US3807550A - Reciprocating accumulation conveyor - Google Patents

Reciprocating accumulation conveyor Download PDF

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US3807550A
US3807550A US00287600A US28760072A US3807550A US 3807550 A US3807550 A US 3807550A US 00287600 A US00287600 A US 00287600A US 28760072 A US28760072 A US 28760072A US 3807550 A US3807550 A US 3807550A
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bar
conveyor
pusher
car
pusher bar
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E Taylor
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BAYER A CO US
BAYER CO A
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65GTRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G25/00Conveyors comprising a cyclically-moving, e.g. reciprocating, carrier or impeller which is disengaged from the load during the return part of its movement
    • B65G25/04Conveyors comprising a cyclically-moving, e.g. reciprocating, carrier or impeller which is disengaged from the load during the return part of its movement the carrier or impeller having identical forward and return paths of movement, e.g. reciprocating conveyors
    • B65G25/08Conveyors comprising a cyclically-moving, e.g. reciprocating, carrier or impeller which is disengaged from the load during the return part of its movement the carrier or impeller having identical forward and return paths of movement, e.g. reciprocating conveyors having impellers, e.g. pushers

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  • a reciprocating accumulation conveyor comprised of at least one car and generally a plurality of cars secured togetherto form a conveyor train, which is reciprocated back and forth along the longitudinal axis thereof by a reciprocating drive assembly which is fastened to one of the cars.
  • Each car carries at least one pusher mechanism thereon.
  • the boxes to be transported by the conveyor ride on a track disposed above the car or train and are moved in a forward direction along the track by the pusher assemblies carried by the cars.
  • Each pusher assembly has a pushing bar pivotally mounted thereon and a sensing arm.
  • the pusher bars push the boxes or containers along the track in one direction and pivot under any box or container which they encounter on the rearward movement of the train until the bar clears the box, whereupon it returns to the upright position to push forward another containerL-
  • the sensing arm extends forwardly of the pushing bar and container and acts to release the pushing bar upon contacting a forwardly disposed container thereby preventing a collision and-possible arcing of the'boxes or containers.
  • the invention is comprised of a least one and generally a plurality of conveyor cars secured together to form a conveyor train which is caused to undergo reciprocating movement by a drive assembly.
  • Each car carries at least one pusher assembly which operates during the forward stroke of the conveyor train to push the container or other item disposed thereover on a track above the cars in the forward direction.
  • each assembly is directed under the item therebehind, whereupon each item will again be moved forwardly by the succeeding forward stroke of the conveyor train.
  • Each pusher assembly has associated therewith a sensing arm which renders the pushing assembly inoperative during the forward stroke when the space between successive containers or items being conveyed reaches a set minimum distance.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of a conveyor car having two pusher assemblies thereon.
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of a conveyor car taken along line 22 of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the same conveyor car. The car having moved to the left with respect to the containers thereon.
  • FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the pusher assembly.
  • FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the drive conveyor car and drive mechanism.
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the conveyor car taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5 and showing the container support track.
  • FIGS. 7 through 11 are a schematic representation of the movement of the containers on the conveyor system from left to right as the conveyor system undergoes reciprocating movement.
  • the accumul'ating conveyor generally designated 10, is comprised of at least one and generally a plurality of conveyor cars 12 which are secured together at 14 in end to end relationship to form the conveyor or conveyor train.
  • the number of cars which is used in the train is determined by the distance which the conveyor is to span as well as other considerations such as the size of the items to be conveyed.
  • Each car 12 has a pair of parallel side walls 17 and end walls 18, each side wall having an outwardly extending flange member 19 at the upper and lower ends thereof.
  • Each car 12 carries at least one pusher assembly, generally designated 16.
  • the number of pusher assemblies per car is generally determined by the length of the individual cars, fabrication considerations and again the size of the items being conveyed. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, each car 12 carries two pusher assemblies 16.
  • the pusher assembly is most clearly shown in FIG. 4 and contains a pusher bar 20 which is rigidly secured to and'centrally disposed of on a pusher support 22.
  • the pusher support 22v is pivotally mounted at both ends thereof to the two side walls 17 of the conveyor car 12.
  • the pivotal mounting is accomplished in the illustrated embodiment by the use of studs 24 which are rigidly secured to the side walls 17 and extend into support 22.
  • Ball bearings 26 are carried by the support and are disposed about the studs 24 thereby providing low frictional rotation of the support 22 and pusher bar 20 with respect to the conveyor car 12.
  • a pair of rollers 28 are positioned on each end of the pusher bar 20.
  • a weight 30 is rigidly affixed to the underside of the support roller 22 at a point forward of the lower portion of the pusher bar thereby tending to bias the pusher bar in a slightly forward inclination with respect to the vertical axis, for reasons to be discussed.
  • a releasing bar 32 is pivotally mounted'on the car forwardly of the pushing bar.
  • the releasing bar is rigidly affixed by welding or the like to a support 34 which ispivotally secured to side walls 17 in the same or similar manner in which the pusher support 22 is secured.
  • the releasing bar 32 has an upward bend at 35 therein about the underside of support 34 and has a weight 36 secured to the forwardly extended end thereof which acts to pivot the locking bar clockwise about the support 34.
  • the underside of the rearward end of the releasing bar has a stop 38 depending therefrom. As seen in the solid lines of FIG. 4, in a relaxed position, the weight 36 on the releasing bar 32 causes the rearward half thereof to be raised.
