Patent ID: 6343688
Filing Date: 2002-02-05
Classification: A01K,B65G

Abstract:
A conveyor and escalator for transporting objects having a substantially uniform size and length comprising a pair of parallel spaced-apart endless chains and at least two linearly-spaced sprocket wheels engaging each said endless chain for supporting said chain in linear travel between the sprocket wheels and in arcuate travel about said sprocket wheels, and means for rotating said sprocket wheels for advancing the endless chains in a direction of advance, a plurality of equispaced elongated paddles attached substantially perpendicular to said chains for defining a receiving volume therebetween which closes during linear travel to contain an object in the receiving volume or support the object on the paddles, and which opens during arcuate travel to receive or release an object contained in the receiving volume or supported on the paddles, each paddle comprising an elongated web having longitudinal side edges and an arcuate flange having a concave inner face attached centrally along said concave face to each longitudinal edge of the web to form an I-section having a longitudinal central axis, an end plate having a pair of upstanding spaced-apart fingers located at each end of the paddle adapted to receive the paddle web therebetween and to engage the concave inner face of the adjacent arcuate flange, and means formed centrally on the end plates for removably rigidly connecting each of the end plates transversely to the endless chains perpendicular thereto, whereby the paddles remain vertically upright during horizontal linear travel to support objects on adjacent upper flanges and whereby the paddles pivot relative to each other about said longitudinal central axis during arcuate travel to open adjacent paddles at the upper flanges to receive objects therebetween during upward or downward arcuate travel and to open adjacent paddles at adjacent lower flanges to receive or discharge objects therefrom during upward or downward arcuate travel.