Conveyor Transfer Guard

Abstract

In one aspect of the disclosure, a transport guard member for a transport guard system is provided. The transport guard member has a single one-piece body configured to connect to an elongated mounting member, an upper surface of the body, and an array of protrusions for supporting an object. The array of protrusions includes rows of protrusions, each row including a plurality of protrusions aligned in a first direction. The array of protrusions includes a first spacing extending in the first direction between the protrusions in each row. The array of protrusions also includes a second spacing extending in a second direction transverse to the first direction between adjacent rows. The first spacing and the second spacing are each less than twice the height of the protrusions.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 323,960, filed March 25, 2022, and is incorporated by reference herein.

[0002]

[0002] This disclosure relates to conveyors, and more particularly, to a transfer guard system for transferring objects across a gap between conveying surfaces. [Background technology]

[0003]

[0003] Transfer guard systems are known to transfer objects downstream in a longitudinal direction of travel across a gap between conveying surfaces, such as between conveyor belts. For example, U.S. Patent No. 10,233,035 discloses a transfer guard system that may be utilized to facilitate the transfer of objects across a gap between conveying surfaces, such as a gap between upstream and downstream conveyor belts, a gap in a hitch of a conveyor belt, or a gap between a conveyor belt and a chute, as some examples.

[0004]

[0004] Some of the transfer guard systems disclosed in the '035 patent utilize an elongated mounting member positioned to extend laterally across the gap between the conveying surfaces, and a pair of upstream and downstream transfer guard members connected to the mounting members. For example, the transfer guard member of Figure 46 of the '035 patent has a relatively short longitudinal extent such that the transfer guard member of Figure 46 is well suited for use in applications where the gap between the conveying surfaces is less than 3 inches, for example.

[0005]

[0005] The transition guard member of Figure 46 of the '035 patent also has a top surface with bumps to reduce friction between the transition guard member and an object moving over the top surface. The bumps reduce friction between the transition guard member and the object by reducing the surface area of ​​the transition guard member that contacts the object.

[0006]

[0006] Objects such as boxes and other containers often have labels affixed to them that contain shipping information. When the vertical gap between conveying surfaces is large (e.g., 4 inches or more), the object must travel a greater vertical distance along the associated transport guard member that spans the gap than if the gap were shorter. The further vertical distance the object must travel, the greater the chance that the object's label will come off and become attached to the top surface of the transport guard member. Summary of the Invention

[0007]

[0007] In one aspect of the disclosure, a transport guard member for a transport guard system is provided. The transport guard member has a single one-piece body configured to connect to an elongated mounting member. The body includes an upper surface and an array of protrusions for supporting an object. Each of the protrusions has a curved surface projecting upwardly from the upper surface and a height above the upper surface. The array of protrusions includes rows of protrusions each aligned in a first direction. The array of protrusions includes a first spacing extending in the first direction between the protrusions in each row. The array of protrusions further includes a second spacing extending in a second direction transverse to the first direction between adjacent rows. The first spacing and the second spacing are each less than twice the height of the protrusions. In this manner, the protrusions are closely spaced to minimize the surface area of ​​the upper surface between the protrusions to which the object's label may adhere as the object moves along the transport guard member.

[0008]

[0008] The present disclosure also provides a transfer guard member having a body positioned in a gap of a conveyor system, an upper surface of the body, and an inner mounting portion of the body configured to be removably secured to an elongated mounting member extending laterally through the gap, the body having an outer portion extending longitudinally outwardly from the inner mounting portion, and a receiving recess adjacent the inner mounting portion configured to receive a mounting portion of another transfer guard member secured to the elongated mounting member such that the upper surfaces of the transfer guard members are adjacent to one another.

[0009]

[0009] The body further comprises protrusions projecting upward from the top surface for supporting an object conveyed longitudinally by the conveyor system. The protrusions are arranged in rows, each row of protrusions including a plurality of protrusions aligned in a first direction. Each row of protrusions has a longitudinally innermost protrusion spaced longitudinally from the inner end surface portion of the mounting portion by a longitudinal distance such that the longitudinally innermost protrusions are longitudinally spaced from the other transport guard members when the transport guard members are secured to the elongated mounting member. Furthermore, at least one of the protrusion rows has a first spacing extending in the first direction between the protrusions of the at least one row, each spacing being less than the longitudinal distance between the longitudinally innermost protrusions and the inner end surface portion of the at least one row. The longitudinal distance between the longitudinally innermost protrusions and the inner end surface portion is relatively short to position the rows of protrusions to keep an object supported by the protrusions as the object moves between the transport guard members secured to the elongated mounting member. Further, each narrow first spacing in the first direction between the protrusions in the at least one row is less than a vertical distance that minimizes the surface area of ​​the top surface between the protrusions in the first direction and reduces the risk of the object label adhering to the top surface between the protrusions.

