Conveying device

An endless chain is guided in each one of two adjacently extending guide channels, for entraining articles or objects to be conveyed, such as newspapers delivered in an imbricated formation. A guide channel section is displaceably arranged transversely to a receiving station in order that the articles or objects can be conducted to the receiving station not only from one supply station but also from a further supply station as well. The displacement of the guide channel section is executed in a region between two transition sections which extend in the same direction relative to each other. In such arrangement, displacement of the guide channel section can be effected without altering the length of the guide channel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention broadly relates to a new and improved construction of 
a conveying device. 
In its more particular aspects, the present invention specifically relates 
to a new and improved construction of a conveying device containing at 
least one guide channel and an endless chain guided within the guide 
channel for the entrainment of objects or articles to be conveyed from a 
first station to a second station. 
Such conveying device is especially suitable for conveying printed 
products, such as, for example, newspapers produced by a rotary printing 
process. In such applications, it is frequently required to couple one of 
the stations, which can be either a supply or dispatching station or a 
receiving station, selectively to more than one conveying device, or, 
alternatively, to couple a conveying device selectively to more than one 
such station. Since no switches or turnouts can be used with an endless 
chain, it has heretofore been usual, for example, in the case of two 
adjacently extending guide channels, to shift or displace the station 
between the two guide channels when the printed products, for example, 
should be delivered alternatingly from various supply or dispatching 
stations to a single receiving station. The receiving station, for 
example, may constitute a device of the type described in Swiss Pat. No. 
623,794, granted June 30, 1981, and the cognate British Patent No. 
1,568,752, directed to a device for stacking folded printed products which 
continuously arrive in an imbricated formation. 
The endless chain used for a conveying device of the previously mentioned 
type is preferably a universal-joint link chain provided with travelling 
wheels. The universal-joint link chain is guided in a guide channel having 
a downwardly open substantially C-shaped cross-section. Such a chain is 
described, for example, in Swiss Pat. No. 588,647, granted Apr. 15, 1977, 
and cognate with U.S. Pat. No. 4,294,345, granted Oct. 13, 1981. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Therefore, with the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the 
present invention to provide a new and improved construction of a 
conveying device which does not exhibit the aforementioned drawbacks and 
shortcomings of the prior art constructions. 
Another and more specific object of the present invention aims at providing 
a new and improved construction of a conveying device by means of which 
one station can be selectively served by a selected one of at least two 
conveying streams of conveyed articles or objects or, alternatively, two 
stations can be served by one such conveying stream without changing the 
position or location of such stations. 
Yet a further significant object of the present invention aims at providing 
a new and improved construction of a conveying device which is relatively 
simple in construction and design, extremely economical to manufacture, 
highly reliable in operation, not readily subjected to breakdown or 
malfunction and requires a minimum of maintenance and servicing. 
Now in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention 
which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the 
conveying device of the present invention is manifested by the features 
that, two transition sections extending in the same direction are provided 
for the guide channel. Between the two transition sections, a displaceable 
guide channel section is arranged for displacement relative to these 
transition sections in their lengthwise direction. In the region of one of 
the two stations, the displaceable guide channel section comprises an 
intermediate member or component extending at an angle relative to the 
transition sections. 
Due to the inventive construction there is rendered possible a parallel 
displacement of the conveying track arrangement while always maintaining a 
constant chain length. In this manner, the heretofore required translation 
or displacement of the station is eliminated. When the intermediate member 
of the guide channel associated with the station extends at right angles 
or perpendicular to the transition sections, there will then result for 
the required length of the aforementioned parallel displacement the 
smallest possible displacement path of the displaceable guide channel 
section. It is, however, also possible to arrange the intermediate member 
at an angle deviating from 90.degree. for adaptation to spatial 
conditions. However, a greater length of displacement will then be 
required. 
In a preferred embodiment which is especially advantageous when a station 
is intended to be alternatingly served by two conveying streams of 
conveyed articles or objects, the displaceable guide channel sections of 
two guide channels are intercoupled for simultaneous displacement. The 
length of displacement then corresponds to the spacing in the displacement 
direction between the center lines of the intermediate members which 
extend essentially parallel to each other. The aforementioned station, for 
example, can be set up to stack newspapers which are successively fed from 
two different sources. 
