US3208576A - Conveyor intersection - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 28, 1965 c. P. HOSTETLER CONVEYOR INTERSECTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 8, 1963 INVENTOR.

C #412455 F. HOSIE'TZE'E Arra/ewe Y5 United States Patent 3,208,576 CONVEYOR INTERSECTION Charles P. Hostetler, Redlands, Calif, assignor to Fruit Equipment Service, Redlands, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Mar. 8, 1963, Ser. No. 263,761 2 Claims. (Cl. 198-40) This invention relates to conveyor systems and, more particularly, to systems for the conveyance of items along a non-linear path.

Handling of bulky items such as boxes and bins is conveniently accomplished by track conveyors, which are conveniently laid and easily maintained. However, there are no existing optimum means for changing the track direction. Heretofore, it has generally been accomplished by forcing the box or bin to change direction in opposition to the conveyor itself. This creates wear on both the conveyor and item being transported, and often involves jamrning up of the items at the bend. An object of this invention is to provide convenient means, which may be automated if desired, for moving an item from a first track to a second track which is not aligned with the first.

Conveyor systems in accordance with this invention comprise a plurality of track sections, hereinafter generally called track, integrally connected by transfer elements whereby an item, such as a box, may be transported from a first track onto a second track, which is non-linear to the first track thereby forming a directional divergence in the conveyance system. Each track comprises a conveyor means, such as two endless chains, disposed to transport the box from one point to another. A transfer element interlinks the tracks to transfer the box from the first track onto the adjoining second track of the conveyor system.

A preferred, but optional, feature of this invention resides in its capacity to transfer a box from an end of the first track onto a second non-linear track at a point not necessarily at the end of the second track, such as at a T intersection. Boxes may enter the intersection from both the first track and the second track without colliding or jamming, and the boxes are then conveyed out of the intersection on the second track.

Still another preferred but optional feature of this invention resides in means for automatically controlling the movement of the boxes as the boxes pass from the first track to the second track. The transfer element comprises an elevating means to change the elevation of the box, and as preferred in this invention automatically lowers the box from the first track to the second track. The operation of the elevating means may be optional, however, and may function to raise the box from the first track onto the second track if preferred. As a safety feature a switching means is incorporated whereby the elevating means and the second track are set into operation only while the box is placed on the transfer element. This operation can be automated if desired. By the automatic operation of the second track using sequentially actuated controls, the boxes may be equally spaced from each other at a desired spacing on the second track.

These and other features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing illustrating the presently preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan View showing the right turn of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken at line 33 of FIG. 2 showing a transfer element disposed within the intersection;

FIG. 4 is a cross section view taken at line 4-4 of ice FIG. 2 showing a method of driving the transfer element within the intersection;

FIG. 5 is a cross section View taken at broken line 5-5 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a cross section view taken at line 6 6 of FIG. 5 showing a cam actuated switch suitable for programming the motor to operate the transfer element.

The drawings show an approach track 10, a main track 11 spaced from and substantially parallel to the approach track, and a transverse track 12 disposed adjacent an end of said approach track and extending perpendicular toward the main track terminating adjacent a side thereof. For purposes of describing the invention only a portion of a conveyor system is shown and it should be noted that any desired interlaced network of track may be connected or extended in accordance with this description to construct a conveyor system.

Approach track 10 comprises a conveyance means having two conveyors such as endless chains 13 and 14, each of which are engaged to sprocket wheels 15, 16, and 17, 18 respectively. The sprocket wheels are mounted adjacent opposite ends of two parallel shafts 19 and 20 and spaced from each other such that the chains are substantially perpendicular to said shafts. A motor 21 is attached to shaft 19 and when connected to a power source 22 causes the track 10 to circulate from shaft 19 to shaft 20.

The transverse track 12 comprises a conveyance means such as chains 23 and 24 engaged to sprocket wheels 25, 26, and 27, 28 respectively. The sprocket wheels are attached adjacent opposite ends of two parallel shafts 29 and 30 and a motor 31 is attached to shaft 30 to drive the transverse track 12.

The main track 11 comprises a conveyance means such as chains 32 and 33 which are engaged to sprocket wheels 34 and 35, respectively, mounted at opposite ends of shaft 36 and is driven by a motor 37 attached to shaft 36. For purposes of illustration in FIGURE 1 the end of main track 11 opposite shaft 36 has not been shown but it should be realized that there is a similar shaft-sprocket wheel assembly to support the chains 32 and 33 of the main track 11.

