US3186783A - Elevator filing appliance - Google Patents

Description

June 1, 1965 c. D. GRABER 3,186,783

ELEVATOR FILING APPLIANCE Filed Feb. 11, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 1

2 INVENTOR. Uwrb D. Grabber BY 9mg, W8: W

ATTORNEYS V June 1, 1965 c. D. GRABER ELEVATOR FILING APPLIANCE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 11, 1963 INVENTOR. Ca/rb D. Lira/bez- ATTORNEYS June 1, 1965 c, GRABER 3,186,783

ELEVATOR FILING APPLIANCE Filed Feb. 11, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INV EN TOR.

CwrLD. Gnuber BY 9M0, ,lo%4& M

ATTORNEYS June 1, 1965 c. D. GRABER 3,185,783

ELEVATOR FILING APPLIANCE Filed Feb. 11, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

UwrL D. Gzwber ATTORNEYS June 1, 1965 c. D. GRABER ELEVATOR FILING APPLIANCE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 11, 1963 nvmvrm Uwrb D. Grater BY 7 94mg, ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,186,783 ELEVATQR FELHJG APPHANCE Carl D. Graher, (Prrvilie, Qhio, assignor to Diehoid, Incorporated, Canton, (thin, a corporation of (Bhio Filed Feb. 11, 1963, Ser. No. 257,4ti8 4 marinas. (Cl. 312-268) The invention relates to filing appliances of a type generally known as an elevator file in which a number of card-holding pans are mounted on and connected at each end to pairs of continuous drive and stabilizing chains suppported on and driven by vertically spaced chain sprockets so that upon movement of the chains by a drive motor, any pan can be moved to a work station adjacent an opening in the appliance case or housing. More particularly the invention relates to improved synchronizing means for the drive of the pairs of drive and stabilizing chains, and the synchro-drive construction of the invention is an improvement upon the construction described in my Pat. No. 2,940,810.

Problems have arisen in the construction and operation of elevator files such as shown in Pat. No. 2,940,810 where the height of the pans is increased to accommodate taller cards carried by the pans. The problem is complicated by two factors; first, the increased card height or size increases the load carried by any pan when fully loaded with cards, and second, the V-arranged lever arms on which the pans are mounted must be spaced further apart on the chains to accommodate the taller cards and the increased pan height.

The increased spacing of the V-arranged lever arms on the chains and the heavier loading on the pans combine to impart forces causing the chains to tend to assume a wave-like shape along their extent.

These conditionsthe heavy pan loading, the increased pan spacing, and the resultant wave-like chain shaperequire absolute synchronism to be maintained at all times in the movements of the drive and stabilizing chains of each pair at the ends of the pans mounted on and driven by the chains, in order for the elevator file to function properly with smooth and noiseless operation and free of any tendency to jam, lock or bind the drive or to upset the pans.

Furthermore, an increase in the pan height in an elevator file of maximum capacity for a given size of file results in interference between the pans and the main drive shaft extending across the top of an elevator file such as shown in Pat. No. 2,940,810 as the pans move around the top of their orbit of movement. The main drive shaft extending across the appliance at the top must be relocated at the bottom of the file in order to eliminate such interference.

Pat. No. 2,940,810 has one type of means for synchronizing the movements of the drive and stabilizing chains of each pair at each end'of the pans mounted on the chains. This synchronizing means utilizes a pair of synchronizing sprockets rotating together and engaged one with each of the pair of drive and stabilizing chains intended to tie and coordinate the movements of the drive and stabilizing chains. In order to be effective, both such synchronizing sprockets must at all times be fully engaged with their respective chains. For this purpose an idler or back-up sprocket engages the stabilizing chain adjacent the engagement of the stabilizing chain with one of the synchronizing sprockets to maintain the stabilizing chain in engagement with its synchronizing sprocket.

While this type of cynchronizing means is effective to synchronize the movements of the drive and stabilizing chains in elevator files having pans not too heavily loaded of the size and number shown in the patent, it has been Patented dune l, 1955 found that such synchronizing means is not fully effective when used on larger elevator files having pans of increased height, with increased pan spacing, and with more heavily loaded pans. This lack of effectiveness results because the drive chain, due to heavy loading and wavelike chain action releases its synchronizing engagement with its synchronizing sprocket, since it is not positively maintained at all times in full and complete engagement with its synchronizing sprocket by any backup sprocket. Due to interference with the V-arranged lever arms on which the pans are mounted on the drive chains, n is not possible to provide a back-up sprocket for the drive chain synchronizing sprocket.

