DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to system for locking in-process components carried on conveyors. In particular, the present invention relates to a locking system for locking conveyor gate on which engine blocks are conveyed on a conveyor belt for machining thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to the self-locking system for locking conveyor gate on which engine blocks are conveyed on a conveyor belt to avoid roll-back and falling down thereof from the conveyor gate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The components being manufactured in any machining line, particularly in an automobile machining line require to-and-fro transportation between various work stations and storage areas. In particular, major components such as engine blocks are quite heavy, e.g. about 80 kg and thus are very difficult to be handled on conveyors for moving the same between storage areas and different point of machining and processing. The conveyor system is provided with conveyor gate/s, which can be opened for facilitating operator’s movement between various operations, e.g. to easily access the machine’s main panel.

Since the components like engine blocks are very heavy and during their unloading from the conveyor, there is a risk of these engines blocks rolling back from the conveyor and of falling down from the conveyor gate opening. This poses serious hazards to personnel present around the conveyor gate/s. Even if the dead weight stoppers are provided on the conveyor, it may occur that the engine block is placed on the dead weight stopper itself, which in turn leads to the same consequence and this needs to be avoided.

DISADVANTAGES WITH THE PRIOR ART

From the above background, it is quite obvious that in the existing conveyors, there is no provision for stopping the rolling back of the component like heavy engine blocks from conveyor line in case of opening of the conveyor gate/s for allowing access to the operator to the desired areas, such as main machine panel. The dead-weight stopper provided in some conveyors are not equipped to ensure secured locking of such heavy components from rolling back on the conveyor, particularly when the component is placed exactly above the dead-weight provided on the conveyor.

Therefore, there is an existing need in the art to improve the existing conveyor locking mechanisms, which can stop rolling back of the components loaded on the conveyor and also to ensure a secure locking of the components in situ, so as to avoid their falling down through the conveyor gate when opened, e.g. for operator’s access to the main machine panel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Normally, when the moving component is just above the dead-weight stopper and conveyor gate is open, component may roll back and fall down, because the dead-weight stopper is not in a position to restrict the rearward movement of the component on the conveyor. This can be prevented by a positive self-locking mechanism by keeping the conveyor gate or bypass securely closed, when the moving component is just above the dead-weight.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a dead weight stopper to stop rolling back of the components from the conveyor line on opening of the conveyor gate. This dead-weight stopper is provided such that when the component is moving forward on the conveyor, it is pressed down under the component, e.g. heavy engine blocks to allow to pass, but which stops any rolling back of the components on the conveyor by secured obstruction to a rearward movement of the components. This prevents the engine blocks from falling down through the opened conveyor gate. This dead-weight stopper works by the mechanism operated by its own weight and no external energy needs to be provided for the same.

The new mechanism allows opening of the gate/bypass only after the component has fully passed over the dead-weight stopper.
This safeguards the components to be positively stopped by the dead-weight stopper aided by a spring operated lever on any eventual rolling back of the heavy components on the conveyor and prevents falling down thereof. The mechanism works on spring tension.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Some of the objects of the present invention - satisfied by at least one embodiment of the present invention - are as follows:

An object of the present invention is to provide a rolling back of the components on a conveyor in an machine operation line.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a self-locking stopper mechanism to prevent component roll back on the conveyor.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a self-locking stopper mechanism to prevent component from falling down from the conveyor through opened conveyor gate.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a self-locking stopper mechanism which keeps the conveyor gate closed until the component reaches ahead of the self-locking stopper.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when read with the accompanying figures of drawing, which are, however, not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a self-locking, spring-loaded stopper mechanism for transporting heavy components on a conveyor for allowing access to the operator to the desired areas such as main machine panel; the mechanism comprising:

• a conveyor for transporting heavy components with at least one conveyor gate/bypass;

• a profiled stopper rotatable about a pivot axis;

• at least one pivot arm attached to the profiled stopper on the pivot axis thereof;

• at least one spring-loaded lever assembly having a long lever partially disposed between a pair of supporting brackets and passing through the corresponding holes therein;

• a compression spring placed over the lever and disposed between the pair of supporting brackets;

• an inclined projection in contact with the front end/face of the lever;

wherein an apertured bracket is attached to the conveyor gate/bypass and the aperture of the bracket configured to align with the rear end of the lever for engaging the same therein for secured locking of the conveyor gate/bypass.

