GB2080749A - Overhead conveyor switch arm - Google Patents

Abstract

Former switch arms have been arranged to be pivoted about an upright axis for switching to a branch rail but considerable difficulty could be experienced in manually adjusting the arm to ensure that it was properly seated in each of its operative positions so that the conveyor was only suitable for use at low levels. In the present invention this problem is overcome by having the switch arm 5 rotatable about a longitudinal axis 13 sloped laterally towards the branch rail 6 so that in moving the switch arm between the operative positions there is rotation of the switch arm and movement thereof in a conical path upwards from one operative position and downwards towards the other operative position. Consequently the switch arm is positively guided. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to overhead conveyors This invention relates to overhead conveyors of the kind including an overhead rail system and a runner on the rail system to carry the load, said rail system including main and branch rails and a switch arm on the main rail operable to direct the runner to the branch rail.

Usually, in conveyors of the aforesaid kind the switch arm pivots laterally on an upright axis between its two operative positions, and considerable difficulty is experienced in manually adjusting the arm to ensure that it is properly seated in each of its operative positions. Consequently, conveyors of the aforesaid kind can only be used at low levels.

The chief object of the present invention is to obviate the aforesaid disadvantage.

According to the present invention in a conveyor of the aforesaid kind the switch arm is rotatable about a longitudinal axis sloped laterally towards the branch rail and has an end face abutting an end face of the main rail in a plane normal to said sloped axis so that in moving the switch arm between operative positions there is rotation of the switch arm and movementthereof in a conical path upwards from one operative position and downwards towards the other operative position.

By virtue of the invention the movement of the switch arm is positively guided downwards on to each seat. Consequently the need for difficult manipulation is avoided, and it is now possible to mount the rail system at a high level.

Preferably the switch arm is movable by means of a depending handle arm pivotally connected to the outer end portion of the switch arm.

Preferably also the handle arm includes a pair of laterally spaced formations co-operable with the respective end portions of the rail system to block each end portion against escape of runners when the switch is aligned with the other end portion.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a top plan view of one form of switch mechanism.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the bearing for the switch arm of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary end view showing the handle arm on the switch arm of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a top perspective view of another form of switch mechanism.

Figures Sand 6 are fragmentary end views illustrating a modification of the arrangement shown in Figure 4.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, an overhead conveyor includes an overhead rail system composed of cylindrical tubing 1 carrying runners in the form of wheeled trolleys on which the loads, e.g. animal carcases, are suspended.

The main rail 2 has spaced end portions 3 and 4 between which is a switch arm 5 mounted on the end portion 3 for lateral movement towards and from the end portion 7 of a branch rail 6 to enable switching of the runners to the branch rail. The tubing has its end portions closed by cylindrical plugs secured in the tube bores by radial screws.

Plugs 8 and 9 have end faces thereof abutting at 10 and secured together by a bolt 11 whereof the shank 12 forms a pivot pin on which the switch arm 5 is rotatable. The axis 13 of the shank 12 slopes laterally towards the branch rail 6, bisecting the 20 angle between the main and branch rails, and the abutting end faces 10 are disposed at right angles to the axis 13 and are slidable relative to each other.

A handle arm 14 for use in moving the switch arm 5 is pivotally connected to the outer end of the switch arm through a sleeve 16 rotatable on a pin 17 secured to and projecting axially from an end plug 18 in the switch arm. The handle arm includes a generaily semi-circular top frame 19, a depending bar 20, and a bottom handle 21 on the bar 20. The frame 19 surrounds the switch arm 5 and includes a diametral bar 22 gapped at 23 to permit passage of the hangers and connected by a stem 24 to the bottom of the sleeve 16.

Manipulation of the handle arm 14 causes guided up-and-down bodily movement of the switch arm 5 in a semiconical path through 1800 and also rotary movement thereof through 1800, so that the outer end portion of the switch arm is positively guided on to and from seatings provided on the end portions of the main and branch rails. With the switch arm set for straight ahead, the outer end portion of the bar 22 blocks the end of the branch rail and so prevents falling of the trolleys from the branch rail, while with the switch arm set for movement of the hangers on to the branch line, the inner end portion of the bar 22 blocks the end of the main rail and so prevents falling of the trolleys from the main rail.

