GB570538A - Improvements relating to apparatus for use in electrically or otherwise treating thesurfaces of metal or other articles - Google Patents

Abstract

570,538. Electroplating. CRUICKSHANK, Ltd., R., OLLARD, E. A., and POTTS, S. Oct. 8, 1943, No. 16521. [Class 41] [Also in Groups II and XXXVII] Apparatus adapted automatically to convey articles through a succession of baths in, for example, an electroplating process, comprises a carriage movable along a horizontal track and carrying a vertically-movable work-support, the carriage and support being driven by electromagnetic means adapted to be started by automatic switch-gear, which is responsive to electric impulses and is opened by trip pieces for stopping the driving means at appropriate positions along the track. The latter comprises a pair of rails a supporting one or more carriages c by means of wheels d and a roller e. Bus-bars s between the rails a supply, at low voltage and through collectors t, motors j, k for driving the carriage and operating an oil pump m, respectively. The support f is carried on a plunger n which is lifted up to the level of ports p leading from the cylinder o to the pump-intake, gravity restoring the plunger when the motor k stops. With the carriage in starting position, a motor 4 is set in continuous operation and through reduction gearing and a tappet 7, intermittently energizes electromagnets x, x<1> over a switch 8. The electromagnets have pivoted armatures 9 with dead-centre retaining springs 10 and, when energized, close mercury switches v, v' which energize hot wires z, z<1> whereby, firstly, z' closes a switch w<1> to operate motor k to raise the support f clear of the bath b and then z closes switch w to energize the motor and drive the carriage c. At an appropriate position, trip pieces 11, 11<1>, Fig. 2, engage arms 13, 13' and open the switches v, v<1> to stop both motors, the support f lowering the articles into the bath. The arrangement of trip pieces 11 may be such that the carriage moves in stages or continuously across the bath, the trip piece 11<1> being of sufficient extent to hold v<1> open and prevent the motor k being energized every time switch 8 closes and causes energization of motor j. At the conclusion, support f is lifted clear and the carriage moves on to the next bath. The support f may alternatively be raised by rack-and-pinion mechanism and the motor cut out by a limit switch, a brake retaining the support in raised position.