Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure is related to a conveyor assembly including a trapdoor assembly having a device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conveyor assemblies for vehicles, such as automobiles and the like, are used in car washes and other applications to move the vehicle across a horizontal surface. A track extends along the horizontal surface. On demand, a dolly may rise out of an opening at an entrance end of the conveyor assembly to engage a tire of the vehicle. The dolly is driven by a chain to advance the vehicle along the conveyor until the vehicle exits and the dolly drops below the horizontal surface to eventually return to the entrance end of the conveyor. The dollies have two alternative paths relative to the track. One path is below the horizontal surface, where the dolly is out of the way while still being advanced by the chain, when a vehicle is not present to be moved along the track. The other path is above the horizontal surface, where the dolly is capable of moving the vehicle as the chain advances. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one possible aspect of the disclosure, a conveyor assembly is provided for movably supporting a tire of a vehicle. The conveyor assembly includes a track, a dolly, and a trapdoor assembly. The track is configured for supporting the tire of the vehicle. The track terminates at an edge, and a gap is defined beyond the edge. The dolly is configured to move along the track to the edge so as to guide the tire along the track to the edge. The trapdoor assembly is configured to substantially cover the gap when in a closed position and is movable to an open position to uncover the gap and allow the dolly to translate around the edge. The trapdoor assembly includes a device configured to prevent a human from inadvertently opening the trapdoor assembly. 
     In another possible aspect of the disclosure, a trapdoor assembly is provided for a conveyor assembly having a support structure, a track terminating at an edge, and a dolly movable along the track. The trapdoor assembly includes a trapdoor assembly. The trapdoor assembly is configured to substantially cover a gap defined beyond the edge when in a closed position and is movable to an open position to uncover the gap and allow the dolly to translate around the edge. The trapdoor assembly includes a device configured to prevent a human from inadvertently opening the trapdoor assembly 
     The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present teachings are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the present teachings when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic exploded perspective view of a conveyor system for use with a car wash, with the conveyor system including a conveyor assembly that is broken and that includes a trapdoor assembly. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic side view of a tire of a vehicle supported by the conveyor assembly with the tire being pushed by a roller of a translation member and with the trapdoor assembly in a closed position. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic side view of the tire of the vehicle supported by the conveyor assembly with the tire being pushed by the roller of the translation member and with the trapdoor assembly in an open position. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view of a biasing device of the trapdoor assembly having a core, reinforcing layers, and a covering, with the reinforcing layers and a covering illustrated as being partially peeled away from a core. 
         FIG. 5A  is a schematic diagrammatic side view of the conveyor system of  FIG. 1  including a track, a translation member, a trapdoor assembly, and a proximity sensor, illustrating the trapdoor assembly in a closed position. 
         FIG. 5B  is a schematic diagrammatic side view of the conveyor system of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the trapdoor assembly in an open position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components throughout the several Figures, a conveyor system  20  for use with a vehicle washing system  21  is shown schematically in  FIG. 1 . The conveyor system  20  includes a conveyor assembly  22 . The conveyor assembly  22  is configured to convey a vehicle  24  through the vehicle washing system  21 . 
     The conveyor assembly  22  includes a support structure  26 , a track  28 , a plurality of translation members  30 , and a trapdoor assembly  32 . The support structure  26  operatively supports the track  28  and a pair of sprockets  34 . The track  28  presents a support surface  36  that is configured to movably support a tire  38  of the vehicle  24 . The track  28  defines a channel  39  that extends to an edge  40 . The conveyor assembly  22  extends between opposing ends  42 . The sprockets  34  are disposed proximate the opposite ends  42  of the conveyor assembly  22 . 
