A FLUID-OPERATED, LOW PROFILE RECIPROCATING CONVEYOR

Abstract: A fluid operated, low profile reciprocating conveyor (10, 100, 200, 300, 600, 704, 800) in which a load support surface (50, 112, 216, 302) is positioned to support loads (604, 700, 802, 910) between reciprocal longitudinal movements and a conveyor (10, 100, 200, 300, 600, 704, 800) is positioned to support loads (604, 700, 802, 910) during reciprocal longitudinal movements. A radially expandable, longitudinally extending, horizontally disposed hose member (32, 132, 220, 310, 806) is operatively positioned between the load support surface (50, 112, 216, 302) and the conveyor (10, 100, 200, 300, 600, 704, 800) so as to cause relative vertical movement therebetween upon inflation and deflation of the hose member (32, 132, 220, 310, 806). A fluid pump (36) and a vent (V) selectively inflate and deflate the hose member (32, 132, 220, 310, 806). A reciprocating drive mechanism (52) drives the conveyor (10, 100, 200, 300, 600, 704, 800) in either longitudinal direction both when the hose member (32, 132, 220, 310, 806) is inflated and when it is deflated. Accordingly, the conveyor (10, 100, 200, 300, 600, 704, 800) can be used to incrementally convey a load in either longitudinal direction.

Description: A Fluid-operated, Low Profile Reciprocating Conveyor Technical Field: This invention relates to reciprocating conveyors. In particular, it relates to reciprocating conveyors of the type in which a conveyor surface and a support surface move vertically relative to each other between two vertical positions, and the conveyor surface can reciprocate longitudinally between two longitudinal positions while the conveyor surface and the support surface are in either of their two relative vertical positions. Disclosure of Invention It is the principal object of this invention to provide.a reciprocating conveyor having a sufficiently low profile so that it can be mounted in or on the floor of a truck or other vehicle or in or on a factory floor or the floor of a loading dock. It is a major additional object of the subject invention to provide such a reciprocating conveyor which is rugged enough to drive over with a fork lift truck. It is another object of the subject invention to provide such a reciprocating conveyor in which the reciprocating drive mechanism can be conveniently located beneath the floor, out of the way. It is another object of the invention to provide such a reciprocating conveyor in which the conveyor is reciprocated by means of a piston and cylinder arrangement. The various embodiments of the subject invention disclosed in detail herein, as well as other embodiments within the scope of the claims, involve the combining of two functions: lifting and driving . (linear advancing). Those two functions can be accomplished either by devices in which the horizontal movement (advanced/return) is accomplished by one element and the lifting movement (up/down) is accomplished by another element or by devices in which both the horizontal movement and the lifting movement are accomplished by one element while the other element remains purely a fixed rest. In each case, the lifing movement is accomplished by the inflation and deflation of a- ose " member. The member that carries the load longitudinally (called the "conveyor" or the "advance member") can be rigid (e.g., a beam), flexible (e.g., a conveyor belt or one or more wire ropes), or a combination of both. It may Or may not perform the lift/drop function as well as the reciprocating function. A rigid conveyor, or advance member, is probably best for installation in a truck or other vehicle due mainly to the facts that it can be driven in both directions from one point and that the driving mechanism can be located under the center of the vehicle body. The rigid conveyor can be driven reciprocally from one end or from any poin -along its length as long as it is held straight by its housing so that it does not buckle or cock. Appropriate guiding of the rigid conveyor can be accomplished by linearly guiding the moving member in an external gutter or trough, providing a female guide in the moving member which slides on an external male guide, or a combination of both. A second significant feature of the rigid conveyor is that it can be easily designed to include means for limiting the amount of lift caused by inflation of the hose member. Without such a limit, the hose member will tend to lift the conveyor until it is stopped at an imprecisely defined level by the limits of resiliency of the hose member or by the weight of the conveyor, at which point the conveyor may be have been lifted out of its housing or the conveyor permanently bent. Accordingly, it is highly desirable to incorporate a mechanical stop feature into the design of the conveyor which limits its vertical movement. The flexible conveyor can comprise one or more cables, belts, chains, straps, etc. Since they are flexible, they must be reciprocatingly driven by alternately pulling on the opposite ends of the conveyor. Such pulling on opposite ends can be accomplished by the provision of two pulling units or by making the flexible conveyor endless (i.e., returning the conveyor in the manner of a conventional conveyor belt) . The drive mechanism itself can be either linear (a piston and cylinder arrangement, a screw drive, etc.) or rotary (e.g., a wind-up drum), depending upon space requirements. A combination rigid-flexible conveyor according to the invention comprises a rigid bar, plate, or the like in the middle fastened to flexible members such as cables, chains, etc. at either end. Since at least part of the conveyor is flexible, it too must be reciprocally driven from both ends. The subject fluid-operated, low profile reciprocating conveyor lends itself to use as an accumulator conveyor, although it will not be so used in all cases. In general, accumulation is accomplished by selectively isolating the advancing member from loads that are already stacked up tight against the discharge end of the conveyor. Any of a wide variety of commercially available proximity sensors will signal that a void exists at one or more load positions-. The controller mechanism (which can be any of a wide variety of commercially available computer or microprocessor units) then acts to isolate all the loads in positions