US3695183A

US3695183A - Sliders and locking arrangements for integrator platforms

Info

Publication number: US3695183A
Application number: US149175A
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul Zuppiger
Original assignee: Dunlop Holdings Ltd; Battelle Memorial Institute Inc
Current assignee: Dunlop Holdings Ltd; Battelle Memorial Institute Inc
Priority date: 1970-06-10
Filing date: 1971-06-02
Publication date: 1972-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 1989-10-03
Also published as: ES392081A1; GB1354690A; DE2128770A1; CA938238A; ZA713586B; NL7107814A; FR2094173B1; CH538376A; FR2094173A1; SE378385B

Abstract

A platform conveyor having a constant speed high-speed section and variable-speed sections at either end, the platforms being adapted to slide relative to one another in the variable-speed sections and locking and sliding mechanism for connecting the platforms. The locking and sliding mechanisms allow platform movement and prevent platform movement as required.

Description

United States Patent 1 3, 95,183 Zuppiger 1 Oct. 3, 1972 [$4] SLIDERS AND LOCKING [56] References Cited ARRANGEMENTS FOR INTEGRATOR PLATFORMS UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,238,893 3/1966 Zuppiger ..l04/25 P l G zuppig" enev 3,057,437 1011962 Martinez ..104/25 [73! Asslgnee: Battelle Memorlallnstltute,Carouge, Examiner G raid M. Foflenza Geneva, Switzerland and Dunlop As D w K Holdings Limited, London, England 533: 5 & Mosh r 22 Filed: June 2,1971 y e A platform conveyor having a constant speed high- [30] Foreign Application Priority Data speed section and variable-speed sections at either June 10, 1970 Great Britain ..28,110/70 end, the platforms being adapted to slide relative to one another in the variable-speed sections and locking [52] US. Cl ..l04/25, 198/110 and sliding mechanism for gonnecting the platforms. Ill. The and mechanisms allow platform [58] Field of Search ..l04/l4,25; 198/16, [6 MS,

movement and prevent platform movement as required.

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SLIDERS AND LOCKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR [NTEGRATOR PLATFORMS This invention relates to conveyors comprising a plurality of platforms adapted to travel along a predetermined path, the platforms being of a generally elongated plan form, the path of the conveyor having a constant-speed high-speed section and variable-speed sections at each end of the high speed section. There is usually a low-speed return section connecting the variable-speed sections although a high speed return section may be utilized. In each case there is a low-speed section at one end of each variable speed section and in these low speed sections the platforms move in a direction normal to their longitudinal axes. In the variable-speed sections the platforms slide laterally relative to one another and also move in a curved path to produce a speed variation the final high-speed direction of travel being in a direction at a substantial angle to the direction of movement in the low-speed section. Reversal of the lateral sliding may reduce the speed of the conveyor in a second variable-speed zone. Such conveyors are used for the carriage of passengers and/or freight, and a particular use is for the provision of access to, or exit from, a constant-speed high-speed conveyor. The variable-speed sections comprise acceleration and deceleration sections.

The platforms travel in a closed loop and for safety and stability reasons it is desirable to connect the platforms together so that gaps cannot be formed between adjacent platforms. This is particularly necessary in passenger-carrying sections. At the same time it is necessary to permit the relative lateral sliding of the platforms, in the variable-speed acceleration and deceleration sections.

However, it will be appreciated that in a conveyor, comprising a relatively large number of platforms, manufacturing tolerances, and temperature variations, wear, and other reasons make it desirable that there be some facility for allowing for total overall variations in the length of the conveyor, for example by deliberately providing for the formation of gaps between platforms at at least one predetermined section, where this can be permitted without danger.

Also, for economy of space, it is usual for the platforms to travel round a vertical curve at each end of a load-carrying run, for return to an originating position and formation of a closed loop. [t is desirable to provide some flexibility in the connections between platforms to permit easy movement round the vertical bends.

Thus, there is a first requirement that there shall be connections between adjacent platforms which will maintain the platforms in contact along their adjacent longitudinal edges at least during passenger and/or freight carrying sections, will permit lateral relative sliding of the platforms, and also permit controlled movement apart of the platforms at at least one predetermined section of the path of the conveyor.

