Patent ID: 7438176
Filing Date: 2008-10-21
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A stretchable transfer conveyer for a transferred article comprising a board, wherein a pair of guide rails respectively provided with guide surfaces for guiding both side surfaces of the transferred article in a transfer direction are extended in the transfer direction and wherein flexible endless belts for supporting lower surfaces at both sides of the transferred article, both side surfaces of which are guided along the guide surfaces, to transfer the transferred article in the transfer direction, are drivingly connected to a drive device and are carried along plural rotational members to be circulated, the conveyer comprising: a stretching mechanism provided at one end of each of the guide rails to be stretchable in the transfer direction; a stretchable guide surface provided at a facing surface of the stretching mechanism and formed into a flat surface continuous and even with the guide surface regardless of the stretched position of the stretching mechanism; and plural rotational members provided on the facing surface of the stretching mechanism for circulatably supporting the endless belt, wherein the stretching mechanism comprises: an adjuster member mounted on an end of each guide rail to be movable in the transfer direction and provided with an adjuster guide surface being a flat surface even with the guide surface, and a complementary member inserted into a space which is made between the guide surface of the guide rail and the adjuster guide surface of the adjuster member when the adjuster member is moved in the transfer direction, and provided with a complementary guide surface for forming the stretchable guide surface together with the adjuster guide surface, and wherein the complementary member is mounted on the end of the guide rail to be movable in a complementary direction intersecting with the transfer direction with the complementary guide surface defining a flat surface continuous and even with the guide surface, and the adjuster member and the complementary member are joined at respective joint surfaces which are inclined relative to the transfer direction as well as to the complementary direction, whereby the adjuster guide surface and the complementary guide surface are jointed at the respective joint surfaces to define the stretchable guide surface as a continuous and even flat surface.