Automatic spacing gravity feed system

摘要

A gravity feed system comprised of rails with a specially designed "multi-spoke wheel" for use in the automatic spacing of cylindrical (and other shaped) parts to be conveyed. The rails are an item that can be purchased commercially or manufactured for various needs. The "multi-spoke wheel" is an item that is specifically designed for a part or family of parts with similar geometry. The size of the star, along with the centerline to centerline spacing and vertical placement of the rotating axis below the part is the critical feature. A part is loaded onto the rails and feeds by gravity through the "multi-spoke wheels" ending at a hard stop. When other parts are loaded they also feed by gravity to the stop end and are spaced out by the "multi-spoke wheels". When the last part is unloaded from the rails by pulling it out, the remaining parts still on the rails feed the distance of one part. While in transit, the parts will stay spaced out by use of the "multi-spoke wheel". The spokes of the wheels will feed up between parts as they proceed forward down the rails thus maintaining a set spacing.