US3002468A

US3002468A - Basket rack and conveyor mechanism therefor

Info

Publication number: US3002468A
Application number: US742936A
Authority: US
Inventors: Marion R Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-06-18
Filing date: 1958-06-18
Publication date: 1961-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 1978-10-03

Description

Oct. 3, 1961 M, R, WILLIAMS 3,002,468

BASKET RACK AND CONVEYOR MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed June 18, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 mvErgT R; Marion R. M l/l Mw/M ATTORNEYS- Oct. 3, 1961 M. R. WILLIAMS 3,002,468

BASKET RACK AND CONVEYOR MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed June 18, 1958 .3 Sheets-Sheet 2 gigo o 28 /4 /3 m 80 26 if 7 I8 /5 .24 i a] 46 25 I 59 76 INVEIDIT'OR. Marlon R. Williams.

A T'TORNEVS.

Oct. 3, 1961 M. R. WILLIAMS BASKET RACK AND CONVEYOR MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed June 18, 1958 I5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTQR. Marion R. Willzczms ATTORNEYS- Unite States Patent 2 Claims. (Cl. 104-121) This invention relates to trolley type conveyors, and more particularly to conveyors or racks having baskets mounted thereon for use in laundries wherein the garments and clothing are wrapped in bundles or packages after washing and cleaning for storage before dispensing to the customers.

The principal object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a basket type conveyor in which garments are placed after washing and ironing and packaging so that the clothing and garments may be moved on the conveyor to the operator for easy access to the garments for dispensing the same to the owner thereof.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a rack mounted on spaced standards or posts of the type illustrated in my co-pending application, Serial No. 674,206, filed July 25, 1957, now abandoned, including the I-beam construction for forming endless trackways and having an endless chain run by the sprockets and certain links of the chain having means for receiving the threaded shanks of hook members; to provide baskets, racks or the like having spaced shelves therein adapted to be carried by the hook members, the baskets being adapted for retaining the packaged garments therein after wrapping and being retained in the basket until dispensed to the customer; to provide a track member spaced from the upper trackways; to provide means on the track member for levelling the same with respect to the support for the rack and to adjust the lower trackway with respect to the upper trackway; to provide the same spacing between the trackways throughout the circumference thereof; to provide rollers on the lower edge of the basket for engaging the lower trackway to guide the same in alignment with the upper rollers engaging the upper trackway; to provide means for suspending the basket at an inclined angle so that the platforms or shelves in the basket will be inclined from the front portion to the rear to retain the packages therein during rotation of the rack mechanism; to provide means on the bottom of the baskets for engaging the inside of the lower track member to retain and guide the same thereon; to provide the lower roller members or guide means for the trackway having the same radius as the upper rollers engaging the trackways on the I-beam of the upper portion of the apparatus so that the baskets will move around the curved ends of the apparatus in a manner to avoid contact with each other and provide for easy operation thereof; to provide the baskets with a back and side members and having the shelves at the front of the side members slightly higher than at the back thereof so as to give greater angle to the basket shelves to retain the packages therein; and to provide control mechanism for movement of the baskets about the rack and stopping them at the desired location.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a'conveyor of this character which utilizes a small amount of space in a cleaning or laundry plant; to provide mechanism for movement of a certain basket to the operator of the counter for dispensing the garments to the owner; to provide a numbering system on the baskets providing mechanism whereby a garment basket of a certain numher at any position on the rack may be brought to the operators station by setting the control mechanism to that number to move the basket to the operators station;

and to provide a device of this character, simple and economical to manufacture and eflicient in operatlon.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the conveyor mechanism, taken on a line 1-1, FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the conveyor mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the basket with packages of garments placed therein.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the upper trackway and the mounting of the basket thereon and the mounting of the lower end of the basket on the lower trackway.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view through the basket, taken on a line 5-5, FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bundle carrying container or basket.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the connection of the chain with the basket, taken on a line 7-7, FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross sectional view particularly illustrating the connection of the lower end of the basket with the lower track, taken on a line 8-8, FIG. 3.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a conveyor embodying the features of my invention mounted upon posts or

standards

2 and 3 having bases 4 and 5. The posts are provided at their top with

slidable collars

6 and 7 held in place by set screws 8 and 0 for adjustment of the collars on the posts. Mounted upon the collars are cross arms 10 having their respective ends extending outwardly from the posts.