  • the pusher assembly 16 also has an elongated sensing arm42 which is pivotally mounted on the conveyor car 12 by means of a third support 44, studs 46 and ball bearings 48.
  • a weight 50 is welded or otherwise securely affixed to the rearward portion of the sensing arm 42.
  • a small roller 52 is maintained on the rearward most end of the sensing arm and a pair of large sensing rollers 54 are mounted on the forward most end of. the sensing arm.
  • the sensing arm as the releasing bar 32, has a slight upward bend at 55 therein beneath the support 44 whereby the forwardly extending end thereof and sensing roller 54 are in a slightly elevated position with respect to the conveyor car 12.
  • rollers 52 and 54 as rollers 28 and the supports 22, 32 and 44 have ball bearing mountings for reducing the friction created by the movement of the pusher mechanism thereby allowing for smoother operation and reduced part wear.
  • FIG. 4 shows that when the sensing rollers 54 are depressed, the rearward end of the sensing arm 42 is raised thereby raising the forward end of the releasing bar and lowering the rearward end 40 thereof, whereby the lower rollers 28 on the pusher bar 20 are clear of the locking bar and stop 38, allowing the pusher bar to rotate freely in either direction about studs 24.
  • the weight 50 will cause the rearward end of the sensing arm to drop, lowering the forward end of the releasing bar, raising the rearward end thereof and thereby preventing any counterclockwise rotation of the pusher bar.
  • the forward inclination of the pusher bar 20 caused by the forward mounting of the weight 30 on support 22 reduces any tendency of the pusher bar and support to make a complete clockwise revolution during operation and therefore assures smoother operation of the conveyor.
  • a depending flange 56 is provided on the conveyor car 12 above the sensing arm 42 to limit the upward movement of the forward end of the sensing arm.
  • a transverse flat retaining bar 57 straddles the bottom of the car 12 thereby preventing releasing bar 32 from depressing below the car profile.
  • each conveyor car Disposed above the conveyor cars, the end walls of which are secured together by means of bolts 58, is a track or rail 60, one embodiment thereof being shown in F l0. 6.
  • the track shown therein is comprised of two sections, each having a car support portion 62, lower side wall 63, container support 64 and upper wall portion 66.
  • the support and wall portions of the track define a lower trough 67 and an upper trough 69.
  • the conveyor cars are adapted to move within the lower trough, while the containers 68 are positioned in the upper trough on the container support portion 64 of the track.
  • the container support portion is displaced slightly above the pushing assemblies 16 except for the upper portion of the pushingbar 20, upper rollers 28 carried thereby and sensing rollers 54.
  • a lower supporting roller 68 and a pair of side guide rollers 70 are provided on each car.
  • the lower support roller 71 is positioned near one end of the car while the side rollers are mounted near the opposite end thereof.
  • Extra side guide rollers may also be added to facilitate the movement of the train along the trough. It should also be-noted that while the track 60 is shown horizontally disposed, it may be advantageous in some installations to tilt the track slightly with respect to the horizontal axis to facilitate access to the containers or other items moving therealong. Other embodiments of the track may also be utilized with the conveyor without affecting the operation.
  • the various cars 12 comprising the conveyor are bolted or otherwise secured together and the containers to be transported are placed on the track thereover.
  • the cars are then caused to undergo reciprocating movement on and with respect to the track by a drive assembly 72, generally shown in FIG. 5.
  • the drive assembly comprises a power source (-not shown) which acts to rotate drive pulley 74 by means of belt 76.
  • a first crank 78 is'secured to the drive pulley by means of a center shaft 80 and locking pin 82.
  • the opposite end of crank 78 is pivotally attached to a second crank 84, through crankshaft 86.
  • the second crank 84 has a bifurcated end 88 in which rests drive pin 90.
  • the drive pin is secured to the bifurcated end of the second crank through a locking pin (not shown) and rotatably mounted in support 92.
  • Support 92 is in turn affixed to a dual channelled quarter pulley 94 which rotates about shaft 96.
  • one car in the conveyor train is the drive car 98 and has a pair of apertured plates 100 disposed at each end thereof and held between the adjacent cars by securing bolts 58, as shown in FIG. 5.
  • a first drive wire 102 is secured to one of the plates 100 through a fitting 104 and is directed therefrom through a channel in the quarter pulley 94 and fastened to a turnbuckle 106 located beneath the pulley channel.
  • Another drive wire 107 is similarly attached to the other plate 100 and directed therefrom through the other channel in the dual channelled quarter pulley to a second turnbuckle 109.
  • the two turribuckles are then joined through a bent fitting 112 and are adjustable to maintain the drive wires in a taut disposition during the The operation of the pusher assemblies on thecontainers is easily understood with reference to the drawings.
  • the sensing rollers 54 are in the raised position due to the weight 50 which is secured to the sensing arm causing that arm to pivot in a counterclockwise direction, which, as noted above, lowers the rearward end of the sensing arm causing the forward end of the releasing bar to lower under the pressure of weight 36 secured thereto and the rearward end thereof to correspondingly raise, thereby preventing any counterclockwise movement of the pushing bar.
