US1417528A - Elevated carrier for handling frames and the like - Google Patents

Description

W. E. IRISH AND A. K. NOWAK.

ELEVATED CARRIER FOR HANDLING FRAMES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION HLED OCT. 8,1919.

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W. E. IRISH AND A. K. NOWAK. ELEVATED CARRIER FOR HANDLING FRAMES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 8. I919.

ay 30, 1922. 2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Patented M UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

WILLIAM E. IRISH AND ALOIS KARL NOWAK, CLEVELAND, OHIO, A SSIGNORS To THE HYDRAULIC PRESSED STEEL COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORA.

TION OF OHIO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 30, 1922.

Application filed October a, 1919. semi No. 329,326.

To all 1127mm. i?- may concern:

Be it known that we, \VILLTAM E. InIsH and ALoIs KARL Nowan, citizens of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of (.uyahoga andState of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Elevated Carriers for Handling Frames and the like, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description, reference being bad to the accompanying. drawings.

This invention is a novel construction of elevated carrier designed for carrying automobile frames during the process of painting the same. but it will be understood that the invention is capable of use in connection with the carrying of various types of articles.

The object of the invention is to provide an elevated carrier, by means of which frames or other articles can be successively carried to various points or stations where operations are performed thereon, and then.

delivered at a point for unloading from the carrier, the track for the carriers being endless whereby the carriers can be used over and over for carrying the articles to the operating point.

A nother object of the invention is to provide a carrier inv which successive periods of rests will be had thereby, affording ample opportunity for the performance of the various operations; and-a still further object of the invention is to provide a carrier capable of performing the desired operations and which will require'the minimum amount of power, utilizing the movement of each carrier unit to transmit motion to the preceding unit.

\Vith these, and certain other objects in view, the invention consists broadly in the employment of an endless track and a plurality of carriers movable upon said track in combination with independent moving devices or pushers arranged at predetermined points for moving the carriers along definite portions of the track.

The invention consists also in making the track of different levels and providing a pusher in advance of each elevation for the purpose of moving the carriers up said elevation and along a definite stretch of level track.

The invention consists also in providing the carriers with longitudinal extensions so that sald carriers can contact with one another and p ush one another along without permlttlng the articles carried to contact w1th one another; and the invention also cons sts in providing such longitudinal extenslons with vertically extending end portions whereby contact between the carrier Wlll be effected at all times irrespective of the differences in level between said carrlers.

The invention consists also of certain details of construction and novelties of combination, all of which will be fully described hereinafter and set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this speclfication, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic top plan view of an elevated carrier embodying one form of our invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a detail view of one of the carriers and the pusher adapted to operate upon the same; Fig. 4: is a transverse sectional view on the line 44 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a face view of the driving sprocket; and Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail plan of one end of the carrier frame. Fig. 7 shows a slight modification.

In the manufacture of automobile frames and similar articles fabricated from pressed sheet steel it is desirable, and often necessary, to paint or coat the metal frame or other article, in order to prevent rusting.

Before the coat of paint or other protective material can be applied it is necessary to remove all oil, grease or dirt which has eccumulated uponthe frame during its fabrication, and heretofore, -so far as We are aware, a great amount of time and labor has been consumed in cleansing the frames and then coating or painting the same, inasmuch as it has been necessary to carry the frames to a suitable washing apparatus to remove the oil and grease andthen dry said frames before applying the coating thereto, and these various operations separately performed, and effected by separate handling or moving from place to place, not only involved a considerable amount of time and labor but also required conslderable space. The present construction of carrier was therefore devised to overcome these numerous objections and this has been done by providing an endless track and arranging thereon a plurality of carriers in which the frames or other articles can be suspended and started at one point upon the track and fed at proper speed first to the vwashing apparatus, thento the drying means, and then to the coating or painting device, and then.

carried along at proper speed overa definite distance to permit the drying of the paint or other coating during the interval of time a that the elevated carrier, with frame or other article, require to arrive at the delivery point Where the frame is removed from the carrier and another frame connected there- .to; thereby rendering the operation of the carrier endless or continuous.

