US3262552A - Helical storage unit - Google Patents

Description

July 26, 1966 A. L. OSlNSKl HELICAL STORAGE UNIT 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 5. 1964 I gar-war:

INVENTOR. ALFRED L. OSINSK/ ATTORNEY July 26, 1966 A. OSINSKI HELIGAL STORAGE UNIT 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 5. 1964 w W A E V m A LFRED L. OS/NSK/ A TTORNEY United States Patent 3,262,552 HELICAL TURAGE UNIT,

Alfred 1L. Usinsiri, Warren, Mich assignor to F. .los. Lamb (10., Warren, Mich a corporation of Michigan Filed May 5, 1964, Ser. No. 365,674 14 Claims. (Ql. 198210) This invention relates to improvements in storage units. Heretofore, in conveying mechanisms provision has been made for frictionally engaging workpieces and advancing them along a runway or for the engaging means to travel past the workpieces when the latter are positively held against forward movement, as by a stop. However, such frictional engaging means are usually satisfactory only when all the workpieces are substantially uniform in size and in most cases they require frequent replacement. It is an object of this invention to provide frictional engaging means inflated at a relatively low pressure so that within broader limits of size circular workpieces are either advanced or allowed to remain stationary when their progress is positively halted without interfering with the travel of the inflatable engaging means and without adjusting the pressure therein; and again by adjusting a pressure control valve connected to the inflatable means the latter may be employed for normally advancing materially larger or smaller workpieces along the runway.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a unit with flexible wipers mounted for movement with the inflatable engaging means and interposed between the latter and the workpieces on therunway to protect the inflatable means from damage by sharp edges on partially processed workpieces.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a unit with means for preselecting and maintaining a constant predetermined pressure in the inflatable engaging means.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a unit with means for exhausting pressure which might otherwise build up in the inflatable engaging means in excess of the pressure preselected upon engagement of the said inflatable means with a number of larger workpieces.

Having thus briefly and broadly stated some of the objects and advantages of the invention I will now describe it more fully with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan View of the invention, and

FIG. 2 is a side view partly in section taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section on the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged section showing the upper extremity of one of the inflatable hoses and its feed connection;

FIG. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged section showing the swivel connection and feed lines therefrom to the inflatable hose;

FIG. 9 is a partial horizontal section somewhat enlarged showing the same construction but with the carriers closer together and their inflatable hoses in closer proximity to one another;

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a slight modification of the invention, and

FIG. 11 is a partial side view thereof;

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing another modification, and

FIG. 13 is a side view thereof partly in section taken on the line 1313 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged section on the line 14-14 of FIG. 12;

Fatented July 26, 1%66 FIG. 15 is a section on the line 1515 of FIG. 14, and

FIG. 16 is a section on the line 16-16 of FIG. 13.

I will first describe those portions of the invention which are common to all the embodiments shown.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a base having a vertical bearing 2 secured thereon in which a lower stub shaft 3 is mounted for rotation. Secured coaxially around the upper extremity of the stub shaft 3 and projecting upwardly therefrom is a hollow spindle 4 the lower extremity of which is supported on a thrust ring 5 provided on the upper face of the bearing 2; and suitably secured in and projecting upwardly from the upper extremity of the said spindle coaxially therewith is an upper stub shaft 6. Extending upwardly, in the present instance from the base 1, are a plurality of vertical frame members 7 which are all equidistant from the axis of the spindle and from one another. Extending diametrically across the axis of the composite drive shaft, consisting of the spindle 4 and the stub shafts 3 and 6, is a tie member 8 each extremity of which is secured to the upper extremity of one of the frame members 7, and projecting at right angles from each side of the tie member 8 radial to the axis of the drive shaft is an arm 9 each of which is secured to the upper extremity of one of the other frame members 7. Mounted also on the tie member 8 is a bearing 10 in which the upper stub shaft 6 is mounted for rotation. The upper stub shaft 6 is axially bored at 11 from its upper extremity for a portion of its length, and mounted on its upper extremity is a swivel connection 12 in communication with the bore of the stub shaft 6. 13 denotes a compressed air line terminating at one end in the swivel connection. The opposite end of line 13 connects with a source of air under pressure (not shown). Mounted in the line 13 is a well known type of pressure regulating and relief valve 14 having a dual function; it both reduces the pressure of air flowing through it to the swivel connection 12 to the predetermined amount for which the valve is set, usually about a pound, and it also automatically reduces the pressure in the line beyond it if that pressure builds up in a manner hereinafter mentioned to exceed the amount for which the valve is set. 15 and 16 denote a filter and a lubricator, respectively, which it is customary to install in such cases in compressed air lines. Mounted on the base 1 is an electric motor 18 connected to a gear box 19 having a vertical output shaft 20 on which a sprocket 21 is secured, and secured around the hollow spindle 4 is a second sprocket 22. 23 denotes a driving chain which passes around the sprockets 21 and 22 to rotate the composite drive shaft.

