Conveyor guide rail attachment

Abstract

1. A conveyor beam attachment adapted to be mounted on a conveyor beam, the attachment comprising a first catch adapted to engage one flange of a T-slot in the conveyor beam, and second and third catches adapted to engage other flanges of the T-slot in the conveyor beam, the first catch or the second and third catches being spring loaded. An advantage of the present invention is that the guide rails can be easily mounted and removed from the conveyor beam.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveyor beam attachment adapted to be used in a conveyor system. The conveyor beam attachment is adapted to be attached to a conveyor beam and simplifies the installation and rearrangement of components such as guide rails or sensors in the conveyor system.

Background Art

[0002] Conveyance devices, such as those used to move objects between different stations within a factory, typically comprise a conveyor track with a belt or chain. The conveyor track is constituted by an endless conveyor chain or belt supported by conveyor beams. The conveyor chain or belt slides on a sliding surface on the conveyor beam to reduce friction and wear. This surface may be the conveyor beam itself or an additional component such as a slide rail. The conveyor track may include curves and bends, and at the end regions of the conveyor track, there is either a drive unit for driving the chain or an idler end for supporting the chain for the return path.

[0003] There are a number of different designs for such available conveyors. Products may be conveyed directly on the conveyor belt or chain, or may be conveyed by a product carrier. The conveyor chain is composed of a number of individual chain components designed to support the products being conveyed. Conveyor systems are adapted to various types of products. For some products, such as medical devices or laboratory automation, the system includes specific product carriers adapted to hold products such as test tubes. Other products are directly supported by the conveyor chain and are laterally guided by guide rails attached to the longitudinal beams of the conveyor.

[0004] The complete guide rail comprises a guide rail holder that is fixed and attached to the conveyor beam with screws using T-nuts attached to the groove of the conveyor beam. The guide rail is attached to the guide rail holder, and the guide rail often comprises a vertical rod attached to the guide rail holder in an adjustable manner and a horizontal rod attached to the vertical rod in an adjustable manner. The horizontal rod holds the actual guide rail. These rods may be adjusted, for example, by screws or levers. In this way, the conveyor can be adapted to products of various sizes.

[0005] Normally, the guide rail is adjusted according to a specific product and is not frequently changed. There are several examples of guide rails that are laterally adjustable between two or more predefined positions, whereby several predefined positions can be adjusted relatively easily. In some conveyors, there are also automatic guide rails controlled by a motor or actuator that automatically adjusts to a predefined position.

[0006] In many cases, the position of the guide rail is adjusted by screws that may also include knobs that hold the guide rail clamps together. U.S. Patent Application No. 5626221A, U.S. Patent Application No. 5782339A, German Patent Application No. 10118566A1, French Patent Application No. 2859655B, U.S. Patent Application No. 5860511A, European Patent Application No. 1840050A1, U.S. Patent Application No. 2003205447A, U.S. Patent Application No. 5498098A, U.S. Patent Application No. 5501544A, U.S. Patent Application No. 2013313383A, and U.S. Patent Application No. 4470499A show different examples of adjustable guide rails, where the guide rail is adjusted by clamping one or two rods. U.S. Patent No. 5927480A, U.S. Patent No. 5819911A, and U.S. Patent Application No. 2003116410A show examples of guide rails that are adjustable between at least two predefined positions.

[0007] Even if a known guide rail functions well, there is still room for improvement in the attachment of the guide rail assembly.

Summary of the Invention

[0008] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved conveyor beam attachment. A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved guide rail assembly. A further object of the present invention is to provide a conveyor equipped with such a guide rail assembly.

[0009] The solutions to the problems according to the present invention are described in the characterizing part of claim 1 for the conveyor beam attachment, in claim 10 for the guide rail assembly, and in claim 15 for the conveyor. The other claims include advantageous embodiments and further developments of the conveyor beam attachment and the assembly.

[0010] In a conveyor beam attachment adapted to be attached to a conveyor beam having a first nose pointing in a first direction and a first catch adapted to engage with one flange of a T-slot in the conveyor beam, the object of the present invention is that the conveyor beam attachment comprises a second catch having a second nose and a third catch having a third nose, the second nose and the third nose point in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the second catch and the third catch are adapted to engage with the other flange of the T-slot in the conveyor beam, the second catch and the third catch are arranged on each side of the first catch, the first catch is spring-loaded and can be pushed to the release position by an engagement button, or the second catch and the third catch are spring-loaded and can be pushed to the release position by an engagement button, which is achieved.