     A chain  44 , such as an endless chain  44 , extends about the pair of sprockets  34 , as may be known to those skilled in the art. The sprockets  34  may be driven or otherwise rotated by a motor  46  to move the chain  44 . The chain  44  is operatively disposed opposite the support surface  36 , i.e., beneath the track  28 . The translation members  30  may be operatively attached to the chain  44 , in series. In response to moving the chain  44 , each translation member  30  is configured to move along the support surface  36  of the track  28 , while pushing a tire  38  of the vehicle  24 , to the edge  40  of the track  28 . In one non-limiting embodiment, with reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , the translation member  30  may be a dolly, as known in the related art. Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , each translation member  30  may include a roller assembly  48  having at least one first roller  50  that rolls along the support surface  36  in response to movement of the chain  44  and a second roller  51  to, in turn, push the respective tire  38 , causing the tire  38  to roll (arrow W) and the vehicle  24  to move in a forward direction (arrow X). The second roller  51  extends into the channel  39  defined along the track  28  such that the second roller  51  is free to rotate in a direction opposite the rotation of the tire  38 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the roller assembly  48  may include linkage  52  that operatively connects the roller assembly  48  to the chain  44 . The first roller(s)  50  of the translation member  30  is supported by the support surface  36 . The first roller  50  may have a diameter D W1  that is smaller than a diameter D W2  of the second roller  51 . 
     The trapdoor assembly  32  is movably disposed proximate the edge  40  of the track  28 . More specifically, the trapdoor assembly  32  may be pivotally disposed proximate the edge  40  of the track  28 . The trapdoor assembly  32  includes a housing  54  having a pair of stanchions  56  and an apply member  58 . The housing  54  may also be referred to as a weldment. The stanchions  56  may be disposed in spaced relationship to one another and may be pivotally attached to the support structure  26  such that the trapdoor assembly  32  rotates about a pivot axis  60  as the trapdoor assembly  32  moves between a closed position  62 , illustrated in  FIG. 2 , and an open position  64 , illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The apply member  58  may be operatively attached to the pair of stanchions  56  such that the apply member  58  is disposed in generally perpendicular relationship to the pair of stanchions  56 . As such, the apply member  58  is operatively attached to the stanchions  56  in radially spaced relationship to the pivot axis  60 . The chain  44  extends between the pair of stanchions  56 , the apply member  58 , and the pivot axis  60 . The apply member  58  is positioned relative to the edge  40  of the track  28  such that an opening or gap  66  is defined between the edge  40  of the track  28  and the apply member  58 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the trapdoor assembly  32  may also include a pivot assembly  68  that pivotally connects the pair of stanchions  56  to the support structure  26 . The pivot assembly  68  allows the trapdoor assembly  32  to pivot relative to the support structure  26  between the closed position  62  and the open position  64 . The pivot assembly  68  includes an axle  70  that is operatively disposed along the pivot axis  60  and that operatively interconnects the pair of stanchions  56  such that the axle  70  is disposed in spaced and generally parallel relationship to the apply member  58 . The pivot assembly  68  includes at least one support member  72 , e.g., a pillow block bearing, operatively attached to both the axle  70  and the support structure  26 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the trapdoor assembly  32  includes a pair of support member  72  disposed in spaced relationship to one another such that the housing  54  is disposed therebetween. The support members  72  are operatively attached to the support structure  26  such that the pivot assembly  68  allows the housing  54  of the trapdoor assembly  32  to pivot relative to the edge  40  of the track  28  between the closed position  62  ( FIG. 2 ) and the open position  64  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     The trapdoor assembly  32  is pivotable, relative to the edge  40  of the track  28 , between the closed position  62  ( FIG. 2 ) and the open position  64  ( FIG. 3 ), in response to the application of a force F 1  to an apply surface  74  of the apply member  58  by the roller assembly  48  of the translation member  30 , as the roller assembly  48  passes the edge  40  of the track  28 . The apply surface  74  faces the edge  40  of the track  28 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the gap  66  may be defined between the apply surface  74  and the edge  40  of the track  28  when the trapdoor assembly  32  is in the closed position  62 . However, it should be appreciated that the apply surface  74  and the edge  40  of the track  28  may also be in abutting or otherwise overlapping relationship to one another when the trapdoor assembly  32  is in the closed position  62 . When the gap  66  is defined between the apply surface  74  and the edge  40  of the track  28  when the trapdoor assembly  32  is in the closed position  62 , the gap  66  between the apply surface  74  and the edge  40  of the track is a first distance D 1 . The first distance D 1  may be sufficiently small so as to prevent the first and second rollers  50 ,  51  of the dolly  30  from moving through the gap  66 . Therefore, when the trapdoor assembly  32  is in the closed position  62 , the roller(s)  50 ,  51  of the translation members  30  are prevented from moving through the gap  66 . However, when the translation member  30  passes the edge  40  of the track  28 , the second roller  51  of the translation member  30  contacts the apply surface  74  of the trapdoor assembly  32  and applies the force F 1  thereto, by virtue of the chain  44  being driven by the motor  46 . Therefore, the translation member  30  is pulled along the track  28  as the chain  44  moves relative to the track  28 . As the first roller  50  of the translation member  30  reaches the edge  40  of the track  28 , the second roller  51  contacts the apply surface  74  and applies the force F 1  to the apply surface  74  of the trapdoor assembly  32  until the trapdoor assembly  32  moves from the closed position  62  to the open position  64 . 
