Patent GB-654307-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for processing material
IPC: B65G49/04
Filed: 1948-04-06
Abstract: 654,307. Step-by-step conveyers. UDYLITECORPORATION. April 6, 1948, No. 9613. [Class 78 (i)] Apparatus for treating work by immersion comprises a series of receptacles, Fig. 5, a work carrier rail extending along the receptacles and having a fixed section 15 and a movable section 54 ; horizontal moving means 63 operative on the fixed and movable section for moving work along the sections, and means for elevating the movable section and the moving means whilst said moving means is in functioning relation with the movable section. Vertical movement, Figs 2 and 5.- Baths 5 are separated by partitions 7, and articles for plating are conveyed on hooks 65 on a rail system 15-54 along the baths and over the partitions by means of a horizontally moving chain 63 and a vertically moving piston 40. The rail system 15-54 on which the hooks move is formed of sections 15 fixed on the row of baths and of co-operating sections 54 fixed on vertically movable framework 35, the latter having rollers 50 and 50<1> which run in guides up centre columns 10. The framework 55 is raised by piston 40 operating through ropes 47 secured to the framework at 48 and is counterbalanced at 34. Horizontal movement, Figs. 6 and 10.-Endless chain 63 passes round end sprockets 61, Fig. 5, which are mounted on the framework 35, and is driven from motor 75 (which is mounted on the framework) through belt 81, pulley 80, gear reduction 78 and output sprocket 83 which engages with the chain. The chain moves between guides 53 and carries pushers 68 which push the work-carriers 65 along. The co-operating rail sections 15 and 54 interengage at V-grooves. Operation.-The movement is made step-bystep, the chain movement being controlled by element switches 90<1> operated by lugs 91<1>, Fig. 6, and the piston movement being controlled by limit switch 92<1> operated by lugs 931, Fig. 2. The movement starts with the framework in the lower position such that the rail system 15-52 is continuous. The chain is advanced by (say) 18 inches so that a carrier is moved from stationary rail 15 to movable rail 54. The piston then operates to raise the framework and movable rail 54 to its raised position. Then chain operates to advance the carrier on the rail 54 by an amount less than 18 inches (say 17 inches), but does not advance any carrier on the lower rail 15. The piston then operates to lower the framework and tail 54 so that the partition 7 has been cleared and the two rails once more form a continuous rail, the chain pushers now being 1 inch behind the carriers, thus ensuring that the pusher does not strike the carrier in its downward movement. The cycle then repeats itself, the spacing of the carriers on rail 15 being 17 inches and that on rail 54 being 34 inches. Modification, Fig. 14.-There are provided two pusher chains, one 94 passing round sprocket 95 and chain 102 passing round sprockets 100 and 101 fixed to the end of the tank. Article carrier 104 is progressed along rails 96 and 93 by means of chain 94 (as before) and, when the said chain is lowered, pin 108 of sprocket 95 engages one of a series of sockets in sprocket 100 to drive chain 102 which progresses the article carrier along ovalshaped rail 99 so that the said carrier reverses its direction in the tank 97 and starts on the return journey.