[0011] According to a first embodiment of the conveyor beam attachment according to the present invention, a conveyor beam attachment that can be easily attached to and detached from a conveyor beam is provided. By pressing the engagement button, the catches approach each other such that the distance between the noses of the catches is less than the height of the T-slot of the conveyor beam. Thus, the catches can be inserted into the T-slot. By releasing the engagement button, the catches spread apart, with the first catch being pressed against one flange of the T-slot and the second and third catches being pressed against the other flange of the T-slot. A spring load is applied to the engagement button, and thus to the catches, such that the conveyor beam attachment is firmly attached to the conveyor beam. The noses of the catches are slightly chamfered and interact with the inner edge of the flange such that the side seating surface of the conveyor beam attachment is pressed against the conveyor beam.

[0012] The movable catch can also be locked so that it cannot move. A locking screw screwed into the conveyor beam attachment can be used to press the engagement button into an idle state, in which the catch is held against the flange of the conveyor beam. By forcibly pulling the catch away with the locking screw, the clamping force of the catch is improved and the stability of the conveyor beam attachment is improved. This is particularly advantageous when the conveyor beam attachment is used to attach a single component such as a stop device or a sensor that does not displace even in small amounts. By blocking the engagement button, accidental displacement of the conveyor beam attachment is prevented. The locking screw is optional and stabilizes multiple conveyor beam attachments used on a guide rail when the conveyor beam attachment is used on a guide rail.

[0013] In one example, the conveyor beam attachment is provided with a vertical opening adapted to hold a vertical rod, such as a vertical support rod having a vertical rod attachment or another device, etc. Such devices can include various sensors, such as a stop device, an RFID sensor, an optical sensor such as a retroreflective sensor or a transmissive beam sensor, etc. In the illustrated example, the vertical opening, and thus the vertical rod, is provided in an oval shape. This prevents the vertical rod from rotating within the vertical opening. The vertical opening is provided with a first spring-loaded protrusion adapted to engage one of several grooves within the vertical rod. The vertical rod is provided with a set of grooves arranged at a pre-defined distance from each other. In the illustrated example, the distance between the grooves is the same, but only a few grooves at the desired positions can be selected. By pressing the first adjustment button, the first protrusion is pushed to the release position, enabling the height of the vertical rod to be set. By releasing the first adjustment button, the first protrusion engages with the groove and locks the vertical rod in the selected height position.

[0014] In one example, the vertical rod is a vertical support rod provided with a support opening adapted to hold a horizontal rod, for example, a horizontal support rod having a horizontal rod attachment or another device. Such a device may include various sensors, such as, for example, a stop device, an RFID sensor, an optical sensor such as a retroreflective sensor or a transmissive beam sensor, etc. In the illustrated example, the support opening, and thus the horizontal rod, is provided in an oval shape. This prevents the horizontal rod from rotating within the support opening. In the case of the horizontal support rod, this also helps to stabilize the guide rail attached to the horizontal support rod. The support opening is provided with a second spring-loaded protrusion adapted to engage with one of several grooves within the horizontal rod. The horizontal rod is provided with a set of grooves arranged at a pre-defined distance from each other. In the illustrated example, the distance between the grooves is the same, but only several grooves at the desired positions can be selected, and the pre-defined width of the conveyor track can be easily set by the horizontal support rod. By pressing the second adjustment button, the second protrusion is pushed to the release position, and the width position of the horizontal support rod can be adjusted. By releasing the second adjustment button, the second protrusion engages with the groove and locks the horizontal support rod in that position.

[0015] In another example, the conveyor beam attachment is provided with a horizontal opening adapted to receive another conveyor beam attachment. In this example, the conveyor beam attachment may be any quadrilateral or rectangle having a front seating surface disposed in the catch and a rear parallel to the front seating surface. A horizontal opening adapted to receive the conveyor beam attachment is provided at the rear. The horizontal opening is rectangular, similar to a T-slot, with an upper flange and a lower flange provided, and the distance between the upper flange and the lower flange corresponds to the vertical distance between the first catch and the second and third catches in the released state, and thus the height of the T-slot in the conveyor beam. In this example, the conveyor beam attachment can be used, for example, as a spacer to which a guide rail assembly is attached when it is necessary to widen the width of the conveyor track. The conveyor beam attachment can also be used when it is necessary to position a sensor or the like further away from the conveyor beam.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] The embodiments of the present invention with further developments described below should be regarded as examples only and should in no way limit the scope of protection provided by the claims. Expressions such as vertical, horizontal, perpendicular, right, left, etc. represent the direction of the conveyor during normal use.

