Patent ID: 12208967

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Various example embodiments of the present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. The term “or” (also designated as “/”) is used herein in both the alternative and conjunctive sense, unless otherwise indicated. The terms “illustrative” and “exemplary” are used to be examples with no indication of quality level. Like numbers may refer to like elements throughout. The phrases “in one embodiment,” “according to one embodiment,” and/or the like generally mean that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase may be included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure and may be included in more than one embodiment of the present disclosure (importantly, such phrases do not necessarily may refer to the same embodiment).

Overview

According to various example embodiments, there is provided a magnetic or otherwise detachable cover apparatus that may be integrated into a conveyor to provide protection to one or more internal components of the conveyor. In some examples, the magnetic cover apparatus may be a substantially planar piece of sheet metal. In some embodiments the substantially planar piece of sheet metal may define one or more flanges that further define one or more gaps. In some embodiments, the gaps may be holes or punches disposed through the one or more flanges. The one or more flanges may be defined on the left and right sides of the magnetic cover apparatus and may include one or more magnetic devices disposed within the gaps, which may be substantially the same shape as the magnetic devices for, in some examples, a snug and secure fit. The magnetic devices may be additionally or alternatively secured within the gaps by, for example, an adhesive or other bonding solution. The one or more magnetic devices may be used to form one or more magnetic connections between the flanges and one or more side rails of the conveyor. In at least this way, the magnetic cover apparatus may be magnetically secured to the conveyor and thereby safeguard the one or more internal components of the conveyor.

Example Magnetic Cover Apparatus

FIGS.1A and1Bshow a bottom perspective view of an example magnetic cover apparatus100, andFIG.2shows a top plan view of the example magnetic cover apparatus100. The example magnetic cover apparatus100is shown as translucent inFIG.1Bto highlight the internal features of an example conveyor system200. In some embodiments, the magnetic cover apparatus100may have a bottom side102and a top side104(as shown in at leastFIGS.2and3). In some embodiments, the magnetic cover apparatus100is a substantially planar, thin sheet composed of sheet metal, which may be composed of steel, aluminum, or any other suitable metal. In some embodiments, the magnetic cover apparatus100may be substantially rectangular in shape, but in other embodiments the magnetic cover apparatus100may take on a variety of different shapes as desired. In some embodiments, when the magnetic cover apparatus100is substantially rectangular, the magnetic cover apparatus100may have a width ranging between 10 and 70 inches and a width ranging between 20 and 60 inches. In some embodiments, the magnetic cover apparatus100may have a square footage ranging between 4 square feet and 16 square feet.

In some embodiments, the magnetic cover apparatus100may define a left side105A and a right side105B. In some embodiments, the left side105A and the right side105B may each define one or more flanges106A-106F. In some embodiments, an equal number of flanges106A-F may be disposed on the left and right sides105A,105B. In some embodiments, the flanges106A-F may be cut outs from the apparatus100, and in other embodiments the flanges106A-F may be formed when the apparatus100is first machined. Three flanges106A-F are shown on each side in at leastFIGS.1A and1B, but it will be understood that greater or fewer flanges106A-F may be disposed on the left and right sides105A,105B, and that unequal numbers of flanges106A-F may be disposed on the left and right sides105A,105B (e.g., two flanges106A,106B on the left side105A and four flanges106C-F on the right side105B). In some embodiments, when the magnetic cover apparatus100is substantially rectangular, the one or more flanges106A-F may have a length ranging between 3 inches and 10 inches and a width ranging between 2 inches and 5 inches. In some embodiments, there may be between 3 and 9 inches between each flange106A-F on the respective left or right sides105A,105B.

In some embodiments, the flanges106A-F may include one or more gaps in which one or more magnetic devices108A-F may be disposed. In some embodiments, the gaps may be holes or punches disposed through the flanges106A-F. In some embodiments, the gaps may be substantially circular and have a diameter ranging between 0.4 and 0.5 inches. In some embodiments, the magnetic devices108A-F may be substantially disc-shaped magnets made from a metal alloy and may have a diameter of 0.3 inches. In some embodiments, the metal alloy may be composed of one or more of iron, nickel, aluminum, or cobalt. In some embodiments, the magnetic devices may have a thickness ranging between 0.01 and 0.1 inches. In some embodiments, the magnetic devices may have a thickness of 0.05 inches. In some embodiments, the gaps may have a diameter that is 0.005 inches less than the diameter of the magnetic devices108A-F, and this may enable a snug fit between the magnetic devices108A-F and the one or more gaps of the flanges106A-F. In some embodiments, the one or more magnetic devices108A-F may be secured in the gaps of the flanges106A-F by an adhesive, such as an epoxy, polyurethane, a silicone-based adhesive, or any other adhesive suitable for bonding with the material composing the flanges106A-F of the magnetic cover apparatus100, which may be galvanized metal. In some embodiments, one magnetic device108A may be disposed in one gap per one flange106A, as shown inFIGS.1A,1B, and2. In other embodiments, more than one magnetic device108A may be disposed in multiple gaps per one flange106A, as shown inFIG.3. In other embodiments, multiple magnetic devices108A-F may be disposed per each individual flange106A-F. For example, five magnetic devices108A-E could be disposed within a single flange (e.g.,106A).