  • the sensing roller would be depressed by the weight ofthe container, which, through the pivoting action of the sensing arm about roller 44, raises the forward end of the releasing bar 32 and lowers the rearward end thereof, thereby freeing the lower end of the pusher bar and allowing the pusher bar to undergo counterclockwise rotation.
  • the pusher bar would then simply release the container, pivoting thereunder in a counterclockwise direction as the bar passed thereunder.
  • the use of rollers 28 on the pusher bar reduce the friction as the bar passes under the container disposed thereover.
  • FIGS. 7-11 are illustrative of the above described procedure.
  • the conveyor train has just finished its forward stroke (to the right) and begins its rearward movement.
  • the pusher bars strike the forward edge of the rearwardly disposed containers and are caused to pivot in a clockwise direction as they pass thereunder. There is never any obstruction in the assembly to clockwise rotation of the pivot bars.
  • FIG. 8 represents the end of the rearward stroke, whereupon the cars again move in the forward direction.
  • the pusher bars then abut the rearward edge of the containers and due to the disposition of the releasing bar 32 caused by the upraised sensing rollers 54, the pusher bars are prevented from undergoing counterclockwise rotation and hence begin to push the containers thereabove in the forward direction.
  • the third container is moved forward until the sensing 4 roller of the pushing mechanism thereunder is depressed by the forwardly disposed container, whereupon the third container is released as seen in FIG. 10. If none of the containers were removed from the conveyor and no new container added at the rearward end thereof the conveyor would appear as seen in FIG. 11. If a container were then removed, those containers rearwardly disposed to the removed container would be advanced one location by operation of the pushing mechanisms. It can be seen that the minimum distance which can be caused to occur between adjacent containers is the difference of the distance between the pusher bar and sensing roller of one pusher mechanism and the length of the container which is being moved thereby. Therefore by adjusting the length of the sensing arms 42, this distance can be varied to suit'particular operations.
  • An accumulation conveyor for use in combination with a reciprocating drive means for forwardly transporting items along a track
  • said conveyor car having elongated side portions and parallel end walls, at least one pusher assembly carried by said conveyor car, said pusher assembly being comprised of a first support extending between said elongated side portions and pivotally mounted therebetween, a pusher bar rigidly affixed to said support, means carried by said pivotally mounted support for biasing said pusher bar in a substantially vertical position, a second support extending between and pivotally secured to said side portions of said conveyor car forwardly of said first support, an elongated arm rigidly affixed to said second pivotally mounted support, said arm having a raised forward portion, means for biasing the raised forward portion of said arm above the upper surface of said conveyor car,
  • a third support extending between and pivotally secured to said side portions of said conveyor carbetween said first and second supports, a releasing bar rigidly affixed to said third pivotally mounted support and extending between said pusher bar and said elongated arm, the forward end of said releasing bar extending over the rearward end of said elongated arm, means for biasing said releasing bar downwardly upon the portion of said arm disposed thereunder so that the rearward end of said releasing bar prevents forward rotation of said pusher bar when said end is an elevated position and releases said pusher bar when disposed in a lowered position, and attachment means carried by ward inclination with respect to a vertical axis passing therethrough.
  • An accumulation conveyor for use in combination with a reciprocating drive means for forwardly trans- I porting items along a track comprising at least one conveyor car disposed below said track, said conveyor car having elongated side portions and parallel end walls, at least one pusher assembly carried by said conveyor car, said pusher assembly being comprised of a pusher bar pivotally mounted on the conveyor car, means for biasing said pusher bar in a substantially vertical position, an elongated arm having a raised forward portion and being pivotally mounted on said car forwardly.
  • An accumulation conveyor for use in combination with a reciprocating drive means for forwardly transporting items along a track comprising at least one conveyor car disposed below said track, said conveyor car having elongated side portion and parallel end walls, at least one pusher assembly carried by said conveyor car, said pusher assembly being comprised of a pusher bar pivotally mounted on the conveyor car, means for bias ing said pusher bar in a substantially vertical position, an elongated arm having a raised forward portion and being pivotally mounted on said car forwardly of said pusher bar, means for biasing the raised forward portion of said arm above the surface of said conveyor car, a releasing bar mounted on said car and extending between said pusher bar and said elongated arm, the forward end of said releasing bar extending over the rearward end of said elongated arm, means for biasing said releasing bar downwardly upon the portion of said arm disposed thereunder sothat the rearward end of said releasing bar prevents forward rotation of said pusher bar when said end is in an elevated position and releases said pusher bar when disposed in

Abstract

A reciprocating accumulation conveyor comprised of at least one car and generally a plurality of cars secured together to form a conveyor train, which is reciprocated back and forth along the longitudinal axis thereof by a reciprocating drive assembly which is fastened to one of the cars. Each car carries at least one pusher mechanism thereon. The boxes to be transported by the conveyor ride on a track disposed above the car or train and are moved in a forward direction along the track by the pusher assemblies carried by the cars. Each pusher assembly has a pushing bar pivotally mounted thereon and a sensing arm. The pusher bars push the boxes or containers along the track in one direction and pivot under any box or container which they encounter on the rearward movement of the train until the bar clears the box, whereupon it returns to the upright position to push forward another container. The sensing arm extends forwardly of the pushing bar and container and acts to release the pushing bar upon contacting a forwardly disposed container thereby preventing a collision and possible arcing of the boxes or containers.