In a further preferred embodiment the displaceable guide channel section 
essentially extends in an S-shape and presents an optimum course of the 
displaceable guide channel section and therein only two guide channel 
bends of 90.degree. are necessary. 
In another preferred embodiment the guide channel has a substantially 
C-shaped cross-section and contains rolling surfaces on which travelling 
wheels can roll and which travelling wheels are present on both sides of 
the endless chain. Entrainment members for entraining the objects or 
articles to be conveyed are mounted at the chain and protrude from the 
guide channel. The transition sections contain stationary guide members 
and extendable guide members which cooperate with the stationary guide 
members. Rolling surfaces of these transition sections are subdivided in 
lengthwise direction such that one portion of such rolling surfaces is 
associated with the stationary guide members and an other portion of such 
rolling surfaces is associated with the extendable guide members. There 
are thus produced step-free rolling surfaces of variable length. 
In a preferred embodiment guide wheels for laterally guiding the chain 
engage with the opening of the substantially C-shaped guide channel. 
Lateral guide rails are associated with related U-shaped inner guide 
members or rails in a spaced relationship and engage lengthwise grooves in 
related outer guide members. There is thus ensured lateral guidance of the 
endless chain and that the endless chain is also impeccably laterally 
guided in the variable length transition section in order to thereby 
prevent slide-off from the rolling surfaces. 
In yet another preferred embodiment, the inner guide members constitute the 
stationary guide members, so that the outer guide members are associated 
with the displaceable guide channel section. 
According to another preferred embodiment, each of the two transition 
sections possesses a displacing drive. The displacing drives are 
preferably electrically synchronizable in order to avoid canting of the 
displaceable guide channel section. The electrical synchronization, for 
example, can be achieved by synchronous motors, by stepping motors or by 
an electrical shaft. 
According to another preferred embodiment, it is also possible to provide a 
single displacing drive and to interconnect the two transition sections by 
a Cardan drive shaft which is acted upon by the single displacing drive. 
In a preferred embodiment the displacing drive is rigidly connected with 
the extendable or displaceable guide channel sections and a spindle serves 
for converting a rotary motion of an electric drive motor into a linear 
motion or displacement, although it is also conceivable to use, for 
example, a toothed rack or a crank drive for such conversion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Describing now the drawings, it is to be understood that to simplify the 
showing thereof only enough of the structure of the conveying device has 
been illustrated therein as is needed to enable one skilled in the art to 
readily understand the underlying principles and concepts of this 
invention. Turning now specifically to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the 
apparatus illustrated therein by way of example and not limitation will be 
seen to comprise two adjacently extending guide channels 10 and 20, each 
of which guides an endless chain 30 for entraining objects or articles to 
be conveyed and which chains 30 are driven independently of one another. 
Each of the two guide channels 10 and 20 comprises two respective 
transition sections 11, 12 and 21, 22 which extend in the same direction. 
Displaceable guide channel sections 13 and 23 are arranged between their 
related two transition sections 11, 12 and 21, 22 and can be displaced in 
a longitudinal direction relative to these two transition sections 11, 12 
and 21, 22. In the region of a station C each displaceable guide channel 
section 13 and 23 comprises an intermediate member or component 14 and 24, 
respectively, which extends at an angle to the related transition section 
11, 12 and 21, 22. The transition sections 11, 12 and 21, 22 are arranged 
in such a manner that, in each case, one transition section 11 or 12, 21 
or 22 is extended at the time at which the related other transition 
section 12 or 11, 22 or 21 is retracted. 
In the presently described exemplary embodiment, the transition sections 
11, 12 and 21, 22 of both guide channels 10 and 20 are intercoupld for 
simultaneous displacement such that, after displacement, the intermediate 
member or component 24 occupies the previous position of the intermediate 
member or component 14 above the station C. The positions after 
displacement are indicated by broken lines and the intermediate member or 
component 14 occupies a position 14' and the intermediate member or 
component 24 occupies a position 24'. Consequently, length of displacement 
must correspond to the interval or spacing between the center lines of the 
two intermediate members or components 14 and 24 which extend 
substantially parallel to each other. 
