GB1571497A

GB1571497A - Conveying platform

Info

Publication number: GB1571497A
Application number: GB2062476A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: TUSKER ENG CO Ltd
Current assignee: TUSKER ENG CO Ltd
Priority date: 1977-05-04
Filing date: 1977-05-04
Publication date: 1980-07-16

Description

(54) CONVEYING PLATFORM (71) We. TUSKER ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, a British Com pany. of Progress Drive, Cannock Was 11 3JQ. West Midlands, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a Patent mav be granted to us. and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:: This invention relates to a platform for conveying articles of various kinds tnd the invention is pirticularly concerned with such a platform thit is intended to be used in a conveyor of the kind having a portion which is arranged to move in a generally vertical direction. the conveyor having at least two endless chains or the like which are arranged in said portion to travel along parallel but spaced paths so that in such portion a platform connected between the two chains will extend in a generally horizontal direction and will be moved by the chains in a generally vertical direction as aforesaid whereas in other parts of the paths of travel of said chains the platform will turn relative to the chains so as to move in a direction generally parallel to the direction of movement of the chains.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved form of platform for use in a conveyor of the kind abovedescribed.

In accordance with the invention there is provided an article-conveying platform which comprises at least two sets of hinged links. said sets extending in spaced parallel directions and the links of each set being hingedly connected together about parallel axes which extend in directions perpendicular to the direction in which the associated set of links extends, each link being formed in one side with a recess so as to provide a plurality of pairs of aligned recesses in which the two recesses of each pair are disposed respectively in links of the two sets of links, each pair of aligned recesses locating a platform member which extends between the two sets of links and which forms a load-carrying member or which supports a load-carrying member, and each end of each hinged link being formed with a flat surface which is arranged, when the platform is in a load-carrying position, to abut against the corresponding flat surface at the adjacent end of the adjacent link so as to impart rigidity to the platform in such load-carrying position. It is however to be understood that the provision of said hinged links will enable the platform to flex when it is required to assume a curved configuration in use as the aforesaid associated endless chains or the links pass round sprockets or similar members.

The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view showing a conveyor of the kind in which an article-conveying platform according to the invention is intended to be used, Figure 2 is a plan view of one example of an article-conveying platform in accordance with the invention Figure 3 is an end view (on a larger scale) of the platform seen in Figure 2, and Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the links forming part of the platform shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Referring to the drawing, an articleconveying platform in accordance with the present invention is intended for use in a conveyor as shown in Figure 1 and which includes at least two endless chains 10 and 11 or the like and which are arranged so that the conveyor has a portion generally indicated by reference 12 which moves in a generally vertical direction, the two endless chains being constrained in this portion to travel along parallel but spaced paths so that a platform generally indicated by reference 13 connected between the chains 10 and II will extend in this portion in a generally horizontal direction and will be moved by the chains in a generally vertical direction.

In other parts of the conveyor. however the platforllt 13 is arranged to turn relative to the chains so that it will move in a direction generally parallel to the direction in which the chains move. To this end it is required that the platform be flexible so that it can for example assume a curved configuration as the endless chains 10 and 11 pass round sprockets 14 or like members. On the other hand it is necessary that the platform 13 shali be rigid when it extends in a horizontal direction as aforesaid as it moves in a vertical direction for the purpose of lifting or lowering an aiticle or articles 15 placed on the platform.

In the example now described the platform itself (see Figures 2 and 3) includes at least two sets 16 and 17 of hinged links, the two sets extending in spaced parallel directions. Each link 18 of each set is conveniently formed as a casting (see Figure 4) and is formed so as to have at one end a pair of spaced bearing portions such as portion 19 and at the other end a single bearing portion 20 which is arranged to fit between the two spaced bearing portions provided at the adjacent end of the adjacent link so that the links in each set can be hingedly connected together by means of a pivot pin 21 (see Figure 3) which will extend through three bearing portions namely two bearing portions of one link and one bearing portion of the adjacent link.

Furthermore on one side of each link namelv that side which will be uppermost when, in use. the platform is travelling in the aforesaid vertical portion of the associated conveyor there is formed a recess 22 of generally rectangular channel-shaped con flauration, The two sets 16 and 17 of hinged links are then arranged so as to provide a plurality of pairs of aligned recesses in which the two recesses of each pair are disposed respectively in links of the two sets of links.

The recesses of each pair of aligned recesses are then bridged by a platform member 23 which is thus located in the two recesses and which conveniently comprises a tube of square or rectangular cross-section. There are thus provided a plurality of spaced parallel tubes 23 which are located in the pairs of aligned recesses and said tubes can themselves form load-carrying members or can be arranged to support load-carrying members (which may be in the form of further short pieces 24 of rectangular section tubes) secured to their in situ upper surfaces.

At each end of each link the exterior surface of the link is formed with a flat planar surface 25, the plane of which passes through the hinge axis of the link at the adjacent end thereof and the arrangement is such that each flat surface 25 thus fonned is adapted to abut against the flat surface 25 at the adjacent end of the adjacent link when the platform is in its load-carrying position.

Such engagement provides area contact between adjacent links and thus provides for great rigidity when the platform is in its horizontal load-carrying position as aforesaid. Furthermore the aforesaid tubes 23 which interconnect the afoul said pairs of aligned recesses formed in the links will also impart great rigidity to the platform and will assist in ensuring that the hinge axes between adjacent links in each set of links remain parallel to each other in use.

