Patent GB-737377-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to conveyors
IPC: B65G17/20
Filed: 1951-10-29
Abstract: 737,377. Conveyers. KING, D. M. Oct. 23, 1952 [Oct. 29, 1951; May 2, 1952], Nos. 25277/51 and 11160/52. Class 78 (1). In conveyer systems wherein an endless chain from which loads may be suspended is guided by rollers running on a fixed track, a plurality of trolley or roller assemblies is provided, each of which is adapted to be applied to the chain and includes two sets of wheels, rollers, balls, or the like which are adapted when the assembly is in position on the chain to co-operate with the track and to provide rolling support and guide means for the chain both vertically and laterally. As shown, the trolley assembly comprises an upper yoke member 16, Fig. 1, and a lower clevis member 17 adapted to be applied one to the top and the other to the undersurface of the chain 10, and these members project laterally on either side of the chain to provide a support for a pair of rollers 15 and for a pair of hub elements 18 carrying race and rim members 19, 20 forming the second pair of wheels 14. Preferably the rim 20 is made up of two annular members of substantially L-shape in cross-section which together form a composite annular element substantially U-shaped in cross-section. The hub members 18 serve to clamp together the yoke 16 and clevis 17. The rollers 15 are rotatably mounted on pins 21 supported between the projecting ends of the members 16, 17 and also by clip members 23 of strip metal which also receive the projecting portions of the pin 13 interconnecting the links of the chain. In another embodiment the rollers 15 are replaced by laterally projecting balls mounted in a cup-like element on each side of the chain between the projecting ends of the members 16, 17 and each ball may be seated on a ring of smaller balls housed within the cup-like element. Instead of forming the lower member 17 as a clevis attachment it may comprise a single unit similar to the upper yoke 16 and the clevis attachment may be separately mounted by two plates capable of pivotal movement about the projecting ends of pin 13 and having arcuate slots through which pass the projecting ends of the members 16, 17. The upper yoke member 16 may be provided with an insulated body 38, Fig. 4, carrying a plurality (three as shown) of contact elements 39 so formed that on passage of the chain along the track these elements co-operate with conductor strips 35 carried by a housing 34 and serve thereby for the passage of current to equipment carried by the trolleys. The conductor strips 35 may be attached to their housing 34 in the manner described in Specification 594,896 and the housing 34 is secured to the rail members 32 by fixing-bolts 37 passing through metal sleeves inserted in transversely extending ribs of the housing. An insulating shield 40 stiffened by longitudinally-extending tensioning wires 41 and by spring steel clips 42 seals the slot in the base of the track to obviate possibilities of contact with live current conducting elements, the free edges of the shield 40 normally abutting tight against each other but opening sufficiently to permit passage of the load attachment bars. The track 11 is made up of L-section rail members 26 secured together at spaced intervals by bolts 27 and spacer sleeves 28. Cover-plates 29, Fig. 1, or 33, Fig. 4, may be provided on vertical bends. In another embodiment coverplates comprise two L-section rail members in back-to-back relation but spaced apart by sleeves on the bolts 27. Alternatively two strips disposed in spaced parallel relation, or one single strip totally enclosing the U-shaped track, may be welded to the spacer sleeves. Successive rail members may be jointed together by L-shaped cover-pieces adapted to be applied over or around the outer surfaces of the aligned and abutting ends of the two adjacent sections. Preferably the joints at one side of the track are staggered in relation to joints on the opposite side. The load-bar assembly comprises an elongated metal strip 63, Fig. 10, having a channelled upper surface to accommodate, adjacent its ends, two pivot assemblies 64, 65 connected to the depending load bars of two adjacent trolleys. Each pivot assembly comprises two L-shaped brackets 66, Fig. 11, secured together in back-to-back relationship and are each capable of angular movement about a vertical axis. Additionally assembly 64 is free to slide along the channel to enable the bar 63 to negotiate horizontal and vertical bends. Stops such as screws 67 limit the sliding movement of the other assembly. Intermediate its ends the strip 63 is provided with lugs 68 taking two interconnected load supporting bars 69. Specifications 645,547, [Group XXV], and 737,449 also are referred to.