Patent GB-1003208-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in conveying machines
IPC: B65G49/04
Filed: 1963-11-01
Abstract: 1,003,208. Conveyer systems. UDYLITE CORPORATION. Nov. 1, 1963 [Nov. 5, 1962], No. 43304/63. Heading B7L. A conveyer system comprises a carriage movable along a rail means and means to raise and lower work racks over treating stations. In Figs. 3, 4, carriage 28b has frames 42 housing lifting mechanism 40a, 40b and connected together by members 44 having flanged rollers running between upper and lower flanges of channel-shaped rails 38 supported by columns 47 above a set of treating cells 30 of an electroplating plant. Endless chains 92 driven from a reversible motor 78 are each connected to an arm 98 projecting from carriage members 44. Each lift mechanism 40a, 40b has projections to engage work racks 24 which are lowered on to supports 34 at each treatment station, which are separated by partitions 36. The lift mechanism operated by reversible electric motors can be operated together or independently as required. Limit switches LS3a, LS3b bring the carriage to rest above a; predetermined station and the lift mechanism is then operated to-deposit, pick up or merely dip a rack in the cell 30, upper and lower limit switches being provided on each mechanism. Several sets of stations comprise a plant, each set having a carriage which can pick up or deposit a rack in the adjacent set, Figs. 1, 2, not shown. Electrical energy for the various motors-is supplied via two sets of three conductors 70a, Fig. 7, fixed to rails 38 and engaged by brushes 72a on brackets 74a of carriage members 44. In Fig. 8, not shown, the rails for the carriages are mounted on the floor or on a platform which supports cells 30. In Fig. 9 each carriage is made up of units 112, each having a single lifting mechanism and being connected together by links 146, 148. Each unit has a U-shaped trolley 114 with four pairs of wheels 130 engaging above and below the lower flange of a monorail 102, a further pair of guide rollers 132 engage the sides of rail 102. Each trolley or only one has a reversible motor 138 driving a sprocket 136 which engages a rack 134 beneath rail 102. For parallel sets of stations end transfer mechanism, comprises rail extensions 152, Fig. 11, on to which carriage 28 is pushed, rail extensions 152 being then raised by jacks 160 to engage auxiliary rollers 158 and the carriage being moved by a dog 170 on chain 164 driven by reversible motor 168 to the next set of stations whereat the rail extensions 152 are lowered and the carriage moves on to the next set of rails 38. In Fig. 12, not shown, the carriages of the type shown in Fig. 9 are run on to a monorail extension which is supported by trollies on a pair of rails, the extension being moved by an endless chain attached to the extension and driven by a reversible motor. Figs. 13a to 18c, not shown, indicate various operating sequences for moving work racks through an electroplating plant. Switches can be provided on the carriages which, on two carriages of adjacent sets of stations approaching each other, causes one carriage to stop and, if necessary, reverse, Fig. 20, not shown. A master control switch for controlling the various motors and limit switches is also described, Fig. 19, not shown.