GB933378A - Improvements in or relating to apparatus for transporting articles - Google Patents

Abstract

933,378. Rollerway and endless conveyers. REDLAND TILES Ltd., and A. H. HARRIES. Oct. 12, 1959 [Oct. 15, 1958], No. 32974/58. Class 78 (1). Apparatus for transporting articles, e.g. tiles, from a production line to an oven in batches for curing, comprises means for conveying the articles in a succession along a path to a transfer station, and means for moving a support, e.g. a crate, in steps along a second path which is transverse to the first path and passes through, or is immediately adjacent to, the transfer station, the arrangement being such that one or more articles is or are transferred at the station from the conveying means to the support between successive steps of movement of the latter. Each tile is supported on a pallet 11, Fig. 4, and each batch of tiles is conveyed to and from the oven in a long crate 12, Fig. 3, provided with a series of opposed horizontal rails 15 for supporting the pallets between them. The crates from the oven approach the unloading and loading apparatus on a roller conveyer 22 and are returned to the oven by a lower roller conveyer 80. Each crate is lowered from one conveyer to the other by a pair of endless chains 50 provided with dogs 53 and is held against the chains by rollers 95 and a skid 96. When a crate leaves the conveyer 22, it rests on top of a crate already supported by dogs 53. When the lower crate commences to descend, the next pair of dogs 53 move round the upper chain wheels 49 into position to support the upper crate. The wheels 49 are fast on a shaft 43 which is driven by an electric motor 41 when a switch 103, Fig. 6, is actuated. This switch and a switch 104 are actuated in turn by a projection 102 on a radial arm 120 which is fast on a shaft 60. A sprocket-wheel 58 and a crank 61 are also fast on the shaft 60. The sprocket 58 is driven by chain-and-sprocket gear from an electric motor 55 when the switch 40 is actuated. The crank 61 is connected by a connecting rod 62 to a push rod 63 of rectangular cross-section which moves horizontally. A trip-catch 68 is mounted on the end of the rod 63 to engage behind the last pallet for a rack of a crate and pushes it on to the rack. The pallets move along the runway 31 leading from the belt conveyer 30 which brings the tiles from the making machine. The runway extends towards a crate at the same level as the uppermost racks thereon. A part 36, Fig. 4, of each pallet engages a sprocket 37 as it passes over it and rotates it by one tooth. As witch actuator 39 on the same shaft as the sprocket actuates a switch 40 twice in every revolution of the sprocket. When sufficient pallets have passed to fill the first rack of the crate, the switch 40 is actuated and stops the motor 32 driving the belt 30. The actuation of the switch also starts the motor 55 and the rod 63 is moved to push the pallet on to the rack.