GB871913A - Broadside transfer device for elongated metal articles - Google Patents

Abstract

871,913. Load-handling machines. LOEWY ENGINEERING CO. Ltd. Sept. 18, 1959, No. 31828/59. Class 78 (3). [Also in Group XXII] A device for transferring, broadside, elongated metal articles from one handling station of a processing plant to another comprises a plurality of units arranged side-by-side and mounting article transfer members which provide a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart supports for the articles, said members being movable in planes parallel to the direction of broadside transfer together with each other to transfer the articles broadside from one station to another and independently of each other so that the support provided by one member may be moved out of alignment with the supports provided on the other members so as to accommodate distorted articles. Grippers 1 and 2 at a piocessing zone P stretch and untwist an extruded bar A presented broadside thereto by a plurality of transfer units 4 adjustable along a track 12. Each unit comprises a trolley 10 supporting two pedestals 14 in which is pivotally mounted on horizontal trunnions 21, a tubular guide 15 having slidable therein a beam 16 formed at one end with a hand-shaped support 18 for a bar A. An arm 17 with a trough-shaped support 49 at one end is pivoted about the same axis as, but independently of, the guide 15. In operation, the beams 16 are first advanced a short distance in their guides 15 by rack-andpinion gears 51 (not shown), 52 driven by motors 56 (not shown) to a position in which parts 64 of the hands 18 form continuations of a slope 62 at the end of a platform 61 supporting extruded bars A. A bar A then rolls or slides on to the hands 18, the beams 16 are then fully advanced and then, or at the same time, tilted down by motors 36 (not shown) driving worm shafts 32 engaging worm-wheel segments 29 on the trunnions of the guides 15, so as to present a bar A to the grippers 1 and 2. The hands 18 'are then moved away and, after straightening of the bar A, back to carry the bar from the grippers 1, 2 into the orbit of the troughs 49 on the arms 17 which then lower the bar on to discharge conveyer rollers 19. The arms 17 are rocked by links 47 and cranks 43 moved by motors 44 (not shown) and the rollers 19 are each driven by a motor 72. In order to accommodate distorted bars the beams 18 are adjustable independently of each other. If the loading station 61 is some distance.from the processing zone P the units 4 may be moved along the track to carry the bars from 61 to P.