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. 06, 2006
Filed:
Mar. 30, 2004
Thomas P. Hartness, Greenville, SC (US);
William R. Hartness, Iii, Greenville, SC (US);
Mark W. Davidson, Greer, SC (US);
Frank Brennan, Greenville, SC (US);
Robert C. Beesley, Greenville, SC (US);
Thomas P. Hartness, Greenville, SC (US);
William R. Hartness, III, Greenville, SC (US);
Mark W. Davidson, Greer, SC (US);
Frank Brennan, Greenville, SC (US);
Robert C. Beesley, Greenville, SC (US);
Hartness International, Inc., Greenville, SC (US);
Abstract
A conveyor suitable for conveying objects along a transport direction, and related links, are disclosed. The conveyor includes a plurality of connected links, each link having a length extending across the direction of transport and a width extending along the direction of transport. Each link also has a body, a cam follower member, and at least one gripping member. A gear drive mechanism may be used to interconnect the cam follower member and the gripping member. The cam follower member is movable to selectively move the gripping member between a first position and a second position. The gripping member when in first position is disposed in an open position, and the gripping member when in the second position is disposed in a gripping position for contacting one of the objects to hold the object during transport. Gear-drive mechanisms of various designs may be used to interconnect the cam follower member and gripping member. A releasable holding member, such as a spring-loaded ratchet member, may be used to secure the gripping member in the second position. Multiple opposed gripping members may be used. Various modifications and options are possible.