GB1597344A

GB1597344A - Conveyor systems

Info

Publication number: GB1597344A
Application number: GB5139177A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Carrier Drysys Ltd
Current assignee: Carrier Drysys Ltd
Priority date: 1977-12-09
Filing date: 1977-12-09
Publication date: 1981-09-03
Also published as: FR2411146A1

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CONVEYOR SYSTEMS (71) We, CARRIER DRYSYS LI MITED, a British Company of Carrier House, Warwick Row, London SW1E 5EL, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The present invention relates to a chain system for use in conveyor systems.

According to the present invention there is provided a chain system for use in a conveyor system comprising a chain made up of a succession of inner and outer links arranged alternately and hingedly connected by way of connecting pins, the outer links each comprising a pair of striplike link elements, opposite end portions of which overlay and sandwich between them the end portions of the adjoining inner links, at least selected ones of said links having a pair of longitudinally extending slots separated by a substantially central transverse bar, and a plurality of engaging members, each engaging member comprising a strip-like element having two spaced arms, the arms of each engaging member extending through a respective slot of the associated selected link and engaging one on either side of the transverse bar.

The arms of the engaging members are directly or indirectly coupled to the rolling elements of a conveyor system so that movement of the chain drives the rolling elements or vice versa. The positive engagement between the arms and the central transverse bar on the selected links ensures that a positive drive connection is provided. In addition, some or all of the engaging members may be provided with load supporting means.

In an embodiment each link has a pair of longitudinally extending slots therein separated by a central transverse bar, and said connecting pins extend through said slots to hingedly connect each inner link to the adjacent outer link.

In an embodiment the engaging members comprise two identical strip-like elements, each such element having a substantially flat end portion which is substantially U-shaped, the facing surfaces of said end portions of said elements being connected together and defining said two spaced arms. The base of each U-shaped element of at least one engaging member may be connected by way of an intermediate curved portion with a further substantially flat end portion. The two elements are connected together with one reversed with respect to the other so that one end of the engaging member has a substantially U-shaped configuration in a first plane and the two further end portions are spaced in a plane substantially at right angles to the plane of the U-shaped portion.

The two spaced end portions provide load supporting means on the engaging member.

In an embodiment for use in a power and free conveyor system the base of the Ushaped end portion of at least one engaging member is connected to a pusher dog, for example, having a substantially L-shaped cross-section.

Preferably all the strip-like elements forming all the links are identical, each being formed with a flat or substantially flat central portion merging at its opposite ends into corresponding depressed or dished portions which are similarly offset with respect to the plane of the central portion, the arrangement being such that on assembly of the chain each inner link will be formed by two of said strip-like elements disposed with their central portions in contact and their end portions spaced apart thereby to provide a link having a relatively thin central portion and relatively thicker end portions, while each outer link will comprise a pair of said strip-like elements which are reversed as compared with the elements forming the inner links and are disposed in spaced parallel relation so that the end portions thereof will embrace or sandwich the ends of the adjoining inner links.

The invention also extends to a conveyor system including a chain system as defined above.

In one embodiment the conveyor system comprises at least one track, a plurality of rolling elements arranged to run along the track, wherein the engaging members engaged with selected inner links of the chain are each connected with respective rolling elements such that movement of the chain drives the rolling elements along the track.

Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a partion of a chain of a chain system of the invention, Figure 2 shows a plan view of a link element for forming alink of the chain of Figure 1, Figure 3 shows a cross-section through an overhead conveyor system illustrating how a load-bearing clevis couples the chain in driving or driven engagement with the rolling elements, Figure 4 shows a side view of the clevis of Figure 3, Figure 5 shows an end view of the clevis of Figure 4, Figure 6 shows a side view of an indler clevis for use with a chain system of the invention, and Figure 7 shows a perspective view of part of a power and free conveyor system incorporating a further embodiment of a chain system of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a partion of a conveyor chain. The chain is made up of a plurality of successive inner links 2 and outer links 4 which are interconnected by means of connecting pins 6. Each link 2, 4 comprises or is made up of two identical parts or elements 8, each element being stamped or cut out of strip metal. Each element 8 is of elongated form and has two elongated slots 10 extending longitudinally thereof and separated by a substantially central transverse bar 12. This is clearly shown in Figure 2 which shows a plan view of a link element 8. Each link element 8 is also formed such that one face thereof has a dished portion 14 at each end thereof whilst the other face thereof has a corresponding hump or projecting portion 16.

