Scott J Hall

US Patent:

6422382, Jul 23, 2002

Filed:

Sep 1, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/654137

Inventors:

Daniel E. Ertel - Oconomowoc WI
Scott M. Hall - Franklin WI
Michael A. Hosch - Oconomowoc WI

Assignee:

Dorner Mfg. Corp. - Hartland WI

International Classification:

B65G 2100

US Classification:

1988601, 198841

Abstract:

A conveyor construction including a conveyor frame formed from a pair of side frame members interconnected with each other by at least one bed plate. Each side frame member includes a slot-type engagement structure that extends throughout the entire length of the side frame member. The slot-type engagement structure is capable of receiving threaded fasteners such that the bed plate can be selectively positioned along the length of the side frame members. The rotatable spindles mounted to movable head plates at each end of the conveyor frame are secured to internal bearings by an endwise engagement structure.

US Patent:

6685009, Feb 3, 2004

Filed:

May 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/438961

Inventors:

Michael A. Hosch - Oconomowoc WI
Scott M. Hall - Sussex WI
Daniel E. Ertel - Oconomowoc WI

Assignee:

Dorner Mfg. Corp. - Hartland WI

International Classification:

B65G 2344

US Classification:

198813

Abstract:

A conveyor construction includes a frame having a pair of side members, a belt and a tensioning section mounted for longitudinal extendable and retractable movement relative to the frame for establishing a desired tension on the belt. The tensioning section includes a spindle engaged with the belt and a pair of side plate structures connected to the spindle and located one adjacent each frame side member. A drive member is rotatably mounted relative to the frame and is drivingly engaged with the tensioning section for imparting longitudinal extendable and retractable movement relative to the frame upon rotation of the drive member. A locking device inserts a frictional locking force on the side plate structures relative to the frame side members for selectively fixing the position of the tensioning section relative to the frame. A restraining arrangement is incorporated in the side plate structures for limiting the retractable movement of the tensioning section upon the imposition of a random force applied to the spindle and overcoming the frictional locking force of the locking device so as to substantially retain the desired tension on the belt and preserve operability of the drive member.

US Patent:

6871737, Mar 29, 2005

Filed:

Mar 11, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/385906

Inventors:

Daniel E. Ertel - Oconomowoc WI, US
Scott M. Hall - Sussex WI, US

Assignee:

Dorner Mfg. Corp. - Hartland WI

International Classification:

B65G021/00
B65G021/08
B65G021/10
B65G023/44
B65G023/00

US Classification:

1988601, 198813, 198832

Abstract:

A conveyor construction that includes a conveyor frame assembly formed from a pair of spaced side frame members interconnected with each other by spaced cross members. The upper bed of the conveyor frame assembly is formed from individual bed plate strips attached to each of the cross members. The width of the conveyor frame assembly can be modified by the proper selection of the number of bed plate strips. The conveyor frame assembly includes a separate tensioning assembly and tracking adjustment assembly. The tracking adjustment assembly is adjusted separate from the tensioning assembly such that additional tension applied to the conveyor belt does not affect the previously selected tracking adjustment. The conveyor construction includes a center drive unit having only a single drive roller, a guide roller and a tensioning roller. The tensioning roller position is controlled by a pair of spaced tensioning cylinder.

US Patent:

6971509, Dec 6, 2005

Filed:

Mar 4, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/072672

Inventors:

Daniel E. Ertel - Oconomowoc WI, US
Scott M. Hall - Sussex WI, US

Assignee:

Dorner Mfg. Corp. - Hartland WI

International Classification:

B65G023/44

US Classification:

198813, 198835

Abstract:

A conveyor construction that includes a conveyor frame assembly formed from a pair of spaced side frame members interconnected with each other by spaced cross members. The upper bed of the conveyor frame assembly is formed from individual bed plate strips attached to each of the cross members. The width of the conveyor frame assembly can be modified by the proper selection of the number of bed plate strips. The conveyor frame assembly includes a separate tensioning assembly and tracking adjustment assembly. The tracking adjustment assembly is adjusted separate from the tensioning assembly such that additional tension applied to the conveyor belt does not affect the previously selected tracking adjustment. The conveyor construction includes a center drive unit having only a single drive roller, a guide roller and a tensioning roller. The tensioning roller position is controlled by a pair of spaced tensioning cylinder.