In the practical embodiment ofthe device leys 12, preferably arranged in pairs, each pair being connected by a yoke 13 from which depends'a swiveled hanger .14; and rigidly connected to the depending hangers 14 is a T-bar 15 which constitutes the central longitudinal member of the carrier frame and whose length will be determined by the nature of the article to be carried. As a rule, automobile frames do not exceed fifteen, feet in length and consequently,'the.

carrier havlng an over all length of eighteen feet will be ample to carry frames sufli- 'ciently spaced to prevent contact, and also provide ample space for the'various operations to be performed upon the article carried. v In addition to the central T-shaped member 15 theframe of the carrier comprises 7 a pluralityqof cross pieces 16 formed of angle iron and attached'to\th e central member or beam with one flange depending, these cross pieces 16 being arranged at definite in-' tervals for a purpose hereinafter explained.

Side pieces 17, also of angle iron are connected to the ends of the cross piec esilfi and at the opposite ends, these side pieces are extended and bent into alignment with the ends of the beam 15 and'serve to support These bumpers are preferably made of sheet metal and it will be noted that they have considerable breadth and height and are curved from end to end thereby" providing .broad" curved surfaces in order that the bumpers may contact with one another irrespective of the level or the angle of curve at which the contacting carriersmay be traveling.

Any other form of carrier frame may be employed so long as the features of central longitudinal beam and the transverse cross .pieces and the endbumpers are maintained.

A plurality of spaced clevises are connected to the central beam 15, (two being shown in the present instance) and each clevis has connected. thereto a pulley 20 around which travels an endless chain or belt 21 in which the auto-frame or other article is suspended.

By arranging the article in this endless chain or belt, suspended from a pulley the article can be turned quickly and easily to any desired position so that all of the surfaces thereof can be thoroughly coated, painted or otherwise treated.

An automobile frame, or other article, is hung, in the pair of suspending chains depending from thecarrier 11 and then the carrier is started along the level portion 22 of the track 10 which passes through a washer or other suitable form of cleansing apparatus, and in order to move the carrier along this stretch of the track, and also cause a train of carriers to be pushed along, we provide a pushing or moving device comprising an endless chain or belt 23, this chain or belt being arranged parallel with the track and adjacent thereto and traveling around sprockets 24 and 25, in the direction indicated by the arrow Fig. 5, the sprocket 25 being a power sprocket, deriving its power from an electric motor or other suitable source 26, there being reduction gears 27 interposed for reducing the speed, if desired.

The chain 23 is provided with a series of dogs 28 which engage the cross bars of the carrier frame and cause the said carrier frame to be moved along the track a dis 'tance. equal to the length of the moving chain.

A second carrier with an automobile frame suspended therefrom is then moved along the track until the dogs upon thechain engage the cross bars of this second carrler and feed 1t forward, and this second ,carrier will contact with the first carrier and The suspended frame is first passed through a washer, indicated diagrammatically at 29, and then past the painting station indicated diagrammatically at 30. The station is large enough to accommodate two or more frames and the paint is preferably applied by means of an air brush, although the frames may be dipped in a tank if desired. The step by step movement of the carriers is particularly advantageous where the paint is applied by workmen, since the intervals of rest permit the ready application of the paint to the various parts of the frame and makes easier the manipulation of the frames to bring the various parts thereof within reach of the paint applying devices. After the first frame emerges from the painter it is caused to travel by gravity down the inclined portion 31 of the endless track, and in practice this inclined portion of the track is preferably curved constituting as it does the end of the loop; and as the carrier completes its travel around the curved and downwardly inclined portion of the track. it is brought into engagement with a second pusher 32 constructed identically the same as the pusher previously described, and by means of this second pusher, which is independent of the first moving device. the carrier is caused to travel up the inclined portion 33 of the track upon or to- "ards the level portion 34.