This limitation as to the effectiveness of the synchronizing means for the elevator file of Pat. No. 2,940,810 has limited the capacity as to pan size, card size, pan loading, etc., that can be used in properly operating elevator files constructed as shown in the patent.

Thus, a need has arisen for a synchronized drive for larger capacity elevator files of the type shown in Pat. No. 2,940,810, which larger capacity files cannot be eliectively synchronized by the synchronizing means of the patent.

I I have discovered a solution for this problem satisfying the need which comprehends positively and directly tying together and synchronizing separate drives for each of the drive and stabilizing chains of each pair of chains at the ends of the pans supported on and driven by chains.

In accordance with the invention, an inter-connecting chain positively ties the drive for the drive chain with t e drive for the stabilizing chain of each pair of drive and stabilizing chains. This inter-chain is maintained tight or taut by adjustable idler sprocket means. Finally, means is provided to compensate for any change in efiective length (involving idler sprocket adjustment to maintain inter-chain tautness) of the inter-chain so that matching orientation of the drive shafts of the drive and stabilizing chains can be maintained at all times with any position of idler sprocket adjustment.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved synchronizing drive for an elevator file having a series of pans mounted on, connected to and driven at each end by pairs of continuous drive and stabilizing chains.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved and ei fective synchro-drive construction for elevator files having heavily loaded, tall-cardcontaining pans supported and driven by pairs of continuous drive and stabilizing chains at the ends of the pans.

lso, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved synchro-drive construction for elevator files having pans supported and driven by pairs of continuous drive and stabilizing chains at the ends of the pans, which positively functions to maintain drive synchronism without limitation as to pan size, card size, or pan loading.

Moreover, it is an object of the present, invention to provide a new synchro-drive construction for elevator files having pans supported and driven by pairs of continuous drive and stabilizing chains at the ends of the pans, in which separate drives for each of'the drive and stabilizing chains are directly tied together and absolute synchronism of the movements of the drive and stabilizing chains is maintained at all times.

In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new synchro-drive construction for elevator files having pans supported and driven by pairs of continuous drive and stabilizing chains at the ends of the pans, in which an inter-connecting chain positively ties the drives for the drive and stabilizing chains of each pair, in which the inter-connecting chain may be maintained taut at all times, in which means is provided to compenr 9 sate for any change in the effective length of the interconnecting chain so as to maintain at all times matching the ends of the pans extending across thefile at the bot.

tom of the file to eliminate interference between such shaft and relatively high pans adapted for containing tall cards, during movement of the pans throughout their path of travel.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new synchro-drive construction for elevator files eliminating the difliculties heretofore encountered in the art; achieving the stated objects in a simple, effective and inexpensive manner; and solving the problems of limited pan size, card size, pan loading, etc., existing in the art.

These and other objects and advantages, apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and claims, may be obtained, the stated results achieved, and the described dil'iiculties overcome, by the apparatus, combinations, parts, elements, subcombinations, arrangements and constructions which comprise the present invention, the nature of which is set forth in the following general statement, a preferredembodiment of whichillustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles is set forth in the following description and shown in the drawings, and which are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims forming part hereof.

The-nature'of the improved elevator file construction of the present invention may be stated in general terms as including in an elevator file of a type having a plurality of card-holding pans supported on and driven by pairs of continuous drive and stabilizing chains at the ends of the pans, and a pair of vertically'spaced chain sprockets for each drive and stabilizing chain, all mounted on a base and frame support structure; the combination of means mounting one of the sprockets of each pair on drive-transmitting-shaft means, means mounting the other sprocket of each pair on idler shaft means, a synchronizing sprocket mounted oneach drive-transmitting-shaft means, a continuous inter-connecting chain in driving engagement withsaid-synchronizing sprockets, adjustable idler sprocket means engaged with the inter-connecting chain for maintaining the inter-connecting chaintaut, one

of the synchronizing sprockets being rotatably adjustable with respect to the shaft means on which it is mounted, a. motor-driveoperatively connected preferably with the drive shaft means for one of the drive chain sprockets, and preferably the drive shaft means for the lower drive chain sprocket at one end of the pans extending across the appliance to'formthe drive shaft means for the lower drive chain sprocket at the other end of the pans.

