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:
Apr. 24, 2007
Filed:
Sep. 23, 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 is disclosed suitable for conveying objects along a transport direction. 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 has a conveying surface and at least one movable gripping member extending from the conveying surface of the link. Each gripping member is movable from a first opened position to a second gripping position. The gripping members each include a gripping arm having a pivot point, a gripping end spaced from the pivot point, and a cam follower extending outward from the gripping arm between the pivot point and the gripping end. The gripping arm is located so as to be able to contact one of the objects via the gripping end when the gripping member is in the second position to hold the object relative to the link during transport. Each link includes at least one spring member urging the gripping members toward the second position. The links may be connected by universal joints, and may have two opposed movable gripping members. Related conveyor and link designs are also disclosed.