A helical runway 24 concentric with the spindle 4 is wound around a supporting frame formed by the frame members 7 throughout substantially the entire height of the spindle 4. The runway consists in the present instance of vertical rails uniformly spaced from one another throughout their length. The outer rail 25 functions as a retaining rail and is taller than the inner or carrier rails 26 upon which circular workpieces A are adapted to travel. Formed transversely through the rails 25 and 26 adjacent their lower margins are slots 25a and 26a, respectively, for the passage of bolts 27 having spacers 23 thereon by which the rails are held in uniformly spaced relation throughout their length. Some of the bolts 27 also engage the frame members 7 to retain the runway coaxial with the spindle 4. Extending from the lower and upper extremities of the helical runway 24 are lengths of chuting 29 and 30, respectively, for the delivery of workpieces onto and the discharge of workpieces from the runway 24.

Referring now to the construction employed in FIGS. 1 to 11 inclusive, a carrier 31 is coaxially secured around the spindle 4 and comprises vertically spaced rings 32 of the same diameter coaxially supported around the spindle adjacent opposite extremities thereof by spokelike arms 33, and a plurality of uniformly spaced vertical supports 34, consisting in the present instance of channel members, each secured to both the rings 32 as by welding so that the said members are all parallel with and equidistant from the axis of the spindle 4.

Before describing the means mounted on the carrier for frictionally engaging and advancing workpieces along the runway 24 it may here be noted that the spacing between the vertical supports and the means thereon for engaging the workpieces is for the sake of clarity shown abnormally great, and a more normal spacing is illustrated in FIG. 9. While the frictional engagement of the inflatable hose, hereinafter described, is sufficient not only to advance an engaged workpiece but also others in front of it, if the spacing between adjacent hoses is too great there is a possibility that workpieces between them when being pushed from behind may become laterally displaced and cause a block along the runway. This is prevented by spacing the hoses closer together, as shown in FIG. 9, though of course the spacing needed depends upon the size of the workpieces and the width of the runway along which they are being advanced.

Outwardly spaced from each support 34 by vertically aligned spacers 35 is a curved plate 36 which extends throughout the height of the runway 24. Against the outer face of the plate 36 intermediately of its width a vertical inflatable hose 37 rests, and extending through each hose. intermediately of its length is a flexible strip 38. Extending at vertically spaced intervals through the strip 38, the inner side of the hose 37, the curved plate 36, the spacers 35 and the support 34 are bolts 39 to secure these parts to one another. In order to facilitate the insertion of the bolts 39 carriage bolts are preferably employed which are inserted through the strip 38 prior to its insertion in the hose. Secured as by vertically spaced bolts 40 to the leading vertical margin of each curved plate relative to its direction of rotation about the axis of the spindle 4 is a flexible wiper 41 which extends rearwardly over the inflatable hose 37 immediately behind it and terminates over the leading margin of the wiper next behind it. Thus a wiper is interposed between each hose and the workpieces on the runway so that the hoses are protected from damage which might otherwise be caused by contact with burrs or sharp edges on partly processed workpieces. As previously stated the spacing between adjacent hoses 37 must be such that there is no possibility of inward displacement of workpieces between them which might result in blocking their flow along the runway.

Each inflatable hose 37 is inwardly flexed towards the spindle 4 adjacent both extremities and closed at its ends to prevent the escape of air under pressure therefrom. In the present instance at each end the opposite sides of the hose are flattened against one another throughout their width and rest against a correspondingly inwardly bent extremity 36a of the plate 36 against which that hose rests intermediately of its length. Bolts 42 extend through the extremity of the plate 36, both sides of the hose 37 and through a clamping plate 43.

Extending through one side of one inwardly flexed extremity of the hose 37 is a fitting consisting of a threaded tubular shank 44 which terminates within the hose in an enlarged annular head 45. A nut 46 on the shank 44 holds the head in firm sealed engagement with the inner face of the hose. Lateral grooves 47 formed in the underside of the head permit unrestricted flow of air into and from the hose.