At each end of the platform as above described any convenient means are provided for connecting said platform ends to the endless chains 10 and 11 of the conveyor with which the platform will be associated and conveniently such means include, at each end of the platform a cross-member 26 or 27 which is also hingedly connected to the adjacent part of the platform and which is adapted to be connected at its opposite end to the aforesaid endless chains of the conveyor.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An article-conveying platform which comprises at least two sets of hinged links, said sets extending in spaced parallel directions and the links of each set being hingedly connected together about parallel axes which extend in directions perpendicular to the direction in which the associated set of links extends, each link being formed in one side with a recess so as to provide a plurality of pairs of aligned recesses in which the two recesses of each pair are disposed respectively in links of the two sets of links, each pair of aligned recesses locating a platform member which extends between the two sets of links and which forms a load-carrying member or which supports a load-carrying member, and each end of each hinged link being formed with a flat surface which is arranged, when the platform is in a loadcarrying position, to abut against the corresponding flat surface at the adjacent end of the adjacent link so as to impart rigidity to the platform in such load-carrying position.

2. An article-conveying platform as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the plane of the flat surface at each end of each link passes through the hinge axis of the link at the adjacent end thereof.

3. An article-conveying platform as claimed in either of the preceding claims wherein each of said platform members comprises a tube of square or rectangular cross-section, each link recess having a cross-sectional configuration of corresponding configuration.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

13 connected between the chains 10 and II will extend in this portion in a generally horizontal direction and will be moved by the chains in a generally vertical direction.

In other parts of the conveyor. however the platforllt 13 is arranged to turn relative to the chains so that it will move in a direction generally parallel to the direction in which the chains move. To this end it is required that the platform be flexible so that it can for example assume a curved configuration as the endless chains 10 and 11 pass round sprockets 14 or like members. On the other hand it is necessary that the platform 13 shali be rigid when it extends in a horizontal direction as aforesaid as it moves in a vertical direction for the purpose of lifting or lowering an aiticle or articles 15 placed on the platform.

In the example now described the platform itself (see Figures 2 and 3) includes at least two sets 16 and 17 of hinged links, the two sets extending in spaced parallel directions. Each link 18 of each set is conveniently formed as a casting (see Figure 4) and is formed so as to have at one end a pair of spaced bearing portions such as portion 19 and at the other end a single bearing portion 20 which is arranged to fit between the two spaced bearing portions provided at the adjacent end of the adjacent link so that the links in each set can be hingedly connected together by means of a pivot pin 21 (see Figure 3) which will extend through three bearing portions namely two bearing portions of one link and one bearing portion of the adjacent link.

Furthermore on one side of each link namelv that side which will be uppermost when, in use. the platform is travelling in the aforesaid vertical portion of the associated conveyor there is formed a recess 22 of generally rectangular channel-shaped con flauration, The two sets 16 and 17 of hinged links are then arranged so as to provide a plurality of pairs of aligned recesses in which the two recesses of each pair are disposed respectively in links of the two sets of links.

The recesses of each pair of aligned recesses are then bridged by a platform member 23 which is thus located in the two recesses and which conveniently comprises a tube of square or rectangular cross-section. There are thus provided a plurality of spaced parallel tubes 23 which are located in the pairs of aligned recesses and said tubes can themselves form load-carrying members or can be arranged to support load-carrying members (which may be in the form of further short pieces 24 of rectangular section tubes) secured to their in situ upper surfaces.

At each end of each link the exterior surface of the link is formed with a flat planar surface 25, the plane of which passes through the hinge axis of the link at the adjacent end thereof and the arrangement is such that each flat surface 25 thus fonned is adapted to abut against the flat surface 25 at the adjacent end of the adjacent link when the platform is in its load-carrying position.

Such engagement provides area contact between adjacent links and thus provides for great rigidity when the platform is in its horizontal load-carrying position as aforesaid. Furthermore the aforesaid tubes 23 which interconnect the afoul said pairs of aligned recesses formed in the links will also impart great rigidity to the platform and will assist in ensuring that the hinge axes between adjacent links in each set of links remain parallel to each other in use.

At each end of the platform as above described any convenient means are provided for connecting said platform ends to the endless chains 10 and 11 of the conveyor with which the platform will be associated and conveniently such means include, at each end of the platform a cross-member 26 or 27 which is also hingedly connected to the adjacent part of the platform and which is adapted to be connected at its opposite end to the aforesaid endless chains of the conveyor.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An article-conveying platform which comprises at least two sets of hinged links, said sets extending in spaced parallel directions and the links of each set being hingedly connected together about parallel axes which extend in directions perpendicular to the direction in which the associated set of links extends, each link being formed in one side with a recess so as to provide a plurality of pairs of aligned recesses in which the two recesses of each pair are disposed respectively in links of the two sets of links, each pair of aligned recesses locating a platform member which extends between the two sets of links and which forms a load-carrying member or which supports a load-carrying member, and each end of each hinged link being formed with a flat surface which is arranged, when the platform is in a loadcarrying position, to abut against the corresponding flat surface at the adjacent end of the adjacent link so as to impart rigidity to the platform in such load-carrying position.
2. An article-conveying platform as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the plane of the flat surface at each end of each link passes through the hinge axis of the link at the adjacent end thereof.
3. An article-conveying platform as claimed in either of the preceding claims wherein each of said platform members comprises a tube of square or rectangular cross-section, each link recess having a cross-sectional configuration of corresponding configuration.
4. An article-conveying platform sub

stantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.