Patent ID: 6637586
Filing Date: 2003-10-28
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A conveyor for advancing load units from a loading position toward an unloading position, said conveyor comprising:a) a track having a first end and a second end and including a pair of side rails, each of said side rails having an upper surface, said track defining a plurality of sequential load unit positions, a first of said load unit positions being a loading position proximate said track first end and a last of said load unit positions being an unloading position proximate said track second end; b) a plurality of interconnected carts moveable along said track, said plurality of carts being at least one fewer in number than the number of said load positions, a first of said carts being proximate said track first end and a last of said carts being proximate said track second end, each of said carts being adapted to receive a respective load unit and including pneumatic lifting means for moving the load unit between a lowered position wherein the load unit rests on said side rail upper surfaces and a raised position wherein the load unit is lifted clear of said side rail upper surfaces; c) pneumatic drive means connected between said track and said carts for reciprocally moving said carts along said track between a home position wherein said first cart is in said loading position and a forward position wherein said last cart is in said unloading position; and d) pneumatic control means for simultaneously controlling said drive means and each said lifting means so as to advance a load unit from said loading position toward said unloading position by cyclically moving the load unit into said raised position, moving said carts into said forward position, moving said load unit into said lowered position, and moving said carts back into said home position beneath the load unit.