In the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 a manifold 48 is mounted around the upper stub shaft 6 and radial openings 49 formed through the shaft 6 connect its bore 11 with the interior of the manifold. Separate piping 50 connects the manifold to each of the tubular shanks 44.

In the modification in FIGS. 10 and 11 the construction is the same as that previously described except that a single pipe 51 extends from the bore 11 of the upper stub shaft 6, which forms an integral part of the drive shaft; and the pipe 51 is connected to a circular pipe 52 from which a separate pipe connection 53 extends to each of the tubular shanks 44.

Referring to FIGS. 12 to 16 inclusive, a carrier 31:: includes a drum 54 coaxially supported around the spindle 4, which forms an integral part of the drive shaft, for rotation therewith by spoke-like arms 55, and the drum is of smaller diameter than and coaxial with the helical runway 24. Wound helically around the drum 54, preferably in the opposite direction to the winding of the helical runway as is clearly shown in FIG. 13, is an inflatable hose 56 which in larger units may consist of a plurality of separate hose lengths consecutively arranged as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 so that each length extends around the drum for a portion of its height. Secured around the outer periphery of the drum and outwardly flexed to extend over the turn of the hose beneath it are flexible wipers 57 which project downwardly sufliciently far to overlap the upper portions of the wipers next beneath them. These wipers usually consist of a plurality of separate lengths of material with their trailing extremities, relative to the direction of rotation of the drum, overlapping the leading extremities of the wipers next following as indicated at 57a in FIG. 12. These wipers are secured to the drum as by bolts 58 the heads of which serve as supports for the turn of the hose next above them though of course other means may be employed for preventing downward movement of the hose relative to the drum if desired. The hose is relatively closely wound around the drum as it is desirable that it frictionally engages the workpieces substantially throughout their length of travel along the runway. The extremities of each hose length are flexed inwardly through openings formed through the drum 54. Into one extremity of each hose length a blind spool 59 is inserted and secured therein by a clamping ring 60 around the hose, and in the opposite extremity of each hose length a spool 61 having a longitudinal opening 62 therethrough is similarly secured by a clamping ring 63. Extending from the bore 11 of the upper stub shaft 6 are separate pipe connections 64 the opposite extremity of each of which is in threaded engagement with the longitudinal opening 62 of one of the spools 61.

In each form of the invention illustrated it will be noted that the circular workpieces are advanced along a runway with a rolling action. In the arrangements specifically shown, the workpieces A rest on the carrier rails 26 and are caused to roll against guide rail 25 by reason of the wiping action of the inflated hoses.

Furthermore, it will be noted that the hoses illustrated are shaped such that at the operating pressures used which may for example be on the order of one-half to two pounds per square inch depending on the size and weight of the workpieces, the cross section of the hoses is generally elongated rather than circular. Hose material of the type conventionally used for light weight fire hose is admirably suited for use in this arrangement. When such hose is inflated to a low pressure it assumes a flat elongated shape in cross section rather than a circular shape. The flat elongated shape is preferred from thestandpoint of the greater surface contact area with the workpieces being conveyed.

I claim:

1. A unit comprising a frame, a stationary runway secured thereto, a carrier mounted on the frame for movement in uniformly spaced relation to the runway, and inflatable means mounted on the carrier for movement therewith, said inflatable means being adapted to frictionally engage workpieces on the runway and advance them therealong and means for maintaining a predetermined fluid pressure in the inflatable means.

2. A unit of the character described comprising a frame, a carrier mounted for rotation thereon, a stationary helical runway mounted on the frame coaxially with the carrier, and inflatable means mounted on the carrier for movement therewith and traversing each flight of the helical runway to frictionally engage workpieces on the runway and advance them therealong.

3. The combination in claim 2, wherein the inflatable means comprises a plurality of hoses uniformly radially spaced from the axis of the carrier throughout their length.

4. The combination in claim 3, including piping extending from each inflatable hose, a circular pipe to which all said piping is connected, a fluid pressure feed line having a pressure regulating valve therein, and means connecting the feed line to the circular pipe.

5. A unit of the character described comprising a frame, a vertical drive shaft mounted for rotation thereon, a carrier secured coaxially to the drive shaft for rotation therewith, a stationary helical runway secured to the frame coaxially with the carrier, inflatable means mounted on the carrier opposite the runway and extending substantially throughout the height of said runway for frictionally engaging workpieces thereon and advancing them therealong.

