GB336101A - Apparatus for automatic display of goods for sale, and in particular of wearing apparel - Google Patents

Abstract

336,101. Koller, R. April 24, 1928, [Convention date]. Boards and like elements, travelling. - Clothing, carpets, umbrellas, &c. are displayed by suspending them in a row from an endless chain c, Fig. 2, and bringing the articles in turn to a display position P<4> by means of a trolly M<2> running on an endless rail a. The chain c moves intermittently and advances the space between two articles during the time that the empty trolly M<2>, starting at P<1>, takes to reach the point F<2>. The article is here taken up by an arm F pivoted at P<6>, and the trolly moves this arm to the point P<9> and transfers the article to itself. When the trolly reaches the position P<4> it stops and rotates the article through 180‹ or more, and then proceeds to the point P<1>, an arm pivoted at P<4> optionally co-operating with it to transfer the article to the rear end of the chain c. The arm F is extensible and has a universal joint, near the axis P<6>, controlled by springs z, z<1>, Fig. 5. The articles are caught from the chain c on to a hook S, and are thence transferred to a member T on the trolly M<2> by an upward and outward movement of the end of the arm F during its rotation by the trolly. This is effected by rollers n, n<1> on the arm F engaging an incline u. The spring z<1> returns to arm point P<2> when it is released from the trolly. The member T may be a hook, or a cramp opened and closed by projection on the rail a and chain c. The chain c is arranged in a vertical plane, and the links have rollers c<4> Fig. 9, by which they ride over a ledge b. The articles are supported in grooves c<1> in the links, and the chain is fed forward by engagement of the moving trolly with projections on an endless chain connected with the chain c through pawl and ratchet gearing. This gearing may be disconnected to allow of adjustment between the trolly and the suspended articles. The trolly is driven by a motor M which through belt and worm gearing rotates a shaft k and toothed wheel k<2>, Fig. 15, engaging a rack in the rail side. At the display position a section of the rack is attached to a drop rail q which is swung sideways by a roller W on the trolly, thus disconnecting the wheel k<2> and stopping the trolly. A toe q<2> on the rail q acts through a bell-crank member i<6> to force down a pinion i<2>, thus rotating a shaft T<5> from which the article is suspended. When it has made a full revolution a lever connected to the shaft T<5> releases the roller W to allow it and the rail section q to rise under the action of a spring and re-engage the wheel k<2> with the rack. The pinions i<1> and i<2> are simultaneously disengaged by a spring i<8>. Two or more trollys may be employed. The cable connecting the trolly to the switch X is run over pulleys and held taut by a pulley weight.