US292923A

US292923A - Store-service apparatus

Info

Publication number: US292923A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1884-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 1901-02-05

Description

To a/ZZ whom, it may corwcrn.-

Nrren STATES VILLIAM S. LAMSON, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS.

STORE-SERVICE APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 292,923, dated February 5, 1884. Application tiled December 10, 1883. (No model.)

Be it known that I, WM. S. LAMsoN, of LowelhMiddlesex county, Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Store-Service Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of storeservice apparatus in which graduated carriers move upon ways between the main desk and the stations; and my invention consists in automaticswitch apparatuswhereby any ofthe carriers, as desired` may be automatically directed trom the main track to a branch track.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side view of sufficient of a store-service apparatus to show my improvement. Fig. 2 is a plan view; and

` Fig. 8 is a section on thelineI and 2, looking in the direction of the arrow.

VA is the main track, and B is the side track, which branches to one side to a point beneath the main track, and extends to one or more ofthe stations of the store. Sections a a of the main-track rail are connected together to form a switch, D, pivoted at x, so that the switch-rails remain normally in line with the track, in which case the carriers will pass along the main track; or the switch may be tilted to the position shown in dotted lines, Figi, in which case the carrier will be directed to the branch track B. In order that the switch thus formed may be operated automatically, I use any available appliance that will lock the switclrrail in one position, but will be operated by' carriers of a determined size or construction to unlock the switch and permit it to direct such carriers to the side track. One means which I have found to be practically effective is shown inthe drawings, and consists of a catch-lever, b, pivoted at one side of the track and catching under a lug or lip, e, of the switch to hold itin place, and an operatinglever, It, pivoted to a standard, fm, atthe side ofthe track, jointed to the catchlever b, and provided with an adjustable contact-pin, t'. Carriers which pass freely below the pin t will not affect the position of the switch; but larger carriers that strike the pin lwill .lift the upper end of the lever hand move the catch-lever to release the switch, when the latter will fall under the weight of the carrier and will direct the latter to the branch track. It will be evident that there is no tendency of the carrier-to leave the track as it operates the switch, the pin t' tending rather to keep it to the track, and the switch being operated by the momentum of the carrier alone and not byits gravity. The switch carries a counterbalance-weight, s, or is otherwise counterbalanced so as to recover its position when the carrier passes from it, the point of the lip e being beveled so as to force back the lever b, which then slips under the lug and holds the switch in place.

Vithout limiting myselfto the precise construction of switch and operatingV devices shown, I claim- A l. In a cash-service apparatus having graduated carriers, the combination of a main track, branch track extending to stations ofthe store, switch devices for locking the same in one position, and appliances arrL nged to be moved by the carriers to be switched and to thereby cause the switch to assumea position to direct the carriers onto the other track, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of the main track, side track, switch pivoted that it may be brought to coincide with either track, lock, and appliances whereby to unlock and change the p Osition of the switch by the action of some of the carriers, while others are permitted to pass onward upon the main line.

3. The combination, with the track of a store-service apparatus, of a pivoted switchsection, and locking device constructed to be operated by the momentum of special carriers to unlock said section and permitl the same to move under the weight of the carrier, substantially as specified. i.

In testimony whereoi` I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

w. s. LAMsoN.

Witnesses:

CHARLEs E. Fos'rnn, E. L. GnosvENoR.