US2058729A - Apparatus for handling flat material - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 27, 1936.' SEKULSKl APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FLAT MATERIAL original Filed sept. 24, 1951 8 sheets-sheet 1 :uvam-on LEE .SE K ULSKI 512, @MWL ATTORNE YS Oct. 27,` 1936. l.. SEKULSKI 2,058,729

` APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FLAT MATERIAL Oiginal Filed Sept. 24, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INvENToR LEE SEKUL-SKI AT' TOPNEYS Oct. 27,v 1936. L. sEKULsKl 2,058,729

' APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FLAT MATERIAL Original Fild Sept. 24, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INvEN-ron LE .SEHULsm A'r-romwzys Ud 27, 1936- L. SEKULSKI APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FLAT MATERIAL original Filed sept. 24, A1951 s sheets-sheet 4 0 mW b Oct. 27, 1936. L. sKULsKl 2,058,7?9

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FLAT MATERIAL original Filed sept. 24, 1931 s sheets-sheet 5 LEE SEKUL-SKI I B/VMIJMM A TTORNSY 5 Oct. 27, 1936. L. sEKULsKlv 2,058,729

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING 'FLAT MATIAL Originall Filed Sept. 24, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENToH L EL; SEKULsm `l .F 8 v BM @d [lL/M ATTORN EVS Oct. 27, 1936. L. sl-:KULsKl 2,058,729

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FLAT MATERIAL Original Filed Sept. 24, 1951 8 Sheets-SheerI 7 l5! '4L "e i I7 I6 las 56 4 I TRANSFER UNIT lasr \5 INvsNToR LEE SEKULSKI B7 www ATTQRNEYS Oct-27, 1936. 1 sEKuLsKI APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FLAT MATERIAL Original Filed Sept. 24, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Qct. 27, 1936 UNITED STATES'- 2,058,729 APPARATUS FOR `HANDLING FLAT MATERIAL gsignor to City,

Appueeuen september 24, 1931, serial No. 564.830 Renewed July 2s, 193s sa calme. (or 214.-;1)

This invention relates to an improved apparatus for handling flat material such, for example, as wall and building boards, and various other sheet5 like articles.

5 In manufacturing plants where it is desired to increase the production of their products by adding new manufacturing units, it frequently happens that the building accommodations will not permit the setting of the machineryefor straight line production. In some eases ground space'is not available to enlarge or lengthen the building.

In other cases there would be no economy in enlarging the building Vior the purpose of installlng new units, if a means could be provided for w transferring the product from one line toanother production line disposed at right angles or 90 from the ilrst.A With this in mind, the present transfer unit was designed. It is particularly adapted for handling fiat material such, for exple, as wall and building boards, and other sheet-like articles. An advantage ot this novel transfer unit is that it can be for the d purpose oi selectively transferring articles from a main line conveyor onto a production line situf 25 ated adjacent to one side of the transfer unit, or

the articles may be transferred onto a production line situated in line with the main line conveyer for continuing production in a straight line. This will be more clearly defined in the following specidcation.

dn object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for handling dat articles coinprisinsv normal line of travel onto a suitable' receiving Vmeans positioned adjacent to one side therefor, if desired, they may be directed into a receiving means situated substantially in the line of travel of the articles when fed into the unit. f

A further object is to provides. transfer unit particularly applicable-for use in the handling v of wet composition boards such as are used in the building trade, said unit being .adapted to receive the wet boards directly from the usual press through which the boards pass from the forming machine, and transferring them onto the usual superposed tiers or racks of an ordinary drying oven, said unit comprising means `whereby it may be operated to deliver the boards into selected Vtiersmfxfacks of dryinggovens stationed at different v"locations with' theretoi A further object is to provide-'a transfer unit comprising' means for feeding the articleslength- 9. .wise thereof for delivery into e suitable receiving i cles when received on said unit. '5

A further'object is to provide such an apparatus including a vertically movable latform or elevator comprising a plurality of ts adapted to receive the boards or articles from a suitable feeding means, and a plurality of conveyer rollers dis- 10 posed substantially parallel to the line of travel ofthe articles as they are delivered onto said belts, and means being provided whereby said conveyer belts may be rendered inoperative tor y feeding articles, and wherebysaid conveyerrollers 1'5 will be made operative to laterally feed the arti' cles from the elevator.

A further object is to provide a transfer unit comprising a main` supporting trame having an elevator mounted therein and provided with an independent operating motor, and a control mechanism being provided lor said motor coni-v prising a suitable selector switch situated at an operators station and comprising a plurality oi switch buttons, one lor each elevation adapted to receive articles from elevator, whereby when an article is delivered onto the elevator, the operator may manipulate the switch button oi a selected station whereby the motor will operate to move the elevator to said selected elevation at which station it will automatically come to rest, said unit also mi a plurality ci other control buttons ior control the operational? other motors operatina' to feed articles onto the elevator, and to actte the belts and conveyer rollers of the elevator.

Other objects oi the inventionreside in the cony struction of l'the elevator of the transfer unit whereby articles received thereon may be dis- 40 vcharged therefrom in a direction either lengthwise of the conveyer belts of the elevator or lin.

a direction transversely with respect to said belts; in the means provided for automatically interrupting the travel of articles delivered onto the elevator; in the electrical control mechanism for I controlling the operationV of the transfer unit;

in the means providedY for moving the conveyer belts of the elevator into and out of operative positions; in the means provided for automatically limiting the vertical travel of the elevator; and in the general construction of the apparatus. as a whole, and in the organization of the various mechanisms whereby the'vperation ofthe entire apparatus may be conveniently controlled from an operators station. Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings. there has been ,6,0

disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

' Figure 1 is a side elevation partially in section showing the elevator in its normal load receiving position, and also showing the power-operated feeding conveyer for delivering articles to the transfer unit;

Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1 with some of the parts omitted;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional plan view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, partially broken away to more clearly show the construction of the operating mechanism;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional View on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, showing the conveyer belts of the elevator in operative position;

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 3, showing the conveyer belts of the elevator in inoperative position;

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 4, showing the means for supporting the elevator;

Figure 'l is a detail sectional view on the line 1-1 of Figure 4, showing the conveyer belts of the elevator in operative positions;

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view showing the control panels of the apparatus; Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the connections between the control valve and the cylinders which control the operation of the conveyer belts of the elevator; Y

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the transfer unit situated so as to be capable of delivering articles into two different receiving means or drying units;

Figure 11 is a wiring diagram diagrammatically' illustrating the electrical connections between the various control instruments;

Figure l2 is an enlarged detail view diagrammatically illustrating one of the sets of contacts employed in the selector switch used for controlling the operation of the elevator; and

Figure 13 is a wiring diagram illustrating the electrical connections of the motor which operates the conveyer belts of the elevator and other electrical instruments associated therewith.

To afford a clear explanation of the invention herein disclosed, the transfer unit is shown used in connection with a press, such as is commonly used in the manufacture of composition boards, and through which the wet boards are passed for the purpose of removing the surplus Water or liquid therefrom. From the press, the wet boards are usually delivered to a drying oven comprising a plurality of superposed conveyers or tiers,*and the transfer unit herein disclosed readily lends itself for use `to selectively transfer the wet boards from the press onto the various tiers in the drier. As the press and drier form no part of the present invention, they are only diagrammatically illustrated in the drawings.