For the displacement, the two transition sections or section pairs 11 and 
21, 12 and 22 are each equipped with related displacing drives or drive 
means 15 and 25 containing electric motors. The two displacing drive means 
15 and 25 are mounted at the respective displaceable guide channel 
sections 13 and 23 such that they also travel the displacement length. In 
order to convert the rotary motion of the electric motors of the 
displacing drive means 15 and 25 into linear displacement paths, suitable 
spindles are employed which are not particularly visible in FIG. 1 and 
which are guided in related displacing tubes 16 and 26. The two displacing 
tubes 16 and 26 are each guided within related connecting tubes 17 and 27. 
The connecting tubes 17 and 27 each interconnect two related displaceable 
traverses or crossties 18, 18' and 28, 28' which, in turn, interconnect 
the intermediate members or components 14 and 24 in a rigid mutual 
relationship. The arriving guide channels 10 and 20 are connected to each 
other in the region of the related transition sections 11, 21 and 12, 22 
by stationary traverses or crossties 19 and 29. The displacing tubes 16 
and 26 are mounted at the related stationary traverses 19 and 29. Guide 
rods 19' and 29' connected with the related stationary traverses 19 and 29 
serve to guide the displaceable elements, and each one of the guide rods 
19' and 29' is associated with a related one of the two guide channels 10 
and 20. 
In the illustrated embodiment and as shown in FIG. 1, the displacement of 
the two displaceable guide channel sections 13 and 23 serves for effecting 
object or article delivery to station C, in one case from station A and in 
the other case from station B. In practice, both guide channels 10 and 20 
can be in operation simultaneously, for example, for object or article 
delivery from A to C or D and from B to E. It is self-evident that a 
plurality of combinations can be made by such displacement so that, for 
example, two adjacently located stations can be alternately served by one 
guide channel. Also, the station C does not have to be a receiving station 
since it is equally possible for a delivery or dispatch station to be 
located in the region of the displaceable guide channel sections 13 and 
23. 
FIG. 2a shows a side view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1. It is 
especially clear from this FIG. 2a that the previously mentioned endless 
chain 30 extends around related chain or sprocket wheels 31 and 32 at the 
two ends of the guide channel 20. At least one of the two chain or 
sprocket wheels 31 and 32 constitutes a driven wheel. The return of the 
endless chain 30 is effected through a return channel 31 which does not 
contain a displaceable section as will be self-evident. It is especially 
clear from FIG. 2a that no change occurs in the length of the displaceable 
guide channel section 23 during its displacement. 
In FIG. 2b, the displaceable guide channel section 23 is shown displaced 
into the other position as compared to FIG. 2a. 
In FIG. 3, the guide channel 10 or 20 is shown in cross-section conjointly 
with the therein guided endless chain 30. This endless chain 30 
constitutes a universal-joint link chain of conventional construction 
provided with travelling wheels 34 and 34' on opposite sides. The guide 
channel 10 is substantially C-shaped in cross-section and is provided over 
its entire length with a downwardly directed opening serving as a guide 
slot 35. Guide wheels 36, which are connected with the endless chain 30, 
are laterally guided in the guide slot 35. 
FIG. 4 illustrates the manner in which the same endless chain 30 is guided 
within an extendable guide channel which corresponds to either one of the 
transition sections 11 or 12. A clamp 37 is symbolically illustrated as 
being connected with the endless chain 30 below the same and extends 
externally of the guide channel 10 or 20. The clamp 37 serves as an 
entrainment member for printed products, for example, newspapers delivered 
in an imbricated formation. Outer guide members or components 38 of the 
guide channel are mounted at the displaceable traverse or crosstie 18' or 
28', as the case may be, by means of a connecting member or component 39. 
This displaceable traverse 18' or 28', for example, may consist of a 
square or rectangular tube. Furthermore, it is clear from FIG. 4 in which 
manner the traverse 18' or 28' is guided in the displacement direction at 
the related one of the two guide rods 19' and 29' already shown in FIG. 1. 
Inner guide members or components 40 and 40' are longitudinally 
displaceably arranged within the outer guide members or components 38 of 
the guide channel. 
FIG. 5 and 6 respectively show the inner guide members or components 40 and 
40' and the outer guide members or components 38 in the extended state. 