ahead of the voids so that, as the machine continues to run, the loads behind the void continues to move ahead incrementally until the void is filled. The segmented isolating described in the previous paragraph is accomplished by keeping one or more loads out of contact with the driving element while other, upstream loads remain in contact with the driving element. There are at least three ways that this can be accomplished with the subject conveyor. All three ways are effective and practical at times. The selection of a particular one of the ways depends on external factors, such as space availability, weight of anticipated loads, etc. The first way in which the segmented isolating can be accomplished is by adding an additional ' segmented lift member paralleling an otherwise non-accumulating conveyor. The additional segmented lift member has a higher lift capability than the advance member, and it can be selectively used to lift a load located over a selected segment of the advance member to a position above the uppermost position of the advance member . This technique can be used with both rigid and flexible load advancing members and whether or not the lift is incorporated' into the drive element. The second way in which the segmented isolating can be accomplished is by selectively blocking out segments of the lift portion of the basic load line. This can be done with rigid conveyors, flexible conveyors, or combination conveyors, but only where the lift function is separated from the drive function. The third way in which the segmented isolating can be accomplished is particularly adapted for use where the load advance member is flexible and is also the lifting member. In this technique, the lifting element of the load advance section is broken into segments so that it is possible to cause air to enter selected segments of the hose member. Accordingly, the hose member does not move the drive member upwardly against the load at the segments where the air supplied to the hose member has been cut off, and the drive member runs free beneath the selected loads. Thus, all the upstream loads are carried forward to fill the void while the isolated load or loads remain in place. The subject invention is a fluid-operated, low profile reciprocating conveyor in which a load support surface is positioned to support loads between reciprocal longitudinal movements and a conveyor is positioned to support loads during reciprocal longitudinal movements. A radially expandable, longitudinally extended, horizontally disposed hose member is operatively positioned between the load support surface and the conveyor so as to cause relative vertical movement therebetween upon inflation and deflation of the hose member. A fluid pump and a vent selectively inflate and deflate the hose member. A reciprocating drive mechanism drives the conveyor in either longitudinal direction both when the hose member is inflated and when it is deflated. Accordingly, the conveyor can be used to incrementally convey a load in either longitudinal direction. Brief Description of Drawings Figure 1 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the subject invention showing the hose member in the deflated condition. Figure 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the subject invention showing the hose member in the inflated condition. Figure 3 is a view on the line 3-3 in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a second embodiment of the subject invention. Figure 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a portion of the second embodiment of the subject invention showing the hose member in the deflated condition. Figure 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a portion of the second, embodiment of the subject invention showing the hose member in the inflated condition. Figure 7 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a different portion of the second embodiment of the subject invention showing a portion of a longitudinal drive mechanism. Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the second embodiment of the subject invention showing more of the longitudinal drive mechanism. Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the second embodiment of the subject invention showing further details of the drive mechanism. Figure 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of the second embodiment of the subject invention showing the front end of the drive mechanism, Figure 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of the second embodiment of the subject invention showing the rear end of the drive mechanism. Figure 12 is a perspective view of a portion of the second embodiment of the subject invention showing details of the drive and anti-torque mechanisms. Figure 13 is a partially schematic transverse cross-sectional view of a portion of the second embodiment of the subject invention showing details of the anti-torque and anti-cocking mechanisms. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the subject invention. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the subject invention. Figure 16 is a perspective view of a first alternative form of drive mechanism which can be used with any of the first four embodiments, but which is 5 particularly suitable for use with the second embodiment. Figure 17 is a perspective view of a second alternative form of drive mechanism which can be used with any of the first four embodiments, but which is 10 particularly suitable for use with the second embodimen . Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the subject invention. • ' Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of a sixth 15 embodiment of the subject invention. Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of a seventh embodiment of the subject invention with the hose in the deflated condition. Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view of the seventh 20 embodiment of the subject invention with the hose in the inflated condition. Figure 22 is a cross-sectional fragmentary view of an alternative version of the drive mechanism shown in Figure 16. 