A transfer element 38, parallel to and extending longitudinally from the end of approach track 10 is disposed between chains 23 and 24 of transverse track 12 at a right turn of the system. The transfer element 38 comprises a conveyance means such as two endless chains 39 and 40 engaged to sprocket wheels 41, 42, and 43, 44, respectively, each mounted at opposite ends of two parallel shafts 45 and 46. Shaft 46 is rotated thereby causing the chains of transfer element 38 to circulate between shafts 45 and 46 by a chain drive means connected to shaft 19 of the approach track 10. The chain drive means comprises a chain 47 being driven by a sprocket wheel 48 on shaft 19 which thereby drives a sprocket wheel 49 attached to shaft 46. Similarly, another transfer element 50, parallel to and extending longitudinally from the end of the transverse track 12 is disposed between chains 32 and 33 of main track 11 at a T intersection of the system. The transfer element 50 comprises a conveyance means such as two endless chains 51 and 52 engaged to sprocket wheels 53, 54, and 55, 56 respectively mounted at opposite ends of two parallel shafts 57 and 58. Shaft 57 is rotated thereby causing the chains of transfer element 50 to circulate between shafts 57 and 58 by a chain drive means connected to shaft 30 of the transverse track 12. The chain drive means comprises a chain 59 being driven by a sprocket wheel 60 on shaft 30 which thereby drives a sprocket wheel 61 attached to shaft 57.

Transfer elements 38 may be raised above, or lowered below the horizontal level of transverse track 12 by means of an elevating means 62, which may conveniently be cams operated as shown. Elevating means 62 comprises four cams 63, 64, and 65, 66 which are attached at pposite ends of two shafts 67 and 68 respectively, parallel to and spaced from each other such that cams 63, 64, and 65, 66 are disposed beneath sprocket wheels 41, 42, and 43, 44 respectively of transfer element 38. Shaft 68 is driven by a motor 69 which is programmed by a microswitch 70 actuated by a cam 71 mounted on shaft 68 as shown in FIG. 6. Shaft 67 is driven by means of a chain drive arrangement comprising a sprocket wheel 72 mounted on shaft 68 which drives a sprocket wheel 73 mounted on shaft 67 by means of a chain 74 engaged to sprocket wheels 72 and 73. The transfer element 38 is made to rest upon the cams such that rotation of shafts 67 and 68 will cause the transfer element 38 to be raised and lowered relative to transverse track 12. Transfer element 50 may also be raised and lowered relative to the horizontal level of main track 11 by employing an elevating means 75, driven by a motor 76 which is programmed by a cam actuated microswitch 77. Elevating means 75 of transfer element 50 is similar in construction to the elevating means 62 of transfer element 38.

FIGS. 2 through 6 show detailed views of the transfer element 38 at a turn of the conveyor system. All of the track and transfer elements herein described have substan-tially the same spacing between their individual chains and all the chains are constructed in a similar manner.

Each chain as shown on the transverse track 12 in FIG. 2 is composed of cylindrical rollers 78 which are linked 79 together at the ends of the rollers into the form of an endless chain 24 and driven by sprocket wheels such as 27. Each chain is disposed to circulate in a substantially vertical plane such that the cylindrical rollers on the upper portion of each endless chain between the sprocket wheels is supported by a rail such as channel 80 which is welded at 81 to a large channel 82 as shown in FIG. 4. Channel 82 acts as a guide to confine the movement of the chain to ride upon the rail. Channel 80 is disposed within channel 82 such that the edges of each flange of the channel 80 bear against the inside of the bottom 83 of channel 82. A hole 84 is drilled through a wall 83 of channel 80 to provide access for welding channel 80 to channel 83. Channel 82 is attached to a supporting means such as channel 85 by welding at 86. The channel 86 may be attached to the floor upon which the entire conveyor system rests. Chain 23 of transverse track 12 is mounted upon channels in a similar fashion.

Approach track '10 also incorporates a rail and guide arrangement of similar construction to channels 80 and 82 of the transverse tracks and is mounted on a supporting means, such as channel 87, which has a larger wall than channel 86 such that the approach track is slightly higher than transverse track 12. The approach track should be slightly higher than the horizontal level of the transverse track such that the movement of an item will not be impaired as it passes from the approach track 10 to the transfer element 38.

