US2613762A

US2613762A - Drive-in service device x

Info

Publication number: US2613762A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1952-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 1969-10-14

Description

. v T T A 5 Sheets-Sheet l I'NVENTOR SHERMANEMcCLINTOCK S E M CLINTOCK DRIVE-IN SERVICE DEVICE Oct. 14, 1952 Flled July 9 1949 Oct. 14, 1952 s. E. M CLINTOCK 2,613,762

DRIVE-IN SERVICE DEVICE Filed July 9, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 4- INVEN TOR SHERMAN E.McCLlN TOCK Oct. 14, 1952 s. E. MCCLINTOCK DRI E-"IN SERVICE DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 9, 1949 INVENTOR SHERMAN E. MCCLI Oct. 14, 1952 s. E. M CLINTOCK DRIVE-IN SERVICE DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 9, 1949 SHERMAN [.McCLINTOCK m ATTY.

Patented Oct. 14, 1952 2,613,762 DRIVE-1N ssavrcs DEVICE Sherman E. McClintock, Orlando, Fla, assignor of one-half to Paul J. Stine, Orlando, Fla., and. one-half to Imogene McClintock Application July 8, 194.9, Serial No. 103,779

(Cl. 186 l) 11 Claims.

This invention relates to a conveyor apparatus primarily for use as a banking or store service, whereby, business may be quickly dispatched between a customer in a parked car at a curb, in a parking lot, or other parking location, and a teller in a bank, a clerk in a store, or other person in a spaced location.

The primary object of this invention is provision of a conveyor apparatus having towerlike end portions one of which I will term the customer or parking tower which has anopening, positioned to face a parked car, with an enclosure for said opening at approximately auto door windowdistance from curb or ground level, the opposite tower, which I will term the teller, clerk or operator tower, having a similar window opening facing the teller, clerk or operator and at a suitable distance from a buildin floor level, said tower-like portions being connected by a structure for placement under ground as between said tower portions and forming a tunnel therebetween, said apparatus housing a carriage and conveying means therefor to and from said tower like portions, via said tunnel.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the detailed description thereof proceeds.

This invention resides substantially in the combination, arrangement and relative location of parts all in accordance with the disclosure herein.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the invention, illustrating one form of positioning the tower-like portions and their connecting underground tunnel arrangement, and showing the customer tower door open and the receptacle tipped outward for loading or unloading thereof.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of this invention with the enclosure wall removed, and in dash lines illustrating carriage position in the operator tower.

Figure 3 is an end view with a portion of the enclosure wall removed, with carriage in the operator tower.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of tower door tilting means for the receptacle.

Figure 6 is a circuit arrangement for controlling the actuation of this conveyor, not shown in structural views for clarity of same.

Figure 7 is a plan view of an alternate form of receptacle for use with this apparatus.

Figure 8 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 9 is an end elevation thereof.

The true natureand manner of use of a conveyor in accordance with this invention will, be

bestv understood by detailed description of the structure and actuating means thereof 'showniin the drawings'in an illustrative sense.' I I Now referring tov the drawings A indicates, in general, a frame work which may be conveniently built in skeleton form of angle'material, as shown, however this is not to be construed as a limitation, said frame having uprights 2 transverse and longitudinalnmembers 3 and'l,

respectively, in fixed engagement. with said upht members, and, within theiibounds of said frame work, auxiliary frame members primarily for supporting means for various-elements hereinafter described. Said framework is enclosed by enclosure plates 5, with the exception of one lower outer end of the apparatus, as at 6, Figure l, which is, open, or may-.- ha,ve doorgenelosure for entrance to conveyor mechanism and especially mechanism in the tunnel portion of the; an;- paratusfor the purpose'-of--;-making repairs and. the like, windowpaned door-enclosures l and .8

in the customer and operator towers l8, and 1.9, respectively, and window-members 9 and It respectively, for--vision of customer by the "teller or clerk who is the operator of the conveyona factor of extreme value when the .conveyorxis used in connection with a banking-service.

general as'C, whichincludes receptacle 2! which preferably is of V-shape so that when it is tilted,

as hereinafter defined, whereby one face thereof will be 'on a substantially horizontal plane for easy access thereto, however this shape is not a limitation as-Imaydesire to modify: same, .as

for example as shown in Figures 7 to 9 -inclus iye, wherein I retain the .V-shape and join .to. it a l rectangular receptacle. 29'. In eithencase. the receptacle is of transparentmaterial not 33 matter of choice'but to. give an-operator, full vision thereof; thru

windows

9 and 10,12. further item of special value when the conveyor is. used as a banking service to observetheplacement or removal of an item in-o ,fro he and, has top dQQr inclqsures 2iandzzz eac which is hinged to a central transverse top strip 23 by means of spring hinges to retain same in closed pos tion.

