US 12,466,658 B2
Conveyor system using moving elements to adjust part pitch
Blake Robert Lambert, Cambridge (CA); Roger Hogan, Cambridge (CA); and Albert John Kleinikkink, Cambridge (CA)
Assigned to ATS Corporation, Cambridge (CA)
Filed by ATS Corporation, Cambridge (CA)
Filed on Mar. 20, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/186,272.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/321,123, filed on Mar. 18, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 23162614 (EP), filed on Mar. 17, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2023/0294926 A1, Sep. 21, 2023
Int. Cl. B65G 21/22 (2006.01); B65G 23/23 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 21/22 (2013.01) [B65G 23/23 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A conveyor system comprising:
a track;
at least two moving elements configured to move on the track; and
a pitch assembly mounted on the at least two moving elements, the pitch assembly comprising:
at least one rail provided on at least one of the moving elements;
a plurality of nests, slidably engaged with the at least one rail, for supporting parts on the at least two moving elements as the at least two moving elements move on the track; and
a mechanical linkage connected to the at least two moving elements and to the plurality of nests;
wherein the nests are slidably engaged with the rail to maintain linear motion and connected with the mechanical linkage such that, as the moving elements move closer together, the mechanical linkage contracts and slides the plurality of nests closer together for a reduced pitch between nests and parts, and, as the moving elements move apart from each other, the mechanical linkage extends and slides the plurality of nests apart for an increased pitch between nests and parts.