Speed controller for pallets
AssigneeVariable Control Systems, Inc.
InventorsCarl G. Seiz, Clyde G. Robinson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The speed of a pallet as it descends down a pair of inclined rails in a flow rack is controlled by a series of speed-control wheels mounted on axles fastened to frame members located underneath the pallet. A tapered roller bearing is interposed between each axle and wheel to mount the wheel for combined rotary motion and axial motion. Brake pads are mounted on the frame member for engaging a braking surface on the wheel as it moves axially in response to the pallet load. The brake pads apply friction to the wheel for slowing the speed of the pallet. A bar is provided adjacent the lower end of each rail for engaging the speed control wheels on the pallets to increase the axial pressure thereon and to increase friction for arresting the pallets and separating the same.
Claims22
A speed retarding mechanism, comprising:
- a frame,
- a rotary member mounted in said frame, means providing an outer tapered surface in said rotary member,
- an axle disposed interiorly of said outer tapered surface,
- means providing an inner tapered surface on said axle confronting said outer tapered surface in said rotary member,
- anti-friction means interposed between said inner and outer surfaces mounting said rotary member for rotation on said axle and for axial movement relative to said axle when a radial load is applied to said rotary member,
- friction producing means carried by said frame and disposed in said axial path of movement of said rotary member for retarding rotation of said rotary member when displaced axially by said load.
A speed retarding mechanism, comprising:
- a frame,
- means providing a flange on said frame,
- an axle extending from a side of said flange,
- a wheel mounted on said axle, said wheel having a surface confronting said side of said flange,
- means providing a taper roller bearing interposed between said wheel and said axle for mounting said wheel for rotation with respect to said axle and for axial movement thereon toward said side of said flange,
- brake pad means carried by said frame between said wheel surface and said flange side and operable in response to axial movement of said wheel to create friction for retarding rotation of said wheel with respect to said flange.
A speed retarding mechanism, comprising:
- a frame having a flange,
- an axle extending from one side of said flange,
- a wheel mounted on said axle, said wheel having a braking surface confronting said side of said flange,
- a taper roller bearing interposed between said wheel and said axle and mounting said wheel for rotation on said axle and for axial motion thereon toward said flange in response to a radial load,
- brake pad means mounted to said one side of said flange for engaging said braking surface of said wheel and creating friction thereagainst as said wheel rotates and axial pressure is applied between the brake pads and the wheel due to the applied radial load.
A vehicle for carrying a load down an incline at a controlled rate of speed, comprising:
- a deck,
- a pair of frame members mounted to said deck,
- at least one speed retarder assembly carried by each frame member,
- each speed retarder assembly including a wheel, an axle rotatably mounting said wheel, means providing a taper bearing between said wheel and axle to mount said wheel for combined rotary and axial motion about said axle, and brake pad means operable in response to axial motion of said wheel to apply friction thereto for retarding the speed of the vehicle as it advances down the incline, the magnitude of the friction applied to the wheel being directly related to the load carried by the vehicle.
A storage system, comprising:
- a pair of inclined rails extending in spaced parallel relation between an upper level and a lower level,
- a vehicle adapted to travel by gravity on said rails between said levels,
- a speed retarder assembly mounted to said vehicle for controlling the velocity of said vehicle as it advances down said rails,
- said speed retarder assembly including a wheel, an axle rotatably mounting said wheel, means providing a taper bearing between said wheel and axle to mount said wheel for combined rotary and axial motion about said axle, and brake pad means operable in response to axial motion of said wheel to apply friction thereto for retarding the speed of the vehicle as it advances down the inclined rails with the magnitude of the friction being directly related to the load carried by the vehicle, and
- means adjacent said lower level for arresting motion of said vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.