Byway of example, an embodiment of the improved elevator file construction is shown in the accompanying drawings forming part hereof in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation, with certain parts in section and others in dot-dash lines, of the pan support and drive mechanism of the improved elevator file omitting the outer housing of the appliance;

FIG. 2 is a section looking in the direction of rows 2-2, FIG. 1; a

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 looking in the direction of thearrows 33,'FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the upper left-hand corner of the parts shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG4 of the parts shown in the lower left-hand corner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an end elevation of the left-hand side of the parts shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are diagrammatic views illustrating the arthe manner in'which the improved synchronizing means may be adjusted; and

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the complete drive and pan support mechanism of the improved file.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

The improved synchro-drive for an elevator file of the type shown in Pat. No. 2,940,810 is illustrated in the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrating the pan support and drive mechanism. One pan is shown in full lines at the top and another pan is shown in full lines at the bottom of the orbit of pan movement in FIG. 1 and the remaining pans have been omitted for clarity. The pans also are omitted in FIGS. 2 and 3, excepting that the location of one pan is illustrated in dot-dash lines in FIG. 2.

The improved elevator file is indicated generally at 1 and includes a base structure '2 and spaced upright end frame members 3 and 4. Upper drive support members 5 and lower drive support members 6 are mounted on the facing surfaces of the end frame members 3 and 4 by bolts 7. A channel stretcher member 8 is connected tothe upper support members 5 to complete a generally rectangular frame and support structure emending upwardly from the base 2.

Main drive shaft 9 is journaled at its ends in bearings 10 and 11 carried by the lower drive support members 6 in the bottom region of the file 1 (FIGS. 1 and 5). A drive chain lower drive sprocket 12 is keyed to shaft 9 adjacent an inner surface of each lower support member 6.- A drive chain upper idler sprocket 13 is journaled on stub shaft 14 mounted at the upper end of each upper drive support member 5. Each stub shaft 14 also is supported by a recessed pad 15 mounted on a shield plate 16 extending upward from channel member 8.

Idler sprocket 13 adjacent frame. member 3 is spaced above and aligned with drive sprocket 12 adjacent frame member 3, thus providing a pair ,of sprockets around which continuous left-hand drive chain 17 is trained. Similarly, idler sprocket 13 adjacent frame member 4 is spaced above and aligned with drive sprocket 12 adjacent frame member 4 thus providing a pair of sprockets around which continuous right-hand drive chain 18 is trained.

A stabilizing chain drive shaft 19 is journaled in bearings 20 and 21 at the upper end of each upper support member 5 and a stabilizing chain upper drive sprocket 22 is keyed to each shaft 19 between bearings 20 and 21.

A stabilizing chain lower idler sprocket 23 is journaled on stub shaft 24'at the bottom end of each lower support member 6. The sprockets 22 and 23 adjacent frame member 3 are aligned and spaced above one another and form a pair of sprockets around which continuous lefthand stabilizing chain 25 is trained. Similarly, sprockets 22 and 23 adjacent frame member 4 are aligned and spaced above one another and form a pair of sprockets around which continuous right-hand stabilizing chain 26 is trained.

The upper drive support members 5 may be adjusted toward and away from the lower drive support members 6 to maintain the drive and stabilizing chains 17, 18, 25 and 26 taut by adjusting screws 27; the apertures 28 in the frame members 3 and 4 (FIG. 6) for the bolts 7 which mount the upper support members 5 on the frame being elongated as shown to permit such adjustment.

A synchronizing sprocket 29 is keyed to main drive shaft 9 adjacent each end thereof outside the end frame members 3 and 4 (FIG. 1), and a synchronizing sprocket generally indicated at,30 is keyed to the end of each stabilizing chain drive shaft 19 outside the frame members 3 and 4. The pair of synchronizing sprockets 29 and 30 adjacent frame'member 3 are aligned and spaced above one another and form a pair of sprockets around which continuous left-hand inter-connecting chain 31 is trained. Similarly, sprockets 29 and 30 adjacent frame member 4 are aligned and spaced above one another and form a pair of sprockets around which continuous right-hand inter-connecting chain 32 is trained.

