Patent GB-520029-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to conveyor apparatus
IPC: B61B10/02
Filed: 1938-09-07
Abstract: 520,029. Conveyers ; delivery stations for overhead ways. KING, Ltd., G. W., and KING, D. M. Sept. 7, 1938, No. 26150. [Classes 78 (i), 78 (iv) and 104 (ii)] In apparatus in which wheeled load containers. are connected to a hauling chain for traverse in a closed path along an elevated track, delivery of the containers at ground level is effected by shunting them in turn on to a parallel track leading to the first of a series of verticallymovable tables or supports which falls under the added weight to a point where they roll on to the second table of the series and move a further stage downwards and so on; the last table delivering them clear of the apparatus at ground level. Those containers which are to be shunted are fitted with projections which are set to operate track switches to divert them into the particular siding desired. Fig. 2 shows the end 17 of the shunt track leading to the highest table, and a series of containers 18, one on each table with the lowest on the fixed platform at ground level. A chain 58 picks up the empty container and hauls it back to the track level for re-shunting thereonto. Figs. 3 and 4 show the means for raising and lowering the containers and retaining them on the tables. The pair of rails, forming each table slope slightly in a forward direction and are cross-connected midway of their length by a U-shaped bracket 30, Fig. 4, sliding in the fixed guides 27 and connected by tackle 32 to a counterweight 34 which is overbalanced by the weight of the loaded container. A dash-pot 35 controls the rate of falling but is mainly inoperative during the raising of the table. Each container on running by gravity on to its table is maintained centrally of the latter by a fixed stop 43, Fig. 3, on the framework. As the table falls, the container clears this stop and moves forward against the lever 41 which is. held in a vertical position by a toggle pivoted at 51 on the framework. When the next table is in its uppermost or receiving position, the hook 45 breaks the toggle and collapses it into the position shown in full lines. This raises the lower end of the lever 41 sufficiently for the container to pass thereunder. The returning chain 58 for the empty containers is stopped automatically with a container-engaging hook near the pulley 62. When a container is pushed to the conveyer it closes one circuit of controlling-means for a driving-motor on the shaft 61. A second controlling-means is closed by an empty propelling-member of the main line hauling chain as it approaches the receiving station for empty receptacles. The closing of both controlling means starts the motor in time to raise the container to the main line by the time the empty propelling member arrives. The running of the lifted container down the incline 67 towards the main line stops the main chain while it is being shunted on to the latter. By another somewhat similar control, the switch on the main line cannot be operated to divert any container into the shunt track unless the first receiving table is unloaded and in position to receive the container.