25 Figure 23 is a fragmentary view showing a first version of a quick-disconnect mechanism usable in the drive mechanism shown in Figures 16 and 22. Figure 24 is a fragmentary view showing a second version of a quick-disconnect mechanism usable in the drive mechanism shown in Figures 16 and 22. Figure 25 is a fragmentary view showing a third version of a quick-disconnect mechanism usable in the drive mechanism show in Figures 16 and 22. Figure 26 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing a feature which can be used in the drive mechanisms shown in Figures 16 and 22. Best Mode for Carrying Out The Invention The embodiment shown in Figures 1-3 is a fluidoperated, low profile reciprocating conveyor 10 mounted in a concrete floor 12 such as the floor of a factory or the floor of' a loading dock. However, it will be appreciated that the first embodiment is not limited to use in situations where it is mounted in a concrete floor, and that, in particular, it could be mounted in the floor of a truck or other vehicle in the manner illustrated in connection with the second embodiment. The conveyor 10 is housed in a metallic trough 14 which is set in the concrete floor 12 by means of conventional lag bolts 16. The lag bolts 16 extend through flanges 18 which extend laterally from wall members 20 of the conveyor 10. The flanges 18 and the wall members 20 are spaced from the upper inside surface of the trough 14 by shims 22 and 24, respectively. Fixedly mounted on the inner side surfaces of the wall members 20 are upper and lower abutment rails 26 and 28, respectively. Loosely held between the shims 24 and the lower abutment rails 28 is a hose-support plate 30. (It will be appreciated that, in many commercial applications, the hose-support plate 30 could be dispensed with, its function fulfilled by the upper surface of the trough 14 or even by a mounting surface such as the upper surface of the concrete -floor 12.) Loosely disposed on the hose-support plate 30 is a hose 32. As is shown schematically in Figure 3, the hose 32 is connected by tubing 34 to a selectively operable fluid pump 36 and to a selectively operable vent V. Accordingly, when the vent V is closed and a fluid (such as air, hydraulic fluid, etc.) is pumped into the hose 32 by pump 36, the hose 32 expands from its deflated condition (shown in Figure 1) to ' its inflated condition (shown in Figures 2 and 3). Similarly, when the fluid pump 36 is turned off and the vent V is opened, the hose 32 deflates from its inflated condition to its deflated condition. The illustrated fluid pump 36 may be replaced by any source of pressurized fluid that can be turned on and off by appropriate vents or valves. Loosely disposed on the hose 32 is a thrust transmission plate 38, and detachably mounted on the thrust-transmission plate 38 is a conveyor support plate 40. (It will be appreciated that, in many commercial applications, the thrust-transmission plate 38, the conveyor support plate 40, and/or the wall members 20 could be fabricated integrally.) The conveyor support plate 40, which is made of low friction material and which may be replaced when worn, has an upper abutment surface 42 which abuts against the upper abutment rails 26 when the hose 32 is inflated to precisely define the operative position of the conveyor support plate 40. The conveyor support plate 40 has an upper support surface 44 in which a plurality of parallel longitudinal grooves 46 are formed. (It will be - appreciated that, in some commercial embodiments, only a single longitudinal groove 46 will be formed in the upper support surface 44.) Disposed in each of the grooves 46 is a wire rope 48 which serves as the conveyor in this embodiment. (It will also be appreciated that the subject invention is not limited to the use of wire ropes as the conveyor and that the plurality of wire ropes 48 could, for example, be replaced with a planar conveyor belt, in which case no groove 46 at all would necessarily be formed in the upper support surface 44.) The conveyor support plate 40 is sized and shaped so that, when the hose 32 is in its inflated condition, the upper support surface 44 of the conveyor support plate 40 is located between the upper abutment rails 26 and the upper surfaces of the wire ropes 48 protrude above surface plates 50 which cover the trough 14 and on which trucks can drive and over which loads can be conveyed by the conveyor 10, The wire ropes 48 can be, and preferably are, reciprocated by means of a drive mechanism 52 such as is disclosed and claimed in commonly owned U.S. patent application Serial Number 503,172, filed June 10, 1983, and entitled "Conveyor," the disclosure of which' is hereby incorporated herein by reference. However, it will be appreciated that many other types of drive mechanisms could be used, particularly if the wire ropes 48 were replaced by another type of conveyor, and the subject invention is by no means limited to use with a drive mechanism such as is disclosed in the foregoing application. Having described the structure of the first embodiment, its operation will now be described. In operation, a load to be conveyed is first placed on the support plates 50 over the conveyor 10, preferably when the hose 32 is in the deflated condition shown in Figure 1. The hose 32 is then inflated by means of the fluid pump 36, bringing the conveyor 10 to the position shown in Figures 2 and 3 and, speci ically, bringing the wire ropes 48 into engagement with the bottom of the load. The drive mechanism 52 is then actuated, moving the wire ropes 48 and load longitudinally in either direction by . the stroke.of the drive mechanism 52. The pump 36 is then turned off and the vent V is opened, allowing the hose 32 to return to the condition shown in Figure 1 and permitting the load to settle back down onto the surface plates 50. The drive mechanism 52 is then reciprocated in the opposite direction, returning it (and the wire ropes 48) to their original positions. This sequence can then be repeated as often as necessary, each time moving the load longitudinally by the stroke of the drive mechanism. ' Although only a single conveyor 10 is shown in the drawings, in practice it is often desirable to place two or more such conveyors ' in parallel array so that loads are borne by more than one conveyor 10 and are securely lifted off the surface plates 50 during each forward stroke. The embodiment shown in Figures 4-13 is a fluidoperated, low profile reciprocating conveyor 100 mounted in a bed 102 of a truck or other vehicle. However, it will be appreciated that the second embodiment