초록 ▼

A power and free conveyor transfer system includes a number of drive trolleys operating within a free track and being selectively propelled by endless drive chains within a vertically aligned power track. Each drive trolley includes a trolley housing body to which are rigidly attached a pair of down

A power and free conveyor transfer system includes a number of drive trolleys operating within a free track and being selectively propelled by endless drive chains within a vertically aligned power track. Each drive trolley includes a trolley housing body to which are rigidly attached a pair of downwardly extending lateral arms, each with a rearward facing drive surface. A pivotable drive member is attached to the front end of the trolley housing and extends backward and downward between the lateral arms with a drive dog forming a portion thereof. The drive trolley design facilitates transfer of each drive trolley between non-synchronous delivering and receiving power tracks in a conveyor transfer zone. Within the transfer zone, the delivering and receiving power tracks are at different elevations and approach each other from a relatively large angle to minimize the potential for mechanical interference or jamming.

대표청구항 ▼

In a power and free conveyor system comprising a free track with at least one transfer zone; a delivering power track following the path of said free track as it approaches said transfer zone and a receiving power track following the path of said free track as it leaves said transfer zone; said deli

In a power and free conveyor system comprising a free track with at least one transfer zone; a delivering power track following the path of said free track as it approaches said transfer zone and a receiving power track following the path of said free track as it leaves said transfer zone; said delivering and receiving power tracks being vertically spaced from said free track; a first endless drive chain operating within said delivering power track and a second endless drive chain operating within said receiving power track; each of said drive chains including a plurality of pusher members attached thereto and extending from said chain toward said free track; a drive trolley operably movable along said free track, said drive trolley comprising a trolley housing attached to and supported by wheels and a pivotable drive member movably attached to said trolley housing, said pivotable drive member including a drive dog with a rear facing drive surface; said pivotable drive member being movable between a drive position in which the drive dog is extended toward said power tracks and an accumulating position in which said drive dog is retracted away from said power tracks, the improvement wherein: a. said drive trolley further comprises a first lateral arm fixedly attached to said trolley housing and extending toward said power tracks along a first side of said pivotable drive member, said first lateral arm having a rear facing drive surface; and wherein b. said drive dog of said pivotable drive member, when said pivotable drive member is in said drive position, is at an elevation at which it extends further toward said power tracks than said rear facing drive surface of said lateral arm.