Conveyors: power-driven – Conveyor section – Live roll
Patent
1983-04-21
1986-06-10
Spar, Robert J.
Conveyors: power-driven
Conveyor section
Live roll
198721, 198722, 198782, 414535, B60P 152, B65G 1302
Patent
active
045938105
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to mechanical handling apparatus.
BACKGROUND ART
Conveyors such as roller tracks which can be raised above or lowered below a floor or other substratum are often mounted in positions which are relatively inaccessible, for example in a 40' container vehicle. It is often difficult to manhandle a load along the full length of the track in such circumstances.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to seek to mitigate the disadvantages of prior apparatus.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided mechanical handling apparatus, comprising a conveyor, a separate drive means, power means to drive the separate drive means, and a device mounting the separate drive means so that that means can be raised and lowered with respect to a surface for loads in which the apparatus is mounted for movement of loads over the surface when the power means is actuated.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided mechanical handling apparatus, comprising a conveyor in which rotatable means are supported by inflatable means so that, when such means is inflated parts of the rollers stand above a support surface and render any load thereon mobile whereas when the means is deflated the rollers are retracted so that the load is immobile on the support surface, a separate drive means associated with the conveyor, power means to drive the separate drive means, and a device mounting the separate drive means so that that means can be raised and lowered with respect to the support surface whereby when raised the separate drive means can contact and move a load over the conveyor and when lowered the separate drive roller is retracted out of contact with a load.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a support surface for loads such as a floor of a vehicle, including a mechanical handling apparatus as hereinbefore defined.
There may be a plurality of separate drive means spaced apart along the conveyor. This construction provides for a continuity of powered drive from separate drive, rotatable, means along the conveyor.
The device mounting the or each separate drive means may comprise a pivoted mounting such as a bracket. This construction provides a relatively simple means of mounting the or each separate drive means for movement relative to the support surface.
The pivoted bracket may be coupled to a fluid-operated device to effect raising and lowering, the said device suitably comprising an air ram, an air inflatable bag, or a hydraulic ram.
Mechanical handling apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit arrangement showing mechanical handling apparatus embodying the invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of mechanical handling apparatus embodying the invention; and
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
Referring to the drawings, the mechanical handling apparatus 1 shown has a hollow elongate body member 2 in the form of a channel member 3 which houses an inflatable device in the form of an air bag assembly 4 which has connectors (not shown) for connecting it to an existing air supply of a vehicle for example. The mechanical handling apparatus 1 thus forms a track.
The open top of the channel member 3 is closed by a static support surface in the form of a top plate 5 (as viewed in FIG. 3) which has a number of discrete openings 6. A roller 7 is aligned in the vertical sense, with each opening 6. The rollers 7 are freely rotatable and are mounted by means 8 such as a shaft and retainer nuts in a mounting in the form of a channel shaped support 9 the underside of which is in contact with the air bag assembly 4.
The clearance of the rollers 7 and their associated openings 6 is such that substantially no foreign bodies can enter the channel member. Under the support 9 and above the air bag 4 there is a flat plate (not shown) covering
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Hydraroll Limited
Millman Stuart J.
Spar Robert J.
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