Typically, the profiled stopper is configured with a transverse face suitable for contacting the front face of the heavy component.

Typically, the lever has a forward end and a rear end and a circular collar is configured adjacent the forward end thereof for supporting and pressing the compression spring on rearward movement of the lever.

Typically, the collar is disposed between the supporting brackets for compressing the compression spring for storing the spring energy during a rearward movement of the lever.

Typically, a spring-loaded lever assembly is attached on either side of the conveyor for engagement with a corresponding apertured bracket attached on either side of the conveyor gate/bypass.
Typically, the outer diameter of the collar is greater than the outer diameter of the compression spring.

Typically, the diameter of the apertures provided in the supporting brackets and apertured bracket on the conveyor gate/bypass is greater than the outer diameter of the lever.

Typically, the stopper is mounted on an arm having a projection extending perpendicular thereto and axially aligned with the lever passing through supporting brackets fitted underneath the conveyor and carrying a compression spring supported on a collar configured thereon, which is disposed between the supporting brackets to keep the stopper in its inclined position on the conveyor.

Typically, the supporting brackets are aligned to the apertured bracket fitted on the conveyor gate/bypass for locking/unlocking thereof with/from the conveyor.

Typically, the compression spring disposed between the collar on lever and the rear supporting bracket on the conveyor pushes back the lever in its extended position to push the projection away from the gate/bypass for restoring the stopper in its normal inclined position on the conveyor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which include:

Figure 1a shows a conventional conveyor for moving components, e.g. engine blocks thereon, which is provided with a closed conveyor gate or bypass.

Figure 1b shows the conveyor of Figure 1a with its conveyor gate or bypass opened for allowing access to the operator to, e.g. an operating console.

Figure 1c shows the components rolling back on the conveyor and falling down through the opened conveyor gate or bypass as shown in Figure 1b.

Figure 2a shows a conventional locking mechanism provided on the conveyor to stop the component rolling back in conveyor gate/bypass closed position.

Figure 2b shows the front portion of the component passing over the locking mechanism of Figure 2a with conveyor gate or bypass in closed position.

Figure 2c shows the rear portion of the component passing over the locking mechanism of Figure 2a with conveyor gate or bypass in closed position.

Figure 2d shows of the component fully passed over the locking mechanism of Figure 2a with conveyor gate or bypass in closed position.

Figure 2e shows another scenario in which the conveyor gate or bypass is in its open position and the component is exactly above the dead-weight stopper.

Figure 2f shows the falling down of the component through the opening created by the opened gate/bypass.

Figure 3a shows a self-locking spring-loaded stopper mechanism configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 3b shows the self-locking spring-loaded stopper mechanism of Fig. 3a initiated by coming in contact with the component for secured locking of the conveyor gate/bypass to prevent its opening.

Figure 3c shows the self-locking spring-loaded stopper mechanism of Fig. 3a still in contact with the rear portion of the component for maintaining the secured locking of the conveyor gate/bypass to prevent its opening.

Figure 3d shows the self-locking spring-loaded stopper mechanism of Fig. 3a just before it is positioned to open the conveyor gate/bypass.

Figure 4a shows a detailed view of the self-locking spring-loaded stopper of the mechanism of Fig. 3a just before coming in contact with the component.

Figure 4b shows a detailed view of the spring-loaded lever of the self-locking stopper mechanism of Fig. 4a just before engagement with the locking arrangement on the conveyor gate/bypass.

Figure 4c shows another detailed view of the spring-loaded lever of the self-locking stopper mechanism of Fig. 4a just after engagement with the locking arrangement on the conveyor gate/bypass for secured closing thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

In the following, different embodiments of the present invention will be described in more details with reference to the accompanying drawings without limiting the scope and ambit of the present invention in any way.

Figure 1a shows conventional conveyor 10 for moving components, e.g. engine blocks 30, and provided with a closed conveyor gate or bypass 20.

Figure 1b shows the conveyor 10 of Figure 1a with its conveyor gate or bypass 20 opened for allowing access to the operator to, e.g. an operating console through the opening 40.