is not limited to use in situations where it is mounted in the bed of a truck or other vehicle and that, in particular, it could be mounted in the floor of a factory or of a loading dock in the manner illustrated in connection with the first embodiment. The conveyor 100 is mounted in a metallic trough 104 which is supported by a metal floor 106 in the truck or other vehicle. Removable wood floor boards 108 are supported on the metal floor 106, and the conveyor 100 is located in a longitudinally extending gap between adjacent floor boards 108. Transversely spaced longitudinal beams 110 support the metal floor 106 beneath the trough 104. Upper and lower load supports 112 and 114 are detachably mounted on the floor boards 108 in position to support loads slightly above the floor boards. (It will be appreciated that, in many commercial applications, the function of the load support plates could be dispensed with and the load could be supported directly on an underlying support surface such as the top of the floor boards 108.) The upper load support plates 112 projects transversely inwardly of the floor boards 108 so that the trough 104 is removably held- between the upper surface of the metal floor 106 and the lower surface of the upper load support plates 112. Additionally, the upper load support plates 112 project transversely inwardly of the upper edge of the trough, providing a lower abutment surface 116. A shim plate 118 is removably disposed in the bottom of the trough 104, and bearing plates 120 are held between the lower abutment surfaces 116 on the upper load support plates 112 and the shim plate 118 at longitudinally spaced intervals. Slidably disposed between the vertical bearing plates 120 is a vertically and longitudinally movable U-beam 122, the flanges of which slide vertically and longitudinally on the bearing plates 120. Fixedly attached to the lower, inner edge of the flange of the U-beam 122 are angle irons 124 the inwardly projecting legs of which provide upper abutment surfaces 126. Fixedly mounted on the shim plate 118 (and/or on the bottom of the trough 104) is a generally channel shaped member 128 which has transversely projecting flanges having lower abutment surfaces 130 which engage the upper abutment surfaces 126 when the conveyor 100 is in the position shown in FIGURE 6. Engagement of the upper abutment surfaces 126 with the lower abutment surfaces 130 serves to precisely define the vertical operative position of the U-beam 122. Loosely disposed on the upper surfaces of the transversely projecting flanges of the generally channel shaped member 128 is a hose-support plate 130. Loosely disposed between the hose-support plate 130 and the movable- U-beam 122 is a hose 132. The hose 132 is connected to a selectively operatable fluid (preferably air) pump by a valve 134 and to a selectively operable vent valve 136, just as the first embodiment is and as was described with reference to FIGURE 3. Accordingly, when the vent valve 136 is closed and the pump is actuated, the hose 132 expands from its deflated condition (shown in FIGURE 5) to its inflated condition (shown in FIGURE 6). Similarly, when the pump is turned off and the vent valve 136 is open, the hose 132 deflates from its inflated condition to its deflated condition. Turning to FIGURE 8, which is an exploded view, it will be seen that a plurality of transversely spaced, parallel U-beams 122 are reciprocated in concert by means of a selectively operable fluid piston and cylinder 138 which is fixedly mounted on the undercarriage 140 of the truck or other vehicle. The piston and cylinder 138 has a rod 142 which is connected to a cross-beam 144. Mounted on the crossbeam 144 are a plurality of dogs 146 one of which extends upwardly between each pair of transversely spaced longitudinal beams 110 and through an appropriately positioned slot 148 in the metal floor 106. As best seen in FIGURES 7 and 9, each dog 146 also extends through a slot 150 in the associated trough 104 " and is engaged in a drive socket 152 mounted on the inner surface of the associated U-beam 122. While FIGURES 7 and 9 show the drive socket 152 as having longitudinal walls 154, it will be appreciated that only front and rear transverse walls 156 (belt seen in FIGURE 10) are strictly necessary. Also, while FIGURE 10 shows the drive socket 152 as being located between segments of the hose 132, it will be appreciated that the drive socket 152 could be located at either end of the hose 132 and/or of the conveyor 100. FIGURES 10 and 11 are side views which show the forward and rearward ends of the piston and cylinder 138, respectively. As shown in FIGURE 11, the rear end of the piston and cylinder 138 is mounted on a bar 158 which depends from the bed 102 of the truck. A large housing 160 (best seen in FIGURE 12) is also mounted on the bottom of the bed 102, and longitudinal bearings 162 are mounted at the front and rear of the housing 5 160 on the longitudinal axis of the truck. An antitorque bar 164 is journaled in the longitudinal bearings 162, and, as shown in FIGURE 10, the crossbeam 144 is welded to the anti-torque bar 164. The anti¬ torque bar 164 is slightly longer than the distance 0 between the two longitudinal bearings 162 plus the length of the stroke of the piston and cylinder 138. Thus, when the rod 142 is in its fully extended position (shown in FIGURE 10), the front end of the anti-torque bar 164 extends forwardly of the forward longitudinal bearing 162 by an amount approximately equal to the stroke of -the piston and cylinder 138, while, as shown in FIGURE 11, the rear end of the antitorque bar 164 extends rearwardly of the rearward longitudinal bearing 162 by only a small amount. On the other hand, when the rod 142 is in its fully retracted position, the front end of the anti-torque bar 164 extends forwardly of the forward longitudinal bearing 162 by only a small amount, while the rear end of the anti-torque bar 164 extends rearwardly of the rearward longitudinal bearing 162 by an amount approximately equal to the stroke of the piston and cylinder 138. As shown in FIGURE 13, which is a rather schematic rear view of the lower portion of the conveyor 100, the transverse ends of the cross-beam 144 slide between upper and lower angle irons 166 and 168, respectively, which are fixedly mounted on the side of the