In some embodiments, and as shown in at leastFIGS.1A,1B, and4, an example magnetic cover apparatus100may be secured to a conveyor system200having a conveyor201with side rails202A,202B. In some embodiments, the one or more flanges106A-F may be aligned with the side rails202A,202B of the conveyor system200. For example, and as shown inFIGS.1A,1B, and3, the flanges on the left side106A-C of the apparatus105A may be configured to align with a first side rail202A while the flanges on the right side106D-F of the apparatus105B may be configured to align with a second side rail202B. In other embodiments, the orientations may be reversed.

In some embodiments, the side rails202A,202B may be composed of metal or any other material that may be magnetically attractive. In other embodiments, the side rails202A,202B may themselves be magnets or magnetized. In some embodiments, the bottom side102of the apparatus100may be placed on the conveyor201, while in other embodiments the orientation may be reversed, with the top side105placed on the conveyor201.

In some embodiments, once the one or more flanges106A-F are aligned with the side rails202A,202B in such a way that the one or more magnetic devices108A-F secured within the flanges106A-F may be brought into proximity with the one or more side rails202A,202B such that the one or more magnetic devices108A-F form one or more magnetic connections with the side rails202A,202B. In at least this way, the magnetic cover apparatus100may be secured to the side rails202A,202B and, by extension, secured to the conveyor system200. In some embodiments, once the magnetic cover apparatus100is secured to the conveyor system200, the magnetic cover apparatus100may be a substantially smooth, planar surface on the bottom of the conveyor system without protrusions or holes, which have been filled in by the one or more magnetic devices108A-F. In at least this way, the magnetic cover apparatus100may in some examples, be visually clean and uncluttered without visible assembly or attachment hardware.

In some embodiments, the conveyor system200may have one or more internal components204and one or more rollers206. In some embodiments, the magnetic cover apparatus100may be configured to secure or otherwise protect the one or more internal components against outside interference and/or contaminants. For example, the magnetic cover apparatus100may prevent dust and other contaminants from entering the system200. As another example, the magnetic cover apparatus100may prevent a technician or other individual from placing (accidentally or intentionally) his or her hand or other body part, tool, or the like into the conveyor system during operation. In some embodiments, the one or more rollers206may be configured to support one or more objects being transported by the conveyor system200, and the magnetic cover apparatus100may similarly protect the underside of the rollers206from interference as the internal component204may be protected.

In some embodiments, the magnetic cover apparatus100may be removed from the conveyor system200when the one or more internal components204and/or the one or more rollers206need to be accessed by a technician. For example, the one or more internal components204may need to be replaced. A technician may simply remove the magnetic cover apparatus100by applying sufficient force to overcome the magnetic connections between the one or more magnetic devices108A-F and the side rails202A-B. The one or more internal components204and/or the one or more rollers206may then be accessed, repaired and/or replaced as necessary, and the magnetic cover apparatus100may be reattached as described above.

Example Methods of Use/Manufacture/Etc

FIG.4is an example flow chart of an example method300of securing a magnetic cover apparatus to a conveyor according to various embodiments. Although the method300is described with reference to apparatus100and system200and their various components as previously described the method300may be implemented on any number of suitable apparatuses and systems.

In some embodiments, the method300may include a step302of aligning one or more flanges of a magnetic cover apparatus with one or more side rails of a conveyor, wherein the magnetic cover apparatus includes one or more magnetic devices operably attached to the one or more flanges. In some embodiments, the method300may include a step304of moving the magnetic cover apparatus into proximity of the conveyor such that the one or more magnetic devices form a magnetic connection by way of an electromagnetic force between the one or more flanges and the one or more side rails of the conveyor. In some embodiments, the method300may include an additional step of applying a force to the magnetic cover apparatus such that the magnetic connection is overcome and the magnetic cover apparatus is removed from the conveyor.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.