A further situation arises in that provision for emergency stopping is necessary, to avoid accidents, or in the event of an accident, or in the event of some abnormality in operation. In such circumstances the conveyor is brought to a rapid halt. It will be appreciated that considerable inertia exists, both in the platforms and their supporting carriages, and in the load, passenger and/or freight, carried by the platforms. Because of the angular relationship of the platforms in the constant high-speed section, rapid stopping of the conveyor produces very high wedging forces between the platforms, which forces are transmitted to the guide means such as guide rails. To prevent lateral displacement of the guide rails, very strong supporting structures would be required. Such structures would be expensive and wasteful in that their maximum use would only be in an emergency which is likely to be very infrequent. Also, very severe loadings can be applied to the mechanisms supporting, and guiding, the platforms on the rails.

Therefore it is advisable to provide locking means between platforms which are actuated where the platfonns enter the constant-speed high-speed section, to prevent relative lateral movement of the platforms in that section. Normally the platforms will also be in contact along their longitudinal edges in either constantspeed section, for example, in the low-speed section. It may also be desirable to provide locking means in such other constant speed section, even though no loads are being carried by the platforms in such sections, for example, during the return part of the conveyor path. The inertia of the platforms, with support and guidance structures, can create high wedging forces. The locking means are released at the end of the constant speed section or sections, for example, to permit lateral sliding of the platforms in a speed-change section.

Thus, the present invention is primarily concerned with the provision of connecting means for connecting platforms in side-by-side relationship, the connecting means permitting relative lateral sliding of the platforms in the variable-speed section, maintaining the platfonns in contact along their longitudinal edges in a load-carrying section, and permitting controlled movement apart of the platforms at a predetermined section or at predetermined sections in the path of the conveyor.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a conveyor comprising a plurality of platforms adapted to travel along a predetermined path, the platforms of generally elongated plan form having parallel longitudinal edges, the path of the conveyor comprising a constant-speed high-speed loadcarrying section and variablespeed sections at each end of the high-speed section, the platforms being adapted to slide laterally relative to one another in a direction parallel to their longitudinal axes in the variable-speed section and locking and sliding mechanisms for connecting adjacent platforms the mechanisms comprising a member for retention in a first one of a pair of adjacent platforms and slidable laterally along the platform parallel to one longitudinal edge thereof, attachment means for connecting the member to a second one of the pair of adjacent platforms, the attachment means being fixed against lateral movement relative to the second platform, and locking means for permitting movement of the attachment means in a direction normal to the longitudinal axes of the platforms only at predetermined sections in the path of the conveyor, said means being adapted to retain the attachment means in a retracted position to maintain the platforms in contact for at least the load-carrying constant-speed section of the conveyor path.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided for each pair of adjacent platforms means for locking the platforms together and preventing relative lateral sliding of the platforms during the load-carrying constant high-speed sections. Conveniently the means for locking the platforms against lateral sliding are constructed integral with the locking and sliding mechanisms referred to above or they may constitute separate means.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided for each pair of platforms means for locking the platforms together and preventing relative external sliding of the platforms in the constant-speed low-speed section. Again, conveniently, the means may be constructed integral with the locking and sliding mechanisms referred to above or may be separate means.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view, shortened for convenience, of one form of conveyor in accordance with the present invention in which the platforms are in outline only to show the support and guidance systems;

F IG. 2 is a cross-section on line 11-" of FIG 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section on line III-III of FIG. 2 illustrating the return path of the conveyor;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section through a pair of adjacent platforms normal to the longitudinal areas of the platforms, when locked in immediate side-by-side relationship;

FIG. 5 is a similar cross-section to that of FIG. 4, but with the platforms spaced apart;

FIG. 6 is a view in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4, with part of the platforms removed and illustrates the sliding and locking mechanism in more detail;

