Patent GB-1014171-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatuses adapted for use in conveying carriages
Inventor: GOODRICH SIDNEY GORDON
IPC: A43D111/00
Filed: 1960-12-20
Abstract: 1,014,171. Floor conveyers. BRITISH UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CO. Ltd. Dec. 18, 1961 [Dec. 20, 1960; Aug. 5, 1961; Sept. 22, 1961], Nos. 43750/60, 28517/61 and 23950/61. Heading B7L. A floor conveyer, e.g. for use in shoe factories, comprises a plurality of wheeled carriages adapted to carry shoes, and a conveyer for conveying the carriages through a number of work areas, each carriage comprising an engaging device adapted to be engaged by the conveyer, and a forwardly extending bumper linked to the engaging device and adapted to move it out of engagement with the conveyer when the bumper encounters an obstruction, and wherein the conveyer comprises, in one work area, a pool position and a number of operating positions, with, e.g., an identical shoe machine at each position, the conveyer also comprising, in another work area, e.g. a single different shoe machine, the conveyer being provided with a stop device at the pool position movement of which from a first condition to a second condition releases the leading carriage of the pool from the stop device, which carriage is then conveyed towards the operating positions; a stop device at each operating position, which device is movable between a first condition in which it stops a carriage being conveyed by the conveyer and a second condition in which it allows carriages to pass: a release device at each operating position, which, when a carriage arrested by the associated stop device is removed from operable relationship to the conveyer causes the stop device to return from its first to its second condition; and a signal device associated with each operating position which on operation causes the stop device at the pool position to move from its first to its second condition releasing a carriage from the pool, which is then conveyed to the operating position with which the signal device is associated, the signal device also causing the stop device at its associated operating position to move to its first condition in which it arrests the carriage being conveyed, which carriage is readily removable from operable relationship to the conveyer by an operator. The conveyer comprises a horizontal rectangular channel 4, Fig. 2, extending through the work areas one side of the channel being provided by a rail 3 which guides the carriages when they are being conveyed. An endless chain 14 is located in the channel, which chain comprises fixed upstanding members to engage with the conveying device of a carriage. The stop device at the pool position, Fig. 7.- The stop device at the pool position comprises a first stop member 20 and a second stop member 22 both extending along and close to the channel 4 of the conveyer. With the stop device in its first condition the first member 20 is in an upper position in which it extends obliquely upwards providing an inclined surface 20P, and the second member 22 is in a lower position in which it extends horizontally. With the device in its second condition the member 20 extends horizontally and the member 22 extends obliquely upwards. With the stop device in its first condition, the leading carriage of the pool is held stationary by the first member 20, the engaging device of the carriage being held in an upper position out of engagement with the chain 14. When the stop device moves to its second condition the engaging device of the leading carriage is able to move into engagement with the chain 14 and the carriage is conveyed thereby. Subsequent carriages are retained by the second member 22 until the device is returned to its first condition when the carriages are all moved forwardly until the leading carriage is arrested by the first member 20. The remainder of the pool of carriages are held one behind the other with their engaging devices being held clear of the chain 14, by collision of their front bumpers with the next preceding carriage. The end portions of the stop members 20, 22 comprise abutments 24S, 50S, respectively, which positively prevent the engaging device of a carriage from moving past the stop members. The members 20, 22 are pivoted at 25, 48, respectively, and are actuated by solenoids 38, 62. The solenoids when energized move pivoted members 30, 56, respectively, which act on cam surfaces 42, 66 on the members 20, 22 against the action of springs 44, 64. The springs normally hold the stop device in its first condition and then when the solenoids 38, 62 are energized the device is moved to its second condition. The stop device and release device at each operating position, Fig. 9.