[0010]

[0010] According to another aspect, a transport guard system is provided that includes an elongated attachment member and at least one mount for positioning the elongated attachment member to extend laterally through a gap between transport surfaces. The system includes a transport guard member configured to be connected to the elongated attachment member. The transport guard member has an outer portion positioned proximate to the transport surface. The transport guard member has an upper surface and a plurality of rows of protrusions having rounded surfaces projecting upwardly from the upper surface. At least one of the transport guard member outer portions includes a coupling protrusion of the row of protrusions. The coupling protrusions include an inner coupling protrusion having a first length and an outer coupling protrusion having a second length longer than the first length. The coupling protrusions have an interface between the rounded surfaces of the coupling protrusions. Additionally, the longer outer coupling protrusion provides an enlarged rounded outer surface for supporting an object as the object moves onto or off the transport guard member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]

[0011] An oblique view of a transfer guard system installed in the gap between an upstream conveyor and a downstream conveyor. [Diagram 2]

[0012] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the upstream and downstream transition guard members attached to a mounting member of the transition guard system. [Diagram 3]

[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the upstream transport guard member of FIG. 2 showing a pair of mounting portions of the transport guard member each having a pair of legs that engage with a mounting member and a receiving recess laterally adjacent the mounting portions for receiving the mounting portions of the downstream transport guard member. [Figure 4]

[0014] 3 is a perspective view of the downstream transition guard member of FIG. 2 showing the mounting portion and receiving recess of the transition guard member. [Diagram 5]

[0015] 3 is a perspective view of the upstream and downstream transition guard members and attachment members of FIG. 2 showing a pattern of protrusions on the top surface of the transition guard members that minimizes friction with the object being conveyed and minimizes the surface area of ​​the top surface. [Figure 6]

[0016] 6 is a top view of the pair of transition guard members of FIG. 5 showing the cooperating projection patterns of the transition guard members including longitudinal rows of projections. [Figure 7]

[0017] 7 is a perspective view of an alternative transition guard member having a top surface with a protrusion pattern similar to that of the transition guard member of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 8A]

[0018] 8 is a side view of the transportation guard member of FIG. 7 showing the distance between the innermost longitudinal projection of one of the projection rows and the inner end surface of the mounting portion. FIG. [Figure 8B]

[0019] 4 is a perspective view of the area circled in dashed lines in FIG. 3, illustrating the angled surface that spaces the top surface of the transfer guard member vertically away from the inner end surface of the mounting portion. [Figure 9]

[0020] 8 is a top view of the transition guard member of FIG. 7 showing a protrusion pattern having protrusions aligned along vertical, horizontal and diagonal axes. [Figure 10]

[0021] 10 is an enlarged view of a corner section of the outer portion of the transition guard member of FIG. 9, showing the coupling protrusions. [Figure 11]

[0022] 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 9, showing the longitudinal spacing between adjacent longitudinally aligned projections along the longitudinal axis. [Figure 12]

[0023] 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 9, showing the lateral spacing between the laterally aligned projections along the lateral axis. [Figure 13]

[0024] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 12 showing the lateral spacing between rows of vertically aligned projections. [Figure 14]

[0025] 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 9, showing that the curved surfaces of the joining projections meet at the junction of the projections, such that the joining projections have no longitudinal spacing therebetween. [Figure 15]

[0026] 2 is a perspective view of the mount of the transition guard system of FIG. 1 showing a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the mounting member and the transition guard member within the gap. [Figure 16]

[0027] 16 is a perspective view of one of the transfer guard members of FIG. 15 adjacent a height adjustment mechanism having a narrow mounting portion to provide clearance for the height adjustment mechanism. [Figure 17]

[0028] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a transfer guard member having a short outer portion positioned adjacent to the chute. [Figure 18]

[0029] 18 is a side view of the transition guard member of FIG. 17 showing a pair of legs of the transition guard member for engaging a mounting member. [Figure 19]

[0030] A cross-sectional view taken along line 19-19 of FIG. 17 showing that the longitudinally aligned projections of the transfer guard member include outer projections having upwardly projecting curved surfaces that merge into the flat chute-facing outer surface of the transfer guard member. [Figure 20]

[0031] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a transition guard member having an outer portion positioned adjacent to the chute and two bridge portions that connect to the mounting member, with a protruding pattern on both bridge portions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012]

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, a transfer guard system 10 is provided to facilitate the transport of objects across a gap 12 between an upstream conveyor 14 and a downstream conveyor 16 of a conveyor system 13. The upstream conveyor 14 has a conveyor belt 18, a tail pulley 20, and a head pulley. The downstream conveyor 16 has a conveyor belt 22, a head pulley 24, and a tail pulley. The conveyor system 13 has a frame including frame portions 26, 28 that support the pulleys 20, 24 and the conveyor belts 18, 22. The transfer guard system 10 is secured to the frame portions 26, 28 via mounts 30 (see FIG. 15) on or adjacent either side of the gap 12 laterally. The conveyor belts 18, 22 have outer surfaces 32, 34 for supporting objects thereon as the conveyor belts 18, 16 move to transport the objects in a downstream longitudinal direction 36. The transition guard system 10 includes a transition guard member 40 with outer edges 42,44 positioned proximate the outer surfaces 32,34 of the conveyor belts 18,22 for transferring objects onto and off the transition guard member 40.

[0013]

[0033] The transition guard members 40 include a pair 50 of an upstream transition guard member 52 and a downstream transition guard member 54. The upstream transition guard member 52 includes a transition guard member 56 and an end transition guard member 550. The downstream transition guard member 54 includes a transition guard member 58 and an end transition guard member 551. As seen in FIG. 3, each transition guard member 56 has a body 60 having an upper surface 62 and an array of projections 64, such as patterned areas 66, projecting upwardly therefrom. The upper surface 62 has base surface portions 68 between the projections 64. The projections 64 have curved surfaces 65 projecting upwardly from the base surface 68, which minimizes the surface area of ​​the upper surface 62, thereby minimizing surface contact with objects moving across the upper surface 62. In this manner, the base surface portions 68 of the upper surface 62 extend between the protrusions 64 and are recessed from the apexes 69 of the protrusions 64 such that an object may move along the apexes 69 of the protrusions 64 without contacting the upper surface 62, thereby reducing the frictional resistance created by the transfer guard member 56 to the movement of an object across the transfer guard member 56 (see, for example, FIG. 11 which shows the base surface portions 376 recessed a distance 382 below the apexes 260 of the protrusions 350).