An adjustable idler sprocket 33 (FIGS. 1 and 6) is mounted on each upright end frame members 3 and 4 below each synchronizing sprocket 38 for engagement respectively with each interconnecting chain 31 and 32. Adjustment of sprockets 33 may be made to maintain the inter-connecting chains 31 and 32 taut. A main drive sprocket 34 is keyed to one end of shaft 9 (FIGS. 1, 5 and 6) and is connected by chain 35 with drive sprocket 36 on shaft 37 of drive-motor 38.

The drive and stabilizing chains 17, 18, 25 and 26 are endless link chains of the same length and pitch and each chain is trained around a pair of spaced sprockets. The drive and stabilizing chain sprockets 12, 13, 22 and 23 all have the same pitch line diameter and same number of sprocket teeth and the sprockets of each pair are spaced the same distance apart.

The synchronizing sprockets 29 and 319 also both have the same pitch line diameter and the same number of sprocket teeth so that each sprocket of a pair tied by an inter-connecting chain 31 or 32, rotates at the same speed as the other sprocket of the pair.

The drive of motor 38 (FIG. 10) is transmitted through shaft 37, sprocket 36, chain 35 and sprocket 34, to shaft 9; and from shaft 9 through synchronizing sprockets 29, synchronizing chains 31 and 32, and synchronizing sprockets 38 to stabilizing chain drive shafts 19. Shafts 9 and 19 thus rotate the drive sprockets 12 and 22 for the drive chains 17 and 18 and stabilizing chains and 26, respectively, at the same synchronized speed. In this manner, the movements of chains 17, 18, 25 and 26 are synchronized at all times.

Any adjustment for stretch or wear of the drive chains 17 and 18 and the stabilizing chains 25 and 26 by the adjusting screws 27, as described, adjusts the drive chain 17 and stabilizing chain 25 of the left-hand pair of drive and stabilizing chains or adjusts the drive chain 18 and stabilizing chain 26 of the right-hand pair of drive and stabilizing chains the same amount, so that the synchronized relationship between the drive and stabilizing chains of either pair is not disturbed by such adjustment.

The synchronizing sprockets 36 comprise sprocket hubs 39 and sprocket discs 41 rotatably adjustable on the hubs 39. The discs 41? are held on the hubs 39 of synchronizing sprockets 363 by bolts 41 engaged in threaded apertures 42 (FIG. 4) in the hubs 39 and passing through elongated arcuate slots 43 in the sprocket discs 40 to provide for rotary adjustment.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9, FIG. 8 shows the relationship of the parts when synchronizing chain 31 is new and unstretched, and shows the adjusted relative po sitions of the sprocket hub 39 and disc 41? of synchronizing sprocket 3&1 at this time. Now, assume a radial line R at 12 oclock on each of sprockets 13, 22 and 30 and 12, 23 and 29. All such radial lines R must at all times be at the same angular position if synchronism in the movements of drive and stabilizing chains 17 and 25 is to be maintained at all times. In other words, the same orientation (indicated by radial lines R in the same angular position) of drive shafts 9 and 19 and stub shafts 14 and 24 must be maintained at all times (FIGS. 7 and 8).

However, a situation arises due to stretch or wear of synchronizing chain 31 such that adjustable idler sprocket 33 must be moved to a position such as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9 to maintain the chain 31 taut. Assuming that shaft 9 remains fixed, the stretch in chain 31 taken up by adjusted sprocket 33 will rotate synchronizing sprocket 38' in a counter-clockwise direction. This in turn normally would involve rotation of shaft 19 in a counterclockwise direction, and radial line R associated with shaft 19 would move toward 11 oclock.

Shaft 19, however, must not move in this manner if the same orientation of shafts 9 and 19 is to be maintained. Therefore, bolts 41 are loosened, permitting sprocket disc 40 to turn counter-clockwise as shown by the arrow 44 in FIG. 9 as the sprocket 33 is adjusted. However, hub 39 of synchronizing sprocket 3t), and shaft 19 to which hub 39 is keyed, remain stationary, with the radial line R associated with shaft 19 retained at the 12 oclock position. Radial line RA associated with sprocket disc 46, however, moves to a position such as shown in FIG. 9 when disc turns counter-clockwise. After this adjustment is made, bolts 41 are tightened and absolute synchronism in the movements of chains 17 and 25 is maintained, despite adjustment of sprocket 33 to maintain tautness in the synchronizing chain 31 extending between the drive shafts 9 and 19.