In Figure 1, 2 represents the discharge end of a suitable press, and 3 and 4 driers arrangedadjacent to the transfer unit, the latter being generally indicated by the numeral 5, in Figure 10.

The transfer unit is shown comprising a struc; tural frame having uprights 6 and 1 at the rev-l ceiving end thereof and similar uprights 8 and 9 at the opposite end thereof. 'I'hese uprights are preferably of angle iron cross section andare secured together at the receiving end of the unit by suitable cross members I2, and I3, and at the opposite end of the structure by similar cross members and |3. The upper ends of the uprights 6, 1, and 8, 9, are shown secured together lengthwise ofy` the structure by suitable channels |5| 5, having cross members I6 interposed therebetween, as shown in Figure 2. Suitable diagonal braces I1 are provided at the corners of the structure, as shown. The lower portions of the uprights 6, 1, and 8, 9, are secured together length- Wise of the structure by suitable frame members I8 and I9, as shown in Figures 1, 6, and 8.

A vertically movable platform, hereinafter referred to as the elevator, is mounted in the structural frame above described, and comprises side rails 2| and 22 secured together at their ends by suitable cross members 23, and at their intermediate portions by a cross member 24. The side rails 2|, 22, and cross members 23-23 and 24 cooperate to provide a rectangularly shaped frame', as best shown in Figure 3.

The elevator frame is movably supported by suitable chains 25 mounted upon sprockets 26 and 21 provided at each end of the supporting frame, as best shown in Figures 1, 4, and 6. The sprockets 26 are supported upon suitable cross shafts 28 mounted in suitable bearings provided at the upper portion of the supporting frame, and the lower sprockets 21 are similarly mounted upon cross shafts 29 suitably mounted in the lower portion of the main supporting frame. The elevator frame is provided at Aits corners with angle brackets 30 which are secured to links of the chains 25, as best shown in Figures 3 and 6. Thus, when the chains areoperated by rotation of the sprockets 26 and 21, the elevator frame will be correspondingly operated.

'I'he means for operating the elevator chains 25 is best shown in Figures l and 2, and comprises a motor 3| mounted upon a platform 32 supported between the intermediate cross members I6 at the upper portion of the main supporting frame. A suitable speed reducer 33, of ordinary construction, is operatively connected with the motor through a flexible coupling 34. The shaft 35 of the speed reducer is connected at its opposite ends with drive shafts 36-36 by suitable flexible couplings 3131. are geared to the upper cross shafts 28 by suitable bevel gears 38 and 39. The motor 3| is of The drive shafts 36v the reversible type so that when operated in' one l direction, the elevator will ascend, and when operated in the opposite direction, it will descend. Suitable counter-weights 4| are secured to cross beams 42 secured to the chains 25. These counter-weights are arranged to travel between the uprights 6 and 1 at one end of the main frame and between the uprights 8 and 9 at the opposite end of the frame, and function to substantially counterbalance the weight of the elevator.

An important feature of the invention resides in the novel construction of the elevator whereby articles or boards delivered thereto may be laterally discharged therefrom at a selected elevation or drier tier. Secured to the upper portions of the cross rails 23-23 and 24 of the elevator frame, are a plurality of longitudinally extending rails 43, 44, 45, and 46, upon which are secured cross members 41 and 48. DCross shafts 49 and 5| are mounted in suitable bearings 52-52 and 53-53, respectively, secured to the longitudinally extending rails 43, 44, 45, and 46, as best shown in Figures 3 and 6. A plurality of pulleys 54 are secured to the cross shafts 49 and 5I and are spaced equidistant apart thereon, as best shown in Figure 3. Suitable conveyer belts 55 are mounted upon the pulleys 5l and are disposed lengthwise of the elevator in spaced parallel rev' of conveyer rollers 51 mounted in suitable frame Vdll, d5, and 46.

members 58 and adapted to be driven by a belt 59, the upper run of which is held in frictional contact with the lower portions of the conveyer rollers 51 by means of suitable rollers 6|. The belt 59 is driven by a motor 62 operatively connected therewith by a suitable speed reducer 83 and chain drive 64. One end of the feeding conveyer 56 may be supported upon the uprights 6-5 of the main supporting-frame of the transfer unit, andthe gpposite end thereof directly upon the frame of the press, as illustrated in Figure 1.

In order to laterally discharge the boards or articles from the elevator into a tier of the drier 8, a plurality of longitudinally extending rollers t5 are mounted upon the cross rails dl and d8 secured to the longitudinally extending rails 08,

These rollers are arranged between the conveyer belts 55, as shown in Figures 3 and 7, and are all operatively connected together for rotation in one direction by means of a suitable chain t5 engaging a sprocket 6l provided at one end of each roller. Suitable idler sprockets 88 hold the upper section of the chain in engagement with the teeth oi' the sprockets 6l. Other idler sprockets 58 guide the lower run of the chain over the rails M, d5, and it, and also prevent the lower run of the chain from engaging the teeth of the sprockets' 60. i

The drive chain 65 of the rollers t5 is driven by a sprocket 'll secured to a short shaft 'it mounted in suitable bearings l0 and lid, and

having a beveled `gear drive 'l5 connecting it. with a speed'reducer 'it of ordinary construction. The speed reducer 'it is connected by a, flexible coupling 'il to a motor 'itl which preferably is adapt-l ed for continuous operation so that the rollers 65 will rotate continually.

The conveyer belts are "driven by a motor la similar to the motor i8 and have a flexible coupling 8| connecting it With a speed reducer 82 connected by afexible coupling 83 to oneend of the shaft 5| upon which the pulleys 54 at one end ofthe elevator are secured. The motors 10 and 19 are mounted upon suitable plates or platforms 84 and 85 secured to the rectangular fmme of the elevator. f A B To render 'the'conveyer rollers 65 of the elevator operable to laterally discharge a board from the elevator, means are provided for lowering the upper runs of the conveyer belts 55 beneath the upper portions of the peripheries of the rollers 65 so that the weight of the board will be transferred from the belts 55 directly onto the peripheries of the rollers 65, whereby'the board will be discharged laterally from the elevator.

