GB1225213A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,225,213. Conveyer systems. AMERICAN CHAIN & CABLE CO. Inc. 20 May, 1969 [21 May, 1968], No. 25666/69. Heading B7L. A tow truck conveyer system comprises a main and branch track portions 11, 12, a truck 13 towed along the track by means of a tow pin 15 engaging a trolley on a chain, switch means 18, 22, 23, 27 being arranged in the region of the junction between main and branch track portions movable from a straight ahead position to a position for diverting the truck from the main track to the branch track, latch means 25 being provided to hold the switch means in the straightahead position. The latch means comprises a number of latches 25 each biased by a spring 25a into engagement with a roller 27 mounted on a spindle on a switch tongue 18, each latch 25 being connected to a signal reader element 29 by means of a cable C passing over fixed pulleys 38, 39, 42. On the approach of a truck, the tow pin 15 contacts an arm 44 which pivots about 45 and carries a pulley 45a to contact and tension the cable C, causing the signal reader element 29, Fig. 5, to pivot into the path of the truck against the action of spring 34. Signal members 33 on the truck are pre-positioned, and if all the reader elements 29 are contacted, all the latches 25 will be retracted releasing the tongue 18 to move to the "diverting" position under the action of spring 23. The tow pin 15 of the diverted truck will contact the tail of the tongue piece 18, Fig. 1, in the branch track, to reset the apparatus in the straight ahead position. To prevent trucks being diverted into the branch track 12 when it is already occupied by a truck, an extra latch, biased by spring 51, is connected by a cable 53 to a lever in the path of the tow pin 15 on the branch track, and on actuation, engages latch 50 with the tongue-piece 18 maintaining it in the straight ahead position.