Figure 1c shows the components 30 rolling back on the conveyor 10 in the direction of arrow R and falling down through the opened conveyor gate or bypass 20 as shown in Figure 1b.

Figure 2a shows a conventional locking mechanism 50 provided on the conveyor 10, which can stop rolling back of the component with conveyor gate or bypass 20 in its closed position.

Figure 2b shows the front portion 32 of the component 30 passing over the locking mechanism 50 with conveyor gate or bypass 20 in its closed position.

Figure 2c shows the rear portion 34 of the component 30 passing over the locking mechanism 50 with conveyor gate or bypass 20 in its closed position.
Figure 2d shows of the component 30 with its end 36 completely having crossed over the locking mechanism 50 of Figure 2a with conveyor gate or bypass 20 in closed position. Thus, any eventual rolling back of the component 30 is safely blocked by the dead-weight stopper 50.

Figure 2e shows another scenario in which the conveyor gate or bypass 20 is open with its opening 40 in an opened position and the component 30 still disposed above the dead-weight stopper 50 which fails to arrest the rearward rolling back movement of the component and it may fall down through opened gate/bypass 20 if it moves further rearward in the direction of the arrow R.

Figure 2f shows the actual falling down of the component 30 through the opening 40 of the conveyor gate/bypass 20 as the dead-weight stopper 50 is still under the component 30 and thus it cannot stop this rearward movement.

Figure 3a shows a self-locking spring-loaded stopper mechanism configured in accordance with the present invention. It includes an inclinedly disposed stopper 150 fitted on an arm 151 having a projection 155 in alignment with a lever 152 passing through a pair of supporting brackets 156 with an aperture, which in turn are in alignment with an apertured bracket 158 fitted on the conveyor gate/bypass 20 for locking the gate/bypass for restricting its opening till the component 30 is fully forward of the spring-loaded stopper mechanism 150. The lever has a circular collar 160 disposed between the supporting brackets for pressing the compression spring on the rearward motion of lever.

Figure 3b shows the self-locking spring-loaded stopper mechanism 150 of Fig. 3a initiated on coming in contact with the component 30 for secured locking of the conveyor gate/bypass 20 to prevent its opening. As soon as the component 30 comes in contact with the inclined disposed stopper 150, it presses it down and thereby the projection 155 provided thereon turns to push the lever 152 rearwards. This causes the spring to be compressed between the supporting brackets 156 and initiates the engagement of the rear end of the lever 152 in the apertured bracket 158 for securely locking the conveyor gate/bypass 20 to prevent it from opening.
Figure 3c shows the self-locking spring-loaded stopper mechanism 150 still in contact with the rear portion of the component 30 for maintaining the secured locking of the conveyor gate/bypass 20 to prevent its opening. The stopper 150 is fully pressed down and the lever is in its rear-most position with complete engagement with the apertured bracket 158 fitted on the conveyor gate/bypass 20 to securely lock the same from opening. This ensures that as long as the component 30 is hovering above the stopper 150, the gate/bypass 20 cannot be opened. Therefore, any chance of the component 30 from falling down through the opening 40 of the opened gate/bypass 20 as discussed in Figures 2a to 2f is eliminated ensured by keeping the gate/bypass closed.

Figure 3d shows the self-locking spring-loaded stopper mechanism of Fig. 3a with the lever 152 fully engaged in the apertured bracket 158 and spring 154 fully compressed when the stopper 150 is fully pressed down by the component 30 to securely lock the conveyor gate/bypass 20 to prevent opening thereof. In this condition, although the stopper 152 is under the component 30, in contrast to the conventional locking mechanism of Figure 2, the rolling back of the component 30 on the conveyor will not lead to an eventual falling down, since the gate is securely locked from opening.

