Conveyor system with interchangeable drive tube couplings
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B65G-013/02
B65G-035/06
F16D-001/104
B61B-013/12
B65G-013/10
F16D-001/10
출원번호
US-0466636
(2012-05-08)
등록번호
US-8800754
(2014-08-12)
발명자
/ 주소
Tabler, Charles P.
출원인 / 주소
OCS Intellitrak, Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Frost Brown Todd LLC
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
29
초록▼
A conveyor system is provided that comprises at least two types of drive tube couplings that are interchangeable. In one embodiment, the conveyor system comprises a plurality of first drive tube couplings and a plurality of second drive tube couplings. The first drive tube couplings comprise a base
A conveyor system is provided that comprises at least two types of drive tube couplings that are interchangeable. In one embodiment, the conveyor system comprises a plurality of first drive tube couplings and a plurality of second drive tube couplings. The first drive tube couplings comprise a base portion and an elongated portion that extends from the face of the base portion. The second drive tube couplings comprise a coupling spacer and a coupler comprising an elongated member that abuts the face of the coupling spacer and extends substantially perpendicular thereto. In this embodiment the thickness of the base portion of each of the first drive tube couplings is substantially equal to the thickness of the coupling spacer of each of the second drive tube couplings.
대표청구항▼
1. A conveyor system comprising: a. a plurality of first drive tube couplings, wherein each first drive tube coupling of the plurality of first drive tube couplings comprises i. a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises a face and a thickness, andii. an elongated portion, wherein the elonga
1. A conveyor system comprising: a. a plurality of first drive tube couplings, wherein each first drive tube coupling of the plurality of first drive tube couplings comprises i. a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises a face and a thickness, andii. an elongated portion, wherein the elongated portion extends from the face of the base portion at a first end, wherein the elongated portion further comprises at least one rib extending from the face of the base portion toward a distal end of the elongated portion, wherein the elongated portion comprises a cross-section;b. a plurality of second drive tube couplings, wherein each second drive tube coupling of the plurality of second drive tube couplings comprises i. a coupling spacer, wherein the coupling spacer comprises a face and a thickness, andii. a coupler, wherein the coupler comprises an elongated member that abuts the face of the coupling spacer and extends substantially perpendicular thereto, wherein the coupler comprises a cross-section, wherein the cross-section of the elongated portion is different than the cross-section of the coupler;wherein the thickness of the base portion of each of the first drive tube couplings is substantially equal to the thickness of the coupling spacer of each of the second drive tube couplings. 2. The conveyor system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of drive tubes, wherein at least one of the drive tubes is positioned between a first drive tube coupling and a second drive tube coupling such that the at least one drive tube engages the first drive tube coupling at a first end of the at least one drive tube and the second drive tube coupling at a second end of the at least one drive tube. 3. The conveyor system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of drive tubes, wherein each of the plurality of drive tubes comprises a first interior cavity at a first end of the drive tube and a second interior cavity at a second end of the drive tube. 4. The conveyor system of claim 3, wherein the first interior cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of the elongated portion of a first drive tube coupling, wherein the second interior cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of the coupler of a second drive tube coupling. 5. The conveyor system of claim 4, wherein the first interior cavity is in communication with the second interior cavity such that they form a single continuous cavity along the entire length of each drive tube. 6. The conveyor system of claim 4, wherein the first interior cavity comprises a first profile, wherein the second interior cavity comprises a second profile, wherein the first profile is substantially identical to the second profile. 7. The conveyor system of claim 6, wherein the first profile comprises a substantially star-shaped profile, wherein the second profile comprises a substantially star-shaped profile. 8. The conveyor system of claim 4, wherein the first interior cavity of a first drive tube is configured to allow the at least a portion of the elongated portion of a first drive tube coupling to be received within the first interior cavity of the first drive tube while the first drive tube and the first drive tube coupling are positioned in a first orientation relative to each other, wherein the first interior cavity of the first drive tube is further configured to allow the at least a portion of the elongated portion of the first drive tube coupling to be received within the first interior cavity of the first drive tube while the first drive tube and the first drive tube coupling are positioned in a second orientation relative to each other, wherein the second orientation comprises one component selected from the group consisting essentially of the first drive tube and the first drive tube coupling being rotated about 45 degrees relative to the selected component's position in the first orientation. 