GB736244A - Improvements in and relating to lowering mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

736,244. Load-handling machines; balancing apparatus; roller conveyers. BRITISH MATHEWS, Ltd. May 28, 1954 [March 5, 1953], No. 6129/53. Classes 78 (1), 78 (2) and 78 (3). In counterbalanced platform apparatus for lowering goods of the kind which remains at the upper station until it is loaded, then automatically descends to the lower station where it is unloaded and then returns automatically to the upper station, means is provided for loading the platform with more than one article in succession and preventing its descent until the required number of articles have been placed on it even though the weight of a single article is sufficient to overcome the counterbalance. The platform 1 is held in the upper position by the engagement of catches 11, 12 pivoted on it with a stationary cross-bar 13, Fig. 2. , The catches are connected by rods 17 to the depending arms 16 of bell-crank levers 11a, 12a pivoted to the platform. The upper arms of these levers are engaged by the articles 10 as they pass on to the platform and are depressed to disengage the catches. As the first article passes on to the platform, it effects the release of the catch 11, but the catch 12 remains in engagement. When the article clears the lever 11a, the catch 11 re-engages and holds the platform when the catch 12 is released by the depression of the lever 12a. The entrance of the second article causes the release of the catch 11 and the platform descends. The passage of articles from the roller conveyer 7, except when the platform is in alignment with it, is prevented by a cross-bar 9 carried by pivoted arms 30. This bar is raised by an abutment 32 carried by the platform. The articles are retained on the platform by the horizontal part 20 of a stop member which normally is kept in obstructing position by springs. The vertical members of the stop are connected to pivoted members 22 which, on striking an abutment 25 at the end of the descent, are rotated clockwise to withdraw the stop. The inclined platform 1 is connected to two two-piece guide members 4 which run on tubular columns 2 containing the balance weights. These weights act as pistons and are connected to the platform by cables passed over idler pulleys 3. The air compressed by the movement of the weights escapes through valve-controlled vents 6 and checks the movement of the platform.