The means provided for thus actuating the conveyer belts 55 is best shown in Figures4, 5,

y and '7, and comprises a plate 86 mounted for relative vertical movement upon the elevator in suitableA guides 81 secured to the longitudinally extending rails 43 and 46. Depending studs 88 are secured to the plate 86 at the corners thereof and are sudably supported 1n the guides a1. Y

(See Figures 4 and 5.) Supported upon the plate 86, directly beneath the upper run of each belt 55, are a plurality of snub rollers 89 supported by suitable channels 8| secured to the plate 88. When the plate is in the position shown in Figu're 4, the snub rollers 89 will be in engagement with the'upper runs of the belts 55 and will support them in the elevated positions shown in ,Figures 4 and 7, wherein it will be noted that a dotted line's in Figure 5, whereby it will be later- I ally discharged from the elevator.

o The means for actuating they plate 86 is shown comprising a pair of rock shafts 82, mounted in suitable bearings 90 secured to the rails d8, dt,

u 85, and d6, as shown in Figure 7. Crank arms 93 are secured to the shafts 92 and are connected by links @il to angle brackets 95, secured to the bottom of the plate 86. Depending arms 95 are also secured to the rock shaft 88 and have their lowerends pivotally connected, together by a suitable connection dl, .whereby the arms 06 are disposed in substantially parallel relation. The connection 0l is preferably forked at one end, as

shown at @8 in Figure 3, whereby the arms 86 secured to the rock shaft 82 adjacent to the receiving end of the elevator, will be spaced `apart as shown in Figures Brand 7. Connecting links d@ connect the forked end of the connection @l with a cross head |109 mounted for reciprocal movement between guides Mit interposed between two cylinders i103 and |100, secured to a pair oi channels' H15 which, in turn, are secured at one end to a member it, and at their opposite ends to the cross member 23 at the receiving end of the elevator frame. Pistons imi and |08 are mounted in the cylinders '|03 and it, respectively, and are operatively connected with the cross head'lllll by suitable piston rods 09.

The pistons i017 and H08 may be operated from a suitable pressure fluid such as'comp'ressed air. A pipeilii conneptsthe head of the cylinder |08 with an outlet im of a suitable control valve H8, best shown in Figures 8 and 9. 'Ihe cylinder |04 has a pipe lill connecting it with an outlet H5 of thevalve M3. A pipe H6 leads from the valve H8 to a suitable source of fluid pressure, Vnot shown.` In Figure 9, the valve |I|3 is diagrammatically illustrated asl having at its upperportionan exhaust port ill. 'Ihe valve is shownhaving 4a rotor H8 provided withsuitable ducts H9 and' |2| capable of establishing communication between thepipes I il, H4, and ||8 connected with the valve casing |20. The valve H3 has a suitable operating lever |22 whereby upon a suitable xed support, not shown in the drawings. Because of the cylinders |03 and |04 being mounted upon the frame of the elevator so as to move therewith, the pipes connecting thev through the drier.

cylinders with the valve are provided with suitable flexible connections, or swivel joints, which may be of any suitable construction, and it is therefore thought unnecessary to show the same in the drawings.

By manipulation of the control lever |22 of the valve ||3, the pistons |01 and |08 will be caused to reciprocate in their respective cylinders with the result that the rock shafts 92 Will be operated, whereby the crank arms 93 will, because of their connections with the plate 86, supporting the snub rollers 89, raise or lower the upper runs of the conveyer belts 55, depending upon the direction of movement of the pistons |01 and |08.

' When the pistons are in the positions shown in Figures 4 and 9, the upper runs of the conveyer belts 55 will be elevated so as to cause articles delivered onto the elevator to be supported directly upon the belts 55. When the elevator reaches the selected elevation, it will automatically come to rest, as will subsequently be described, and the operator then manipulates the valve I3 so as to cause the air in the cylinder |03 to be expelled therefrom through the exhaust ||1 of the valve, while, at the same time, fluid pressure is admitted into the cylinder |04 against the piston |08, thereby causing the cross head to move in a direction towards the left, when viewed as shown in Figures 4 and 9, resulting in the lowering of the belts 55 to the positions shown in Figure 5. Such movement of the cross head will actuate the rock shafts 92 to the positions shown in Figure 5, wherein it will be noted that the article or board will be supported directly upon the conveyer rollers 65, because of the upper runs of the belts 55 being positioned beneath the vupper portions of the peripheries of said rollers.

The lower run of each conveyer belt 55 is guidingly supported upon suitable idlers |24 secured to the bottom of the plate 86, and each belt is provided with a suitable counter-weight |25, each having a sheave |26 received in a depending loop |21 of its respective belt, as best shown in Figures 4 and 5. These counter-weights retain the conveyer belts 55 at a uniform tension, regardless of Whether they are in a raised or lower position. If necessary, suitable means, not shown, may be provided for guiding the weights |25 and sheaves |26 in their up-and-down movements.

Another feature of this invention resides in the novel control means provided for controlling the operation of the elevator, whereby articles delivered thereto may be raised or lowered to a selected elevation and discharged from the elevator either in a lengthwise direction therefrom or laterally therefrom, as may be desired. As herei-nbefore stated, the transfer unit is particularly applicable for use in connection with a board press and one or more driers, which driers are usually provided with a plurality of superposed tiers or conveyers so that articles or boards delivered onto said tiers will be' carried slowly These driers are of ordinary and well-known construction and it is therefore thought unnecessary to show the same in detail. Portions of the driers are diagrammatically indicated in Figures 1 and 10, and each is shown as comprising eight tiers.

The novel control mechanism employed in connection with the transfer unit comprises a plurality of electrical instruments and mechanisms of well-known construction, so organized and inl terconnected with the operating mechanism of the transfer unit as to provide avery simple and practical control mechanism which may b e conveniently operated by an attendant stationed at the control station |23.

As hereinbefore stated, the conveyer rollers 65 of the ,elevator are operated by the motor 18, which, when the transfer unit is in operation, operates continually. The conveyer belts 55 operate intermittently, and are driven by the motor 19 shown at the lower right hand corner of Figure 3. Means are provided for automatically stopping the motor 19 when a board has been delivered onto the elevator from the feeding conveyer 56, and is here shown as consisting f a stop switch |28 supported upon an overhanging bracket |29 secured to the rail 46 of the elevator frame, as best shown in Figure 7. The switch |28 has a swingable arm |3| provided with a roller |32 adapted to be engaged by a board being conveyed onto the belts 55, as will be clearly understood by reference to Figure 1. The arm |3I carries a movable contact |33 normally engaged with a fixed contact |34 having a wire |35 connecting it with one side of a manually operable stop switch |36, which may be of the push button type and is normally closed, as shown in Figure 13. A wire |31 connects the opposite side of the stop switch |36 with one side of a starter switch |38, also of the push button type, and which normally is in open position, as shown. A wire |39 leads from the wire |31 to. a movable contact |4| adapted to engage a fixed contact |42 having a wire |43 connecting it with the opposite side oi the starter.

switch |38. A wire |44 connects the starter switch |38 with one side of a solenoid coil |45, having a wire |46`connecting the opposite end thereof with the conductor |49 of a main line circuit as shown in Figure 13. A wire connects the conductor |48 of the main line circuit respectively, by means of an actuator |58 connected with the movable contacts I4| and |53 and |55, and adapted to be actuated by the solenoid coil |45 when the latter is energized. The

actuator is normally retained in the switch open' ing position shown in Figure 13 by suitable means such as a spring or by gravity.

