US2656032A - Apparatus for the automatic serving of meals - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 20, 1953 M. STERN 2,556,032

APPARATUS FOR THE AUTOMATIC SERVING OF MEALS Filed March 1, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. MAUEICESTEEN.

M. STERN APPARATUS FOR THE AUTOMATIC SERVING 0F MEALS Filed March 1 1951 Oct. 20, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. MAURICE 5TERN. W M- I ATTORNEYS.

IIIJII-IIIIII APPARATUS FOR THE AUTOMATIC SERVING 0F MEALS Filed March '1, 1951 M. STERN Oct. 20, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORQI MAURICE STERN.

Oct. 20, 1953 M. STERN 2,656,032

APPARATUS FOR THE AUTOMATIC SERVING OF MEALS Filed March 1, 1951 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Msnmc HAcHm:

- I INVENTOR.

MAURICE STERN.

MM*W

ATTOKNEKF.

Patented Oct. 20, 1953 APPARATUS FOR THE AUTOMATIC SERVING OF MEALS -Maurice Stern, Paris, France, assignor to Mecres, S. A., Panama, Panama, a corporation of Panama Application March 1, 1951, Serial No. 213,413 In France July 4, 1950 6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to apparatus for the automatic serving of meals in restaurants.

This application comprises a continuation-1m part of applicants co-pending application, Serial No. 19,463, filed April 7, 1948, now Patent No. 2,548,131.

In accordance with this invention, plates on which the food is placed are removably retained in baskets or frames having claws for gripping the plate edges in such manner that the plates may be slid out from the basket onto a dining table by the person who is to eat the meal, and thereafter the empty plates may be slid back in place. These baskets are detachably connected to a main conveyor which advances them from a plate filling station, preferably in the kitchen, out into the dining room along a dining table where a number of the customers are to sit. Preferably the conveyor extends along between two elongated dining tables so that customers may be served on both sides of the conveyor, each basket or frame preferably having gripping means for two plates, one at each side of the conveyor.

The main conveyor is arranged to not only take the plate frames or baskets from a filling station out along the dining tables, but also is adapted after the empty plates are restored to position in the baskets, to carry them while they remain horizontal, to another level, preferably below the dining table level, and thence back to the kitchen past a station where the leftover food is emptied, and also a station where the plates are preliminarily cleaned as by brushing or rinsing. The baskets, still containing the plates, are then passed through a washing machine, preferably by an auxiliary conveyor which advances more slowly than the desirable speed for the main conveyor which carries the baskets to and from the dining table. The use of such a slowly moving auxiliary conveyor through the washing machine is desirable for several reasons. First it is desirable that in the washing machine the plates be suspended more or less vertically instead of horizontally so that they may be more easily washed and readily drained and permitted to dry, and in such vertical position it is possible to suspend them more closely together than on the main conveyor, with the consequence that the washing machine may be made more compact and its conveyor need not be rapidly moving. Also, it is desirable that the plates be conveyed to and from the dining room quite rapidly, whereas they should be conveyed more slowly through the washing machine to permit thorough washing and drying in a limited space. Accordingly for these various reasons the plate baskets are preferably automatically detached from the main conveyor after the preliminary cleaning, and hooked onto an auxiliary conveyor which passes through the washing machine and beyond through a draining and drying zone, and then the baskets are transferred back to the main conveyor.

In order to facilitate all of these operations, the plate baskets are provided with trunnion like detachable connections, and at points'of transfer thereof to and from the auxiliary conveyor, means are provided to detach such connections from one conveyor while 7 attaching them to the other. The main conveyor is accompanied at the various stations by stationary ramps or supports for engaging the baskets to support them at each station at proper positions either horizontally, inclined or vertically, as may be required at each region, such supports or ramps causing the plate baskets to pivot about their trunnion-like connections for this purpose. And each plate basket is preferably provided at its end opposite from the trunnion connection with a roller or other anti-friction support for engaging the ramps, and also preferably such roller or the like is accompanied by a slide or shoe portion which at various stations plays a part in properly guiding and positioning the baskets.

