GB2064454A

GB2064454A - Overhead Rail Systems for Slaughterhouses

Info

Publication number: GB2064454A
Application number: GB8014877A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: BATTISTA G; CREMONESI E
Current assignee: BATTISTA G; CREMONESI E
Priority date: 1979-05-14
Filing date: 1980-05-02
Publication date: 1981-06-17
Also published as: FR2456684A3; ES250565U; IT7921593V0; ES250565Y; DE8011607U1; CH639905A5; FR2456684B3

Abstract

Each of the rails (1) is provided with at least one raised rim (3') for the slide of a trolley (4) carrying a hook (6) and provided with at least one slotted wheel (5) for engagement with the raised rim. A switch mechanism (7) is interposed between the heads of at least converging rails (1). The mechanism has at least one directional element (11, 12, 13) having the same cross-section as the rails and a curvature for bringing the ends of the directional element to mate with a pair of the heads upon rotation of the switch mechanism. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or Relating to Systems for Overhead Rail Transport for Use in Slaughterhouses The invention relates to systems for overhead rail transport particularly for use in slaughterhouses.

A known system comprises a rail connected to a banked carrying structure, comprising beams or the like, through downward directed stirrups engaging at the bottom of the rail so as to allow a trolley to slide thereon, the trolley comprising at least one slotted wheel for engaging the rail, while laterally and opposite to the stirrups an element for hook support branches off from the tro:ley, on which element the carcasses of slaughted animals are hooked.

Due to the requirement of having a network of differently crossing rails for transferring the carcasses to different locations for successive treatments, such rails forming a network are provided with switches for conveying the individual trolleys to the desired locations.

In view of the conventional system for rail attachment to the banked carrying structure, particular manipulatuons or operations have to be accomplished at the switches, so as to maintain the hook supporting element always at the side opposite to the stirrups engaging and supporting the rails. This can cause problems or difficulties, is time consuming and requires more labour from the employed personnel.

According to the invention, there is provided a system for overhead rail transport for use in a slaughterhouse, comprising rails connectabie to a banked or overhead carrying structure, each of the rails having at least one raised rim for supporting a trolley carrying a hook and provided with at least one slotted wheel for engagement with the raised rim, there being provided a switch mechanism interposed between the heads of at least three converging rails, the mechanism having at least one directional element of the same cross-section as the rails and of a curvature arranged to bring the ends of the directional element into alignment with a selective pair of the heads upon rotation of the switch mechanism.

It is thus possible to provide a system for overhead rail transport which substantially simplifies the operations required for transporting carcasses from one location to another.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view showing a length of rail with a trolley; Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along line Il-IlofFigure 1; Figure 3 is a top view showing a switch mechanism interposed between four rails arranged at 900; Figure 4 is a view in the direction of arrow H of Figure 3, partly in section, showing the switch mechanism; and Figures 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views showing further possible embodiments for the rails.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, each rail 1 comprises an I-section beam, an upper link 2 of which is secured to a conventional banked or overhead structure 2', such as metal beams, and a lower limb 3 of which has raised end rims 3', so as to provide guide means for a trolley, generally denoted at 4, comprising a slotted wheel 5 carrying a hook 6.

A switch mechanism, generally denoted at 7, comprises a stationary support 8 connected to the banked or overhead structure 2', the heads of rails 1 being secured at 900 in a circular arrangement on the edges thereof. An element 9 is mounted internally of the support 8 and is rotably driven about an axis 10, common to the axis of the stationary support 8. Directional elements 11, 12 and 13 are secured on the outer face of the element 9, with the inner element 13 being straight or rectilinear and the side elements 11 and 12 having a curvature for bringing the ends of the side elements, depending on the relative position between the support 8 and the element 9, into alignment with the heads of pairs of rails 1.

The directional elements 11, 12 and 13 have the same cross-section as that of the rails 1, so as to constitute a continuation thereof.

A, B, C and D indicate the possible sliding directions for the trolleys 4, so that rotation of the element 9 allows the trolleys to be shunted from each rail 1 to any of the other rails adjacent the switch mechanism.

For example, in the position shown, trolleys 4 from A may be conveyed through the directional element 11 to the direction B and vice versa, and trolleys from C may be conveyed through the directional element 12 to the direction D, and vice versa.

Upon rotation through 450 (arrow F) of the element 9 with respect to the stationary support 8, trolleys from A may be conveyed through the directional element 1 3 to the direction C and vice versa. Upon a further rotation through 450, trolleys from A may be conveyed through the directional element 12 to the direction D, and trolleys from B may be conveyed through the directional element 11 to the direction C, and vice versa.

Rotation of the element 9 can be controlled either manually or by drive motor means, and the correct positioning for the directional elements 1 1, 12 and 13 with respect to the heads of rails 1 can be assured by stops of any suitable type.

In the embodiment shown, the rails 1 provide two rims 3' for positioning the trolleys 4 on either rim, as required. However, the rails could provide a single rim 3', as shown for example in Figure 5, or could provide two inwardly facing rims 3', as shown for example in Figure 6, and in such cases the directional elements 11, 12 and 13 will have also the same cross-section.

Of course, switches having a number of ways different from four may be provided.

Claims

1. A system for overhead rail transport for use in a slaughterhouse, comprising rails connectable to a banked or overhead carrying structure, each of the rails having at least one raised rim for supporting a trolley carrying a hook and provided with at least one slotted wheel for engagement with the raised rim, there being provided a switch mechanism interposed between the heads of at least three converging rails, the mechanism having at least one directional element of the same cross-section as the rails and of a curvature arranged to bring the ends of the directional element into alignment with a selective pair of the heads upon rotation of the switch mechanism.

2. A system as claimed in Claim 1, in which each of the rails comprises an I-section beam having an upper limb for connection to the banked or overhead structure, the raised rim being formed on a lower limb of the I-section beam.

3. A system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, in which the switch mechanism has substantially vertical axis of rotation and comprises a stationary support connectable to the banked or overhead carrying structure and a rotatable element cooperating with the stationary support; the or each directional element being mounted on the underside of the rotating element so as to lie generally in a common plane with the rails, the rotatable element being provided with manual or drive motor means and with stops for allowing the correct positioning of the directional elements with respect to the rail heads.

4. A system for overhead rail transport for use in a slaughterhouse substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.