Only the inner guide members or components 40 and 40' together with the 
endless chain 30 are illustrated in FIG. 5 and only the outer guide 
members or components 38 together with the endless chain 30 are 
illustrated in FIG. 6. In the two FIGS. 5 and 6, it is distinctly 
recognized that in each case approximately one half of the rolling 
surfaces 41, 41', 42 and 42' are located at the related inner guide 
members or components 40 and 40' and at the outer guide members or 
components 38. Substantially U-shaped rails which constitute the inner 
guide members or components 40 and 40' and face each other, surround the 
outer regions of the related travelling wheels 34 and 34'. The associated 
portions of the rolling surfaces 41 and 41' are located in the legs or 
flanges of such rails. 
The outer guide members or components 38 as illustrated in FIG. 6 are 
provided with recesses 43 and 43' adapted to the substantially U-shaped 
rails or inner guide members or components 40 and 40' shown in FIG. 5. The 
rolling surfaces 42 and 42' directly adjoin the related recesses 43 and 
43'. 
In order to ensure lateral guidance of the endless chain 30 also in the 
inner guide members or components 40 and 40', lateral guide rails 44 and 
44' for guiding the guide wheels 36 are associated with the inner guide 
members or components 40 and 40' in a spaced relationship. The outer guide 
members or components 38 contain related longitudinal grooves 45 and 45' 
for accommodating the guide rails 44 and 44' in the retracted state. 
In FIG. 7, the previously mentioned displacing drives or drive means 15 or 
25 are indicated and respectively contain a motor 46 and a miter or bevel 
gear drive 47. An output shaft 48 of the miter gear drive 47 is connected 
by means of a gear drive 49, 50 with the spindle 51 previously mentioned 
with respect to FIG. 1 although not illustrated in FIG. 1 but depicted in 
FIG. 7. The spindle 51 is journalled in the related displaceable traverse 
18 or 28 shown in FIG. 1 by means of a ball-bearing 52 in an axially 
non-displaceable manner. The related connecting tube 17 or 27, as 
illustrated in FIG. 1, extends from the displaceable traverse 18 or 28. 
The related displacing tube 16 or 26 is arranged or located in the 
connecting tube 17 or 27. At the end of the displacing tube 16 or 26, a 
nut 53 is arranged or located and engages a thread of the spindle 51. The 
displaceable tube 16 or 26 is welded at its other end to the related 
stationary traverse or crosstie 19 or 29 as illustrated in FIG. 1 and thus 
is not only secured to this stationary traverse 19 or 29 but also secured 
against rotation. 
A substantially S-shaped displaceable guide channel section 13 or 23 is 
illustrated in FIG. 1. It is, however, also possible to select any other 
suitable shape or configuration corresponding to the prevailing spatial 
conditions. In addition to the substantially S-shaped configuration a, 
FIG. 8 illustrates further variants b, c, d and e of possible 
configurations of the displaceable guide channel section. The only 
condition for selecting the configuration is that the two transition 
sections preceding and following the displaceable guide channel section 
must extend in the same direction. 
In the illustrated embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, each one of the two 
transition sections 11, 12 and 21, 22 is equipped with related displacing 
drives or drive means 15 and 25. In order to avoid canting during 
displacement, it is advisable to synchronize the two displacing drives or 
drive means 15 and 25. Instead of two displacing drive means, it is, 
however, also possible to provide only one displacing drive means and to 
interconnect the two transition sections by means of a Cardan shaft. 
In the illustrated embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, displacement is effected 
from the position illustrated by solid lines to the position illustrated 
by broken lines, i.e. to the right in FIG. 1 of the drawings, by 
activating the two displacing drives or drive means 15 and 25. During this 
operation the spindle 51, illustrated in FIG. 7, is extended or shifted in 
the transition section illustrated on the left of FIG. 1 and is retracted 
or shifted in the transition section illustrated on the right of such FIG. 
1. The displaceable traverses 18 and 18' are moved away conjointly with 
the displacing drive or drive means 15 from the stationary traverse 19. 
The displaceable traverses 28 and 28' located on the right side of FIG. 1 
approach the stationary traverse 29. At the end of the displacement path, 
the intermediate section 24 is located in the position 24' and 
substantially above the station C, whereas the intermediate section 14 
takes up the position 14'. 
While there are shown and described present preferred embodiments of the 
invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not 
limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced 
within the scope of the following claims. ACCORDINGLY,