Patent GB-940493-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to conveying machines
IPC: B65G49/04
Filed: 1961-12-11
Abstract: 940,493. Conveyers for electroplating baths. UDYLITE RESEARCH CORPORATION. Dec. 11, 1961 [Dec. 12, 1960], No. 44317/61. Heading B8A. General operation.-A plurality of carriers 54 are progressed step by step through a series of baths 44 in an electroplating plant by means of pushers which push the carriers along fixed rails 68 and along lift sections 42, which are carried by stanchions 52. The lift sections 42 enable the carriers to be lifted over the sides of the tanks. Lift section 42 (Figs. 8 and 9).-The carriers are pushed step by step along fixed rails 68, the carriers having a hook 72 which carries the material 56 to be electroplated. The carriers are progressed by pushers 88 which are pivotally carried by pusher bar 74 reciprocated by cylinder 78. Each lift section 42 is operated by cylinder 114 connected via lift bars 102 to chains 104, which operate over sprockets to lift the section 42, the lifting movement being guided by slide tubes 110 supported in slide bearings 130 inside stanchions 52. Auxiliary pusher chain 134 (Fig. 9).-When a carrier 54 has been raised on lift section 42 it is progressed therealong step by step by pushers 152 carried by chain 134. Chain 134 passes round end sprockets 132a and 132b, and sprocket 132b is driven by pinion 144 actuated by rack 148 carried by pusher bar 74. Pusher bar 74 therefore operates auxiliary pusher chain 134 and this operation takes place both in the elevated and lowered positions of lift section 42, the connection being permitted by the sliding fit of square shaft 138 with pinion 144. Overhead engaging rail 200 (Figs. 17 and 21).- Provision is made whereby a carrier need not be immersed in a particular bath, i.e. that the bath may be omitted when desired. This is effected by rail 200 which has two members 202 pivoted together and influenced by spring 204. The members 202 are provided with flanges 206 and 212 and carrier 54 is provided with engaging head 208 and cam 218. The operator sets cam 218 at the start of operations. If the cam is set to the wider position shown in Fig. 21, it engages flanges 212 so that flanges 202 do not engage the head 208 and carrier 54 is then permitted to be lowered by its lift section 42 into the bath beneath. However, if the cam is set to the narrower position, then flanges 206 will engage head 208 and when the lift section 42 descends the carrier will be held by the members 202 in an elevated position not immersed in the bath. The carrier will then miss its immersion. To assist this action the rail 200 is made in two parts, rail 200a and rail 200b. The carrier is progressed step by step along rail 200 by means of pivoted pushers 232 operated by cylinder 234. Arcuate turnaround section 272 (Fig. 40).- The carriers 54 are pushed from one length of bath to a parallel length of bath along rail 276 by means of pushers 280 which are pivotally carried by rail 282 operated by pusher bar 74. Similarly a reciprocating movement of the lift bars 102 along the straight sections of the bath is transferred around the turnaround section 272 by means of chain 290.