Description

United States Patent [191 Taylor [1111 3,807,550 [451 Apr. 30, 1974 RECIPROCATING ACCUMULATION CONVEYOR [75] Inventor: Edward W. Taylor, Pico Rivera,
Calif.
[73] Assignee: A. J. Bayer Company, Torrance,
Calif.
[22] Filed: Sept. 11, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 287,600
Primary Examiner-Richard E. Aegerter Assistant Examiner-Hadd Lane Attorney, Agent, or FirmLyon & Lyon 7] ABSTRACT A reciprocating accumulation conveyor comprised of at least one car and generally a plurality of cars secured togetherto form a conveyor train, which is reciprocated back and forth along the longitudinal axis thereof by a reciprocating drive assembly which is fastened to one of the cars. Each car carries at least one pusher mechanism thereon. The boxes to be transported by the conveyor ride on a track disposed above the car or train and are moved in a forward direction along the track by the pusher assemblies carried by the cars. Each pusher assembly has a pushing bar pivotally mounted thereon and a sensing arm. The pusher bars push the boxes or containers along the track in one direction and pivot under any box or container which they encounter on the rearward movement of the train until the bar clears the box, whereupon it returns to the upright position to push forward another containerL-The sensing arm extends forwardly of the pushing bar and container and acts to release the pushing bar upon contacting a forwardly disposed container thereby preventing a collision and-possible arcing of the'boxes or containers.
10 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures 5@ g /7 l4 /5 2a 22 54 54 ,@0 Z 2% 54 7/ v 5. /7 1 f4 f L55 o 20 o 42 m 4e (-5 Z Heg /e 55 m /7 /'4 RECIPROCATING ACCUMULATION CONVEYOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are several different types of conveyors currently available for numerous different applications. One type of conveyor, and that with which this invention deals, is the accumulating conveyor. An accumulating conveyor transports containers, boxes or other items from one location to another, where, if the items thereon are not removed, will accumulate. A problem necessarily arises when, throughone reason or another, items begin to accumulate at the forward end of the conveyor. Continued accumulation will cause the conveyor to back-up and often results in the items or containers being pressed together to the point of arcing above the conveyor. This presents a tremendous hazard both to the items and the workers in the area, as the arc will soon break causing the items comprising the arc to be thrown from the conveyor, resulting in breakage and often personal injury.
One method of preventing arcing is-to deactivate the conveyor whenever excessive accumulation occurs. There are obvious disadvantages, however, in such an approach, as constant supervision is required as well as the loss of time during shutdown. A limited solution is found in U. S. Pat. No. 3,385,418, which teaches the use of a reciprocating conveyor to advance a work piece from one station to another. However, that patent teaches a system which incorporates a precise stroke as a result of fixed feeler plates and utilizes interconnected pushing assemblies which render the conveyor unsuited for hurried loading or long haul operation and necessitates total shut down to repair a single mechanism. In addition, that system comes to-a complete stop when the conveyor line is full, thereby requiring various electrical controls, limit switches, their electrical circuitry and installation and maintenance costs. In addition to U. S. Pat. No. 3,385,418, the prior art shows other conveying systems which circumvent the problem of arcing. However, none of the systems taught thereby are suited for general operation conditions. They generally require exact loading and are not capable of conveying articles over great distances.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the invention is comprised of a least one and generally a plurality of conveyor cars secured together to form a conveyor train which is caused to undergo reciprocating movement by a drive assembly. Each car carries at least one pusher assembly which operates during the forward stroke of the conveyor train to push the container or other item disposed thereover on a track above the cars in the forward direction. During the rearward stroke, each assembly is directed under the item therebehind, whereupon each item will again be moved forwardly by the succeeding forward stroke of the conveyor train. Each pusher assembly has associated therewith a sensing arm which renders the pushing assembly inoperative during the forward stroke when the space between successive containers or items being conveyed reaches a set minimum distance.
It is the principal object of this invention to provide an accumulating conveyor which continually advances containers or other items along a track or supporting rails and automatically releases an item being moved therealong at a predetermined distance behind any forwardly disposed stationary item to prevent contact.
It is another object of this invention to provide an accumulating conveyor which is adaptable of operation over varying distances.
It is'still a further object of this invention to provide an accumulating conveyor which prevents contact between adjacent items or containers being conveyed thereby despite imprecise loading.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a accumulating conveyor which prevents contact between adjacent items or containers being conveyed thereby which is of simple construction and economical to manufacture and service.
IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a conveyor car having two pusher assemblies thereon.
FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of a conveyor car taken along line 22 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the same conveyor car. The car having moved to the left with respect to the containers thereon.
FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the pusher assembly.
FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the drive conveyor car and drive mechanism.
' FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the conveyor car taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5 and showing the container support track.
FIGS. 7 through 11 are a schematic representation of the movement of the containers on the conveyor system from left to right as the conveyor system undergoes reciprocating movement.
Referring now in detail to the drawings, the accumul'ating conveyor generally designated 10, is comprised of at least one and generally a plurality of conveyor cars 12 which are secured together at 14 in end to end relationship to form the conveyor or conveyor train. The number of cars which is used in the train is determined by the distance which the conveyor is to span as well as other considerations such as the size of the items to be conveyed. Each car 12 has a pair of parallel side walls 17 and end walls 18, each side wall having an outwardly extending flange member 19 at the upper and lower ends thereof. Each car 12 carries at least one pusher assembly, generally designated 16. The number of pusher assemblies per car is generally determined by the length of the individual cars, fabrication considerations and again the size of the items being conveyed. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, each car 12 carries two pusher assemblies 16.