Idler shafts 45 are mounted on each upper drive support member 5 below drive shafts 19, and a pair of sprockets 46 and 47 are mounted on idler shafts 45 engaged, respectively, with left-hand pair of drive and stabilizing chains 17 and 25. A similar pair of sprockets 48 and 49 are mounted on idler shaft 45 engaged, respectively, with the right-hand pair of drive and stabilizing chains 18 and 26. These sprockets 46, 47, t8 and 49 are similar to sprockets performing a synchronizing function in Pat. No. 2,949,810 bi they do not perform the synchronizing function in the improved structure since there are no back-up sprockets associated therewith maintaining the chains 17, 18, 25 and 26 in proper engagement with the sprockets. The purpose of sprockets 46, 47, 48 and 19 is to hold the chains from sagging inward toward and bumping or rubbing portions of the upper drive support members 5 at the backside of the file (left-hand side of FIGS. 2 and 3). This sagging, bumping or rubbing can otherwise occur with heavy loading which may produce a wave-like shape in the chain flights at the left of FIGS. 2 and 3.

Additional sprockets 55 mounted on stub shafts 51 on the lower drive support members 6 are provided for the same purpose, engaging the drive chains 17 and 18 (FIG. 2).

Rollers 52 journaled on shafts 53 preferably aligned with the axes of drive shafts 19 are mounted on the upper drive support members 5 with the rollers 52 located immediately below and aligned with sprockets 13. The rollers 52 hold drive chains 17 and 18 from bumping or rubbing the upper drive support members 5 by any wavelike action of the chains that may result from heavy loading, as the chains pass around the upper idler sprockets 13 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4).

Similarly, rollers 54 are journaled on main drive shaft 9 just above and aligned with stabilizing chain lower idler sprockets 23 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 5) to prevent the stabilizing chains 25 and 26 from rubbing orburnping the lower drive support members 6.

The card-holding pans 55 are supported on and driven and stabilized by the pairs of continuous drive and stabilizing chains 17-25, and 18-26 at the ends of the pans 55 in the same manner shown in Pat. No. 2,940,810. Thus, each pan 55 is provided with a pair of aligned trunnions 56 and 57 at its ends. Pairs of V-arranged forked levers S8 and 59 are mounted at their inner ends, respectively, on the drive chains 17 and 18 and are pivoted at their outer ends, respectively, on trunnions 56 and 57. The levers 58 and 59 are equally spaced along the drive chains 17 and 18 as shown (FIG. 2), and a file with eight pans 55 is illustrated. However, the spacing of the V-arranged levers 58 and 59 along the drive chains is greater than that shown in Pat. No. 2,940,810 to accommodate a greater pan height, and taller cards carried by the pans. The increased loading resulting from higher pans and taller cards gives rise to the wave-like chain action previously described, the main load of the pans 55 and cards therein being carried by the drive chains 17 and 18.

Connecting links 6% and 61 are fixed, at one end, respectively, to tr-unnions 56 and 57 and are pivoted, respectively, at their other ends to V-arranged levers 62 and 63, the inner ends of which levers are mounted, respectively,

on stabilizing chains 25 and 26. .Thus, the stabilizing chains 25 and 26, V-arranged levers 62 and 63 and connecting links 60 and 61 fixed on the trunnions 56 and 57 of pans 55 maintain the pans 55 horizontal throughout the orbit of pan travel.

The synchronized movements of the drive chains 17 and 18 and stabilizing chains 25 and'26, the orbits of travel of which are offset (spacing between shafts 14 and 19) a distance equal to the effective length of connecting links 60 and 61, maintain the pans 55, regardless of degree and location of loading, pan height, or card size or height, in horizontal positions at all times; and the drive mechanism operates smoothly and noiselessly free of any tendency to jam, lock or bind the drive or. to upset the pans.