FIG. 7 is a view on the longitudinal edge of a platform illustrating the actuating details for the locking of the sliding and locking mechanisms;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section on the lines VllI-Vlll on FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section on the lines IX-IX on FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic plan view of a means for relative lateral sliding of platforms in a high-speed section;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the means illustrated in FIG. 10, in more detail, with parts of the adjacent platforms removed and parts in cross-section for clarity;

FIG. 12 is a view in the direction of arrow B of FIG. 11, with slider and abutment removed for clarity;

FIG. 13 is a cross-section on the lines XIII-XIII of FIG. I2;

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic plan view of a means for relative lateral sliding of platforms in a slow speed section;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the means illustrated in FIG. 14, in more detail, with parts of adjacent platforms removed, and parts in cross-section for clarity;

FIG. 16 is a view in the direction of arrow C on FIG. 15 with slider and pivot removed for clarity, and;

FIG. 17 is a cross-section on the lines XVII-XVII of FIG. 16.

As seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the conveyor 1 comprises a constant high-speed section 2, shown foreshortened,

an acceleration section 3, a deceleration section 4 and a constant-speed slow-speed section 5. At each end there is a tum-over" or reversing section 6. The particular embodiment illustrated is adapted to provide access to a constant high-speed conveyor 7 in the fonn of a belt. Passengers step onto the conveyor 1 at an entry 8 and are accelerated in the acceleration section 3. The speed of the high-speed section 2 is comparible with that of the conveyor 7, generally at approximately the same speed. Passengers transfer from conveyor I to conveyor 7 at any position along the high-speed section 2. The conveyor 1 comprises a plurality of elongated platforms l0 travelling on supporting rails 24. The platforms 10 slide laterally relative to each other in the acceleration and deceleration sections 3 and 4. The ends of the platforms are inclined to the longitudinal axis of each platform, thereby forming a straight edge when the platforms are inclined in the high-speed section and so facilitating passenger movement from conveyors l to 7 no gap being formed between them. Driving means are provided for the platforms and can take the form in the slow speed section of worm gears engaging with pegs attached to the platform and can take the form, in the other sections, of linear motors, not illustrated.

In the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 it will be appreciated that the belt 7 will need to pass over the conveyor 1 at the deceleration section 4. This can be arranged by causing this belt 7 to be inclined slightly at the end of the constant-speed high-speed section 2. Alternatively the conveyor 1 can be arranged that the "tum-over section 6 occurs at the end of the constantspeed high-speed section 2. The platforms can then be decelerated at any convenient positions in the return path to the entry 8.

The conveyor 1 may also be used as a conveyor on its own, without any additional conveyor such as belt 7.

FIG. 4 illustrates two platforms [0 locked together. Each platform 10 is of hollow box formation having an arcuate recess 11 and 12 formed along each longitudinal edge. In one recess 11 slides a slider 13, which is of cylindrical form and seen in more detail in FIG. 6. In the recess 12, in the adjacent edge of the next platform, is a pivot member 14. Pivot member 14 is fixed laterally, in that it does not slide along its associated recess 12. but is able to pivot in the recess about an axis coaxial with the axis of the recess. It is positioned in the recess 12 adjacent one end of the platform. The slider 13 is mounted on a rod 15, by means of a pin 16, the rod 15 extending through a diametrical bore in the pivot member 14. The rod has an intermediate abutment shoulder 17. When the rod is in a retracted position, the shoulder 17 abuts against a flat surface on the pivot member 14, this being when the platforms are in their most closely adjacent positions. The shoulder 17 is held in contact with the pivot member 14 by sliding forked locking member 18, described in more detail later. The end of the rod is remote from the slider 13 has a lateral extension 19 to prevent the rod 15 from becoming completely disengaged from the pivot rod member 14. To facilitate assembly of the rod 15, with the slider 13 and pivot member 14. the rod is in two parts, coupled at 20 by screws 21, seen more closely in FIGS. 6 and 7.

