Patent ID: 6223890
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A conveyor system comprising:a plurality of conveyor sections defining a conveying path extending from an upstream conveyor section, through at least one intermediate conveyor section, to a downstream conveyor section, wherein each of said at least one intermediate conveyor section includes at least one curved transitional conveyor subsection;a plurality of movable load bearing assemblies secured to at least one of said conveyor sections such that said load bearing assemblies are free to move along said conveying path from an upstream location to a downstream location;a conveyor linkage assembly arranged to couple said movable load bearing assemblies for collective movement along said conveying path;a first hinge assembly arranged to couple a first end of a selected intermediate conveyor section to an adjacent upstream conveyor section, said first hinge assembly being further arranged to permit inclination of said intermediate conveyor section relative to said adjacent upstream conveyor section; anda second hinge assembly arranged to couple a second end of said selected intermediate conveyor section to an adjacent downstream conveyor section, said second hinge assembly being further arranged to permit declination of said downstream conveyor section relative to said intermediate conveyor section.