GB1351277A - Tractive apparatus for moving an elongate article longitudinally - Google Patents

Abstract

1351277 Conveyers/hauling WEAN UNITED Inc 17 July 1972 33288/72 Headings B8A and B8B Tubing T is gripped between opposed series of disconnected tractive members 61 driven around closed paths by sprockets 80 which engage teeth 66 on successive members 61 the members 61 being separated by transverse rods 73 which allow relative pivotal movement of adjacent members. Each closed path has linear working and return portions interconnected by arcuate portions. At the working portion, the members 61 are guided between bronze wear plates 54 and steel balls 86 guided for movement along steel rails 85, the balls 86 following a closed path part of which is defined by a tube 90. At the return portion, the members 61 are guided between the wear plates 54 and further wear plates 55. At the arcuate portions, flats (76, Fig. 8) on the ends 75 of the rods 73 are guided by rails 50, 52. Each member 61 comprises a toothed block portion 62 in which is releasably secured, by a magnet (67), a gripper portion 63 formed with a longitudinal groove (68) for engaging the tubing. The two series of members 61 and their associated guides form upper and lower assemblies 21, 22, on which the drive sprockets are driven by a motor 11 via a speed reducer having driven shafts 15 16. The upper assembly 21 is connected to a crank arm 19.2 carried by a shaft 19, the other end of which carries a crank arm 19.1. Similarly, the lower assembly 22 is connected to a crank arm 20.2 carried by a shaft 20, the other end of which carries a crank arm 20.1. An hydraulic jack is positioned between the cranks' arms 19.1, 20.1, and is operative to move the assemblies towards each other, against the action of springs 29 acting between the assemblies and a frame member 28. The tubing is positioned between the assemblies by a slidable clamp (35, Fig. 1).