As seen in FIG. 5, the platforms 10 are supported and guided by rails 24, one of which only is shown, by

means of rollers carried on carriages, described later, there normally being four rollers, in two pairs, the rollers of a pair engaging on either side of a rail. There are two carriages to each platform, one for each rail. FIG. 5 illustrates the platforms in their relative positions as they travel round a vertical curve, corresponding to the turn-over section 6. It will be seen that the rod is unlocked and has extended by sliding through the pivot member 14. This is necessary to permit traversing of the curve. As shown in FIG. 5, the carriages of the platforms would still be in contact at their ends (indicated by letter O). A small further extension at the rod 15 is permissable to provide a gap R between the carriages if desired. Thus, as seen in FIG. 5, the lateral extension 19 at the end of the rod 15 is still spaced a small distance from the pivot member 14. This distance represents the maximum gap which can occur between the carriages in this section.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrated in more detail the form and mounting, and actuation of, the forked locking member 18. As seen in FIG. 6, the pivot member 14 is pivotally mounted in a fixed support member 25 which is located in the recess 12 and fixed by screws 26. Screws 26 are seen more clearly in FIG. 8 which is a cross-section on the line Vl[I-Vlll of FIG. 6. Support member 25 extends laterally in the recess 12 and has a transverse bore 27 in which is mounted a laterally extending guide 28. The guide 28 acts as one of two guide and support members for the forked locking member 18. Extending from a bore 29 in the end of the support member 25 is a guide rod 30. The forked locking member has a boss 31 having a bore which slides on the guide rod 30, the guide rod acting as the other guide and support member for the forked locking member. A compression spring 32 is positioned between the boss 31 and an abutment 33 attached to the outer end of the guide rod 30.

The forked locking member 18 has a slot 34, the sides of the slot engaging guiding surfaces formed on the guide 28.

At the end of the forked locking member 18 remote from the slider 13 and rod 15 there is an extension 35. Extension 35 extends normal to the axis of the guide 28, and carries a roller 36 at its end. The roller is arranged to engage with cam surfaces on the conveyor support structure, not shown, to cause sliding of the forked locking member 18, against the action of compression spring 32. In the arrangement shown, the spring 32 acts to cause the forked locking member 18 to slide to a locking position, and the forked locking member is moved to unlock the rod 15 by the action of cam surfaces on the roller 36. The mounting of the rollers 36 is readily seen in FIG. 7, and also in FIG. 9, which is a cross-section on the line IX-IX of FIG. 6. FIG. 9 also illustrates the mounting of the forked locking member 18 on the guide 28. Guide 28 has an enlarged outer end portion 37, which, in addition to retaining the locking member 18 on the guide 28, has an additional function, to be described later. The ends of the forked locking member 18 are chamfered at 38 to assist in engagement of the fork with the rod 15 and to ensure that shoulder 17 on the rod 15 is pushed into close contact with the pivot 14.

The slider 13, in the example illustrated, in the drawings, is of a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the recess 11, and a layer of low friction material, for example polytetrafluoroethylene, is applied to the circumferences of the slider. As seen in FIG. 6, the layer of material 40 is formed with thin lipped extensions each end, resiliently urged into contact with the surface of the recess by rings 41. This assists in preventing dirt and similar foreign matter getting between the layer of material and the surface of the recess.

The slider 13 is also provided with an axial bore 42 with enlarged ends 43. Resilient bumpers 44 are positioned in the bore 42, for a purpose to be described later.

In operation, in the load-carrying section, the platforms are in close juxtaposition, and a minimum space between the top surfaces of the platforms. The forked locking member 18 is in the locking position, as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7. At the end of the load-carrying section, for example, prior to entering a vertical curve, i.e. a turn-over for return of platforms, cam members on the support structure cause the locking members 18 to slide, to the right in FIGS. 6 and 7, unlocking the rods 15, enabling the platforms to move apart. After traversing the curve, the platforms may then be locked together again until entering the next vertical curve, which will return the platforms to a load-carrying section. The platforms will be unlocked during passage round this second curve and relocked on entering the load-carrying section. The platforms will remain locked together in speed change sections, the arrangement permitting relative lateral sliding of the platforms by means of the slides 13.