Transfer element 38 comprises channels similar to channels 80 and 82 of the transverse track for chains 39 and 40 to ride upon, each of which is mounted on a supporting means such as channel 88 having a wall which is slightly less than half the size of the wall of channel 86. Disposed beneath channel 88 is a channel 89 of similar wall size to channel 88. The size of the walls of channels 88 and 89 should be such that transfer element 38 may be raised above and lowered below the horizontal level or the transverse track by the cam action of elevating means 62. Channel 89 supports cam lifts 64 and 66 which are attached to the ends of shafts 67 and 68, respectively. Channel 88 has four feet such as 90 and 91 as shown in FIG. 3. Foot 91 is welded at 93 to the lower flange 92 of channel 88 of the transfer element 38 as shown in FIG. 5. Slots, such as slot 94 in the flange of channel 89 directly beneath foot 91, provide openings such that said feet, acting as cam followers, may ride on the cams. Guides, such as channels 95 and 96 welded to channel 89, act to maintain channel 88 in its desired operating position.

FIG. 4 shows the chain drive system to drive shaft 46 of transfer element 38 from shaft 19 of approach track 10. The chain drive system comprises four idler sprocket wheels 97, 98, 99, and 100 disposed between sprocket wheel 48 on shaft 19 and sprocket wheel 49 on shaft 46 to enable the chain 47 to pass beneath channel 86 of the transverse track. Sprocket wheel 97 is spring loaded 97a to keep the chain taut on all the sprocket wheels of the chain drive arrangement when transfer element 38 is either in its raised or lowered position.

The driven sprocket wheel 49 on shaft 46 of the transfer element 38 has a smaller diameter than the driving sprocket wheel 48 on shaft 19 of the approach track to provide a faster linear velocity of the chains of transfer element 38 than the chains of the approach track. This will provide an increase in spacing between each item on the conveying system and its succeeding item while passing through the turn thereby decreasing any possibility of the item jamming up or striking each other at the transfer element '38.

Transfer element 50 has substantially the same construction and function as transfer element 38 and provides a similar increase in spacing between the boxes which pass from the transverse track 1 2 to the main track 11. The operation of the conveyor system is automatically carried out by incorporating the use of two double pole, double throw relays 102, and 103. Relays 102 and 103 are each actuated by normally open switches 104 and 105 respectively. Switch 104 is disposed adjacent transfer element 38, and switch 105 disposed adjacent transfer element 50. The switches 104 and 105 are operable by spring loaded feeler arms 106 and 107, respectively which extend up over their respective transfer elements and are designed to close when the items has been drawn onto the transfer element.

For the purposes of simplicity of description, the items to be transported upon the conveyor system are shown as square boxes such as box 101 illustrated by dotted lines as shown on the approach track in FIG. 1. The length of each side of the boxes is slightly larger than the spacing between the individual chains of each track.

Motor 21 is energized by the closing of a switch 108 connecting one side of the power source 22 to said motor. The other side of the power source is already connected to the motor 21 through a normally closed contact 109 of relay 103 and a normally closed contact 110 of relay 102 and results in the forward motion of approach track 10. Box 101 is manually rolled onto the approach track 10 from another platform means such as the bed of a truck. Once onto the approach track, the box is conveyed onto transfer element 38, whereby a side of the box will strike feeler arm 106 and close switch 104. Relay 102 will then be energized, opening contact 110 causing motor 21 to stop and closing normally open contacts 111 and 111a. As a safety precaution motor 21 should be stopped until the box has been cleared from the intersection at the turn such that succeeding boxes fol-lowing box 101 which may be on the approach track 10 do not strike box 101 and impair its movement.

The closing of contact 111 energizes motor 69 through a contact 112 on microswitch 70 causing the motor to rotate shaft 68. As shaft 68 rotates, the elevating means 62 will lower transfer element 38 below the horizontal level of the transverse track 12 causing the box 101 to be lowered onto the transverse track 12. When shaft 68 has rotated substantially one-half revolution such that the cam operated lifts have lowered transfer element 38 to its lowest level, cam 71 on shaft 68 causes microswitch 70 to open contact 112 thereby stopping motor 69 and close a contact 113 which is connected to contact 110 of relay 102. When contact 111a is closed, motor 31 is energized causing the transverse track 12 to move box 101 away from transfer element 38. After the box has been removed from above transfer element 38, the spring loaded feeler arm 106 is released from bearing against the side of the box causing relay 102 to de-energize resulting in the closing on contact 110 and the opening of contacts 111 and 111a.