     The force F 1  is exerted on the apply surface  74  of the apply member  58  of the trapdoor assembly  32  in a direction away from, or opposite, the edge  40  of the track  28 , such that a first moment M 1  about the pivot axis  60 , i.e., in a first direction (arrow M 1 ) is generated. The application of the force F 1  to the apply member  58  causes the trapdoor assembly  32  to move away from the edge  40  of the track  28  only when the force F 1  is at least equal to an activation force F A , that can be imparted onto the apply member  58  by the translation member  30 . The activation force F A  is configured to be a force that causes the trapdoor assembly  32  to move from the closed position  62  in response to the application of the force F 1  by the translation member  30 , while also being a force F A  that is configured to prevent an inadvertent movement of the trapdoor assembly  32  from the closed position  62  to the open position  64  when a force is being applied to the trapdoor assembly  32  by something other than the translation member  30 . In the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , application of the force F 1  to the apply member  58  causes the trapdoor assembly  32  to pivot about the pivot axis  60 , away from the edge  40  of the track. Pivoting, or otherwise moving, the trapdoor assembly  32  away from the edge  40  of the track  28 , causes the first distance D 1  to increase until a second distance D 2  is achieved, i.e., a size of the gap  66  is increased. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the second distance D 2  is at least equal to the diameter D W1  of the first roller  50 , plus a portion of the diameter D W2  of the second roller  51  that extends beyond the diameter of the first roller  50 . More specifically, with continued reference to  FIG. 3 , the second distance D 2  may be equal to ½ D W1 +½ D W2 . The increase of the size of the gap  66  from the first distance D 1  to the second distance D 2  allows the roller assembly  48  to travel through the gap  66  and fit between the edge  40  of the track  28  and the apply surface  74  of the trapdoor assembly  32  such that the translation member  30  drops below the track  28  and is able to continue to move with the chain  44 , as the chain  44  eventually moves about the respective sprocket  34  and the respective translation member  30  is returned in the opposite direction, as is known to those skilled in the art. 
     The trapdoor assembly  32  also includes at least one device  76  configured to allow movement of the trapdoor assembly  32 , relative to the edge  40  of the track  28 , from the closed position  62  to the open position  64 , in response to the translation member  30  being proximate the edge  40  of the track  28 . Likewise, the device  76  is configured to prevent movement of the trapdoor assembly  32 , relative to the edge  40  of the track  28 , from the closed position  62  to the open position  64 , when the translation member  30  is not proximate the edge of the track  28 . In one non-limiting example, the translation member  30  may be in contact relationship with the trapdoor assembly  32 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the device  76  is configured to prevent a human  33  from inadvertently opening the trapdoor assembly  32 . Therefore, the device  76  is configured such that the activation force F A  required to move the trapdoor assembly  32  to the open position  64  is greater than a force applied by a member of a human body  33 , such as a hand, arm, foot, knee, leg, and the like, where the force applied by a member of the human body  33  is not assisted by other than the human body  33 . 
