초록 ▼

A conveyor system for transporting elongate articles along a conveying surface to a workstation. The conveying surface forms an endless path having an upper conveying path and a lower return path. The conveying surface has article holders fixedly connected on the conveying surface for holding the el

A conveyor system for transporting elongate articles along a conveying surface to a workstation. The conveying surface forms an endless path having an upper conveying path and a lower return path. The conveying surface has article holders fixedly connected on the conveying surface for holding the elongated articles on the conveying surface with longitudinally extending sides of the article essentially extending outwardly from the conveying surface. A gripping device is positioned adjacent the conveying surface and pivots about an axis for unloading and loading the article to and from the conveying surface in a single pivotal motion. A first article holder type includes a pair of arcuate portions positioned to form a discontinuous cylindrical configuration having open areas between each end of the arcuate portions and an upper lip for receiving a complementary groove in the elongate article. The open areas provide access for releasing the article from the article holder when the gripping device pivots away from the article holder. Another article holder type includes a pivoting holder that pivots at least a portion of the article holder and supported article toward the direction of the gripping device when the gripping device pivots away from the article holder.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A conveying system for transporting a series of individual elongate articles from a first position to a second position, each article having at least one elongate side and opposing ends adjacent to the at least one elongate side, said conveying system comprising:a conve

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A conveying system for transporting a series of individual elongate articles from a first position to a second position, each article having at least one elongate side and opposing ends adjacent to the at least one elongate side, said conveying system comprising:a conveyor surface defining an endless path; andmeans for releasably securing the article by one of the opposing ends to the conveyor surface, wherein said at least one elongate side is essentially perpendicular to the conveyor surface.