[0014]

[0034] As previously mentioned, the pattern region 66 minimizes the surface area of ​​the top surface 62 that extends between the protrusions 64 by packing the protrusions 64 densely in the pattern region 66. The pattern region 66 has a total surface area that includes the surfaces of the protrusions 64 and the base surface portions 68 that extend between the protrusions 64. The protrusions 64 increase the surface area within a given square area of ​​the top surface 62 compared to a portion of the top surface 62 where the protrusions 64 do not protrude. A majority of the total surface area of ​​the pattern region 66 is the curved surfaces 65 of the protrusions 64, with the top surface 62 making up the remaining surface area of ​​the pattern region 66. For example, the curved surfaces 65 of the protrusions 64 may make up, for example, at least 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95% of the total surface area of ​​the pattern region 66.

[0015]

[0035] It has been found that adhesive labels on transported objects tend to adhere to flat surfaces. Because a majority of the total surface area of ​​pattern area 66 is comprised by curved surfaces 65 of protrusions 64, the labels of objects moving across pattern area 66 are less likely to adhere to base surface portion 68 of upper surface 62 than if more of the area of ​​pattern area 66 were flat. Thus, pattern area 66, including transfer guard members 56, facilitates smooth transport of objects across gap 12 while also reducing the likelihood that the object's labels will adhere to transfer guard members 56.

[0016]

[0036] 2 and 3, the body 60 of the transfer guard member 56 includes an outer portion 70 and one or more mounting portions, such as mounting portions 72, 74. The outer portion 70 extends outwardly away from the mounting portions 72, 74 to the outer edge 42. The mounting portions 72, 74 are configured to connect to an elongated mounting member, such as a mounting bar 76 (see FIG. 2). In one embodiment, the connection between the mounting portions 72, 74 and the mounting bar 76 is removable such that the transfer guard member 56 may become dislodged from the mounting bar 76 in response to a large impact on the transfer guard member 56. For example, the transfer guard member 56 may become dislodged from the mounting bar 76 when a damaged splice contacts the outer edge 42, such as causing a damaged fastener of the splice to protrude outwardly, and other undamaged fasteners impact the transfer guard member 56 in the gap 12.

[0017]

[0037] With reference to Figure 3, the mounting portions 72, 74 include corresponding bridge portions 80, 82 and legs 84, 86 and 88, 90 depending therefrom. The legs 84, 86 and 88, 90 are separated by openings 92, 94 that receive the mounting bar 76. The transfer guard member 56 has one or more receiving recesses adjacent one or more of the mounting portions, such as receiving recesses 96, 98 that receive mounting portions 100, 102 (see Figure 4) of the downstream transfer guard member 58 mated with the transfer guard member 56. With reference to Figure 4, the transfer guard member 58 has bridge portions 120, 122 and recesses 124, 126 laterally adjacent the bridge portions 120, 122. Similar to the transfer guard member 56, the transfer guard member 58 has two pairs of legs 130, 132 and 134, 136 that are configured to removably connect to the mounting bar 76. The transition guard member 58 of FIG. 4 also has an upper surface 140 and protrusions 144 within a pattern area 142 of the protrusions 144 that are similar to the pattern 66 discussed above.

[0018]

[0038] 3, the mounting portions 72, 74 of the transfer guard member 56 have protrusions, such as knuckles 104, 106, and recessed vertical surfaces 108, 110 of each recess 96, 98. Similarly, the transfer guard member 58 of FIG. 4 has knuckles 112, 114 and surfaces 115, 116 of each recess 124, 126. With the pair 50 of transfer guard members 56, 58 connected to the mounting bar 76, the knuckles 104, 106 of the transfer guard member 56 are sized to interfere with the surfaces 115, 116 of the transfer guard member 58, and the knuckles 112, 114 of the transfer guard member 58 are sized to interfere with the surfaces 108, 110. The interference between the transition guard members 56,58 biases the transition guard members 56,58 apart on the mounting bar 76 to minimize slop or gaps between the transition guard members 56,58 and provides a rigid structure for the transition guard members 56,58 and the mounting bar 76.

[0019]

[0039] As shown in Figure 5, the mounting portions 72, 74 and 100, 102 interdigitally connect to the attachment bar 76 to form a jagged seam 150 between the transfer guard members 56, 58. Referring to Figure 6, the pattern regions 66, 142 cooperate to provide a substantially continuous series of projections for supporting an object as it is transported in the downstream longitudinal direction 36. The pattern region 66 includes seam side projections 152, 154, 156 in a longitudinal row 158 and aligned along a row or projection axis 160 of the row 158. Similarly, the bridge portion 120 of the transfer guard member 58 has seam side projections 162, 164, 166 in a longitudinal row 168 aligned longitudinally along a row or projection axis 170 transversely adjacent to the row or projection axis 168. The seam side projections 152, 154, 156 and 162, 164, 166 provide raised contact areas immediately adjacent and on either side of the longitudinally extending section 172 of the seam 150 to redirect objects contacting the seam side portions 152, 154, 156 and 162, 164, 166 away from the longitudinally extending section 172 of the seam.