Figure 4a shows a detailed view of the self-locking spring-loaded stopper mechanism of Fig. 3a in its normal inclined position on the conveyor 10. The stopper 150 is mounted on an arm 151 having a projection 155 extending perpendicular thereto. This projection 155 is in axial alignment with the lever 152 passing through two supporting brackets 156 fitted on the conveyor 10 and carrying a compression spring 154 supported on the collar 160 and disposed between the supporting brackets 156 to keep the stopper in its inclined position on the conveyor 10. The supporting brackets 156 in turn are aligned to the apertured bracket 158 fitted on the conveyor gate or bypass 20 for its locking/unlocking with the conveyor 10. The compression spring 154 disposed between the supporting brackets 156 on the conveyor maintains the level in its extended position to push the projection 155 away from the gate/bypass 20, thereby keeping the stopper 150 in its normal inclined position on the conveyor 10.
Figure 4b shows a detailed view of the spring-loaded lever of the self-locking stopper mechanism of Fig. 4a when the component 30 moving on the conveyor 10 just comes in contact with the stopper 150 of the mechanism fitted on the conveyor gate/bypass assembly. In this position, by pressing the stopper 150, the lever 152 has just reached the adjoining face of the apertured bracket 158 for locking the conveyor gate/bypass 20 with the conveyor 10.

Figure 4c shows another detailed view of the spring-loaded lever of the self-locking stopper mechanism of Fig. 4a when stopper 150 is fully pressed down by the component 30 moving on the conveyor 10. In this position, the lever 152 is fully engaged into the apertured bracket 158 on the conveyor gate/bypass 20 and the compression spring 154 is fully compressed between the supporting brackets 156 storing the energy.

As soon as the component 30 passes forward of the stopper, this stored energy of the compression spring forces the lever 152 to retract back and pushes it away from the apertured bracket 158 on the conveyor gate/bypass 20. So, the stopper 50 comes back to its original or normal inclined position shown in Figure 4a. Now, it can stop the component 30 from moving rearward due to rolling back and thus can securely arrest it from falling down through the opening 40 of the opened conveyor gate/bypass 20, which is now possible as the lever 152 is disengaged from the apertured bracket 158.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

The spring-loaded self-locking stopper mechanism configured according to the present invention requires no external energy for the operation thereof and the compression spring provides the energy necessary for operation by storing the energy on the stopper being pressed down by the component moving forward on the conveyor. Accordingly, the spring-loaded self-locking stopper mechanism in accordance with the present invention has the following advantages:

1. Self-Locking Stopper stops rolling back of the component from the conveyor.
2. Self-Locking Stopper restricts opening of Conveyor Gate once the Engine block is above stopper.

3. No external energy required for working of the self-locking mechanism.

4. Unsafe condition due to falling down of components through the opening created by opened conveyor gate/bypass is totally eliminated.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept.

Therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. The descriptions of well-known components and manufacturing and processing techniques are consciously omitted in this specification, so as not to unnecessarily obscure the specification.

The numerical values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.

Throughout this specification, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, shall be understood to implies including a described element, integer or method step, or group of elements, integers or method steps, however, does not imply excluding any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or method steps.

The use of the expression “a”, “at least” or “at least one” shall imply using one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as used in the embodiment of the disclosure in order to achieve one or more of the intended objects or results of the present invention.
It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation. The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the above description.

The description provided herein is purely by way of example and illustration. The various features and advantageous details are explained with reference to this non-limiting embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

The embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments and the skilled person will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments described herein.

Therefore, the skilled person can easily make innumerable changes, variations, modifications, alterations and/or integrations in terms of materials and method used to configure, manufacture and assemble various constituents, components, subassemblies, assemblies and in terms of the size, shapes, orientations and interrelationships without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

We claim:

1. A self-locking, spring-loaded stopper mechanism for transporting heavy components on a conveyor for allowing access to the operator to the desired areas such as main machine panel; the mechanism comprising:

• a conveyor for transporting heavy components with at least one conveyor gate/bypass;

• a profiled stopper rotatable about a pivot axis;

• at least one pivot arm attached to the profiled stopper on the pivot axis;

• at least one spring-loaded lever assembly having a long lever partially disposed between a pair of supporting brackets and passing through the corresponding holes therein;

• a compression spring placed over the lever and disposed between the pair of supporting brackets;

• an inclined projection in contact with the front end/face of the lever;

wherein an apertured bracket is attached to the conveyor gate/bypass and the aperture of the bracket configured to align with the rear end of the lever for engaging the same therein for secured locking of the conveyor gate/bypass.

2. Mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the profiled stopper is configured with a transverse face suitable for contacting the front face of the heavy component.

3. Mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lever has a forward end and a rear end and a circular collar is configured adjacent the forward end thereof for supporting and pressing the compression spring on rearward movement of the lever.

4. Mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the collar is disposed between the supporting brackets for compressing the compression spring for storing the spring energy during a rearward movement of the lever.
5. Mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein a spring-loaded lever assembly is attached on either side of the conveyor for engagement with a corresponding apertured bracket attached on either side of the conveyor gate/bypass.

6. Mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer diameter of the collar is greater than the outer diameter of the compression spring.

7. Mechanism as claimed in anyone of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the diameter of the apertures provided in the supporting brackets and apertured bracket on the conveyor gate/bypass is greater than the outer diameter of the lever.

8. Mechanism as claimed in anyone of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the stopper is mounted on an arm having a projection extending perpendicular thereto and axially aligned with the lever passing through supporting brackets fitted underneath the conveyor and carrying a compression spring supported on a collar configured thereon, which is disposed between the supporting brackets to keep the stopper in its inclined position on the conveyor.

9. Mechanism as claimed in anyone of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the supporting brackets are aligned to the apertured bracket fitted on the conveyor gate/bypass for locking/unlocking thereof with/from the conveyor.

10. Mechanism as claimed in anyone of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the compression spring disposed between the collar on lever and the rear supporting bracket on the conveyor pushes back the lever in its extended position to push the projection away from the gate/bypass for restoring the stopper in its normal inclined position on the conveyor.

Dated: this day of 15th March, 2017. SANJAY KESHARWANI
APPLICANT’S PATENT AGENT ,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A self-locking, spring-loaded stopper mechanism for transporting heavy components on a conveyor for allowing access to the operator to the desired areas such as main machine panel; the mechanism comprising:

• a conveyor for transporting heavy components with at least one conveyor gate/bypass;

• a profiled stopper rotatable about a pivot axis;

• at least one pivot arm attached to the profiled stopper on the pivot axis;

• at least one spring-loaded lever assembly having a long lever partially disposed between a pair of supporting brackets and passing through the corresponding holes therein;

• a compression spring placed over the lever and disposed between the pair of supporting brackets;

• an inclined projection in contact with the front end/face of the lever;

wherein an apertured bracket is attached to the conveyor gate/bypass and the aperture of the bracket configured to align with the rear end of the lever for engaging the same therein for secured locking of the conveyor gate/bypass.

2. Mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the profiled stopper is configured with a transverse face suitable for contacting the front face of the heavy component.

3. Mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lever has a forward end and a rear end and a circular collar is configured adjacent the forward end thereof for supporting and pressing the compression spring on rearward movement of the lever.

4. Mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the collar is disposed between the supporting brackets for compressing the compression spring for storing the spring energy during a rearward movement of the lever.

5. Mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein a spring-loaded lever assembly is attached on either side of the conveyor for engagement with a corresponding apertured bracket attached on either side of the conveyor gate/bypass.

6. Mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer diameter of the collar is greater than the outer diameter of the compression spring.

7. Mechanism as claimed in anyone of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the diameter of the apertures provided in the supporting brackets and apertured bracket on the conveyor gate/bypass is greater than the outer diameter of the lever.

8. Mechanism as claimed in anyone of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the stopper is mounted on an arm having a projection extending perpendicular thereto and axially aligned with the lever passing through supporting brackets fitted underneath the conveyor and carrying a compression spring supported on a collar configured thereon, which is disposed between the supporting brackets to keep the stopper in its inclined position on the conveyor.

9. Mechanism as claimed in anyone of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the supporting brackets are aligned to the apertured bracket fitted on the conveyor gate/bypass for locking/unlocking thereof with/from the conveyor.

10. Mechanism as claimed in anyone of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the compression spring disposed between the collar on lever and the rear supporting bracket on the conveyor pushes back the lever in its extended position to push the projection away from the gate/bypass for restoring the stopper in its normal inclined position on the conveyor.

Dated: this day of 15th March, 2017. SANJAY KESHARWANI
APPLICANT’S PATENT AGENT