After the first frame emerges from the painter and travels down the incline to the second pusher 31, the second. frame will follow the same course and will come into engagement with the second pusher and during the movement of the second frame it will come in contact with the end of the first frame and push the same along. The third frame will act in the same manner, so that by means of the second pusher or moving device the series of frames will be pushed along the incline 33 and the level portion of the track 34, and during these movements the painted or coated frame will have considerable time to dry; and at the end of the level portion 34 of track, the carrier is brought into engagement with another pusher or moving. device 35. identical in construction with the pusher filSliflOSfl'lllGd, and by means of this third pusher or moving device. the painted and dried frames are pushed up to the incline 36 to the elevated portion 37 of the track from which they travel by gravity around the downwardly inclined portion 38, arriving at the delivery point 39 where the frames are removed therefrom and the carriers moved along to the proper position for receiving other frames.

If desired, the power sprocket of the third pusher can be mounted upon the same shaft as the power sprocket of the first pusher, inasnmch as these first and third pusher-s can usually be arranged opposite each-other, and we have so illustrated them,'

but it will be understood that the power sprocket of each usher can receive its power from any suitab e source.

It will thus be seen that by means of the endless track having portions thereof level and portions thereof upwardly inclined and portions'thereof downwardly inclined, and that by having the carriers of such a length as to contact with one another at certain portions of their travel and that by means of separate and independent pushing devices, we are able to feed the automobile frames evenly through the washing and painting devices, carrying the frames around the bends of the loops by gravity and then feed the train of carriers along a definite stretch of track during which time the frames can dry and then deliver the dried frames one at a time by gravity at the end of the loop at which place the frame can be removed and the carrier moved along to receive another frame to be washed and painted. The upwardly inclined portions of the track are preferably made somewhat shorter than the carrier so that any pushed carrier will stop at the end of the pushing movement upon a. level portion of track and will therefore not exert any backward thrust.

Inasmuch as the endless chain which carries the dogs is arranged parallel with the track and to one side of the central beam of carrier the engagement will be at one side of thecenter of said carrier and in order to prevent any possible tilting of the carrier which might effect a disengagement with the pusher we provide a guide strip 40, preferably of wood and faced with metal, and beneath which the opposite side of the frame bears during the passage of the carrier beneath the driving chain; and in order to prevent any buckling of the chain we arrange a shoe 41 which extends just above the lower flight of said chain and is spaced ]USt far enough above sald chaln to permit the proper traveling movement of said chain but will arrest any upward or buckling tendency. The guide 40 and shoe 41 are suspended in any suitable manner.

The driving sprockets as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 comprise the toothed sprocket ring 42 having ratchet faces 43 upon the inner face thereof, said sprocket ring turning upon the hub portion 44 which is provided with a plurality of spring actuated pawls 45 which engage the ratchet portions of the sprocket ring. The hub 45 is rigidly connected to the power shaft 46 and will turn the toothed sprocket ring in the direction of the shaft. By means of this construction, the sprocket ring will have a free running movement in one direction and consequently if one of the carriers should race into engagement with the driving chain there will be no undue strain placed upon the chain and sprocket inasmuch as the sprocket will turn freely I upon the central portion of the wheel and on the spring actuated pawls catch up with the sprocket portion, will continue .to move the same in the proper direction for effecting the movement of the carrier.

It will thus be seen that we provide a simple. and highly eflicient form of device for moving a series of frames over a given tions can be ment of sal is required to move the carriers around said gas . certain interval of t me between, dlspatchmg curves and by making the elevating portionsof the track comparatively short in length, each carrier will be elevated by its local pusher to a' position upon the level portion ofthe track so as to relieve all back thrust upon the apparatus. I

It will also be observed that by allowing a the carriers with the objects thereon, a. cor-- responding interval of time will be allowed at the work stations. for performing the various operations and hence such time interval in dispatching the carriers may be al-' lowed to suit the particular work performed,

thus assuring plenty of time at each work station for performing the various operations and at the same time preventing loss of time between carriers at the stations.

It is obvious that the track can be suspended in any suitable manner inc order to accommodate surrounding conditlons and 1t will be understood that the positions of the separate and independent pushers will be determined by the nature of the work to be performed uponthe article carried.

It will also be understood that we have only illustrated one practical-embodiment of our idea and that various changes and modifications can be made in the construction and arrangementof the several parts without departing from the broad principle of the invention as defined by the appended claims. I Having thus described our invention what we claim is 1.'In an elevated carrier, the combinationwith an endless track having portions thereof level, portions thereof upwardly inclined, and portions thereof downwardly inclined, of carriers movable upon said track, independent moving devices for moving the carand along the level portions thereof, and

means associated with said moving device for absorbing an forward thrust imparted thereto by the orwardmovement of said carriers upon contact therewith.