9. The conveyor system of claim 8, wherein the second interior cavity of the first drive tube is configured to allow the at least a portion of the coupler of a second drive tube coupling to be received within the second interior cavity of the first drive tube while the first drive tube and the second drive tube coupling are positioned in a first orientation relative to each other, wherein the second interior cavity of the first drive tube is further configured to allow the at least a portion of the coupler of the second drive tube coupling to be received within the second interior cavity of the first drive tube while the first drive tube and the second drive tube coupling are positioned in a second orientation relative to each other, wherein the second orientation comprises one component relative selected from the group consisting essentially of the first drive tube and the second drive tube coupling being rotated about 45 degrees relative to the selected component's position in the first orientation. 10. A conveyor system comprising: a. a plurality of integral drive tube couplings, wherein each integral drive tube coupling of the plurality of integral drive tube couplings comprises iii. a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises a face, andiv. an elongated portion, wherein the elongated portion extends from the face of the base portion at a first end, wherein the elongated portion further comprises at least one rib extending from the face of the base portion toward a distal end of the elongated portionb. an assembled drive tube coupling, wherein the assembled drive tube coupling comprises v. a coupling spacer, wherein the coupling spacer comprises a face, andvi. a coupler, wherein the coupler comprises an elongated member that abuts the face of the coupling spacer and extends substantially perpendicular thereto;c. a first section of conveyor, wherein the first section of conveyor comprises a first drive tube positioned between a pair of integral drive tube couplings such that the first drive tube engages a first integral drive tube coupling of the pair of integral drive tube couplings at a first end of the first drive tube and engages a second integral drive tube coupling of the pair of integral drive tube couplings at a second end of the first drive tube, wherein the first drive tube comprises a first length, wherein the first drive tube is positioned between the pair of integral drive tube couplings such that there is a first gap between the first end of the first drive tube and the face of the base portion of the first integral drive tube coupling and a second gap between the second end of the first drive tube and the face of the base portion of the second integral drive tube coupling;d. a second section of conveyor, wherein the second section of conveyor comprises a second drive tube positioned between a pair of drive tube couplings, wherein the pair of drive tube couplings comprises the assembled drive tube coupling and a second drive tube coupling, wherein the second drive tube coupling comprises a face, wherein the second drive tube engages the assembled drive tube coupling at a first end of the second drive tube and engages the second drive tube coupling at a second end of the second drive tube, wherein the second drive tube comprises a second length, wherein the second drive tube is positioned between the assembled drive tube coupling and the second drive tube coupling such that there is a third gap between the first end of the second drive tube and the face of the coupling spacer of the assembled drive tube coupling and a fourth gap between the second end of the second drive tube and the face of the second drive tube coupling;e. a trolley, the trolley comprising at least one canted wheel, wherein the at least one canted wheel comprises width, wherein the at least one canted wheel contacts the first drive tube and the second drive tube as the trolley travels along the first section of conveyor and the second section of conveyor; wherein the first length of the first drive tube is substantially equal to the second length of the second drive tube, wherein the first integral drive tube coupling, the second integral drive tube coupling, the assembled drive tube coupling and the second drive tube coupling are dimensioned and positioned such that first gap, the second gap, the third gap, and the fourth gap each comprise a respective width that is less than or equal to the width of the at least one canted wheel. 11. The conveyor system of claim 10, wherein the first length of the first drive tube is substantially equal to the coupling distance between the pair of integral drive tube couplings. 12. The conveyor system of claim 11, wherein the second drive tube coupling comprises an integral drive tube coupling, wherein the second length of the second drive tube is substantially equal to the coupling distance between the assembled drive tube coupling and the second drive tube coupling. 13. The conveyor system of claim 11, wherein the second drive tube coupling comprises a second assembled drive tube coupling, wherein the second length of the second drive tube is substantially equal to the coupling distance between the assembled drive tube coupling and the second drive tube coupling. 14. The conveyor system of claim 10, wherein the base portion and elongated portion of each of the plurality of integral drive tube couplings comprise a first material, wherein the coupling spacer and coupler of the assembled drive tube coupling comprise a second material, wherein the first material is different than the second material. 15. The conveyor system of claim 14, wherein the first material comprises a high density urethane elastomer. 16. The conveyor system of claim 14, wherein the second material comprises aluminum. 17. The conveyor system of claim 10, wherein the assembled drive tube coupling is configured to be used in a high temperature environment. 