RETRACTABLE BARRIER ASSEMBLY FOR CONVEYOR

Abstract

A conveyor for moving objects along a path is comprised of a plurality of spaced-apart rollers that define the path of the conveyor. The upper edges of the rollers are aligned to define the surface of the path. Two spaced-apart side rails having inward-facing surfaces define two side boundaries of the path. A barrier assembly is disposed within a gap in one of the side rails for facilitating loading and unloading of objects onto the conveyor from one side of the conveyor. The barrier assembly is comprised of a mounting plate mounted to the conveyor and a barrier pivotally mounted to the mounting plate. The barrier has a wall section generally aligned with the inward-facing surface on one of the side rails. The barrier is movable between a first position wherein the wall section is elevated relative to the upper edges of the roller and a second position wherein the wall section is disposed below the upper edge of the rollers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, one embodiment of which will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roller conveyor for a tunnel washer having a loading and unloading station and barrier assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the barrier assembly shown in FIG. 1, illustrating one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectioned, elevational view of the barrier assembly mounted to a section of a conveyor frame, showing a transfer cart and basket disposed relative thereto;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the barrier assembly with a transfer cart in engagement therewith, showing the barrier assembly in a loading position;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a basket being transferred from a transfer cart onto the conveyor;

FIG. 7 is a view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the barrier assembly showing a basket on the conveyor and the barrier assembly in a barrier position; and

FIG. 9 is a view taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 8.

Claims

1. A conveyor for moving objects along a path, said conveyor comprised of: a plurality of spaced-apart rollers defining said path of said conveyor, the upper edges of said rollers being aligned to define the surface of said path;two spaced-apart side rails having inward-facing surfaces that define two side boundaries of said path; anda barrier assembly disposed within a gap in one of said side rails for facilitating loading and unloading of objects onto said conveyor from one side of said conveyor, said barrier assembly comprised of: a mounting plate mounted to said conveyor; anda barrier pivotally mounted to said mounting plate, said barrier having a wall section generally aligned with the inward-facing surface on said one of said side rails, said barrier being movable between a first position wherein said wall section is elevated relative to the upper edges of said roller and a second position wherein said wall section is disposed below the upper edge of said rollers.

2. A conveyor as defined in claim 1, wherein said barrier includes a planar plate portion that is connected to said wall section, said plate portion defining a sliding surface, said plate portion being oriented at an angle when said barrier is in said first position and being generally horizontal when said barrier is in said second position.

3. A conveyor as defined in claim 1, wherein said barrier includes a biasing element biasing said barrier to said first position.

4. A conveyor as defined in claim 3, wherein said biasing element is a spring.

5. A conveyor as defined in claim 1, wherein said barrier is pivoted about an axis that is generally parallel to said conveyor path.

6. A conveyor as defined in claim 1, wherein said barrier defines a second path intersecting said conveyor path when said barrier is in said second position.

7. A conveyor as defined in claim 1, wherein said barrier includes abutment means facing outward from said conveyor, said abutment means engageable with a transport device for transporting an object to be loaded onto said conveyor, said barrier being movable from said first position to said second position when said transport device engages said abutment means.

8. A conveyor as defined in claim 7, wherein an object on said transport device is movable over said barrier onto said conveyor when said barrier is in said second position.

9. A conveyor as defined in claim 1, wherein said barrier is generally plate, said plate having said wall section formed along one edge thereof and being pivotally mounted along another edge about an axis that is generally parallel to the path of the conveyor.

10. In a conveyor having a plurality of spaced-apart rollers that define a conveyor path and two spaced-apart rails having inward-facing surfaces that define the side boundaries of said path, a barrier assembly to be positioned in a gap in one of said rails to allow loading and unloading of said conveyor through said gap, said barrier assembly comprised of: a mounting plate mounting to said conveyor; anda barrier pivotally mounted to said mounting plate along an axis that is generally parallel to said conveyor path, said barrier comprised of a plate mounted to said mounting plate to pivot along one edge about said axis, said plate having a downward-extending wall section formed along another edge of said plate, said barrier being movable between a first position wherein said wall is elevated relative to the upper surfaces of said conveyor rollers and a second position wherein said wall section is disposed below the upper surfaces of said rollers, said plate being in a generally horizontal position when said barrier is in said second position and defining a second path intersecting said conveyor path.

11. A conveyor as defined in claim 10 wherein said wall section is generally aligned with the inward-facing surface of said one of said rails.

12. A conveyor as defined in claim 10, wherein said barrier includes a biasing element biasing said barrier to said first position.

13. A conveyor as defined in claim 12, wherein said biasing element is a spring.

14. A conveyor as defined in claim 10, wherein said barrier includes abutment means facing outward from said conveyor, said abutment means engageable with a transport device for transporting an object to be loaded onto said conveyor, said barrier being movable from said first position to said second position when said transport device engages said abutment means.

15. A conveyor as defined in claim 14, wherein an object on said transport device is movable over said barrier onto said conveyor when said barrier is in said second position.

16. A conveyor for moving objects along a first path, said conveyor comprised of: a plurality of spaced-apart rollers defining said first path of said conveyor, the upper edges of said rollers being aligned to define the surface of said first path;two spaced-apart side rails having inward-facing surfaces that define two side boundaries of said path;a pair of spaced-apart lateral rail sections extending between said side rails;a plurality of rollers extending from said lateral rail sections defining a second path that intersects said first path;a gap defined in one of said side rails, said gap formed between said lateral rail sections; anda barrier assembly disposed within said gap in one of said side rails for facilitating loading and unloading of objects along said second path onto said conveyor from one side of said conveyor, said barrier assembly having a barrier that is movable between a first position wherein said barrier is elevated relative to the upper edges of said roller and a second position wherein said barrier is disposed below the upper edge of said rollers.

17. A conveyor as defined in claim 16, wherein said barrier assembly includes a mounting plate mounted to said conveyor, said barrier being pivotally mounted to said mounting plate.

18. A conveyor as defined in claim 17, wherein said barrier has a wall section generally aligned with the inward-facing surface on said one of said side rails, said wall section being elevated when said barrier is in said first position and said wall section being below the upper edge of said rollers defining said first path.

19. A conveyor as defined in claim 18, wherein said barrier includes a planar plate portion that is connected to said wall section, said plate portion defining a sliding surface, said plate portion being oriented at an angle when said barrier is in said first position and being generally horizontal when said barrier is in said second position.

20. A conveyor as defined in claim 19, wherein said barrier includes a biasing element biasing said barrier to said first position.

21. A conveyor as defined in claim 20, wherein said biasing element is a spring.

22. A conveyor as defined in claim 18, wherein said barrier includes abutment means facing outward from said conveyor, said abutment means engageable with a transport device for transporting an object to be loaded onto said conveyor, said barrier being movable from said first position to said second position when said transport device engages said abutment means.

23. A conveyor as defined in claim 22, wherein an object on said transport device is movable over said barrier onto said conveyor when said barrier is in said second position.