US2968384A - Automatic loader and unloader for conveyors - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 17, 1961 VAN scH 2,968,384

AUTOMATIC LOADER AND UNLOADER FOR CONVEYORS Filed NOV. 20, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 QINVENTOR. I fioer/l/ V0/75c/7/ Jan. 17, 1961 R. J. VAN SCHIE AUTOMATIC LOADER AND UNLOADER FOR CONVEYORS Filed Nox l. 20, 1958 8 sheet-sheet 2 INVENTOR. 45 Rob 6/7 V00 56/7/8 ATTORNEY.

Jan. 17, 1961 R. J. VAN SCHIE 2,968,

AUTOMATIC LOADER AND UNLOADER FOR CONVEYORS' Filed Nov. 20, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

BYWd/IX A/fOR/VEX Jan. 17, 1961 R. J. VAN SCHIE 2,968,384

AUTOMATIC LOADER AND UNLOADER FOR CONVEYORS Filed Nov. 20, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 5.

IN VENTOR.

Jan. 17, 1961 R. J. VAN SCHIE 5 AUTOMATIC LOADER AND UNLOADER FOR CONVEYORS Filed Nov. 2.0, 1958 v 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. b Koer/J. VanJcfi/e ,4 TTORNEY.

Jan. 17, 1961 R. J. VAN SCHIE 2,968,384

AUTOMATIC LOADER AND UNLOADER FOR CONVEYORS Filed Nov. 20, 1958 I jY J] INVENTOR.

BYQ

Af/O/P/VEY 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Jan. 17, 1961 R. J. VAN SCHIE 2,968,384

AUTOMATIC LOADER ANDY UNLOADER FOR CONVEYORS Filed Nov. 20, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 IN VENTOR.

WMM v nited States AUTOMATIC LOADER AND UNLOADER FOR CONVEYORS This invention": relates to improvements in automatic loader and unloadr' for conveyors. The n'neipar objects ofthis invention are: 7

First, to provide a conveyor system Withplural c'onveyors having automatic devices' for transferring articles from one conveyor to another;

Second, to provide mechanism advanced automatically alongside ofa'conveyo'r'and' having a loading element that moves transversely with respect to the movement of a hook on the conveyor for loading articles onto or off from the conveyor hook.

Third, to provide a-t-ransfer mechanism in combination with a pair of spaced conveyors which will receive articles from one conveyor and swing them into engagement with the second conveyor,

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following description and claims. The drawings, of which there are eight sheets, illustrate a highly practical form of the conveyor system and the loading and unloading and transferring mechanisms thereof.

Fig. 1 is a fr'ag'rneritary plan view of a conveyor system generally indicating the relationship between the several conveyors and the several transfer mechanisms thereof.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary cross sectional View taken along the plane of the line 22 in Fig. I and illustrating a first transfer mechanism for transferring articles from a fiat bed conveyor to an overhead suspension conveyor. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view partially in section along the plane of the line 3 3 in Fig. 2' il lustrating the mechanism for loading articles onto a suspension conveyor.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse cross sectional view taken along the plane of the line 4-4 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal cross sectional view taken along the plane of the line 5-5 in Fig. 4 and illustrates the transfer mechanism advancing latch.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary transverse cross sectional view taken along the plane of the line 6-6 in Fig; 1 and illustrating the second transfer mechanism for unloading articles off of the suspension conveyor.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the transfer mechanism in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of the transfer mechanism for transferring articles between two separate conveyors.

Fig. 9. isa fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the plane of the line 9-9 in Fig. 8 and illustrating the unloading latch for actuating the transfer device.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a third transfer mechanism and" the driving connections therefor for lifting articles off of a suspensionconveyor.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary transverse cross sectional view taken along the plane of theline 11-"11 in Fig. 102

Fig; 12 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the transfer or article lifting structure of the mechanism shown in Figs; 10 and 11.

Patented Jan. 17,. 1961 Fig; 13 is a fragmentary top plan view of the driving clutch for actuating the transfer mechanism of Figs. 10 to 12.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary developed cross-sectional view taken along the plane of the arcuate line 14-14 in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary front side elevational view of amodified form of transfer or loading mechanism for directing articles to the hooks of a constantly advancing conveyor.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary transverse cross sectional view taken along the plane of the line 16-46 in-Fig. 15

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary elevational view from the rear side of the conveyor shown'in Fig; 15 illustrating the open end of the delivery'chute' fromwhich articles are transferred to the conveyor.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary front side elevational view of a modified form of off loading mechanism for removing articles from a continuously advancing conveyor.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary transverse cross sectional view taken along the plane of the line 19-19 in. Fig. 18.

