Patent GB-870483-A (GB)
Title: Roller slat conveyor control device
Inventor: SYKES THOMAS ROBERT
IPC: B65G17/06
Filed: 1957-08-15
Abstract: 870,483. Endless conveyers. TORONTO STAR Ltd. Aug. 15, 1957, No. 25841/57. Class 78 (1). In an endless conveyer system including a conveyer consisting of a series of load-carrying rollers 14 rotatably mounted between a pair of endless chains 10 which are supported on guides 11, shoes 21, 24 are respectively positioned below and above the path of the rollers at a feeding station for the articles, the shoes 21, 24 being interconnected for simultaneous movement and the arrangement being such that either the upper shoes 24 can be engaged with the rollers to provide a stationary platform at the feeding station, or the lower shoe 21 can be engaged with the rollers so that the articles at the feeding station are quickly moved away from the station at double the speed of the chains 10. The lower shoe 21 is carried by a pair of transverse rods slidable vertically in slots 20 in U-section members 6 which carry the guides 11. Side plates 22 are mounted on the outer ends of the rods 19 and carry at their upper ends the upper shoes 24. Springs 33 connected between the rods 19 and a pair of rods 25 journalled in the members 6 normally maintain the upper shoes 24 in engagement with the rollers 14 to provide a stationary platform on to which newspapers may be stacked. Where a number of feeding stations are provided, one of which is in use, the remaining stations are made through stations by providing each station with pairs of cams 29 which are mounted on the rods 25, and by connecting the rods 25 together by a linkage 27, 28 so that by manipulation of a handle 30 on one of the rods 25 the cams 29 engage the rods 19 and lift them to a position half-way up the slots 20, in which position all the shoes are disengaged from the passing rollers (Figs. 6 and 7). The cams 29 have notches 32 to receive the rods 19 in their lifted position. Movement of the lower shoe 21 into engagement with the passing rollers 14 is effected by a pneumatic cylinder 34 the piston 35 of which acts on the underside of the shoe 21. The supply of air to the cylinder 34 is controlled by an operator at the feeding station and the exhausting of air from the cylinder is controlled by a delay switch or may be controlled by the arrival of an article at the station. In one arrangement, Fig. 10, the operator presses one of two switch buttons 45 disposed on opposite sides of the conveyer and thereby energizes a relay 47 to close hold contacts 46. As a result a solenoid 40 is energized to operate a valve 38 to supply air to the cylinder 34 so that shoe 21 is engaged with the passing rollers and shoes 24 disengaged from the rollers. This results in the stack of newspapers 100 being ejected from the station. A lever 51 is engaged by a projection 50 on one of the side plates 22 during this movement of the shoes and cocks the timing mechanism 52 of a timing switch 44 which after a delay opens series contacts 43 to break the circuit to the solenoid 40 and relay 47. In a second arrangement, Fig. 11, the operator presses a switch button 59 to energize a relay 60 closing hold contacts and a further pair of contacts 61 which complete a circuit to the operating solenoid 40<SP>1</SP> of valve 38<SP>1</SP> through normally closed switch 54. The switch 54 is operable by an article arriving at the station to open its contacts, so de-energizing solenoid 401. If no article arrives at the switch 54 within a predetermined time a delay switch 62 opens to de-energize the relay 60 and hence the solenoid 40<SP>1</SP>. In a modification, Fig. 13, the lower and upper shoes 68 which are provided with renewable braking pads 69, 73 are carried by transverse rods 70 which are vertically movable in slots in the side walls of carriage 64. The carriage is provided with rollers 65 running on the lower flanges of the members 6 so that the assembly can be moved longitudinally of the conveyer. Movement of the shoes is effected by a pneumatic cylinder 66 under control of a solenoid-operated valve 79 which is controlled from a remote point. A cam and cross-rod arrangement 82 operated by a handle 80 is provided as in the first embodiment for raising the shoes to a position in which both shoes are inoperative. A further handle 78 is also provided to release a shoe member 75 which is normally held by a spring 77 against the member 6 at one side to lock the carriage in a selected position. Specification 652,712 is referred to.