All of the link elements 8 in the chain shown in Figure 1 are identical. An inner link 2 is formed of two elements 8 which are arranged so that those faces having the dished portions 14 are placed together. The inner links 2 therefore have a central portion of relatively small thickness while the end portions will be of increased overall thickness due to the humped portions 16.

Each outer link similarly comprises two identical elements 8 but in this case the elements are maintained in spaced parallel relationship. Each element 8 of an outer link 4 is positioned at opposite ends of the adjoining inner link so that the corresponding ends thereof will embrace or lie one above and one below one end of said inner link. The two link elements 8 of an outer link 4 are arranged so that the faces thereof having the dished portions 14 at the ends thereof are directed outwardly, and thus the humped portions 16 of the outer link elements will bear against the similarly formed portions 16 of the inner link elements.

Each inner link 2 is connected to an outer link 4 by way of a connecting pin 6 which is of substantially I-form. Insertion of a pin 6 is accomplished by positioning the outer link 4 with respect to the inner link 2 so that the slots 10 are substantially aligned. The pin 6 can then be inserted through the slots 10.

The pin 6 is turned through 90" to be secured in place, and the inner and outer links 2 and 4 are then moved away from one another to a position as illustrated in Figure 1. In the embodiment shown, one end of the pin 6 is formed with a projection or nib 18 to prevent rotation of the pin in the outer link 4 thereby increasing the security of the connection. I will be appreciated that in an assembled chain as shown in Figure 1 the outer links 4 may be telescoped and collapsed over the inner links 2, and the corresponding connecting pin rotated through 900 so that the pin 6 may be withdrawn.

Figure 3 shows a cross-section through an overhead conveyor including a chain as shown in Figure 1. The conveyor has a fixed rail 20 along which rolling elements 22 of a trolley, generally indicated at 24 are arranged to run. Each rolling element 22 is affixed to and freely rotatable with respect to a curved stirrup member 26. Selected inner links 2 are engaged with the trolley 24 by way of a clevis 28 which is shown in more detail in Figures 4 and 5. As shown in Figures 4 and 5 the clevis 28 comprises two substantially identical strip-like elements each having a substantially flat end portion 30 connected by way of an intermediate curved portion 32 with a further substantially flat end portion 34. Each end portion 30 has a substantially longitudinally extending slot 36 such that the end portion 30 is substantially U-shaped. The two elements of the clevis 28 are positioned so that the facing surfaces of the two end portions 30 are in contact. The two intermediate portions 32 are arranged to diverged so that the end portions 34 are spaced one from the other. It will thus be seen that the clevis 28 has a substantially longitudinally extending slot 36 in one plane defining two spaced arms at that end of the clevis. In addition, a further substantially longitudinally extending slot 38 is defined between the two spaced end portions 34, and this slot 38 is in a plane at 900 with respect to the plane containing the slot 36.

The clevis 28 is engaged through a selected inner link 2 of the chain such that the slot 36 surrounds the central transverse bar 12 thereof. Each arm of the end portion 30 of the clevis 28 will thus locate against the bar 12 and the base of the slot 36 locates against the underside of the bar 12. The arms of the portion 30 are bolted to the stirrup members 26 of the trolley 24 by way of bolts 40 which extend through apertures 42 provided in the arms of the clevis 28. The bolts 40 thereby hold the facing surfaces of the two end portions 30 in contact. It will thus be seen that the clevis 28 positively engages the inner link 2 of the chain with the trolley 24. Furthermore, the free ends of the stirrup members 26 of the trolley 24 form upper locating surfaces for the inner link 2 of the chain.The two spaced end portions 34 of the clevis 28 can be connected to a load, for example by way of a bolt (not shown) which extends through apertures 44 in the end portions 34.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3 the two elements of the clevis 28 are held together by the bolts 40. However, it will be appreciated that the two elements may be bolted, welded or otherwise connected together before the clevis 28 is engaged through a selected inner link.

