US1183198A - Carrier for pneumatic-despatch tubes. - Google Patents

Description

B. U. HILLS.

CARRIER FOR PNEUMATIC DESPATCH TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I8. 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

. HILLS.

CARRIER FOB PNEUIVIATIC DESPATCH TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED itl-28.18, 19091 Patented May16,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Y 5657541 Zg .35

z l' Z9 LESSQ.

B. U. HILLS.

CARRIER FOR PNEUMATIC DESPTCH TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.18, 1909.

Patented May 16, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON, D. c.

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'UNITED STATS PTENT illlblbllltllil.

BURTON U. HILLS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR F ONE-HALF TO l/VILLIAM D. PICKELS, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CARRIER FOP., PNEUMATIC-DESPATCH TUBES.

messias.

Application filed February 18, 1909.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known' that l, BURTON U. HILLS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, county oi Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usei'ul Improvements in Carriers for Pneumatic-Despatch Tubes, of which the following is a description.

My invention relates to a carrier or container for receiving various articles to be transported through a pneumatic despatch system.

The object of my invention is to produce a simple and reliable device of the kind described wherein the weight ci the carrier and its load is partially supported by the atmosphere in the tube.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described and more particularlypointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings wherein like or similar reference characters indicate like or corresponding` parts; Figure l, is a longitudinal vertical section of a carrier shown in `position in a despatch tube. Fig. 2, is a section taken substantially on line 2 2 of Fig. l, with parts broken away to more clearly show the construction. Fig. 3, is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the parts in operating position. Fig. et, is a partial section talren substantially on line sl. of Fig. 2. `Fig. 5, is an elevation of a slightly modilied form of my device with parts broken away to more clearly show the construction. `6, is a section taken substantially on line 6 6 of Fig. Fig. 7 is 'a partial section taken substantially on line 7 7 of Fig. 6. S, is a view similar to that shown in 6, but showing a slightly modied form of my device. Fig. 9, isa longitudinal vertical section of a slightly modified form of my device. l0, is a section Ataken substantially on line l0 10 of Fig. 9. Fig. 1l, is a view similar to Figs. l and 9, showing another modified form of my device. Fig. l2, is a section taken substantially on line 12-12 of Fig. ll.

In the preferred vform shown in Figs. l to l of the drawings, l is a shell or body of suitable form adapted to receive the various articles to be transported and preferably provided with a cover 2 or other suitable means arranged to close the shell. to prevent Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented lllay t6, wie.

Serial No. 478,528.

the accidental loss of articles from the carrier. As shown the shell l is a hollow cylindrical receptacle, formed of any suitable material and closed at both ends, preferably considerably smaller in diameter than the interior of the tube 3 in which it is to opcrate. A. flange e corresponding in size to the interior of the tube in which the carrier 1s to operate is provided for each end of the shell l, each preferably attached to the end of the shell so as to permit a suitable movement between the shell and iange. As shown each ange 4 is provided on its periphery with a ring of leather, felt or other resilient material 5 adapted to lightly press against the walls of the tube and operate as a packing to prevent the passage of air or other fluid between the flanges and the walls ot the tube.

The flanges 4 4 may be attached to the shell 1 in any suitable manner. As shown a stud 6 is rigidly secured to the shell l and fits a suitable opening in the liange 4t to pivotally connect the same to the shell. A stop 7 is provided upon the shell extending through a slotted opening S in the flange tc limit the movement between the flange and shell.

Suitable partitions or equivalent means are provided for separating the space between the periphery of the shell l and the tube 3 above the center line, from the space below the center line of the carrier. As shown a pair of projections 9 is provided on opposite sides of the carrier one at each end and a laterally 'flexible member l0 cxtends between the projections and is suit ably attached to each, so that the central portions of the member may move laterally without disturbing the projections 9.

In the 'form shown suitable springs Il ll are provided between the member and the wall of the shell to normally maintain the member at the predetermined distance "from the wall of the shell, and a strip of leather,` felt or other suitable resilient material l2 is provided upon the outer face of the member l0 to insure a tight and elastic contact between the tube 3 andthe part 10 ol" the dividing mechanism. Suitable means are also provided to prevent the passage of fluid through the opening between the member `l() and the side of the shell.. As shown a strip 1.4L of prepared canvas, leather or ether .ilegible material, impervious to air or eff gas is secured along one edge to the member 10, its other edge is secured to the side of the tube and its ends to the projections 9, or other suitable parts of the device thus providing an air tight flexible closure for this opening.