2. In an elevated carrier, the combination with an endless track having portions thereof level, portions thereof upwardly inclined, and portions thereof downwardly- .inclined, of carriers adapted to move upon said track, said carriers having extended ortions adapted to contact with one anot er, to-

ther with means arranged adjacent .to and in advance of each upwardly 1nclined' portion of the track and ada ted to engage carriers at said points whereby said carriers are caused to move up the inclined portions and along the level portions of said track by means of said movin' device, and means associated with said In vin device for absorbing any forward thrust imparted thereto by the forward movementof said carriers upon contact therewith. a, j

3. In-an elevated carrie'r,the combination with an endless track, of a'earrierada ted to travel upon said track," said carrier aving a transverse member, and endless pusher chain adapted to engage said transverse member, a guidestrip arranged opposite the pusher chain and a shoe arranged above the lower flight of said chain for the purpose set forth.

4:. In an elevated carrier of the kind described, the combination of a track, of a carhub guidestrip arranged parallel, with the endless chain and upon the opposite side of the longitudinal member and a shoe arranged above the lower fiight of the endless chain, and means associated with said moving devices for absorbing any forward thrust imparted thereto by the forward movement of said carriers upon contact therewith.

5. In an elevated carrier, the combination with an endless track of a plurality of carriers arranged to travel thereon said carriers having their ends constructed for contact with one another and independent moving devices adapted to engage carriers at difl'erent points upon the track, and the move ment of each carrier by said power device being transmitted to one or more carriers in advance thereof. 7

' 6. In a work supporting conveyor, a carrier, means for moving the carrier with successive intervals of rest and motion, means for varying the intervals of rbst without varying the interval of motion.

65 riers up theinclined portions of said track 7. Ina work supporting-conveyor, a carthe intervals ofrest'may be varied at Wlll from the dispatching station,

9. In a work supporting conveyor, a carrier, a loading and carrier dispatching station, a work station, means for moving the carrier from the loading station past the work station and means whereby the rate of movement of the carriers past the work station is controlled by the dispatch of carriers from the loading station.

10. In a work supporting conveyor, 9. carrier, a loading and dispatching station, a

work station, and means for moving the carriers step by step past the work station with intervals of rest corresponding to the intervals between the dispatch of successive carriers.

11. In a work supporting conveyor, 9. track, a series'of carriers on the track, a

' work station, means adjacent the work station for engaging carriers one at a time and moving them toward the work station, means for feeding the carriers to the carrier engaging means one at a time at intervals whereby the carriers will be moved past the work stations step by step in abutting relation.

12. An endless conveyor, comprising an elongated endless track, a loading and unloading station at one end of the conveyor, a carrier, automatic means for moving the carrier alon the track from the loadin station to the oading station and means %or freeing the carriers from the action of the moving means as they approach the unloading station whereby the movement of the carriers may be manually controlled at these riers one by one rapidly to the work station, means for moving the carriers slowly past the-work station and means for moving the carriers one by one rapidly away from the work station.

14. In a work carrier, the combination with a track having level and downwardly inclined portions, a series of article carriers traveling on the track, means for moving some of the carriers end to end in abutting relation along the level portion and means for detaching the carriers one at a time from the row and starting them down the inclined portion.

15. In a work supporting conveyor, the combination with a plurality of work stations, a series of carriers, a loading station and unloading station for loading and unloading articles to be treated uponthe carriers, means to move the carriers one by one rapidly from the loading station to the first work station, means to feed the carriers slowly past each of the work stations and means to move the carriers one by one rapidly from the last work station to the unloadin station.

16. 11 an automobile frame conveyor, the combination with a work station, a carrier, means to move the carrier slowly past the work station and means upon the carrier for rotatably supporting the frame.

In testimony whereof, we hereunto afiix our signatures.

WILLIAM E. IRISH.

ALOIS KARL NOWAK.

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