Completing the carriage is a yoke member 24 which carries receptacle 26, the upper ends 25 of the yoke branches being angled in and to the receptacle and placed in engagement therewith by means of rivets, screws or like means, lower cross member '26 of the yoke forming a seat for weights 2! which form a counterbalance to the receptacle and are removably fastened in place by screws 28, clips or other suitable means, said counterweight retaining the carriage in vertical position during its conveyance to and from said towers, as the carriage is swingable thru stub shafts 36 and 3I extended outward from opposite branches of the yoke member and having bearing in bearing blocks 32 and 33, respectively, said bearing blocks being clipped on or otherwise secured to oppositely disposed links in spaced parallel

endless sprocket chains

34 and 35, however to further elimination of lateral swing of carriage C during vertical travel thereof I provide rolling contacts 65 engaged lateral to and with the inner face of one of the yoke branches which ride between

tracks

66 and 67, inner track 61 being shortened at the upper end thereof to not interfere with tilting of the carr age.

For directional guidance of sprocket chain 34 I'use sprocket idlers 46, M, 42, 43, and 44 and driven sprocket 45, and for guidance for sprocket chain 35

sprocket idlers

46, 41, 48, 49, and 56 and driven sprocket 5|, all idlers having bearing thru their respective stub shaft with bearings removably engaged with and supported by auxiliary frame members as shown in the drawings.

v Actuating means for said sprocket chains from driven shaft I5 is thru gears 54 and 55 mounted on said shaft and meshed with gears 56 and 51,

' respectively, mounted on the outer ends of

shafts

58 and 59, for rotation of said shafts and sprockets 45 and 5I, respectively, carried on the inner ends of said shafts and keyed or otherwise secured thereto, and to relieve downward strain on the sprocket chains as the conveyor passes thru the tunnel portion angle chain rests 52 are installed between inner upright frame members 2.

Delivery to or removal from receptacle 26, after conveyance to either tower is by means of tilting the receptacle downward and toward a doorway to the respective tower. On reference to Figure 5 it will be observed that this is ac- 'complished by means of a lift member 66 which is engaged transversely centrally of the lower edge of a door frame and which, as a tower door isopened by means of a' pull knob I3, in open- 1 ing door I or catch H5 in opening door 8 swingin the same outward on its pivot hinge 6, is

swung upward contacting a roller extension 62 to yoke 24 thereby urging the lower portion of the yoke inward from its pivotal points and causing a tilting ofthe upper portion outward and downward.

, Actuating means for this conveyor is primarily electrically controlled and Figure 6 illustrates a circuit for this purpose, however this circuit should not be considered as a limitation as other circuits may be arranged including a circuit, whereby travel of the conveyor may be reversed thus limiting conveyor travel to the upper or lower'longitudinal sprocket chain plane and vertical planes in the towerportions directly connected therewith. In defining the electrical control, as shown in Figur 6, it will be presumed that the conveyor is in normal inactive position wherein the carriage is located in the customer towerjhaving been left there on completion of a previous transaction, and, under this inactive relationship of elements, doors l and 6 leading to customer and operator towers I8 and I9 respectively are closed, closing respective door switches 76 and. TI, engaged therewith. To start a days business the operator closes key lock switch I2. A cycle of operation is commenced by a customer pressing switch button 73, closing the circuit to audible or visible element 14, such as a bell, buzzer, or light, located within hearing range or sight of the operator, to which the operator responds by pressing switch button 15 closing the circuit to magnetic door release I6 thereby unlocking door I which the customer swings downward and outward to open, breaking contact of door switch I6, and as previously described, tilting the carriage outward. On completion of his business the customer closes door 1 thereby closing the plunger door switch I6 and circuit for motor operation, on closing of switch 86 by the operator, to transfer carriage to operator tower l8, thru conductor ll, operator door switch II, which is closed during travel of the carriage or until operator opens his door, and conductor I9, including emergency stop switch 86, conductor 8| thru key switch 12, conductor 83 to one side of service line 85, the above circuits remain closed while the operator closes switch 86 completing the circuit to motor conductor 81, however closing of "switch 86 is momentary and causes energizing of magnetic contactor 88 closing contacts 89 which thru line 96 energizes brake magnetic contactor 9| thru interlocker contactors placing motor in operation and means associated with said motor for conveyance of the carriage to the operator tower, and releasing the motor brake.