[0019] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of a guide rail assembly including a first example of a conveyor beam attachment, FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second example of a conveyor beam attachment, and FIG. 5 shows a conveyor provided with a guide rail assembly. The guide rail assembly 1 includes a conveyor beam attachment 2, a vertical support rod 3, and a horizontal support rod 4. The conveyor beam attachment is adapted to be attached to the conveyor beam by a T-slot in the conveyor beam.

[0020] The conveyor beam attachment 2 includes a first catch 5 provided with a first nose 8 pointing in a first direction. In the illustrated example, the first nose points upward and is disposed on a first movable body 22 provided with an engagement button 12. The body, and thus the first catch, is spring-loaded, for example, by a first coil spring 23. The first catch 5 provided with the first nose 8 is adapted to engage with one flange of the T-slot in the conveyor beam, here the upper flange.

[0021] The conveyor beam attachment further includes a second catch 6 having a second nose 9 and a third catch 7 having a third nose 10. The second nose 9 and the third nose 10 point in a direction opposite to that of the first catch, and here, point downward. The second catch having the second nose and the third catch having the third nose are adapted to engage with the other flange of the T-slot of the conveyor beam, here, the lower flange. The second catch and the third catch are disposed on each side of the first catch in the horizontal direction. In the illustrated example, the first catch is disposed on the first movable body, and the second and third catches are fixed on the conveyor beam attachment. The first catch can also be fixed with the second catch and the third catch disposed on the first movable body 22.

[0022] By using the movable catch, the conveyor beam attachment can be easily attached to and detached from the conveyor beam. This shortens the installation time of the conveyor system and simplifies the replacement of the conveyor beam attachment. By pressing the engagement button 12 of the first movable body 22, the first catch 5 moves toward the second and third catches 6, 7 so that the distance between the noses of the catches is reduced. This distance is shorter than the height of the T-slot of the conveyor beam. Therefore, the catch can be inserted into the T-slot between the flanges. By releasing the engagement button 12, the catches spread apart, the first catch is pressed against the upper flange of the T-slot, and the second and third catches are pressed against the lower flange of the T-slot. The engagement button, and thus the first catch, is spring-loaded so that the conveyor beam attachment is firmly attached to the conveyor beam. The noses of the catches are slightly chamfered and interact with the inner edge of the flange so that the lateral seating surface 11 of the conveyor beam attachment is pressed against the conveyor beam. The vertical distance between the first catch and the second and third catches in the released state corresponds to the height of the T-slot of the conveyor beam.

[0023] The conveyor beam attachment may also include a locking screw 32 adapted to lock the movable catch so that it cannot move. The locking screw is screwed into the conveyor beam attachment and presses against the inside of the first movable body 22. When the locking screw is tightened, the engagement button 22 is pushed to its uppermost position and at the same time is pushed to release the catch. By forcibly releasing the catch with the locking screw, the clamping force of the catch is improved and the stability of the conveyor beam attachment is improved. This is particularly advantageous when the conveyor beam attachment is used to attach a single component such as a stop device or sensor that does not displace even slightly. By blocking the engagement button, accidental displacement of the conveyor beam attachment is prevented. The locking screw is optional and, when the conveyor beam attachment is used on a guide rail, stabilizes a plurality of conveyor beam attachments used on the guide rail with respect to each other.

[0024] In one example, the conveyor beam attachment 2 is provided with a vertical opening 15 adapted to hold a vertical rod, which in one example is a vertical support rod 3. In the illustrated example, the vertical opening, and thus the vertical support rod, is provided in an oval shape, for example, an elliptical shape. This prevents the vertical support rod from rotating within the vertical opening. The conveyor beam attachment is provided with a second spring-loaded body 24 disposed within the vertical opening, and the second body is provided with a first protrusion 20 adapted to engage one of several grooves 17 of the vertical support rod 3. The vertical support rod is provided with a first set of grooves 17 disposed at a pre-defined distance from each other. In the illustrated example, the distance between the grooves is equal, but only a few grooves at the desired positions can be selected. In one example, the distance between each groove is 1 centimeter, which facilitates adjusting the vertical support rod to the desired height.