The conveyor system of the present invention is designed to automatically advance sheet metal stampings such as automobile fenders, door and refrigerator parts from one position to another and to transfer the parts between different conveyors as may be, necessary. Fig. 1 generally indicates a system including delivery conveyor 1 which may advance the articles from a source such as a storage area or a series of article forming presses. The delivery conveyor may consist of a flat belt or a series of relatively flat plates or jigs 2 supported upon a suitable chain 3 and trained around a drive sprocket. 4. The articles advanced by the conveyor 1 are directed, to a tiltable transfer device having a pan 5 for elevating the articles to upright position. A gate 6 prevents delivery of articles from the conveyor 1' until the pan 5' is in a position to receive them. The transfer pan 5 and its sup porting linkage is operated by an automatically operating one revolution clutch generally indicated at 7. The transfer pan 5 delivers articles successively to the hook 8 of a second transfer device 9 adapted to further advance the articles and deposit them on the hooks 10 of a suspension conveyor 11-. The suspension conveyor 11 advances the articles on its books to afurther transfer device indicated generally at 12 which device lifts the articles off of the hooks 1-1 and deposits them inthe carrier 13 of a swingable transfer device 14. The transfer device 14 advances and deposits the articles on the hooks 15' of a second suspension conveyor 16'. The conveyor 16 has a fourth transfer device indicated generally at 17 for lifting articles off of the conveyor 16 and depositing them in a suitable position for further handling.

The several conveyors and transfer devices are all operated in timed relationship to effect automatic advance and transfer of the elements being handled. To this end Fig. 1 illustrates conventionally driving connections starting from a motor 18 driving through a speed reduction gear box 19 to drive the sprocketwheel 21; of the suspension conveyor 11. The shaft 21 of the sprocket 20 extends downwardly to bevel gears 22 to drive the shaft 23 and bevel gears 24, one of which drives the shaft 25 of the supply conveyor 1. The shaft 25 also operates through the chain 26 to drive the clutch 7 which is mounted on a shaft 27 to actuate the tiltable transfer device 5. The suspension conveyor 11 is threaded around a sprocket 28 and bevel gears 29 driven by the sprocket drive shaft 34 extending to the bevel gears 31 on the rotating transfer conveyor.

The ofi feed or unloading transfer device 17 associated with the suspension conveyor 16 is driven by a sprocket 32 meshed with the chain of the conveyor as is more particularly described in connection with Figs. 10 to 14.

A backing roll 33 holds the chain engaged with the sprocket. The suspension conveyor 16 may be driven by any suitable connecting shaft or gearing (not illustrated) from the first suspension conveyor 11, or it may be operated by a separate drive means suitably synchronized with the motor 18. While the conveyors 11 and 16 are illustrated and referred to as suspension conveyors to distinguish them from the supply conveyor 1, it should be noted that the same transfer mechanism to be described presently can be adapted to function with low level conveyors supported from below in the event that the articles being handled can stand upright in suitable jigs or supports on the conveyors for engagement with the several transfer devices.

Tilting transfer from supply to suspension conveyors With the foregoing general arrangement of the conveyor system in mind attention is now directed to Figs. 2 to 5. The tiltable transfer pan is connected to a supporting arm 40. In the lowered, at rest position, the arm 40 and pan 5 rest on a support or bed 41 immediately adjacent the end of the supply conveyor 1 so that as the plates 2 of the supply conveyor advance articles, the articles are tilted downwardly and directed onto the pan. Fig. 2 indicates partially processed automobile fenders shown in dotted lines at 42 as the articles being handled. The end of the arm 40 is pivotally connected at 43 to a crank 44 connected to the shaft 27. A spring 45 biases the pivot 43 and the crank downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 2.

The clutch 7 consists of a shaft disk 46 constantly driven by the previously described chain 26 and rotatable about the shaft 27. The disk 46 carries a laterally projecting pin or roller 47 which projects toward a second or driven disk 48 fixedly connected to the shaft 27. The second disk 48 carries a drive pawl 49 mounted near its periphery on a pivot 50 and having a laterally projecting lug 51 extending into the path of the roller 47. A spring 52 biases the lug inwardly into the path of the roller. As the first disk 46 and its roller 47 rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2, the roller 47 picks up the pawl 49 and rotates the second disk 48 and with it the shaft 27. The pawl 49 has a radially projecting release cam 53 which rotates with the second disk until it engages the first release roller 54 to swing the pawl inwardly of the disks and release the driving connection between the roller 47 and the lug 51. At this time the spring 45 returns the disk 48 and the arm 40 to the horizontal releasing position shown in full lines in Fig. 2. The arm 40 is guided in its swinging motion by the link 55 pivoted to the arm at 56 and to a fixed pivot 57.

