Patent ID: 6374988
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: B21B,B23Q,B65G

Abstract:
An accumulator conveying apparatus for elongated stock such as tubes, rods, bars and like articles comprised of:at least three independently operable conveyor banks arranged for sequentially transferring elongated stock from one bank to the next; each conveyor bank including a plurality of elongated substantially parallel racks which extend in the direction of desired conveyance, each rack having at least two adjacent rows of teeth extending longitudinally along the rack, the teeth of one row staggered with respect to the teeth of the other row and a drive connected for alternately raising one row of teeth above the other whereby elongated stock placed transversely on one end of the racks will be moved to the other end of the racks for off loading or transfer to an adjacent conveyor bank; and sensors on each conveyor bank positioned for sensing the presence of elongated stock on each conveyor bank and for energizing and de-energizing selected ones of said drives whereby elongated stock fed onto one end of said accumulator conveying apparatus is moved to the other end of said accumulator conveying apparatus and the elongated stock is accumulated thereon between the conveyor ends.