Furthermore, the location of the main drive shaft 9, which extends across the file at its bottom region as shown in FIG. 1, eliminates interference between the shaft and the pans as the pans 55 move around their orbit of travel. Such interference would occur if the main drive shaft 9 were extended across the top of the file mechanism at the location of the stub shafts 14 for the upper idler sprockets 13.

This interference between the pans and a top located drive shaft could be avoided by increasing the lengths of the V-arranged levers 58, 59, 62 and 63. This expedient, however, increases the height and width of the entire elevator file without any increase of card-holding capacity. Thus, the bottom drive cross-shaft arrangement provides a file of greater card capacity for a given size of file than when a top located cross-drive shaft is used.

The provision for radial adjustment between the sprocket hubs 39 and sprocket discs 49 of the synchronizing sprockets 30 has the further advantage of permitting adjustment to provide a predetermined amount of lead or lag for the drive chains 17 and 18 with respect to the stabilizing chains 25 and 26 to take care of special loading conditions that may arise.

In the file illustrated, an inclined or slanted arrangement of a plane passing through shafts 14, 19, 9 and 24 is indicated and is preferred to provide knee and foot room as well as a tray position closer to an operator standing or seated in front of the file (right side of FIGS. 2, 3 and 6). However, the improved capacity and synchronizing features of the construction are present in a file in which a plane passing through the shafts 14, 19, 9 and 24 is vertical rather than inclined.

The improved filing construction may be housed in any desired type of cabinet, not shown, and may be equipped with any desired control and safety device, not shown, such as those illustrated and described in Pat. No. 2,940,810.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a new elevator file construction in which absolute synchronism may be maintained of the movements of the drive and stabilizing chains on which the card-holding pans are mounted, without limitation as to spacing between pans, amount of pan loading, or height or size of cards carried by the pans; provides a construction in which the synchro-drive operates smoothly and noiselessly, free of tendency to jam, lock or bind the drive, or to upset the pans; provides a construction in which the pans are supported and driven from both ends with cross drive shaft means located such as to provide a file of any given size with maximum cardcarrying capacity; and provides a construction eliminating difiiculties heretofore encountered, achieving the stated objects, accomplishing the many new functions and results described, and solving problems of limited pan size, card size, pan loading, etc., existing in the art.

In the, foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, becausesuch terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be bfoad- I ly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by way of example and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact structure shown, because the sizes, shapes, and directions of movement of the various parts and components may be varied to provide other structural embodiments, without departing from the fundamental synchro-drive and maximum capacity principles of the invention.

Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the assembly, characteristics, operation and use of a preferred form thereof, and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained thereby; the new and useful discoveries, principles, apparatus, combinations, parts, elements, subcombinations, structures, cooperative relationships and arrangements, and mechanical equivalents obvious to those skilled in the art are set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In elevator file construction, spaced first and second upright frame support members, a first pair of offset continuous drive and stabilizing chains located adjacent the first frame support member, a second pair of offset continuous drive and stabilizing chains located adjacent the second frame support member, a plurality of card-holding pans each supported at one end on the first pair and at the otherend on the second pair of drive and stabilizing chains, a main drive shaft extending between and journaled on the spaced support members, a first stabilizing chain drive shaft journaled on the first frame support member spaced from said main drive shaft, a second stabilizing chain drive shaft axially aligned with said first stabilizing chain drive shaft journaled on the second frame support member, a first pair of sprockets for the first drive chain including a drive sprocket fixed to the main drive shaft and an idler sprocket journaled on the first frame support member, a second pair of sprockets for the second drive chain including a drive sprocket also fixed to the main drive shaft and an idler sprocket journaled on the second frame support member, a third pair of sprockets for the first stabilizing chain including a drive sprocket fixed to said first stabilizing chain drive shaft and an idler sprocket journaled on the first frame support member, a fourth pair of sprockets for the second stabilizing chain including a drive sprocket fixed to said second stabilizing chain drive shaft and an idler sprocket journaled on the second frame support member, a fifth pair of synchronizing sprockets including a drive sprocket fixed to said main drive shaft and a drive sprocket fixed to said first stabilizing chain drive shaft, a sixth pair of synchronizing sprockets including a drive sprocket also fixed to said main drive shaft and a drive sprocket fixed to said.

second stabilizing chain drive shaft, the sprockets of each pairbeing aligned and spaced above one another, a first continuous inter-connecting chain trained around the fifth pair of synchronizing sprockets, a second continuous inter-connecting chain trained around the sixth pair of synchronizing sprockets, motor-drive means for the main drive shaft, and means for adjusting the inter-connecting chain and synchronizing sprocket driving connections between the main drive shaft and the first and second stabilizing chain drive shafts to maintain matching angular orientation of the main, first and second drive shafts whereby synchronous movements of the drive and stabilizingchains are maintained.