truck. Thus, vertical cocking of the cross-beam 144 is prevented by the angle irons 166 and 168, while transverse cocking of the cross-beam 144 is prevented by the anti-torque bar 164, the longitudinal bearings 162, and the housing 160. Having described the structure of the second embodiment, its operation will now be described. In operation, a load to be conveyed is first • placed on the upper load support plates ' 112, preferably when the hoses 132 are in the deflated condition shown in FIGURE 5. The hoses 132 are then inflated by means of the air pump (not shown) and the valve 136, bringing the U-beams 122 to the position shown in FIGURE 6, and, specifically, bringing the upper surfaces of the Ubeams 122 into engagement with the bottom of the load. The piston cylinders 138 are then actuated, moving the U- beams 122 and the load longitudinally in either direction by the stroke of the piston and cylinders 138. The pump is then turned off and the vent valves 136 are opened, allowing the hoses 132 to return to the condition shown in FIGURE 5 and permitting the load to settle back down on the upper loa support plates 112. The piston and cylinders 134 are then reciprocated in the opposite direction, returning them and the U-beams to their original positions. The sequence can then be repeated as often as necessary, each time moving the load longitudinally by the stroke of the piston and cylinders 138. The third embodiment, which is shown in Figure 14, is generally similar to the first embodiment except that it is specifically adapted for use in situations where it is desired to have the conveyer mounted above the floor to interface with some other piece of equipment. In the embodiment shown in Figure 14, a fluidoperated, low profile reciprocating conveyor 200 is mounted above a concrete floor 202 such as the floor of a factory or the floor of a loading dock. The conveyor 200 is housed in a metallic trough 204 formed by facing angle irons 206. The angle irons 206 are mounted on the upper flange of an I-beam 208 by any appropriate means (not shown), and the upper and lower flanges of the I-beam 208 are welded to outwardly facing angle irons 210. The lower flanges of the angle irons 210 are in turn bolted to the upper flanges of angle irons 212, and the lower flanges of the angle irons 212. are bolted to the concrete floor 202 by means of lag bolts 214. Of course, it will be recognized that the metallic trough 204 could be spaced above the concrete floor 202 by a multitude of specifically different mounting structures. Supporting surfaces 216 are mounted on the upper flanges of the angle irons 210 and the upper flanges of the angle irons 206. The supporting surfaces 216 are preferably easily removable for maintenance, and accordingly they are preferably bolted to the upper flanges of the angle irons 210 as shown. A hose support plate 218 is loosely disposed on the upper surfaces of the angle irons 206. Loosely disposed on the hose support plate 218 is a hose 220, which is connected to a selectively operable fluid pump and to a selectively operable vent in the manner shown in and described with reference to Figure 3. It will be appreciated that Figure 14 shows .the hose 220 in its inflated condition. Loosely disposed on the hose 220 is a thrust transmission plate 222 the longitudinal edges of which slide vertically on the inner surfaces of the upper flanges of the angle irons 206. Mounted on the inner surfaces of the upper flanges of the angle irons 206 are support rails 223 which support the thrust transmission plate 222 when the hose 220 is deflated and which permit the hose 220 to move axially while in its deflated condition without disassembling the entire structure. Detachably mounted on the thrust transmission plate 222 is a conveyor support plate 224, which is made of low friction material and which may be replaced when worn. The conveyor support plate 224 has upper abutment surfaces 226 which abut against lower abutment surfaces 228 on the supporting surfaces 216 when the hose 220 is inflated, thereby precisely defining the operative position, of the conveyor support plate 224. The conveyor support plate 224 also has an upper support surface 230 in which a plurality of parallel longitudinal grooves 232 are formed. ' Disposed in each of the grooves 232 is a wire rope 234 which serves as the conveyor in this embodiment. The wire ropes 234 are reciprocated by means of a drive mechanism (not shown) in the same fashion as in the first embodiment. It is believed that the operation of the third embodiment, which is essentially the same as the operation of the first embodiment, will be readily understood without further explanation. The fourth embodiment, which is shown in Figure 15, is generally similar to the first embodiment except that a number of the separate components in the first embodiment have been replaced by two axially symmetic aluminum extrusions . In the embodiment shown in Figure 15, a fluidoperated, low profile reciprocating conveyor 300 is mounted in a gap between the facing surfaces of two axially symmetric aluminum extrusions 302. The extrusions 302, are, in turn, mounted in a metallic trough 304 which can be mounted in a concrete floor, in the floor of a truck or other vehicle, etc. A hose support plate 306 is loosely disposed on the upper surfaces of lower legs 308 of the extrusions 302. Loosely disposed on the hose support plate 306 is a hose 310, shown in its inflated condition. The hose 310 is connected to a selectively operable fluid pump and to a selectively operable vent in the same manner shown in and described with reference to Figure 3. Loosely disposed on the hose 310 is a thrust transmission plate 312 the longitudinal edges of which slide vertically on the inner surfaces of the extrusions 302. The extrusions 302 have upper abutment surfaces 314 which support the thrust transmission plate 314 when the hose 310 is deflated and which permit the hose 310 to be moved axially when it is in its deflated condition without disassembly of the entire structure. Detachably mounted on the thrust transmission plate 312 is a conveyor support plate 316, which is made of low friction material and which may be replaced when worn. The upper support plate 316 has an upper abutment surface 318 which abuts against lower abutment surfaces 320 on the extrusions 302 when the hose 