Patent GB-133126-A (GB)
Title: Improved means for handling sorting and disrtibuting parcels, bales, and loads of goods and the like
IPC: B65G17/00
Filed: 1918-09-23
Abstract: 133,126. Lloyd, G. E. Sept. 23, 1918. Self-levelling apparatus. - Relates to apparatus for sorting, handling, and distributing parcels, bales, loads of goods, &c., such as is described in Specifications 17344/08, 3979/13, and 21056/13, [all in Class 78 (i), Conveyers &c.], and consists in the provision, on the trucker and on the track, of devices which co-operate to maintain the level position of the platform when the track becomes inclined or changes in inclination. The platform is movably mounted on the trucker frame and is preferably pivoted to turn about a horizontal axis. In one arrangement a spur or worm wheel 6 Fig. 1, on the platform is engaged by a pinion or worm 7 on the trucker frame driven by an electric motor whose stopping, starting, and speed are determined by a rheostat on the trucker or track and brushes on the trucker contacting with rails or strips on the track. The resistance in the motor circuit may be varied by a contact carried on the trucker, which is shifted mechanically by a star wheel 11, Fig. 3, engaging pins 12 on the track; or by different brushes in turn making contact with strips 10<a>, 10<b>, 10<c>, Figs. 4 and 5, placed in different positions along the track. The various resistances 13 may be placed, as in Fig. 4, on the trucker between the brushes and the motor, or, as in Fig. 5, on the track between the conductors 10 and the source of current. In another arrangement, the rotation of the wheels carrying the trucker is used to drive the spur or worm wheel 6 attached to the platform, by means of friction or dog clutches thrown into and out of gear by cams or stops 19, 20, Fig. 6, fixed to the track, or by electromagnets energized from the track by strips and wipers. According to another arrangement, a star wheel 22, Fig. 7, geared to the platform pivot is turned one way or the other as required by pins 23 fixed to the track, the star wheel being kept by friction or by a detent in the position in which it is left. In cases where the greatest reliability is required, the platform is maintained level by means of cam pins upon it engaging cams fixed to the track. In one such arrangement, as shown in Fig. 9, four cam pins 35 engage respectively and successively four cams 36<a>, 36<b>, 36<c>, 36<d>. In connection with each arrangement, brushes, cut cuts, or mechanical strikers are placed along the track so that they are cleared by all lever platforms but are engaged by any platforms not lever, whereby the motive power is cut off. Any cam required to be carried on the trucker for the operation of a cam pin causing transfer of goods from a co-operating trucker is preferably (1) in a vertical plane or (2) in a horizontal plane. In the first place it is preferably outside the frame and keyed to the same pivot shaft as the platform and keeps level with it. In the second case a cam is mounted beneath the platform but does not extend laterally beyond it. The requisite cam pin to engage it is displaced for that purpose between the passage of the leading and trailing wheels. According to another arrangement, a cam having its plane parallel to the platform is mounted so as to be transversely adjustable in that plane. When transfer is to take place, the cam is moved transversely by a cam on the track, by an electric motor, or by other means, towards the co-operating trucker whose pin is to engage it, and is returned after the transfer is effected. In another arrangement, a cam in an horizontal plane is formed partly on the platform or partly on the sides of the trucker frame, which is slotted to allow the arm or slide carrying the cam pin of the co-operating trucker to pass so that the cam pin may engage the cam under the platform. Where the trucker tracks become vertical four wheels are employed on each axle, two run on an inner pair of rails and two on an outer pair. For one of these pairs a single wheel and rail may be substituted. As the trucker proceeds round a vertical curve, one pair of wheels takes the weight less and less and the other pair more and more, the two pairs revolving in opposite directions.