Any suitable means may be provided to control the pressure in the spaces between the tube and shell below and above the partitions, at the center line of the carrier so that the fluid pressure in the tube tending` to propel the carrier will also tend to support the carrier in the tube. As shown an opening 15 is provided in each flange and a corresponding opening 16 is provided in the ends of the carrier so arranged that when the carrier is at the lower limit of its movement relative to the flanges the openings 15 and 1.6 at each end of the carrier will register, permitting fluid to pass through the end of the carrier and the flange at this point. When the carrier is raised the coperating faces of the flange and carrier will operate as a valve to control these passages. As

I, shown a tube 17 is provided at the rear end of the carrier extending from the opening 16 to the space at the bottom of the shell, and a similar tube 1S is provided at the forward end of the carrier extending from the opening 1G to the space at the top of the shell. When thus arranged it is obvious that with the shell or body at the lower limit of its movement in relation to the flanges, direct communication is established between the space at the rear of the carrier and the space below the shell7 direct communication is also established between the space at the forward end of the carrier and the space above the shell. When thus arranged, if the carrier is inserted in a tube in which a current of air is flowing the carrier will tend to move longitudinally of the tube. The pressure in the tube will of course be greater at the rear end of the carrier than at its forward end and as the pressure below and above the carrier corresponds to that at the rear and front end of the carrier respectively the excess of pressure below, over that above the shell will. tend to force the shell upward, thus gradually closing the openings 15 and 16 and cutting off communication between these spaces and the spaces in the tube at each end of the carrier and preventing any undue upward pressure upon the carrier.

The openings 15 and 1G may be of any desired form. As shown, the opening 15 is triangular with the apex of the triangle upward, and the opening 1G is provided with a straight bottom side corresponding to the base ofthe triangle, the other sides of the opening being of any form or arrangement so that when the carrier is at the lower limit of its movement the opening 15 will be whollyunobstructed. When thus arranged 1 it is obvious that as the shell is elevated by the pressure upon its lower side the area of the unobstructed portion of the opening l5 will rapidly diminish, thus accurately controlling the passages between the ends of the carrier and the top and bottom of the shell.

Any suitable means may be provided to control the position of the carrier in the tube. In the form shown a suitable weight 19 is provided upon the lower side of the shell. to serve as ballast to maintain the carrier in an upright position, if preferred however, the cross section of the tube and flanges may be such as to prevent rotation ef the carrier in the tube, for example a rib or projection 20 may be provided extending longitudinally of the tube in which the car- 'rier is adapted to operate, as shown in Fig.

8, and a recess formed in the periphery of the flanges to cooperate with the projection 2O for this purpose.

In the form shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the flanges 25 are rigidly connected at the top and bottom by rods 26 and at the sides in termediate the top and bottom by suitablev partitions 27 and 28. The partitions 27 and 28 may be formed in any suitable manner. As shown, the shell l is pivotally mounted upon a rod 30 extending between the flanges and forming a part of the partition 27. The outer portion of the projection 27 comprises a laterally flexible member 29 having a resilient cushion 31 upon its outer face, suitable springs 32 or other resilient means are provided between the hinge parts inclosing the rodA 30 and the member 29 to aid in maintaining the parts 29 and 31 in suitable relation to the remaining portions of the carrier. A strip 33 of prepared canvas, leather or other suitable flexible material impervious to gas or other fluid is provided with one edge attached to the member 29, its opposite edge to the wall of the shell adjacent the rod 30 and its ends attached to the flanges to form a fluid tight closure between the member 29 and the shell.

The partition 2S consists of two members 3% 35 extending longitudinally of the car rier and suitably spaced from each other. These members are preferably each rigidly attached to the flanges 25 and provided with a suitably resilient cushion 36 and 37 upon their outer faces. The member 34C is preferably flexible laterally and suitable springs 38 or equivalent means are provided between the members to maintain the same in proper operative position. A strip of suitably flexible material 39 impervious to gas or other fluid is attached to the parts to form a fluid tight closure between the parts 34 and 35. In the form shown the parts are so proportioned and arranged that the flexible cushion 36 will contact with the tube in which the carrier is adapted to operate, while the face 37 contacts with and forms a substantially fluid tight joint at the outer face of the shell l so that in operation the shell 1 Vis free to `move, vertically" in relation to the anges without permitting anyappreciable leakage of lui d pr'astA the partitions 27'and 28'. Openings 40and 41, also ducts 42 and 43 are provided similar to the openings l5 and 1G and ducts ,17 Vand 18 respectively shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and operate in substantially'the same manner.` kSuitable means arealso provided for maintaining'thecarrier in an upright position hereinbefore described.`

