U.S. patent application number 09/794458 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-29 for roller conveying apparatus.
Invention is credited to Donkin, Thomas G., Ransil, Matthew J..
Application Number | 20010045338 09/794458 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22681376 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010045338 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ransil, Matthew J. ; et
al. |
November 29, 2001 |
Roller conveying apparatus
Abstract
A track assembly comprises an inner channel member and an outer
channel member, the outer channel member having opposing flanges
with a conduit for receiving an air line for operating the
assembly. An inflatable air bag is between the inner and outer
channel members for raising and lowering the air bag. Rollers
attached to the inner channel member are raised and lowered as the
air bag raises and lowers the inner channel member. The air line,
which is flexible and compressible, for operating the air bag, is
releasably attached externally the channel members in and protected
by the conduit by opposing spaced ribs. The air line is squeezed
between the ribs during insertion into the conduit.
Inventors: |
Ransil, Matthew J.;
(Lancaster, PA) ; Donkin, Thomas G.; (Sinking
Spring, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WILLIAM SQUIRE, Esq.
c/o Carella, Byrne, Bain, Gilfillan, Cecchi,
Stewart & Olstein
6 Becker Farm Road
Roseland
NJ
07068
US
|
Family ID: |
22681376 |
Appl. No.: |
09/794458 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60185533 |
Feb 28, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
193/35B |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 1/52 20130101; B65G
13/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
193/35.00B |
International
Class: |
B65G 013/00 |
Claims
1. A roller track conveying apparatus comprising: an elongated
outer channel member defining an outer channel and including a
first bottom wall; an elongated inner channel member disposed in
the outer channel and defining an inner channel, the inner channel
member including a second bottom wall; a plurality of rollers
rotatably secured to said inner channel member in said inner
channel; a top plate secured to the outer channel member for
enclosing the outer and inner channels and having a plurality of
spaced openings, each opening for receiving a corresponding roller;
an inflatable bag disposed between the first and second bottom
walls for selectively displacing the inner channel member to cause
the rollers to selectively protrude through the corresponding
openings in the top plate; and an elongated third channel member
secured to and along the length of the outer channel member having
an air line channel for receiving, protecting and securing a
pressurized air line extending along said length, the air line
being adapted to selectively inflate the air bag.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outer channel member
includes a pair of spaced first upright side walls, said third
channel member being secured to at least one of said first side
walls externally said outer channel.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the outer channel member
includes a flange extending in opposing directions outwardly from
each of the outer channel side walls, the third channel member
being located adjacent to at least one of said flanges.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the third channel member
includes a portion secured to at least one of said flanges and a
portion secured to the outer channel member.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the third channel member has a
portion secured to each flange on each outer side of the outer
channel member and a portion secured to each of opposing outer
sides of the outer channel member, said portions, flange and outer
channel member cooperating to form the third channel member on each
said outer sides of the outer channel member.
6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each flange has a top wall
securing channel arranged for securing the top wall to the outer
channel member, the third channel member including a third channel
member bottom wall forming a bottom wall of the top wall securing
channel, a pair of spaced ribs extending along the outer channel
member secured to the outer channel member for forming an air line
receiving mouth to the air line channel of the third channel
member, the ribs for releasably securing the received air line in
said air line channel.
7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each flange has a depending
outer side wall, a first rib extending inwardly toward the outer
channel member from said depending outer side wall and overlying a
first portion of the third channel member channel and a second rib
extending outwardly toward the first rib from an outer channel
member side wall and overlying a second portion of the third
channel member channel, the ribs forming a mouth for receiving the
air line there through into the third channel member channel and
for retaining the air line in the third channel member channel.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the air bag is elongated and
arranged to receive pressurized air at one end thereof from said
air line, the third channel member having a mouth along the length
thereof and arranged to releasably receive the air line in
translation through the mouth into the third channel member
channel.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to roller track conveying apparatus
for conveying cargo loads.
[0002] Of interest are U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,909,378, 4,750,604,
4,909,372, 4,036,345 and 4,089,399 all incorporated by reference
herein.
[0003] These patents relate to roller track mechanical handling
systems in which an outer elongated channel member receives an
elongated inflatable air bag along the channel member length. The
air bag is supplied with pressurized air to selectively inflate or
deflate the bag. A second inner elongated channel member is nested
within the outer channel member. A series array of rollers are
rotatably secured to the inner channel member and are aligned with
openings in a top plate secured over the outer channel member. The
inner channel member rests on the air bag and is raised and lowered
within the outer channel member as the air bag is inflated and
deflated. This raises the rollers to an exposed operative position
extending above the top plate to receive cargo to be displaced.
When the bag is deflated, the rollers are recessed into the outer
channel member below the top plate permitting the cargo to rest on
the top plate of the assembly and become relatively difficult to
displace and stationary due to high frictional resistance with the
plate. A pressurized air line is coupled to the end track air bag
to selectively pressurize and deflate the air bags.