Figure 6 shows a side view of a clevis 28' for engaging a selected inner link 2 of the chain with an idler trolley. The clevis 28' is formed from two identical strip-like elements positioned together, or bolted, welded or otherwise connected together so that their facing surfaces are in contact.

Each of the elements has a substantially Ushaped end portion 30'. The longitudinally extending slot 36', which defines the two spaced arms of the clevis 28', engages around the central transverse bar 12 of the selected inner link 2 such that the arms of the clevis 28' locate against the bar 12 and the base of the slot 36' locates against the underside of the bar 12. The arms of the clevis 28' are bolted to an idler trolley of the conveyor system.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of part of a power and free conveyor system incorporating a chain system of the invention. As can be seen, the chain 100 has a different construction to that shown in Figure 1 in that the outer link elements are straight and are slotted only at their ends to receive the connecting pins. The inner link elements are longitudinally slotted as described in connection with Figure 1 and selected ones of the inner links are positively connected to a driving trolley 124 by way of a clevis member 128. The clevis 128 has a substantially longitudinally extending slot (not shown) as described above such that the end portion thereof bolted to the trolley 124 is substantially U shaped. An intermediate portion connects the end portion of the clevis 128 to a pusher dog 130 having a substantially L-shaped cross-section.Preferably, the pusher dog, which has a downwardly directed flange 141, is welded to the intermediate portion of the clevis 128.

It will be appreciated that the pusher dog 130 need not have an L-shaped cross section but may have any other suitable shape.

As is well known, the trolley 124 is arranged to run along a first rail 132 whilst a load bearing trolley 134 is guided on a second rail 136 arranged substantially parallel to said first rail 132. The load bearing trolley 134 is provided with two facing pivotable dogs 138 and 140 arranged to capture the pusher dog 130. It will be seen that when the downwardly directed flange 141 of the pusher dog 130 is in engagement against the dog 140 the driving trolley 124 drives the load bearing trolley 134. It will also be appreciated that the pivotable dogs 138 and 140 can be moved when required to release the pusher dog 130.

The operation of the power and free conveyor system illustrated is not further described herein as such systems are known.

It will be seen from the above that the substantially U-shape of the clevis or engaging member 28, 28', 128 enables the clevis to positively engage the chain whereby a positive drive connection between the chain and the trolleys of the conveyor system is provided.

In the embodimetns described above the inner links 2 have a central transverse bar 12 for locating the arms of the associated clevis 28, 28' or 128. However, the central bar can be replaced by other locating means if required. For example, one or more holes or slots could be provided in the inner links 2 to receive the arms of the associated clevis.

Alternatively, humps or depressions can be formed in the elements making up each inner link for locating the arms of the clevis.

In all of the embodiments described, the clevis is engaged with an inner link of the chain. Of course, the clevis could be engaged with an outer link if required.

In the embodiment described above all of the link elements forming the chain are identical. However, the engaging members described above may be engaged with chains having a different configuration to that described and illustrated. For example, the configuration of the outer link elements could differ from that of the inner link elements. Additionally, each inner link of the chain could be formed as a single member, for example, as a forging. In addition, each engaging member may comprise a single member rather than being made up of two identical strip-like elements as illustrated.

The embodiments of the chain system described above all have the advantage that the chain, trolley and clevis members may be manufactured from readily available raw material, generally from steel. The chain is preferably fabricated from a plurality of identical link elements to improve tooling techniques, and- control techniques during manufacture and to reduce inventory control for installed systems.

In the assembled system, the open construction facilitates lubrication of the pin/link seatings. Furthermore, the chain system is readily adaptable for use in monorail or power and free types of conveyor systems. Chain systems of the invention provide accurate location for the trolley and clevis members relative to the links in each plane and axis of the system and as a consequence the chain system has stability. Further, the chain system is readily dismantled for replacement purposes or for trolley pitch changes.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A chain system for use in a conveyor system comprising a chain made up of a succession of inner and outer links arranged alternately and hingedly connected by way of connecting pins, the outer links each comprising a pair of strip-like link elements, opposite end portions of which overlay and sandwich between them the end portions of the adjoining inner links, at least selected ones of said links having a pair of longitudinally extending slots separated by a substantially central transverse bar, and a plurality of engaging members, each engaging member comprising a strip-like element having two spaced arms, the arms of each engaging member extending through a respective slot of the associated selected link and engaging one on either side of the transverse bar.