A hooked catch 58 pivoted on the arm 40 at 59 prevents the article from sliding off of the pan 5 as the arm is elevated. The catch is retained in place by engagement of the latch 60 with the pin 61 on the catch. As the pan reaches its uppermost position, the latch 60 is in the position indicated by the dotted lines at 60B in Fig. 2 where a release pin 62 strikes the fixed stop 63 to release the latch and let the catch fall by gravitation. The article 42 is then opposite and slightly above the hooked transfer element 8 and slides downwardly on the inclined pan into engagement with the hook for further advance and transfer as will be described presently.

In order to prevent accidental or premature delivery of articles from the feed conveyor 1 to the transfer pan 5 the gate 6 pivotally supported on the lever 64 is urged upwardly by the spring 65 and remains in the raised blocking position until lowering of the pan 5 strikes the pin 66 to depress the gate.

Transfer to suspended conveyor The second longitudinally movable conveyor which receives the articles from the supply conveyor 1 and the pan 5 is disclosed as a chain 70 having spaced links thereof connected to hooks 71. The hooks. are mounted on rollers 72 supported and guided in the channel shaped track 73. The track is in turn suspended as is common in industrial conveyors by hanger rods 74. At the first transfer station a pair of transverse cross bars 75 and 76 are supported across the rail 73 at longitudinally spaced positions. At their rear ends the cross pieces are secured to depending hangers 77 which are secured to and support a rigid support bar 78 of generally rectangular cross section. The hangers 77 also support a longitudinally extending slide rail 79 spaced rearwardly from the chain 70. A transfer carriage 80 of hollow rectangular cross section is slidably supported and guided on the slide rail 79. As appears most clearly from Figs. 3 and 4 spacer blocks 81 on the ends of the bottom of the carriage support a pull bar 82 along the bottom of the carriage. Secured to the bottom of the pull bar 82 is a depending hanger 83 that extends downwardly over the front face of the support bar 78 and then angles rearwardly and downwardly as at 84. The angled portion 84 carries guide blocks 85 that slidably support a rack bar 86 in inclined position underneath the carriage 80. The article hook 8 is secured to the upper forward end of the rack bar 86 and attention is directed to the fact that the hook 8 is of upwardly opening U-shaped cross section.

The carriage 80 is reciprocated longitudinally along the slide rail 79 by structure which includes a sprocket 87 rotatably mounted on the fixed axle 88. The axle is carried by a bracket projecting from the hanger bar 77' and a length of link chain 89 trained around the sprocket is connected to the end of the pull bar 82. A spring 90 connected between the other end of the chain and a bracket 91 carried by the left cross bar 76 constantly urges. the slide 80 to the right as shown in Fig. 3 or in a direction opposite to the advancing motion of the chain 70..

The pull bar 82 which is located in spaced relation be-- low the carriage 80 supports a drive pawl 92 pivotally supported at 93. (See Figs. 4 and 5.) The pawl 92 has: a forwardly projecting lug 94 that projects into the path. of blocks 95 secured to the chain 70 between the chain. and the article hooks 10. Thus as the article hooks advance to the carriage 80 they engage the lugs 94 and advance the slide. The pawls 92 are held against pivot-- ing by engagement in the keeper notch 96 in a latch lever 97 also pivotally supported on the pull bar at 98. A spring 99 urges the latch to pawl engaging position. As the carriage advances to the left, as shown in Fig. 3 or' upwardly as shown in Fig. 5, the swinging end 100 of the latch engages the fixed release pin 101 to release the pawl 92 and let the block 95 slide past the carriage. At this time the spring 90 returns the transfer carriage to the right. In order to hold the carriage advance block 95 in engagement with the lug 94, a front pressure plate 102 is supported by depending hangers 103 along the front side of the transfer carriage.

Secured to the underside of the rectangular support bar 78 is a rack bar 104 having rearwardly inclined teeth 105 that are drivingly engageable with a pinion 106. The pinion 106 is keyed to a short shaft 107 so that reciprocating motion of the carriage 80 oscillates the shaft 107. The lower end of the shaft 107 is keyed to a second pinion 108 and this latter pinion drivingly engages rack teeth 109 on the side edge of the inclined hook support bar 86. Oscillation of the carriage thus causes the support bar 86 to reciprocate. It is pointed out that advancing motion of the carriage to the left as shown in Fig. 3, rotates the pinions 106 and 108 in a direction to retract the hook bar 86 rearwardly and downwardly. As the carriage retracts to the right the article receiving hook 8 will be advanced to raised position to receive the article from the tray 5 prior to arrival of the hook 10 at the transfer station. As the hook 10 advances with the chain 70 it comes into crossing relation with the extended rack bar 86 as shown in Fig. 3 but there is no interference or stopping of the advancing motion of the chain because the feed block 95 at that time engages the lug 92 to advance the carriage 8Q with the chain. The transfer hook 8 therefore moves longitudinally with the conveyor hook 10 at the same time retracts downwardly and rearwardly with its channel section passing on oppnsite sides of the hook 10. The article formerly suspended on the transfer hook Sis thus transferred is the conveyor hook 10. After the transfer is completed the latch 100 is tripped to disengage the carriage 80 fr'orn the conveyor chain and the carriage retracts as previously described for a succeeding cycle. The article 42 is now suspended on the conveyor hook 10 and advances as indicated to the off-feeding transfer mechanism 12.