A sliding and locking mechanism is provided at each end of each platform. The mechanisms are opposed in that, for each pair of adjacent platforms the slider 13 at one end slides in one of the pair of platforms, while at the other end the slider slides in the other of the pair of platforms. Also, for any one platform the pivot members 14 are at opposite ends on opposite sides of the platform. Thus, each platform carries a pivot member adjacent one end of one side and another pivot member adjacent the other end of the other side. Furthermore, by substantially positioning the pivot members within the limits wherein the platforms are of full width, that is not on the tapered portions of the platform, it can be arranged that the sliders will support the external tapered ends of the platforms in the high-speed section. A relative positioning of pivot members 14 and sliders 13 is indicated in FIG. 1.

Thus, it will be seen that as the platforms [0 enter the acceleration section 3 they move together and are then locked together by actuation of the forked locking mechanisms 18. Relative lateral sliding can still occur, this being necessary for the speed variation. In the constant high-speed section, no relative sliding occurs but the platforms remain locked together.

If the constant high-speed section is followed by a deceleration section, then the platforms remain locked together but slide laterally relative to each other. At the end of the deceleration section, or at the end of the constant high-speed section if a turn-over section occurs without a deceleration section, the locking members 18 are reactuated by cam members provided to unlock the rod 15 and permit movement apart of the platforms.

As stated previously, it is desirable to provide locking means between platforms which will prevent relative lateral sliding of the platforms in the constant-speed high-speed section. FIG. 10 illustrates one general arrangement, illustrated in more detail in FIGS. ll, 12 and 13.

As seen in FIG. 10, an abutment member 50 is attached to the extreme right-hand end of each platform, at its forward edge, considered in the direction of movement. The abutment member 50 is fixed in the extreme end of the recess 11 in which slides the slider 13. The arrangement is such that in the high-speed section, the slider is in end contact with the abutment member. Any emergency stopping of the conveyor would normally tend to make the platforms slide laterally, with the slider 13 moving to the right in FIG. 10. The abutment member 50 opposes this movement and therefore prevents transfer of the wedging loads to the guide rails. Further, means can be provided to lock together the slider 13 and abutment member 50. Thus, the platforms can be locked together and no transverse loads, arising from any wedging action between platforms are then applied to the guide rails.

FIGS. 11, I2 and 13 illustrate the locking means in more detail. The slider 13, illustrated in FIG. 11, is of a slightly modified form, in that instead of bumper 44 as in FIG. 7, a bumper 51 is carried by the abutment member 50.

When slider 13 and abutment 50 engage i.e. on the load-conveying high-speed section of the conveyor path, these members are secured in engagement by means of a first latch mechanism now to be described.

Attached to the abutment member 50 is an angled latch 52, seen more clearly in FIG. 12. The latch is reciprocable in a vertical direction, that is normal to the platforms surface. As seen in FIG. 12, the latch 52 is in the form of an angled member having two

arms

53 and 54 approximately at right-angles. Arm 54 extends in the direction of the axis of the recess 11, parallel to and spaced a small distance from the forked locking member 18. Formed in the upper surface of the arm 54 is a groove 55, the groove 55 engaging the previously described enlarged end portion 37 of the guide 28. The arm 53 has a rectangular slot 56, providing for the mounting of the latch on the abutment member 50, the slot accommodating a guide 57 attached to the abutment member by a screw 58, the screw also retaining a disc 59 which overlaps the sides of the slot 56 and holds the latch on the guide 57. Arm 53 also has a hollow extension 60 containing a compression spring 61. Spring 61 acts on the guide 57. Thus the spring 61 tends to maintain the latch in an upward or locking position. The outer end of the arm 54 is chamfered at 62 and as the platforms slide laterally and enter the high-speed section, the slider 13 and abutment member 50 approach each other. At the end of the lateral movement the slider and abutment member come together. As this occurs, the end portion 37 of guide 28 engages the chamfered portion 62 of the arm 54, forcing the latch 52 downwards. The slider and abutment member finally come into contact and the latch member moves upwards, the end portions 37 engaging in the groove 55, thus locking the slider and abutment member together. The latch 52 is unlocked at the end of the high speed section by a cam surface on the support structure indicated at 62a, engaging the end of the extension 60 of the arm 53, moving the latch downwards against the action of the spring. This releases the end portion 37 and allows the relative sliding of the platforms with the associated parting of the slider 13 and abutment 50.

