US 12,227,366 B2
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for process dolly synchronization with assembly line conveyors
Lloyd R. Holland, Georgetown, KY (US); Scottie L. Foster, Lawrenceburg, KY (US); Bradley J. Garcia, Louisville, KY (US); Michael C. Greenlee, Paris, KY (US); Jeffrey L. James, Mount Sterling, KY (US); Annetta L. Allen, Trenton, MI (US); Ronnie G. Kiser, Jr., Lexington, KY (US); and Andrew B. Novian, Winchester, KY (US)
Assigned to TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., Plano, TX (US); and TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Filed by Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Plano, TX (US)
Filed on Jun. 6, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/206,575.
Prior Publication US 2024/0409320 A1, Dec. 12, 2024
Int. Cl. B65G 35/06 (2006.01); B66B 21/10 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 35/06 (2013.01) [B66B 21/10 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A conveyor assembly comprising:
a conveyor including a work part conveyor portion and a person conveyor portion configured to move parallel to one another at the same rate;
at least one stationary track positioned parallel to the conveyor;
a process dolly configured to operatively couple to the at least one stationary track; and
a syncing apparatus configured to couple to the process dolly and operatively couple to the conveyor, the syncing apparatus includes a first wheel and a first biasing member configured to bias the first wheel in contact with the person conveyor portion to lock the process dolly in place along the conveyor.