Off-feeding transfer device Attention is n'owdirected to Figs. 6 and 7. The olffeeding transfer mechanism may, of course, be located at any desired point along the conveyor-11 and includes a second support bar 783 and a second carriage 80B supported upon a slide barbehind'a guard plate 102B. The support bar supports a rack 105B on its underside and the same driving engagement between the carriage 80B and the chain 70 as is shown in Figs. 4 and is pro vided. Secured to the bottom of the carriage 80B is a depending hanger 110 which extends below and inclines rearwardly of the support bar 783 which is similar to the hanger bar 83. The rearwardly inclined portion 111 of the hanger bar has retaining plates 112' slidably support ing a rack bar 113 on the underside of the hanger. The

rack bar is reciprocated by a pinion 114 secured to a shaft 115 and the shaft 1'15 is in turn driven by an upper pinion 116 which engages the rack 105. Thus reciprocation of the carriage 80B and the hanger 110 will oscillate the rack bar 113 but it should be noted that the pinions 114 and 116 are on the ep'pnsite side of the rack bar 113 from the position occupied by the previous rack bar 86. Thus retracting motion of the caffiage 80B to the right causes the rack bar 1 13' to be depressed rather than raised.-

It will be understood that the same or a similar type of spring return as that shown in Fig. 3 is provided for r'e-' tracting the carriage 80B. As the carriage 80B is picked up and advanced to the left by engagement with the drive block 95 the rack bar 113 will be advanced forwardly and upwardly. At its upper end the rack bar 113 carrie's an upwardly and forwardly opening U-shaped hook 117 that is advanced in registry with the hook so that the sides of the hook 117 move along opposite sides of the hook 111. The article carried by the hook 10 is thus disengaged and lifted off by the hook 117.

In order to further disengage the article from the hook 117 the rack bar 113 carries a rearwardly projecting sup port bar 118 which extends downwardly and rearwardly to below the lower end of the article suspended from the hook. A lever 119 pivotally connected to the support at 120 has its lower end connected at 121 to a link 122. The other end of the link 122 is connected at 123 to a tie bar 124 extending rearwardly to the fixed pivot 125. The

link 122 carries an angled push-oft plate 126 and when the rack bar reaches the upper limit of its travel the upper end of the lever 119 strikes the retaining plates 112- over the rack bar to swing the linkage to the position indicated by the dotted lines at 126B in Fig. 6. This throws the push-off plate upwardly and forwardly to disengage the article from the hook 117 and deposits the article in the receiving transfer holder 13 described previously.

The stop bar 127 depending from the left side of the hanger 110 prevents articles from accidentally swinging past the plate; 126 as they are advanced by the conveyor hook 10. After the article is discharged from the hook 10 the carriage trip mechanism causes the rack bar 113 and hook 117 to retract downwardly clearing the conveyor hook and then to return to the right with the carriage 8413.

Transfer between conveyors frhe trahsferrnechanisin 14 between the conveyors 10 and 1 6 is shown m'st clearly in Figs. 8 and 9. It consist's of an iipright shaft 134) rotatably supported on a lower pedestal 131 and an upper brace or bearing plate 132. The u per end of the shaft carries the previously described bevel gear 31 and is constantly rotated thereby in timed relation with the conveyors 11 and 16. Intermediate of its ends the shaft 130 carries a first support arm 133 pivoted about a horizontal pm 134 and a lower support arm 135 pivoted about a horizontal pin 136. The arins 133 and 135 are connected in parallel relation by the upright link 137 Fixedly secured to the outer end of the lower arm 135 as by the triangularly arranged brace bars 138 is the inclined article receiving hopper 13 having a bottom flange 139. The arms 133 and 135 and the hopper 139 are held in laterally projecting position from the side of the shaft 130 by the roller 140 carried by the shaft 141 on the lower end of the upright 137.

