US1800432A - Conveyer - Google Patents

Description

April 14, 1931; L. BUCK CONVEYER Filed Jan. 26, 1929 MIMI- 0' W ,H 1 i H W. H

3 Sheets-Sheet l Invert Z01 L uaien Back April 14, 1931. 1.. BUCK 1,800,432

' CONYEYER Q Filed Jan. 26, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 .752 0672 for: Zwvlen Back Patented Apr. 14, 19 31 units LUCIEN BUCK, .OF NORTH Anni/is, MASSACPIUSE-TTS, ASSIGNOR or ONE-HALF T JAMES nunrnnmaoninn coiniennv, non-Tn ADAMS, mnssaonusnrrs, A CORPORAK TION MASSACHUSETTS CONVEYER Application filed January 26, 1929. Serial No. 335,155.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a conveyer having an apronmade up of a plurality of plates, which, when in alignment, abut at their edges and including means to prevent material from falling between the edges of the adjacent plates when not in conveyor of thetype mentioned a hinge as sembly carried by the plates, independent of the chains on whichthe plates are supported.

portions of the hinge units projecting beyond ing. surface adapted to convey loose material and from which any material having a tendency moved by scraping.

Other objects of the invention reside in specific details of the invention pointed out inthe specification and claims .and shown in theaccompanying drawings inwhich:

Fig. 1 is aplan view of a portion of a conveyer embodying one'iiorm of this invention,

certain parts being broken away;

Fig. 2 is .a side elevation of such aconveyer, parts being broken away in order to,

, show the contact between an apron-plate and a hinge assembly when that plate is out of alignment with an adjacent plate;

Fig. 3 is a, sectional view taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1 and showing the j'oinder of one end of an apron-plate to the link of one of the conveyer chains;

Fig. 4: is an enlarged sectional view of an end hinge unit taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 with the apron-plates in alignment;

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4: with the apron-plates out of alignment when rounding a chain sprocket;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of an intermediate hinge unit taken along the line 6-'6 of Fig. 1 with the apron-plates in alignment; j j

Fig. 7 isa View similar to Fig. 6 with the apron-plates out of alignmentwhen round {'1 ing a chain'sprocket;

to stick can'be quickly and easily ree is provided with a bracket .25 which may be ous apron.

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of an inter-.

mediate hinge unit; i

. Fig. 9 is an 'enlarged plan view'of oneof the end hinge units and a portion of the adjacent intermediate hinge unit;

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of one lug of an end hingeunit and a portion of an adj acent intermediate hinge unit v Fig. 11 is a plan view of a portion of'a conveyer embodying another form of this A invention,- certain parts being broken away; and Fig. 12 1s a sectional View taken line 1212 on Fig. 1 1. I 7

along the The conveyer selected for illustration. in the drawings: comprises a work-carrying apron on a pair of parallel longitudinally extending chains 21. each chain being made up of a plurality of links 22 connected I by pins 23. The inner bar 24 of each link are in alignment the edges otthe adjacent W plates abut (see Figs. 1, 4 and Q). Mounted upon each plate 80 at the sides thereofiisa flanged guard 32 which may be secured in place by bolts 31.

During the travel of the out of alignment leaving spaces 33 between the edges of adjacent plates. When employed for carrying loose material, some or" the material will fall through the spaces 33; and one object of this invention is'to prevent such loss of material by providing a continunected by a hinge assembly 35 which comprises a pair of end hinge units 36 and a plurality of intermediate hing-e units 37 which extend between the end hinge units; Each end hinge unit includes a pair'oi interlocking lugs 38. '39, the lug 38 being here shown as provided with a' to ngue 40- which conveyer' around the chain sprockets the apron-plates shift The apron-plates 30 are con extends into a recess 41 formed in the lug 39 by a pair oi projections 42. A hinge pin 43 extends the length of the distance between the chains 20 and 21 passing through suitably formed bearing apertures 44, 45 in the end and intermediate hinge units respectively. The center line of the pin 43 coincides with the center line of the pins 23 so that the chains 20, 21 will maintain the same relation to the apron-plates and hinge assemblies throughout the travel of the conveyer.

One lug of each end hinge unit is secured to the under side of one apron-plate 30 while the other lug is secured to the under side of the adjacent apron-plate 30. The intermediate hinge units are secured alternately to the adjacent apron-plates 30 as shown in Fi 1. In order to strengthen this hinge assembly there are provided a pair of iron angle bars 46 which are coextensive in width with the apron-plates 30. The hinge units are clamped between the bars 46 and the plates 30 by any suitable means, rivets 47 being shown inthe drawings. The units 37 are preferably hollowed out on the under side to provide a recess 50 through which the hinge pin 43 passes without engagement, the

bearingapertures 45 being provided in each end of the intermediate unit.

"C-onveyers of the type here shown have been used for carrying macerated reclaimed rubber through a dryer and are provided with a series of perforations through which the/air can be forced through the mass during the travel of the apron through the dryer. In the present instance the plates 30 are shown provided with a series of perforatiens which are provided over substantially the entire surface of the plate between the guards 32. The securement of the hinge assemblies to the plates, of course, prevents the extension of the perforations to the very edge of the plates. However, in order to makethe perforations as extensiveas possible, over the bed of the conveyer, each intermediate unit 37 is provided with a recess 52 at the edge which is secured to the plate. Thus, as shown particularly at 53 in Fig. 1, the perforations 55 can be extended almost to the edge of the plate.