After passage through the constant-speed high-speed section, the platforms can be decelerated before they commence the return to the loading position, in which case they traverse a vertical curve at a low speed, are then re-accelerated for the return run, decelerated again and passed round a further vertical curve to enter the constant-speed slow-speed section, for loading, either by passengers or freight. Alternatively, the platforms can be passed round the first vertical curve at high speed, continuing into the high speed return. In either method, the platforms, in the high-speed return zone will have moved laterally relative to each other, from one extreme position to another. The one extreme position, in the high-speed load-carrying section, is illustrated in FIG. 10, while the other extreme, the high speed return, is illustrated in FIG. 14. Again, to avoid the transfer of undesirable side thrusts on the guide rails, and to provide efficient movement of the plat forms it may be desirable to lock the platforms against relative sideways movement during passage through this section.

As seen in FIG. 14, in the high-speed return section the support member 25 at the end of one platform, with its associated slider in the adjacent platform, is in abutting engagement with the slider associated with the pivot member in the adjacent platform and a second latch mechanism is used to secure the platform in this position. It will be seen that there is a pivot member and an associated slider at each end of the adjacent cooperating edges of the platforms, it being arranged that for each recess, in the edges of the platforms, there is a fixed pivot member, and a slider, and the fixed pivot members are at opposite ends of the co-operating edges. In the extreme position shown in FIG. 14, the sliders, and pivot members, are in immediate proximity to each other, the slider of one pair (of pivot member and slider) in contact with the pivot member of the other pair, and the slider of the other pair in contact with the pivot members of the one pair.

FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 illustrate, in more detail, an additional latch mechanism for locking the sliders and pivot members together in the high speed return run of the platforms and which comprises a modification to the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. ll, 12 and 13 in that a latch member is attached to one pivot member, which engages with a stud on the other pivot member.

As seen in FIGS. l5, l6 and 17 one of the pivot support members 25 carries an angled latch 65, this latch, in the present example, being of substantially the same form as the latch 52 in FIGS. ll, 12 and 13. The latch has

arms

66, 67 substantially at right angles, and is mounted in the reverse position to that of latch 52, that is arm 66 is uppermost and arm 67 extends downwardly in a direction away from the top surface of the platform. Arm 66 has a groove 68 which engages with a stud 69 mounted on the pivot member 25 of the adjacent platfonn. The latch is mounted on the pivot member, on a guide 70 which is secured to a slot 71 in arm 67, by means of a screw 72 and a disc 73. Arm 67 has a hollow extension 74 containing a compression spring 75 acting on the guide 70. The end of the arm 66 is chamfered at 67.

The action of locking is similar to that when locking the platforms in the load-carrying section. As the pivots support members 25, and their associated slider 13, approach each other, the stud 69 engages the charnfered end 77 of the arm 66, forcing the latch 65 upwards until eventually the stud is received into the groove 68. The pivot members are then locked together until a cam surface, mounted on the support structure, indicated at 78, engages the end of the extension 74 of arm 67, moving the latch upwards in FIGS. 16 and 17, releasing the stud 69 when the pivot members, and thus, the platforms can move sideways relative to each other.

In the arrangement illustrated in FlGS. 15, 16 and 17, bumpers 51 attached to the pivot support members 25 are the same as those illustrated in FIG. 11. However, bumpers can be fitted to the sliders, instead, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The bumpers act as shock absorbers and resilient buffers when sliders and pivot members or sliders and abutment members come into contact.

While particular examples of the various locking arrangements have been described in detail, it will be appreciated that considerable variations can be made whilst still obtaining the desired effects. Thus, in particular, the actual form of sliders, of pivot members, and of abutment members can vary. Also the detailed form of the sliding forked locking members, and of the latches can vary.

lt is not necessary that all three locking arrangements be provided for all conveyors and any one, two, or all three can be provided as needed.