The roller 140 rests upon the top of the pedestal 131 which is circularly camr'ned as at 142. The dam 142 is raised opposite the previously described transfer device 12 and the carriage 8013 so that the ejector hook 117 and the kick-off plate 126 deposits the article 42 into the hopper 13 when the hopper is in elevated position. The constantly rotating shaft 130 swings the hopper 13 away from the conveyor 11 and around in converging relation to the conveyor 16. In so doing the roller 141] is swung oiT of the raised portion of the cam 142 but the hopper and the article are prevented from falling immediately by engagement of the supporting pin 143 with the underside of the arm 133. The pin 143 is carried by the latch bar 144 pivoted at 145 on the shaft 131) and biased to upright position by the spring 146. As

the hopper and the latch bar rotate with the shaft 131) the article 42 is brought into registering relation above one of the hooks 15 on the conveyor 16. At this point the release. pawl 147 on the bottom of the latch bar 144 engages a stop 148 to pull the pin 143 from underneath the arm 133 thus permitting the arms 133 and 135 and the hopper 13 to fall. This lowers the article onto the hook 15 preferably with the hook engaged through an opening 149 in the article and the article is carried away on the conveyor 16.

Ofi feed from third conveyor 7 The articles on the third conveyor 16 and its hooks 15 can be ejected or removed from the conveyor by mechanism shown most clearly in Figs. 10 to 14. The chain 150 and its hooks 15 of the third conveyor are translated past a fixed support block 151 which is suspended as upon hanger rods 152 in fixed position. The block 151 carries uprights 153 that support the guide rail 154 for the carriage 155. A spring 156 wrapped around the guide rod 157 urges the carriage to the right as shown in Fig. 10 or rearwardly with respect to th motion of the chain 150.

The support block 151 carries an upright shaft 158 about which a first gear 159 is rotatably mounted. The gear 159 meshes with and is constantly driven by a pinion 16@ mounted on the shaft 161. The pinion 160 is connected to the previously described sprocket gear 32, driven from the chain 151) so that the gear 159 rotates continuously in timed relation with the chain 150. The gear 153 carries an upstanding pin 162. R'otatable about the shaft 158 and spaced above the gear 159 by a spacer 163 is a second gear 164 having a catch 1'65 pivoted on its underside as at 166. The catch has a depending lug 167 that is biased into the path of the previously described pin 162 by a spring 168. (See Fig. 13). Once 1n each revolution of the gear 159 the pin 162 therefor picks up the catch and rotates the gear 164. The upper end of the shaft 158 carries the angul'arly adjustable stop arm 169 having a depending release lug 1'70 pro ecting into the path of the camrned outer edge 17-1 of the catch 165. The 'gear 164 is thus rotated a short distance by the gear 159 and then released from driving engagement therewith.

The gear 164 is constantly in driving engagement with the pinion 371 and this pinion 371 is connected to a lower pinion or gear 172 (see Fig. 11) that meshes with a rack 173 on the bottom of the carriage 155. Rotation of the gear 164, pinions 371 and 172 therefore advance the carriage 155 to the left as shown in Fig. 10. When the catch 165 is released the spring 156 returns the carriage 155 to the right. The gear 164 and its catch 165 are likewise returned to starting position.

The carriage 155 carries the depending hanger bar 174 similar to the previously described hanger 110 and having a downwardly and rearwardly inclined portion 175. The inclined portion 175 supports the shaft 176 having a lower pinion 177 and an upper pinion 178 carried thereby. The upper pinion 178 meshes with a rack bar 179 carried on the bottom of the support bar 151 and the pinion 177 meshes with rack teeth 180 on the inclined ejector bar 181 secured to the bottom of the inclined hanger 175 by a retainer and guide 182. The ejector bar 181 is thus advanced upwardly and forwardly as the carriage 155 is advanced. The upper forward end of the ejector bar 181 carries a U-shaped hook or push off element 183 that advances in lapped relation alongside of the conveyor hooks 15 to lift articles off of the hook as the carriage and the ejector bar advance. A downwardly projecting support bar 184 connected to the ejector bar by the cross strap 185 carries a push off lever 186 on its lower end. As the upper end of the push off lever 186 advances upwardly it engages a stop 187 to swing the push off lever about the pivot 188 and push the article otf of the hook 183. The article may be received or collected in any suitable receiver, (not illustrated).

By properly selecting the shapes of the article supporting hooks 8, 10, 117. 15 and 183 and the supporting tray and hopper 13, the several conveyors can be adapted to support, advance and transfer practically any article of a stamped sheet metal character particularly when the article has a hole therein or an overhanging lip with which the hooks can be engaged. Partially manufactured articles such as the automobile fender illustrated at 42 or stamped door frames are well adapted to be handled automatically by the conveyor system and the transfer mechanisms illustrated. The several conveyors can, of course, be extended over long reaches and the articles can be deposited on or removed from the conveyors at any desired position.