The structure includes a framework as indicated at 11 and 12 (FIG. 1) and is substantially the same as illustrated in my co-pending application, Serial No. 674,206, filed July 25, 1957, for mounting an endless track 13 of l-beam construction formed in suitable sections and secured together by bolts or the like (not shown). It is obvious that as many sections may be utilized as desired for the size of the conveyor desired in the particular establishment. The outer sections of the rail or track are curved as illustrated in FIG. 2, making an endless trackway. The I-beam construction is provided with an upper flange 14 and a lower flange 15 on either side of the web portion 16 of the I-beam, the lower

flanges providing trackways

17 and 18 for trolleys generally indicated at '19 (PEG. 4).

Sprockets

20 and 21 are mounted on

vertical shafts

22 and 23 in horizontal position over which is adapted to run an endiess chain 24. The mechanism includes a chain tightening apparatus also as illustrated in my copending application, Serial No. 674,206, filed July 25, 1 957. The conveyor chain 24 is composed of a plurality of links 25, and certain of said links are provided with upstanding brackets 25 to which are attached the arms 27 and 28 of the trolley, to which

arms rollers

29 and 30 are attached for engaging the

trackways

17 and 13 of the rail 13.v The tnolleys are spaced apart on the links approximately the distance of the width of the baskets 31, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The links of chain carrying the trolleys are also provided on their lower edges with a depending boss 32 having a cutaway portion 33 to conserve material and make a lighter construction. The boss 32 is internally threaded for receiving a threaded bolt 34 which may be locked in place in the boss by lock nut 35.

The basket 31 is shown as comprising spaced wires for the back 36, sides 37 and bottom 38. The top is also composed of wires or rods or the like as indicated at 39, and has an outer rail 40 and an inner spaced rail 41 and cross members as indicated at 42. The bolt 34 has. a head 43 3 and extends between the rods and 41 of the top and includes

washers

44 and 45 and a lock nut 46 for retaining the bolt in place on the top of the basket and for adjustinent thereon to align the trolleys, as later shown.

The bottom 38 of the basket is of similar construction as the top 39 and has a cross member 47 extending over the wire structure of said bottom. Suitably connected at 48 to the cross member 47 is a bracket 49 extending across the bottom 33 on the lower side thereof and in alignment with the member 47. The bracket 49 has depending sides 5!) on each end thereof between which are mounted rollers 51 onshafts 52. The lower ends of the depending sides are turned laterally horizontally as indicated at 53 and 54 and mounted thereon by bolts or the like 55 and 56 are rollers 57 and 58', the rollers 58 being mounted slightly higher than the roller 57. 1 A'lower trackway 60 is provided for the conveyor which consists of a vertical rail 61 adapted to be engaged by

rollers

51, 57 and'SS, as shown in FIG. 8. The lower trackway 60 may also be made in sections and fastened by suitablemeans (not shown) and the ends thereof being curved as indicated at62 and 63 (FIG. 2). The circumference of the lower trackway 60 is larger than the upper trackway or rail 13, also for a purpose later described. The lower trackway is connected by a plurality of

cross arms

64 and 65 near the outer ends thereof and a plurality of crossarms nearer the center thereof as indicated at 66. Asmany cross arms as desired may be utilized, depending upon the length of the conveyor. The cross arms 66 are provided with openings 67 through which the

posts

2 and 3 are adapted to extend in order to hold the lower trackway in place with respect to the conveyor and prevent lateral or longitudinal movement thereof.

A motor 68 is mounted upon the frame ill and has the belt and pulley connection with the sprockets as illustrated f in my co-pending application, Serial No. 674,206, filed July 25, 1957, for operating the mechanism. The motor is operated by electric current through conduit 69 connected to a source of supply (not shown) and through a control box '70.

The rollers 29 and 3t), 51 and 57 and 58 are made of plastic or a similar material having a bearing surface which requires no oil for the shaft extending therethrough and which reduces the noise occasioned by metal rollers. The

rollers are of light weight, durable structure and are very suitable for this purpose.

It will be noted that the trolleys are fastened to the top of the baskets near the rear edges thereof and the lower trackway is of larger circumference and the rollers on the bottom thereof are substantially at the center of the baskets so that the rollers are offset in vertical relation to the other (FIG. 4). The principal reason for the larger circumference of the lower rail is by such mounting the basket will be tilted with the top inclined inwardly so that the bundles or packages 71 not fall out of the on the conveyor.

