US 12,280,956 B1
Systems and methods for conveying objects
J. Lee Cantrell, Jr., Federal Way, WA (US); Gerald R. Cutler, Bellevue, WA (US); and Daniel K. Schrift, Sedro Woolley, WA (US)
Assigned to LOADSTERS INC., Bellevue, WA (US)
Filed by Gerald R. Cutler, Bellevue, WA (US)
Filed on Mar. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/694,558.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/160,293, filed on Mar. 12, 2021.
Int. Cl. B65G 15/24 (2006.01); B65G 21/06 (2006.01); B65G 21/14 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 15/24 (2013.01) [B65G 21/06 (2013.01); B65G 21/14 (2013.01); B65G 2207/30 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A conveyor assembly for conveying objects, the conveyor assembly comprising:
a first modular conveyor having a first frame extending between a first end and a second end and defining an interior void, a first closed conveyor belt disposed between a first roller and a second roller, wherein the first roller is disposed within the interior void proximate to the first end and the second roller is disposed within the interior void proximate to the second end and a first connecting interface at the first end of the first modular conveyor;
the first modular conveyor further comprises a first control system to receive an input and, in response to the input, operate a first motor;
the first modular conveyor further comprises the first motor configured to drive at least one of the first roller and the second roller; and
wherein the first modular conveyor further comprises a second connecting interface located at the second end; and
wherein each of the first connecting interface of the first modular conveyor and the second connecting interface of the first modular conveyor are each configured to be removably coupled to one of a first connecting interface of a second modular conveyor or the second connecting interface of the second modular conveyor;
wherein the first modular conveyor, when coupled to the second modular conveyor, receives the input that comprises a user input to the first modular conveyor, and the first control system forwards the input, via the first connecting interface coupled to a second connecting interface of the second modular conveyor, to a second control system of the second modular conveyor and wherein the second control system of the second modular conveyor self-orients to operate a second closed conveyor belt of the second modular conveyor in a common direction with the first closed conveyor belt; and
wherein the first modular conveyor, when coupled to the second modular conveyor, receives, via the first connecting interface coupled to one of the second connecting interface of the second modular conveyor or the first connecting interface of the second modular conveyor, the input comprising an output from the second control system of the second modular conveyor and operates the first closed conveyor belt in a common direction with the second closed conveyor belt.