landing gears. Slat support (150), walls (180) and opposed tracks (210) are supported by any conveyor frame (not shown) acceptable in the art. In this view, except for the section of slats (60) of endless carrier (40) illustrated in FIG. 3, the remaining slats (60) of endless carrier (40) have been cut away to reveal slat support (150). Among other things, the FIG. 3 slat support (150) illustrates varying height, radius and direction.

(16) FIG. 4 is a perspective of a spiral slat support (150) of conveyor (30) incorporating multiple curves, wall (180) and opposed tracks (210) for interacting with wheels associated with the slats' landing gears. Slat support (150), wall (180) and opposed tracks (210) are supported by any conveyor frame (not shown) acceptable in the art. In this view, except for the section of slats (60) of endless carrier (40) illustrated in FIG. 4, the remaining slats (60) of endless carrier (40) have been cut away to reveal slat support (150). Among other things, the FIG. 4 slat support (150) illustrates constant pitch, radius and direction.

(17) FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a helical slat support (150) of conveyor (30) incorporating multiple curves, wall (180) and opposed tracks (210) for interacting with wheels associated with the slats' landing gears. Slat support (150), wall (180) and opposed tracks (210) are supported by any conveyor frame (not shown) acceptable in the art. In this view, except for the section of slats (60) of endless carrier (40) illustrated in FIG. 5, the remaining slats (60) of endless carrier (40) have been cut away to reveal slat support (150). Among other things, the FIG. 5 slat support (150) illustrates constant pitch, radius and direction.

(18) FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred embodiment of slats (60) in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 6 is a top view of superior article carrying or first sides (66) of a section of slats (60) of endless carrier (40). FIG. 7 is a view of second or opposed sides (68) of a section of slats (60) of endless carrier (40). As shown in FIG. 7, chain (90) interconnects opposed sides (68) of slats (60). Chain or interconnected links (90) can be driven by any f (not shown in this view) acceptable in the art for driving endless carrier (40) about conveyor (30).

(19) Within the scope of the current invention, preferred embodiments of the slats (60) and landing gears (80f, 80s) can be manufactured of high strength polymer or other synthetics. A preferred embodiment of a landing gear's wheel or wheels (82f, 82s) can include high precision sealed or unsealed bearings. By way of example, select preferred embodiments of the current slats have: a thickness of about 3.2 centimeters; a length of about 61 centimeters; and a weight of about 340 grams.

(20) FIGS. 8 and 9 are rear views of preferred embodiments of slat (60) of endless carrier (40). Slat (60) includes superior side (66) and second side (68). For the section of endless carrier (40) transporting articles, second side (68) is superior to tracks (210f, 210s) receiving wheels (82f, 82s) carried by landing gears (80f, 80s) depending from second side (68) of slat (60). Landing gears (80f, 80s) can be integral with slat (60) or attached to slat (60) via any means acceptable in the art. As shown, wheels (82f, 82s) are carried by landing gears (80f, 80s) and are set apart from second side (68) of slat (60) such that wheels (82f, 82s) can engage a surface that is distinct from landing gears (80f, 80s) and slat (60). Further, in select preferred embodiments of endless carrier (40), it is not required that landing gears (80f, 80s) are attached to every slat (60) of endless carrier (40) for functionality of endless carrier (40).

(21) Preferred embodiments of tracks (210f, 210s) are provided with upper rails (212f, 212s), lower rails (214f, 214s) and connecting members (216f, 216s). The combination of upper rails (212f, 212s), lower rail (214f, 214s) and connecting member or connectors (216f, 216s) controls the vertical and horizontal movements but not the rotational movements of wheels (82f, 82s) of landing gear (80f, 80s). Construction of tracks (210f, 210s) in accordance with select preferred embodiments of the current invention allows tracks (210f, 210s) to capture wheels (82f, 82s) and enhances safer use of endless carrier (40). Select preferred embodiments of track (210) are provided with lower rail (214f, 214s) protectors (218f, 218s) for increasing the wearability of tracks (210f, 210s).

(22) As shown in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 8, clevis (100) carrying roller bearing (110) is attached to link (90). Roller bearing (110) engages wall (180) and assists endless carrier's (40) movement through a curve of conveyor (30). Preferred embodiments of the structures portrayed in FIG. 8 are generally used for conveyors having one or more curves only in a single direction. Within the scope of the preferred embodiment disclosed in FIG. 8, the attachment of a clevis (100) to each link is not required for functionality of link (90) of the chain within the scope of the current invention. And for select conveyors, a clevis is not required for functionality of endless carrier (40).

(23) FIG. 9 is a rear view of a preferred embodiment of slat (60) of endless carrier (40). As shown in the preferred embodiment disclosed in FIG. 9, two clevises (100f, 100s) carrying roller bearings (110f, 110s) are attached to opposed sides of chain (90). Each roller bearing (110f, 110s) engages a wall (180f, 180s) and assists endless carrier's (40) movement through curves of conveyor (30). Preferred embodiments of the structures portrayed in FIG. 9 are generally used for conveyors having curves in more than a single direction.

(24) As shown in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 9, devises (100f, 100s) carrying roller bearings (110f, 110s) are attached to link (90) of chain. Roller bearings (110f, 110s) engage walls (180f, 180s) and assist endless carrier's (40) movement through curves of conveyor (30). Preferred embodiments of the structures portrayed in FIG. 9 are generally used for conveyors having curves in more than a single direction. Within the scope of the preferred embodiment disclosed in FIG. 9, the attachment of a clevis (100f or 100s) to each link (90) is not required for functionality of endless carrier (40).

(25) Pursuant to Title 35 of the United States Code, preferred embodiments of the current system invention have been disclosed and enabled.