[0025] By pressing the first adjustment button 13 of the second spring-loaded body 24, the first protrusion is pushed to the release position, and the height of the vertical support rod can be set. By releasing the first adjustment button, the second coil spring 25 pushes the first protrusion and engages with the groove to lock the vertical support rod at the selected height position.

[0026] The vertical opening 15 can also hold other devices having a vertical rod attachment. Such devices can include various sensors such as, for example, stop devices, RFID sensors, optical sensors such as retroreflective sensors or transmissive beam sensors, etc. These devices can be mounted on the side of the conveyor beam in a simple manner by a conveyor beam attachment and can be easily rearranged as needed.

[0027] The vertical support rod 3 shown in the described example includes, for example, a support opening 16 adapted to hold a horizontal support rod 4. In the illustrated example, the support opening 16, and thus the horizontal support rod 4, is provided in an oval shape, for example, an elliptical shape. This prevents the horizontal support rod from rotating within the support opening. This also helps to stabilize the guide rail attached to the horizontal support rod by the guide rail clamp 19. A third spring-loaded body 26 is disposed within the support opening 16. The third body is provided with a second protrusion 21 adapted to engage with one of several grooves 18 within the horizontal support rod 4. The horizontal support rod is provided with a second set of grooves 18 disposed at a pre-defined distance from each other. In the illustrated example, the distance between the grooves is equal, but only several grooves at the desired positions can be selected, and it is possible to easily adapt to the pre-defined width of the conveyor track. In one example, the distance between each groove is 1 centimeter, which makes it easy to adjust the horizontal support rod to the desired position. The horizontal support rods on each side of the conveyor holding the support rails thus facilitate the adjustment of the width of the support rails of the conveyor track.

[0028] By pressing the second adjustment button 14 of the third body 26, the second protrusion 21 is pushed to the release position, and it is possible to adjust the width position of the horizontal support rod. By releasing the second adjustment button 14, the third coil spring 27 pushes the third body provided with the second protrusion 21 so as to engage with the groove 18, and locks the horizontal support rod in that position.

[0029] The conveyor beam attachment 2 can also hold other devices having attachment rods. The attachment rod can be mounted either in the vertical opening 15 or in the support opening 16 according to the purpose of use of the device.

[0030] In one example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the conveyor beam attachment 2 is provided with a horizontal opening 28 adapted to receive another conveyor beam attachment. In this example, the conveyor beam attachment 2 may be any quadrilateral or rectangle having a front seating surface 11 disposed in the catch and a rear 31 parallel to the front seating surface 11. The distance between the front seating surface 11 and the rear 31 corresponds to the thickness of the conveyor beam attachment. The rear 31 is provided with a horizontal opening 28 adapted to receive another conveyor beam attachment. The horizontal opening is rectangular and similar to a T-slot, and is provided with an upper flange 29 and a lower flange 30, and the distance between the upper flange and the lower flange corresponds to the vertical distance between the first catch and the second and third catches in the released state, and thus the height of the T-slot in the conveyor beam. In this example, the conveyor beam attachment can be used, for example, as a spacer to which a guide rail assembly is attached when it is necessary to widen the width of the conveyor track. The conveyor beam attachment can also be used when it is necessary to position a sensor or the like further away from the conveyor beam. Several conveyor beam attachments may be mounted on each other to provide a longer spacer.

[0031] Figure 5 shows a conveyor 40 provided with a plurality of guide rail assemblies 1. In the illustrated example, each guide rail assembly 1 is mounted on a conveyor beam attachment 2 that acts as a distance piece attached to a conveyor beam 41. A horizontal support rod holds the guide rail. The conveyor beam has T-slots 42 on each side, which are conventional conveyor beams extruded from aluminum. The T-slots are provided with an upper flange 43 and a lower flange 44. The T-slots are, for example, conventional T-slots used within the conveyor beam, and the height of the T-slots may be, for example, 8 mm or 11 mm, which are groove sizes commonly used in conveyor beams, although of course other sizes are possible. The conveyor beam attachment is adapted to the size of the T-slots to be attached.

