Conveyor

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor having a frame and an endless drivable conveying means (1,2), provided with carriers (7) which extend parallel to each other. The carriers (7) are coupled to at least one endless flexibel coupling means (1,2) whilst at least some of said carriers (7) support pusher shoes (90). The pusher shoes (90) are at desired locations movable along the carriers (7) by guide means provided on the frame. A pusher shoe (90) is provided with parts (92,95) which project downwards along both sides of the carrier (7), said parts supporting skids (89) located under the upper surface of the carriers (7). The skids (89) are movable provided on complementarily shaped parts of the carrier (7).

Description: The invention relates to a conveyor having a frame and an endless drivable conveying means, provided with carriers which extend parallel to each other, transversely to the conveying direction of the conveyor, said carriers being coupled to at least one endless flexible coupling means whilst at least some of said carriers support pusher shoes, said pusher shoes at desired locations being movable along the carriers in question by guide means provided on the frame. FR-A-2 388 737 discloses such a conveyor, wherein a carrier is formed by a plate-shaped means which is fixed with its ends to angle irons, which are connected to coupling means. Rods are provided under the carrier, between the angle irons, which support rollers connected to the pusher shoes. The construction of this known structure is complicated. US-A-4,138,008 presents a conveyor wherein the carriers are built up of two U-sections accommodating rollers which are coupled to the pusher shoes. Also this known construction is heavy and complicated. According to the invention a pusher shoe is provided with parts which project downwards along both sides of the carrier, said parts supporting skids located under the upper surface of the carrier, said skids being movable provided on complementarily shaped parts of the carrier. In using the structure according the invention there could be obtained a simple light-weight construction, which operates relatively silent. The invention will be further explained hereinafter with reference to an embodiment of the construction according to the invention diagrammatically illustrated in the accompanying figures. Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of a conveying means of a conveyor according to the invention. Figure 2 shows a pusher shoe in cross-section supported by a carrier. The general principle of the conveyor according to the invention may e.g. be such as described in the US Patents 4,717,011 and 4,732,259. Therefore the general construction of the conveyor according to the invention is not described and shown herein, as it is considered to be obvious to those skilled in the art. As is illustrated more in particular in Figure 1 the conveyor comprises an endless conveying means, which is only partially illustrated in Figure 1, said conveying means being provided with two endless coupling means formed by chains 1 and 2. The endless chains extending parallel to each other are passed over sprocket wheels and/or tensioning wheels (not shown), at least a few of said sprocket wheels are driven, so as to be able to move the upper parts of said chains illustrated in Figure 1 in the direction according to the arrow A. Supporting plates 3 and 4, extending perpendicularly to the pivot pins of the chains, are secured to the chains in the manner illustrated in Figure 1. The supporting plates 3 and 4 respectively are thereby each pivotally coupled to the chain 1 or 2 in question on a single point, in such a manner that the pivot pin about which the supporting plate 3 or 4 can pivot with respect to the chain 1 or 2, coincides with the central axis of a pivot pin forming part of the chain in question. Near the pivot pin in question the chain is also provided with guide rollers 5 and 6 respectively, which support at least the upper parts of the chains 1 and 2 when they move in the direction according to the arrow A on supporting rails (not shown) or the like forming part of the device. Two carriers 7 extending parallel to each other are provided between each pair of supporting plates 3 and 4. Figure 2 shows a cross-section through an embodiment of a carrier comprising the flat, plate-shaped upper side 86, which is coupled, by means of two legs 87 extending downwards from said upper side, to a double-walled foot part 88 having rounded edges and which extends parallel to the plate-shaped upper side. Complementarily shaped skids 89 of plastic material or the like are provided around the ends of the foot part 88, said skids functioning to support a pusher shoe 90 which is movable in the longitudinal direction of the carrier illustrated in sectional view in Figure 2. Said pusher shoe is provided with a pusher part 91 extending above the plate-shaped part 86 of the carrier, whereby the boundary edges of said pusher part are joined by arms 92 which extend downwards on both sides of the plate-shaped upper side 86 of the carrier, the ends of said arms, which slope downwards in a direction towards each other, being interconnected by means of a connecting plate 93. The skids 89 are thereby confined, in the manner illustrated in Figure 2, between said connecting plate 93 and supporting arms 95 located between the pusher plate 91 and the connecting plate 93. In the connecting plate there is furthermore provided a hole 96 for a guide means (not shown) to be mounted therein. Said guide means can co-operate with guide rails (not shown) including an angle with the direction of movement according the arrow A for displacing the pusher shoe along the carrier.

Claims: A conveyor having a frame and an endless drivable conveying means, provided with carriers (7) which extend parallel to each other, transversely to the conveying direction of the conveyor, said carriers being coupled to at least one endless flexible coupling means (1, 2), whilst at least some of said carriers support pusher shoes (90), said pusher shoes (90) at desired locations being movable along the carriers (7) in question by guide means provided on the frame, characterised in that a pusher shoe (90) is provided with parts (92) which project downwards along both sides of the carrier plate (86), said parts (92) supporting skids (89) located under the upper surface of the carrier plate (86), said skids being movably provided on complementarily shaped parts of the carrier. A conveyor according claim 1, wherein a skid (89) has a substantially U-shaped cross-section. A conveyor according claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower ends of the parts (92) of the pusher shoe (90) projecting downwards along both sides of the carrier plate (86) are interconnected by a connecting plate (93) extending below the skids (89). A conveyor according claim 3, wherein the skids are arranged between the connecting plate (93) and arms (95) extending substantially parallel to the connecting plate (93) from opposite parts (92) projecting downward along both sides of the carrier. A conveyor according any of the preceding claims, wherein the skids are arranged on the rounded corners of a double-walled foot part (88) of the carrier, said part being connected by legs (87) with the plate-shaped upper portion (86) of the carrier.

Inventors: VAN DEN GOOR JAKOBUS MARIE, VAN DEN GOOR, JAKOBUS MARIE
Applicants: VANDERLANDE IND NEDERLAND, VANDERLANDE INDUSTRIES NEDERLAND B.V.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: B65G47
IPC codes: B65G47