Modified loaders of Figs. 15 to 17 The conveyor track 190 is supported by hanger rods 191 and provided with a chain 192 supported from the hangers 193 and rollers 194 as in the earlier forms of the invention. At intervals the chain 192 carries article transfer blocks 195 and article supporting hooks 196. At the transfer station support blocks 197 carry a guide rail 198 in s aced relation to the rear of the track or rail 190.

A carriage 199 is slidably supported on the guide rail and provided with a latched drive pawl 200 projecting into the path of the block 195 so that the advancing block on the carriage chain picks up and advances the carriage 199 along the guide rail. The latch of the drive pawl is released at the end of the advancing motion of the carriage in the same manner as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 and the carriage is returned by a suitably biased chain 201.

Positioned in front of the conveyor and the carriage 199 is a delivery chute 202 mounted on a suitable support 203 designed to deliver articles to a stop plate 204 positioned closely alongside the path of motion of the conveyor hooks 196. The side of the delivery chute 202 is open immediately above the stop plate 204 and a pushoif block 205 is slid transversely of the delivery chute along the stop plate 204. Desirably the pushoff block carries a retaining plate 206 that overlies the end of the chute in the retracted position of the pushoff block. The pushotf block 205 is reciprocated by a push rod 207 8 journaled in a suitable support 208 carried by the support 203 for the delivery chute.

The push rod 207 carries a pair of collars or stops 209 between which is engaged the drive arm 210. The drive arm 210 extends upwardly and rearwardly across the conveyor rail and downwardly to the carriage 199 to which it is secured as at 211. It will thus be seen that when the carriage 199 is picked up and advanced in timed relation to the advancing motion of the hook 196, the pusholf block 205 will be advanced to push articles off of the stop plate 204 so that they may fall by gravity onto the conveyor hooks 196. After the transfer of the articles is completed, the latch of the pawl 200 is tripped and the carriage and the pushoif block returned to their retracted position to permit the entry of a second article to the stop plate 204 and condition the carriage for a succeeding operation.

Modified of} loader illustrated in Figs. 18 and 19 The oil loading mechanism shown in these figures utilizes many of the elements of the previously described transfer mechanisms. The conveyor rail is illustrated at 212 and supports the same rollers 213, chain 214 and actuating block 215 and article hook 216. Essentially the same guide rail 217 is carried by support blocks 218 to the rear of the conveyor rail and a carriage 219 is slidably supported on the guide rail. The carriage is provided with a releasable drive pawl 220 projecting into the path of the actuating block 215. The carriage is biased rearwardly by the spring tensioned chain 221.

Hangers 222 projecting forwardly across the conveyor rail from the support blocks 218 support a rail 223 in front of the path of motion of the article hooks 216. The rail 223 carries a stationary rack bar 224.

The carriage 219 has a cross arm 225 secured to its upper side which projects forwardly across the conveyor rail 212 to a downwardly and rearwardly inclined slide plate 226. The slide plate 226 supports a reciprocable unloading bar 227 that is held in place by guide blocks 228. The unloading bar 227 has rack teeth 229 formed along one side thereof, and these teeth mesh with the teeth of a pinion 230. The pinion 230 is supported on a stub shaft 231 engaged with the top of the inclined slide plate and the top of the stub shaft carries a pinion 232 that is meshed with the rack bar 224. It will thus be seen that advancing motion of the hook 216 and actuator block 215 picks up the pawl 220 and advances the car riage 219. The pinion 232 is advanced with the carriage and rotated by engagement with the rack bar 224 and this in turn rotates the beveled tooth pinion 230 to raise the unloading bar 227. The lower end of the unloading bar carries a pushoff plate 233 which in the retracted position of the carriage and the lowered position of the bar 227 is located below the hook 216 on the conveyor. Thus as the unloading bar 227 and plate 233 are advanced laterally with the carriage and the conveyor, they rise to lift an article suspended on the hook 216 off of the conveyor. The articles may be disposed by gravity into a receiving chute 234 or otherwise removed from the pushotf plate 233 and the unloading bar.

What is claimed as new is:

1. A conveyor system for stamped sheet metal articles comprising a first flat bed conveyor for advancing the articles, a swingably mounted transfer tray positioned to swing from a receiving position at the end of said first conveyor to an elevated position, a catch on said tray supporting the article in elevated position, drive means connected to raise said tray, means biasing said tray to receiving position, a latch releasably engageable with said catch, a striker positioned to release said latch in the elevated position of said tray, a second conveyor driven in timed relation to said drive means, a transfer carriage supported alongside said second conveyor and opposite said tray, a catch on said carriage engageable by a projection on said second conveyor, a latch on said carriage garages engageable with a fixed stop'in the advanced position of the carriage to release said ciitch nemesis projection, means connected tdsaid carriage to retraet the sameia bar transversely slidabl y siipp rtedin inclined position on said carriage and h'avingla hook on its upper end positioned opposite said tray in the retracted position of said carriage to receivean article from said tray, means including first rack teeth fixed alongside the path of movement of said carriage and secpndraek teeth on said transfer bar and drivingly connected pinions on said carriage coacting said rack teeth to retract said transfer bar downwardly upon advancing motion of said carriage, and a k 0. sa econd conveyo Po ition to be alongside said bar and below and behind said hook when said projection on said second conveyor engages said catch on said carriage.