The construction and arrangement of the novel plate baskets or frames is such that the only part of the upper surface of the plates which will be contacted by the claws is located around the periphery of the rim and thus the claws will not ordinarily come in contact with the food on the plate. Furthermore, the claws are preferably arranged 'with their arms directed longitudinally of the path of travel of the conveyors and thus they will not interfere with proper cleaning action by rotary brushes and other parts used in cleaning the plates. Furthermore, as hereinafter explained, the plate baskets as supported by their trunnion-like connections in cooperation with a wheel and shoe, will be free to turn through any angle as necessary with respect to the conveyors in the various parts of the equipment.

Further and more specific objects, features and advantages of the invention hereof will appear from the detailed description given below, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings Whichform a part of this specification and illustrate by way of example preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one of the plate baskets of a preferred form;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the detachable trunnion-like connections for the plate baskets, this figure also showing that portion of the connecting means which is carried by the main conveyor;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a somewhat modified form of the trunnion-like connection, Fig. 3a being a sectional view taken substantially along line 3a3a of Fig. 3;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the means for actuating the detachable connections at points where the plate baskets are to be transferred to or from the auxiliary conveyor;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view showing one of the plate baskets as positioned on the auxiliary conveyor and just after it has been removed from the main conveyor;

Fig. 6 is a somewhat diagrammatic elevational .view showing the relative positions and arrangement of the apparatus in general;

Fig. 7 is a somewhat diagrammatic side view of, one of the plate baskets in the position which it assumes at the dining table;

Fig. 8 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of the outer end of the main conveyor and indicating how one of the plate baskets is lowered, while remaining horizontal, from the elevation of the dining table down to a lower elevation and onto the-return portion of the main conveyor;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view with. parts broken away, showing one possible embodiment of certain details of the mechanism of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 shows one of the plate baskets in a position where it is about to swing to vertical position to discharge the leftovers from the plates;

Fig. 11 shows the relative positions of two of the plate baskets as they are being transferred from the main conveyor to the auxiliary conveyor;

Fig. 12 shows the relative positions of three of the plate baskets on the auxiliary conveyor at a point just after leaving the washing machine;

Fig. 13 is a view showing two of the plate baskets as. they are being transferred from the auxiliary conveyor back onto the main conveyor;

Figs. 14 and 15 show two possible positions of the plate baskets when they are at the region just prioror subseouent to the filling station;

Fig. 16 shows the relative positions of two plate baskets as suspended compactly closely together in the washing machine;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing the dining table and accompanying portions of the conveying apparatus in a preferred form; and

Fig. 18 is a somewhat schematic diagram similar to that of the left hand portion of Fig. 6, but showing an alternative arrangement of the conveyors.

Referring now to Fig. 1 in further detail, the plate basket or frame in the form there shown may comprise a pair of transverse rod portions as at 20, 2|, the portion 20 preferably being integral with two side rod portions 22, 23, the latter being bent outwardly at their ends 24 for providing the trunnion-like supporting means. Rod portion 2 i, as indicated, may be welded at its ends to the side rod portions 22, 23.

The plates are supported as indicated by the dotted lines 2% on the rod portions 28, 2 I, and are removably retained in these positions as by two pairs of claws or clips as at 27, these claws being formed preferably of somewhat resilient wire bent into U-shape suitable to be positioned astride the rim of the plate with the upper branch of each U-formation engaging the upper edge surface of the periphery of the plate and the lower branch passing through and being secured in one or another of the rod portions 20, 2|. From Fig. 1 it will be seen that the plates may be readily slid by the customer out horizontally from the claws 21. Preferably the rod portions 20, 2! on their mid-portions are bent upwardly somewhat as indicated at 25. This is for the purpose of providing inclined stop means against which the under surfaces of the rims of the plates will be engaged upon sliding the empty plates back into position, and also for the purpose of providing suitable clearance for certain of the ramp portions, as indicated for example in Fig. 10.

A slide or shoe member 39 is mounted centrally of the plate basket transversely of the rod portions 28, 2|, this member being fixed in position, as shown, by pins 3| secured to the portions 25.

t The rear end of the shoe 3!] is bent downwardly as at 32 and is so formed as to provide a sliding support, or has mounted thereon an anti-friction device such as roller 33. As indicated in various of the figures (for example Figs. 6-14) this roller is adapted to engage and roll over various ramp portions so that it cooperates with the trunnion support for the plate basket to hold it at various angular positions at the various stations. At some of the stations the shoe portion 30 is engaged by the roller on the next adjacent basket, and at other stations such shoe portions serve to position one plate basket with respect to the next.

