Patent GB-1020529-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to varying speed load moving apparatus
IPC: B65G23/30
Filed: 1964-06-09
Abstract: 1,020,529. Endless conveyers. P. ZUPPIGER. June 9, 1964 [June 13, 1963], No. 23846/64. Heading B8A. [Also in Divisions B7 and F2] Load moving apparatus includes an endless chain of which the links are guided. to a zig-zag formation of varying angular relation to each other thereby to vary the distance between, and  hence the speed of, portions of the chain, whereby loads engaged by the chain may be moved at varying speed. In Fig. 1 (and Figs. 2, 3, not shown), pairs of wheels A, B and C, D engage endless chains E, F of which the passes shown on the left of Fig. 1 successively engage loads G which are conveyed at a progressively increasing speed. The apparatus connects two conveyers H, J, conveyer J operating at a speed four times that of conveyer H. Each chain wheel comprises a pair of cheeks 1, 2 formed with notches 5a, 5b to receive extensions of pins 9 forming hinge members for the pairs of parallel blades 7a, 7b which constitute each chain link. Hinge pins 8 have no extensions and pass between the wheel cheeks 1, 2. Spacer rollers 11, 12 are carried by the pins 8, 9 respectively. Stationary closed-loop members K, L are borne by the chains E, F and the rollers 11, 12 are guided by the edges 13, 15 of the members K, L. The chain of conveyer H passes around a wheel M mounted on the hub 3 of wheel A and the chain of conveyer J passes around a wheel (not shown) mounted on the hub 3 of wheel D. The pins 9 extend beyond the cheeks 1, 2 of wheels A-D to engage hooks 16 of the loads G. The hooks have three elements 16a, 16b, 16c, elements 16a, 16b co-operating with pins 9 of chain E and pins of the conveyer J, and elements 16b, 16c co-operating with the pins 9 of chain F and the pins of the conveyer H. Operation.-When a load G carried by the conveyer H reaches the wheels A, M the pin of the conveyer H moves out of the hook elements I6b, 16c whereas one of the pins 9 of chain E simultaneously abuts against elements 16a, 16b. The load is then accelerated as soon as this pin 9 is disengaged from the wheel A. Upon reaching wheels, B, C, D and the wheel of the conveyer J, the load undergoes similar transfer operations. Modifications.-The loads G may comprise rail mounted vehicles, the load-moving apparatus then being duplicated so as to co-operate with hooks secured to the opposite sides of the vehicles. In Fig. 4, not shown, chain links 7 have only a single blade, guide members K<SP>1</SP>, K<SP>2</SP> and L<SP>1</SP>, L<SP>2</SP> being mounted on opposite sides of the links. The guide members are mounted on supports such as 18a, 18b. The apparatus may be used vertically, horizontally, in sloping positions or in a combination of these positions. By modifying the guide means loads may be moved along a curvilinear path. The other passes of the chains E, F may be utilized for deceleration. By appropriate shaping of the guide means a combination of acceleration, deceleration and constant speed may be obtained. A third loadmoving means similar to the first two shown may be provided to increase eightfold the speed of the loads or vehicles. By modifying the numbers of notches around the wheels a speedchange ratio of 1À5 may be obtained. Other ratios may be obtained by provided wheels of greater diameter. The guide means may be adapted to enable the chains E, F to work whether under traction or compression. The chain link elements may comprise cable lengths formed with eyelets at their ends.