Pallet centering device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11802006-B2
Application number	US-202117453766-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 5, 2021
Priority date	Nov 5, 2021
Publication date	Oct 31, 2023
Grant date	Oct 31, 2023

Abstract

A pallet centering device includes a frame upon which is mounted a plurality of conveyor rollers, the conveyor rollers mounted transverse to a direction of pallet travel. A first pallet pusher unit and a second pallet pusher unit are associated with respective sides of the support frame, both for reciprocal movement transverse to the direction of pallet travel. The first and second pallet pusher units each have pallet pusher members configured for engaging respective sides of a pallet. At least one transverse U-channel rail is mounted to the support frame beneath the conveyor rollers and defining a channel track. Each first and second pallet pusher unit has at least one depending bearing mount aligned with the channel track and provided with a bearing rotatably engaging the channel track. A drive assembly moves the first and second pallet pusher units reciprocally for centering the pallet located on the conveyor rollers.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A pallet centering device for use with a pallet conveyor line that is connected to a pallet film wrapping apparatus, said device comprising:
a support frame with an upper surface upon which is mounted a plurality of conveyor rollers, said support frame including a pallet entry end, an opposite pallet exit end, a first side and an opposite second side, said conveyor rollers being mounted transverse to a direction of pallet travel from said pallet entry end to said pallet exit end;
a first pallet pusher unit associated with said first side of said support frame for reciprocal movement transverse to the direction of pallet travel;
a second pallet pusher unit associated with said second side of said support frame for reciprocal movement transverse to the direction of pallet travel;
said first and second pallet pusher units each having pallet pusher members configured for engaging respective sides of a pallet located on said conveyor rollers;
at least one transverse U-channel rail mounted to said support frame beneath said conveyor rollers and defining a channel track, said rail mounted within said support frame;
each said first and second pallet pusher units having at least one depending bearing mount constructed and arranged for alignment with said channel track, and each said bearing mount provided with a track bearing rotatably engaging said channel track;
a drive assembly associated with said support frame and connected to said first and second pallet pusher units for moving said units reciprocally relative to said direction of travel for centering the pallet located on said conveyor rollers.

2. The pallet centering device of claim 1 , wherein each said pallet pusher unit has a pair of depending bearing mounts having track bearings for engaging said channel track.

3. The pallet centering device of claim 1 , wherein each said track bearing has a flanged end for enhancing alignment in said channel track.

4. The pallet centering device of claim 1 , wherein each said pallet pusher unit has a control flap constructed and arranged so that upon impact with the pallet, the flap depresses against said pallet pusher unit, generating a signal indicating pallet contact.

5. The pallet centering device of claim 4 , further including a control unit connected to said pallet pusher units and to said drive assembly and configured for controlling movement of said pallet pusher units for achieving centering of the pallet on said conveyor rollers.

6. The pallet centering device of claim 1 , wherein said pallet pusher units each have openings for accommodating said conveyor rollers so that said pallet pusher units are movable transversely relative to said conveyor rollers.

7. The pallet centering device of claim 6 , wherein said conveyor rollers are arranged in groups, with spaces defined between said groups in the direction of pallet travel, and said pallet pusher units are provided with supports extending in said spaces.

8. The pallet centering device of claim 7 , wherein said supports are connected to a pusher support plate disposed beneath said conveyor rollers.

9. The pallet centering device of claim 1 , wherein said drive assembly includes a motor associated with said support frame and connected to first and second power transmission members, each of which is associated with one of said first and second pallet pusher units, so that energization of said motor causes said reciprocal movement of said pallet pusher units relative to said conveyor rollers.

10. The pallet centering device of claim 9 , wherein said power transmission member is one of an endless belt and a chain, and each said first and second pallet pusher units has a foot secured to said respective power transmission member.

11. A pallet centering device for use with a pallet conveyor line that is connected to a pallet film wrapping apparatus, said device comprising:
a support frame with an upper surface upon which is mounted a plurality of conveyor rollers, said support frame including a pallet entry end, an opposite pallet exit end, a first side and an opposite second side, said conveyor rollers being mounted transverse to a direction of pallet travel from said pallet entry end to said pallet exit end;
a first pallet pusher unit associated with said first side of said support frame for reciprocal movement transverse to the direction of pallet travel;
a second pallet pusher unit associated with said second side of said support frame for reciprocal movement transverse to the direction of pallet travel;
said first and second pallet pusher units each having pallet pusher members configured for engaging respective sides of a pallet located on said conveyor rollers;
at least one transverse U-channel rail mounted to said support frame beneath said conveyor rollers and defining a channel track, said rail mounted within said support frame;
each said first and second pallet pusher units having at least one depending bearing mount constructed and arranged for alignment with said channel track, and each said bearing mount provided with a track bearing rotatably engaging said channel track;
said pallet pusher units each have a pusher support plate disposed beneath said conveyor rollers and supports associated with said support plate and extending between spaces separating said conveyor rollers.

12. The pallet centering device of claim 11 , further including a drive assembly associated with said support frame and connected to said first and second pallet pusher units for moving said units reciprocally relative to said direction of travel for centering the pallet located on said conveyor rollers, said drive assembly including a motor connected to first and second power transmission members, and each said pallet pusher unit includes a foot configured for attachment to said respective power transmission member.

13. The pallet centering device of claim 11 , wherein each said pallet pusher units have openings for accommodating said conveyor rollers so that said pallet pusher units are movable transversely relative to said conveyor rollers.

14. A pallet centering device for use with a pallet conveyor line that is connected to a pallet film wrapping apparatus, said device comprising:
a support frame with an upper surface upon which is mounted a plurality of conveyor rollers, said support frame including a pallet entry end, an opposite pallet exit end, a first side and an opposite second side, said conveyor rollers being mounted transverse to a direction of pallet travel from said pallet entry end to said pallet exit end;
a first pallet pusher unit associated with said first side of said support frame for reciprocal movement transverse to the direction of pallet travel;
a second pallet pusher unit associated with said second side of said support frame for reciprocal movement transverse to the direction of pallet travel;
said first and second pallet pusher units each having pallet pusher members configured for impacting respective sides of a pallet located on said conveyor rollers;
at least one transverse U-channel rail mounted to said support frame beneath said conveyor rollers and defining a channel track, said rail mounted within said support frame;
each said first and second pallet pusher units having at least one depending bearing mount constructed and arranged for alignment with said channel track, and each said bearing mount provided with a roller track bearing secured to said bearing mount, said roller track bearing rotatably engaging said channel track; and
a drive assembly associated with said support frame and connected to said first and second pallet pusher unit

Assignees

• United States Gypsum Co

Inventors

• Wigington Dakota
• Lewis Cody
• Bowers Gary

Classifications

• B65G47/28 Primary

  during transit by a single conveyor · CPC title

• B65G13/11

  Roller frames · CPC title

• B65G43/08

  Control devices operated by article or material being fed, conveyed or discharged {(and controlling the discharging devices B65G47/42)} · CPC title

• B65G2811/0621

  by modifying the orientation or position of articles · CPC title

• B65G47/22 Primary

  Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors (during feeding B65G47/14) · CPC title