Patent GB-656771-A (GB)
Title: Stock distributing systems
IPC: B65G47/10
Filed: 1946-01-24
Abstract: 656,771. Endless-belt conveyers. SKILLMAN, T. S. Jan. 24, 1946, No. 2434. [Class 78 (i)] [Also in Groups XVIII and XXIV] A system for dispensing articles (see Group XVIII), comprises endless conveyers each carrying in successive units one of the kinds of articles to be dispensed, a power drive for each conveyer electrically controlled from one remote station to cause the conveyer to move forward, and collecting means to receive articles which topple from their conveyer in consequence of the movement and to convey these articles to a delivery position. The conveyers 23, Fig. 3, extend along the bottoms of stock bins and the articles 21, 22, &c. are arranged on them one behind the other. Each conveyer has a release mechanism, electrically controlled by keys at a remote station through relay circuits whereby, when two keys in any one row of keys are pressed in succession, a relay corresponding to one of the bins operates and energizes a magnet 26 in the release mechanism for the conveyer in that bin, resulting in the conveyer belt moving forwards in a bin selected according to which keys are pressed and in what order they are pressed. The drive for all the conveyers 23, which are normally stationary, is taken from a constantly-rotating shaft 30 which runs up behind a vertical row of bins and drives the conveyers in them when their release mechanisms are operated. A release mechanism comprises a coupling device with a magnet 26, a clutch lever 27, a flexible steel wheel 28 and a continuously-rotating driving-wheel 29 carried on the shaft 30. The clutch lever 27 is normally pulled away from the magnet 26 by a spring and thus flexes the wheel 28 out of engagement with the wheel 29 but when the magnet is energized the wheel 28 springs into mesh and so drives the conveyer 23. The conveyer moves until the foremost article 21 overbalances and falls on to a belt 13 moving across the front of the bin at right angles to the direction of movement of the conveyer 23. As the article topples from the conveyer it knocks a lever 24 and this operates contacts 25 in the circuit holding the magnet 26 and so stops the conveyer. Contacts 62 controlled by the triplever 24 are used if required to operate a register 63 once every time an article falls out and so to indicate the number of articles issued from the bin. A trailer mechanism 60 closes a contact when the bin is empty which, through the circuit of the release relay, lights a lamp to show there is no stock. Another trailer mechanism 54 closes a contact and so lights a lamp 56 to give warning when the number of articles in the bin drops below a certain figure. A directing device may co-operate with the collecting means to deliver the articles at different points. Articles travelling on a belt 106, Fig. 4, are directed to one of four receptacles 109 ... 112 by guides 113 above the conveyer belt and just clearing it. These guides are held by supports 114 and can be turned to lead the articles to the desired receptacles by mechanism which comprises a main shaft 115, a constantlyrotating shaft 117, a clutch magnet 118, a clutch arm 119 and a flexible gear-wheel 116. When the clutch is operated it pushes a pin out of one of four holes in the wheel 116 and also allows this wheel to flex into engagement with the wheel on the shaft 117, resulting in a sweeping movement of the guides 113. The movement of the guides 113 is controlled by a relay 148 which operates the clutch magnet 118 and this is co-ordinated with the movement of the belt 102 by a member 143 on the belt which strikes a contact 144 and operates the relay 148. 143 also acts as a dividing member to sweep all the goods along to the shoot 105. The arm of a switch 142 is turned over an arc of segments by the shaft 115 and when the guides 113 are directly opposite a receptacle the arm 142 makes contact with an earthed segment so that the relay 148 is short-circuited and releases the clutch magnet, and the clutch on its release causes the pin to enter one of the holes in the wheel 116 so that articles impinging on the guides will not move them. Another switch arm 141 turns with the shaft 115 and sends indications to the various control stations. There may be a number of conveyer belts and release mechanisms in each bin to increase its capacity. The conveyer may be ribbed to prevent the articles from rolling or may comprise a series of trays.