As the carriage approaches its normal loading or unloading position in tower I9 the bearingblock 32 assumes the role of a wiper and as it encounters the trigger of motor limit switch 92 it urges said trigger upward breaking contact of said switch, and after passing same makes similar contact with the trigger of motor brake limit switch I62 opening same and thereby braking the motor by de-energizing the brake release coil thru conductors I64 and I65, thrulines I66 and I6! respectively, and closing contacts I68 of magnetic contactor 9I.

The carriage having reached its normal position in the operator tower, shown in dash lines in Figure 2, the operator manually releases door catch H5 and swings door 8 outward, breaking contact of operator door switch ll and tilting the carriage, as previously described and on completion of loading or unloading same said door is closed closing switch II after which the operator closes switch 86 completing the circuit to the motor, a described, and the carriage in a manner previously defined is returned to customer tower I8, however, this time bearing block 32 wipes motor limit switch and thereafter motor brake'limit switch I66 stopping the carriage in its normal position in the customer tower, as shown in Fig. 2.

The purpose of emergency switch 86 is to permit an operator to stop the carriage at any point in its line of movement, however to return car-v riage to starting tower it must first complete its travel to the oppositely disposed tower and return 5 therefrom. aside. from allowing for repairs or adjustmentto the conveyor mechanism', pre1 vents tampering with carriage contents. whenonce placed in movement for delivery to the opposite tower.

As a matter of convenience, there is: installed with the conveyor and above-described circuit an inter-communicating system, indicated in general as D.

While I have shown and described the. structure of this conveyor as for underground communication it seems obvious; that should it be advisable, or necessary due to. underground ob.- struction, the conveyor with minor reversing changes and modifications, such as repositioning pivotal hinges SI of tower doors: I and 8, is in.- vertible, the longitudinal portion of the conveyor housing becoming an overpass.

I desire it understood that this invention is not limited to the particular application or precise construction illustrated herein, but that various applications, modifications and variations may be made. without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, andI deem myself entitled to all such applications, modifications and variations as come within the scope of claims appended hereto.

vWhat is claimed:

1. Conveyor apparatus for. use as a banking or storev service .dev'rce comprising a vertically mounted customer tower, a vertically mounted service tower and a passage connecting said towers and forming with said towers a passageway extending from adjacent the top of one. tower to adjacent the top of the. other tower, conveyor means located in said passageway and extending from adjacent the top of one tower to adjacent the. top of the other tower, a receptacle, means pivotally mounting said receptacle; on said.'con-. veyormeans, track means in said passage'and said towers, said receptacle having anti-friction means for engaging said track means, a door ad? j-acent the top of said customertower, said track means. having a discontinuous portion adjacent said door, and means for causing the receptacle to swing on its pivotal mounting when the anti.-

friction means of said receptacle is opposite the said discontinuous portion of said track, and

