The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 27, 1987
Filed:
Dec. 30, 1985
Arthur B Rhodes, Louisville, KY (US);
Other;
Abstract
A device for selectively coupling a movable load bearing unit, such as a pallet, to a link chain conveyor flight so that the pallet will selectively be moved with the conveyor flight along a path defined by the conveyor flight. The coupling device includes a stem mounted to the pallet for longitudinal movement in a vertical direction and a flight engagement pin longitudinally aligned with and depending from the stem. The stem is sized and configured for insertion into one of the openings of the link chain. The pin is generally rectangular in transverse cross-section. In addition, the coupling device also has a generally planar plate extending generally perpendicularly from the pin in a direction upstream therefrom, relative to the direction of movement of the conveyor flight, and in a direction downstream therefrom, relative to the direction of movement of the conveyor flight. The plate is used to maintain directional stability to the pin as the pin moves into and out of engagement with the link chain conveyor flight. The depending end of the pin is formed with a ramp surface sloping downwardly in the direction of movement of the conveyor flight. The ramp surface provides a lead in angle for the pin as it is lowered to be inserted into one of the openings of the chain links of the conveyor flight as well as a clearance for the conveyor flight passing beneath the depending end of the pin when the pin is raised to be removed from one of the openings of the chain links of the conveyor flight.