2. A conveyor system for stamped sheet metal articles comprising a first conveyor for the articles, a swingably mounted transfer tray positioned to swing from a receiving position at the end of said first conveyor to a delivery position, a catch on said tray supporting the article insald delivery position, drive mfians connected to swing said tray, means biasing said tray to receiving position, a latch releasably engageable with said catch, a striker positioned to release' 'said latch in the delivery position of said tray, a second conveyor driven in timed relation to said drive means, a tr nsr'er carriage supported alongside said second conveyor" and opposite sa d tray, a catch on said carriage engageable by a projection on said second conveyor, a latch on said carriage engageable with a fixed stopin theadvance'd position of the carriage to release said carriage catch from said projection, means connected to said carriage to retract the same, a bar transversely 'slidably supported in an inclined position on said carriage and having a hook on its upper end positioned opposite s "d tray in the re tracted position of 'saidcar'riage to receive an article from said tray, means'inclnding fifitdfaCk teeth fixed alongside the path of movement of said carriage and second rack teeth on said "transfer bar and drivingly connected pinions on said carriage coacting with said rack teeth to retract'said trans'fe'r'b'ar diiwnwardly upon advancing motion'of said carriage, and a hook onsaid second conveyor positioned lobe a ongside said bar and below and behind said hook said carriage en said projection on said se'c'oadeoiive af engages saidcateh on said carriage.

3. In combination with a conveyor having an article supporting hook, a carriage mounted for reciprocating motion alongside of said conveyor, means biasing said carriage oppositely to the direction of motion of said conveyor, coacting lugs on said conveyor and said carriage arranged to advance said carriage with said conveyor, releasable latch means engageable with the lug on said carriage, a fixed stop in the path of said latch means and engageable therewith to release said lugs from driving engagement at the end of the advance travel of said carriage, a transfer bar reciprocable on said carriage transversely with respect to said conveyor, a second article supporting hook on said bar positioned in transverse registering relation with said first supporting hook when said lugs are in driving engagement, and means including a first rack fixed alongside said carriage and a second rack on said bar and pinion drive means therebetween arranged to reciprocate said bar in timed relation to the reciprocating motion of said carriage, said bar moving said second supporting hook away from said first supporting hook upon retracting motion of said carriage.

4. In combination with a conveyor having an article supporting hook, a carriage mounted for reciprocating motion alongside of said conveyor, means biasing said carriage oppositely to the direction of motion of said conveyor, coacting lugs on said conveyor and said carriage arranged to advance said carriage with said conveyor, releasable latch means engageable with the lug on said carriage, a fixed stop in the means and engageable therewith to'release said lugs from driving engagement at the end of the advanee travel of said carriage, a transfer bar reciprocable on said carriage transversely with respect to said conveyor, a second article supporting hook on said bar positioned in transverse registering relation with said first supporting hook when said lugs are in driving engagement, and means including a first rack fixed alongside said carriage and a second rack on said bar and pinion drive means therebetween arranged to reciprocate said bar in timed relation to the reciprocating motion of said carriage, said bar moving said second supporting hook away from said first supporting hook upon advancing motion of said carriage.

5. in combination with a conveyor having an article supporting hook, a carriage mounted for reciprocating motion alongside of said conveyor, means biasing said carriage oppositely to the direction of motion of said path of said latch conveyor, coacting lugs on said conveyor and said carriage arranged to advance said carriage with said conveyor, releasable latch means engageable with one of said =lugs, a fixed stop in the path of said latch means and engageable therewith to release said lugs from driving engagement at the end of the advance travel of said carriage, a transfer bar reciprocable on said carriage transversely with respect to said conveyor, a second article supporting hook on said bar positioned in transverse registering relation with said first supporting hook when said lugs are in driving engagement, and means including a first rack fixed alongside said carriage and a second rack on said bar and pinion drive means therebetween arranged to reciprocate said bar in timed relation to the reciprocating motion of said carriage, said bar moving said second supporting hook away from said first supporting hook upon advancing motion of said carriage.