when said receptacle. and said door are in juxta-' posed position. p

2. Conveyor apparatus for use as a. banking or store service device comprising a vertically mounted customer tower, a vertically mounted service tower and a passage connecting said towers and forming with said towers a passageway extending from adjacent the top of one tower to adjacent the top of the other tower, conveyor means located in said passagewayand extending from adjacent the top of one tower to adjacent the top of the other tower, a receptacle, means pivotally mounting said receptacle on said conveyor means, track means in said passage and said towers, said receptacle having anti-friction mean forengaging said track means, a door adjacent the top of said customer tower, said track means having adiscontinuous portion'adjacent said door, and meansadapted for engagement with said receptacle and causing the same to swing on its pivotal mounting when the antiiriction means of said receptacle is opposite the said discontinuous portion of said ,track,-'and when said receptacleand said door are in juxtaposed. P05151011,v d c acl en a ement means in m u den s id eer hereb the opera ion of said door causes tilting of said receptacle w on 7 they are in juxtaposed position. a 3. Conveyor apparatus for use as a banking. or. store service device comprising a vertically mounted customer tower, a vertically mounted top of the other tower, a receptacle, means pivotally mounting said receptacle on said conveyor means, track means in said passagexand said towers, said receptacle having anti-friction means for engaging said track means, a door adjacent the topof said customer tower, said track means having a discontinuous portion adjacent said door, and means including a member on said receptacle for causing the receptacle to swing on itspivotal mounting when the anti-friction means of said receptacle is opposite the said discontinuous. por-. tion of said track, and when said receptacleand said door are in juxtaposed position, said towers being positioned opposite to each other and each having transparent window means.

4, Conveyor apparatus for use as a banking or store service device comprising a ,vertically mounted customertower, a vertically mounted service tower and a passage connecting said towers and forming with said towers a Dama e way extending from adjacent the top of one tower to adjacent the top of the other ,tower,; conveyor means located in said passageway and extending from adjacent the top of one tower to adjacent the top of the. other tower, a receptacle, means pivotally mounting said receptacle on said conveyor means, track means in said passa e and said towers, said receptacle having anti-friction means for engaging said track means, a door ad,- jacent the top of said customer tower, said track means havingv a discontinuou portion ad.- jacent said door, and means adapted for engage ment with said receptacle and causing the same. to swing on its pivotal mounting when the anti,- friction means of said receptacle is opposite the said discontinuous portion of said track, and when said receptacle and said door are in juxtaposed position, said receptacle engagement means being mounted on said door whereby the operation of said door causes tilting of said receptacle when they are in juxtaposed position, said towers being positioned opposite to. each other and each having transparent window means...

5. Conveyor apparatu for use as a banking or store service device comprising a vertically mounted customer tower, a vertically mounted service tower and a passage connecting said towers and forming with said towers a passage way extending from adjacent the top'oijone tower to adjacent the top of the other tower, cone. veyor means located in said passageway and ex?- tending from adjacent the top of one tower to ad: jacent the top of the other tower, a receptacle;

means pivotally mounting said receptacle on said conveyor means, track means in said passage and said towers, said receptacle having anti friction means for engaging said track means, a door adjacent the top of said customer tower, said track means having a discontinuous l flrtion adjacent said door, and means for causing the receptacle to swing on its pivotal mounting when thefanti; iriction means of said receptacle is opposite; the Sa d sc rnment eert e Q s i ra k When said receptacl and a d door-are.

posed position, said towers being positioned opposite to each other and'each having transparent window means, said transparent window means-including said door.

6. Conveyor apparatus for use as a banking or store service device comprising a vertically mounted customer tower, a vertically mounted service tower and a passage connecting said towers and forming with said towers a passageway extending from adjacent the top of one tower to adjacent the top of the other tower, conveyor means located in said passageway and extending from adjacent the top of one tower to adjacent the top of the other tower, a receptacle, means pivotally mounting said receptacle on said conveyor means, track means in said passage and said towers, said receptacle havin anti-friction means for engaging said track means, a door adjacent the top of said customer tower, said track means having a discontinuous portion adjacent said door, and means including a member on said receptacle for causing the receptacle to swing on its pivotal mounting when the anti-friction means of said receptacle is opposite the said discontinuous portion of said track, and when said receptacle and said door are in juxtaposed position, electrical means for driving said conveyor means and electrical control means including brake means for discontinuing the electrical drive means and applying said brake means when said receptacle is opposite to the door on said customer tower.