-These stop devices each comprise a stop member 96 extending along and close to the channel of the conveyer and movable between a lower second condition in which it extends horizontally, Fig. 9, and an upper first condition in which it extends obliquely upwards providing an inclined surface. When the stop device is in its first condition a carriage reaching the device is arrested, its engaging device being moved upwardly out of engagement with the chain 14, by engagement with the inclined surface. The end portion of the member 96 comprises an abutment 98S which arrests the carriage and prevents the engaging device of the carriage from moving past the stop member. The release device comprises an elongated catch member 122 pivotally mounted at 123 on the stop member 96 and adapted to operate two microswitches 134, 136. When the stop member 96 is in its lower condition an upper surface of the member 122 extends above the member 96 and the microswitches are not operated. When the stop member is in its upper position, the upper surface of the member 122 still extends above the member 96 and the microswitches 134, 136 are not operated until the engaging device of a carriage is held by the abutment 98S. This depresses the member 122 and causes it to operate the microswitches 134, 136, and this operation causes the stop device at the pool position to return from its second to its first condition. On removal of the carriage held by the stop member 96 from operable relationship to the conveyer the elongated member 122 is released and this causes the stop member 96 to return to its lower condition. The member 96 is pivoted at 100 and is operated by a solenoid 116. When the solenoid is energized it moves a pivoted member 110 against the action of a spring 118 to raise the member 96, the member 110 engaging with a cam surface 117 on the member 96. The microswitches 134, 136 are operated by set-screws 130, 132, respectively, arranged so as to operate the microswitch 136 slightly before the switch 134. The stop member at the other work area referred to, is a fixed member extending obliquely upwards providing an inclined surface, and provided with an abutment at its upper end (Fig. 11a, not shown). Its action is similar to that of the stop members at each operating position. The carriages 2, Figs. 1, 2.-Each carriage comprises a frame 78, and a base 83 fitted with four casters 77. Each carriage is provided with an engaging device 18, comprising an L-shaped member 84 pivoted to the base 83. A hollow cylinder 94 is fixed to the forward end of the member 84. A rod 88 is rotatably mounted in the cylinder 94 and to the forward end of this rod is fixed a cross-shaped member 92 with four arms 107 which abuts against the forward end of the cylinder 94. A ratchet member 90 is mounted slidably on the rod 88 and is held by a spring 97 in contact with the notched rear end of the cylinder 94. The spring 97 also acts as a shock-absorber for the member 18. The member 92 is rotatable clockwise only between four positions in which two of its arms 107 are vertical. A bracket 121 depending from the base 83 serves to steady the member 84. When a carriage is moved into operable relationship to the conveyer, the carriage is pushed by use of fixed handles 74 so that the lowermost arm 107 engages the rail 3, whereupon the member 92 is rotated through 90 degrees. This brings another of the arms 107 into engagement with the chain 14, and one of the horizontal arms 107 is in a position to engage with the stop devices of the conveyer. A pivoted latch member 105 on an arm 103, Fig. 2, is also provided and under the action of a spring 111 this engages the rail 3 and steadies the carriage 2 whilst it is being conveyed. Each carriage is provided with a front bumper 79, comprising upper and lower plates 75, 85, respectively. The lower end of the plate 85 is hinged on a rod 89 to the frame of the carriage and a horizontal hinge 87 is provided between the plates 75, 85. The upper end of the plate 75 carries a rod 91 which is mounted for up and down sliding movement in slots 95 in the frame. A rod 82 links the engaging device 18 with the rod 91 and when the bumper 79 engages an obstruction, e.g. the rear bumper 76 of the preceding carriage, the rod 91 is moved upwardly and this moves the device 18 out of engagement with the chain 14. Twelve shoe holders 200 are secured to the frame of the machine. Alternative engaging device, Fig. 6.-This device comprises a member 222 fitted to a rod 88<SP>1</SP> fitted in place of the rod 88 of Fig. 2, which rod 88<SP>1</SP> is not rotatable. The member 222 has a cam surface 226 which will ride over the rail 3<SP>1</SP> as the carriage is moved into operable relationship to the conveyer. When the member 222 is raised by a stop device it is still not clear of the rail 3<SP>1</SP> and thus the carriage cannot drift away from the conveyer. A handle (not shown) is provided to lift the member 222 clear of the rail 3<SP>1</SP> when it is desired to move the carriage away from the conveyer. Means for steadying the carriages during movement, Fig. 16.-Two robust abutment members 404, 406 fitted with rollers 414, 416, respectively, are secured to the base of a trolley so that they are disposed on the other side of the rail 3 from the engaging device 319 which is held from side to side movement by depending brack