[0020]

[0040] The transfer guard members 56, 58 also have cooperating projections 174 adjacent to and on either side of the transversely extending section 180 of the seam 150. For example, the projections 174 include alternating full projections 176, 178 and partial projections 182, 184 on either side of the transverse portion 180 of the seam. The partial projections 182, 184 are aligned longitudinally along a row or projection axis 186 and have tapered surfaces 187, 188 that extend upwardly from the top surface 62 and intersect the curved surface 65 of the projections 182, 184. Thus, unlike the full projections 176, 178, the partial projections 182, 184 do not have a curved surface 65 that extends 360° downwardly from the apex 69 to the top surface 62. The full projections 176, 178 and partial projections 182, 184 redirect objects that contact the full projections 176, 178 and partial projections 182, 184 away from the lateral portion 180 of the seam.

[0021]

[0041] 7, there is shown a transition guard member 200 which is similar in many respects to the transition guard members discussed above. The transition guard member 200 has a body 202 with an upper portion 204 including an outer portion 206 and a lower portion 208 including legs 210, 212, 214, 216 of mounting portions 218, 220 of the transition guard member 200. The mounting portions 218, 220 have bridge portions 219, 221 from which the legs 210, 212, 214, 216 depend. As seen in FIG. 8A, the legs 210, 212 and 214, 216 have opposing surfaces 222, 224 configured to engage opposite sides of the mounting bar, and downward projections such as feet 234, 236 with angled surfaces 226, 228 which engage the underside of the mounting bar to resist separation of the transition guard member 200 from the mounting bar.

[0022]

[0042] 8A, the feet 234, 236 have downwardly angled surfaces 230, 232 configured to cam engage the upper surface of the mounting bar and bias the feet 234, 236 apart in directions 240, 242 as the transport guard advances in direction 243 on the mounting bar. When the transport guard member 200 is seated on the mounting bar, the legs 210, 212, 214, 216 resiliently bias the feet 234, 236 downwardly on the mounting bar, causing the angled surfaces 226, 228 of the feet 234, 236 to engage the mounting bar.

[0023]

[0043] 9, the transfer guard member 200 has an upper surface 250 and a pattern 252 of projections 254 projecting upwardly from the upper surface 250. The pattern areas 252 are similar to the pattern areas 66, 142 discussed above and below. It will be understood that the following discussion of various features of the pattern areas 252 also applies to the pattern areas 66, 142 and below. The projections 254 have curved outer surfaces 256 projecting upwardly from the upper surface 250 leaving relatively small flat base surface portions 258 of the upper surface 250 between the projections 254 extending around the base thereof. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the projections 254 have apexes 260.

[0024]

[0044] 9, pattern area 252 includes longitudinal columns 266 of protrusions 254, such as longitudinal columns 268, 270, where the protrusions 254 in longitudinal columns 268, 270 are aligned in a first direction 269. More specifically, the protrusions 254 have vertices 260 aligned longitudinally along each column or protrusion axis 272, 274. Pattern area 252 includes transverse rows 276, such as transverse rows 278, 280, of protrusions 254, where the vertices 260 of the protrusions 254 are aligned in a second direction 271 along protrusion axes 290, 292 perpendicular to the column axes 272, 274. The pattern region 252 further includes groups of diagonally aligned protrusions 254, such as groups 294, 296, where the vertices 260 of the protrusions 254 in each group 294, 296 are aligned along axes 300, 302 that extend diagonally relative to the protrusion axes 272, 274 and the protrusion axes 290, 292. The protrusions 254 are densely packed within the pattern region 252 such that for two adjacent groups 294, 296 of diagonally aligned protrusions 254, each group 294, 296 has protrusions 254 in the same vertical row (e.g., vertical row 324) as the other diagonal line 294, 296. In another embodiment, the projection axes 272, 274 are oriented to extend at an angle greater than 0 degrees, such as 10 degrees, relative to the longitudinal direction, and the projection axes 290, 292 extend transversely to the projection axes 272, 274, such as at an angle relative to the projection axes 272, 274.

[0025]

[0045] At the outer edge 310 of the transfer guard member 200, the top surface 250 includes a sloped surface 312 that extends inwardly from the outer edge 310 to an intermediate surface portion 314 of the top surface 250 that is less sloped than the sloped surface portion 312. The sloped surface portion 312 directs objects onto or off of a protrusion 254 at the intermediate surface 314.

[0026]

[0046] 10, the longitudinal row 266 includes longitudinal rows 320, 322 on the exterior side 324 of the transfer guard member 200. The longitudinal row 320 includes protrusions 326, 328 having corresponding curved surfaces 327, 329 and spaced apart by a longitudinal space 330. The top surface 250 includes a longitudinal top surface portion 340 extending between the protrusions 326, 328. The longitudinal row 320 also includes a joining protrusion 332 at the exterior end of the longitudinal row 320. The joining protrusion 332 includes protrusions 334, 336 having curved surfaces 333, 339 and joined at a joint 338 such that there is no longitudinal space between the protrusions 334, 336. The protrusion 334 has a lateral width 335 and the protrusion 336 has a lateral width 337 that is greater than the width 335. The coupling protrusions 332 of the longitudinal row 320 cooperate with the coupling protrusions 342 of the longitudinal row 344 to provide a curved outer surface for transferring objects to or from the upper surface 250 of the transfer guard member 200. The longitudinal row 322 is located laterally intermediate the longitudinal rows 320, 344 and may not include a coupling protrusion because the longitudinal row 322 is longitudinally offset from the longitudinal rows 320, 344.