310 is inflated, thereby precisely defining the operative position of the conveyor support plate 316. The conveyor support plate 316 also has an upper support surface 322 in which a plurality of parallel longitudinal grooves 324 are formed. Disposed in each of the grooves 324 is a wire rope 326 which serves as the conveyor in this embodiment. The wire ropes 326 are reciprocated by means of a drive mechanism (not shown) in the same fashion as in the first embodiment. It is believed that the operation of the fourth embodiment, which is essentially the same as the operation of the first embodiment, will be readily understood without further explanation. Figure 16 shows an alternative drive mechanism which is particularly suitable for use in driving a plurality of parallel flexible or partly flexible conveyors. In the embodiment shown in Figure 16, three rigid beams 400, 402, and 404 (each of which is reciprocated vertically by a hose mechanism (not shown) such as was described in connection with the first four embodiments) are reciprocated longitudinally in concert by two coordinated fluid cylinders 406 and 408 and a system of wire ropes and pulleys described hereinafter. The fluid cylinders 406, 408 are "grounded" as by mounting them in the frame of a truck or other vehicle. The rods 410, 412 of the fluid cylinders 406, 408 are rigidly connected to cable termination plates 414, 416, respectively. Three wire ropes are terminated at each of the cable termination plates 414, 416. The wire rope 418, which is terminated on the cable termination plate 414, reverses direction around a pulley 420 and is attached to one end of the rigid beam 402. The wire rope 422, which is terminated on the cable termination plate 416, reverses direction around a pulley 424 and is attached to the other end of the rigid beam 402. Thus, when the rod 410 is extended and the rod 410 is contracted, the rigid beam 402 will move to the right in Figure 16, and, when the rod 410 is contracted and the rod 412 is extended, the rigid beam 402 will move to the left in Figure 16. The wire rope 426, which is terminated on the cable termination plate 414, reverses direction around the pulley 420 and a pulley 428 and is attached to one end of the rigid beam 400. The wire rope 430, which is terminated on the cable termination plate 416, reverses direction around the pulley 424 and a pulley 432 and is attached to the other end of the rigid beam -400. Thus, when the rod 410 is extended and the rod 412 is contracted, the rigid beam 400 will also move to the right in Figure 16, and, when the rod 410 is contracted and the rod 412 is extended, the rigid beam 400 will also move to the left in Figure 16. Finally, the wire rope 434, which is terminated on the cable termination plate 414, reverses direction around a pulley 436 and a pulley 438 and is attached to one end of the rigid beam 404. The wire rope 440, which is terminated on the cable termination plate 416, reverses direction around a pulley 442 and a pulley 444 and is attached to the other end of. the rigid beam 404. Thus, when the rod 410 is extended and the rod 412 is contracted, the rigid beam 404 will also move to the right in Figure 16, and, when the rod 410 is contracted and the rod 412 is extended, the rigid beam 404 will also move to the left in Figure 16. It will, of course, be appreciated that the two single-ended fluid pistons 406 and 408 could be • replaced by a single double-ended fluid piston. However, if a single double-ended fluid piston were used (in effect producing continuous cable loops), a cable stretch adjuster would have to be employed, whereas by using separate single-ended fluid pistons, the cable stretch adjustment is virtually automatic for a moderate number of cables of moderate length. Additionally, it should be noted that, for exceptionally long cable runs, it is desirable to replace one of the two gang mountings shown in Figure 16 (i.e., the gang mounting at one end of the working run) with a plurality of fluid pistons, each one of which is individually connected to one of the cables . This arrangement permits small variations in the temperature- and wear-induced elongations of each cable to be compensated for individually. Figure 17 shows an alternative drive mechanism which is particularly suitable for use in driving a plurality of parallel rigid conveyors. In the embodiment shown in Figure 17, five rigid beams 500 (each of which is reciprocated vertically by a hose mechanism (not shown) such as was described in connection with the first four embodiments) are reciprocated longitudinally in concert by two coordinated fluid cylinders 502 which are grounded in the bed of a truck 504. The rods 506 of the fluid cylinders 502 are fixed to a common cross beam 508, and each of the rigid beams 500 is detachably attached to the common cross beam 508. Thus, as the rods 506 of the two fluid clinders extend in concert, the rigid beams 500 move to the left in Figure 17 in concert, and, as the rods 506 of the two fluid cylinders 502 contract in concert, the rigid beams 500 move to the right in Figure 17 ' in concert. It will, of course, be appreciated that the two transversely spaced fluid cylinders 502 could be replaced by a single, axially-mounted fluid cylinder. Figure 18 shows a fifth embodiment of the subject invention which is generally similar to the first embodiment except (a) that the conveyor mechanism 600 is mounted in the bed 602 of a pallet rack and (b) that, when the load 604 is not supported by the conveyor mechanism 600, it is supported by transversely spaced rollers 606. ' Thus, the load 604 can be pushed axially on the rollers 606 even when the conveyor mechanism 600 is not being used. Alternatively, if the pallet rack is inclined downwardly in the longitudinal direction, the conveyor mechanism 600 can be used as a braking device, preventing longitudinal movement of the load 604 altogether or controlling longitudinal movement of the load 604 when in its raised position. Figure 19 shows a sixth embodiment of the subject invention which is generally similar to the first and fifth embodiments except (a) that the load 700 is at all times supported on a plurality of transversely disposed rollers 702 extending into the page in a planar array (i.e., the load 700 never contacts the conveyor mechanism 704) and (b) that the load 700 moves