GB2124573A - Carriage, in particular for sorting apparatuses - Google Patents

Abstract

A carriage for sorting apparatus has a carrier plate (3) which is pivoted to a support (8) which is disposed on a conveyor belt (2) or band which moves along a predetermined path. Pivoted to the support is a lever element (13) which is actuable by cams (17) disposed along the path and which causes the carrier plate to tip towards a desired side, to effect the unloading or discharging operation. A cam follower (16) on engaging the cam (17) produces rotation of the lever element about an axis B-B to disengage the lever element from a pin (10) and, subsequently, rotation about an axis A-A so as to move a pin (11) extending through a slot (20) in the lever element and so rotates the carrier plate about the axis of the pin (10). When the cam follower is disengaged from the cam, the lever returns to its initial position and restores the carrier plate to a level position under the action of gravity. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Carriage, in particular for sorting apparatuses The present invention relates to a carriage, in particular for sorting apparatuses, which includes a frame which is displaceable, for example pulled, along a predetermined path and which serves to support a tiltable or pivotable carrier plate. The present invention therefore relates to a carriage having a pivotal or tiltable carrier plate, which is suitable in particular for use in conveyor equipment and sorting apparatuses, as are used for example in post offices, distributor installations, in the industries for handling products or the like. The carriage according to the invention is accordingly provided with a tiltable or pivotal carrier plate which permits the articles to be sorted, to be unloaded on both sides.The construction is found to be particularly simple and economical, while at the same time guaranteeing a high degree of reliability in operation.

Sorting apparatuses of the above-indicated kind are known, which are formed from a series of flat conveyor surface members which are entrained or pulled along a fixed path, to unload or discharge the articles at locations corresponding to given receiving stations. Such conveyor members are in certain cases formed from apparatuses of an escalator-like configuration, which are each operated by their own electric motor, and in other cases they are formed by flat surface members over which pass thrust or pusher elements for effecting the unloading or discharging operation. However, the abovementioned known apparatuses are very complicated and consequently require a high level of expenditure for manufacture and maintenance.

In addition, the flat conveyor surface members or means which are used in the known apparatuses also require complicated control arrangements.

The problem set is therefore that of providing conveyor surface members or means which can be easily used in sorting apparatuses, for example of the kind which include a flexible belt for entrainment of the various conveyor surface members or means and which are of an economical construction.

In accordance with the present invention, for the above-mentioned purpose, it is provided that the carriage has an actuating means which, in the course of a first movement, uncouples or unlocks the carrier plate and, in the course of a second movement, tilts the carrier plate laterally and which then moves back into the locking position due to the action of the force of gravity. In order therefore to solve the above-identified problem, the present invention proposes a carriage which substantially comprises a frame which is to be secured to the entrainment conveyor belt of a sorting apparatus and which serves as a support arrangement for a carrier plate which is pivotal or tiltable towards both sides, upon being actuated.

In that connection, the arrangement is desirably such that the actuating means includes a drive and a shaped actuating member which is mounted on the support for the tiltable or pivotal carrier plate, pivotally about two mutually perpendicular axes, and which, under the influence of its own weight, is held in a substantially perpendicular (vertical) position in which any movement is prevented, and that the drive can produce a first rotary movement about one of the two axes for unlocking the actuating member and subsequently to said first rotary movement a second rotary movement about the other axis, which causes and controls tilting movement of the carrier plate.For example, there may be provided a lever member which is actuable by cams disposed suitably along the path of movement and which acts on a pin which co-operates with an arm fixedly connected to the pivotal and tiltable carrier plate of the carriage, in order to pivot and tilt the carrier plate.

Advantageously, the pivotal and tilting movements of the carrier plate, towards one side or the other are controlled by means of cams which are actuated and moved by a hydraulic oil drive.

The drawing shows an embodiment of the subject of the invention. In the drawing: Figure 1 shows a perspective view from the side of a carriage according to the invention, and Figure 2 shows a front view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1.

The carriage according to the invention includes a frame 1 which is mounted on an entrainment belt or band 2 and which serves to support a tiltable and pivotal carrier plate 3. The belt 2 runs between two stationary guide means, each of which includes a C-shaped iron or steel member 4 which has an upper, vertically directed edge portion 5.

Mounted on the frame 1 are two pairs of rollers or wheels 6 which have a substantially horizontal axis and which slide in the C-shaped member 4.

Also provided are two wheels or rollers 7 which have a substantially vertical axis and which are contained between the upper, vertically extending edge portions 5 of the stationary shaped members 4. In that way, the stationary shaped members 4 serve as support and guide means for the carriage with the belt 2 which is provided only for entrainment purposes.

The frame 1 includes a pair of perpendicular carriers or supports 8, at the upper end of which the carrier plate 3 is pivoted and mounted for hinge-like movement, by means of a pair of arms 9 which project downwardly.