[0004] Typically, a series of such tracks are installed end to end
to form a continuous linear track. A fitting is connected to the
end air bag to receive a pressurized inlet air line from a
pressurized air source and also to supply pressurized air to a
further air line which feeds pressurized air to the immediate
longitudinally serially aligned next adjacent track via fittings
coupled to each air bag. In similar fashion, a further air line
feeds air to the next successive one of the series of aligned
tracks.. The problem with this arrangement is that the various air
lines, which are plastic hoses, are placed externally the outer
channel member where the air lines tend to become damaged. For
example, installation of floor screws and drilling holes in the
floor during installation of a track may damage the air lines.
Also, the present inventors note that the lines may abrade during
use and attribute this abrasion to vibrations of the lines during
transit of the vehicle carrying the track(s).
[0005] The present invention is a recognition of a solution to this
problem.
[0006] A roller track conveying apparatus according to the present
invention comprises an elongated outer channel member defining an
outer channel and including a first bottom wall; an elongated inner
channel member disposed in the outer channel and defining an inner
channel, the inner channel member including a second bottom wall; a
plurality of rollers rotatably secured to said inner channel member
in said inner channel; a top plate secured to the outer channel
member for enclosing the outer and inner channels and having a
plurality of spaced openings, each opening for receiving a
corresponding roller; an inflatable bag disposed between the first
and second bottom walls for selectively displacing the inner
channel member to cause the rollers to selectively protrude through
the corresponding openings in the top plate; and an elongated third
channel member secured to and along the length of the outer channel
member having an air line channel for receiving, protecting and
securing a pressurized air line extending along said length, the
air line being adapted to selectively inflate the air bag.
[0007] In one aspect, the outer channel member includes a pair of
spaced first upright side walls, said third channel member being
secured to at least one of said first side walls externally said
outer channel.
[0008] In another aspect, the outer channel member includes a
flange extending in opposing directions outwardly from each of the
outer channel side walls, the third channel member being located
adjacent to at least one of said flanges.
[0009] in a further aspect, the third channel member includes a
portion secured to at least one of said flanges and a portion
secured to the outer channel member.
[0010] Preferably the third channel member has a portion secured to
each flange on each outer side of the outer channel member and a
portion secured to each of opposing outer sides of the outer
channel member, said portions, flange and outer channel member
cooperating to form the third channel member on each said outer
sides of the outer channel member.
[0011] In a further aspect, each flange has a top wall securing
channel arranged for securing the top wall to the outer channel
member, the third channel member including a third channel member
bottom wall forming a bottom wall of the top wall securing channel,
a pair of spaced ribs extending along the outer channel member
secured to the outer channel member for forming an air line
receiving mouth to the air line channel of the third channel
member, the ribs for releasably securing the received air line in
said air line channel.
[0012] In a still further aspect, each flange has a depending outer
side wall, a first rib extending inwardly toward the outer channel
member from said depending outer side wall and overlying a first
portion of the third channel member channel and a second rib
extending outwardly toward the first rib from an outer channel
member side wall and overlying a second portion of the third
channel member channel, the ribs forming a mouth for receiving the
air line there through into the third channel member channel and
for retaining the air line in the third channel member channel.
[0013] in a still further aspect, the air bag is elongated and
arranged to receive pressurized air at one end thereof from said
air line, the third channel member having a mouth along the length
thereof and arranged to releasably receive the air line in
translation through the mouth into the third channel member
channel.
[0014] Thus, according to an aspect of the present invention, the
outer channel member, which has a bottom channel member wall, two
upright spaced walls and two corresponding flanges which extend
radially outwardly from the outer and inner channel members, has an
air line conduit in each flange for selectively receiving and
securing a pressurized inlet air line external the outer channel
member and protected from damaging action of the inner channel
member during displacement of the inner channel member and
inflation and deflation of the air bag. The conduits are on each
outer side of the outer channel member in the flange for selective
reception of a corresponding air line adjacent to that particular
conduit.
IN THE DRAWING
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roller track assembly
according to the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the assembly of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional end elevation view of the track
of FIG. 1; and
[0018] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a series of similar tracks as shown
in FIG. 1 aligned in a linear array as used in a typical commercial
application.
[0019] In FIGS. 1-3, track assembly 2 comprises a stamped metal
outer channel member 4 and a stamped metal cover or top plate 6
screwed to channel member 4 with screws 8. Angle iron brackets 10
secure the channel member 4 to a floor of a cargo receiving area.