6. In combination with a conveyor having an article support, a carriage mounted for reciprocating motion alongside of said conveyor, means biasing said carriage oppositely to the direction of motion of said conveyor, coacting lugs on said conveyor and said carriage arranged to advance said carriage with said conveyor, releasable latch means engageable with one of said lugs, a fixed stop in the path of said latch means and engageable therewith to release said lugs from driving engagement at the end of the advance travel of said carriage, a transfer bar reciprocable on said carriage transversely with respect to said conveyor, 21 second article support on said bar positioned in transverse registering relation with said first support when said lugs are in driving engagement, and means arranged to reciprocate said bar in timed relation to the reciprocating motion of said carriage.

7. In combination with a conveyor having an article support, a carriage mounted for reciprocating motion alongside of said conveyor, a rack on said carriage, a first gear connected to be driven in timed relation to said conveyor, a drive pin on said first gear, a second gear mounted coaxially with said first gear and having a pawl spring biased into the path of said drive pin, said pawl having a portion projecting beyond the periphery of said gears, a release member angularly adjustably mounted in the path of the projecting portion of said pawl to release said pawl from driven engagement with said pin, connected pinions drivingly engaged between said second gear and said rack to advance said carriage, means connected to said carriage to retract the same when said pin and pawl are disengaged, an article transfer bar movably mounted on said carriage for movement transverse to said conveyor and having an article engaging end registering transversely with said article support when said pin and lug are engaged, and means including racks fixed along the path of movement of said carriage and on said bar and connected 11 drive pinions therebetween arranged to reciprocate said bar upon reciprocation of said carriage.

8. In combination with a conveyor having an article support, a carriage mounted for reciprocating motion alongside of said conveyor, a rack on said carriage, a first gear connected to be driven in timed relation to said conveyor, a second gear having a releasable clutch engagement with said first gear, a release member angularly adjustably mounted to release said clutch engagement, connected pinions drivingly engaged between said second gear and said rack to advance said carriage, means connected to said carriage to retract the same when said clutch is disengaged, an article transfer bar movably mounted on said carriage for movement transverse to said conveyor and having an article engaging end registering transversely with said article support when said clutch is engaged, and means including racks fixed along the path of movement of said carriage and on said bar and connected drive pinions therebetween arranged to reciprocate said bar upon reciprocation of said carriage.

9. In combination with a conveyor having an article support, a carriage mounted for reciprocating motion alongside of said conveyor, a rack on said carriage, a first gear connected to be driven in timed relation to said conveyor, a drive pin on said first gear, a second gear mounted coaxially with said first gear and having a pawl spring biased into the path of said drive pin, a release member angularly adjustably mounted in the path of said pawl to release said pawl from driven engagement with said pin, connected pinions drivingly engaged between said second gear and said rack to ad vance said carriage, means connected to said carriage to retract the same when said pin and pawl are disengaged, an article transfer bar movably mounted on said carriage for movement transverse to said conveyor and having an article engaging end registering transversely with said article support when said pin and lug are engaged, and means arranged to reciprocate said bar upon reciprocation of said carriage.

10. In combination with a conveyor having an article support, a carriage mounted for reciprocating motion alongside of said conveyor, a rack on said carriage, a sprocket positioned adjacent said carriage and engaged with said conveyor to be driven in timed relation to said conveyor, a first gear driven by said sprocket, a second gear, means including a pawl forming a releasable clutch drivingly connecting said gears, a release member angularly adjustably mounted in the path of said pawl to release said clutch, connected pinions drivingly engaged between said gear and said rack to advance said carriage, means connected to said carriage to retract the same when said clutch is disengaged, an article transfer bar movably mounted on said carriage for movement transverse to said conveyor and having an article engaging end registering transversely with said article support when said clutch is engaged, and means connected to reciprocate said bar upon reciprocation of said carriage.

11. In combination with a conveyor having an article support, a carriage mounted for reciprocating motion alongside of said conveyor, a rack on said carriage, a sprocket connected to be driven by engagement with said conveyor, a gear engaged with said rack to advance said carriage, means forming a releasable clutch and driving connection between said sprocket and said gear and having a release pawl, a release member angularly adjustably mounted in the path of said pawl to release said clutch, means connected to said carriage to retract the same when said clutch is disengaged, an article transfer bar movably mounted on said carriage for movement transverse to said conveyor and having an article engaging end registering transversely with said article support when said clutch is engaged, and means arranged to reciprocate said bar upon reciprocation of said carriage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 804,145 Lissak Nov. 7, 1905 1,650,971 Young Nov. 29, 1927 1,907,894 Stevens et al May 9, 1933 1,951,400 Dvorak Mar. 20, 1934 2,207,648 Wick July 9, 1940 2,558,633 Tuttle June 26, 1951 2,571,977 Warren Oct. 16, 1951 2,826,292 Arnold Mar. 11, 1958 2,885,059 Hasselman et al. May 5, 1959 2,885,063 Austin et a1. May 5, 1959

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