The means for tilting or pivoting the carrier plate are disposed at locations opposite to one of the two vertical carriers, supports or uprights 8 (being opposite the left-hand carrier in Figure 1).

Opposite that carrier, the arm 9 has an outwardly projecting pin 10 corresponding to the hinge-like pivot means, and a second pin 11 which also projects outwardly and which corresponds to and is opposite to the lower end.

Pivotally mounted in opposite relationship to the base of the carrier 8 is a shaft 12 which can rotate about an axis A-A which extends parallel to the direction of forward movement of the carriage.

The shaft 12 also projects outwardly, relative to the carrier 8, and hingedly connected thereto at a location opposite said end is an element 1 3 which can rotate about an axis B-B which extends normal to the axis A-A and which has a predominantly vertically or perpendicularly directed portion 14, to the lower part of which is fixedly connected a pair of arms 15. The arms 1 5 extend substantially horizontally and the same number of freely rotatable wheels or rollers 1 6 are disposed at the ends thereof.The wheels or rollers 1 6 are intended to co-operate with the cams 1 7 or the like which are disposed along the path of movement and which, by means of hydraulic oil means 1 8 or the like, can be caused to engage into and interfere with the path of movement of the respective wheel (or the corresponding roller) 16, when that is desired.

The vertical portion 14 of the element 1 3 has an upper recess or opening 1 9 which engages around the pin 10 on the arm 9, and a longitudinal slot (eye) 20 into which the pin 11 engages.

The pin 11 has a head 21 of dimensions which are greater than those of the slot 20 in order thereby to form a limit abutment in respect of rotary movements of the element 1 3 about the axis B-B. The arms 15 are bent in such a way that the wheels or rollers 1 6 are disposed at the side of the axis B-B, which is opposite the perpendicular portion 14. Accordingly, the weight of the arms 1 5 and the wheels or rollers 1 6 holds the element 14 against the arm 9 of the carrier plate 3, with the pin 10 being fitted into the recess 19.

The mode of operation of the apparatus is as follows: The belt or band 2 entrains the carriage or truck in the direction indicated by the arrow F, the element 1 3 being held in a substantially vertically directed position and the pin member 10 being inserted into the opening 9. In that position, any movement of the carrier plate 3 is prevented.

In order to effect the discharging or unloading operation, the means 1 8 is actuated and controlled in such a way that the cam 1 9 engages into the path of movement of the roller 1 6 at the intended point, and interferes with that path.

The roller (wheel) 1 6 is in that way displaced upwardly, and that produces a rotary movement of the element 1 3 about the axis B-B until that movement is stopped by the head 21 of the pin or peg 11.

The pin 10 is now disposed outside the recess 19, whereby the element 13 can rotate about the axis A-A.

That rotary movement which is still to be attributed to the effect of the cam 17 acting on the wheel 1 6 moves the entire arrangement into the position shown in Figure 2, wherein, in that way, the carrier plate 3 is caused to pivot or tilt towards one side or the other, depending on the wheel which is engaged by the respective cam 1 7.

The upper wall portion of the slot 20 forms a limit abutment for the pin 11 in order thereby to restrict the size or magnitude of the tilting or pivotal movement.

At the end of the unloading or discharging operation, when the cam 1 7 ceases its action, the weight of the various components returns them to the starting position.

Accordingly, the above-described carriage is composed of a small number of parts, it can be easily produced and assembled, and consequently it is much more economical than the carriages which are used for the same purpose at the present time. It will be appreciated that a man skilled in the art can effect or provide for various alterations and variations which however still fall within the scope cf the present protection right.

Claims (5)

1. A carriage, primarily for a sorting apparatus, which includes a frame which is displaceable along a predetermined path and which serves to support a tiltable or pivotal carrier plate, and having an actuating means, which, in the course of a first movement, uncouples or unlocks the carrier plate and, in the course of a second movement, tilts the carrier plate laterally and which is movable back into the locking position due to the action of the force of gravity.

2. A carriage according to claim 1, wherein the actuating means includes a drive and a shaped actuating member which is mounted on a support for the tiltable or pivotal carrier plate, pivotally about two mutually perpendicular axes, and which, under the influence of its own weight, is held in a substantially perpendicular (vertical) position in which any movement is prevented, and wherein the drive can produce a first rotary movement about one of the two axes, for unlocking the shaped actuating member and subsequent to said rotary movement a second rotary movement about the other axis which causes and controls the tilting movement of the carrier plate.

3. A carriage according to claim 1 or claim 2 including a lever member which is actuable by cams suitably disposed along the path of movement and which acts on a pin which cooperates with an arm that is fixedly connected to the tiltable and pivotal carrier plate, for tilting and pivoting said carrier plate.

4. A carriage according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pivotal and tilting movement of the carrier plate towards one side or the other is controlled by means of cams which are actuated and moved by a hydraulic oil drive.

5. A carriage for a sorting apparatus constructed and arranged substantially hereinbefore described and shown in the accompanying drawings.