As above described it is obviously IleCesf sary that care be taken to place the carrier in the tube so that the Acarrier will move in one direction only, that'is, with'the right end in advance, otherwise the air pressure would tend to orcethe carrier downward toward the bottom of the 4tube thereby increasing` the friction between the carrier and the tube. To avoid this diiiiculty the formof my device shown in Figs. 9 and 1Q is provided. In this formthe general construction of the carrier corresponds with theconstruction shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 except, that yin place of the ducts 17 and 18 the ducts are formed the same at bothends of the carrier. lIn'thisv form the ductv 45 commences at the topof .the shell and passes downward slightly at one side of the opening 16, toa point well beyond lthe opening, thence it curves upward to`,"and"passes the opening, thence it curves downward terminating at the lower face of the shell. The opening 16 communicateswith the central portion of the duct, and is provided with a valve 46 positioned in the duct below the opening and a valve 47 in the duct above the opening, vboth valvesV opening upward so that in the duct at the rear of the carrier the valve 47 `will be opened by the pressure of thev fluid behind the carrier which will then flow through the valve and duct intothe space below the shell, the valve 46 in the duct at theforward sind of the carrier at the sametime operating toy permit the escapewofthe fairfrom the space above the shell thusfrendering it immaterial which endl of the carrier is'positioned foremost inthetube.

In the form'shown in Figs. 11 and 12 the flanges and shell are rigidly connected and an opening 49 is provided in each flange below the shell with a valve 50 upon the proximate faces of4 the flanges to control each opening, similar openings 51 are also provided at the upper side of ,the flanges, and valves 52 are provided at the outer face of each flange to control the openings 51. A weight 53 is vShown depending from the shell to serve as 'ballast to maintain the carrier in an upright position. Obviously when thus yconstructed the carrier will operate substantially as hereinbeiore described,

except that the air pressure tending to operatethe carrier will not be automatically controlled by the weight of the carrier and its contents.V

Having thus described my improvement it is obvious that Various immaterial modifications maybe made in my device without departingfrom the spirit of my invention hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form or con 75 struction shown.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A carrier comprising a shell, means attached to said shell adapted to coperate 30 with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and below said shell, said shell having a port at each end adapted to permit the pressureI in the space above and the space below said shell to equalize with the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrier respectively.

2. A carrier comprising a shell, means movably attached to said shell adapted to coperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and below said shell, said shell having a port at each end adapted to permit the pressure in the space above and the space below shell to equalize with the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrier re- `95 spectively.

3. A carrier comprising a shell, means attached to said shell adapted to coperate with a Vconveying tube to inclose a 'space above and below said shell, said shell having a port'at each end extending from the end of the carrier to the side of the shell adapted to permit the pressure in the space above and the space below said shell to equalize with the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrier respectively.

4. A carrier comprising a shell, means attached to said shell adapted to coperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and below said shell, said shell having a port at each end extending from the end of the carrier to two points upon the side of the shell, one to the space above and the other to the space below the shell, and mechanism controlling each port adapted to permit the pressure in the space above and the space below said shell to equalize with the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrier respectively.

5. A carrier comprising a shell, means attached to said shell adapted to coperate with a conveyingV tube to inclose a space above and below said shell, said shell having a port at each end extending from the end of the carrier to two points upon the side of the shell, one to the space above and the other to the space below the shell, and mechanism positioned in, and controlling each port. adapted to permit the pressure in the space above and the space below said shell. to equalw ize with the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrierrespectively.

6. A carrier comprising a shell, means attached to said shell adapted to cooperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and below said shell, said shell having a port at each end extending from the end of the carrier to two points upon the side of the shell, one to the space above and the other to the space below, the shell, and mechanism for automatically controlling each port adapted to permit the pressure in the space above and the space below said shell to equalize with the pressure at the front and the lrear of said carrier respectively.

7. A carrier comprising a shell, means attached to said shell adapted to cooperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and below said shell, said shell having a port at each end extending from the end of the carrier to two points upon the side of the shell, one to the space above, and the other 4to the space below the shell, and a pair of valves controlling each port adapted to perl mit the pressure in the space above and the space below said shell to equalize with the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrier respectively.

8. A carrier comprising a shell, means attached to said shell adapted to cooperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and below said shell, said shell having a port at each end adapted to permit the pressure in the space above and the space below said shell to equalize with the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrier re,- spectively, and means for controlling the passage of fluid through said ports to regulate said equalization.

9. A carrier comprising a shell, means at-A tached to said shell adapted to cooperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and below said shell, said shell having a port at each end adapted to permit the pressure in the space above and the space below said shell to equalize with the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrier respectively, and means for automatically controlling the passage of fluid through said ports to regulate said equalization.

l0. A carrier comprising a shell, enlarged portions attached at each end of said shell, and means extending between said enlarged portions adapted to cooperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and below said shell, said shell having a port at each` end adapted to permit the pressure in the space above and the space below said shell to equalize with the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrier respectively.

11.y A carrier comprising a shell, enlarged portions movably attached at each end of said shell, and means extending between said enlarged portions adapted to cooperate with a' conveying tube to inclose a spaceyabove and below said shell, said shell having a port at each end adaptedto permit the pressure in the space above and the space below said shell to equalize with the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrier respec-` tively.