Broadly, the invention provides locking arrangements for the following purposes: to maintain the platforms in close, edge-to-edge relationship at least while travelling through zones in which passengers and/or freight are carried, while permitting the necessary lateral relative sliding between platforms for acceleration or deceleration, and also permitting the platforms to move apart at one or more selected parts of the overall path of the conveyor, to lock the platforms together against relative lateral movement during a certain selected part, or selected parts, of the overall path of the conveyor to prevent undue side thrusts being applied to the supporting and guiding means for the platforms, as a result of any wedging" action which may occur, for example, in an emergency stop. The need to lock the platforms against the lateral relative movement, may require differing forms of locking means, for different sections of the conveyor path. Thus, the particular form of locking means, the various types of locking means and the number of different locking devices will depend upon the actual form, and type of conveyor, its intended use, and possibly also upon the manner of installation of the conveyor and its support structure.

Having now described my invention what claim is:

l. A conveyor comprising a plurality of platforms adapted to travel along a predetermined path, the platforms of elongated plan form having parallel longitudinal edges, the path of the conveyor including a constant-speed high-speed load-carrying section and variable speed sections at each end of the high-speed section, the platforms being adapted to slide laterally relative to one another in a direction parallel to their longitudinal axes in the variable-speed sections, and locking and sliding mechanisms for connecting platforms, the mechanisms comprising a slidable member for retention in one of a pair of adjacent platforms and slidable laterally along the platform parallel to one longitudinal edge thereof, attachment means for connecting the slidable member in the other one of the pair of adjacent platforms, the attachment means adapted to be fixed against lateral movement relative to the said other platform, and locking means for permitting movement of the attachment means in a direction normal to the longitudinal axes of the platforms whereby the platforms, when assembled, are permitted to move apart at predetermined sections in the path of the conveyor, the locking means adapted to retain the attachment means in a retracted position to maintain the platforms in contact for at least the load-carrying constant-speed section of the conveyor path.

2. A conveyor as claimed in claim 1, each locking and sliding mechanism comprising a slider for relative lateral sliding in a co-operating recess in the one platform, an arm extending from the slider in a direction normal to the axis of movement of the slider, a pivot member for attachment to the said other platform, the pivot member adapted to be fixed against relative lateral movement in the said other platform and for rotation about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the platform, means in the pivot member for the reception of the arm extending from the slider, the arm capable of movement relative to the pivot member in a direction normal to the rotational axis of the pivot member, and an abutment on the arm for engagement by the locking means for retaining the arm in the retracted position.

3. A conveyor as claimed in claim 2, including a second abutment on the arm, the second abutment positioned to limit the movement of the arm in the pivot member, whereby the maximum separation of platforms can be controlled.

4. A conveyor as claimed in claim 2, the arm comprising a rod slidable in the pivot member.

5. A conveyor as claimed in claim 4, the locking means comprising a locking member, having a forked end comprising two spaced-apart members adapted to embrace the rod and abut against the abutment on the rod in the locking condition, to retain the rod in the retracted position.

6. A conveyor as claimed in claim 5, the locking member being mounted on an extension of the pivot member for sliding laterally parallel to the axis of rotation of the pivot member.

7. A conveyor as claimed in claim 5, the locking member including means for engagement with actuating means positioned in the path of the platforms.

8. A conveyor as claimed in claim 7, the locking member including a spring for biasing the locking member to the locking condition, the locking member adapted to be moved to the unlocking condition by the actuating means positioned in the path of the platforms.

9. A conveyor as claimed in claim 1 wherein two sliding and locking mechanisms are provided for each adjacent pair of platforms, a mechanism being provided for positioning adjacent the end of each platform, the

slidable member of one mechanism adapted to be retained in the first one of the pair of platforms and the slidable member of the other mechanism adapted to be retained in the second one of the pair of platforms by abutment with the said mechanism.

