GB952098A - Improvements in or relating to endless chain conveyors - Google Patents

Abstract

952,098. Endless conveyers. A. OELLRICH, [trading as MASCHINENFABRIK UND EISENGIESSEREI A. BEIEN]. March 3, 1961 [March 4, 1960], No. 7896/61. Heading B8A. A conveyer comprising boxes 1 having side rollers 2 running on rails 3 and drawn by a chain 10, is driven by means of jaws 14, 14<SP>1</SP> which are carried by the links of an auxiliary driving chain 6 and are moved into, and out of, gripping engagement with links of the conveyer chain 10. On their straight run between the chain wheels 7, 7<SP>1</SP> of the driving chain 6 the jaws 14, 14<SP>1</SP> are urged into gripping engagement with the respective links of the conveyer chain 10 by the action of cam surfaces 22, 23 (Fig. 5). At each end of this run where the jaws have to move into and out of gripping relationship with the chain 10 the surfaces 22 and 23 widen apart to permit the jaws to be opened by the action of a spring 25. The pivot pin housings of the driving chain 6 are formed with sockets to accommodate springs 15 (Fig. 7) between which portions of the jaws 14, 14<SP>1</SP> are disposed. The arrangement is such that the jaws can move in the direction of movement of the chain or in the opposite direction against the action of the springs 15, 15. The jaws 14, 14<SP>1</SP> are moved in this way prior to engagement with the conveyer chain 10 by the action of cams 33, 34 (Fig. 5), these act on followers 29, 29, carried by respectively crank members 28 each pivotally mounted at 27 on bosses formed on links of the chain 6. The members 28 have apertures in engagement with extensions 32 of the jaws 14, 14<SP>1</SP>. The cams 33, 33 actuate for one direction of travel of the chain 6 and the cams 34 act for the reverse direction of this chain. One or other of the sets of cams 33 or 34 is set into operative position by the action of a linkage automatically in accordance with the direction of the driving motor by suitable linkage (Fig. 8, not shown). In a modification (Figs. 2 and 3, not shown), the coil springs 15 are replaced by rubber springs. Also the cam surfaces 22, 23 are replaced by a single longitudinal cam member disposed between downwardly extending tails of the jaws 14, 14<SP>1</SP>. This cam surface holds the jaws in gripping position until the point of release when the jaws are engaged by further surfaces which guide them to the open position and extend around the axes of the driving wheels 7, 7<SP>1</SP> of the chain 6.