GB1354118A - Platform conveyors - Google Patents

Abstract

1354118 Platform conveyer DUNLOP HOLDINGS Ltd 2 July 1971 [6 July 1970 10 July 1970 17 July 1970] 32609/70 33521/70 and 34711/70 Heading B7L A platform conveyer comprises a slow-speed zone, e.g. A, B or C, a high-speed zone 11 and an intermediate variable-speed zone wherein the platforms are driven in the high-speed zone by means of a moving cable 12 running adjacent to the platforms, which cable is driven in the direction of movement of the platforms and is engaged by projecting means 15 provided on each platform. Each projecting means 15 has a slot 16 to receive the cable 12 through a cable entry region 17 into a holding region 18 of slightly smaller diameter than the cable which is retained in region 18 by shoulders between regions 17 and 18. The cable 12 is forced into slot 16 by a paddle-shaped cable-lifting device 19 or 24 comprising at least one arm 20 projecting from a power-driven shaft, which arm contacts the cable between the projecting means 15 of adjacent platforms. A cable-disengaging device at the end of each high-speed zone 11 comprises a paddle-shaped device 21 which maintains the cable 12 in engagement with the platforms on one side of the device 21, followed on the other side of device 21 by a pulley wheel 21a which pulls the cable down out of the slots 16. The platforms are driven in the slow-speed and variable-speed zones by scroll means, e.g. 8 and 23, 7, 9, 26 engaging pins 13 on the platforms. The platforms may travel along two adjacent paths on the same horizontal level and be transferred between paths at end stations 1 and 2 by capstans 27. There may alternatively be two moving cables (29), Figs. 4 and 5 (not shown), for engagement with two projecting means (31) on each platform. A transport system may comprise such a platform conveyer in which high-speed zones are provided between buildings and slow-speed zones are provided for loading and unloading at buildings.