The portions of the end lugs 40 and 42' and the unit 37 which extend beyond the edges of the plates are curved, being here shown as struck on an arc with a radius.

equal to the'distance from the center of the hinge pin 54 to the under side of the apronplate 30, so that when'the conveyer is flexed as in passing around a sprocket and the apron-plates are thrown out of alignment, the under edges of the apron-platesremain in contact with the curved surfaces of the hinge units. The spaces 33 are thus closed by t ie hinge assemblies 35 so rial can not escape between the edges of the plates.

conveyer.

that the mate- Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate another form of conveyer which differs from that previously described in the construction of the hinged means by which the apron plates are oined. The parts common to both embodiments are designated by like reference characters and obviously need not be described in detail.

The apron-plates 30 are here shown connected by a hinge assembly which comprises a pair of interlocking units 61. Each unit 61 is here shown as consisting of an elongated strip 62 provided with a flange 63 along one edge and a series of spaced projecting loops 64 along the other edge. The loops 64 of each unit are so arranged that when assembled with another unit the loops 64 of each unit will enter and fill the spaces between the loops 64 of any other unit. The loops 64, when a pair of units 61 are assem: bled, form a continuous pocket extending across the conveyer from one side to the other which receives a hinge pin 65. The center line of each hinge pin 65 should coincide with the center lines of the pins 23 at each end thereof, so that the relation of the chains to the apron-plates will not change during the travel. of the conveyer.

The units are secured to the apron-plates 30 by rivets or similar means, and the perforations in the plates extend to the edges of the units. Thesurfaces of the loops 64 are curved preferably upon the arc of a circle having its center at the centerof the hinge pin 65. As a result,.when theconveyer is flexed the under edge of each apron plate remains in contact with the surfaces of the loops carried by the adjoining plate. 'Moreover, the loops 64 of each unitare so formed that they till the spaces between the loops 64 of the unit with which it is interlocked. Hence the spaces 33 between the edges of the adjacent plates are closed by the assemblies 60 so that no material can escape from between the plates during the travel of the It will be noted that in both embodiments the hinge assemblies which connect the abuttin edges of the plates extendentirely across them and support and stiffen the edges thereof. Thus any tendency of the edges to leave their normal position is prevented so that after flexing they will return to exact alignment and hence will form a continuous metal apron as distinguished'from the usua'l type of metal apron in which the plates are spaced an appreciable distance apart and hence are not applicable for conveyi'n, ;v granular or fluid material as is a conveyer embodying this invention. f

Moreover, reclaimed rubber has a tendency to stick to the plates of a conveyer and can only be removed by vigorous scraping. A conveyer embodying this invention presents a smooth carrying surface and thus permits such treatment, therebeing'no pockets or recesses on the surface in which the rubber cancollect andfrom which it can be removed'only with great difficulty.

. T he conveyer particularly set forth herein has many uses other than that mentioned above. 7 adapt the conveyer for carrying moistmateri'al not only through a dryer but otherwise, the moisture being free'to' escape. Fur thermore, since the apronis of steel plates the conveyer can be used for any heavy material such as rocks, ore and the like or for any purpose in which fabric or continuous aprons 1. A conveyer comprising a pair of parallel longitudinally extendinglinked chains and plates carried by said chains, each plate being removably secured at the ends, to a link of one chain and a corresponding link of the other chain, and being longitudinally coextensive with the links to which it is secured so that when an adjoining pair of plates are in alignment their adjacent edges abut, and a hinge assembly carried jointly by each adjacent pair of plates and having arcuately;

formed portions which close the spaces formed between the edges of the plates when not in alignment.

2. A. conveyercomprising a pair of parallel longitudinally extending linked brackets on the inner side bar of each link of each chain, plates extending bctweensaid chains, the ends of each plate resting upon and being secured to brackets carried by an opposing pair of links, and a hinge assembly extending transversely substantially the entire width of the plates, said assembly having arcuately formed portions which close the spaces formed between the edges of ad jacent plates, said hinge assembly being car-' ried by the plates independently ofv said chains. v

3. A conveyer comprising apair of parallel longitudinally extending linked chains, plates carried between said chains and attached to the links thereof, said. plates, when in alignment having their adjacent edges abutting, and ahinge assembly carried ointly by each adjacent pair of plates, to connect the plates and having portions formed to engage The perforations-55 in the apron.

embodiments of this invention chains,

the inner sidezofthe plates toc'losethe spaces formed between theedges .of the plates when said plates are inotin alignment, thesurface of said plates being 'providedwith perforations through which moisture from the mate rial carried by the conveyer .may escape.

