Patent GB-693365-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to sorting or distributing apparatus
Inventor: CADMAN HUBERT WILLIAM
IPC: B07C3/08
Filed: 1950-06-05
Abstract: 693,365. Endless conveyers; systems for sorting &c. letters &c. SOVEX, Ltd. June 5, 1951. [June 5. 1950] No. 14025/50. Class 78 (i). A parcel sorting device is of the type comprising a conveyer for transporting articles from a sorting station to a plurality of receiving stations, and having discharge-effecting means for selectively controlling discharge devices at the various receiving stations, which means comprises members rotatable in timed relationship with the conveyer, an element of each said member being selected by selecting means at the sorting station to rotate in timed relation to a respective parcel moved by the conveyer so that as the parcel reaches the selected station said member causes operation of the discharging device at said station, and is characterised in that the discharge effecting means for all the receiving stations are situated at one point, each rotatable member being common to at least two receiving stations. Parcels are sorted by an operator at sorting station 5 and fed to a series of boxes 1 carried bv endless chains 2. A second series of boxes 1<SP>1</SP> is carried side by side with boxes 1 bv the same chains 2 and operates in conjunction with a second similar sorting station (not shown). A series of receiving conveyers 4<SP>1</SP>. 4<SP>2</SP> etc. extend transversely of the chains 2 below the upper run of the compartments 1. 1'. As each parcel is sorted a button 9 of a series of buttons corresponding to the conveyers 4<SP>1</SP>, 4<SP>2</SP> etc. is pressed. This button is in series with a relay controlling a solenoid 31 for opening a trap door 6, one of a number of electromagnets 114, Fig. 8, associated with devices 105, Fig. I , and a switch 36 operated by a rotating cam 37. Chains 2. a plurality of discs 104, and cam 37 are all driven in timed relation such that upon closure of switch 36 the trap door 6 is opened causing the parcel to fall down a shoot 7 into a compartment 1 in register therewith, and at the same time the magnet 114 of the selected device 105 by attraction of its armature 115 pushes a pin 110 in register therewith into projecting position at one side of the associated disc 104. As the parcel progresses along the upper run of chains 2 the projected pin 110 moves in step with it until it reaches a device 106 comprising a star wheel 129 which is engaged by the pin 110 and turned through one tooth pitch whereupon one of the other teeth engages a block 127 causing contacts 121, 122 to close momentarily. This completes a circuit through a solenoid 88, Fig. 2, of a dumping device opposite the point reached by the box 1 containing the sorted parcel, which causes pivoted flaps 53, 54 forming the bottom of the box to fall open to deposit the parcel on the desired conveyer 4<SP>1</SP>, 4<SP>2</SP> etc. The fall of the flaps 53, 54 may be braked by evoluteshaped springs on the flaps engaging flat springs on the box. For dumping, each container is provided with a pivoted latch 72 which is normally spring-urged into position to lock the leading flap 53 which overlaps and thus locks the trailing flap 54. A dumping device is provided adjacent each receiving conveyer 4<SP>1</SP>, 42 etc. and each' comprises a ramp 82 projectable by the solenoid 88 into the path of a roller 79 on the box to be dumped which roller is mounted on pivoted arm 76 connected by link 75 to latch 72. For reclosing each box after it has passed over all the conveyers 4<SP>1</SP>, 4<SP>2</SP> etc. the sprockets 3<SP>1</SP> at the far end of the chains 2 are provided with pins 94, Fig. 3, which support the leading flaps 53 while the trailing flaps 54 swing to closed position as each box passes around the sprockets. Finally, a spring- pressed roller 95 engages each flap 53 and closes it while a crest 100 of a cam track 101 deflects, the roller 79 to lift back the latch 72 during closure. The mountings for roller 95 and the track 101 are arranged to move with the sprockets 3<SP>1</SP> during tensioning. In order to ensure that each parcel is delivered correctly into a box 1 upon release from the trap-doors 6 a pair of flaps 43, 44, Fig. 1, is provided which is oscillated in synchronism with the conveyer through a crank 10 to check the movement of the parcel and release it at the desired moment into the desired box 1. The actuation of solenoid 31 by the button switch 9 which is a lock-in type releases a spring-loaded arm 19 connected with the opening gear of trap-door 6 so that arm 19 follows the movement of a crank 16 also oscillated by the crank 10. The button switch 9 is released upon arm 19 closing a switch 42 in series with a release relay when the trap-doors are fully open. The pins 110, Fig. 8, are yieldingly held in position in each wheel 104 by a cord 111 passing around them and acted on by a spring 113. After a projected pin has passed the star wheel 129 it is returned to its original position by a fixed ramp 131. Receptacles, attaching to chains. In order to allow the boxes 1 to traverse the driving sprockets their trailing ends are each provided with a stud 60, Fig. 2, having a slider 65 arranged to slide within a channel member 64 on the chain 2. Guides &c. The chains 2 have large rollers 63, Fig. 2, running on a track 67 and are provided with shoes 69 for engaging a lateral guide rail 70. Specification 489,432 is referred to.