In operation of a conveyor constructed and assembled as described, the upper trackway or rail 13 is levelled with respect to the support or floor 73 upon which the couveyor is mounted by adjustment of the

sleeves

6 and 7 through manipulation of the screws 8 and 9. When the upper track is levelled, then the lower track or rail $1 is adjusted so that it will be in parallel alignment with the upper rail or so that it will be the exact distance from the upper rail throughout its circumference. This adjustment is accomplished by belts or the like 7 engaging in thread. "ed openings in the

cross members

64 and 65. As many bolts may be utilized as desired so as to insure the proper support for the lower rail, and the cross member 66 may also be provided with adjusting bolts if this is found necessary. by turning of the bolts in the threaded openings in the cross members, the lower rail may be raised and lowered to align the same parallel with the upper rail. The garment after it is packaged, as indicated at 71, is

open front of the basket during rotation (FIG. 3) on shelves 72 will placed in the basket 31 on whatever shelf may be desired and the operator will have a number for such package and the customers name is also placed on the bundle or package as indicated at 75. The customer, or owner of the garments, has a number corresponding to the number on the bundle or package. The customer presents his number and the control mechanism 76 is energized to rotate the baskets on the conveyor until the basket containing his package reaches the dispensing station so that the operator may take the package out of the basket and deliver it to the customer.

The radius of the rollers at the bottom of the basket which engage the lower track may be the same as the rollers on the trolleys on the upper trackway. The baskets hang from the trolleys in such manner that the side edges are in a substantially straight down position and equally spaced from each other so that they will move around the curved ends of the track in the same relation and will not come in contact with the next adjacent basket. The adjustment of the rollers may be made on the upper ends or top of the basket by movement of the bolt with respect to the wire member so that they will always be in substantial alignment vertically with the rollers on the lower tracks when viewed from the front of the basket as shown in FIG. 3. The adjustment of the lower track with respect to the upper one is important so that the

rollers

56 and 57 will engage on each side of the rail 61 to prevent the rollers from moving away from the rail should the track become uneven. The rollers are offset tot-ake care of some play should the tracks become slightly out of line during operation, and one of the lock nuts 35 on bolts 34 may be slightly loosened as at 76, FIG. 3. to allow some play in the bolt connection to the chain when the basket travels around the conveyor.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that provided improved structure for baskets for conveyor mechanism whereby the baskets may be rotated on a conveyor mechanism in an etficient manner and so that the baskets will move around the ends of the track without contact with each other and whereby the packaged garments may be dispensed with ease from the baskets.

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

1. In a conveyor mechanism having upper and lower rails and a plurality of baskets each having compartments therein and a bottom, top, back side and open front for storing and dispensing articles therefrom, said lower rail being of larger circumference than the upper rail and having a plane upper surface and plane vertical side walls, means mounting said baskets for movement on said rails, said means including spaced trolleys on an endless chain engaging the upper rail, means on said trolleys engaging the top of said basket near the back side thereof in adjusted spaced relation for suspending said baskets from said trolleys in spaced relation to each other, an elongated bracket secured underneath the bottom of said baskets and extending longitudinally of said bottom rail, said bracket having depending spaced arms at each end thereof and having their lower ends turned laterally outwardly, rollers mounted between said spaced arms for engaging the top plane surface of the lower rail to carry a part of the load of said baskets, and rollers secured to the laterally turned portions of said arms for engaging each side of said lower rail to maintain the first named roller on said rail whereby said baskets will move around said rails with the tops thereof inclined inwardly toward the conveyor to prevent the articles from falling from the open front.

2. In a conveyor mechanism having upper and lower rails and a plurality of baskets each having compartments therein and a bottom, top, back side and open front for storing and dispensing articles therefrom, said lower rail being of larger circumference than the upper rail and having a plane upper surface and plane inner and outer vertical side walls; means mounting said baskets I have 4 i v v I.

for movement on said rails, said means including spaced trolleys on an endless chain engaging the upper rail, means on said trolleys engaging the top of said basket near the back side thereof in adjusted spaced relation tor suspending said baskets from said trolleys in spaced relation to each other, an elongated bracket secured underneath the bottom of said baskets at substantially the center thereof and extending longitudinally of said bottom rail, said bracket having depending spaced arms at each end thereof and having their lower ends turned laterally outwardly, rollers mounted between said spaced arms for engaging the top plane surface of the lower rail to carry a part of the load of said baskets, and rollers secured to the later-ally turned portions of said arms for engaging each side of said lower rail to maintain the first named roller on said rail, the roller on the outer plane surface of the lower rail being located at a lower point than the roller on the inner plane surface whereby said baskets will move around said rails with the tops thereof inclined inwardly toward the conveyor to prevent the articles from falling from the open iront.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Allen Aug. 29, Winner May 5, Ayers et al Mar. 13, Cook Feb. 12, Ellberg Ian. 4, Maynes June 26, Skar et a1. May 26, Bell Feb. 23, Francis Sept. 13, Bacon May 21, Maynes Apr. 1, Griffin et a1 Nov. 20, Stieve Mar. 13, Freeman Sept. 28, Byrne Jan. 22, Weiss Aug. 11,