GB725934A - Improvements in or relating to conveyor systems - Google Patents

Abstract

725,934. Overhead conveyer systems. KING, D. M. Dec. 29, 1953 [Jan. 6, 1953], No. 406/53. Class 104 (2). A conveyer system in which load-carrying trolleys 11 are propelled along a track 10 by pusher dogs 15 depending from an overhead travelling chain 14 mounted on trolleys 13 has load carriers 20 of S-shaped configuration suspended from the trolleys 11, one or more loop or branch tracks 16 associated with the track 10 which track 10 incorporates switch devices 17, 18 whereby the trolley 11 may be diverted from or to the track 10 or the loop or branch tracks 16, and means 19 provided at each loop or branch track 16 to apply a tractive effort to the load carriers 20 and hence the trolleys 11 to move the same along the loop or branch track 16. The means 19 comprise a single or a pair of parallel spaced chains which incorporate a plurality of freely rotatable rollers which project above the chain level and engage the underside of the upper limb 21 of the load carrier 20 so as to move the carrier 20 and hence the trolley 11 along the loop or branch track 16. Should loop or branch tracks 16 be disposed on opposite sides of the track 10 means 19 and 19<SP>1</SP> are disposed at different levels, the rollers on the lower means 19<SP>1</SP> engaging the limb 22 of the load carriers 20. Since the tractive effort is imparted to the load carriers 20 by means of freely rotatable rollers on the chains the carriers 20 and hence the trolleys 11 may be halted at any position along the loop or branch track 16 without effecting the running of the chains. The rollers may alternatively be mounted on the load carriers 20. In the case of the loop or branch track 16 being inclined, guides 24 are provided and the endless chains are provided with pusher dogs to propel the load carriers 20 along upward inclines and stop means prevent forward movement of the trolleys 11 on downward inclines. The chain or chains may be driven from the chain 14. The switch devices may be actuated manually or automatically by pegs associated with the trolleys 11.