The fixed contact |51 of the motor switch |54 is connected to the main line conductor |49 by a wire |6|,'and the fixed contact |58 of the switch has a wire |62 connecting it with one end of a brake coil |63, the opposite end of which is connected by a wire |64 to the main line conductor |48. A gap |65 is provided in the wire |62 adapted to be bridged by a member |66 operable by means of a relay coil |61. One end of the coil |61 is connected by a wire |68 to the wire |46 leading from the solenoid |45 to the main line conductor |49. The opposite end of the coil |61 has a wire |69 connecting it with the end of the solenoid" |45 to which the wire |44 is connected. Y

The brake coil |63 is adapted to actuate a magnetic brake which comprises a drum |1| secured to a shaft extension |12 of the speed reducer 82, as indicated in Figure 3. This magnetic brake is of ordinary well-known construction, and comprises oppositely disposed brake ing position, which, in the present instance, is

at elevation No. 3, the board will be fed onto the conveyer belts 55 of the elevator by the feeding conveyer 56. Before the board is delivered onto the elevator, however, the operator will push the starter button |38. whereupon the solenoid coil is energized, therebycausing the movable switch contacts |4|, |53, and |55 us w111 not be interrupted when the beard actuates the switch |28. 'I'he operation of the conveyer belts may be interrupted at vany time 'by depression of the stop switch |36. For convenience, the switches |36, |38, and |18 are mounted in a suitable block |19 secured to a control panel to move into electrical connection with their re-l spective iixed contacts, resulting in the motor` starting. As soon as the contact |4| engages the contact |42, a. holding circuit for the actuator |59 is established through the contacts i |4| and |42, wires |43 and |44, solenoid coil |45, and wire |46,connected with the main line conductor |49, thence from the conductor |48, through the wire |5l, contacts |33 and |34, wire |35,

stop switch |36, wire |39, and back to the mov able contact |4|; At the same time, current ow is established through the coil |61, by reason of one end thereof being connected wltiLthe wire |46 by the wire |68, and the opposite end thereof being connected. by the wire |69 to the wire |44. l

Energization of coil |61 will actuate the member |66 to close the gap in the wire |62, whereupon the magnetic brake coil |63 will be con- ,nected in series with the motor and will operate to release the magnetic brake simultaneously as the motor is started The motor will continue to function until the leading end of the board engages the stop switch |28 and thereby breaks the circuit'to the solenoid |45, causing the motor switch |54 to open. At the same insta-nt, the supply of current to the relay coil |61 4 and brake coil |63 is cut oil. It will thus be seen that the stop switch |28 may be actuated by each board deliveredv onto the elevator,l whereby the conveyer belts 55 are automatically interrupted. Operation ofthe conveyer belts 55 may also be interrupted 'by manipulation of the manually opyerable stop switch |36; Under normal operating conditions, and particularly when handling composition boards or other` sheet material, the operator need not manipulate the stop switch` |36, the motor circuit being automatically opened by the boards engaging and actuating the stop switch |28.

In Figure 10, the transfer unit is shown interposed between the board press 2 and the driers 3 and 4. When thus used, means are provided for rendering the stop switch |28 inoperative, so that when the operator desires to'discharge a board from the elevator into one of the tiers-of 'drier v 4, situated at the end of thev transfer^unit, the

conveyer belts 55 may continue to function. To thus render the stop switch |28. inoperative, a suitable switch |18, which may 'be oi the push button type, is connected across the contacts of the stop switch |28 s that when a board is to be discharged into one ofthe tiers of the drier 4,

the operator will manipulate the switch |18 and close it, whereupon current ow` to the solenoid 8|, mounted on the main supporting frame of izle structure adiacentto the operatorls station The motor 18 which operates the conveyer rollers 65 of the elevator is provided with starting and stopping switches |82 and |63, respectively, mounted upon a block |84 similarly secured to the control panel |8|. The motor 18 may be operated continuously during operationl of the transfer unit, and it is therefore thought unneces-` sary to show the circuit to this motor in detail, it being an ordinary well-known circuit. In like manner, the circuit to the motor 62 is oi' wellknown construction and is provided with starting and stopping switches |35 and |86, respectively, mounted in a block |81 secured to the 'control panel |8I, as shown in Figures 2 and 8.

The means for controlling the vertical travel oi" the conveyer is diagrammatically illustrated in Figures 8, 11, and l2, and'comprises an ordinary well-known selector switch |88 of the rotary type.

diagrammatlcally illustrated inA Figure 8, and

shown comprising a shaft |89 having a suitable pulley or wheel |9| mounted thereon. The selector switch may be supported upon a suitable supporting frame |90, as shown. A flexible element |92 such, for example. as a steel band or cable is coiled about the pulley 9| and has one end passing downwardly beneath an idler pulley |93 secured to the lower portion of the main supporting frame of the transfer unit and having its end portion connected with the frame of the elevator for movement therewith. A suitable tension spring |94 may be interposed between the end portion |95 oi the flexible element |92 and the elelyator frame to allow for variations, and whereby the element will be kept taut. The opposite end portion |96 of the iiexible element passes around a guide sheave |91 secured to the main frame oi the structure and may be secured to one of the counter-weights 4| by means of a suitable spring |98. By thus connecting the ends of the ilexible element to the elevator frame and counterweights, rotary motion will be`imparted to the shaft |99 of the selector switch |89, when the elevator is operated, as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 8. The element or belt |92 is engaged with the pulley |8| in such a manner as to prevent slippage.

V In Figure 12, there is diagrammatically i|lustrated a portion of the mechanism of the selector switch |88, showing the contacts of one elevation. In the present instance, these contacts represent those of elevation No. 3 which, as shown in Figures vl and 8, is the normal loading station oi.' the elevator. When the elevator. is in its normal load receiving position, the mechanism of the selector switch pertaining to that particular station will be positioned substantially as shown v tact 284, adapted to be moved into and out of electrical engagement with xed contacts 285 and 206, as will be understood by reterencefto Figure 12.4 The above described switch: mechanism is so connected with the elevator thatas soon las the latter leaves elevation No. 3, either in an upward or a downward direction, the movable contact 204 will electrically engage with one of the two contacts 205 and 206, depending upon the direction of movement of the elevator. As hereinbefore stated, the selector switch |88 is of ,wellknown construction, and it is therefore believed unnecessary to further describe the construction thereof, it being understood that the selector switch comprises a similar set of contacts for each elevation. These are diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 11.

As the electrical connections between the switch contact lever 202 and the parts associated therewith are of similar construction at each eievation, it will be necessary to describe but one such set of connections, the like parts of each of the eight elevations here shown being referred to by like numerals.

A wire 201 connects contact 204 with one end of a relay coil 208, the opposite end of which is connected to a terminal 209 of a movable contact 2|I. 'I'he contact 21| is normally in open position and is adapted to engage a fixed contact 2|2 when the relay 208 is energized. A wire 2|3 connects the fixed contact 2|2 with a wire 2|4, one end of which is connected to a iixed contact 2|5 of a down limit switch 2|6 having a movable contact 2|1 normally engaged with the xed contact 2|5. The down limit switch 2|6 has an arm 2|8 provided with a roller 2|9 positioned in the path of the frame of the elevators so that, in the event that the elevator inv its downward movement, accidentally passes beyond station No. 1, the switch 2|6 will be opened, resulting in the current supply to the motor 3| being cut ofi', as will subsequently be described. A wire 22| connects the movable contact 2|1 of the down limit switch 2|6 to the main line conductor |49. A wire 226 connects the movable contact 2|| of the relay 208 with a terminal 221 of a starter switch 228, comprising four terminals 221, 229, 23| and 232. The terminals 229 and 23| of each switch are connected together by a wire 233, and a movable bridge member 234 operable by means of a push button 235, normally bridges the gap between the contacts 23| and 232. When the push button 235 is actuated, the member 234 will move out of electrical engagement with the terminals 23| and 232 and may bridge the gap between the terminals 221 and 229 of the switch, as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 11. The terminals 232 and 229 of adjacent switches are connected by wires 236 as shown. The push buttons 235 of the selector switch |88 are shown mounted in asuitable block |80 secured to the control panel |8|. See Figures 1 and 8.