The claws and rods of the plate baskets may, if desired, be covered with deposited rubber so that the plates in engagement therewith will not be chipped, and so that the plates can be quietly slid into firm frictional engagement therewith.

The trunnion-like supporting ends 24 of rods 22, 23 may be hollow or preferably have fixed thereon tubular enlargements as at 35, in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2. These tubular portions may be slit along one side as at 3% and opened up as indicated to form an arch-like support 37 which at certain times is adapted to be supported on the cylindrical member 38 which is attached to a link portion 39 of the main conveyor (Fig. 2). The cylindrical portion 38 slidably receives a pin 40 which is normally pressed outwardly to the position shown in Fig. 2 by a helical spring M contained in the member 38. The latter member is slotted as at 42 on either side to receive a pin 43 which is fixed in the pin 40 and extends to either side thereof. As hereinafter described, at the points where the plate baskets are to be transferred to and from the auxiliary or washing machine conveyor, stationary cam means are provided to engage the pin 3 to cause the pin 40 to be slid into and out of the hollow ends as at 44 of the trunnion-like supports on the plate baskets. Such hollow ends, at one side, may also be formed with an outwardly bent lug portion or spur 45 adapted, as hereinafter explained, to engage the auxiliary conveyor.

With the alternative form of trunnion-like connection shown in Figs. 3 and 3a, parts different from, but corresponding to, those of Fig. 2 are indicated by the same reference numerals accompanied by prime marks. The two constructions are similar with the following exceptions. .Portion may be formed as a machined'casting or'the like instead of sheet metal tubing, the spur being rigid and integral therewith for engaging "between the links of the auxiliary conveyor which is indicated at 5| in Figs. 3 and 35a. The portion 3'1 may be formed as a separate piece welded to the end edge'portion 35 in .a position to be supported by the end of portion 38 after the pin .49 has been withdrawn.

The preferred paths .of the main and auxiliary conveyors and '51 respectively are shown in Fig. 6. Preferably each of these conveyors comprises a pair of chains as at 50c, '50band 5|a, 5!?) (Figs. 5 and '17) one chain in each case being located at each side of the plate baskets. At each point where the direction of travel of these chains is'to change, they pass overpulleys respectively as at 53, 54, as will readily be apparent from Fig. 6, and, as will be readily understood, at points between such pulleys the chains may slide over suitable guide surfaces.

The plates may be filled either at the location marked 55, or at a if preferred. :At each of these points the ramp or track portions 56, '5?

will .support the wheels'33 of the baskets so that same will hold the plates horizontal. If .the plates are to be filled at location '55, then just following that location the ramp or track portion 58 should be positioned at an angle such as indicated in Fig. 15, to insure that the plates will remain horizontal as they move down. On the other hand, if the plates are filled at lo cation 55a, then for compactness the track portion 5811 may be'positioned vertically as indicated in Fig. 14 between the locations 55, 55a.

From location 55a the baskets at uniformly spaced positions are pulled along between the two dining table portions 59, BB, as shown in Fig. 17, the wheels 33 rolling along the ramp or track portion '51. The conveyor portions which are located'betweenthe tables 59, 6G preferablyare covered by a housing as at El, having openings in its side walls as at 62 opposite positions where the customers are to sit, and through whichopenings the customers may withdraw and replace their plates '26, the conveyor being stopped with baskets opposite each opening during the period when the plates are to be inserted or removed.

After the meals are consumed and the plates are restored to the baskets, the conveyor is started and the baskets .are carried to the outer end of the portion of the main conveyor which is located in the dining room, at which point the baskets are automatically lowered by means such as shown in Fig. 8, while they remain horizontal and attached by their trunnions to the conveyor chains, to the level of the lower or return stretch of the conveyor 55. That is, the conveyor chains at this region may pass over sprockets as at 63 rotated by a shaft 64 which shaft through sprocket and chain connections 65, 66, 61 serves to drive another shaft 3. The latter shaft at each side of the conveyor carries rotatable arms 69 (Fig. 9) having pins as at 10 at the outer ends thereof adapted to come into supporting engagement with the underside of each basket which is to be lowered. As