18. A conveyor system that extends along a conveying path comprising a. a conveyor drive beam, wherein the conveyor drive beam extends above the conveying path;b. a first support hanger, wherein the first support hanger depends from the conveyor drive beam;c. a second support hanger, wherein the second support hanger depends from the conveyor drive beam and is spaced apart from the first support hanger at a fixed interval;d. a third support hanger, wherein the third support hanger depends from the conveyor drive beam and is spaced apart from the second support hanger at the fixed interval such that the second support hanger is positioned between the first support hanger and the third support hanger;e. a first bearing housing, wherein the first bearing housing is attached to the first support hanger and comprises a first face and a second face on opposite sides of the first bearing housing;f. a second bearing housing, wherein the second bearing housing is attached to the second support hanger and comprises a first face and a second face on opposite sides of the second bearing housing, wherein the second bearing housing is arranged such that the first face of the second bearing housing opposes the second face of the first bearing housing;g. a third bearing housing, wherein the third bearing housing is attached to the third support hanger and comprises a first face and a second face on opposite sides of the third bearing housing, wherein the third bearing housing is arranged such that the first face of the third bearing housing opposes the second face of the second bearing housing;h. a first drive tube coupling comprising an integral drive tube coupling, wherein the first drive tube coupling is attached to the second face of the first bearing housing, wherein the first drive tube coupling comprises i. a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises a face, andii. an elongated portion, wherein the elongated portion extends from the face of the base portion at a first end, wherein the elongated portion further comprises at least one rib extending from the face of the base portion toward a distal end of the elongated portion;i. a second drive tube coupling comprising an integral drive tube coupling, wherein the second drive tube coupling is attached to the first face of the second bearing housing, wherein the second drive tube coupling comprises i. a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises a face, andii. an elongated portion, wherein the elongated portion extends from the face of the base portion at a first end, wherein the elongated portion further comprises at least one rib extending from the face of the base portion toward a distal end of the elongated portion;j. a third drive tube coupling comprising an integral drive tube coupling, wherein the third drive tube coupling is attached to the second face of the second bearing housing, wherein the third drive tube coupling comprises i. a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises a face, andii. an elongated portion, wherein the elongated portion extends from the face of the base portion at a first end, wherein the elongated portion further comprises at least one rib extending from the face of the base portion toward a distal end of the elongated portion;k. a fourth drive tube coupling comprising an assembled drive tube coupling, wherein the fourth drive tube coupling is attached to the first face of the third bearing housing, wherein the fourth drive tube coupling comprises i. a coupling spacer, wherein the coupling spacer comprises a face, andii. a coupler, wherein the coupler comprises an elongated member that abuts the face of the coupling spacer and extends substantially perpendicular thereto; wherein the coupling distance between the first drive tube coupling and the second drive tube coupling is substantially equal to the coupling distance between the third drive tube coupling and the fourth drive tube coupling. 19. The conveyor system of claim 18, further comprising: a. a fourth support hanger, wherein the fourth support hanger depends from the conveyor drive beam and is spaced apart from the third support hanger at the fixed interval such that the third support hanger is positioned between the second support hanger and the fourth support hanger;b. a fourth bearing housing, wherein the fourth bearing housing is attached to the fourth support hanger and comprises a first face and a second face on opposite sides of the fourth bearing housing, wherein the fourth bearing housing is arranged such that the first face of the fourth bearing housing opposes the second face of the third bearing housing;c. a fifth drive tube coupling, wherein the fifth drive tube coupling is attached to the second face of the third bearing housing, wherein the fifth drive tube coupling comprises i. a coupling spacer, wherein the coupling spacer comprises a face, andii. a coupler, wherein the coupler comprises an elongated member that abuts the face of the coupling spacer and extends substantially perpendicular thereto; andd. a sixth drive tube coupling, wherein the sixth drive tube coupling is attached to the first face of the fourth bearing housing, wherein the sixth drive tube coupling comprises i. a coupling spacer, wherein the coupling spacer comprises a face, andii. a coupler, wherein the coupler comprises an elongated member that abuts the face of the coupling spacer and extends substantially perpendicular thereto; wherein the coupling distance between the first drive tube coupling and the second drive tube coupling is substantially equal to the coupling distance between the fifth drive tube coupling and the sixth drive tube coupling. 20. The conveyor system of claim 19, wherein at least one of the fourth drive tube coupling, the fifth drive tube coupling, and the sixth drive tube coupling is configured to be used in a high temperature environment.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (29)
Braaten Rae Dell ; Larson Edward A. J. ; Watts Verne C., Adapters for auger drive shaft.
Lapeyre James M. (New Orleans LA) Weber Peter G. (LaPlace LA) Greve Christopher G. (Covington LA), Apparatus for use in variable operating temperatures.
Gieling Thomas G. (2341 Rainbow Valley blvd. Fallbrook CA 92028) Behoteguy David (1395 Hazlewood Brea CA 92621) Dillon Ralph (417 Via Del Monte Oceanside CA 92054), Portable structure.
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