GB549878A - Improvements in or relating to variable speed mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

549,878. Variable-speed gearing. RUAU, F. F., and MOLINS MACHINE CO., Ltd. May 8, 1941, No. 5999. [Class 80 (ii)] Variable speed is transmitted automatically to a driven member, e.g. a conveyor chain 21 of a cigarette collecting machine, by ratchet gearing, the stroke of the ratchet mechanism being varied automatically in accordance with the rate at which the material may be handled by the machine. As shown, the sprocket wheel 50 of the chain 21 is fixed to a shaft 54 which is rotated by ratchet rollers 66, Fig. 4, upon oscillation of a member 68. The latter is moved by a bar 71 secured to it at 70 and having a pin and slot connection 73, 72, with a two armed lever 82 pivoted to a fixed frame at 75. The lever 82 is oscillated by a crank and connecting rod mechanism 79, 80, driven through reduction gearing in a casing 77. The bar 71 is moved by the lever 82 to the left, Fig. 2, to drive the sprocket 50 and is returned by' spring means. An abutment 96 having a toothed inclined face 97 is fixed to the end of the bar 71 and the return movement of the bar 71 under spring action is limited by the engagement of the abutment 96 with a knife-edged rod 98. The latter is pivoted on a fixed member at 99 and has an arm 100 adjustably secured to one end of a rod 41 the other end of which is pivoted to a lever 39. Movement of the lever 39 thus varies the position of engagement of the members 96, 98 to vary the stroke of the ratchet gear and thus the speed of the conveyer chain 21. The chain 21 moves container R', R<SP>3</SP> to receive cigarettes delivered by a band 2. The lever 39 is moved by a plate 37 bearing on a flexible member 17 which moves according to the quantity of cigarettes accumulated adjacent the supply paddle 9. Specification 549,875, [Group XXX], is referred to.