Synchronization apparatuses and methods of use

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12509307-B2
Application number	US-202418582028-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 20, 2024
Priority date	Feb 20, 2024
Publication date	Dec 30, 2025
Grant date	Dec 30, 2025

Abstract

A synchronization device for synchronizing a hanging dolly assembly to a conveyor includes a first pole body assembly comprising a first pole body and a first spring that is configured to bias the first pole body in a first direction and a second pole body assembly with a second pole body slidably connected to the first pole body and a second spring that is configured to bias the second pole body in a second direction opposite the first direction.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A synchronization device for synchronizing a hanging dolly assembly to a conveyor, the synchronization device comprising:
a first pole body assembly comprising a first pole body and a first spring that is configured to bias the first pole body in a first direction; and a second pole body assembly with a second pole body slidably connected to the first pole body and a second spring that is configured to bias the second pole body in a second direction opposite the first direction.

2 . The synchronization device of claim 1 , wherein the first pole body assembly comprises a linear mount that is configured to slidably receive the first pole body, the linear mount configured to mount to the hanging dolly assembly.

3 . The synchronization device of claim 2 , wherein the linear mount is a first linear mount, the first pole body assembly comprising a second linear mount that is configured to slidably receive the first pole body, the second linear mount configured to mount to the hanging dolly assembly.

4 . The synchronization device of claim 2 , wherein the linear mount is a first linear mount, the second pole body assembly comprising a second linear mount that is configured to slidably receive the second pole body, the second linear mount mounted to the first pole body.

5 . The synchronization device of claim 4 , wherein the first pole body assembly comprises a spring located between the first linear mount and a flange mounted on the first pole body.

6 . The synchronization device of claim 5 , wherein the second pole body assembly comprises another spring located between the second linear mount and another flange mounted on the second pole body.

7 . The synchronization device of claim 1 further comprising an actuation assembly comprising a pusher that is configured to push the first pole body away from the actuation assembly.

8 . A dolly assembly comprising:
a frame; and a synchronization device mounted to the frame, the synchronization device comprising:
a first pole body assembly comprising a first pole body and a first spring that is configured to bias the first pole body in a first direction; and
a second pole body assembly with a second pole body slidably connected to the first pole body and a second spring that is configured to bias the second pole body in a second direction opposite the first direction.

9 . The dolly assembly of claim 8 , wherein the first pole body assembly comprises a linear mount that is configured to slidably receive the first pole body, the linear mount configured to mount to the hanging dolly assembly.

10 . The dolly assembly of claim 9 , wherein the linear mount is a first linear mount, the first pole body assembly comprising a second linear mount that is configured to slidably receive the first pole body, the second linear mount configured to mount to the hanging dolly assembly.

11 . The synchronization device of claim 9 , wherein the linear mount is a first linear mount, the second pole body assembly comprising a second linear mount that is configured to slidably receive the second pole body, the second linear mount mounted to the first pole body.

12 . The synchronization device of claim 11 , wherein the first pole body assembly comprises a spring located between the first linear mount and a flange mounted on the first pole body.

13 . The synchronization device of claim 12 , wherein the second pole body assembly comprises another spring located between the second linear mount and another flange mounted on the second pole body.

14 . The synchronization device of claim 8 further comprising an actuation assembly comprising a pusher that is configured to push the first pole body away from the actuation assembly.

15 . A method of synchronizing a hanging dolly assembly to a conveyor, the method comprising:
moving the hanging dolly assembly to a desired location along a conveyor; and engaging the conveyor with a synchronization device that is mounted to the hanging dolly assembly with the synchronization device in a synchronized configuration, the synchronization device comprising:
a first pole body assembly comprising a first pole body and a first spring that is configured to bias the first pole body in a first direction; and
a second pole body assembly with a second pole body slidably connected to the first pole body and a second spring that is configured to bias the second pole body in a second direction opposite the first direction.

16 . The method of claim 15 further comprising biasing the first pole body in an upward direction using the first spring with the synchronization device in the synchronized configuration.

17 . The method of claim 15 further comprising biasing the second pole body in a downward direction using the second spring with the synchronization device in the synchronized configuration.

Assignees

• Toyota Eng & Mfg North America
• Toyota Motor Co Ltd

Inventors

• Britton David A
• Saunders Harrison W
• Debruler Jeffrey W
• Haggan Michael S
• Smith Jeffery S

Classifications

• B25H1/10

  with provision for adjusting holders for tool or work · CPC title

• B25H1/08

  with provision for attachment of work holders · CPC title

• B65G47/50

  according to destination signals stored in separate systems · CPC title

• B62D65/18

  Transportation, conveyor or haulage systems specially adapted for motor vehicle or trailer assembly lines {(conveyors and haulage in general B65G)} · CPC title

• B65G35/06

  comprising a load-carrier moving along a path, e.g. a closed path, and adapted to be engaged by any one of a series of traction elements spaced along the path (effecting drive at two or more points spaced along the length of an endless conveyor B65G23/32) · CPC title