The ilxed contacts 205 and 206 of each selector switch are connected by wires 231 and 238 to wires 239 and 24|, respectively. These wires 239 and 24|, as shown in Figure 1, are common to the fixed contacts 205 and 206 of the selector switch and, in like manner, the wire 2|4 is common to the ilxed contacts of the relay coils 208.

The wire 239 is connected to one end of a relay coil 242, the opposite end of which has a wire 243 connecting it with a terminal 244 of an emergency stop switch 245, having a second terminal 246 spaced from the terminal 244, as shown. 'Ihe gap between the terminals 244 and 246 is normally closed by the member- 241, as shown. A wire 248 connects the terminal 246 of the em'ergency stop switch 245 with a fixed contact 249 of an up limit switch 25|, having a movable contact 252 adapted to be actuated by an arm 253 carrying a roller 254 normally positioned in the path of the elevator frame, as will be noted by reference to Figure l. The up limit switch 25|, like the down limit switch 2|6, is normally closed and is actuated only in the event that the elevator accidentally over runs or passes beyond elevation 8. A wire 255 connects the movable contact 252 of the up limit switch 25| with the main line conductor |48. -The relay 242 is connected to the wire 239 of the selector switch, as above described and is in the up circuit and a similar relay 251 has one end thereof connected with the wire 24| which is in the down circuit. The opposite end of the relay coil 251 is connected to a wire 243 by a wire 258. The relays 242 and 251 each have a fixed contact 259 connected by wires 26| to the wire 2|4, and each has a movable contact 262 adapted to be moved into electrical connection with the fixed contacts 259 when the relay coils 242 and 251 are energized. The movable contact 262 of the relay 242 has a wire 263 connecting it with the terminal 264 of a solenoid coil 265, the opposite terminal 266 of which is connected by a wire 261 to the terminal 268 of a solenoid 269. The terminal 21| of the solenoid 269 has a Wire 212 connecting it with the movable contact 262 of the relay 251.

The motor 3|, the operation of which is controlled by the selector switch |88 hereinbefore described, is'of the direct current reversible type, and comprises a pair of conductors 213 and 214 connecting the armature winding thereof with a pair of movable contacts 215 and 216, respectively, of a motor control switch 211. This control switch further comprises a pair of xed contacts 218 and 219 adapted to be engaged by the movable contacts 215 and 216, respectively, when the switch is closed. The movable contacts of the switch 211 are connected together by an actuator 20| operatively associated with the solenoid coil 265 so that when the latter is energized, the actuator will be operated to close the motor. switch 211. The fixed contact 218 is con nected to the main line conductor |48 by a wire 282 and the fixed contact 219 has a wire 283 connecting it with one side of a solenoid coil |63 of a magnetic brake of the type shown and described with reference to .Figure 13. The other end of the solenoid |63 is connected by a wire 284 to the main line conductor |49, as shown. A gap 285 is provided in the wire 283 adapted to be bridged by a member 286 operable by means of a winding 281, having oneend thereof eleca wire 291 connected at one end to a movable contact 298 and having its opposite end connected to a terminal 299 spaced from the terminal 294 and adapted to be bridged by a member 30| which normally is in circuit-closing position and is adapted to be actuated by the relay 29|. A suitable resistance 302 is interposed in the wire 291 for the purpose of imposing la resistance in the motor circuit. This resistance functions when Athe current supply to the motor has been cut of?,

and the motor continues to rotate after deenerto function as a generator, and thereby forces a current through the resistor 302. This acts to A retard the action of the motor and thus aids in bringing the motor to a quick stop. 'Ihe relay 281 has one end connected by a wire 303 to a wire 304 which, in turn, connects the wire 248 with the wire 261. The movable contacts 295 and 298 ot the motor switch 305 are adapted to electrically engage a'pair of xed contacts 306 and 301, respectlvely. The movable contacts 298 and 295 are operatively connected together by an actuator 308 adapted to be actuated by the solenoid 260.

A movable contact 309 is also connected with the actuator 308 and is adapted to engage a fixed contact 3| I having awire 3|2 connecting it with a fixed contact 3|3 adapted to be electrically engaged with a movable contact 3|.2, operativelyconnected with the actuator 26| and electrically connected to the wire 289 which also is connected to the movable contact 309. 'Ihe movable Vcontacts 216 and 298 of the motor switches 212 and 305 are electrically connected together by a wire SI5. A

` Operation;

In the operation of this novel apparatus when used for handling composition boards or flat material or articles, as shown in the present instance, the lwall boards are delivered from the press onto the feeding conveyer 56 which, as hereinbefore stated, is of the power driven type. The switchy buttons |65 and |66 control the operation of the feeding conveyer 56. When a board is delivered onto the feeding conveyer, the operator depresses theswitch button |85, thereby closing the circuit to the motor 62 with the result that the rollers 5| of the feeding conveyer will be operated to feed the board onto the conveyer belts 55 of the-elevator, it being understood that the elevator is at rest at elevation No. 3, shown in Figures i and 8.

Before the board is f ed onto the conveyer belts 55, however, the operator depresses the switch button |82, thereby starting the motor 25, which operates the'belts 55. '-,When the board has been feed onto the belts 55er the elevator, said belts will subsequently be interrupted by reason of the leading edge of the board engaging the roller |32 and thereby breaking the circuit to the solenoid |45, whereupon the motor switch |54 is opened. Assuming that the board is to be delivered onto the upperl elevatign or tier No. 8 of drier 3, the operator will depress the push button 235 of the i selector switch |88, corresponding to elevation No 8, whereby the circuit tothe motor 3| is closed,

thereby causing the elevator to ascend to elevation No. 8 where it will automatically come to rest Vbecause of the contact lever 204 disengaglng the ilxed contact 205 of elevation No. 8, when the elevator reaches said elevation. v

When the elevator comes to rest at elevation No. 8, the operator will manipulate the leverA |22 of the control'valve l I3 so as to cause the pressure fluid to be delivered into the cylinder |02, whereby thecross-head is moved from thepositlon shown in Figures 4 and 9, to that shown in Figure 5, thereby lowering the upper runs of the conveyer belts 55 to the positionsshown .in Figure 5. so that the board will be supported directly upon the conveyer rollers 65,` as indicated by the dottedv lines in Figure 5. As soon' as the board. engages the peripheries of the rollers 65, it will be laterally v discharged from the elevator into the upper tier No. 8 of drier 3,1t being understood that the rollers 65'are preferably driven continually by the motor 18.

