GB1451889A - Mechanisms for transporting articles - Google Patents

Abstract

1451889 Reciprocating conveyers ALCAN EKCO Ltd 31 Dec 1973 [1 Oct 1972] 35977/72 Heading B8A A transporting mechanism for moving articles in succession along a guideway 11 comprises a shaft 17 carrying arms 13a, 13b, 13c for engaging articles when in the position shown dotted on Fig. 3, the shaft 17 being mounted in a structure 19 for reciprocation in its longitudinal direction and swivelling movement about the axis of the shaft, the shaft carrying a cam-following roller 30 on a radial pin 27 which engages an endless cam track 32, 33, 34, 35 in a cam element 31 carried by the structure 19 so that on reciprocation of the shaft 17, each arm 13a, 13b and 13c moves along the guideway 11 in one direction along the path shown in dotted lines on Fig. 3 to propel an article (when the roller 30 is in track portion 33) and in the reverse direction along the path shown in full lines on Fig. 3 in an idle return stroke (when the roller is in track portion 32). A central member 36 of the cam element 31 carries a latch 37 which is biased by a spring 39 into the position shown in Fig. 1 in which it obstructs the cam track but can be displaced by the roller 30 when travelling in one direction (from track portion 33 to portion 35). When reciprocation of the shaft is reversed, the roller engages an inclined surface 37a of the latch 37 and is deflected into the track portion 32. At the end of the portion 32, the weight of the arms 13a, 13b and 13c causes rotation of the shaft to move the roller 30 along the run 34 into track portion 33. The shaft 17 may be reciprocated either manually or by a piston and cylinder operated by compressed air or other pressure fluid.