[0027]

[0047] Columns 320 and 322 are shown in Figure 9, with protrusions 350, 352 of longitudinal column 322 shown in the background of Figure 11, along with protrusions 354, 356, 358 of longitudinal column 320. Each of protrusions 350, 352 has an outer surface 360 ​​having an outer curvature defined in part by a radius 362 taken from a center point on a horizontal axis 364 that extends out of the plane of the page in Figure 11. Outer surface 360 ​​terminates at junctions 370, 372 with longitudinal top portions 374, 376. Radius 362 sweeps an angle 365 between junctions 370, 372 to define outer surface 360 ​​such that surface 360 ​​has a constant radius of curvature 362.

[0028]

[0048] The projection 350 has a longitudinal length 380 between the joints 370, 372 and a height 382 above the longitudinal top surfaces 374, 376. The flat, horizontally extending longitudinal top surfaces 374, 376 define a longitudinal spacing between the projection 350 and a longitudinally adjacent projection, such as the longitudinal spacing 384 between the projection 350 and the projection 352. The longitudinal spacing 384 is less than twice the height 382 of the projection 354, such as less than 1.5 times the height 382. The height 382 and longitudinal spacing 384 allow the longitudinal top surfaces 374, 376 to be recessed to provide clearance for an object while at the same time limiting the longitudinal extent of the longitudinal top surfaces 374, 376. The narrow longitudinal top surfaces 374, 376 provide a minimum planar area between the projections 254 in the longitudinal row 266 to which an adhesive label of the object may be attached.

[0029]

[0049] In another form, the vertical spacing 384 is substantially the same as the height 382. By substantially the same, it is meant that the dimensions of the vertical spacing 384 and the height 382 are within 10% of each other. For example, the height 382 may be 0.021 inches and the vertical spacing 384 may be 0.022 inches.

[0030]

[0050] 11, as the outer surface 360 ​​curves downward from the apex 260 toward the longitudinal top portion 376, the background protrusion 356 has an outer surface 360A that curves upward from a point 392 to the apex 260A that is oriented above the center of the longitudinal top portion 376, and then curves downward to a point 396 where the outer surface 360 ​​of the foreground protrusion 352 extends upward beyond the outer surface 360A. Thus, while the curved surface 360 ​​of the foreground protrusions 350, 352 decreases in height near the top portion 376, the curved surface 360A of the protrusion 356 is reaching a maximum height at the apex 260A. This allows the protrusion 356 to maintain the adhesive label of an object contacting the protrusions 350, 352, 356 above the top portion 376, despite the height of the protrusions 350, 352 decreasing near the top portion 376.

[0031]

[0051] 12, laterally adjacent protrusions 400, 402, 404, 352, 358 are shown. Protrusions 400, 404, 358 are in the same lateral row 403, while protrusions 402, 352 are in a longitudinally adjacent lateral row 405 that is longitudinally offset and inboard of lateral row 403. Referring to protrusion 400, protrusion 400 has an outer surface 420 that is curved about a radius 424 taken from a center point on longitudinal axis 422. Thus, outer surface 420 of protrusion 400 has a constant radius of curvature about both transverse axis 364 (see, e.g., FIG. 11) and longitudinal axis 422. The other protrusions 254 of the transfer guard member 200 similarly have outer surfaces defined by radii taken from the longitudinal and transverse axes.

[0032]

[0052] 13, projection 400 has a maximum lateral width 430, and outer surface 420 extends from a junction 434 between lateral top surface 436 and outer surface 420 to a junction 438 with lateral top surface 440. Projection 400 has a lateral spacing 442 between longitudinal row 410 and longitudinal row 412. Longitudinal row 410 has a column width defined by the majority of projections in longitudinal row 410, the column width being measured between reference lines 439, 441 intersecting the widest portion of the majority of projections. Referring to FIG. 12, the column width of longitudinal row 410 is the maximum lateral width 430 of projection 400 in direction 271, which is the same lateral width as the majority of projections in longitudinal row 410. The longitudinal columns 412 similarly have a column width defined by the majority of the projections of the longitudinal columns 412 and measured between reference lines 443, 445 (see FIG. 9). The column width of the longitudinal columns 412 is narrower than the larger width of the joining projections at the outer ends of the longitudinal columns 412 because the majority of the projections of the longitudinal columns 410 have a uniform width that is narrower than the width of the joining projections. The lateral spacing 442 between adjacent columns 410, 412 is measured between reference lines 441, 443. The lateral spacing 442 may be in the range of 0.025 to 0.05 inches, such as, for example, 0.0375 inches. The projections 400, 402 have a lateral spacing 446 between the apexes 260. The lateral spacing 446 may be, for example, 0.125 inches.

[0033]

[0053] Additionally, the projections 400, 402 are offset from one another vertically such that the projections 400, 402 are not horizontally aligned. In contrast, the projections 400, 404, 408 are horizontally aligned and thus are in the same horizontal row 403. The projections 400 have a horizontal spacing 450 between the laterally aligned projections 400, 402. The horizontal spacing 450 may be, for example, 0.1625 inches.

[0034]

[0054] In FIG. 13, it can be seen that the projection 400 has a height 460 and a half-width 462. The half-width 462 may be, for example, 0.04375 inches. The height 460 may be in the range of 0.01 to 0.03 inches, such as 0.021 inches. The projection 400 has a line 462 that extends tangentially downward from the apex 260 to a junction 464 of the lateral top surface 440 and the outer surface 420 of the projection 402. The half-width 462 and the lateral spacing 442 form a distance 468 between the apex 260 of a longitudinal row 410 and the junction 464 of the projection 402 of an adjacent longitudinal row 412. The distance 468 may be, for example, 0.08125 inches.

