GB1263298A - Improvements in trucks for use in accumulating tow truck conveyor systems - Google Patents

Abstract

1,263,298. Tow truck conveyer system. AMERICAN CHAIN & CABLE CO. Inc. 14 July, 1969, No. 35402/69. Heading B7L. [Also in Division F2] In an accumulating tow truck conveyer system comprising a plurality of tow trucks 10 adapted to be moved along a slot 12 in the floor by engagement of a tow pin 11 on the front of each truck 10 with a pusher dog 13 of a moving conveyer chain 14 beneath the floor, each truck 10 comprises a front bumper 15 fixed to a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending rods 26 which are capable of reciprocating movement through longitudinally spaced pairs of bearings 27 and 28 respectively, a spring 41 which yieldingly urges the front bumper 15 forwards and a forked lever 54 on the front bumper 15 which operatively engages the tow pin 11 to lift the tow pin 11 out of engagement with the pusher dog 13 when the front bumper 15 encounters an obstacle, e.g. a stationary truck. The lever 54 is pivoted about a horizontal axis to a bracket 33 at the front of the tow truck 10 and includes a roller 55 which rides on a cam surface of a cam plate 52 on the front bumper 15 and when the front bumper 15 is moved rearwardly upon encountering an obstacle the lever 54 engages a flange 57 on the tow pin 11 to lift the tow pin 11 clear of the pusher dog 13. The cam surface of the plate 52 is of sufficient breadth longitudinally of the truck that the front bumper can continue to be moved rearwardly after disengagement of the tow pin 11 to thereby compress spring 41 which through an operating rod 45 causes brakes 47 to be applied to the rear wheels 25 of the truck 10. An adjustable spring 58 provided between the lever 54 and the bracket 33 serves to partially counterbalance the weights of the lever 54 and of the tow pin 11. The truck 10 includes a body portion having a platform 20 with longitudinal structural members 22 of a length greater than half the length of the platform 20 extending therealong and with cross members 21, 23 extending between and joining the members 22, one of each pair of bearings 27 and 28 being situated in one of each of the cross members 21, 23. The bearings 27, 28 comprise annular solid members of an anti-friction material such as bronze, Fig. 7 (not shown).