GB856397A - Improvements in or relating to conveyor systems - Google Patents

Abstract

856,397. Overhead conveyers; vehicles with overhead tracks for handling articles. FISHER, A. M. May 13, 1959, No. 16444/59. Classes 78 (4) and 104 (3). In an overhead conveyer link which accommodates relative movement between the two adjacent rail ends to which its ends are attached the link is provided with at least one universal joint, constructed so that there is no substantial variation in the cross-section of the link thereat, and a telescopic section which permits the link to vary in length under stress. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 one end of a section 2 is connected to the end of a rail 1 of a permanently fixed overhead conveyer system by a verticallydisposed pin 5, passing through a slot and tongue joint, which permits movement of the section 2 relative to the rail 1 in one plane whilst the other end of the section 2 is connected by a slot and tongue joint to a section 3 by horizontally-disposed pivot-pin 6 which permits movement of the section 3 in a plane normal to the plane of movement of section 2 about the pivot-pin 5. The section 3 is telescopically mounted in a section 7 which is interconnected through pivot-pins 10, 11 and section 8 to a section 9 to allow universal movement of section 7 relative to section 9. The end 12 of the section 9 is detachably connected to the end of a rail 14, mounted in a vehicle, railway wagon or a ship, by a bayonetjoint 15, 13. A spring-loaded shoe, Fig. 3 (not shown), may be mounted in the recessed end of the rail 14 to lock the bayonet-joint in position. Alternatively a micro-switch mounted in the bayonet-joint and connected to a warning light or the ignition system of a vehicle provides a warning that the link is connected to the vehicle. Alternatively the pin 15 may be weakened to prevent damage to the vehicle or other parts should the vehicle move while the link is still in the connected position. In a further modification, Fig. 2 (not shown), a spring-loaded plunger, interconnecting the sections 3 and 7, is mounted within the section 3 to allow the sections 3 and 7 to extend under strain.