When contact 111a opens, motor 31 is caused to stop thereby causing box 101 to stop on the approach track. When contact 110 closes, power is supplied to motor 69 through closed contact 113 of the cam operated microswitch 70 and shaft 68 is again rotated one-half revolution such that transfer element 38 is raised to the level above the horizontal level of the approach track. After shaft 68 has been rotated one-half revolution, contact 113 opens by the action of cam 71 thus causing motor 69 to stop, and contact 112 is closed. Also, as contact 110 closes, power is again supplied to motor 21 and the approach track conveys another box onto transfer element 38 in the manner just described. The spacing between the boxes drawn onto the transverse track 12 is governed by the distance from the transfer element 38 at which the box 101 releases the feeler arm. As shown in FIG. 2, the longer the feeler arm, the greater is the spacing between the boxes. It should be realized that the feeler arms serve only to illustrate a method of switching power to the various elements of the conveyor system and that other switching arrangements may be used to complete the same purpose.

As each succeeding box, following box 101, is placed upon the conveyor system, box 101 will continue to move along transverse track 12 a distance being substantially the cumulative of the length of a side of the box and the desired spacing between the boxes. The length of the transverse track is preferably made so that box 101 will stop at the termination of the transverse track 12 such that the next succeeding box onto the system will cause box 101 to be drawn onto transfer element 50; however, the transverse track may be any desired length as will be described later.

As box 101 is drawn onto the transfer element 50 at the T intersection, the side of the box strikes feeler arm 107 such that switch 105 closes when the box has been drawn completely onto transfer element 50. A solenoid coil 114 is energized when switch 105 closes and actuates a plunger 115. Plunger 115 is disposed adjacent the end of the transverse track and when actuated, serves a two-fold purpose: (1) to act as a stop to restrict the succeeding box following box 101 from entering the intersection and, (2) to close a normally open contact 116 to complete the circuit to supply power to relay 103 and motor 37 of the main track. Plunger 115 will be raised above the horizontal level of the transverse track when activated and will fall below the horizontal level when not activated by the solenoid coil 114.

When relay 103 is energized, normally closed contact 109 is opened thereby removing power from motor 31 of the transverse track, motor 21 of the approach track, and motor 69 of transfer element 38 by de-energizing relay 102. As contact 109 opens, a contact 117 closes thereby completing the circuit to supply power to motor 76 of elevating means 75 through cam actuated microswitch 77. The transfer element 50 is lowered, thereby lowering box 101 onto the main track in a manner similar to the described operation of transfer element 38.

Energizing relay 103 also closes a normally open contact 117a to complete the circuit to supply power to motor 37 of the main track 11. Motor 37 drives the main track and carries the box 101 away from the T intersection until the box releases feeler arm 107 after the predetermined desired spacing between box 101 and its succeeding box is reached. Switch 105 opens upon the release of feeler arm 107 resulting in a de-energization of the solenoid 114 and the relay 103. De-energizing relay 103 causes the opening of contact 117 and the closing of contact 109, thus the approach track and transverse track may again go into 6 operation. Plunger 115 will be released when the solenoid 114 is de-energized thereby releasing the stop to allow more boxes onto transfer element 50, and the transfer element will be lifted by elevating means in anticipation of the succeeding box following box 101.

The T intersection will also facilitate the entry of boxes which may pass along the main track at the intersection without making a turn. These boxes may come from similar approach track and transverse track combinations as the type herein described, which are located upstream on the main track from the T intersection shown in FIG. 1. The power source 22 is connected to the upstream intersection in parallel to the similar connections shown in FIG. 1 and motor 37 of the main track may be operable by a switch at either intersection. By connecting contact 117a to the same contact at the upstream intersection such that the switches are connected in parallel, the closing of any of the contacts similar to contact 117a in the drawing would energize motor 37 and the main track would be motivated.

