GB699801A - A loading and unloading device for use with overhead conveyors - Google Patents

Abstract

699,801. Endless conveyers; terminals and stations for overhead ways. KING, D. M. May 21, 1951 [June 9, 1950], No. 14474/50. Classes 78 (i) and 78 (iv). A loading and unloading device, has a guidetrack extending between two different levels and separate down and up tracks arranged to merge or be interconnected by subsidiary track sections, a pivoted switch tongue at each section and a chain driven carrier engaging the guide track which picks up an article from an overhead conveyer and moves downwardly along a track section to a point where it can transfer the article to an underlying machine tool or the like, the carrier subsequently picking up the article and is diverted by a switch tongue to a further track section up which it is caused to move to deliver the article to a second conveyer or to another conveyer at a higher level. As shown in Fig. 1, the carrier comprises an arm 6 having a stirrup Y for holding the article such as a workpiece and rollers 8 which engage in guide tracks 1. The carrier has a link 9 connected with an endless chain 4 passing round sprockets 5. As the centres 12 of the toolpiece recede, the overhead con veyer is operated and the chain, the carrier picks up the workpiece and deposits it on the overhead conveyer 3 as the carrier negotiates a fork 10. The direction of travel is deter mined by a tongue in the fork. The carrier negotiates the central branch and receives a workpiece from the overhead conveyer 2. It then travels downwardly and deposits the workpiece in the toolpiece. The device is duplicated for stability. In an alternative form the device comprises two separate endless chains and two carriers. In another form the overhead conveyers may be superimposed and a modified carrier used in which the stirrup is replaced by hooks and the rollers are closer together; while the workpiece is in the machine tool the carrier is moved to a position of rest R.