Patent GB-711986-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to a work-immersion apparatus
Inventor: DAVIS JOHN VIRDEN
IPC: B65G49/04
Filed: 1952-01-23
Abstract: 711,986. Step-by-step conveyers. UDYLITE CORPORATION. Jan. 23, 1952, No. 1870/52. Class 78 (i) In work immersion apparatus, e.g. a machine for use in the plating industry as described in Specification 654,307 in which the work is moved along aligned rail sections, one or more of which are lifted vertically at intervals to transfer. work from one tank to another, one of the rail sections 36<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 15, is mounted on a carriage 76 which can be moved by piston and cylinder mechanism 78 laterally of the line of tanks to' a position over an auxiliary tank 65 containing, e.g. brass-plating solution, when it is desired to treat the articles with this solution instead of with chromic acid contained in the corresponding tank 66 in the line. The tanks comprise two parallel rows of compartments 5, Fig. 1, which are formed by dividing a long tank 2 by one longitudinal and several transverse partitions. An I-beam 6 rests on the top of the longitudinal partition and supports columns 7. 8, 9 to the upper ends of which are secured L-irons 10. Fig. 3. Pairs of channel members 11 are mounted on the members 10 to form two box beams The ends of these beams are joined by a bracket 12 Fig. 2, aiid terminate to the left of column. 9, Fig. 1. The beams are extended by members 13 secured to their outer surfaces and channel members 14 secured to the column 9. The members 13 are in alignment with the channel members 11. A cylinder 15 is pivoted to the bracket 12 and a crosshead 17, Fig. 6, pivoted to its piston rod 16 at 18 has cables 22, 23 secured to its ends. These cables pass over sheaves 21, 24 and support a vertically movable structure 25 'of substantially the same length and width as the tank. The structure comprises a vertical wall 25, and a floor 26 of plates provided with openings through which pass the columns 7, 8, 9 and, cross-bars 27. Roller frames 28. Fig. 11, mounted on the floor carry rollers 29 which run on three surfaces of the columns 7, 8, 9. Fixed and spaced rail sections 32, Fig. 7, are supported by the beam 6 and are joined at the ends by semi-circular pieces 34. Bradkets 35 on the bottom of the structure 25 carry rail sections 36 which bridge the gaps between the sections 32 when the structure is lowered. The work carriers 37 are engaged by pushers 41 which are pivotally mounted on rods 33 carried by the structure 25 and reciprocated by the piston rod 47 of a cylinder 42. The pushers straddle the bars and the bottom of the slot in each of them is sloped downwards at 40<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 13. When the bar moves in one direction, the unsloped portion of each pusher bears against the bottom of the bar which acts as a stop, but when movement occurs in the 'other direction, the slope 40<SP>1</SP> permits the pusher to swing upwards and over a carrier when it meets it. The end of the piston rod 47 is connected by a swivel 48 to an arm 46 fast on a vertical shaft 43 which is concentric with one end piece 34. Arms 50, 51 on the shaft carry brackets 52 55 which are connected by links 53, 56 to the pusher bars 38. At the other end of the apparatus a similar arrangement of shaft 43, arms 50, 51 and links 53, 56 is provided, but the cylinder 42 and link 46 are dispensed with. Limit switches 60, 61 Fig. 6, at opposite sides of the crosshead 17 are engaged by it for timed control of the cylinders 15, 42 in proper sequence. Limit switches 62, 63 engaged by the arms 50, 51 at the ends of their movements are provided for the same purpose.