US Patent:

7207435, Apr 24, 2007

Filed:

Aug 30, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/214550

Inventors:

Craig A. Bude - Waukesha WI, US
Michael A. Hosch - Oconomowoc WI, US
Scott M. Hall - Sussex WI, US
Daniel E. Ertel - Oconomowoc WI, US

Assignee:

Dorner Mfg. Corp. - Hartland WI

International Classification:

B65G 23/06

US Classification:

198834, 198835

Abstract:

A locking assembly for use with drive sprockets positioned to drive a conveyor belt supported by a conveyor frame assembly. The locking device includes a main body that extends through each of the drive sprockets positioned along a drive shaft of the conveyor assembly. The locking device includes spaced receiving notches that each receive one of the drive sprockets to maintain a desired spacing between the drive sprockets when the locking device is in its locking position. The locking device is movable to a release position to independently release each of the drive sprockets from the locking device. Once released, each of the drive sprockets are movable along the length of the drive shaft to facilitate cleaning of the conveyor assembly. When the locking device is in its locking position, the combination of the locking device and drive sprockets is movable along the longitudinal length of the drive shaft.

US Patent:

7246697, Jul 24, 2007

Filed:

Nov 4, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/267064

Inventors:

Michael A. Hosch - Oconomowoc WI, US
Scott M. Hall - Sussex WI, US
Daniel E. Ertel - Oconomowoc WI, US

Assignee:

Dorner Mfg. Corp. - Hartland WI

International Classification:

B65G 15/02
B65G 15/60

US Classification:

198831, 198841

Abstract:

The present invention is a corner section of a conveyor frame assembly that includes removable slide bars and wear strips. The corner section is formed from two side frames of stainless steel joined by multiple stainless steel cross supports. Each of the cross supports is configured to receive a plurality of slide bars formed from a durable plastic material, such as UHMW. The side frames of the corner section also receive a series of support rods positioned to support the lower run of the conveyor belt. Each support rod supports a continuous, lower wear strip and a support puck. The entire corner section can be disassembled and reassembled without the requirement of any external tooling.

US Patent:

7383944, Jun 10, 2008

Filed:

Jun 26, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/426454

Inventors:

Scott M. Hall - Sussex WI, US
Craig J. Bude - Waukesha WI, US

Assignee:

Dorner Mfg. Corp. - Hartland WI

International Classification:

B65G 45/00

US Classification:

1988603, 198835, 198816, 1988605

Abstract:

A conveyor assembly has a continuous conveyor belt driven between a pair of spaced side frame members by a center drive assembly having a pair of spaced side plates connected to the side frame members. A drive roller arrangement is driven by a drive motor arrangement coupled to the drive roller arrangement to move the conveyor belt. A freely rotatable guide roller arrangement is slidably mounted between the side frame members and the side plates between an operating position in which the conveyor belt passes around the guide roller assembly before engaging the drive roller arrangement, and a cleaning position in which the guide roller arrangement is slidably removable away from the side frame members and the side plates and out of engagement with the conveyor belt. The guard structure is retained in the operating position by elongated retaining pins that are pushed into a frictional engagement with the side plates, the guide roller arrangement and the guard structure, and removed to the cleaning position by pulling the retaining pins out of the frictional engagement. Each of the guard structures includes a roller adjustment device that can be selectively operated to adjust the orientation of the guide roller assembly between the spaced side frame members of the conveyor assembly.

US Patent:

7549531, Jun 23, 2009

Filed:

Jan 5, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/326176

Inventors:

Michael A. Hosch - Oconomowoc WI, US
Scott M. Hall - Sussex WI, US
Daniel E. Ertel - Oconomowoc WI, US

Assignee:

Dorner Mfg. Corp. - Hartland WI

International Classification:

B65G 23/44
B65G 23/00

US Classification:

198493, 198494, 198813, 198814, 198835

Abstract:

A tip-up tail assembly is provided at the end of a continuous conveyor assembly having a moving conveyor belt. The tip-up tail assembly when moved to a retracted position allows the conveyor assembly to be completely sanitized without removal of the conveyor belt and without need for tools to assemble and disassemble the tail assembly. When sanitation is complete, the tip-up tail assembly is then moved to a horizontal operating position and supported by a pair of locking mechanisms. The locking mechanisms prevent the tip-up tail assembly from going below the horizontal operating position of the conveyor assembly.