Leroy A Winkler

US Patent:

61585688, Dec 12, 2000

Filed:

Jan 3, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/476903

Inventors:

David Patrick Erceg - Concord NC
J. David Fortenbery - Charlotte NC
Leroy A. Winkler - Stanley NC

Assignee:

Mantissa Corporation - Charlotte NC

International Classification:

B65G 4746

US Classification:

19837004

Abstract:

A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. Each of the tilting conveyor carts includes a trailer frame base, a carrying tray for holding the objects and a tiltable support apparatus for supporting the carrying tray above the trailer frame base and for allowing tilting of the carrying tray towards at least one side of the conveyor to unload objects into unloading stations on at least one side of the conveyor.

US Patent:

60503904, Apr 18, 2000

Filed:

Aug 6, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/907036

Inventors:

J. David Fortenbery - Charlotte NC
David Erceg - Concord NC
Leroy A. Winkler - Stanley NC
Charles H. Lee - Kannapolis NC

Assignee:

Mantissa Corporation - Charlotte NC

International Classification:

B65G 4746

US Classification:

19837003

Abstract:

A package sorting conveyor system having at least one conveyor cart movable along a continuous track and at least one unloading station. The conveyor system includes a two-axis tiltable support apparatus for supporting the carrying tray on the conveyor cart and for allowing tilting of the carrying tray towards at least one side of the package sorting conveyor to unload a package into unloading stations on at least one side of the sorting conveyor. A transition zone funnel upstream of the unloading station receives the package from the conveyor cart. The transition zone funnel includes an inlet adjacent to the continuous track conveyor system at the unloading station for receiving the package discharged from the tiltable conveyor cart; an upwardly inclined downstream wall located downstream of the inlet for preventing the package from tipping over; and an outlet located downstream from the upwardly inclined downstream wall for discharging the package from the funnel. In the preferred embodiment, a secondary downstream chute is located downstream from the transition zone funnel for conveying the discharged package to its final destination.

US Patent:

52209865, Jun 22, 1993

Filed:

Jun 16, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/899336

Inventors:

LeRoy A. Winkler - Stanley NC

Assignee:

Mantissa Corporation - Charlotte NC

International Classification:

B65G 1100

US Classification:

193 25A

Abstract:

An improved discharge chute for a material handling system. The chute includes a generally elongated rectangularly shaped support backing. A sheet of low friction, wear resistant polymeric material is bonded to the upper surface of the support backing. In the preferred embodiment, the polymeric material is high density, textured polyethylene between about 15 and 50 mils in thickness. A second sheet of polymeric material is bonded to the lower surface of the support backing to prevent warping of the backing. A support frame is attached to the support backing for positioning one end of the chute adjacent to the discharge portion of the material handling system and the other end of the chute adjacent to a receiving station. Finally, a pair of dividers attached to the opposite sides of the support backing for confining the goods being discharged by the material handling system. The dividers include opposing legs extending parallel and spaced apart to one another for receiving the adjacent edges of the chute and forming a joint with the upper and lower surfaces of the chute.

US Patent:

61128791, Sep 5, 2000

Filed:

Nov 16, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/192948

Inventors:

J. David Fortenbery - Charlotte NC
David Erceg - Concord NC
Leroy A. Winkler - Stanley NC
Charles H. Lee - Kannapolis NC

Assignee:

Mantissa Corporation - Charlotte NC

International Classification:

B65G 4710

US Classification:

19837004

Abstract:

A package sorting conveyor system having at least one conveyor cart movable along a continuous track and at least one unloading station. The conveyor system includes a two-axis tiltable support apparatus for supporting the carrying tray on the conveyor cart and for allowing tilting of the carrying tray towards at least one side of the package sorting conveyor to unload a package into unloading stations on at least one side of the sorting conveyor. A transition zone funnel upstream of the unloading station receives the package from the conveyor cart. The transition zone funnel includes an inlet adjacent to the continuous track conveyor system at the unloading station for receiving the package discharged from the tiltable conveyor cart; an upwardly inclined downstream wall located downstream of the inlet for preventing the package from tipping over; and an outlet located downstream from the upwardly inclined downstream wall for discharging the package from the funnel. In the preferred embodiment, a secondary downstream chute is located downstream from the transition zone funnel for conveying the discharged package to its final destination.