Feeler arm 107 is pivoted about a point at 118 which is disposed upstream from the intersection. A box on the main track approaching the T intersection will strike feeler arm 107 and close switch when the box is substantially more than one box length away from chain 51 of transfer element 50. Should box 101 be entering onto the transfer element 50 from the transverse track 12 when the box on the main track closes switch 105, plunger will strike the bottom of box 101 and the plunger movement will be restricted, thereby restricting the closing of contact 116 to activate relay 103. Since relay 103 will not be energized, transverse track motor 31 would keep running until the box 101 releases the plunger, whereby box 101 would then be completely onto transfer element 50. When the plunger is released, the contact 116 will close and the relay 103 will then perform its normal function of stopping the transverse track and lower the transfer element 50 to remove box 101 from the T intersection. Due to the ample spacing of pivot 118 from the intersection, the box which was originally on the main track would continue moving toward the intersection without striking box 101 Once plunger 115 is actuated, it will act as a stop, and relay 103 will be energized as long as feeler arm 107 bears against the side of a box which is within its range on the main track. The boxes on the main track, upon striking feeler arm 107 have the right of way in the T intersection over the boxes on the transverse track except for those boxes on the transverse track disposed over plunger 115. The purpose of the plunger and associated mechanism is to reduce the possibility of boxes entering the T intersection from both the main track and the transverse track from striking each other.

Should the transverse track be of a length such that box 101 entering the transfer element 50 from the transverse track will stop before it has been completely drawn onto the transfer element and a second box approaches the transfer element 50 from upstream on the main track and causes switch 105 to be closed, plunger 115 will strike the bottom of box 101 when solenoid coil 114 is energized and contact 116 will not be closed. Therefore, relay 103 will not be energized and closed contact 109 on relay 103 and switch 105 will complete the circuit to provide power to a single pole, single throw relay 121 having a normally open contact 122. When contact 122 closes, motor 31 is energized and box 101 is drawn completely onto the transfer element 50, whereby plunger 115 is released allowing contact 116 to close. Relay 103 is then energized and operates as previously described to carry box 101 off the transfer element 50.

Once the approach track has been depleted of boxes and the boxes passed from the transfer element 38 of the right turn into the transverse track, transverse track 12 may then be motivated by closing a switch 119 to energize relay 102. Energizing relay 102 closes contact 111a as previously described to connect the power source 22 to motor 31 of the transverse track and the boxes on the transverse track are transported to track segment 50.

Similarly, once the transverse track has been depleted of boxes and passed from the T intersection, a switch 120 may be closed to energize relay 103. Energizing relay 103 causes transfer element 50 to be lowered and motor 37 of the main track to be energized through contact 117a thereby transporting the boxes on the main track.

While the transfer elements are shown in the drawings and described to operate to lower the box onto each succeeding track, it should be realized that the box may be raised instead of being lowered by each transfer element whereby the item will be conveyed off of the transfer element onto the next successive track and that this should not be considered novel over the present invention. For example, the transverse track 12 is terminated directly adjacent chain 14 of the approach track 11 and at an end thereof as determined by shaft 19 of the approach track. The main track 11 is bisected into two sections by the transverse track 12 whereby chains 23 and 24 of the transverse track define the termination of each section at the intersection. The transverse track is then terminated immediately after passing through and bisecting the main track. Transfer element 38 is disposed parallel to and extends longitudinally from the end of transverse track 12 and within chains 13 and 14 of the approach track at an end thereof. Similarly, transfer element 50 is parallel to and extends longitudinally from the terminations of each chain of the main track sections and within chains 23 and 24 of the transverse track at an end thereof. Main track 11 is constructed to be slightly higher than transverse track 12 and the transverse track is constructed to be slightly higher than approach track 10. Manual rotation of the cams 180 degrees on the shafts of elevating means 62 and 75 of the transfer elements will cause their respective transfer elements to be lowered in anticipation of their accepting a box and upon receiving the box, raising it and transporting the box onto the next successive track.

The conveyor system in accordance with this invention can make other than right or right angle turns. For example, at the T intersection a left turn could be made by reversing the direction of movement of the chains of the main track thus causing the box to move in an opposite direction to that which was previously described. Then, by positioning pivot 118 of switch 105 to its upstream location, the intersection would effectively cause the box to make a left turn. Also the device is effective for other than right angle turns merely by changing the angular orientation of the tracks and of the components of the transfer element.