[0035]

[0055] 12 and 13, the pattern area 252 has certain geometric characteristics that provide a tight arrangement of the projections 254, which minimizes friction with objects on the top surface 250 while simultaneously minimizing flat horizontal surfaces to which the label may adhere. For example, the lateral spacing 446 between the apexes 260 is less than twice the maximum lateral width 430, such as less than or equal to 1.5 times the maximum lateral width 430. For example, the lateral spacing 446 may be 0.125 inches and the width 430 may be 0.0875 inches. Similarly, the lateral spacing 490 (see FIG. 12) between the apexes 260 of the projections 400, 404 in the same lateral row 492 (see FIG. 9) is less than three times the maximum lateral width 430. For example, the lateral spacing 490 may be 0.25 inches and the maximum lateral width 430 may be 0.0875 inches. Further, the lateral spacing 450 between the longitudinal rows 410, 412 is less than twice the maximum lateral width 430 of the projections 400. For example, the lateral spacing 450 may be 0.1626 inches and the maximum lateral width 430 may be 0.0875 inches. The longitudinal rows 410, 412 are separated by a lateral spacing 442 that is less than the maximum lateral width 430 of the projections 400, such as less than about half the maximum lateral width 430. For example, the lateral spacing 442 may be 0.0375 inches and the maximum width 430 may be 0.0875 inches. Still further, the longitudinal rows 410, 412 have a lateral spacing 442 therebetween that is less than the radius of curvature 424 of the outer surface 420 of the projections 400.

[0036]

[0056] 14, there is shown a mating projection 342 including projection 500 and projection 502 having corresponding outer surfaces 504 and 506 and connecting at a raised junction 508 above the top surface 250. As shown in FIG. 14, there is no longitudinal top surface separating projections 500, 502. The transition guard member 200 has an outer surface 510 that tapers downwardly away from the outer surface 506 of projection 502 as the outer surface 510 extends toward the outer edge 310 of the transition guard member 200.

[0037]

[0057] Returning momentarily to FIG. 8A, the transition guard member 200 has an overall length 247 extending between an inner end 249 and an outer end 257 of the transition guard member 200. The pattern area 252 includes closely spaced projections 254 projecting upwardly from the top surface 250 and the projections 254 at the inner end 249 of the transition guard member 200. More specifically, the transition guard member 200 has a transition surface 251 that extends a longitudinal distance 255 between the top surface 250 and an inner vertical end surface 253 of the transition guard member 200. Thus, the top surface 250 is offset a longitudinal distance 255 outwardly from the vertical end surface 253 toward the outer end 257 of the transition guard member 250. Because the projections 254 are so closely spaced on the top surface 250, the longitudinal distance 384 (see FIG. 11) between the projections 254 in a longitudinal row is less than the distance 255 (see FIG. 8A). For example, vertical distance 384 may be 0.0224 inches and distance 255 may be 0.0743 inches.

[0038]

[0058] 8B, transition surface 251 connects to inner surface 253 and top surface 250 at junctions 261, 263. Distance 255 is the longitudinal distance between junctions 261, 263. Transition surface 251 also has a length 255A extending along transition surface 251. Length 255A is greater than distance 255, and may be, for example, 0.0858. Protrusion 254 extends upwardly from junction 263 and includes a truncated or partial protrusion 265 having a tapered surface 267 with a taper that matches the taper of transition surface 251. In this manner, tapered surface 267 is a continuation of transition surface 251.

[0039]

[0059] With reference to FIG. 15, the transition guard member 40 of the transition guard system 10 includes an end transition guard member 550 positioned at the end of the mounting bar 76. With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the transition guard member 550 has a mounting portion 552 having a width 554 that is narrower than a width 556 of another mounting portion 558 of the transition guard member 550. The transition guard member 550 has recesses 560, 562 for receiving the mounting portions 100, 102 of an associated downstream transition guard member 58 and a recess 564 for providing clearance for a plate 568 of the mount 30 and one or more fasteners 570. The transition guard member 550 has an upper surface 572 with a patterned region 574 that includes a protrusion 576. The patterned region 574 is similar to the patterned region 252 discussed above with respect to the transition guard member 200. The patterned region 574 includes a patterned portion 578 on a bridge portion 580 of the mounting portion 538. The mounting portion 552 has an upper surface 582 that is free of protrusions.

[0040]

[0060] 17, there is shown a transfer guard member 600 which is similar in many respects to the transfer guard members discussed above with the differences being highlighted. The transfer guard member 600 includes an outer portion 602 configured to be positioned near a chute or other conveying surface having a steep edge. The transfer guard member 600 has a body 604 with mounting portions 614, 616 and a top surface 606 with a patterned area 608 including protrusions 610. The patterned area 608 is similar to the patterned area 252 discussed above.

[0041]

[0061] Mounting portion 614 includes a bridge portion 611 with protrusions 610 thereon, while mounting portion 616 has a bridge portion 617 without protrusions 610. With reference to Figure 18, outer portion 602 has a conveyor-facing surface 620 which may be flat, for example, so as to be positioned adjacent the lower edge of the chute.

