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:
Aug. 01, 1989
Filed:
Sep. 21, 1987
John W Best, Jonesboro, AR (US);
Northstar Industries, Inc., Columbus, GA (US);
Abstract
Flexible and expandable roller conveyors. Conveyors according to the present invention utilize lazy tong structures which are spanned and connected not only by roller axles, but also by braces rigidly connected to corresponding bars in the structures. The resulting conveyors are more economical on a long term basis than previous conveyors because the redundant axle and brace structure allows them to be more durable and resistant to abuse than other conveyors. Lazy tong structures in conveyors of the present invention utilize bars which have flanges on their long edges for additional strength. The flanges thus allow the bars to be formed in longer lengths than bars of earlier lazy tong structures so that fewer moving parts are required and the conveyor is more easily curved and flexed in order to move packages to a variety of desired locations. Conveyors of the present invention are also more easily folded onto connected structures than previous conveyors because of a new flexible and durable hinge structure utilized to connect the conveyors to adjacent surfaces. Flexible and durable leg mounting brackets are also to impart additional strength and durability to the conveyors.