David F Cotter

US Patent:

7364035, Apr 29, 2008

Filed:

May 25, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/420248

Inventors:

Harry T German - Belding MI, US
David H Cotter - Coopersville MI, US
Wynn M Pelak - Rockford MI, US
Dennis J Schuitema - Ada MI, US

Assignee:

Dematic Corp. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

B65G 13/06

US Classification:

19878103, 198790

Abstract:

An accumulation conveyor and method, according to the invention, includes providing a plurality of tandem accumulation zones, each of the zones including a conveying surface and at least one drive roller selectively driving the conveying surface. A drive member below the conveying surface extends a length of the plurality of tandem accumulation zones. Each of the zones includes a clutch roller rotated by the drive member and an electromagnetic clutch. The clutch selectively transfers rotation of the clutch roller to the drive roller to drive the conveying surface. The clutch may be made up of a pair of concentric cylinders aligned in a vertical plane and a force transmission member between the concentric cylinders with the force transmission member transmitting force between the concentric cylinders when the clutch is electrically actuated. The clutch may be a wrapped-spring clutch.

US Patent:

7383935, Jun 10, 2008

Filed:

Aug 4, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/710809

Inventors:

Ryan D. Tasma - Middleville MI, US
David H. Cotter - Coopersville MI, US
Ronald C. Ehlert - Wyoming MI, US

Assignee:

Dematic Corp. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

B65G 13/02

US Classification:

19837001, 19837008, 19845703, 1984633, 198782, 198788, 198809, 193 35 SS

Abstract:

A roller conveyor includes a plurality of idler rollers positioned along and between opposite sidewalls and a transverse drive system operable to rotatably drive at least some of the idler rollers of the roller conveyer. The transverse drive system includes a motorized roller positioned generally transverse to the idler rollers and a plurality of drive members drivably connected between the motorized roller and respective ones of the idler rollers. Actuation of the motorized roller drives each of the drive members, which in turn independently rotatably drive the respective idler rollers. The transverse drive system may be selectively operable to accumulate articles on one or more zones of the roller conveyor. The roller conveyor may include a right angle transfer unit operable to transfer articles in a direction generally normal to the direction of conveyance of the idler rollers.

US Patent:

7562761, Jul 21, 2009

Filed:

Nov 29, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/947319

Inventors:

Ryan D. Tasma - Middleville MI, US
David H. Cotter - Coopersville MI, US
Ted W. Haan - Wyoming MI, US

Assignee:

Dematic Corp. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

B65G 47/10

US Classification:

19837002, 1988901, 19837007, 1984632

Abstract:

An article sorter is made up of a web defined by a plurality of interconnected, laterally elongated, slats. An upper portion of the web defines a longitudinally extending conveying surface. Each of the slats has a generally planar upper surface forming a portion of the conveying surface. A plurality of pusher shoes travel laterally of the conveying surface to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. A drive assembly is provided. The drive includes at least one sprocket and a motor. The motor is adapted to rotate the sprocket(s). The sprocket(s) engage the slats to propel the web.

US Patent:

8196737, Jun 12, 2012

Filed:

May 27, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/789064

Inventors:

Matthew T. Brayman - Ada MI, US
John M. Karas - Grand Rapids MI, US
David H. Cotter - Coopersville MI, US

Assignee:

Dematic Corp. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

B65G 23/00
B65G 23/14
B65G 23/04
B65G 21/00
B65G 41/00
B65G 23/44
B65G 47/31

US Classification:

198832, 198833, 198835, 1988611, 198813, 1984611, 1984612

Abstract:

A method of replacing a continuous belt on a belt conveyor having a frame assembly includes providing a removable belt module with a removable belt module frame, the removable belt module frame having at one end a rotatably mounted drive pulley and having at an opposite end a rotatably mounted other pulley. The continuous belt is reeved around the drive pulley and the other pulley. The removable belt module is removed from at least one attachment surface of the frame assembly while the continuous belt remains under tension. A replacement removable belt module is then placed at the attachment surface. Optionally, the continuous belt has a low modulus characteristic, and the removable belt module may include at least one pivot arm for mounting at least one of the drive pulley and the other pulley to the removable belt module frame.

US Patent:

52752739, Jan 4, 1994

Filed:

Jul 31, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/923043

Inventors:

Frank W. Veit - Ada MI
Ronald C. Ehlert - Wyoming MI
David H. Cotter - Coopersville MI

Assignee:

Rapistan Demag Corporation - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

B65G 4746

US Classification:

198370

Abstract:

A non-powered, self-position-adjusting track intersection pin guide, or switch, is provided having a plate member that pivots in the plane of the crossing guide tracks that move article diverter shoes of a positive displacement sortation conveyor in a predetermined manner relative to the supporting surface of the conveyor. The plate member pivots between a first position guiding the diverter shoe guide elements along a first path and a second position guiding the diverter shoe guide elements along a second path. The plate member includes first and second cam members defining first and second cam surfaces. First and second guiding surfaces are additionally defined on the plate member, whereby the cam surfaces are selectively positioned in the first and second paths for actuations by a guide element moving along the respective path in order to rotate the cam surfaces and the guiding surfaces about a common pivot in order to guide movement of the guide elements. The pivot is upstream of the first and second cam surfaces with respect to travel of the guide elements in order to provide switching between first and second positions through an extremely small arc of travel. The cam surfaces are positioned in the guide tracks in a manner that they are actuated by the guide bearing of the diverter shoes wherein the guiding surfaces are positioned to act on the much narrower guide pin of the diverter shoes.