10. A conveyor as claimed in claim 9, the path of the conveyor including a high-speed constant-speed return section, including abutment means for attachment on each of the platforms, the abutment means being adapted to abut against each other when the platforms are in the return section, the abutment means comprising a slidable member of the locking and sliding mechanism, for one platform of a pair and the attachment means of the locking and sliding mechanism for the other platforms.

1 l. A conveyor as claimed in claim 1, each platform including an arcuate recess extending along at least one longitudinal edge, the recesses adapted to retain the slidable members and permit lateral sliding thereof.

12. A conveyor as claimed in claim 1 including guide rails and carriage means for attachment to the platforms for the support and guidance of the platforms on the said rails.

13. A conveyor as claimed in claim 1, including first means for attachment to one of a pair of adjacent platforms for engagement with second means on the other of the pair of platforms, whereby in operation the first and second means can be engaged when the platforms are in the constant-speed high-speed section to prevent lateral movement of the platforms relative to each other.

14. A conveyor as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first means comprises an abutment member, and the second means comprises the slidable member of the locking and sliding mechanisms.

15. A conveyor as claimed in claim 14, the abutment member including a locking member, and an abutment on the locking and sliding mechanism for engagement by the locking member when the slidable member and the abutment member are in engagement.

16. A conveyor as claimed in claim 15 wherein the locking member comprises a latch including a recess for engagement with the abutment on the locking and sliding mechanism, a spring urging the latch into an engaging position and means for engagement with actuating means in the path of the platforms for moving the latch to a disengaged position.

17. A conveyor as claimed in claim 16, the latch being adapted to engage the abutment on the locking and sliding mechanism to prevent relative movement of the platforms in either direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the platforms.

18. A conveyor as claimed in claim 1, the path of the conveyor including a return high-speed constant-speed section, including abutment means for attachment on each of the platforms, the abutment means being adapted to abut against each other when the platforms are in the return section.

19. A conveyor as claimed in claim 18 including locking means adapted to retain the abutment means, on each of the platforms, in abutment.

20. A conveyor according to claim 1 wherein locking and sliding mechanisms are provided in two pairs between each of the platforms, one locking and sliding echanis being located towards each rid of the platorms an the arrangement being such t at one sltdlng element and one locking element of the mechanisms is provided adjacent to each longitudinal edge of each platform.

* i III

Claims

1. A conveyor comprising a plurality of platforms adapted to travel along a predetermined path, the platforms of elongated plan form having parallel longitudinal edges, the path of the conveyor including a constant-speed high-speed load-carrying section and variable speed sections at each end of the high-speed section, the platforms being adapted to slide laterally relative to one another in a direction parallel to their longitudinal axes in the variable-speed sections, and locking and sliding mechanisms for connecting platforms, the mechanisms comprising a slidable member for retention in one of a pair of adjacent platforms and slidable laterally along the platform parallel to one longitudinal edge thereof, attachment means for connecting the slidable member in the other one of the pair of adjacent platforms, the attachment means adapted to be fixed against lateral movement relative to the said other platform, and locking means for permitting movement of the attachment means in a direction normal to the longitudinal axes of the platforms whereby the platforms, when assembled, are permitted to move apart at predetermined sections in the path of the conveyor, the locking means adapted to retain the attachment means in a Retracted position to maintain the platforms in contact for at least the load-carrying constant-speed section of the conveyor path.

9. A conveyor as claimed in claim 1 wherein two sliding and locking mechanisms are provided for each adjacent pair of platforms, a mechanism being provided for positioning adjacent the end of each platform, the slidable member of one mechanism adapted to be retained in the first one of the pair of platforms and the slidable member of the other mechanism adapted to be retained in the second one of the pair of platforms by abutment with the said mechanism.

11. A conveyor as claimed in claim 1, each platform including an arcuate recess extending along at least one longitudinal edge, the recesses adapted to retain the slidable members and permit lateral sliding thereof.

20. A conveyor according to claim 1 wherein locking and sliding mechanisms are provided in two pairs between each of the platforms, one locking and sliding mechanism being located towards each end of the platforms and the arrangement being such that one sliding element and one locking element of the mechanisms is provided adjacent to each longitudinal edge of each platform.