In FIG. 4, a linear array of track assemblies 2 are coupled
adjacent to each other to form a linear track for the mechanical
transfer of cargo along a cargo receiving area. A pressurized air
inlet hose 12 is coupled to a fitting 14 at the channel member 4
end of the end most track assembly of the series of tracks. The
hose 12, which may be thermoplastic tubing, receives pressurized
air from a source not shown. The fitting 14 is connected to the end
of an elongated inflatable air bag 16, FIG. 2, by a clamp assembly
18. The air bag is relatively flat in the deflated condition of
FIG. 2 and is ballooned when inflated (not shown). See the
aforementioned patents incorporated by reference for more detail on
such an air bag and track assembly in general. A clamp 20, FIG. 2,
seals the end of the air bag opposite the clamp assembly 18. A
further air hose 22 is connected to the fitting 14 for connection
to a further inlet fitting 14 (not shown in the figures) of the
next adjacent track assembly 2' of the array of track assemblies,
FIG. 4. In this way each successive air bag is coupled to the
pressurized inlet hose 12 in series.
[0020] The outer channel member 4, FIG. 3, has a bottom wall 22 and
two opposing side walls 24 and 26. These walls form a channel
receptacle 28 for the air bag 16, the fitting 14, clamp assembly 18
and clamp 20 (FIG. 2). Identical mirror image flanges 30 and 32
extend outwardly from a respective conduit member 38 and 40
attached to the respective corresponding side wall 24 and 26
adjacent to the upper respective edge regions 34 and 36 of the side
walls. Flange 30 extends from conduit member 38 and flange 32
extends from conduit member 40.
[0021] The conduit members 38 and 40 extend for the full length of
the channel member 4, the flanges, conduit members and walls 22, 24
and 26 being integral one piece metal extrusions, e.g., aluminum.
Conduit member 38 has an axially extending conduit 42 and forms a
top element of side wall 24. An open channel 44 is beneath the
conduit 42 and faces in a direction toward the bottom of the side
wall 24 and bottom wall 22. Flange 30 extends from the bottom edge
of the outer side wall 46 of the channel 44. The channel 44 is
partially enclosed adjacent to the flange 30 by two opposing ribs
48 and 50 extending inwardly toward each other from the respective
side walls 24 and 46. These ribs are generally triangular shaped
and have a surface S normal to walls 24 and 46 from which they
extend. The normal surfaces are located in the interior of the
channel 44. The ribs have a second surface opposite the surface S
that extends from the walls 24 and 46 inclined to these walls
forming a triangular cross section rib shape. The ribs are spaced
apart to form an opening therebetween that is smaller than the
diameter of the air hose such as hose 22. An air hose such as hose
22 is placed in the channel 44 by temporarily compressing and
deforming the hose to fit in the space between the ribs 48 and 50
during insertion into the channel 44. The edges of the ribs are
rounded to preclude damage to the hose 22 during insertion. The
hose 22 is inserted for the length of the channel to the extent of
the length of the hose and is releasably captured in the channel 44
by ribs 48 and 50. This retains the hose for the length of the hose
externally of the channel member 4 receptacle 28. This precludes
vibration abrasion of the hose 22 because the hose is securely
restrained from vibration for its length. The ribs 48 and 50 retain
the hose for its length and preclude such vibration. In addition,
since the hose is substantially encased in the conduit member 40
channel 44 or 44', it is out of harms way and protected from
potential damaging screw installation and drilling accompanying
track installation.
[0022] Conduit member 40 has an identical channel 44' which
receives the hose 22 in this embodiment. The hose 22 could in the
alternative be placed in channel 44. Conduit member 40 also has an
upper channel 52. A top plate 8 has a lip 54 that is captured by
overlying conduit member 40 lip 56. Plate 6 is screwed at its
opposite edge 57 to conduit member 38 channel 42 by a nut 58 and
mating screw 8 (FIG. 2). The top plate 6 has a plurality of
rectangular openings 62, FIG. 2.
[0023] An inner metal stamped channel member 64 has a bottom wall
65 that rests on the bottom wall 67 of a thermoplastic (e.g.,
Acetal) wiping channel member 66. The side walls of the member 66
slide along the inner surfaces of the outer channel member side
walls 24 and 26 in up and down reciprocal motion of the inner
channel member 64 and seal the receptacle 28 containing the air bag
16. These up and down motions are in response to inflation and
deflation of the air bag 16. In FIG. 3 the air bag 16 is shown
spaced from the member 66 bottom wall 67 for clarity of
illustration, these elements normally abutting. The inner metal
channel member 64 has side walls 70.
[0024] Rotatably attached to the side walls 70 of the inner channel
member 64 by bearings is a cargo support roller 68. The roller 68
moves up and down with the channel member 64 as the air bag 16
inflates and deflates. The rollers 68, FIG. 2, pass through the
openings 62 in the top plate 6. This is described in more detail in
the aforementioned patents. Except for the channels 44 and 44' and
ribs 48 and 50, the remaining structures are prior art elements
described in the aforementioned patents and need not be described
in more detail herein.
[0025] In operation, when the air bags are inflated all of the
rollers of all of the series aligned tracks are raised above the
top plate 6 for conveying cargo loads thereon. When the bags are
deflated the rollers become recessed and the cargo rests stationary
on the plates 6. All air lines associated with each track extend
along the length of that track externally of the receptacle 28 and
are protected from damage during operation of the air bags.
* * * * *