     In another non-limiting example, the translation member  30  being proximate the edge  40  of the track  28  is defined as being at a location  77  that is spaced along the track a functional distance D f  from the edge  40 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5B . The conveyor assembly  22  may include a proximity sensor  41  configured to detect when a tracked object  43 , such as the translation member  30 , is proximate to the edge  40 , i.e., spaced the functional distance D f  from the edge  40 , to, in turn, transmit a signal S 41  to the device  76 . Upon receipt of the signal S 41  from the proximity sensor  41 , the device  76  may automatically move from a locked state S 1  ( FIG. 5A ) to an unlocked state S 2  ( FIG. 5B ), where the translation member  30 , in turn, contacts and moves the trapdoor assembly  32  from the closed position  62  to the open position  64 . In the locked state S 1 , the device  76  acts as a latch to prevent the movement of the trapdoor assembly  32  from the closed position  62  to the open position  64 . Likewise, in the unlocked state S 2 , the device  76  allows the movement of the trapdoor assembly  32  from the closed position  62  ( FIG. 5A ) to the open position  64  ( FIG. 5B ). 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 5A, 5B , in yet another non-limiting example, upon receipt of the output signal S 41 , the device  76  functions to automatically move the trapdoor assembly  32  from the closed position  62  ( FIG. 5A ) to the open position  64  ( FIG. 5B ). Likewise, the device  76  may also be configured to automatically move from the open position  64  ( FIG. 5A ) to the closed position  62  ( FIG. 5B ) once a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the receipt of the signal S 41 ; upon receipt of another signal from another proximity sensor (not shown) that senses the translation member  30  has moved from the edge  40  of the track  28  and through the gap  66 ; and the like. In this non-limiting example, the device  76  may include at least one actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a motor, and the like, that is configured to selectively move the trapdoor assembly  32 , relative to the edge  40  of the track. 
     Referring again to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the device  76  may be referred to as a biasing device  76 . Each trapdoor assembly  32  includes at least one biasing device  76 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , each trapdoor assembly  32  may include a pair of biasing devices  76 . The biasing devices  76  may be operatively attached to the respective stanchions  56  of the housing  54  such that the biasing devices  76  are disposed in spaced relationship to one another and are each disposed arcuately opposite the apply surface  74  of the apply member  58  of the trapdoor assembly  32 . Each biasing device  76  is configured to react between a reaction surface  78  and the respective stanchion  56  to provide resistance to rotation of the trapdoor assembly  32  about the pivot axis  60  from the closed position  62  to the open position  64 . More specifically, each biasing device  76  is elastically compressible and provides resistance to movement of the trapdoor assembly  32  from the closed position  62  to the open position  64 . The biasing device  76  provides a restoring force F 2  to the trapdoor assembly  32  when the trapdoor assembly  32  is not in the closed position  62  to bias the trapdoor assembly  32  toward the closed position  62 . The reaction surface  78  may be part of the support structure  26 . However, it should be appreciated that the reaction surface  78  may be part of any other structure, so long as the support surface  78  provides a surface for the biasing device  76  to react against. Therefore, the biasing device(s)  76  are configured to react between the reaction surface  78  and the stanchion  56  to apply a second moment M 2  about the pivot axis  60 , i.e., in a second direction (arrow M 2 ) opposite the first direction (arrow M 1 ), to counteract the first moment M 1 , as the force F 1  is applied to the apply surface  74 . It should also be appreciated that the biasing device may optionally be attached to the reaction surface  78 , such that the biasing device  76  still reacts between the reaction surface  78  and the stanchion  56 . 
     The biasing device  76  may be a spring, such as a compression spring. Referring to  FIG. 4 , an exemplary biasing device  76  is illustrated. Each biasing device  76  extends along a biasing axis  80  between a first face  82  and a second face  84 . The first face  82  is configured to be acted on by the stanchion  56  and the second face  84  is configured to be acted on by the support surface  36 , in response to the force F 1  being applied to the apply surface  74  by the translation member  30 . Each biasing device  76  is attached to the respective stanchion  56  such that the biasing axis  80  is spaced a radial distance DR from the pivot axis  60 . As such, the biasing device  76  is pivotable, with the housing  54 , about the pivot axis  60 . The biasing axis  80  may be generally perpendicular to, and non-coincident with, the pivot axis  60 . The biasing device  76  is configured to be loaded along the biasing axis  80  such that the biasing device  76  is compressed along the biasing axis  80 . Alternatively, the biasing device  76  may be attached to the support structure  26  or another surface such that the first face  82  of the biasing device  76  is acted on by the stanchion  56 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the biasing device  76  includes a core  86  and at least one reinforcing layer  88 . The core  86  extends along the biasing axis  80  and comprises an elastomeric material, such as rubber and the like. The reinforcing layer  88 A,  88 B axially surrounds the core  86  to provide lateral support to the core  86 , i.e., normal to the biasing axis  80 , as the biasing device  76  is compressed along the biasing axis  80 . The reinforcing layer  88  may be at least two layers  88 A,  88 B, where each reinforcing layer  88  includes a plurality of cords  90  covered with elastomeric material  92 . The cords  90  of each support layer  88 A,  88 B may be biased, i.e., extend at an angle relative to the biasing axis  80 , and extend in parallel relationship to one another. Further, the cords  90  of one support layer  88 A may extend in a different direction and/or angle relative to the other support layer  88 B. 
