SYSTEM FOR FIXING PUSH RODS TO A CHAIN

Abstract

A system for moving discrete articles comprising a system for fixing push rods to the chain comprising: two opposite sides (20) that support a conveyor plane (21); two chain holder guides (22), opposite and fixed to said sides (20); two chains (23) with links with protruding pins (24) sliding inside said two chain holder guides (22); push rods (25) fixed in a removable manner, transversally to said conveyor plane (21), to said pins (24) of said chain (23); characterized in that it comprises: blocks (30) having a central hole (31) designed to slide with friction over said push rods (25); said blocks (30) having a pair of holes (32), lateral to said central hole (31), designed to slide with friction over said pins (24).

Claims

1. A system for moving discrete articles comprising a system for fixing push rods to the chain comprising: two opposite sides (20) which support a conveyor plane (21); two chain holder guides (22), opposite and fixed to said sides (20); two chains (23) with links with protruding pins (24) sliding inside said two chain holder guides (22); push rods (25) fixed in a removable manner, transversally to said conveyor plane (21), to said pins (24) of said chain (23); characterized by comprising: blocks (30) having a central hole (31) designed to slide with friction over said push rods (25); said blocks (30) having a pair of holes (32), lateral to said central hole (31), designed to slide with friction over said pins (24).

2. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that said central hole (31) has the shape of the section of the push rods (25).

3. The system according to claim 2 characterized in that said central hole (31) has a dimension equal to the dimension of said push rods (25), with a tolerance such as to create a sliding friction with said push rods (25).

4. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that said pair of holes (32) has the shape of the section of the pins (24) of the chain (23).

5. The system according to claim 4 characterized in that said pair of holes (32) has a dimension equal to the dimension of said pins (24), with a tolerance such as to create a sliding friction with said pins (24).

6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that said blocks (30) have a parallelepiped shape, possibly with rounded edges.

7. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that said blocks (30) have an edge (33), placed externally with respect to said chain (23).

8. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises porters (26) which can be arranged along said push rods (25) having a central hole (31) suitable for sliding with friction on said push rods (25).

9. The system according to claim 8 characterized in that said porters (26) extend at the bottom with a thrust portion (37).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description of a practical embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a system for fixing push rods to the chain, which is assembled, according to the prior art;

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a partially disassembled system for fixing push rods to the chain, according to the prior art;

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a handling system for discrete articles comprising a system for fixing push rods to the chain, which is assembled, according to the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 4 shows a system of fixing push rods to the chain, in an exploded configuration, according to the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 5 shows a system of fixing push rods to the chain, partially assembled, according to the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 6 shows a system of fixing push rods to the chain, partially assembled and placed in its seat, according to the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 7 shows a system for fixing push rods to the chain, which is assembled, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Referring to the attached Figures, a handling system for discrete articles comprising a system for fixing push rods to the chain, according to the present invention, comprises two opposite sides 20 which support a conveyor plane 21 and two chain holder guides 22, also being opposite and fixed to the sides 20, which allow the movement of a chain 23 with links with protruding pins, on one side thereof.

[0033] The chain 23 at given distances or at each link has pairs of pins 24 protruding from the chain itself.

[0034] The system comprises, furthermore, push rods 25, made of square section rods, which are fixed, transversely to the conveyor plane 21, on both sides to the chain 23 by means of the pins 24.

[0035] On the push rods 25 some porters 26 are placed, which help the push rods 25 to move the articles.

[0036] The push rods 25 are fixed to the chain 23 by means of suitably shaped blocks 30.

[0037] The blocks 30 have an external parallelepiped shape, possibly with rounded edges, or having a section similar to that of the single element of the chain.

[0038] The blocks 30 have a central hole 31 having the shape of the section of the push rods 25, and in the case shown, a square shape. They also have a pair of holes 32, lateral to the central hole 31, having the shape of the section of the pins 24 of the chain 23, which, in this case, are circular.

[0039] The dimensions of the holes 31 and 32 and the positioning thereof inside the block 30, is given by the diameter and distance of the pins 24, as well as by the dimension of the section of the push rod 25.

[0040] In particular, in the case shown, given the typical dimensions of the elements involved, there are not three distinct holes but a single hole having a shape given by two circumferences joined together by a square.

[0041] Preferably, the blocks 30 have, externally, an edge 33, arranged externally with respect to the chain, to facilitate the grip of the block 30 during assembly and in particular during disassembly.

[0042] The porters 26 have a main portion 35 comprising a hole 36, having the shape of the section of the push rods 25, therefore it extends at the bottom with a thrust portion 37 of the most appropriate shape to fulfil its purpose.

[0043] To fix the push rods 25 to the chain 23, one or more porters 26 are inserted on the push rod 25, by inserting the push rod 25 into the hole 36 and by positioning the same along the length of the push rods 25 where desired.

[0044] The block 30 is then inserted into the central hole 31 on the push rods 25, one on each side, and is pushed until the ends of the pusher 25 are free.

[0045] The ends of the push rods 25 are arranged between the pairs of pins 24 protruding from the chain 23, in the desired position.

[0046] The blocks 30 are pushed towards the chain 23 until the pins 24 are inserted into the pair of holes 32, which are lateral to the central hole 31, until the block 30 comes into contact with the chain 23.

[0047] At this point the push rod complete with fittings (porters) is mounted without any tools or screws.

[0048] Disassembly is achieved by working in reverse of the assembly, by moving the blocks 30, grasping the same by the edges 33 if present, and by pushing them towards the inside of the push rod 25, thus releasing it.

[0049] The blocks 30 and the porters 26 can be made, once the geometries of the pins 24, of the chain 23 and of the push rods 25 have been defined, by establishing appropriate tolerances that create the sliding friction necessary so that they do not slip off along the push rod as a result of the chain vibrations.

[0050] Furthermore, the block 30 is not constructively subject to any traction or compression force such that further fixing is required.

[0051] The geometry of the blocks 30 allows the sliding thereof along the push rods 25 and the pins 24 of the chain 23 up to the point where their mechanical coupling no longer exists, a condition whereby it is possible to remove/replace the push rods 25 itself, at the same time the block 30 ensures the anchoring of the push rods 25 to the pins 24 of the chain 23.

[0052] Based on the same logic, the push rods can be customized, based on the type of container that must be handled, by applying suitably shaped and positioned/fixed porters without the need for additional small metal parts; said operation is even easier and recommended thanks to the ease of quick hooking/un-hooking of the push rods from the chain, by simply removing the blocks without any tools.

[0053] The materials used for the blocks and porters, as well as the dimensions, can be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

[0054] The system thus conceived is therefore susceptible of numerous modifications and alternatives, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept; moreover, all the parts detailed can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.