[0032] To attach the guide rail to the conveyor beam, by using the conveyor beam attachment of the present invention alone or together with a distance piece, the installation is simplified and there is no need to use T-slot nuts. Depending on the use of the conveyor, the horizontal support rod can be adapted according to the purpose of use. If only a few different widths are used, the horizontal support rod may have grooves only corresponding to the required widths. For example, positions pre-defined with different colors or other markings can also be made. The same applies to the vertical support rod if only a few vertical positions are desired. The distance piece may also have different thicknesses according to requirements.

[0033] The present invention should not be regarded as limited to the above-described embodiments, and within the scope of the following claims, numerous additional variations and modifications are possible. The conveyor beam attachment may have any size and may be made of any suitable material.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0034] 1: Guide rail assembly 2: Conveyor beam attachment 3: Vertical support rod 4: Horizontal support rod 5: First catch 6: Second catch 7: Third catch 8: First nose 9: Second nose 10: Third nose 11: Seat surface 12: Engagement button 13: First adjustment button 14: Second adjustment button 15: Vertical opening 16: Support opening 17: First set of grooves 18: Second set of grooves 19: Guide rail clamp 20: First protrusion 21: Second protrusion 22: First body 23: First coil spring 24: Second body 25: Second coil spring 26: Third body 27: Third coil spring 28: Horizontal opening 29: Upper flange 30: Lower flange 31: Rear 32: Locking screw 40: Conveyor 41: Conveyor beam 42: T-slot 43: Upper flange 44: Lower flange

Claims

1. A conveyor beam attachment (2) adapted to be attached to a conveyor beam, having a first nose (8) pointing in a first direction and a first catch (5) adapted to engage with one flange of a T-slot in the conveyor beam, a second catch (6) having a second nose (9), a third catch (7) having a third nose (10), and a vertical opening (15) adapted to receive a vertical support rod (3), wherein the second nose (9) and the third nose (10) point in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the second catch (6) and the third catch (7) are adapted to engage with the other flange of the T-slot in the conveyor beam, the second catch (6) and the third catch (7) are arranged on each side of the first catch (5), the first catch (5) is spring-loaded and can be pushed to a release position by an engagement button (12), or the second catch (6) and the third catch (7) are spring-loaded and can be pushed to a release position by the engagement button (12), and the vertical opening (15) comprises a first spring-loaded projection (20) adapted to engage with a groove (17) of the vertical support rod (3), the conveyor beam attachment (2).

2. The conveyor beam attachment according to claim 1, wherein the first spring-loaded projection (20) can be pushed to a release position by a first adjustment button (13).

3. The conveyor beam attachment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vertical opening (15) is oval.

4. The conveyor beam attachment according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor beam attachment (2) comprises a horizontal opening (28) adapted to receive the first catch (5), the second catch (6), and the third catch (7) of another conveyor beam attachment (2).

5. The horizontal opening (28) is rectangular with an upper flange (29) and a lower flange (30), and the distance between the upper flange and the lower flange corresponds to the vertical distance between the first catch (5) and the second and third catches (6, 7) in a released state. The conveyor beam attachment according to claim 4.

6. The conveyor beam attachment (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a locking screw (32) adapted to block the movement of the first catch (5) or the second and third catches (6, 7).

7. The conveyor beam attachment according to claim 6, wherein the locking screw (32) is adapted to block the movement of the first catch (5) or the second and third catches (6, 7) by blocking the movement of the engagement button (12).

8. A conveyor beam attachment (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, a vertical support rod (3) disposed within a vertical opening (15) provided in the conveyor beam attachment (2), a horizontal support rod (4) disposed within a support opening (16) provided in the vertical support rod (3), comprising a guide rail assembly (1).

9. The guide rail assembly according to claim 8, wherein the vertical opening (15) comprises a first spring-loaded protrusion (20) adapted to engage a groove (17) of the vertical support rod (3).

10. The guide rail assembly according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the support opening (16) comprises a second spring-loaded protrusion (21) adapted to engage a groove (18) of the horizontal support rod (4).

11. The guide rail assembly according to claim 10, wherein the second spring-loaded protrusion (21) can be pushed to a release position by a second adjustment button (14).

12. The guide rail assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the horizontal support rod (4) comprises a guide rail clamp (19).

13. A plurality of guide rail assemblies (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 12, at least one conveyor beam (41), comprising a conveyor (40).

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