US 12,280,959 B2
Carrier basket transporter with self-damping carrier basket pivot connection
Ireneusz Czapp, Reda (PL); Andrzej Tusk, Rotmanka (PL); and Wojciech Lebkowski, Rumia (PL)
Assigned to Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd., Hergiswil (CH)
Filed by Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd., Hergiswil (CH)
Filed on Sep. 7, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/462,570.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/405,161, filed on Sep. 9, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0083683 A1, Mar. 14, 2024
Int. Cl. B65G 17/48 (2006.01); B65G 17/12 (2006.01); B65G 17/34 (2006.01); B65G 47/57 (2006.01); B65G 17/14 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 17/123 (2013.01) [B65G 17/34 (2013.01); B65G 17/485 (2013.01); B65G 47/57 (2013.01); B65G 17/12 (2013.01); B65G 17/14 (2013.01); B65G 2201/0202 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A self-damping carrier basket pivot connection for a carrier basket transporter system with a plurality of cars configured to travel along a pathway, at least some of which have a carrier basket pivotally connected thereto, the self-damping carrier basket pivot connection comprising:
a support connection configured for attachment to at least one of the cars, the support connection comprises at least three connection rollers that define a circular envelope;
a mating connection configured to be attached to a back support of the carrier basket, the mating connection comprises a housing having a part circular track having a first radius and that extends circumferentially greater than 180° and generally corresponds to or is larger than the circular envelope, the part circular track including at least one inwardly directed protrusion; and
the connection rollers are engaged in the part circular track such that the carrier basket is adapted to be pivotable by gravity so a product support surface of the carrier basket is maintained generally horizontal during movement of the carrier basket along the pathway, and the at least one inwardly directed protrusion provides an increased resistance to relative movement between the housing and at least one of the rollers that contacts the at least one inwardly directed protrusion.