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:
Jun. 12, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 10, 1999
Robert Buechi, Weinfelden, CH;
IPT Weinfelden AG, Weinfelden, CH;
Abstract
Bodies (,) are driven along a predetermined path by being coupled by pairs of cooperating coupling elements to a hauling line (,) which is guided generally in parallel with the predetermined path. The hauling line can be an endless hauling tape guided around deflection rollers (,) and simultaneously serving as a first coupling element. For the coupling function, the hauling tape (,) is elastically deformable perpendicular to its length, e.g., compressible, and cooperates with a second coupling element on the body (,) to be driven. The second coupling element is a groove (,) matched to the hauling tape (,) having two open ends and extending in parallel to the predetermined path, into which groove a length of the hauling tape is positionable. For coupling, the body (,) and the hauling tape (,) are guided toward each other such that the hauling tape (,) is pressed into the groove (,), where a displacement perpendicular to the predetermined path is prevented by suitable guide means (,U). The bodies (,) to be driven can be designed as conveying means so that the device is applicable as a conveying device.