US3580378A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic hanger discharge
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-11-14
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1988-11-14
Abstract
Abstract Hangers such as conventional coat hangers are suspended from a rod carried by a first conveyor. An end of a second conveyor having a toothed rotary transfer element and a guide means is swung into position along the rod. The guide means aligns the hangers on the pipe so that they may be engaged by the teeth of the transfer. As the transfer rotates, it lifts the hangers one at a time from the rod and deposits the hangers on a continuously moving band which is exposed along an upper surface of the second conveyor. The band carries the hangers along the second conveyor and drives the rotary transfer element.
Inventors
- 👤 Erik J Pedersen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:43
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/52; B65G47/60; B65G47/61; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02; B65G2201/0229
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
Automatic hanger discharge apparatus comprising a second conveyor means positionable adjacent a first conveyor means, rotary transfer means connected to the second conveyor means for lifting hangers from the first conveyor means and depositing hangers on the second conveyor means, and guide means connected to the second conveyor means in the extension thereof beyond the rotary transfer means for contacting the first conveyor means and for positioning hangers on the first conveyor means for lifting by the rotary transfer means, driving means for moving the second conveyor means and rotating means for operating the rotary transfer means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
Automatic hanger discharge apparatus comprising a second conveyor means positionable adjacent a first conveyor means, rotary transfer means connected to the second conveyor means for lifting hangers from the first conveyor means and depositing hangers on the second conveyor means, and guide means connected to the second conveyor means in the extension thereof beyond the rotary transfer means for contacting the first conveyor means and for positioning hangers on the first conveyor means for lifting by the rotary transfer means, driving means for moving the second conveyor means and rotating means for operating the rotary transfer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The automatic hanger discharge of claim 1 wherein the second conveyor means further comprises a hinge means whereby an end of the conveyor means having the extension means and rotary transfer means may be positioned adjacent the first conveyor means and may be alternatively swung away from the first conveyor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The automatic hanger discharge apparatus of claim 1 further comprising propulsion means moving the first conveyor means with respect to the guide means, thereby bringing hangers into contact with the guide means and with the rotary transfer means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The automatic hanger discharge apparatus of claim 1 wherein the guide means extends beneath the first conveyor means to engage vertical dependent portions of hangers, and wherein the guide means extends partially around one side of the first conveyor means and extends outward therefrom to reorient hangers toward the transfer means and away from a free gravitationally suspended position on the first conveyor means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The automatic hanger discharge apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second conveyor means comprises a frame and a continuous flexible member mounted for movement along frame, exposed along an upper surface of the frame, and being driven with respect to the frame, with a portion of the flexible member moving along an upper surface of the frame moving away from the first conveyor means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The automatic hanger discharge apparatus of claim 5 wherein the rotary transfer means comprises a wheel mounted for rotation on the frame, the wheel having a pulley portion and a toothed portion, and the flexible member being passed around the pulley portion whereby the flexible member drives the rotary transfer means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
The automatic hanger discharge apparatus of claim 6 wherein the toothed portion of the wheel defines teeth which are angularly disposed with respect to radii of the wheel, the teeth having curved forward faces which facilitate the lifting of hangers from the first conveyors, the holding of hangers during transfer and the depositing of hangers on the flexible member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The automatic hanger discharge apparatus of claim 5 wherein the frame defines a unitary element being curved and troughed adjacent an upper portion thereof to support the flexible member, being configured to rotatably support the rotary transfer means and integrally extending beyond the transfer means and being bent and curved to lie parallel to the first conveyor means and to partially surround that means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
110 words
The method of transferring hangers from a first conveyor to a second conveyor comprising positioning a guide means and a rotary transfer means at the end of a second conveyor and adjacent a first conveyor, moving the first conveyor with respect to the guide means, transfer means and second conveyor, moving a continuous flexible member along a second conveyor, rotating the transfer means with the continuous member, moving hangers on a first conveyor along the guide means onto the rotary transfer means, lifting hangers from the first conveyor with the rotary transfer means and depositing hangers on the continuous flexible member and moving hangers thereon away from the first conveyor.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
110 words
The method of transferring hangers from a first conveyor to a second conveyor comprising positioning a guide means and a rotary transfer means at the end of a second conveyor and adjacent a first conveyor, moving the first conveyor with respect to the guide means, transfer means and second conveyor, moving a continuous flexible member along a second conveyor, rotating the transfer means with the continuous member, moving hangers on a first conveyor along the guide means onto the rotary transfer means, lifting hangers from the first conveyor with the rotary transfer means and depositing hangers on the continuous flexible member and moving hangers thereon away from the first conveyor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |