Patent GB-191409873-A (GB)
Title: Improved Means for Handling, Sorting and Distributing Parcels Bales and Loads of Goods and the like.
IPC: B65G35/06
Filed: 1913-02-17
Granted: 1914-05-18
Abstract: 9873. Cox, H. A., Lloyd, G. E., Rottenberg, L., and New Transport Co. Feb. 17, 1913. Mechanical dispatch apparatus.-Relates to the apparatus for sorting and distributing parcels &c. described in Specifications 17,344/08 and 12,027/11, in which groups of bays are served by truckers travelling in endless series, and the various groups are connected by a main series of truckers, the parcels being transferred in trays from any bay and delivered at anv desired bay; and more particularly to the apparatus described in Specifications 3979/13 and 21,056/13, in which alternative means are provided for effecting various transfers of the trays between the bays and truckers. The present invention comprises mechanical selecting-means for putting into action the particular means required for performing any desired transfer. In the form shown in plan and elevation in Figs. 1 and 2, the transfer motion is derived from a roller 2 on the group trucker B engaging a cam 1 at the fixed bay A or upon a main trucker, and whether any transfer is to take place is determined by projecting a ramp 7, which engages a roller 6 and depresses the pin 4 to cause the cam 1 and roller 2 to engage. The various transfer mechanisms of the trucker are operated separately from three pairs of superposed slides 18, 19, which are caused to occupy the positions shown in full or dotted lines according as the trucker is loaded or empty. The slides are operated by pushing - and pulling pawls 16, 17 mounted on three levers 14 pivoted on a bent lever 3 carrying the roller 2. Prior to the transfer, the roller engages a finger 11 integral with a finger 13. The fingers 13 are mounted in one of three planes according as the bay is on the right or left, or is carried upon a main trucker. The finger 13 displaces one of the levers 14, and one of the pawls 16, 17 is put into engagement with the corresponding slide 18, 19. As the roller 2 enters the bent portion of the cam 1, the motion of the lever 13 is communicated through the lever 14 to the desired slide, and the requisite mechanism is put into operation for performing the particular transfer of the tray. In the form shown in plan in Fig. 5, the pin 2 engages all the cams 1 and carries three superposed rollers opposite three rollers 11d mounted on levers 23 carrying the pushing and pulling pawls 16, 17. The pawls are set by a plate 20a, moved into one of two positions according as the trucker is loaded or empty, to engage members 18a connected by other members 25 to the various transfer means. The motion of the arm 3 is only communicated to one of the members 25 when a floating distance-piece 13a, carried at one of two levels on the bays and at a third level on the main truckers, is projected between one of the pairs of rollers in the same plane. In the modification shown in Figs. 6 and 7, which show diagrammatically a group trucker and a main trucker respectively, the transfer motion is derived from a roller 9 on an arm 10 engaging a cam 1. Mounted on the truckers are star-wheel cams 6, 7 geared together and provided with pins 8, those on the group truckers being capable of projection by lever mechanism when a transfer is to be effected, so that the wheels are rotated by the pins on the opposing truckers. On the main trucker an arm 12 is slid by a. collar 13 operated from the wheel 6 to link the arm by means of a pin 18 to one of two loose arms 16, 17 connected to separate transfer mechanisms on the main trucker. The particular transfer mechanism on the main trucker is thus caused to derive its motion from the arm 10. At the same time, one of two pins 14, 15 on the arm 12 is put into engagement with one of two displaceable longitudinally grooved bars 2, 3 on the group trucker. As the arm 12 is moved, the bar on the group trucker is similarly moved and the motion of the required transfer mechanism thereon is derived from it. The bars 4, 5 are similarly connected to transfer mechanisms required in connexion with the giving and taking of the trays from receiving and dispatching bays, the displaceable arm 12, not being generally required at such, being dispensed with.