4. A conveyer comprising a pair of parallel longitudinally extending linked chains,.plates carried between said chains and attached to the links thereof, and a hinge .assemblycarried jointly by each adjacent pair of plates having portions. formed, to connect the plates and close the spaces formed therebetween when the edges ofthe; plates are not in alignment to maintain a substantially con- I 1 tinuous surface, the hinge assembly comprising units each secured to a plateand a hinge pin carried ,by said units, the surface of said plates being provided with perforations which extend to the units of the hinge assembliescarried by the plates;

5. A conveyer comprising a pair of parallel longitudinally extending linked chains, a plurality of plates having adjacentedges abutting when adjoining plates are'i n align ment,.each plate being secured to andcarried by a pair of opposite links,"and a hinge assembly connecting each "pair: of adjacent plates, said hinge assembly including .coacting hinge units, each unit being secured to a plate and consisting ofa strip-provided along one edge :with a series of spacedproj'ecting loops,-the loops ofone unit being so arranged that when assembled with another unit the loops of each unit will enter and fillthe spaces between the loops of th e other unit.

. .6. A, conveyer comprising a pair'of parallel longitudinally: extending linked chains, a

plurality of plates having adjacent edges abutting when adjoiningip-latesarein align ment, each plate being secured to and carriedby a pair of opposite links, anda hinge assembly connecting each pairof adjacent plates, said hinge assembly including coact ingv hinge units, each unit beingv secured to a plate and consisting ofa st up providedailong oneedge with a series of spaced projecting loopsytheloops of one unit being so arranged that when assembled with another unit the loops of each unit wil'lenter and fill thespaces between. the loops ofthe'other unit, and a hinge pin passed through saidloops 'to secure the units in interlocked relation.

7. A conveyer comprising a pair of parallel longitudinally extending linked chains, a

plurality of plates, each plate being secured toandl'carried by a pair of opposite links, and

a hinge assembly connecting each pair of ad acent plates, sald hlnge assembly including coacting hinge .units, each :unit being secured lldto. a plate andconsisting of a strip provided along one edge with a series of spaced projecting loops, theloops of one unit being arranged that when assembled with another unit the loops of each unit will ent'er-.an(l

fill thespaces between the loops of the other unit, and means engagingsaid loops to secure the units in interlocked relation.

8. A conveyer comprising a pair of parallel longitudinally extending linkedchains, a

plurality of plates, each plate being secured to and carried by a pair of opposite links, and a hinge assembly connecting each pair of adjacent plates, said hinge assembly includ ing coacting hinge units, each unit being secured to a plate and consisting of a strip pro vided along one edge with a series of spaced projecting loops, the loops of one unit being so arranged that when assembled with another unit the loops of each unit will enter and fill the spaces between the loops of the other unit, and a hinge pin passed through said loops to secure the units in interlocked relation, the surfaces of the loops being curved so that the under edge of each plate will remain in .contact with the surfaces of the loops of the unit carried by the adjoining plate. 9. A conveyer comprising a pair of parallel longitudinally extending linked chains, a plurality of plates, each plate being secured to and carried by a pair of opposite'links, and a hinge assembly connecting each pair of adjacent plates, and providing a substantially smooth conveyer surface when the conveyer is flexed, said. hinge assembly including coacting hinge units, each unit comprising a pair of lugs, one lug being secured to one plate and the other lug being secured to the other plate.

10. A conveyer comprising a pair of parallel longitudinally extending linked chains, a plurality of plates, each plate being secured to and carried by a pair of opposite links, and a hinge assembly connecting each pairof adjacent plates and providing with the plates a substantially smooth conveyer surface when the conveyer is flexed, said hinge assembly including coacting end hinge units, and in termediate hinge units, each end unit comprising a pair of lugs,'one lug being secured to one plate and the other lug being secured to the other plate, and each intermediate unit 7 being secured to a plate.

fi l

11. A conveyer comprising a pair of parallel longitudinally extending linked chains, a plurality of plates, each plate being secured to and carried by a'pair of opposite links, and a hinge assembly connecting each pair of adjacent plates, said hinge assembly including a hinge rod coacting and hinge units, and intermediate hing units, each end unit comprising a pair of lugs, one lug being secured to one plate and the other lug being secured tothe other plate and each intermediate unit being securedto plate portions of the units projecting beyond the edge of the plates to s which they are secured and being curved upon their upper surfaces concentric with the hinge rod. w

12. In a conveyer having plates the adj a-. cent edges of which ab-ut when the plates are in alignment, a hinge assembly carried by each pair of adjacent plates comprising endhinge. units and intermediate hinge units, each unit-including a pair of lugs, one lug being secured to one plate and the other lug being secured to the other plate, and said intermediate units being secured toeither of said plates, and reinforcing angle bars secured to the lower surfaces of said units.

7 13. In a conveyer having plates the'adjacent edges of which abut. when the plates are in alignment, a'hinge assembly carried by each pair of adjacent plates comprising end hinge. units and intermediate hinge units,

each end unit including a pair of lugs, one lug being sec-ured'to one plate and the other lug being secured to the other plate, and said intermediate units secured to either of said plates, the portions of each intermediate unit below the plate to which it is secured being recessed, and said plates being provided with perforations which extend up to the edge of such recessed portions.

Signed by me at North Adams, Mass, this I twenty-fourth day of January, 1929.

LUCIEN BUCK;

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