Patent ID: 7686156
Filing Date: 2010-03-30
Classification: B61B,B65G

Abstract:
1. A slip tube system for propelling at least one load along a conveying path of an overhead conveyor system, comprising: a stationary frame extending along the conveying path; a rotating drive shaft extending along the conveying path and mounted to the stationary frame, the rotating drive shaft rotating about a shaft axis parallel to the conveying path and having an outer surface extending there along; a hollow slip tube mounted on the rotating drive shaft and having an inner slip tube diameter larger than an outer diameter of the rotating drive shaft to provide slipping engagement therebetween, the hollow slip tube further comprising an outer sleeve diameter larger than the inner sleeve diameter and an outer drive surface extending therealong; a carriage configured to carry the at least one load along the conveying path; at least one driven wheel mounted on the carriage and free to rotate thereto, the at least one driving wheel canted at an angle to the shaft axis of the drive shaft and configured to engage with the outer drive surface of the hollow slip tube slidingly mounted on the rotating drive shaft, wherein when the least one driving wheel is engaged with the outer drive surface of the hollow slip tube, the hollow slip tube is tractionally biased from slipping engagement into rotating driven engagement with the rotating drive shaft and the rotating outer drive surface of the rotating hollow slip tube tractionally engages with the at least one driving wheel with sufficient traction so as to form a helical loci of engagement therewith to propel the carriage along the conveying path.