the arms 69 turn in a clockwise direction about shaft 68, as will be apparent from Figs. 8 and 9, the baskets will be supported by said pins and by their trunnion connections in horizontal position as they move down to the lower return stretch of the conveyor. In order to retract the pins 10 as they approach the lower conveyor stretch, any suitable means may be provided to retract the arms 69 and pins 10 thereon, outwardly transversely of the conveyor. For example, as indicated in Fig. 9, the arms '69 may have a slidable tongue and groove connectionat their hub portions .1] with the shaft '68, the outer ends of the shaft being encircled by helioal springs 12 normally holding the arms '69 with the pins 10 thereon in active position. Then when the arms approach the lower stretch of the conveyor, they may be pushed outwardly as by any suitable cam means such as indicated at 13, to positions such as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 9, whereby the pins '10 will not conflict with the path of the baskets on the return-stretch of the conveyor.

As shown in Fig. 6, on the return stretchof the conveyor in the dining room, the wheels -33 of the plate baskets will roll along a track or ramp portion 15 until the'baskets are brought back into the kitchen, at which point the ramp portion 15a is curved downwardly (Figs. 6, 1'0) and at the end of portion 15a, the baskets will be released to swing into vertical positions :to dump the leftovers from the plates. After such dumping the conveyor preferably draws the baskets up vertically and wheels 33 then come into contact with a ramp portion 16 which acts in conjunction with the trunnions toholdtheplates vertically as these travel up past rotary cleaning brushes as at H. The basket trunnions are then carried in suspended position up over the next pulleys 53, thence downwardly past a station indicated at 18 (Fig. 6) where the baskets are transferred from the main conveyor to the auxiliary conveyor by means hereinafter to bede scribed in connection with Fig. 4. The main conveyor then passes over additional pulleys 53 to a point beyond the washing machine and thence upwardly, the baskets being transferred from the auxiliary conveyor back to the main conveyor at a region indicated at 19. Then the basket wheels come into contact with a further ramp or track portion '80 which curves around and merges with track portion 56 and acts to restore the baskets to horizontal position for refilling of the plates.

The auxiliary conveyor preferably extends some distance beyond the washing machine in order to suspend the plate baskets at that position for sufficient time to permit draining and drying-of the plates and also to store the plates for a period at that place if desired.

As indicated at the lower left hand portion of Fig. 6, the main conveyor may be driven as by sprocket wheels at 8| which in turn-may be driven by a motor 82 connected through reducing gearing 83 to suitable drive connections for the sprockets 8i, and also suitable connections as at 86 for driving the auxiliary conveyor. As also shown at the lower left hand portion of Fig. 6, the shaft for sprocket wheel 53" may be arranged to suspenda weight for holding thecon veyor chains under tension.

The motor may be accompanied by a suitable switch or push button means as at 85 located near the position where the plates are to be filled, so that the attendant who fills the plates may readily stop and start the conveyors.

To insure that the baskets remainin the washing machine for a sumoient interval to permit thorough washing, the auxiliary conveyor, as above indicated, runs slower than the main conveyor, it being desirable to bring the baskets from the filling station out to the customer stations quite rapidly and with the customer positions much more widely spaced than the proper economical spacing of the baskets as suspended vertically in the washing machine. The ratio of the spacings of the baskets on the two conveyors is preferably equal to the ratio of the velocities of the conveyors, i. e.,

where 1 is equal to the spacing of the baskets (in vertical positions) on the auxiliary conveyor; L equals the spacing of the baskets (in horizontal position) on the main conveyor; v equal the speed of the auxiliary conveyor; and V is equal to the speed of the main conveyor.