'7. Conveyor apparatus for use as a banking or store service device comprising a vertically mounted customer tower, a vertically mounted service tower and a passage connecting said towers'and forming with said towers a passageway extending from adjacent the top of one tower to adjacent the top of the other tower, conveyor means located in said passageway and extending from adjacent the top of one tower to adjacent the top of the other tower, a receptacle, means pivotally mounting said receptacle on said conveyor means, track means in said passage and said towers, said receptacle having anti-friction means for engaging said track means, a door adjacent the top of said customer tower, said track means having a discontinuous portion adjacent said door, and means adapted for engagement with said receptacle and causing the same to swing on its pivotal mounting when the anti-friction means of said receptacle is opposite the said discontinuous portion of said track, and when said receptacle and said door are in juxtaposed position, said receptacle engagement means being mounted onsaid door whereby the operation of said door causes tilting of said receptacle when they are in juxtaposed position, electrical means for drivin said conveyor means and electrical control means including brake mean for dis-, continuing the electrical drive means and applying said brake means when said receptacle is opposite to the door on said customer tower.

8. Conveyor apparatus for use as a banking or store service device comprising a vertically mounted customer tower, a vertically mounted service tower and a passage connecting said towers and forming with said towers a passagesage and said towers, said receptacle having anti-friction means for engaging said track means, adoor adjacent the top of at least one of said towers, said track means having a discontinuous portion adjacent said door, and means for'causing the receptacle to swing on its pivotal mounting when the anti-friction means of said receptacle is opposite the said discontinuous portions of said track, and when said receptacle and said door are in juxtaposed position, said receptacle having lid means thereon.

9. Conveyor apparatus for .use as a banking or store service device comprising a vertically mounted customer tower, a vertically mounted service tower and a passage connecting said towers and forming with said towers a passageway extending from adjacent the top of one tower to adjacent the top of the other tower, conveyor means located in said passageway and extending from adjacent the top of one tower to adjacent the top of the other tower, a receptacle,fmeans pivotally mounting said receptacle on said conveyor means, track means in said passage and said towers, said'receptacle having anti-friction'means for engaging said track means, a door adjacent the top of at least one of said towers, said track means'having a discontinuous portion adjacent said door, and means 'for causing the receptacle to swing on its pivotal mounting when the anti-friction means of said receptacle is opposite the said discontinuousportion of said track, and when said receptacle and said door are in juxtaposed position, said receptacle having a pair of pivoted lids whereby access may be had to the same from either the customers or the service tower.

10. Conveyor apparatus'for use as a banking or store service device comprising a vertically mounted customer tower, a, vertically mounted service tower and a passage connecting said towers and forming with said towers a passageway extending from adjacent the top of one tower to adjacent the top of the other tower, conveyor means located in said passageway and extending from adjacent the top of one tower to adjacent the top of the other tower, a receptacle, means pivotally mounting said receptacle on said conveyor means, track means in said passage and said towers, said receptacle having anti-friction means for engaging said tinuous portion of said track, and when said receptacle and said door are in juxtaposed position, said receptacle having a central transverse szrip and a pair of pivoted lids mounted on said s mp.

11. Conveyor apparatus for use as a banking or store service device comprising a vertically mounted customer tower, a vertically mounted servicetower and a passage connecting said towers and forming with said towers a passageway extending f rom adjacent the, top of one tower to adjacentihe top of the other tower, conveyor means located in said passageway and extending from adjacent the top of one tower to adjacent the top of the other tower, a receptacle, means pivotally mounting said receptacle on said conveyor means, track means in said passage and said towers, said receptacle having anti-friction means I01. engaging said track 9 means, adoor adjacent the top of at least one of said towers, said track means having a discontinuous portion adjacent said door, and

means for causing the receptacle to swing on its pivotal mounting when the anti-friction means of said receptacle is opposite the said discontinuous portion of said track, and when said receptacle and said door are in juxtaposed position, said last-named means including a member on said door and a cooperating member on said receptacle whereby the opening of said door will tilt said receptacle when they are in juxtaposed position.

SHERMAN E. MCCLINTOCK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

, 10 UNITED STATES PATENTS v Number Name Date 740,395 Carroll Oct. 6, 1903 r 844,806 Jones Feb. 19, 1907 0 1,575,776 Londy Mar. 9, 1926 2,044,391 Lindsay June 16, 1936 2,405,294. Delucchi Aug. 6, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS 10 Number Country Date 271,392 Germany Mar. 11, 1914 OTHER REFERENCES "Popular Science Monthly, October 1941. 15 page 63.10940. 1 I