The circuit controlling the operation of the motor 3| when raising the elevator, operates in the following manner: When the elevator is -in its normal load receiving position, at elevation No.` 3, the contact lever 204 of the selector switch |88 will be positioned midway between the two contactors 205 and 206, as shown in Figures 11 and l2, out of electrical engagement therewith. All of the contact levers 204 of the elevations Nos. 4 to 8, inclusive, will be in electrical connection with the xed contacts 205, while the contact levers 202 of elevations Nos. l and 2, below the normal loading position of the elevator will be in electrical connection with the rlxed contacts 206, as illustrated in the wiring diagram, Figure ll. It will also be noted that the movable contacts 2|| of the relays 228 are out of electrical contact with their complementary xed contacts 2|2. When the operator depresses the push button 235 of the selector switch |58, corresponding to elevation No. 8, the member 234 of that particular switch 228 will bridge the gap between the contacts 22| and 225, thereby connecting the relay 228 with the main line conductor |29 as follows: From the conductor through the wire/22| and contacts 2|`| and 2|5 of the down limit switch 2 |6, v

which normally are in closed4 position; through the wire 2|2 to a contact 2|5 interposed inthe wire 2|4, and thence through the wire3|| to the contact 22S-,of the lower switch 228, as shown in the lower left-hand corner of Figure ll.

Because of the members 232 of the switches 222 normally being in electrical connection with the contacts 23| and 282 thereof, current will now from the terminal 3|6 through the wire 3|'| and through all of the switches 228 which normally are connected in series as shown. Because of the switch member 222 of the upper switch 225 bridging the gap between the contacts 22| and.

229, the current will ilow through the wire 226 to the relay 222 of elevation No. 8, thence through 'wir'e' 232, relay 222, wire 222, and through the contacts of the emergency' stop switch. 225, which normally is'in'closed position; thence through the wire 242 and contacts 222 and 252 of the up limit switch 25|, which contacts also are normally in closed position. From the movable contact 252 of theup limit switch 25|, the current iiows through the wire 255 and back to the main line conductor |28, thereby completing the circuit. The closing oi the above described circuit will cause the relay 222 to become energized, whereupon the movable contact 262 thereof is moved into electrical connection with thelxed contact 255 thereof, which results in the completion of a circuit through the solenoid 255, which operates the actuator and causes the'motor switch 2'|'| to be closed.

The circuit through the solenoid 265 is as follows: From the main line conductor |22, through the wire 22| and contacts 2| and 2|5 of the down limit switch 2|6, Wires 2|2 and 25|, through the contacts 255and 262. of the relay 222 which, as hereinbefore stated, arev in closed position, through the wirev 268 to the terminal 252 of the solenoid 265, thence from the terminal 266 of the solenoid, through the wires 262 and 322 ductor |48, thereby completingthe circuit through the solenoid 265, resulting in the closing of the motor switch 211.

Simultaneously, as the motor switch 211 is closed, the movable contact 3|4, which is connected to the actuator 28|, will engage the contact 3|3 whereby current will be supplied to the relays 281 and 29|, asl follows: From the main line conductor |49, the current will flow through the wire 22|, down limit switch 2|6, wire 2|4 and through a portion of the wire 3|2 to the fixed contact 3|3; thence through the movable contact 3|4, wires 289 anu 288, through the coils 281 and 29|, because of the latter being electrically con-` nected in parallel with the wire 248, which, in turn, is electrically connected with the conductor |48 of the other side of the main line by reason of the wire 255 and closed up limit switch 25|. Energization of the relay 281 will cause the member 286 to close the gap in the wire 283, thereby completing the motor circuit, whereupon the motor will immediately function. Simultaneously, as the motor circuit is completed, the solenoid |63 of the magnetic brake will be energized to release the brake and at the same time, the resistance 302 shunted across the terminals of the motor will be cut out of the circuit because of the member 30| of the relay 29| opening the circuit through the resistance 302. The motor will then continue to function until the elevator reaches the upper tier or elevation No. 8, whereupon the movable contact 204 of the selector switch will move into neutral position, as shown in Figure 12, wherebyl the circuit through the relay 208 will be broken, causing deenergization of the solenoid 265, with the result that the motor switch 211 is automatically opened.

Simultaneously, as the switch 211 is opened, the

current supply to the relays 281 and 29| and sole- 'tor switch will move into electrical engagement with the fixed contacts 206, with the exception of the contact 204 of the uppermost selector switch 228, which will remain in neutral position until the elevator starts its downward movement whereupon each of the contacts 204 above the elevator will assume positions in electrical engagement with their complementary fixed contacts 205.

To return the elevator to a lower elevation as, for example, its normal load receiving position or elevation No. 3, shown in Figures 1 and 8, the operator depresses the push button of elevation No. 3, whereupon the relay 208 of that elevation will become energized, because of the contact lever 204 of the selector switch being in engagement with the xed contact 206, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 1i, thereby closing the circuit through the relay 251 whereby the circuit is closed through the solenoid 269 of the motor switch 305. This circuit is as follows: From the main line conductor |49, through the wire 22|, contacts 2|2 and 2|5 of the down limit switch 2|6, through a portion of the wire 2|4, wire 26|, through the closed contacts of the relay 251. thence through the wire 212 to the terminal 21| of the solenoid 269, from .the terminal 268 of the solenoid, through a portion of the wirey 261, wire 304 anda portion of the wire 248, through the closed contacts of the up limit switch 25|; and

thence through the wire 255 and back to the main line conductor |48. Such energization of the solenoid 269 will operate the actuator 308 to close the contacts of the motor switch 305 and, because of the contacts 309 and 3| being closed simultaneously as the contacts of the motor switch 305 is closed, the relays 281, 29|, and brake coil |63 simultaneously become energized as described with reference to the motor switch 211, thereby causing the elevator to descend to elevation No. 3. The motor 3| controlling the operation o1" the elevator is of the reversible type, as hereinbefore stated, and the switch 211 causes the motor to rotate in a direction to raise the elevator, and closing of the switch 305 causes the motor to operate to lower the elevator.