Referring to Figure 4, the tubes forming the rail system are centrally suspended, and the rotatable sleeve 26 at the outer end of the switch arm 25 has connected thereto at 29 a top cross bar 28 of the handle arm 27. A step formation 30 on the end face of the rotatable sleve 26 co-operates with complementary step formations 31 and 32 respectively on the end portions 7 and 4 of the branch and main rails to provide for secure seating of the switch arm in its operative positions. An inner end portion 28A of the cross bar 28 blocks off the open end of the main rail when the branch rail is in use, while an outer end portion 28B of the cross bar 28 blocks off the open end of the branch rail when the main rail is in use.

In Figures 5 and 6 the cross bar 28 of the handle arm 27 is upwardly cranked at its mid portion to provide laterally spaced inner and outer portions 28A and 28B which serve to block off the free ends of the main and branch rails at the tops of said rails.

It will be noted that the foregoing switching mechanism includes a rigid control arm for manipulation of a switch arm which is positively guided into and from its operative positions, the depending bar and bottom handle of the handle arm being sufficiently spaced laterally from the rail system to avoid fouling the passing carcases.

The cylindrical tubing of which the rail system is composed has an outside diameter in the region of 4 inches and is therefore considerably more robust than the usual cylindrical tubing which has an outside diameter in the region of only 2 inches. The large-diametertubing,which is a feature of the present invention, is capable of spanning a distance about 41/2 metres without intermediate support, whereas the small-diameter tubing normally requires support by hangers at 0.9 metre centres. That is, the large-diametertubing enables the load formed by say animal carcases to be carried by the tubing alone, instead of by the tubing supported along its length by intermediate hangers which are in turn carried by a rolled steel joist section.

CLAIMS (filed on 3 July 1981) 1. An overhead conveyor including an overhead rail system and a runner including main and branch rails and a switch arm on the main rail to direct the runner to the branch rail, wherein the switch arm is rotatable about a longitudinal axis sloped laterally towards the branch rail and has an end face abutting an end face of the main rail in a plane normal to said sloped axis so that in moving the switch arm between operative positions there is rotation of the switch arm and movement thereof in a conical path upwards from one operative position and downwards towards the other operative position.

2. An overhead conveyor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch arm is movable by means of a depending handle arm pivotally connected to the outer end portion of the switch arm.

3. An overhead conveyor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the handle arm includes a pair of laterally spaced formations co-operable with the respective end portions of the rail system to block each end portion against escape of runners when the switch is aligned with the other end portion.

4. An overhead conveyor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said longitudinal axis is sloped laterally towards the branch rail by an angle equal to approximately half the angle of initial divergence of the branch from the main rail.

5. An overhead conveyor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main and branch rails comprise relatively large diameter tubing.

6. An overhead conveyor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. inches and is therefore considerably more robust than the usual cylindrical tubing which has an outside diameter in the region of only 2 inches. The large-diametertubing,which is a feature of the present invention, is capable of spanning a distance about 41/2 metres without intermediate support, whereas the small-diameter tubing normally requires support by hangers at 0.9 metre centres. That is, the large-diametertubing enables the load formed by say animal carcases to be carried by the tubing alone, instead of by the tubing supported along its length by intermediate hangers which are in turn carried by a rolled steel joist section. CLAIMS (filed on 3 July 1981)

1. An overhead conveyor including an overhead rail system and a runner including main and branch rails and a switch arm on the main rail to direct the runner to the branch rail, wherein the switch arm is rotatable about a longitudinal axis sloped laterally towards the branch rail and has an end face abutting an end face of the main rail in a plane normal to said sloped axis so that in moving the switch arm between operative positions there is rotation of the switch arm and movement thereof in a conical path upwards from one operative position and downwards towards the other operative position.

2. An overhead conveyor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch arm is movable by means of a depending handle arm pivotally connected to the outer end portion of the switch arm.

3. An overhead conveyor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the handle arm includes a pair of laterally spaced formations co-operable with the respective end portions of the rail system to block each end portion against escape of runners when the switch is aligned with the other end portion.

4. An overhead conveyor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said longitudinal axis is sloped laterally towards the branch rail by an angle equal to approximately half the angle of initial divergence of the branch from the main rail.

5. An overhead conveyor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main and branch rails comprise relatively large diameter tubing.

6. An overhead conveyor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.