초록 ▼

The invention relates to conveyor systems with skillets adapted with connectors to enable power to be conveyed between skillets that are abutted together along a production area. With the skillets being electrically connected, the conductor only needs to supply power the electrical receiving device

The invention relates to conveyor systems with skillets adapted with connectors to enable power to be conveyed between skillets that are abutted together along a production area. With the skillets being electrically connected, the conductor only needs to supply power the electrical receiving device of a single skillet at any given time. The conductor in turn can be limited to a length of about one skillet, which reduces the wear, as well as installation, repair and maintenance costs.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A conveyor system for supporting workpieces thereon, comprising: a plurality of skillets, each having a first end and a second end, and adapted to travel along a predetermined path; and a first connector on said first end, and a second connector on said second end, said skill

What is claimed is: 1. A conveyor system for supporting workpieces thereon, comprising: a plurality of skillets, each having a first end and a second end, and adapted to travel along a predetermined path; and a first connector on said first end, and a second connector on said second end, said skillets being adapted to be abutted against each other such that said first connector of one skillet can be connected to said second connector of an adjacent skillet and wherein said first and second connectors are capable of being electrically connected to allow electricity to pass between said first and second connectors. 2. The conveyor system of claim 1 further including a cable in electrical communication with said first and second connectors. 3. The conveyor system of claim 2 further including an electrical receiving device electrically connected to said cable. 4. The conveyor system of claim 3 further including a conductor extended along said predetermined path and electrically engaging said electrical receiving device. 5. The conveyor system of claim 4 wherein said conductor has a predetermined length, said predetermined length being at least equal to or greater than the distance between adjacent electrical receiving devices when said skillets are abutted together along said path. 6. The conveyor system of claim 4 wherein said conductor is in contact with at least one receiving device at any given time. 7. The conveyor system of claim 3, wherein when said conductor contacts said electrical receiving device, each adjacent skillet is electrically connected to at least one skillet, and an electrical current is capable of traveling to each adjacent skillet. 8. The conveyor system of claim 1, wherein one or more electrical service stations or outlets are provided on each of said skillets, and said service stations or outlets are electrically connected to said cable. 9. The conveyor system of claim 1, wherein said first and second ends each have a self-alignment structure to allow said first and second connectors of said adjacent skillets to connect even when said skillets are misaligned along said path. 10. The conveyor system of claim 1 wherein said first connector is a male connector and said second connector is a female connector. 11. A conveyor system, comprising: at least two skillets, each adapted to support a workpiece thereon, wherein said skillets are adapted to travel along a conveyor path in an approximately abutted relationship; a first connector and a second connector located on each of said skillets, and wherein the first connector from one skillet is in electrical communication with the second connector of the other skillet when said skillets are in said approximately abutted relationship; a cable connected to and extending between said first and second connectors on each of said skillets; and an electrical receiving device on at least one of said skillets in electrical communication with said first and second connectors. 12. The conveyor system of claim 11 further including a conductor extending at least partially along said conveyor path and capable of engaging said electrical receiving device on one of said skillets. 13. The conveyor system of claim 12 wherein said conductor has a predetermined length sufficient to enable said conductor to be in contact with at least one electrical receiving device on one of said skillets when said skillets are abutted. 14. The conveyor system of claim 13, wherein said predetermined length of said conductor is at least as great as the distance between adjacent electrical receiving devices. 15. The conveyor system of claim 11, wherein said conveyor path includes a production area having a production length and wherein said predetermined length of said conductor is shorter than the production length. 16. The conveyor system of claim 12 further including at least one electrical service station on each of said skillets, and wherein said service station is connected to said cable such that when said conductor is in contact with at least one of said electrical receiving device, electrical current or data signals can travel from said conductor to said adjacent skillets, via contact between said first and second end connectors on said skillets in an approximately abutted relationship. 17. A conveyor system comprising: a plurality of skillets adapted to travel along a predetermined path; a first connector and a second connector on each of said skillets, said first and second connectors on each skillet capable of being electrically connected by a cable; an electrical receiving device on at least two of said plurality of skillets, said electrical receiving device on each of said at least two skillets in electrical communication with said first and second connectors and wherein said two electrical receiving devices are spaced a distance apart; and a conductor engaging at least one of said electrical receiving devices at any given time and wherein the conductor has predetermined length greater than said distance, said conductor capable of being electrically connected to said first and second connectors. 18. The conveyor system of claim 17 wherein said predetermined length is less than twice said distance. 19. The conveyor system of claim 17 wherein said first and second connectors are capable of transmitting data signals between said plurality of skillets.