The pusher assembly is most clearly shown in FIG. 4 and contains a pusher bar 20 which is rigidly secured to and'centrally disposed of on a pusher support 22. The pusher support 22v is pivotally mounted at both ends thereof to the two side walls 17 of the conveyor car 12. The pivotal mounting is accomplished in the illustrated embodiment by the use of studs 24 which are rigidly secured to the side walls 17 and extend into support 22. Ball bearings 26 are carried by the support and are disposed about the studs 24 thereby providing low frictional rotation of the support 22 and pusher bar 20 with respect to the conveyor car 12. A pair of rollers 28 are positioned on each end of the pusher bar 20. A weight 30 is rigidly affixed to the underside of the support roller 22 at a point forward of the lower portion of the pusher bar thereby tending to bias the pusher bar in a slightly forward inclination with respect to the vertical axis, for reasons to be discussed.
A releasing bar 32 is pivotally mounted'on the car forwardly of the pushing bar. The releasing bar is rigidly affixed by welding or the like to a support 34 which ispivotally secured to side walls 17 in the same or similar manner in which the pusher support 22 is secured. The releasing bar 32 has an upward bend at 35 therein about the underside of support 34 and has a weight 36 secured to the forwardly extended end thereof which acts to pivot the locking bar clockwise about the support 34. The underside of the rearward end of the releasing bar has a stop 38 depending therefrom. As seen in the solid lines of FIG. 4, in a relaxed position, the weight 36 on the releasing bar 32 causes the rearward half thereof to be raised. lnthis position, the stop 38 and rearward most end 40 of the releasing bar abut the lower rollers 28 on the pusher bar to prevent counterclockwise rotation thereof, while not impeding clockwise rotation. if the forward end of the locking bar were, however, raised, the pusher bar would befre to rotate unimpeded in either direction.
The pusher assembly 16 also has an elongated sensing arm42 which is pivotally mounted on the conveyor car 12 by means of a third support 44, studs 46 and ball bearings 48. A weight 50 is welded or otherwise securely affixed to the rearward portion of the sensing arm 42. A small roller 52 is maintained on the rearward most end of the sensing arm and a pair of large sensing rollers 54 are mounted on the forward most end of. the sensing arm. It should be noted that the sensing arm, as the releasing bar 32, has a slight upward bend at 55 therein beneath the support 44 whereby the forwardly extending end thereof and sensing roller 54 are in a slightly elevated position with respect to the conveyor car 12. it should be further'noted that in the preferred embodiment, rollers 52 and 54, as rollers 28 and the supports 22, 32 and 44 have ball bearing mountings for reducing the friction created by the movement of the pusher mechanism thereby allowing for smoother operation and reduced part wear. It can be seen in FIG. 4, that when the sensing rollers 54 are depressed, the rearward end of the sensing arm 42 is raised thereby raising the forward end of the releasing bar and lowering the rearward end 40 thereof, whereby the lower rollers 28 on the pusher bar 20 are clear of the locking bar and stop 38, allowing the pusher bar to rotate freely in either direction about studs 24. If the depressing; force on the sensing arm is removed, the weight 50 will cause the rearward end of the sensing arm to drop, lowering the forward end of the releasing bar, raising the rearward end thereof and thereby preventing any counterclockwise rotation of the pusher bar. The forward inclination of the pusher bar 20 caused by the forward mounting of the weight 30 on support 22 reduces any tendency of the pusher bar and support to make a complete clockwise revolution during operation and therefore assures smoother operation of the conveyor. A depending flange 56 is provided on the conveyor car 12 above the sensing arm 42 to limit the upward movement of the forward end of the sensing arm. A transverse flat retaining bar 57 straddles the bottom of the car 12 thereby preventing releasing bar 32 from depressing below the car profile.
As noted above, at least one of these pushing assemblies 16 is carried by each conveyor car,'with two being shown on each car in the drawings. Disposed above the conveyor cars, the end walls of which are secured together by means of bolts 58, is a track or rail 60, one embodiment thereof being shown in F l0. 6. The track shown therein is comprised of two sections, each having a car support portion 62, lower side wall 63, container support 64 and upper wall portion 66. The support and wall portions of the track define a lower trough 67 and an upper trough 69. The conveyor cars are adapted to move within the lower trough, while the containers 68 are positioned in the upper trough on the container support portion 64 of the track. The container support portion is displaced slightly above the pushing assemblies 16 except for the upper portion of the pushingbar 20, upper rollers 28 carried thereby and sensing rollers 54. To facilitate movement of the cars with-respect to the track, which is stationary during the operation of the conveyor, a lower supporting roller 68 and a pair of side guide rollers 70 are provided on each car. The lower support roller 71 is positioned near one end of the car while the side rollers are mounted near the opposite end thereof. When the cars are-secured together to form a train, the lower rollers 71 support the cars, while the side rollers guide the cars smoothly along the lower trough 67formed by track 60. When the conveyor train is complete, it should be apparent that one of the cars will carry an extra roller to properly support one of the end cars thereof. Extra side guide rollers may also be added to facilitate the movement of the train along the trough. it should also be-noted that while the track 60 is shown horizontally disposed, it may be advantageous in some installations to tilt the track slightly with respect to the horizontal axis to facilitate access to the containers or other items moving therealong. Other embodiments of the track may also be utilized with the conveyor without affecting the operation.