2.'The construction defined in claim 1 in which the means for adjusting the inter-connecting chain and synchronizing sprocket driving connections to maintain said matching angular orientation includes an adjustable idler sprocket mounted one on each of the first and second frame support members and engaged respectively with the first and second inter-connecting chains for maintaining 3. The construction defined in claim 2 in which the rotatably adjustable synchronizing sprocket includes a sprocket hub fixed to the drive shaft on which the sprocket is mounted, a sprocket disc rotatably mounted on the hub, and bolt and slot means for clamping the disc to the hub in any desired position of rotary adjustment.

4. The construction defined in claim 2 in which the main drive shaft extends between the first and second upright frame support members at the lower ends of said support members.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Buckingham 312-268 X Holland-Letz 198-438 X Templeton 198-9 Fergason 198208 X Graber 312-268 Cordis 198137 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN ELEVATOR FILE CONSTRUCTION, SPACED FIRST AND SECOND UPRIGHT FRAME SUPPORT MEMBERS, A FIRST PAIR OF OFFSET CONTINUOUS DRIVE AND STABILIZING CHAINS LOCATED ADJACENT THE FIRST FRAME SUPPORT MEMBER, A SECOND PAIR OF OFFSET CONTINUOUS DRIVE AND STABILIZING CHAINS LOCATED ADJACENT THE SECOND FRAME SUPPORT MEMBER, A PLURLITY OF CARD-HOLDING PANS EACH SUPPORTED AT ONE END ON THE FIRST PAIR AND AT THE OTHER END ON THE SECOND PAIR OF DRIVE AND STABILIZING CHAINS, A MAIN DRIVE SHAFT EXTENDING BETWEEN AND JOURNALED ON THE SPACED SUPPORT MEMBERS, A FIRST STABILIZING CHAIN DRIVE SHAFT JOURNALED ON THE FIRST FRAME SUPPORT MEMBER SPACED FROM SAID MAIN DRIVE SHAFT, A SECOND STABILIZING CHAIN DRIVE SHAFT AXIALLY ALIGNED WITH SAID FIRST STABLIZING CHAIN DRIVE SHAFT JOURNALED ON THE SECOND FRAME SUPPORT MEMBER, A FIRST PAIR OF SPROCKETS FOR THE FIRST DRIVE CHAIN INCLUDING A DRIVE SPROCKET FIXED TO THE MAIN DRIVE SHAFT AND AN IDLER SPROCKET JOURNALED ON THE FIRST FRAME SUPPORT MEMBER, A SECOND PAIR OF SPROCKETS FOR THE SECOND DRIVE CHAIN INCLUDING A DRIVE SPROCKET ALSO FIXED TO THE MAIN DRIVE SHAFT AND AN IDLER SPROCKET JOURNALED ON THE SECOND FRAME SUPPORT MEMBER, A THIRD PAIR OF SPROCKETS FOR THE FIRST STABILIZING CHAIN INCLUDING A DRIVE SPROCKET FIXED TO SAID FIRST STABILIZING CHAIN DRIVE SHAFT AND AN IDLER SPROCKET JOURNALED ON THE FIRST FRAME SUPPORT MEMBER, A FOURTH PAIR OF SPROCKETS FOR THE SECOND STABILIZING CHAIN INCLUDING A DRIVE SPROCKET FIXED TO SAID SECOND STABILIZING CHAIN DRIVE SHAFT AND AN IDLER SPROCKET JOURNALED ON THE SECOND FRAME SUPPORT MEMBER, A FIFTH PAIR OF SYNCHRONIZING SPROCKETS INCLUDING A DRIVE SPROCKET FIXED TO SAID MAIN DRIVE SHAFT AND A DRIVE SPROCKET FIXED TO SAID

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