GB1465449A - Conveyor or handrail system for continuous entrainment at variable speed - Google Patents

Abstract

1465449 Variable speed conveyers and handrails P PATIN 16 June 1975 [14 June 1974] 25515/75 Heading B8A Articles 9 are conveyed at variable speed by being suspended from members 2 which run on a track 5 and are connected in pairs by flexible members 1 respective to each pair. The member 1 passes around deflecting pulleys 3, one on each member 2 of the pair. The ends of the member 1 are connected to members 4 running on a track 6. The speed variation occurs according to the distance apart of the tracks 5, 6. In a modification (Fig. 1, not shown), the track 5 carrying the load-carrying members 2, is disposed above, instead of below the track 6. In Fig. 3, the members 2 form a variable-speed handrail. The members 1 are formed of chains 14 each link of which carries a block 17 to prevent the chain from bending under load (but permitting bending in the reverse sense as the chain passes around the pulleys 3. Adjusters 23, 24 (Fig. 5) are provided, to take up wear in the blocks 17. An intermediate block 20 is mounted in the middle of each chain 14. At positions of minimum speed (maximum separation of the tracks 5, 6), the members 2 and blocks 20 come into abutment, and remove load from the chains and pulleys. At positions of maximum speed, abutments on the members 4 engage abutments on the associated members 2 (Fig. 4, not shown).