GB1364270A - Endless convevors - Google Patents

Abstract

1364270 Endless conveyers having zones of different speeds P PATIN 22 Dec 1971 [7 Jan 1971] 59539/71 Heading B8A Load supporting members 1 having secondary support members 2 which interleave with the members 2 carried by adjacent members 1 are driven at progressively variable speed by the action of rollers 9. The members 1 are supported and guided at each end by members 7 each carrying carriage members 3, 4, running in respective guide rails 5, 6. Adjacent members 1 are connected by chains 8 which provide the traction, no rollers being provided in zones E of high speed. In sustained zones F of high speed, rollers 9b (Fig. 1b) are again provided. In the low speed zones traction is maintained by members 1 engaging in abutting relationship. The chains 8 sag in acceleration and deceleration zones D. Sag of any chain 8 obturates a photo-electric device 10. This is arranged to affect the drive of rollers 9 in an adjacent section. The rollers are driven by a motor 11 via belts 21c, 23b (Fig. 4) which bear on recessed portions 26 of the rollers 9. The diameter of the portions 26 progressively varies from roller to roller so as to provide successively increasing or decreasing roller speeds. The carriage members 3, 4, have outwardly spring-urged rollers (36) (Figs. 7-10, not shown). The members 2 may be pivotally connected to the members 1 (Fig. 11, not shown). The conveyer may turn in a horizontal plane (Fig. 2, not shown), or may pass around a return path curving downwards (Fig. la, not shown). In an alternative construction (Fig. 12) the members 1 are driven by the reaction between a driven roller 48 and a disc 47 mounted on the member 1. Speed of the member 1 is varied by altering the direction of the pivotal axis of the disc 47. This is determined by the profile of a cam 52 on the conveyer framework, and a cam follower connected by linkage to the disc 47. In a modification (Fig. 13, not shown), the roller 48 may be mounted on the outside of the conveyer frame. Also, the upper carriage member 3 may be replaced by a member (53) which bears on a rail (54) mounted between the conveyer side frames.