Patent ID: 6364093
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A walking beam conveyor for the intermittent movement of articles along a transport path comprising:fixed holders positioned along the transport path for receiving the articles to be advanced, at least two actuating stations at spaced apart locations along the transport path, a roller support surface, at least a first roller and at least a second roller supported by said support surface and movable therealong, a first support link pivotally secured about a first pivot point to said first roller, a second support link pivotally secured about a second pivot point to said second roller, a connecting link interconnecting said first and second support links to substantially synchronize movement of said first and second support links, a beam pivotally secured about a third pivot point to said first support link and pivotally secured about a fourth pivot point to said second support link to support said beam on said rollers, said beam spanning at least two of said actuating stations, at least two movable supports secured to said beam to support the article on said beam when the article is moved between said actuating stations, a hydraulic cylinder for moving said beam in a substantially vertical direction between an article supporting position in which the article is supported by one of said movable supports and a retracted position in which the article is supported by one of said fixed holders, said hydraulic cylinder having one end connected to said beam and an other end pivotally connected to one of said support links about a fifth pivot point, and a drive motor for moving said beam along said support surface to move the article between said actuating stations.