Patent GB-884563-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in conveyor apparatus
Inventor: BARTON JAMES
IPC: B65G49/04
Filed: 1959-09-08
Abstract: 884,563. Conveyer for plating articles. STEVENS Inc., FREDERIC B. Sept. 8, 1959, No. 30691/59. Class 78 (1). Apparatus for conveying articles 27 through a succession of tanks 24, Figs. 1 and 2, for plating or other treatment comprises a series of carriages 30 and means for moving them stepby-step in a horizontal plane around a central frame 20, each carriage incorporating a slide member 28, vertically movable in a guide 29 and supporting a work carrier 26, and a lift frame 34 arranged around the central frame for selectively lifting and lowering the slide members, auxiliary support means being provided for the slide members so placed that during the horizontal movement of the carriages the frame is relieved of their weight. The timing and control mechanism of the apparatus is such that horizontal movement of the carriages can occur only when the frame 34 is elevated. The carriages are slidably mounted on upper and lower guide rails 46, 44, Fig. 4, mounted on the frame 20 and are driven by a chain 56. The lifting frame 34 is supported in its lowest position by the end columns 40 of the frame 20 and is raised by a pair of hydraulic cylinders 50 disposed adjacent to these columns. It is maintained horizontal by the mechanism shown in Fig. 6. A pair of rods 62 extending between the columns 40 have pinions 68 at each end which engage racks 70 mounted on the slides 52 for the frame 34. Each carriage 30, Fig. 10, comprises a pair of outer members 72, 74 and a pair of inner members 76, 78. The members of the outer pair are connected by braces 80, 82 to form the guide 29 and the members of the inner pair by cross-plates 92, 94 to form the slide 28. Each guide 29 is supported on the rails 44, 46 by roller assemblies 84, each of which includes horizontal rollers and vertical rollers. Rollers 96, 98 are mounted on the slide 28 adjacent its upper and lower ends, respectively. The rollers 96 are engaged by flanges 80 on the frame 34 as it rises to lift the slide 28. A finger 102, Fig. 4, on the guide 29 engages the driving chain 56. The flanges 110 support the slides during their horizontal travel when raised and are provided with gaps 112, Fig. 7, at spaced intervals corresponding to the distance between the carriages 30. These gaps allow the flange to pass the rollers 96 when moving upwards or downwards. Lifting of the slides is effected by slidable plates 116, 118, 120 and 122 of three different constructions which are mounted in the frame 34 and can be projected to a selected gap. The plates may be adjusted according to any processing sequence to lift only selected ones of the slides when the frame 34 is raised. The plate 116 may be moved to fill either the R.H. or the L.H. gap, but the plate 118 may only be advanced into a single gap. The plate 120, 122 may be simultaneously advanced into or retracted from both of two opposite gaps. Each plate bears a pair of upstanding members 123 which are engaged by cams 124 adjustably mounted on a rotatable shaft 130. The shaft is actuated by an hydraulic cylinder to move the plates according to the setting of the cams. An auxiliary track 100, Fig. 4, encircles the frame 20 and co-operates with the lower rollers 98 to relieve the frame 34 of the weight of the slides 28 during their horizontal travel. The track is mounted on a series of supports 140 and has gaps 144, Fig. 13, corresponding to the gaps 112 in the frame. The sloping portions 146 at each side of a gap direct the rollers 98 on to the horizontal parts 142 when the carriages move horizontally. Selected gaps may be closed by gates 148 actuated electrically or manually which provide a rest for the rollers 98 and prevent lowering of the slides when the frame is lowered.