Patent ID: 7938247
Filing Date: 2011-05-10
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A lug loader for loading workpieces, the lug loader comprising: an array of pairs of endless conveyors, each pair of endless conveyors including a first and a second endless conveyor spaced laterally apart across a flow direction and substantially aligned in said flow direction, wherein said array forms a continuous upper surface for supporting a workpiece translating downstream in said flow direction, the pairs of endless conveyors overlapping in said flow direction, wherein at least some of the pairs of endless conveyors form a gapping section configured to adjust a gap distance between the workpiece and a next consecutive workpiece, the gapping section including a first and a second of the pairs of endless conveyors, the first of the pairs of endless conveyors configured to accelerate the workpiece from an initial velocity to a first velocity and the second of the pairs of endless conveyors configured to accelerate the workpiece to a second velocity greater than the first velocity, wherein the second of the pairs of endless conveyors is downstream of, and overlaps, the first of the pairs of endless conveyors.