[0042]

[0062] 17 and 19, the pattern 608 includes a longitudinal row 624 having outer projections 613 longitudinally aligned with the projections 630, 632 of the bridge portion 611. The outer projections 613 have a curved outer surface 634 that curves downwardly from an apex 636 of the outer projection 613 to a junction 637 of the curved outer surface 634 with the conveyor-facing surface 638. Additionally, the pattern 608 includes a base surface 640 having longitudinal base surface portions 642, 644 between the outer projections 613 and the projections 630, 632. The longitudinal base surface portions 642, 644 are flat, while the base surface 640 has a curved lateral surface portion 650 (see FIG. 17) that extends laterally between the outer projections 613, 615.

[0043]

[0063] With reference to Figure 20, a transition guard member 700 is shown which is similar in many respects to the transition guard members discussed above, with the differences being highlighted. The transition guard member 700 has an outer portion 702 with a conveyor-facing surface 704 and mounting portions 706, 708 with bridge portions 710, 712. The transition guard member 700 includes a patterned region 714 with a protrusion 716, similar to the patterned region 608 discussed above. The patterned region 714 includes patterned portions 720, 722 on the bridge portions 710, 712. The transition guard member 600 of Figure 17 may be positioned at a lateral end of the transition guard system and includes a recess 564 for receiving a portion of the mount, whereas the transition guard member 700 of Figure 20 may be positioned inboard from the lateral end of the mounting bar.

[0044]

[0064] Unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context, use of singular terms such as "a" and "an" is intended to encompass both the singular and the plural. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms. As used herein, the phrase "at least one of" is intended to be construed in a disjunctive sense. For example, "at least one of A and B" is intended to encompass A, B, or both A and B.

[0045]

[0065] While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and variations will occur to those skilled in the art, and that the present invention is intended to cover all such modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A transfer guard member for a transfer guard system, comprising: a unitary, one-piece body configured to connect to an elongated mounting member; An upper surface of the body; an array of protrusions on said body for supporting an object, each protrusion having a curved surface projecting upwardly from said top surface and a height above said top surface; the arrangement of protrusions includes a row of protrusions; Each row of the projections has a plurality of the projections aligned in a first direction; the array of projections includes first spacings extending in the first direction between the projections in each row, each spacing being less than twice the height of the projection; a transition guard member, the array of projections including second spacings extending in a second direction transverse to the first direction between adjacent rows, each spacing being less than twice the height of the projections.

2. 2. The transition guard member of claim 1, wherein said first spacing is substantially the same as said height of each of said projections.

3. 2. The transition guard member of claim 1, wherein said projection has a length along said first direction and a width along said second direction.

4. 4. The transition guard member of claim 3, wherein said length of each projection is greater than said width.

5. the curved surface of the protrusion includes an apex; 4. The transition guard member of claim 3, wherein the array of projections includes vertex spacings in the second direction between the vertices of the projections in adjacent rows, each vertex spacing being less than twice the width of the projection.

6. the curved surface of the protrusion includes an apex; the rows include alternating rows having protrusions having apexes aligned along the second direction; 4. The transition guard member of claim 3, wherein said array of projections includes apex spacings between said aligned apexes that are each less than three times said width of said projection.

7. the protrusion has a width along the second direction, 2. The transition guard member of claim 1, wherein said array of projections includes spaces extending in said second direction between said adjacent rows, each space being less than or equal to one-half of said width of said projection.

8. the curved outer surface of the projection includes an apex; 2. The transition guard member of claim 1, wherein the adjacent rows of projections are offset from one another in the first direction such that the apex of one of the projections in a row is aligned in the second direction with one of the first spacings of an adjacent row.

9. 2. The transition guard member of claim 1, wherein said upper surface includes a flat base surface portion extending between said projections.

10. the curved surfaces of the projections each have a first radius of curvature from a first axis extending below the upper surface along the first direction; the curved surface of the projection has a second radius of curvature from a second axis extending below the upper surface along the second direction; The transition guard member of claim 1 , wherein said second radius of curvature is greater than said first radius of curvature.

11. 2. The transition guard member of claim 1, wherein at least one of the projections in the row of projections includes a coupling projection having a junction between curved surfaces of the coupling projection such that the curved surfaces meet at the junction.

12. the body including an outer edge positioned adjacent a conveying surface and an inner resilient leg configured to connect to the elongated mounting member; 12. The transition guard member of claim 11, wherein said coupling projections include an inner coupling projection having a first length in said first direction and an outer coupling projection having a second length in said first direction that is longer than said first length.

13. 2. The transition guard member of claim 1, wherein said rows of projections include alternating first rows including mating projections and second rows not including mating projections.

14. the body including an outer edge positioned adjacent a conveying surface; the body having an inner end surface opposite the outer edge for contacting an adjacent transition guard member connected to the elongated mounting member; the body having an overall length between the outer edge and the inner end surface; the top surface is longitudinally spaced a first longitudinal distance from the inner end surface; 2. The transition guard member of claim 1, wherein said first spacing of at least one of said rows of projections includes first spacings between said projections of said row, each of said first spacings being less than said first longitudinal distance.

15. The transport guard member of claim 1 , wherein the body includes resilient legs configured to be biased toward one another to facilitate connection of the body to the mounting member.

16. 16. The transition guard member of claim 15, wherein the legs include protruding distal interference portions configured to engage the elongated mounting member and resist separation of the legs from the elongated mounting member.

17. the body includes a bridge portion and a leg portion depending from the bridge portion; The transition guard member of claim 1 , wherein said bridge portion includes a plurality of said projections.

