초록 ▼

Embodiments of a pusher device may include a frame, guide rails coupled to the frame, a carriage slideable along the guide rails, and a linear positioner coupled to the carriage and frame and operable to move the carriage along the guide rails. Two or more lugs may be mounted to the carriage and rot

Embodiments of a pusher device may include a frame, guide rails coupled to the frame, a carriage slideable along the guide rails, and a linear positioner coupled to the carriage and frame and operable to move the carriage along the guide rails. Two or more lugs may be mounted to the carriage and rotatable between a resting position, in which the forward ends of the lugs can contact the transverse supports of a tram above the carriage, and a lowered position in which the lugs can pass below the transverse supports. In the resting position, the longitudinal axis of each lug may be inclined from rear to front, such that the lugs contact the tram with the front end (as opposed to a longitudinal side) of the lugs. The lugs be generally triangular, trapezoidal, or concave polygonal in profile. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed herein.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A pusher device, comprising: a carriage having a carriage frame and at least one pair of guide members fixedly coupled to the carriage frame, the guide members configured to slideably engage a corresponding pair of guide rails to thereby guide the carriage along a substantially linear path of tra

1. A pusher device, comprising: a carriage having a carriage frame and at least one pair of guide members fixedly coupled to the carriage frame, the guide members configured to slideably engage a corresponding pair of guide rails to thereby guide the carriage along a substantially linear path of travel, wherein the carriage frame has a top, a bottom, and opposite sides, and the guide members are oriented substantially parallel to said path; anda first lug rotatably mounted to the carriage such that the first lug is rotatable, relative to the carriage, between a resting position and a lowered position,wherein the first lug has a pair of opposed faces, an axis of rotation that extends through the opposed faces, at least a first side and a second side that are transverse to the opposed faces and to one another, and at least a first end that adjoins the first side and is transverse to the faces and the sides, the first side being longer than the second side and the first end, andwherein the first lug is configured to rotate from the resting position to the lowered position in response to force applied in a first direction against, the first side, and to remain in the resting position while force is applied in an opposite second direction against the first end, and wherein the first side is inclined and the first end is substantially vertical when the first lug is in the resting position. 2. The pusher device of claim 1, further including a second lug rotatably mounted to the carriage, wherein the first and second lugs are mounted on the carriage frame on opposite sides of a centerline that extends through the carriage frame parallel to said path. 3. The pusher device of claim 2, wherein the first lug has a cross-sectional shape, within a plane that is normal to the pivot axis and equidistant between said faces, which is generally polygonal with at least one rounded corner. 4. The pusher device of claim 3, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the first lug includes at least one interior angle greater than 180°. 5. The pusher device of claim 4, wherein the first lug further includes a second end and a third side, the first end and the third side are upstream of the axis of rotation, and the at least one interior angle is an interior angle formed by the first end and the third side. 6. The pusher device of claim 5, wherein the first and second are substantially vertical and horizontal, respectively, when the first lug is in the resting position. 7. The pusher device of claim 3, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the first lug is generally triangular. 8. The pusher device of claim 7, wherein the rounded corner is at the intersection of the first end and the second side. 9. The pusher device of claim 8, wherein the first end and the second side are substantially vertical and horizontal, respectively, when the first lug is in the resting position. 10. The pusher device of claim 2, wherein the carriage frame includes a generally horizontal plate with first and second brackets coupled an upper surface of the plate, and the first lug is rotatably coupled to the plate by a shaft disposed through at least the first bracket. 11. The pusher device of claim 10, wherein the lug is configured to contact the top of the carriage frame with the second side or the first end of the lug when the lug is in the resting position. 12. The pusher device of claim 10, wherein the first lug is disposed between the first and second brackets, and the shaft is disposed through the first and second brackets. 13. The pusher device of claim 12, wherein the shaft is press fitted through the first lug. 14. The pusher device of claim 12, wherein the first and second brackets have corresponding bushings disposed within bushing sleeves, and the shaft is disposed through the bushings. 15. The pusher device of claim 14, wherein the bushings are self-lubricating bushings. 16. The pusher device of claim 10, further including a generally rectangular pusher frame with generally vertical front, side, and end walls, wherein the guide rails are coupled with the pusher frame and oriented generally parallel to the end walls, and the guide members are slideably coupled to the guide rails. 17. The pusher device of claim 16, further including a generally planar plate extending between the side walls of the pusher frame, wherein the guide rails are mounted to an upper surface of the plate. 18. The pusher device of claim 2, wherein the guide members are roller guide carriages, and the guide rails are profile rails. 19. The pusher device of claim 18, wherein the carriage frame comprises a generally planar carriage plate, the guide members are coupled to an underside of the carriage plate, and the first and second lugs and the brackets are disposed on an upper side of the carriage plate. 20. The pusher device of claim 19, wherein the brackets are coupled to the carriage plate by corresponding bolts that extend through the carriage plate. 21. A pusher system, comprising the pusher device of claim 16 and a linear positioner coupled to the carriage and the pusher frame, wherein the linear positioner is operable to move the carriage along the path of travel on the guide rails. 22. The pusher system of claim 21, wherein the linear positioner includes a hydraulic cylinder. 23. A method of modifying an existing pusher device, wherein the existing pusher device includes an existing pusher frame with front, rear, and side walls, the method comprising: coupling a pair of guide rails to the existing pusher frame between and generally parallel to the side walls;slideably coupling a carriage with the guide rails, wherein the carriage includes a carriage frame with at least a first lug rotatably mounted to the carriage frame such that the first lug is rotatable between a resting position and a lowered position, the first lug having opposed faces, first and second sides and a first end that are transverse to the faces and to one another, a pivot axis that extends through the faces, and a longitudinal axis that extends through the pivot axis parallel to the longest of the sides; andcoupling a linear positioner to the carriage and the pusher frame, such that the linear positioner is operable to move the carriage along the guide rails. 24. The method of claim 23, further including coupling a generally planar plate to two or more of the walls of the existing pusher frame, wherein coupling the guide rails to the existing frame includes attaching the guide rails to an upper surface of the plate. 25. The method of claim 23, wherein slideably coupling the carriage with the guide rails includes attaching guide members to an existing carriage of the existing pusher device and coupling the guide members with the guide rails, wherein the guide members are configured to slideably engage the guide rails. 26. The method of claim 23, wherein the carriage frame includes a generally planar carriage plate, and wherein slideably coupling the carriage with the guide rails includes attaching guide members to an underside of the carriage plate and coupling the guide members with the guide rails, wherein the guide members are configured to slideably engage the guide rails. 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising coupling at least one pair of brackets to an upper surface of the carriage plate and rotatably mounting the first lug to the brackets to thereby form the carriage. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first lug is mounted on a corresponding shaft press fitted through the first lug, and rotatably mounting the first lug to the brackets includes placing the shaft through corresponding apertures of the brackets. 29. The method of claim 26, wherein the linear positioner includes a hydraulic cylinder, and coupling the linear positioner to the carriage and the pusher frame includes coupling the hydraulic cylinder to an alignment coupler that is mounted to the pusher frame. 30. The method of claim 23, wherein coupling the brackets to the carriage plate includes attaching the brackets to the carriage plate with bolts that extend through the underside and the upper surface of the carriage plate.