6. The combination in claim 5, including flexible wipers secured to the carrier in overlapping relation and extending over the inflatable means whereby said wipers are interposed between said inflatable means and the workpieces on the runway.

7. The combination in claim 5, including a swivel connection mounted on the drive shaft, a fluid pressure feed line connected to the swivel connection and having an adjustable pressure regulating valve therein, and means connecting the swivel connection to the inflatable means.

8. The combination in claim 5, including a swivel connection mounted on the drive shaft, a fluid pressure feed line connected to the swivel connection, a manifold secured around the drive shaft, said shaft having a passage therethrough connecting the swivel connection with the manifold, and means connecting the manifold with the inflatable means.

9. A unit of the character described comprising a 1 frame, a vertical drive shaft mounted thereon for rotation, a carrier secured coaxially around the drive shaft for rotation therewith, a stationary helical runway secured to the frame coaxially with the carrier, and inflatable means helically wound around the carrier and positioned opposite the runway throughout the height thereof for friction-ally engaging workpieces on said runway and advancing them therealong.

10. A unit of the character described comprising a frame, a vertical drive shaft mounted for rotation thereon, a carrier secured coaxially around the drive shaft for rotation therewith, a stationary helical runway secured to the frame coaxially with the carrier, and inflatable means helically wound around the carrier in the opposite direction to the winding of the helical runway and positioned opposite said runway throughout the height of the latter for frictionally engaging workpieces on the runway and advancing them therealong.

11. A unit of the character described comprising a frame having a vertical drive shaft mounted for rotation thereon, a carrier supported coaxially around the shaft for rotation therewith, a stationary helical runway mounted on the frame coaxially with the drive shaft, a plurality of inflatable hoses mounted substantially vertically on the carrier, all said hoses being equidistant from the axis of the drive shaft throughout their height to frictionally engage workpieces on the runway and advance them therealong, a plurality of flexible segmental wipers mounted on the carrier in overlapping relation and extending over the hoses whereby they are interposed between the hoses and the workpieces on the runway, a swivel connection mounted on the drive shaft, means connecting the swivel connection to each hose, a fluid pressure feed line connected to the swivel connection, and an adjustable pressure regulating valve in the feed line for maintaining a uniform predetermined pressure in all the hoses.

12. A unit of the character described comprising a frame having a vertical drive shaft mounted for rotation thereon, a carrier secured coaxially around the drive shaft for rotation therewith, a stationary helical-runway mounted on the frame coaxially around the carrier, a plurality of inflatable hoses helically wound in sequence around the carrier to frictionally engage workpieces on the runway and advance them therealong, flexible wipers secured to the carrier and arranged in overlapping relation, said wipers extending outwardly over the inflatable hoses whereby they are interposed between the hoses and workpieces on the runway, said hoses and said wipers being helically wound in the opposite direction to the winding of the helical runway, a swivel connection mounted on the drive shaft, means connecting the swivel connection to each of the hoses, a fluid pressure line connected to the swivel connection, and an adjustable pressure regulating valve in the feed line for maintaining a predetermined pressure in all the hoses.

13. A unit of the character described comprising a frame, a stationary runway on the frame, a carrier mounted on the frame for movement in a path spaced from and generally parallel to the runway, said carrier having an inflatable member thereon juxtaposed to the runway and adapted when inflated to contact workpieces on the runway, said inflatable member being designed when inflated to present a generally broad, flat and readily depressible surface to the workpieces on the runway and flexible wiper means secured to the carrier and extending over the inflatable member whereby the wiper means are interposed between the inflatable member and the workpieces on the runway.

14. The combination in claim 13, including flexible wiper secured at one edge to the carrier and overlying said broad, flat surface with its opposite end free.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,568,594 1/1926 Flint 198-162 3,071,240 1/1963 Graham 198-212 FOREIGN PATENTS 101,469 3/1963 Norway.

EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner. EDWARD A. SROKA, Examiner,

Claims (1)

1. A UNIT COMPRISING A FRAME, A STATIONARY RUNWAY SECURED THERETO, A CARRIER MOUNTED ON THE FRAME FOR MOVEMENT IN UNIFORMLY SPACED RELATION TO THE RUNWAY, AND INFLATABLE MEANS MOUNTED ON THE CARRIER FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH, SAID INFLATABLE MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO FRICTIONALLY ENGAGE WORKPIECES ON THE RUNWAY AND ADVANCE THEM THEREALONG AND MEANS FOR MAINTAINING A PREDETERMINED FLUID PRESSURE IN THE INFLATABLE MEANS.

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