12. A carrier comprisinga shell, enlarged portions attached at each end of said shell, and means extending between, and rigidly connecting said enlarged portions adapted to coo erate with a conve ing tube to inclosel cooperate with a conveying tube to inclosek a space above and below said shell, said shell having a port at each end extending from the end of the carrier to the sidevof the shell adapted to permit the pressure in the space above and the space below said shell to equalize with the pressure at the front and rear of said carrier respectively.

11i.'` A carrier comprising a shell, means movably attached to said shell adapted to cooperate with a conveying tube to finclose a space above and below said shell, said shell having a port at each end extending from the end of the carrier to the side of the shell adapted to permit the pressure in the space above and the space below said shell to equalize with the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrier respectively, and means for controlling the passage of fluid through said ports to regulate said equalization.

15. A carrier comprising a shell, enlarged portions movably attached at each end of said shell, and means extending between said enlarged portions adapted to cooperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and below said shell, said shell having a port at each end extending from theend of the carrier to the side of the shell adapted to permit the pressure in the space above and the space below said shell to equalize'with the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrier respectively, and means for controlling the passage of fluid through said ports `to regulate said equalization.

16. A carrier comprising a shell, enlarged portions movably attached at 'p each end of said shell, and means extending between said enlarged portions adapted to cooperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and below said shell, said shell having a port at each end adapted to permit the pressure in the space above and the space below said shell to equalize with the pressure at the `:tront and the rear of said carrier respectively, and means operated by the movement between said shell and said enlarged portions for controlling the passage of fluid through said ports to regulate said equalization.

17. A carrier comprising a shell, enlarged portions movably attached at each end of said shell and means extending between, and rigidly connecting7 said enlarged portions adapted to coperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and below said shell, said shell having a port at each end extending from the end or' the carrier to the side of the shell'adapted to permit the pressure in the space above and the space below said shell to equalize with the pressure at the i'ront and the rear of said carrier respectively, and means operated by the'movement between said shell and said enlarged portions for controlling the passage of fluid through said ports to regulate said equalization.

18. A carrier comprising a shell, enlarged portions movably attached at each end of said shell, and means extending between, and rigidly connecting said enlarged portions adapted to coperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and below said shell, said shell having a port at each end adapted to permit the pressure in the space above and the space below said shell to equalize with the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrier respectively, and means operated by the movement between said shell and said enlarged portions for automatically controlling the passage of liuid through said ports to regulate said equalization.

19. A carrier comprising a shell, means attached to said shell adapted to coperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and below said shell, said shell having a port at each end extending 'from the end of the carrier to two points upon the side of the shell, one to the space above and the other to the space below the shell, and a pair of valves positioned in, and automatically controlling each port adapted to permit the pressure in the space above and .the space below said shell to equalize with the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrier respectively.

20. A carrier comprising a shell, enlarged portions movably attached at each end of said shell, and means extending between said enlarged portions adapted to coperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and below said shell, said shell having a port at each end extending from the end of the carrier to two points upon the side of the shell, one to the space above and the other to the space below the shell and a pair of valves positioned in and automatically controlling each port, adapted to permit the pressure in the space abo-ve and the space below said shell to equalize with the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrier respectively and means operated by the movement between said shell and said enlarged portion for automatically controlling the passage of fluid through said ports to regulate said equalization.

21. A carrier comprising a shell, means attached to said shell adapted to coperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and below said shell, said shell having a port at each end extending from the end of the carrier to two points upon the side of the shell, one to the space above, and the other to the space below the shell, and a pair of valves positioned in, and automatically controlling each port adapted to permit the pressure in the space above and the space below said shell to equalize with the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrier respectively, and means for automatically contro-lling the passage of Huid through said ports to regulate said equalization.

22. A device of the kind described comprising a shell, an enlarged portion near each end of said shell and a partition extending along each side of said shell between said enlarged portions, in combination with a valve automatically operating to cut off the pressure below said shell when such pressure attains a degree sufficient to iioat said shell.

23. A device of the kind described comprising a shell, an enlarged portion near each end of said shell transversely movable in relation thereto and a partition extending along each side of said shell between said enlarged portions, in combination with means for admitting a fluid at one end of said shell to the space below said partitions and permitting the escape of Huid from the space above said partitions at the opposite end of said shell.

24. A carrier comprising a shell, means attached to said shell adapted to!" coperate with the walls of a conveying tube to inclose a space above and a separate space below said shell said shell having a port at each end arranged to permit the pressure in the space above and the space below, said shell to equalize with the pressure in the tube at the front and the rear of said carrier respectively.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

BURTON U. HILLS.

Witnesses:

C. M. GELLA, CHARLES I. COBB.

Uopiea of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gommiaioner of tratt-inta, Washington, B. c.

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