18. the body including an outer end portion positioned adjacent a conveying surface, an inner end portion opposite the outer surface portion, and an overall longitudinal length extending between the inner end portion and the outer end portion; the first direction is a vertical direction, The transition guard member of claim 1 , wherein said second direction is a lateral direction.

19. 2. The transition guard member of claim 1, wherein said first and second directions are perpendicular to each other.

20. each of the adjacent rows includes a row width defined by a width of a majority of the projections of the row in the second direction; The transition guard member of claim 1 , wherein said second spacing extends between said row widths of said adjacent rows.

21. A transfer guard member, a body positioned within a gap of the conveyor system; An upper surface of the body; an inner end surface and an outer end surface of the body, the body having an overall longitudinal length extending longitudinally between the inner end surface and the outer end surface of the body; an inner mounting portion of the body configured to be removably secured to an elongated mounting member extending laterally through the gap and including the inner end surface thereon; an outer portion of the body extending longitudinally outwardly from the inner mounting portion and having the outer end surface thereon, the outer end surface being positioned proximate a conveying surface of the conveying system, the inner mounting portion being removably secured to the mounting member; a receiving recess in the body adjacent the inner mounting portion configured to receive an inner mounting portion of another transportation guard member secured to the elongated mounting member such that the top surfaces of the transportation guard members are adjacent to one another; protrusions on the body projecting upwardly from the upper surface for supporting objects conveyed longitudinally by the conveyor system, the protrusions being arranged in rows of the protrusions, each row of the protrusions including a plurality of the protrusions aligned in a first direction; a longitudinally innermost projection of each of said rows of projections, said longitudinally innermost projection being spaced longitudinally from said inner end surface portion of said body by a longitudinal distance such that said longitudinally innermost projection is spaced longitudinally from said another transition guard member when said transition guard member is secured to said elongate mounting member; a transfer guard member, wherein at least one of the rows of projections has a first spacing extending in the first direction between the projections of the at least one row, each spacing being less than the longitudinal distance between the longitudinally innermost projection of the at least one row and the inner end surface portion of the body.

22. the mounting portion includes an inclined surface, and a joint portion between the inclined surface, the inner end surface portion, and the upper surface, the inclined surface has a length extending transversely to the longitudinal distance; 22. The transition guard member of claim 21, wherein said first spacing between said projections in said at least one row is less than said length of said ramp surface, respectively.

23. 22. The transition guard member of claim 21, wherein said innermost projections include partial projections each having a flat tapered surface and a curved outer surface.

24. the upper surface includes a flat base surface portion interconnecting the projections; 22. The transition guard member of claim 21, wherein said flat base surface portion is longitudinally spaced from said inner end surface portion by said longitudinal distance.

25. the projections each have a height; the row of protrusions includes adjacent rows of protrusions; the first spacing between the projections in the at least one row is less than twice the height of each of the projections; the adjacent rows of protrusions have a second spacing between the adjacent rows that extends in a second direction transverse to the first direction between the adjacent rows of protrusions; 22. The transition guard member of claim 21, wherein said second spacings are each less than twice the height of said projections.

26. 22. The transition guard member of claim 21, wherein at least one of said rows includes mating projections having curved outer surfaces and joints therebetween.

27. 27. The transition guard member of claim 26, wherein said coupling projections include an inner projection having a first length and an outer projection having a second length greater than said first length.

28. 22. The transition guard member of claim 21, wherein the rows of protrusions include alternating rows with mating protrusions and rows without mating protrusions.

29. 22. The transition guard member of claim 21, wherein said outer portion has a lateral width that is greater than a lateral width of said inner mounting portion because said receiving recess is adjacent said inner mounting portion.

30. 22. The transition guard member of claim 21, wherein said body has a unitary, one-piece construction.

31. 22. The transition guard member of claim 21, wherein the first direction is a longitudinal direction.

32. An elongated mounting member; at least one mount for positioning the elongated mounting member to extend transversely through the gap between the conveying surfaces; a transport guard member configured to be connected to the elongated mounting member, the transport guard member having an outer portion positioned proximate to the transport surface; an upper surface of the transfer guard member; an array of protrusions on the transition guard member, the protrusions having rounded surfaces projecting upwardly from the upper surface; At least one of said outer portions includes a coupling projection of said row of projections; the coupling projection has a junction between the rounded surfaces of the coupling projection such that the curved outer surfaces of the coupling projection meet at the junction; A transition guard system, wherein the coupling projections include an inner coupling projection having a first length and an outer coupling projection having a second length greater than the first length.

33. the inner coupling projection has a first width perpendicular to the first length; the outer coupling projection has a second width perpendicular to the second length; 33. The transportation guard system of claim 32, wherein the second width is greater than the first width.

34. the outer portion of the transfer guard member includes an upstream outer portion positioned adjacent an upstream conveying surface and a downstream outer portion positioned adjacent a downstream conveying surface; 33. The transition guard system of claim 32, wherein said mating projections include an upstream pair of mating projections on said upstream outer portion and a downstream pair of mating projections on said downstream outer portion.

35. the rows include a first plurality of rows including coupling protrusions and a second plurality of rows not including coupling protrusions; 33. The transition guard system of claim 32, wherein rows of said first and second pluralities of rows alternate across said transition guard member.

36. the transition guard members include a pair of upstream and downstream transition guard members; 33. The transition guard system of claim 32, wherein each of said rows of projections includes one projection on said upstream transition guard member and one projection on said downstream transition guard member.

Images