in incremental steps in the opposite axial direction from the conveyor mechanism 704. That is, in the sixth embodiment the conveyor mechanism 704 is used to power an otherwise conventional roller conveyor. Figures 20 and 21 show a seventh embodiment of the subject invention in which the vertical drive means and the longitudinal drive means are separated. Thus, in this embodiment a vertical drive mechanism 800 is provided to move a load 802 vertically relative to- a longitudinal drive mechanism 804, which moves the load 802 longitudinally relative to the vertical drive mechanism 800. The vertical drive mechanism 800 essentially comprises an inflatable hose 806. The inflatable hose 806 preferably supports a separate load support surface 808, illustrated as a- U-beam. Inflation of the hose 806 causes the load support surface 808 to lift the load 802 off the longitudinal drive mechanism 804 as . shown in Figure 21, while deflation of the hose 806 permits the load support 806 to drop the load 802 back onto the longitudinal drive mechanism 804. The longitudinal drive mechanism 804 essentially comprises a conveyor 810 (shown as a hollow beam) and a longitudinal driver 812 (shown as a fluid cylinder). When the hose 806 is in its deflated condition, the conveyor 810 is stepped in the desired direction by the longitudinal driver 812, and, when the hose 806 is in its inflated condition, the conveyor 810 is returned to its original position for another increment. Of course, it will be appreciated that, in practice, a plurality of parallel vertical drive mechanisms 800 and longitudinal drive mechanisms 804 would normally be used. However, only one of each has been shown for purposes of illustration. Figures 22-25 show alternative drive mechanisms which are particularly suitable for use in driving flexible or partly flexible conveyors. These mechanisms are similar to those shown in Figure 16, and accordingly a continuation of the same number sequence will be used. In the embodiment shown in Figure 22, a rigid beam 446 (which is reciprocated vertically by a hose mechanism (not shown) such as was described in connection with the first four embodiments) is reciprocated longitudinally by fluid cylinders 448 and 450. The fluid cylinders 448 and 450 are "grounded" as by mounting them in the frame of a truck or other vehicle. The rods 452 and 454 of the fluid cylinders 448 and 450 are connected to wire ropes 456 and 458, respectively. The wire ropes 456 and 458 reverse directions around pulleys 460 and 462, respectively, and are attached to opposite ends of the rigid beam 446 by quick-disconnect mechanisms 464 and 466, respectively, provided to permit the wire of ropes 456 and 458 to be easily disconnected from the rigid beam 446 for replacement when they become worn. Three alternative versions of the quick-disconnect mechanism 464 are shown in Figures 22, 24, and 25, respectively. In Figure 22, the quick-disconnect mechanism 464 is shown as comprising a single pin 468 which passes transversely through a tongue-and-groove joint between the end of the rigid beam 446 and a mounting member 470 at the end of the wire rope 456 (shown as a multistrand cable). The pin 468 may be held in place by transverse cotter pins, peening the ends of the pin 468, or any other appropriate means. In Figure 23, the quick-disconnect mechanism 464 is shown as comprising two pins 472 and 474, one of which passes transversely through a tongue-and-groove joint between the end of the rigid beam 446 and a connecting link 476 and one of which passes transversely through a tongue-and-groove joint between the connecting link 476 and a mounting member 478 at the end of the wire rope 456 (shown as a multi-strand cable). Again, the pins 472 and 474 may be held in place by transverse cotter pins, peening of the ends of the pins 472 and 474, or any other appropriate means. Finally, in Figure 24 the quick-disconnect mechanism 464 is, shown as a single pin 480 which passes transversely through a lap joint between the end of the rigid beam 446 and a mounting member 482 at the end of the wire rope 456 (shown as a multi-strand cable). In this embodiment, the pin 480 is headed at one end, and the head is received in a corresponding recess in the mounting member 482, while the other end of the pin 480 may be held in place by a cotter pin, peening, or any other appropriate means. Figure 26 shows an alternative drive mechanism which is particularly suitable for use in driving flexible or partly flexible conveyors. In the embodiment shown in Figure 26, the conveyor is a flexible rope 900 which is reciprocated vertically by a hose mechanism 902 such as was described in connection with the first four embodiments. The flexible rope 900 is reciprocated longitudinally by a pair of fluid cylinders 904, only one of which is shown. The fluid cylinders 904 are mounted in a pit 906 beneath the level of rollers 908 on which a load 5 910 is shown as being pushed onto the wire rope 900, the working run of which is at approximately the same level as the top of the rollers 908. The wire rope 900 reverses direction around a pulley 912 in between the hose mechanism 902 and the 0 fluid cylinder 904. If the pulley 912 were fixed vertically, the wire rope 900 would have to flex where it comes into contact with the hose mechanism 902, and the portion of the wire rope 900 between the beginning of the hose mechanism 902 and the pulley 912 would be 5 "dead" — i.e., it would not contribute to- pulling the load 910 onto the conveyor. To avoid the foregoing two undesirable circumstances, the pulley 912 is preferably mounted for vertical movement on a fluid cylinder 914 which in turn is mounted on the floor of the pit 906. Actuation of the fluid cylinder 914 is coordinated with actuation of the hose mechanism 902 so that the portion of the wire rope 900 between the hose mechanism 902 and the pulley 912 remains horizontal as both the hose mechanism 902 and the pulley 912 go up and down. While a number of preferred embodiments of the subject invention have been described in detail, it will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous other embodiments of the invention can be designed. Accordingly, the subject invention must be interpreted with reference to the claims appended hereto and not merely with reference to the preferred embodiments described herein.