     When the biasing device  76  is loaded in the direction of the biasing axis  80 , as a result of the application of the applied force F 1 , a height H of the biasing device  76  decreases, i.e., the biasing device compresses. Additionally, an outer diameter D OD  of the biasing device  76  may radially expand. The cords  90  of one or more of the reinforcing layers  88  may provide a restraint force to provide an increasing resistance to the compression of the biasing device  76 . Further, the cords  90  within each reinforcing layer  88  may be configured to control the radial displacement of the cords  90  as the biasing device  76  is compressed. 
     The biasing device  76  is configured to have a spring rate that increases as a function of the amount of force F 1  that is applied to the apply surface  74  of the trapdoor assembly  32  increasing. As such, the biasing device  76  may be configured such that a predefined force F 1  is required to be applied to the apply surface  74  by the translation member  30  before the trapdoor assembly  32  will move the required distance from the closed position  62  (first distance D 1 ) to the open position  64  (second distance D 2 ). In one embodiment, the activation force F A  required to move the trapdoor assembly  32  from the closed position  62  to the open position  64  is at least 889.6 newtons (N) (approximately 200 pounds (lbs)). More preferably, the force F 1  required to move the trapdoor assembly  32  from the closed position  62  to the open position  64  is at least 1179 N (approximately 400 lbs). It should be appreciated that, in the absence of a sufficient force F 1  being applied to the apply surface  74  of the trapdoor assembly  32 , the biasing device  76  will not compress to the required height and the trapdoor assembly  32  will be prevented from pivoting from the closed position  62 , i.e., first distance D 1  ( FIG. 2 ) to the open position  64 , i.e., second distance D 2  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     The biasing device  76  is resilient. Therefore, in the absence of the application of the sufficient force F 1  to the apply surface  74 , the restoring force F 2  of the biasing device  76  being applied to the trapdoor assembly  32  may cause the trapdoor assembly  32  to automatically return to the closed position  62 , from the open position  64  as the height H of the biasing device  76  returns to the height H when not under a load created by the application of the force F 1 . 
     In one non-limiting embodiment, the core  86  may define a passage  94  that extends therethrough, along the biasing axis  80 . The core  86  defines an inner diameter D ID . The smaller the inner diameter D ID , the larger the force F 1  required to compress the biasing device  76 . Therefore, the force F 1  required to sufficiently compress the biasing device  76  may be determined as a function of the inner diameter D ID . 
     Additionally, changing the durometer, or hardness, of the elastomeric material of the core  86  can influence the force F 1  required to compress the biasing device  76  along the biasing axis  80 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 4 , the biasing device  76  may also include a covering  96  that axially surrounds the reinforcing layer  88 . The covering  96  may comprise an elastomeric material, such as rubber and the like. The covering  96  may provide resistance to abrasion and otherwise protect the reinforcing layers  88 A,  88 B. 
     The trapdoor assembly  32  may also include at least one return member  98  operatively interconnecting the stanchion  56  and the support structure  26 . Preferably, the return member  98  is a pair of return members  98 , where each return member  98  is operatively attached to a respective stanchion  56  and to the support structure  26 . Each return member  98  may be a spring, such as a tension spring or extension spring. The return member  98  is configured to have a spring rate that is less than a spring rate of the biasing devices  76 . In the absence of the force F 1  being applied to the apply surface  74  of the trapdoor assembly  32 , the return member  98  assists the biasing device  76  in returning the housing  54  from the open position  64  to the closed position  62 . 
     Additionally, referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the trapdoor assembly  32  may also include at least one bumper  99 . The bumpers  99  may be operatively attached to a respective stanchion  56  and/or the support structure  26  such that the bumpers  99  react between the stanchions  56 , arcuately opposite the biasing devices  76 . The bumpers  99  are configured to provide cushioning between the housing  54  and the support structure  26  when the trapdoor assembly  32  automatically returns to the closed position  62 . 
     While the best modes for carrying out the many aspects of the present teachings have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which these teachings relate will recognize various alternative aspects for practicing the present teachings that are within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 7