ln use, the various cars 12 comprising the conveyor are bolted or otherwise secured together and the containers to be transported are placed on the track thereover. The cars are then caused to undergo reciprocating movement on and with respect to the track by a drive assembly 72, generally shown in FIG. 5. The drive assembly comprises a power source (-not shown) which acts to rotate drive pulley 74 by means of belt 76. A first crank 78 is'secured to the drive pulley by means of a center shaft 80 and locking pin 82. The opposite end of crank 78 is pivotally attached to a second crank 84, through crankshaft 86. The second crank 84 has a bifurcated end 88 in which rests drive pin 90. The drive pin is secured to the bifurcated end of the second crank through a locking pin (not shown) and rotatably mounted in support 92. Support 92 is in turn affixed to a dual channelled quarter pulley 94 which rotates about shaft 96. one car in the conveyor train is the drive car 98 and has a pair of apertured plates 100 disposed at each end thereof and held between the adjacent cars by securing bolts 58, as shown in FIG. 5. A first drive wire 102 is secured to one of the plates 100 through a fitting 104 and is directed therefrom through a channel in the quarter pulley 94 and fastened to a turnbuckle 106 located beneath the pulley channel. Another drive wire 107 is similarly attached to the other plate 100 and directed therefrom through the other channel in the dual channelled quarter pulley to a second turnbuckle 109. The two turribuckles are then joined through a bent fitting 112 and are adjustable to maintain the drive wires in a taut disposition during the The operation of the pusher assemblies on thecontainers is easily understood with reference to the drawings. When the containers are placed on the track and the conveyor train is moving to the right as shown in FIG. 2, the sensing rollers 54 are in the raised position due to the weight 50 which is secured to the sensing arm causing that arm to pivot in a counterclockwise direction, which, as noted above, lowers the rearward end of the sensing arm causing the forward end of the releasing bar to lower under the pressure of weight 36 secured thereto and the rearward end thereof to correspondingly raise, thereby preventing any counterclockwise movement of the pushing bar. Therefore when the conveyor cars move to the right the pushing bars 22 will come into abutment with the containers and con tinued travel of the cars in the forward direction (to the right) will cause the containers to be carried along the track 60 by the force of the pusher bars pushing against the containers, as the pusher bars are restrained against counterclockwise movement by the upraised position of the rearward end of the releasing bar. The forward movement of the containers will continue until either the end of the clockwise stroke of the one-quarter pulley, whereupon the cars will begin to move rearwardor to the left as shown in FIG. 3, or until the sensing rollers 54 abut a forwardly disposed container which was not removed from the forward end of the conveyor. In such a situation, the sensing roller would be depressed by the weight ofthe container, which, through the pivoting action of the sensing arm about roller 44, raises the forward end of the releasing bar 32 and lowers the rearward end thereof, thereby freeing the lower end of the pusher bar and allowing the pusher bar to undergo counterclockwise rotation. The pusher bar would then simply release the container, pivoting thereunder in a counterclockwise direction as the bar passed thereunder. The use of rollers 28 on the pusher bar reduce the friction as the bar passes under the container disposed thereover.
FIGS. 7-11 are illustrative of the above described procedure. In FIG. 7 the conveyor train has just finished its forward stroke (to the right) and begins its rearward movement. As the pusher assemblies pass to the rear, the pusher bars strike the forward edge of the rearwardly disposed containers and are caused to pivot in a clockwise direction as they pass thereunder. There is never any obstruction in the assembly to clockwise rotation of the pivot bars. FIG. 8 represents the end of the rearward stroke, whereupon the cars again move in the forward direction. The pusher bars then abut the rearward edge of the containers and due to the disposition of the releasing bar 32 caused by the upraised sensing rollers 54, the pusher bars are prevented from undergoing counterclockwise rotation and hence begin to push the containers thereabove in the forward direction. If a container had been removed from the conveyor, the container next in line would be pushed forward to the location previously occupied by the removed container. If, however, a forwardly disposed container is not removed, as shown in FIGS. 7-11, contact between containers is avoided by the releasing action of the pusher assemblies. When the forwardly extending sensing roller contacts a forwardly disposed container, the forward end of the sensing arm is then depressed, releasing the pushing bar and the container thereby preventing contact. This position is represented by FIG. 9. As the forward movement continues,
the third container is moved forward until the sensing 4 roller of the pushing mechanism thereunder is depressed by the forwardly disposed container, whereupon the third container is released as seen in FIG. 10. If none of the containers were removed from the conveyor and no new container added at the rearward end thereof the conveyor would appear as seen in FIG. 11. If a container were then removed, those containers rearwardly disposed to the removed container would be advanced one location by operation of the pushing mechanisms. It can be seen that the minimum distance which can be caused to occur between adjacent containers is the difference of the distance between the pusher bar and sensing roller of one pusher mechanism and the length of the container which is being moved thereby. Therefore by adjusting the length of the sensing arms 42, this distance can be varied to suit'particular operations.
