Patent ID: 6502691
Filing Date: 2003-01-07
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A carriage for an endless conveyor having an endless conveyance path comprising at least two substantially linear paths and turning paths connecting opposite ends of the substantially linear paths, the conveyor having a plurality of carriages driven by a pair of driving units of the conveyor in proximity to the turning paths to circulate the carriages along the conveyance path in a predetermined conveyance direction, the carriage comprising:a torque input member for receiving a torque from the driving unit for moving the carriage in the conveyance direction, and a carriage coupling means for connecting the carriages such that the torque received by one of the carriages on the conveyance path from the driving unit can be transmitted to the succeeding ones of the carriages, wherein the carriage coupling means separates a leading one of the carriages from a succeeding one of the carriages when the leading carriage moves from one linear path to the turning path while coupling the separated carriage with a preceding one of the carriages when the carriage moves from the turning path to another linear path.