The emergency stop switch 245 provides means whereby the operator may interrupt vertical movement of the elevator at any time should it become necessary. By opening this switch, the supply of current to the solenoids 269 and 265 is cut off, whereby the motor control switch 211 or A305 which may have been closed, will return to its normal circuit-opening position as shown in Figure 11. I'he circuits through the solenoids 265 and 269 are so related that but one can be energized at a time. The operation of the motor control switches 211 and 305 is controlled by manipulation of the push buttons 235 of the selector switch |88 mounted upon the raised control panel From the foregoing, it will readily be understood that by the use of the novel transfer unit herein disclosed in connection with a composition board press and one or more driers, into which the wet boards are to be transferred from the press, the operator will have complete control of the transferring of the boards from the press to the various tiers of the driers, by manipulation of the controls provided at the control station |23. While in the specification, the apparatus has been described as used for handling wet composition boards, it is to be understood that it may be used for various other materials of a fiat nature as, for example, insulating material, asbestos, gypsum, sheets or blocks of cork insulation, metal sheets, and also articles conveyed in tote pans or trays which may be delivered into the tires or racks of such units as driers and annealing furnaces, and so forth. The limit switches 2|6 and 25| provide means for preventing overrunning of the elevator at its extreme lower and upperelevations, and the limit switch |28 provides means for automatically interruptingr movement of theconveyer belts 55, when a board is delivered ontothe elevator from the feeding conveyer 56. By means of the switch |18, the stop switch |28 may be rendered inoperative so that should the operator desire to deliver a board into one of the tiers of the drier 4, he will depress the switch |18 after the elevator has come to rest at the selected elevation and the motor 19 has been started by closing the switch |38, whereupon the conveyer belts 55 will be operated to deliver the board into the selected tier of drier 4, regardless of the limit switch |28. When the board has been delivered into the selected tier of the drier 4, the operator will interrupt further operation of the belts 55 by opening the switch |36. It will thus be seen that an opl I claim as my invention:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, an elevator, operating means therefor, means for feeding articles Ato the elevator, lspaced-apart conveyer belts on the elevator movable in the direction of movement of articles fed thereto and -adapted to receive articles from said feeding means, means also on the elevator normally positioned beneath the upper portions of said belts and capable of laterally discharging articles therefrom, means for interrupting movement of the elevator at a predetermined elevation and iluidoperated means for causing an article to be transferred from said belts onto said discharging means to `thereby laterally discharge the article from the elevator at said predetermined elevation.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, an elevator, operating means for the elevator,'means for feeding articles thereto, conveyer means on the elevator adapted to convey articles in a direction lengthwise thereof, a second conveyer means on the elevator adapted to convey articles in a direction crosswise thereof, and fluid-operated means for imparting relative vertical movement to one of said conveyer means to thereby transfer an article from one conveyer means to the other.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, an elevator, operating means therefor, means for feeding articles thereto, conveyer belts on the elevator Vmovable in the direction of movement o f articles fed thereto and adapted tov receive articles from said feeding means, means for driving said belts. a plurality of rollers longitudinally disposed between said belts and adapted for constant rotation, said rollers vnormally being positioned below the upper portions of said belts, andr fluid-operated means for relatively lowering said belts whereby an article supported thereon will be transferred onto said rollers to be laterally discharged from the elevator,` c

4. In an apparatus of the class described, an elevator, operatingmeans therefor, a plurality of elevations adapted to receive articles from said elevator, means for stopping the elevator at a selected elevation, means for feeding articles to the elevator. conveyer belts on the elevator-dis? 'A posed lengthwise thereof and adapted to receive articles from said feeding means, means for interrupting operation of said conveyer belts when an article is delivered onto the elevator, a pluralityof longitudinally extending conveyer rollers arranged between saidconveyer belts and normally' out of engagement with an article supported thereon, and means whereby said conveyer belts .may be actuated to cause an article supported thereon to be transferred directly onto said conveyerrollers, when the elevator comes to plurality of longitudinally extending conveyer rollers arranged between said conveyer belts andr normally out of engagement with an article supto said framecomprising'a plurality of elevations each adapted to receive articles from said elevator, a control mechanism for said motor comprising two main Vswitches and a plurality Aof selector switches, one for each elevation of said receiving means, said selector switches being electrically connected with said main switches and adapted to cause either one or the other of said main switches to close, when one of said selector switches is actuated, whereby the motor willoperate to move the elevator to the-elevation corresponding to said actuated selector switch, regardless of the vertical position of the elevator, and means for independently controlling said conveying means.

7. An apparatusof the class described, comprising a frame, an elevator mounted therein, a plurality of conveyer means on the elevator arranged to discharge articles therefrom in diEerent directions, a motor-for vertically moving the elevator, receiving means adjacent to said frame comprising aplurality of elevations, each adapted toreceivearticles from the elevator, a control mechanism for said motor comprising a. plurality of selector switches, one for each elevation of said receiving means, circuits electrically connecting said-motor with said selector switches, means for causing said motor to operate and move the elevator to a selected elevation, when a certain selector switch is actuated, means for automati cally interrupting operation of the motor. when vthe elevator reaches said selected elevation, and

means for independently controlling said conveying means.

8. An apparatus of the class described, 'comy prising a frame, an'elevator mounted therein, a plurality of conveyer means on'the elevator ar- ,ranged to discharge articles therefrom in diilerent directions, a reversible motor for vertically moving the elevator, a plurality of receiving means adjacent to said frame each comprising a plurality of vertically disposed tiers, each adapted to receive articles'from the elevator, a control mechanism for said motor comprising two,main switches and a plurality of selector switches, one for each elevation of said receiving means, circuits electrically connecting the motor switches with said selector switches, means causing said motor to operate and move the elevator to a selected elevation, when a certain selector switch is actuated, means for automatically interrupting operation of the motor when the ele-- vvator reaches said selected elevation, and manually operable means for independently controlling said conveying means, when the elevator is positioned at the selected elevation.

9. A transfer unit comprising a frame having an elevator mounted therein, receiving means adjacent to said unit each comprisinga pluralityv of superposed tiers each adapted to receive` l articles from the elevator, a driving means for the elevator, a mechanism for controlling operadependently controlling the operations of said conveyer means whereby when the elevator has been moved to a predetermined elevation, said conveyer means may be selectively operated to discharge an article from the elevator into a selected tier of one of said receiving means.

l0. A transfer unit comprising a frame having an elevator mounted therein, a plurality of receiving means adjacent to said unit each comprising a plurality of superposed tiers adapted to receive articles from the elevator, a driving means for the elevator, a mechanism for controlling operatiort of said driving means and wnereby the elevator may be moved to a selected tier of one of said receiving means, conveyerv belts on the elevator disposed lengthwise thereof, an independent drive for said belts whereby they may be operated to discharge articles from the elevator into a selected tier of one of said receiving means, other conveyer means on the elevator, said conveyer belts normally being positioned to receive articles delivered onto the elevator, and fluid-operated means for actuating said conveyer belts to cause an article supported thereon to be transferred onto said other conveyer means whereby saidv article may be laterally discharged from the elevator.

11.- A transfer unit comprising a frame having an elevator mounted therein, means for feeding articles to the elevator, a motor for raising and lowering said elevator, an electric circuit for the motor comprising two main switches adapted to control current flow therethrough, a receiving means positioned at one end of said elevator and a second receiving means positioned at one side thereof, each of said receiving means comprising a plurality of superposed tiers each adapted to receive articles from said elevator, a control mechanism for said motor comprising a plurality of selector switches, one for each tier of said receiving means, and each connected with said main switches, means electrically connected with said selector switches whereby when one of said selector switches is actuated, one of said main switches will be closed to cause the motor to operate to move the elevatorvto the selected tier of one of said receiving means, corresponding to said actuated selector switch, means for automatically opening said closed main switch when the elevator reaches the selected tier,

whereby the elevator will come to rest, a plurality of conveyer belts on the elevator adapted to receive an article from said feeding means and capable of discharging an article from the elevator into a selected tier of the receiving means stationed at the end of the elevator, a plurality of conveyer rollers mounted between said belts and normally out of engagement with an article supported thereon, said conveyer rollers being adapted to laterally discharge an article from the elevator into a selected tier of the receiving means stationed at the side of the elevator, and. independent means for controlling operation of said belts and said rollers, whereby an article may be discharged from the elevator into a selected tier of one of said receiving means.