Claims: Claims 1. A fluid operated, low profile reciprocating conveyor comprising: (a) a load support surface positioned to support loads between reciprocal longitudinal movements; (b) a conveyor positioned to support loads during reciprocal longitudinal movements: (c) a radially expandable, longitudinally extending, horizontally disposed hose member operatively positioned between said load support surface and said conveyor so as to cause relative vertical movement therebetween upon inflation and deflation of said hose member; (d) first means for selectively supplying fluid to said hose member and for permitting the fluid to exit said hose member, thereby causing said hose member to expand and contract radially; and (e) second means for longitudinally reciprocating said conveyor. 2. A fluid operated, low profile reciprocating conveyor as recited in Claim 1 wherein said support surface is stationary and said hose member causes said conveyor to move vertically with respect to said conveyor. 3. A fluid operated, low profile reciprocating conveyor as recited in Claim 1 and further comprising a conveyor support means disposed between said hose member and said conveyor. 4. A fluid operated, low profile reciprocating conveyor as recited in Claim 1 wherein said conveyor comprises at least one flexible member. 5. A fluid operated, low profile reciprocating conveyor as recited in Claim 4 wherein: (a) said at least one flexible member reverses direction around a pulley and (b) said pulley moves vertically up and down in synchronism with said conveyor. 6. A fluid operated, low profile reciprocating conveyor as recited in Claim 4 wherein said at least one flexible member is a wire rope. 7. A fluid operated, low profile reciprocating conveyor as recited in Claim 1 wherein said conveyor comprises a beam operatively connected to said second means. 8. A fluid operated, low profile reciprocating conveyor as recited in Claim 1 wherein said conveyor is positioned between two support surfaces located in the same horizontal plane and actuation of said first means causes said conveyor to protrude above both of said two support surfaces. 9. A fluid operated, low profile reciprocating conveyor as recited in Claim 1 wherein said second means comprises a piston and cylinder operatively connected to said conveyor . 10. A fluid operated, low profile reciprocating conveyor as recited in Claim 1 and further comprising third means for limiting the relative movement of said load support surface and said conveyor due to expansion of said hose member. 11. A fluid operated, low profile reciprocating conveyor as recited in Claim 1 wherein said load support surface comprises a plurality of rollers. 12. A fluid operated, low profile reciprocating conveyor as recited in Claim 1 wherein: (a) said load support surface is stationary and (b) said conveyor reciprocates both vertically and longitudinally. 13. A fluid operated, low profile reciprocating conveyor as recited in Claim 1 wherein: (a) said load support surface reciprocates vertically but does not move longitudinally and (b) said conveyor reciprocates longitudinally but does not move vertically. 14. A fluid operated, low profile reciprocating conveyor as recited in Claim 1 wherein: (a) said conveyor comprises a rigid member and (b) said second means comprises a flexible member attached to said rigid member. 15. A fluid operated, low profile reciprocating conveyor as recited in Claim 14 wherein said flexible member is attached to said rigid member by a quickdisconnect mechanism. 5 16. A fluid operated, low profile reciprocating conveyor comprising: (a) a base; (b) a roller conveyor mounted on said base; (c) a conveyor mounted .on said base and 10 positioned to contact the underside of said roller conveyor; (d) a radially expandable, longitudinally extending ' , horizontally disposed hose member operatively positioned beneath said conveyor so as to •15 cause vertical movement of said conveyor into and out of contact with the underside of said roller conveyor; (e) first means for selectively supplying fluid to said hose member and for permitting the fluid to exit said hose member, thereby causing said hose member 20 to expand and contract radially; and (f) second means for longitudinally reciprocating said conveyor. 17. A fluid operated, low profile reciprocating conveyor as recited in Claim 16 wherein said conveyor 25 comprises a rigid member operatively connected to said second means. 18. A fluid operated, low profile reciprocating conveyor as recited in Claim 17 wherein said rigid member is a beam.

Inventors: LUTZ DAVID E, LUTZ DAVID W, LUTZ, DAVID, E., LUTZ, DAVID, W.
Applicants: LUTZ DAVID E, LUTZ DAVID W, LUTZ, DAVID, E., LUTZ, DAVID, W.
Application year: 1985
Main classification: B65G25
IPC codes: B65G25