Patent ID: 6619432
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: B65H,Y10T

Abstract:
An object transport apparatus for transporting an object by frictionally contacting a surface of the object, said apparatus comprising:a pedestal (10) having a first surface (15a) and a second surface (15b) continuing with a predetermined angle therebetween; a transport unit (5) provided on said first and second surfaces (15a, 15b) respectively and adapted to frictionally contact the surface of the object (100, 200) to transport the object (100, 200); and a drive mechanism connected to said transport unit and adapted to rotationally drive said transport unit so as to transport the object; wherein said drive mechanism comprises: a first spur gear (14b) and a first bevel gear (12b) rotating about a common rotational axis by a drive force; a second bevel gear (22b) engaging with said first bevel gear (12b); a second spur gear (14a) engaging with said first spur gear (14b); a third bevel gear (12a) integrally rotating about a rotational axis common to said second spur gear (14a); and a fourth bevel gear (22a) engaging with said third bevel gear (12a); and wherein said transport unit (5) includes: first power transmission means having a plurality of first cylindrical members (25a, 25c) rotating respectively about a plurality of first rotational axes (20a, 20c) substantially perpendicular to said first surface (15a) and in parallel with each other, and second power transmission means having a plurality of second cylindrical members (25b, 25d) rotating respectively about a plurality of second rotational axes (20b, 20d) substantially perpendicular to said second surface (15b) and in parallel with each other, and first and second belt-like transport members (40a, 40b) contacting or winding around respective Peripheries of said first and second cylindrical members (25a, 25c, 25b, 25d) of said first and second power transmission means respectively to circulate around said first and second power transmission means.