This invention is not to be limited by the embodiment shown in the drawings and described in the description which is given by way of example and not limitation, but

only in accordance with the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A conveyor system comprising a first and a second track section, said track sections being obliquely related to each other, each of said track sections comprising a pair of laterally spaced-apart, parallel, endless driven chains adapted to support a body between them and to move it; a transfer element comprising a vertically movable frame at the intersection of said track sections; one of said track sections overlapping the transfer element; driven chain means carried by said transfer element aligned with the first of said track sections to convey a body on the transfer element; elevating means for raising and lowering said transfer means comprising a rotatable cam shaft and a cam which is mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, said cam being disposed beneath and in immediate contact with a portion of said vertically movable frame, whereby rotation of said cam shaft raises and lowers the transfer element; drive means for the track sections and for the chain means, the drive means for the chain means comprising a chain interconnection with the drive means for the first track section, and a gear reduction in said chain interconnection, the chain means thereby being operated at a faster linear rate than the chains of the first track section whereby to move the body upon the transfer element at a faster linear velocity than the said body moves upon said track section.

2. A conveyor system comprising a first and a second track section, said track sections being obliquely related to each other, each of said track sections comprising a pair of laterally spaced-apart, parallel, endless driven chains adapted to support a body between them and to move it; a transfer element comprising a vertically movable frame at the intersection of said track sections, the second track section overlapping the transfer element; driven chain means carried by said transfer element aligned with the first track section to convey a body from the first track onto the transfer element; elevating means for raising and lowering said transfer means; drive means for the track sections and for the said chain means, the drive means for said chain means on the transfer element comprising a chain interconnection with the drive means for the chains of the first track section, and a gear reduction in said chain interconnection, the said chain means thereby being operated at a faster linear rate than the chains of the first track section whereby to move the body upon the transfer element at a faster linear velocity than the said body moves upon said first track section.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,809,456 6/31 Streeter.

1,813,130 7/31 Ahnger 198-20 2,295,526 9/42 Bee et a1. 198-21 2,639,800 5/53 Atwood 198-21 2,681,130 6/54 Atwood 198-21 2,762,487 9/56 Temple 198-21 2,785,785 3/57 Macaluso 198-21 2,801,728 8/57 Temple 198-21 X 2,809,739 10/57 Temple 198-21 2,829,759 4/58 Parker 198-21 X 3,108,677 10/63 Temple 198-2'1 3,116,822 1/64 Carus 198-21 SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM B. LA BORDE, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A CONVEYOR SYSTEM COMPRISING A FIRST AND A SECOND TRACK SECTION, SAID TRACK SECTION BEING OBLIQUELY RELATED TO EACH OTHER, EACH OF SAID TACK SECTION COMPRISING A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED-APART, PARALLEL, ENDLESS DRIVEN CHAINS ADAPTED TO SUPPORT A BODY BETWEEN THEM AND TO MOVE IT; A TRANSFER ELEMENT COMPRISING A VERTICALLY MOVABLE FRAME AT THE INTERSECTION OF SAID TRACK SECTIONS; ONE OF SAID TRACK SECTIONS OVERLAPPOING THE TRANSFER ELEMENT; DRIVEN CHAIN MEANS CARRIED BY SAID TRANSFER ELEMENT ALIGNED WITH THE FIRST OF SAID TRACK SECTIONS TO CONVEY A BODY ON THE TRASFER ELEMENT; ELEVATING MEANS FOR RAISING AND LOWERING SAID TRANSDFER MEANS COMPRISING A ROTATABLE CAM SHAFT AND A CAM WHICH IS MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT FOR ROTATION THEREWITH, SAID CAM BEING DISPOSED BENEATH AND IN IMMEDIATE CONTACT WITH A PORTION OF SAID VERTICALLY MOVABLE FRAME, WHEREBY ROTATION OF SAID CAM SHAFT RAISES AND LOWERS THE TRANSFER ELEMENT; DRIVE MEANS FOR THE TRACK SECTION AND FOR THE CHAIN MEANS ,THE DRIVE MEANS FOR THE CHAIN MEAN COMPRISING A CHAIN INTERCONNECTION WITH THE DRIVE MEANS FOR THE FIRST TRACK SECTION, AND A GEAR REDUCTION IN SAID CHAIN INTERCONNECTION, THE CHAIN MEANS THEREBY BEING OPERATED AT A FASTER LINEAR RATE THAN THE CHAINS OF THE FIRST TRACK SECTION WHEREBY TO MOVE THE BODY UPON THE TRANSFER ELEMENT AT A FASTER LINEAR VELOCITY THAN THE SAID BODY MOVES UPON SAID TRACK SECTION.

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