12. A transfer unit comprisinga supporting frame having an elevator mounted therein, a motor for raising and lowering the elevator, a conveyer for feeding articles onto the elevator having an independent motor, a plurality of conveyer belts on the elevator normally positioned to receive articles from said feeding conveyer, said belts being adapted to discharge articles from the elevator at one end thereof, a plurality of conveyer rollers disposed lengthwise of the elevator between said belts and adapted to laterally discharge articles from the elevator, independent motors for said belts and conveyer rollers, fluidoperated means for vertically moving said belts with respect to said conveyer rollers to thereby transfer an article from the belts onto said rollers, and independent control means for all of said motors whereby they may be operated independently of one another to control the operation oi said transfer unit.

13. A transfer unit comprising a supporting frame having an elevator mounted therein, a motor for raising and lowering the elevator, a conveyer for feeding articles onto the elevator having an independent motor, receiving means situated adjacent to said supporting frame and each comprising a plurality of superposed tiers, each adapted to receive articles from said elevator,` a plurality of conveyer` belts on the elevator normally positioned to receive articles from said feeding conveyer, said belts being adapted to discharge articles from the elevator at one end thereof, a plurality of conveyer rollers disposed lengthwise of the elevator between said belts and adapted to laterally discharge articles from the elevator, independent motors for said belts and conveyer rollers, means for vertically moving said belts with respect to said conveyer rollers whereby an article may be transferred from the belts onto said rollers, an operators station comprising a plurality of selector switches adapted to control operation of the motor for raising and lowering the elevator, and whereby when one of said selector switches is actuated, said motor will operate to move the elevator to a selected tier of one of said'receiving means, and other control means at said station for independently controlling the operation of said other motors.

14. A transfer unit adapted to receive flat sheets or boards from a press and selectively deliver said sheets to a plurality of superimposed tiers of a drying apparatus, said unit comprising an elevator, a plurality of power operated conveying means on the elevator selectively operable to discharge articles therefrom in different directions, a plurality of motors for operating the elevator and said conveying means, an operators station, a control mechanism at said station for controlling the operations of )said motors. said mechanism including a plurality of selector switches, one for each tier of said drying apparatus, and all of said motors and switches being electrically connected together whereby when the selector switch of a certain tier is actuated, the elevator will automatically move to said tier to deliver an article thereto, andindependent control means for said power operated conveyer means.

15. In an apparatus for transferring flat composition sheets or boards from a press to a drier comprising' a plurality of superimposed tiers adapted to receive said sheets, an elevator, operating means for vertically moving the elevator, a plurality of conveyer means on the elevator -whereby articles maybe ldischarged therefrom in different directions, means for feeding the sheets ontov the conveyer means of the elevator, drives for said conveyer means, an operators station, and a plurality of control elements located at said station and associated with said operating means and said drives, whereby animposed tiers adapted to selectively receive said sheets, an elevator comprising a plurality of conveying means having independent drives, one of said conveying means being. mounted for relativevertical movement upon the elevator, whereby the sheets may be transferred from one conveyingI means to the other, means for automatically interruptingtraveling movement of the elevator .when it reaches a selected tier, and pressure means for vertically operating said movable conveylng means.

17. In an apparatus for transferring relatively large.. wet composition sheets or boards from a press to a dryer -including a plurality of superimposed tiers adapted to' selectively receive said sheets. an elevator comprising a plurality of conveying means arranged to discharge articles from the elevator in different directions, pressure means for relatively vertically moving one of said conveying means upon the elevator, whereby the sheets maybe transferred from one conveying means to the other, means for interrupting traveling movement of the elevator when it reaches a selected tier. and means for independently controllingl said conveying means.

18. `In an apparatus for transferring relatively large wet composition sheets or boards from a pressto a dryer, including a plurality of super imposed tiers adapted to selectively receive said sheets, an elevator, a plurality of conveying means 4on the elevator, one of said conveyingl means being mounted for; relative vertical movementA upon the elevator, whereby the sheets may be transferred from one conveying means to the other., means for automatically interrupting trav-l eling movement of the elevator when it reaches a selected tir, means for vertically operating said movable 'conveying means, and .a control mechanism for the elevator and said conveying.

means, comprisingia plurality o f motors and interconnected selector switches, and an operators station having a plurality of control elements associated therewith and whereby said motorsand switches may be se ectively and independently operated to thereby ontrol the operation of the entire apparatus from a given point.

19. In an apparatus of the class described, an elevator, operating means for the elevator, means for feeding articles thereto, conveyer means on the elevator adapted to support and convey arti- .cles in a direction lengthwise thereof, a second4 conveyer means on the 'elevator adapted to support and convey articles in a direction crosswlse thereof. and power-operated means for imparting relative vertical movement to one of said conveyer means to' thereby transfer an article from .one onveyer means to the other.

.f `)21). In an apparatus of the class described, an e vator, operating means therefor, means for eeding'articles thereto, conveyer elements on the elevator movable in the direction of movement of articles fed thereto and adapted to receive articles from said feeding means, means for driving said conveyer elements, a. plurality of rollers longitudinally disposed between said elements and adapted for constant rotation, said rollers normally being positioned below ,the upper portions of the conveyer elements, and power-operated means for relatively lowering said conveyer elements whereby an article supported thereon will be transferred onto said rollers to be laterally ldischarged from the elevator. 21. In an apparatus of the class described, an

vation, and power-operated means for causing an article to be transferred from said conveyer elements onto said discharging means to thereby laterally discharge the article from the elevator at a predetermined elevation.

22. In an apparatus of the classfdescribed, an elevator, operating meanstherefona plurality of elevations adapted to receive articles from said elevator, means for stoppingthe elevator at a selectedelevation, means for feeding articles to the elevator, conveyer elements on the elevator lengthwise thereof and adapted to reoeive articles from said lfeeding means, means for rendering said conveyer elements ineffective to convey articles, when an article is delivered onto the elevator, a plurality of longitudinally extending conveyer rollers arranged between said conveyer elements and normally out of engagement with an article supported thereon, and means whereby said conveyer elements may be actuated to cause an article supported thereonto be transferred directly onto said conveyer rollers, when y the elevator comes to rest at a selected station,

whereby the article. may be laterally discharged from the elevator at said selected elevation.

23. In an apparatus of the class described, an

elevator, operating means therefor, a plurality of elevations adapted to --receive articles from said elevator, means for stopping the elevatorat a selected elevation, means for feeding articles to the elevator, a plurality of'conveyer elements on the elevator disposed lengthwise thereof and adapted toL receive articles from said feeding means, means for renderingsaid conveyer elements ineifective to convey articles, when an article is delivered onto the elevator, a plurality of longitudinally extending `jconveyer rollers arranged between said conveyer elements and normally out of engagement with an article supported thereon, means for constantly rotating said rollers, and means for lowering said conveyer elements, when the elevator'comes torest. at a selected elevation. whereby an article supported thereon is ytransferred onto said conveyer vator at said selected elevation.

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