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. 10, 1999
Filed:
Jul. 01, 1997
Thomas R Brown, Oregon, IL (US);
Randal L Zerbe, Rockford, IL (US);
Patrick C O'Brien, Oregon, IL (US);
James K Bertsch, Oregon, IL (US);
E.D. Etnyre & Co., Oregon, IL (US);
Abstract
A conveyor mechanism is provided for transporting objects. The conveyor mechanism, in particular, includes a single continuous belt member wrapped around one or more chain loops and also around a pair of spaced-apart pulleys disposed outboard thereof. A first axle having one or more drive sprockets, a second axle having an equal number of idler sprockets, and a motor connected to the first axle are provided for driving the chain loops and the surrounding belt member. In use, the belt member maintains a constant linear velocity throughout its travel path (i.e., both inboard and outboard of the two sets of sprockets), due to the action of the pulleys. In this way, the velocities of the belt member and chains are synchronized at all points where they are in engagement (i.e., inboard of the sprockets), and slipping and/or stretching of the belt member with respect to the chains is advantageously prevented at its reversal points (i.e., outboard of the sprockets). A frame having substantially frictionless channel guide(s) provides additional support to the upper track portion of each chain so that the belt member can accommodate heavy loads.