Patent GB-639422-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to means for and method of handling articles
IPC: C03B35/12
Filed: 1947-09-22
Abstract: 639,422. Conveyers. HARTFORD-EMPIRE CO. Sept. 22, 1947, Nos. 25741 and 25742. Convention dates, Oct. 24, 1946 and April 2, 1947. [Class 78 (i)] Apparatus for transferring simultaneously a plurality of articles from a receiving to a delivery station comprises a stationary support for a carriage relatively movable thereto and a transfer device pivotally secured to a portion of the carriage, the transfer device including a pair of members each comprising a plurality of spaced gripper fingers having free end portions made of material having sufficient inherent resiliency to allow lateral yielding under pressure and mechanism to move the transfer device through a cycle. A fixed support A comprises a vertical column 1 carrying a rigid framework 2 having two dependent pairs of rods 3, 4, supporting a cradle 6, the lower ends of the rods having sprockets 7 engaging the thread of the rods. An electric motor drives a chain 9 passing round the sprockets to raise or lower the cradle. Two parallel longitudinal rails 13 are provided on the upper surface of the cradle 6. The carriage B comprises a table 14 having lateral projections 15 and rollers 16, 17 running on the rails 13. Longitudinal movements of the carriage 14 are imparted by a motor 18, by means of a cylinder attached to the carriage 14, the cylinder operates a piston rod 20 linked to the cradle 6. An aperture 25 is provided in the table 14 for the cylinder so that the piston 20 is beneath the table 14. Compressed air may be admitted to move the carriage. Members 26 are secured to projection 15 and carry a shaft 29, having spaced arms 31, carrying a parallel shaft and a chain passes round a sprocket on either shaft to prevent any rotation of the parallel shaft about its central axis. The arms 31 swing about the shaft 29 through about 180 degrees between a receiving station D and a delivery station E. Swinging movements are imparted by a chain 74 round a sprocket 73, One end of the chain is connected to one end of a piston rod which is kept under air pressure to keep the end secure, the other end is secured to a turnbuckle and then a rod 81 which compresses springs 83 against the lower end of the housing 84. The upper end of the housing is attached to one end of a chain 85 the opposite end being secured to a pivot pin 86 fixed to a rotating actuating arm 87. A pivoted pawl 88 is secured to an arm 87 and engages a rotating ratchet 89 operated by a worm wheel 90 and gear on shaft 93 having a sprocket. The chain 95 round the sprocket is driven by a motor 96. As long as the pawl 88 engages ratchet 89 the arm 87 is rotated in which case pivot 86 describes a circular path about ratchet 89 and imparts a harmonic motion to the chain 85. The pawl 88 is provided with a lobe 97 to engage a stop-pin associated with an air motor. When the air motor is pressurized the pin is retracted and arms 31 are retracted and when not pressuring the pin engages the lobe 97 of the pawl which is rotated away from the ratchet 89. The end movements of the carriage are damped by a cylinder arrangement connecting with a rod and chain to the carriage. The gripper mechanisms 40 are clamped at spaced intervals along the supporting shaft. Each gripper has dependent pivoted levers carrying the gripping fingers which are operated by the introduction of compressed air below a piston carrying the levers. In a modified form air is introduced above the piston. A cam drive is associated with the worm drive 90 and is secured to a shaft on which the arm 87 is mounted, actuating buttons are located in grooves, a bank of valves 111 with levers control the supply of compressed fluid to the pipe lines. Electro pneumatic control governs the transfer device. Two photo-electric units are used. As the light from one light source is intercepted by the arrival of the first of a row of containers the second photo-electric unit is energized and illuminates the other light source. When light passes between the containers compressed air is supplied to the pipe lines and by means of spool valves and motor the transfer takes place.