One form of arrangement for transferring the baskets to and from the auxiliary conveyor is shown in Fig. 4, it being understood that this arrangement is duplicated at both conveyor chains 50a and 53b and the same arrangements may be used both at locations 18 and '19. As here shown, one of the conveyor chains 56b has attached to one of the links thereof, connection means such as shown in the right hand part of Fig. 2. As the chain 502) moves vertically, both ends of the pin 43 will come into engagement with cam surfaces as at 98, 90a respectively,

thereby retracting the pin Ml. Assuming that a basket is to be transferred from the main conveyor to the auxiliary conveyor, for example, and that the chain 582) is accordingly passing downwardly at location 18, then after the pin 40 is thus retracted, the arched trunnion supporting portion 31 (or 31') will thereafter rest upon cylindrical portion 38 until the spurs as at 55 (or 45) engage between links of the auxiliary conveyor chains 51a, 51b. Th'ereupon the auxiliary conveyor will cause the trunnion supports to be pulled to the side of members 38 as the latter continue to travel down the main conveyor chains. The arched portions 31 are so designed and positioned that they move clear of the cylindrical portions 38 gradually as the latter travel downwardly. The relative positions of the baskets just before and after transfer onto the auxiliary conveyor is indicated in Fig. 11. In the transfer of the baskets from the auxiliary conveyor back to the main conveyor at 19, the action is the same except in the reverse; that is (as shown in Fig. 13) as the cylindrical portions 38 rise on the main conveyor, they will first gradually come into supporting contact with the arched portions 31 and thus lift the baskets up along the main conveyor and then cam surfaces as at 90, 90a will release pins 43, allowing pins 40 thereafter to protrude and pivotally support the baskets as they move on further upwardly past ramp portion 80.

At locations 18 and 79, as indicated in Figs. 11-13, the path of the main conveyor intersects the path of the auxiliary conveyor at a slightly advancing angle to the vertical in respect to the direction of movement of the auxiliary conveyor. That is, the inclination of the main conveyor at these points is calculated in such a manner that its speed projected onto the plane of the upper stretch of the auxiliary conveyor will be the same as the translation speed of such stretch of the auxiliary conveyor. Such angle permits the detachable trunnion connection to disengage and to re-engage without jamming or causing undesirable swinging of the baskets.

With the somewhat difierent arrangement of the conveyors with respect to the washing machine, as shown in Fig. 18, the auxiliary conveyor I00 may comprise a pair of chains with means thereon as at llll to provide spaced compartments in which the baskets may be lodged. That is, the basket trunnions may be detachably connected to the main conveyor I02 by the same form of means used in the arrangement of Fig. 6, but the baskets when transferred to conveyor I00 are in effect deposited in compartments. Also in Fig. 18 the portion of the main conveyor which returns from the dining room passes along and under the washing machine, thence at a point beyond the washing machine upwardly past a cleaning brush I03, thence over and downwardly at location I04 where the transfer is made to the auxiliary conveyor, the transfer back to the main conveyor being at location I05. Further, as will be noted in Fig. 18, the washing machine conveyor has its active stretch only arranged to pass through the washing machine in the direction indicated by the arrow, the return stretch of this conveyor passing along in under the washing machine. Although the arrangement of Fig. 6 is usually preferred for economy of space, in some cases the arrangement of Fig. 18 may be desirable.

Although certain particular embodiment of v the invention are herein disclosed for purposes of explanation, various further modifications thereof, after study of this specification, will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Reference should accordingly be had to the appended claims in determining the scope of the invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A frame construction for removably retaining food plates with respect to a conveyor, comprising plate supporting means for extending transversely of the conveyor path, a plurality of plate retaining clips attached to said supporting means, each clip being formed and positioned to extend from a support into contact with the under surface of a plate rim thence up around such rim and inwardly of the upper plate surface adjacent the outer edge of the rim, said clips being positioned to engage the forward and rearward plate rim portions while same advance and to permit sliding of the plate into and from the clips transversely of the conveyor path, trunnionlike connecting means for securing the frame to the conveyor, the trunnion axis being perpendicular to said path and spaced substantially to one side of the transverse center line of the frame, a support for the frame spaced substantially to the other side of said center line and adapted to engage various conveyor track portions to swing the frame to various angles about the trunnion axis While the plate remains retained on the frame by said clips.

2. A frame construction for removably retaining food plates with respect to a conveyor, comprising supporting portions upon which two plates may rest for side-by-side conveyance, pairs of clips on the frame for respectively engaging astride the forwardly and rearwardly positioned edge portions of the plates and permitting the plates to he slid from the clips transversely of the conveyor path to each side thereof respectively, and a pair of coaxial trunnion-like connecting means at each side of the frame for securing same to the conveyor, the trunnion axis being perpendicular to said path and the frame having another Supporting portion adjacent its longitudinal center line and adapted to engage various conveyor track portions to swing the frame with the plates therein to various angles about the trunnion axis while the plates remain retained on the frame by said clips.

