Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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1054547
This invention relates to power and free conveyor
systems.
Background of the Invention
In the handling of goods, it has been common to
utilize a generally rectangular module which has hooks on a
rear wall thereof so that the module can be hung on a cross
bar in a room or the like. Such modules have heretofore been
transported by hand trucks and the like.
It is an aspect of this invention to provide a power
i 10 and free conveyor system which utilizes a novel carrier for
transporting such a module from one location to another;
wherein the carrier includes stabilizing means for stabiliz-
ing the movement of the module; and which carrier has means
for insuring stability as the module is moved in inclined
paths.
Summary of the Invention
Accordingly, this invention provides, in a power and
`~ free conveyor system, the combination comprising:
~ a power trackj
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a conveyor movable along said power track,
a carrier track,
a plurality of carriers movable along said carrier
track,
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interengaging means between said conveyor and snid
carriers, ' .
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at least one module comprising a generally rectang-
ular body having hook means on a rear wall thereof,
I said cnrrier having a generally vertical central
;1 frame extending downwardly including longitudinally spaced
side portions extending downwardly,
~ said frame having portions thereof extending trans-
i versely from said central frame and a cross bar extending
-il therebetween longitudinally of said carrier.
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` 1054547
said cross bar being spaced transversely from said
frame,
said carrier having the space between said side
portions unobstructed to receive said module,
said module extending between said side portions of
said frame with said hook means engaging said cross bar,
said carrier having additional portions thereof
extending transversely from said frame spaced vertically below
said cross bar and having contact means thereon engaging said
10 rear wall of said module having said hook means thereon to
stabilize said module such that said module is supported and
stabilized solely by said cross bar and said contact means.
Description of the Drawings
Fig. 1 is a fragmentary part sectional side eleva-
tional view of a power and free conveyor system embodying the
invention.
Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1 on
an enlarged scale with the module removed.
-~ Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3
in Fig. 2.
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Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view taken in the direction
of the arrow 4 in Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on an en- ~ ;~
-` larged scale taken along the line 5-5 in Fig. 3.
Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along
the line 6-6 in Fig. 3.
Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view on an en-
:
; larged scale taken along the line 7-7 in Fig. 2.
Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view on an en-
i 30 larged scale taken along the line 8-8 in Fig. 2.
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Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view on an en-
larged scale taken along the line 9-9 in Fig. 1.
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Description
Referring to Fig. 1, the invention relates to
a power and free conveyor system particularly adapted for
transporting modules M which have side walls 10, top and
bottom walls 11, 12, and a rear wall 13. The module may
further include adjustable shelves 14. In addition, the
module has integral hooks 15 on the rear wall 13 which
are commonly used to engage the module with the cross bar
on the wall of the room in which the module is being used
for storing various goods.
The power and free conveyorsystem embodying
the invention comprises a power track 16 in which a chain
conveyor 17 operates. The power track 16 is telescoped
' within a larger track 18, the lower portion of which forms
a carrier or free track for a plurality of carriers 20.
Each carrier 20 includes a front trolley 21 having wheels
thereon engaging the track 18 and a rear trolley 22
` similarly having wheels thereon. Interengaging means
provided between the conveyor chain 17 and the rear
trolley 22 in accordance with well-known construction
` comprise a pusher 23 which is trapped between a pusher
dog 24 and a holdback dog 25 all in accordance with
conventional construction as shown, for example, in
United States Patent 3,08L,712.
;' 25 Each carrier 20 further includes a tie bar 25a
extending between the trolleys ?1, 22. In addition, the
carrier 20 includes brackets 26 that extend downwardly
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from longitudinally spaced points on the tie bar 25a to
support rollers 27 that have their axes extending
horizontally and transversely of the path of movement
of the carrier. Each carrier further includes a central
frame 28 that is made of a single piece of metal having
a channel-shaped cross section and includes vertical
side portions 29 connected by a horizontal central portion
30. At the areas of juncture 31 of the side portions 29
and horizontal portion 30, the frame 28 is curved for
engagement with the rollers 27.
Referring to Fig. 3, the carrier 28 further
includes upper transverse arms 32 that extend from the
side portions 29 of the central frame 28 and have a cross
bar 33, having a circular cross section, extending between
their free ends. An angle 34 reinforces the cross bar 33
,so that it will support the load when the hooks 15 on the
module M engage the cross bar.
The central frame 28 further includes lower
transverse arms 35 that extend in the same direction as
20 the upper arms 32 and have their free ends interconnected ~ -
by a bar 36 that forms contact means for the intermediate
, portion of the rear wall 13 of the module M.
In order to further increase the strength of
the frame 28, struts 37, 38 are formed between the side
arms 32, 35 and the side portions 29 by bending and welding
a single rod to the respec~ive arms and portions.
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1054547
In addition, rectangular handles 39 are
provided on the side portions 29 and extend transversely
in directions opposite to the side arms 32, 35 to
facilitate the mounting and removal of the module M from
the carrier 20.
The carrier further may include destination
code means 40 in accordance with conventional construction.
In operation, the module M is lifted manually
or by an elevator truck to a position between the side
portions 29 to bring the hooks 15 into position for engage-
ment with the cross bar 33. When the module M is so
suspended, the intermediate portion of the rear wall 13
engages the bar 36 thereby stabilizing the module M
within the carrier. The interaction of the cross bar 33
and bar 36 forms a force couple that stabilizes the load
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and insures its vertical movement along the track.
`, When a portion of the track is inclined, gravity
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will cause the frame 28 to be lifted, as shown in broken
lines in Fig. 2, so that the load is maintained vertical
within the limits of space between the rollers 27 and
the bar 25~.
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