Patent GB-1095009-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to storage units incorporating helical runways for storing articles
IPC: B65G11/00
Filed: 1966-10-21
Abstract: 1,095,009. Endless pusher conveyers. F. JOS. LAMB CO. Inc. Oct. 21, 1966 [Oct. 21, 1965], No. 47135/66. Heading B8A. A storage unit comprises a fixed helical runway 5, Fig. 1, a vertical spindle 11 rotatably mounted coaxially with the axis of the runway and carrying a pair of vertically spaced sprockets 21 mounted for rotation about horizontal axes spaced from the axis of the spindle, an endless chain 22 extending round the sprockets 21 and carrying members 27 for pushing articles up the runway, rollers 31, 32 on the chain 22 engaging a guide rail 5a for moving the chain round the sprockets a distance corresponding to the pitch of the runway during each revolution of the spindle, and means for rotating the spindle whereby the articles are pushed up the runway. The runway 5 is fixed to circularly spaced supports 3 mounted on the floor (not shown) and extending between a base-plate 1 and a cap 2 which carry bearings 9, 12 for supporting the spindle 11. The runway 5 consists of the guide rail 5a and a further guide rail 5b between which are disposed carrier rails 5c. The spindle 11 is driven by a motor 6 through a reduction unit 7. Fixed to and projecting laterally from the spindle 11 are members 18, 18a having rotatably mounted thereon the sprockets 21 and a tensioning sprocket 44. The outer run of the chain 22 is maintained vertical by a support member 24 extending vertically between the members 18, 18a. The members 27 are resilient and consist of brushes 28. A further support member 35 extends vertically between the members 18, 18a and is engaged by rollers 33 and 33a, Fig. 4, on the chain 22, to support the chain against the load from the members 27. The latter flex to pass any articles accumulating on the runway. The rollers 31, 32 respectively engage the lower edge of one turn of the guide rail 5a and the upper edge of the adjacent lower turn of the rail. A shoot 37 is connected to the lower end of the runway 5 and has its inner wall cut away at 37a to permit entry of the rollers 32 and the members 27. A discharge shoot 38 is connected to the top of the runway 5. A pivoted stop 39, Fig. 7, is provided at the start of the runway 5 to prevent articles moving back into the shoot 37, the stop being free to be turned clockwise to its position 39a by articles passing to the runway. In a modification, Figs. 9, 10 (not shown), the members 27 project upwardly between the carrier rails. In a second modification, Figs. 11, 12 (not shown), the runway comprises an inner guide rail (60a) of less height than an outer guide rail (60b) and the members 27 project laterally over the rail (60a). A smaller guide rail (62) is secured inwardly of and parallel to the rail (60a) for engagement between the rollers 31, 32, instead of the latter engaging the inner guide rail. In a third modification, Fig. 13 (not shown), the construction described with reference to Fig. 1 is provided with a rail (72) similar to the rail (62) of the second modification, the rollers 31, 32 engaging the rail (72) instead of the inner guide rail.