GB1008772A - Conveyor systems - Google Patents

Abstract

1,008,772. Conveyer systems. A. FREEMAN ENGINEERS Ltd., and A. FREEMAN. May 25, 1962 [June 3, 1961], No. 20103/61. Heading B7L. A conveyer system comprises a trackway 1 for the passage therealong of work carriers 2 and associated with this trackway and running in the same direction a fixed guideway formed by upstanding ribs 18, 19, along which runs a flexible elongated driving means of low friction material, the arrangement being such that the loaded carriers will have their centres of gravity vertically above or below the driving means and will be supported substantially only on the driving means. The trackway 1 is formed with a flat base 4 with a flange 5 at one side and turned over flange (not shown) at the other. The ribs 18, 19 are secured to the base 4. The driving means comprises a cable 20 with driving elements 21 secured at short intervals along it. The elements are made of a self-lubricating material, e.g. molybdenum disulphide or polytetrafluoroethylene, and are made so that they may be easily removed and replaced on the cable 20, on which they are held by welded collars 25, Fig. 5. The elements stand just proud of the ribs 18, 19 and engage with work carriers 2 on the trackway. The carriers 2 are formed as plate-like members with adjustable workpiece holders 12, e.g. for shoe lasts, secured thereon so that the weight is concentrated over the driving elements. The trackway 1 may be elevated and the carriers may have a suspended load arranged with its centre of gravity directly below the driving elements (Fig. 8, not shown). Each carrier has an upstanding wall 8 which at the forward end of the carrier supports a spindle 10 for a roller 9. The carriers may be arrested by ramps 30 which engage the rollers 9 and tilt the carriers about the ribs 18, thus disengaging the driving means. Each carrier has a ramp-like tail 31, which arrests a following trolley when stationary. The ramps 30 may be fixed or may be pivoted to the trackway to swing between operative and inoperative positions, or the ramp may be retractable out of the path of the rollers 9 under the action of control means (not shown.) To prevent slip when a carrier ascends a steep incline a catch element 33 is provided on the carrier which tilts to engage directly with the elements 21 through slots in the carrier. The driving elements 21 have rounded ends to enable them to roll on one another at bends in the trackway 1, and they may have laterally projecting flanges to engage with suitable guides at these bends to retain the elements in the guideway. The elements 21 may also have integral gear teeth at their sides to actuate control means for the conveyer system (Fig. 7, not shown) and several trackways 1 may be mounted one above the other. Specifications 733,419, 747,408, 779,127, 801,180, and 873,425 are referred to.