2. A chain system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each said link has a pair of longitudinally extending slots separated by a central transverse bar, said connecting pins extending through said slots to hingedly connect each inner link to the adjacent outer link.

3. A chain system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the two spaced arms of each engaging member define a substantially Ushaped first end portion, and wherein the base of said U-shaped first end portion of at least one engaging member is connected by way of an intermediate portion with a second end portion having two spaced arms, said arms of said second end portion being spaced in a plane substantially at right angles to the plane of said first end portion.

4. A chain system as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the two spaced arms of each engaging member define a substantially U-shaped first end portion, and wherein the base of said U-shaped first end portion of at least one engaging member is connected to a pusher dog.

5. A chain system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said pusher dog has a substantially L-shaped cross-section.

6. A chain system as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein each engaging member comprises two identical strip-like elements, each said strip-like element having a substantially flat end portion which is substantially U-shaped the facing surfaces of said end portions of said elements being connected together and defining said two spaced arms of said engaging member.

7. A chain system as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the base of each U-shaped element of at least one engaging member is connected by way of an intermediate curved portion with a further substantially flat end portion whereby one end of the or each engaging member has a substantially Ushaped portion in a first plane and the two further end portions are spaced in a plane substantially at right angles to the plane of the U-shaped porticn.

8. A chain system as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein each engaging member is engaged against the central transverse bar of a selected inner link of the chain.

9. A chain system as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein each inner link and each outer link is formed by a pair of strip-like link elements, and wherein all the strip-like link elements are identical.

10. A chain system as claimed in Claim 9, wherein each strip-like link element is formed with a flat or substantially flat central portion merging at its opposite ends into corresponding depressed or dished portions which are similarly offset with respect to the plane of the central portion, each inner link being formed by two of said strip-like elements disposed with their central portions in contact and their end portions spaced apart thereby to provide a link having a relatively thin central portion and relatively thicker end portions, and each outer link being formed by a pair of said strip-like elements which are reversed as compared with the elements forming the inner links and are disposed in spaced parallel relation so that the end portions thereof will embrace or sandwich the ends of the adjoining inner links.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. could differ from that of the inner link elements. Additionally, each inner link of the chain could be formed as a single member, for example, as a forging. In addition, each engaging member may comprise a single member rather than being made up of two identical strip-like elements as illustrated. The embodiments of the chain system described above all have the advantage that the chain, trolley and clevis members may be manufactured from readily available raw material, generally from steel. The chain is preferably fabricated from a plurality of identical link elements to improve tooling techniques, and- control techniques during manufacture and to reduce inventory control for installed systems. In the assembled system, the open construction facilitates lubrication of the pin/link seatings. Furthermore, the chain system is readily adaptable for use in monorail or power and free types of conveyor systems. Chain systems of the invention provide accurate location for the trolley and clevis members relative to the links in each plane and axis of the system and as a consequence the chain system has stability. Further, the chain system is readily dismantled for replacement purposes or for trolley pitch changes. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A chain system for use in a conveyor system comprising a chain made up of a succession of inner and outer links arranged alternately and hingedly connected by way of connecting pins, the outer links each comprising a pair of strip-like link elements, opposite end portions of which overlay and sandwich between them the end portions of the adjoining inner links, at least selected ones of said links having a pair of longitudinally extending slots separated by a substantially central transverse bar, and a plurality of engaging members, each engaging member comprising a strip-like element having two spaced arms, the arms of each engaging member extending through a respective slot of the associated selected link and engaging one on either side of the transverse bar.

11. A conveyor system incorporating a

chain system as claimed in any preceding Claim.

12. A conveyor system as claimed in Claim 11 comprising at least one track, and a plurality of rolling elements arranged to run along the track, wherein each engaging member is engaged with a selected inner link of the chain and connected with respective rolling elements such that there is a drive connection between the chain and the rolling elements.

13. A chain system for use in a conveyor system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

14. A conveyor system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A conveyor system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 7 of the.

accompanying drawings.