Various changes and modifications may be made in 'carryingout the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. Insofar as these changes and modifications are within the purview of the appended claims, they are to be considered as part of the invention. 7
I claim:
1. An accumulation conveyor for use in combination with a reciprocating drive means for forwardly transporting items along a track comprising at least one conveyor car disposed below said track, said conveyor car having elongated side portions and parallel end walls, at least one pusher assembly carried by said conveyor car, said pusher assembly being comprised of a first support extending between said elongated side portions and pivotally mounted therebetween, a pusher bar rigidly affixed to said support, means carried by said pivotally mounted support for biasing said pusher bar in a substantially vertical position, a second support extending between and pivotally secured to said side portions of said conveyor car forwardly of said first support, an elongated arm rigidly affixed to said second pivotally mounted support, said arm having a raised forward portion, means for biasing the raised forward portion of said arm above the upper surface of said conveyor car,
a third support extending between and pivotally secured to said side portions of said conveyor carbetween said first and second supports, a releasing bar rigidly affixed to said third pivotally mounted support and extending between said pusher bar and said elongated arm, the forward end of said releasing bar extending over the rearward end of said elongated arm, means for biasing said releasing bar downwardly upon the portion of said arm disposed thereunder so that the rearward end of said releasing bar prevents forward rotation of said pusher bar when said end is an elevated position and releases said pusher bar when disposed in a lowered position, and attachment means carried by ward inclination with respect to a vertical axis passing therethrough.
3. The combination of claim 2 including means for reducing the friction between said releasing bar, said pushing bar and said elongated arm during movement thereof. v
4. The combination of claim 3 including means for limiting the upward movement of the forward portion of said elongated arm.
5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said friction reducing means comprises rollers mounted on each end of said pusher bar and the rearward end of said elongated arm.
6. The combination of claim 5 including a roller mounted on the raised forward end of said elongated arm to facilitate movement of said raised end under a stationary item positioned on Said track.
7. An accumulation conveyor for use in combination with a reciprocating drive means for forwardly trans- I porting items along a track comprising at least one conveyor car disposed below said track, said conveyor car having elongated side portions and parallel end walls, at least one pusher assembly carried by said conveyor car, said pusher assembly being comprised of a pusher bar pivotally mounted on the conveyor car, means for biasing said pusher bar in a substantially vertical position, an elongated arm having a raised forward portion and being pivotally mounted on said car forwardly. of said pusher bar, means for biasing the raised portion of said arm above the surface of said conveyor car, a releasing bar mounted on said car and extending between said pusher bar and said elongated arm, said releasing bar abutting said pusher-bar and preventing forward rotation the'reof when the forward portion of said elongated arm is above the surface of said conveyor car and pivoting out of engagement with said pusher when the forward portion of said elongated arm is in a lowered position thereby releasing said pusher bar, and attachment means carried by said conveyor train and adapted to be secured to said drive means for imparting reciprocating movement to said conveyor train.
8. An accumulation conveyor for use in combination with a reciprocating drive means for forwardly transporting items along a track comprising at least one conveyor car disposed below said track, said conveyor car having elongated side portion and parallel end walls, at least one pusher assembly carried by said conveyor car, said pusher assembly being comprised of a pusher bar pivotally mounted on the conveyor car, means for bias ing said pusher bar in a substantially vertical position, an elongated arm having a raised forward portion and being pivotally mounted on said car forwardly of said pusher bar, means for biasing the raised forward portion of said arm above the surface of said conveyor car, a releasing bar mounted on said car and extending between said pusher bar and said elongated arm, the forward end of said releasing bar extending over the rearward end of said elongated arm, means for biasing said releasing bar downwardly upon the portion of said arm disposed thereunder sothat the rearward end of said releasing bar prevents forward rotation of said pusher bar when said end is in an elevated position and releases said pusher bar when disposed in a lowered position, and attachment means carried by said conveyor train and adapted to be secured to said drive means for imparting reciprocating movement to said conveyor.
tram.
9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said pusher bar biasing means maintains said pusher bar in a forward inclination with respect to a vertical axis passing therethrough.
10. The combination of claim 9 including means for reducing the friction between said releasing bar, said pushing bar and said elongated arm during movement

Claims (10)

1. An accumulation conveyor for use in combination with a reciprocating drive means for forwardly transporting items along a track comprising at least one conveyor car disposed below said track, said conveyor car having elongated side portions and parallel end walls, at least one pusher assembly carried by said conveyor car, said pusher assembly being comprised of a first support extending between said elongated side portions and pivotally mounted therebetween, a pusher bar rigidly affixed to said support, means carried by said pivotally mounted support for biasing said pusher bar in a substantially vertical position, a second support extending between and pivotally secured to said side portions of said conveyor car forwardly of said first support, an elongated arm rigidly affixed to said second pivotally mounted support, said arm having a raised forward portion, means for biasing the raised forward portion of said arm above the upper surface of said conveyor car, a third support extending between and pivotally secured to said side portions of said conveyor car between said first and second supports, a releasing bar rigidly affixed to said third pivotally mounted support and extending between said pusher bar and said elongated arm, the forward end of said releasing bar extending over the rearward end of said elongated arm, means for biasing said releasing bar downwardly upon the portion of said arm disposed thereunder so that the rearward end of said releasing bar prevents forward rotation of said pusher bar when said end is an elevated position and releases said pusher bar when disposed in a lowered position, and attachment means carried by said conveyor car and adapted to be secured to said drive means for imparting reciprocating movement to said conveyor train.