3. A frame for removably retaining food plates with respect to a conveyor, comprising supporting portions upon which two plates may rest for side-by-side conveyance, clip means for retaining the plates upon said supporting means, said clip means being positioned to permit the two plates to be slid out transversely of the conveyor path to each side thereof respectively, trunnionlike connecting means for securing the frame to the conveyor, the trunnion axis being perpendicular to said path and spaced substantially to one side of the transverse center line of the frame and below the normal level of the plates when in horizontal position in the frame, a supporting wheel for the frame spaced substantially to the other side of said center line and adapted to engage various conveyor track portions to swing the frame with the plates therein to various angles about the trunnion axis While the plates remain retained on the frame by said clips.

4. A frame for removably retaining food plates with respect to a conveyor, comprising supporting portions upon which two plates may rest for side-by-side conveyance, clip means for retaining the plates upon said supporting means, said clip means being positioned to permit the two plates to be slid out transversely of the conveyor path to each side thereof respectively, trunnionlike connecting means for securing the frame to the conveyor, the trunnion axis being perpendicular to said path and spaced substantially to one side of the transverse center line of the frame and below the normal level of the plates when in horizontal position in the frame, a support for the frame spaced substantially to the other side of said center line and also below said level, a shoe on said frame extending longitudinally of said path along above said level at a position to engage supports like the last named support on other like frames when adjacent frames are swung to vertical positions.

5. In apparatus for conveying plates of food to the dining room and therefrom to stations where the plates are washed and dried, the combination comprising a pair of endless main conveyo-r chains, means for supporting and driving same horizontally into the dining room at one level and back toward said stations at another level and thence along a return path again to the dining room, a pair of auxiliary conveyor chains which cross the paths of said main chains at two points adjacent said stations, the paths of the main chains being downward at one of said points and upward at the other, and the paths of said auxiliary chains being generally horizontal at both said points, a series of plate retaining frames respectively having detachable trunnion connections at spaced positions along said main chains, ramp-like track means along the main conveyor shaped and positioned to be engaged by said frames to cause the frames at various locations to be swung to various angles about the trunnion connections, means to actuate said connections to release the frames from the main conveyor at one of said points and to reconnect the frames to the main conveyor at the other of said points, and spur-like means on the trunnions to provide hook-like engagement with the auxiliary chains upon release of the frames from the main conveyor and to thereby cause the frames to be conveyed on the auxiliary conveyor in suspended position from one of said points to the other.

6. In apparatus for conveying plates of food to a dining room and therefrom to stations where the plates are washed and dried, the combination comprises a pair of endless main conveyor chains, means for supporting and driving same horizontally into the dining room at one level and back toward said stations at another level and thence along a return path again to the dining room, a pair of auxiliary conveyor chains which cross the paths of said main chains at two points adjacent said stations, the paths of the main chains being downward at one of said points and upward at the other and the paths of said auxiliary chains being generally horizontal at both said points, a series of plate retaining frames respectively having detachable trunnion connections at spaced positions along said main chains, said frames each having supporting means thereon spaced from the trunnions, ramp-like track means along the main conveyor shaped and positioned to be engaged by said supporting means on the frames to cause the latter at various locations to be swung to various angles about the trunnion connections, means at said points to actuate said connections to release the frames from the main conveyor at one of said points and to reconnect the frames to the main conveyor at the other of said points, hook-like means on said trunnions for engagement with the auxiliary chains upon release of the frames from the main conveyor and to thereby cause the frames to be conveyed along on the auxiliary conveyor in suspended position from one of said points to the other, means for driving the auxiliary chains at a speed sufficiently slower than the speed of the main chains so that the frames as suspended from the auxiliary chains will be substantially in contact, and each frame having a shoe along which the said supporting means on the next frame engages as the frames are being reconnected to the main chains.

MAURICE STERN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 800,639 Gegenheimer Oct. 3, 1905 1,411,706 Bulley Apr. 4, 1922 1,418,185 Van Buskirk May 30, 1922 1,865,596 Starks July 5, 1932 2,548,131 Stern Apr, 10, 1951

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