2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said pusher bar biasing means maintains said pusher bar in a forward inclination with respect to a vertical axis passing therethrough.
3. The combination of claim 2 including means for reducing the friction between said releasing bar, said pushing bar and said elongated arm during movement thereof.
4. The combination of claim 3 including means for limiting the upward movement of the forward portion of said elongated arm.
5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said friction reducing means comprises rollers mounted on each end of said pusher bar and the rearward end of said elongated arm.
6. The combination of claim 5 including a roller mounted on the raised forward end of said elongated arm to facilitate movement of said raised end under a stationary item positioned on said track.
7. An accumulation conveyor for use in combination with a reciprocating drive means for forwardly transporting items along a track comprising at least one conveyor car disposed below said track, said conveyor car having elongated side portions and parallel end walls, at least one pusher assembly carried by said conveyor car, said pusher assembly being comprised of a pusher bar pivotally mounted on the conveyor car, means for biasing said pusher bar in a substantially vertical position, an elongated arm having a raised forward portion and being pivotally mounted on said car forwardly of said pusher bar, means for biasing the raised portion of said arm above the surface of said conveyor car, a releasing bar mounted on said car and extendinG between said pusher bar and said elongated arm, said releasing bar abutting said pusher bar and preventing forward rotation thereof when the forward portion of said elongated arm is above the surface of said conveyor car and pivoting out of engagement with said pusher when the forward portion of said elongated arm is in a lowered position thereby releasing said pusher bar, and attachment means carried by said conveyor train and adapted to be secured to said drive means for imparting reciprocating movement to said conveyor train.
8. An accumulation conveyor for use in combination with a reciprocating drive means for forwardly transporting items along a track comprising at least one conveyor car disposed below said track, said conveyor car having elongated side portion and parallel end walls, at least one pusher assembly carried by said conveyor car, said pusher assembly being comprised of a pusher bar pivotally mounted on the conveyor car, means for biasing said pusher bar in a substantially vertical position, an elongated arm having a raised forward portion and being pivotally mounted on said car forwardly of said pusher bar, means for biasing the raised forward portion of said arm above the surface of said conveyor car, a releasing bar mounted on said car and extending between said pusher bar and said elongated arm, the forward end of said releasing bar extending over the rearward end of said elongated arm, means for biasing said releasing bar downwardly upon the portion of said arm disposed thereunder so that the rearward end of said releasing bar prevents forward rotation of said pusher bar when said end is in an elevated position and releases said pusher bar when disposed in a lowered position, and attachment means carried by said conveyor train and adapted to be secured to said drive means for imparting reciprocating movement to said conveyor train.
9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said pusher bar biasing means maintains said pusher bar in a forward inclination with respect to a vertical axis passing therethrough.
10. The combination of claim 9 including means for reducing the friction between said releasing bar, said pushing bar and said elongated arm during movement thereof.
US00287600A 1972-09-11 1972-09-11 Reciprocating accumulation conveyor Expired - Lifetime US3807550A (en)

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3986605A (en) * 1976-03-02 1976-10-19 Automated Conveyor Systems, Inc. Monitor car transportation and storage conveyor system
DE2723461A1 (en) * 1976-05-26 1977-12-15 Acmeco Ind Ltd DEVICE FOR STORING AND REMOVING OBJECTS
US5320213A (en) * 1992-08-04 1994-06-14 The Cornelius Company Accumulating ratchet conveyor
US5320212A (en) * 1992-08-04 1994-06-14 Cannon Equipment Company Bi-directional ratchet conveyor
US20070069455A1 (en) * 2005-09-28 2007-03-29 Mazurek Mark S Horizontal Ratcheting Case Feeder Mechanism
US10414595B2 (en) 2016-10-18 2019-09-17 Cannon Equipment Llc Return chain drive and related methods
US20190352047A1 (en) * 2018-05-15 2019-11-21 Cannon Equipment Llc Systems, apparatuses, and methods for loading containers onto pallets and dollies

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3986605A (en) * 1976-03-02 1976-10-19 Automated Conveyor Systems, Inc. Monitor car transportation and storage conveyor system
DE2723461A1 (en) * 1976-05-26 1977-12-15 Acmeco Ind Ltd DEVICE FOR STORING AND REMOVING OBJECTS
FR2352731A1 (en) * 1976-05-26 1977-12-23 Acmeco Ind Ltd TRANSFER DEVICE FOR PALLET STORAGE PLANT
US4114767A (en) * 1976-05-26 1978-09-19 Nick Fur Apparatus for the storage and retrieval of items
US5320213A (en) * 1992-08-04 1994-06-14 The Cornelius Company Accumulating ratchet conveyor
US5320212A (en) * 1992-08-04 1994-06-14 Cannon Equipment Company Bi-directional ratchet conveyor
US20070069455A1 (en) * 2005-09-28 2007-03-29 Mazurek Mark S Horizontal Ratcheting Case Feeder Mechanism
US7367445B2 (en) 2005-09-28 2008-05-06 Mark Stanley Mazurek Horizontal ratcheting case feeder mechanism
US10414595B2 (en) 2016-10-18 2019-09-17 Cannon Equipment Llc Return chain drive and related methods
US20190352047A1 (en) * 2018-05-15 2019-11-21 Cannon Equipment Llc Systems, apparatuses, and methods for loading containers onto pallets and dollies

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