Jon, Svedman A. (Syracuse, NY)
Roger, Paul L. (Skaneateles, NY)

04/804430

01/19/1971

03/05/1969

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Diebold Incorporated (Canton, OH)

406/28

406/76, 406/84

B65G51/04; B65G51/00; B65G51/04

243/1,2,3,6--8,20--24,19,38

Harvey, Hornsby C.

Emmett, Thompson D.

1. A pneumatic tube system for the transmission of carriers comprising a tube line, a carrier transfer casing connected to said tube line and being formed with a carrier passageway extending perpendicular to the axis of the tube line, said tube line having an opening in one side thereof in confronting registration with said passageway, said opening and passageway being dimensioned for movement of a carrier therethrough disposed in parallel relation to said tube line, means connected to said tube line and operable for simultaneously creating air flow therethrough from opposite ends of the tube line toward and through said opening and passageway, a carrier-shifting means mounted at said casing and being movable upon actuation from normal position radially inwardly from the closed side of the tube line for engagement with a carrier positioned in registration with said opening to move the carrier a short distance from the closed side of the tube line toward said opening for the admission of air flow between the closed side of the tube line and said carrier to effect movement thereof through said opening and said passageway, and actuating means operable subsequent to the arrival of the carrier at said opening to

2. A pneumatic tube system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said actuating means is operable upon air pressure in said tube line reaching a predetermined value in the area at each end of the carrier subsequent to

3. A pneumatic tube system as set forth in claim 1, including reset means operable upon movement of the carrier a predetermined distance from said opening through said passage to return said shifting means to normal

4. A pneumatic tube system as defined in claim 1, wherein said carrier-shifting means includes members movable through the closed side of the tube for engagement with the ends of a carrier positioned at said opening, power means operable when energized, to move said members inwardly, and control means operable upon the buildup of air pressure of predetermined value in the tube line at the ends of the carrier to

5. A pneumatic tube system for the transmission of carriers, said system including a tube line extending through a casing said casing having a carrier passage dimensioned for movement therein of a carrier disposed in parallel relation to the tube line, said passage extending from the tube line in a direction perpendicular to the axis thereof, said tube line having an opening in one side in confronting registration with said passage for the movement of carriers between said tube line and said passage, means connected to said tube line and operable for creating air flow therethrough simultaneously from opposite ends of the tube line toward and through said opening, a carrier-shifting means mounted at said casing including a pair of members mounted on tube tube line for movement radially inwardly from the closed side thereof for engagement with a carrier positioned at said opening, power means connected to said carrier-shifting means and operable, when energized, to effect such inward movement of said shifting means to move the carrier a short distance toward said opening, energizing means connected to said power means and operable upon the buildup of pressure to a predetermined value at opposite

6. A pneumatic tube system as set forth in claim 5, wherein said power means consists of a solenoid operatively connected to said

7. A pneumatic tube system as set forth in claim 5, wherein said shifting mean include a yoke member and said power means consists of a solenoid connected to said yoke member and operable when energized, to effect movement thereof, and switch means operable upon the air pressure in said tube line, in the areas at the ends of a carrier positioned in registration with said opening, reaching a predetermined value to energize

8. A pneumatic tube system as set forth in claim 5, wherein said power means includes a closed casing, a diaphragm sealed at its periphery in said casing, means affixed to one side of said diaphragm and operatively connected to said carrier shifting means, the area in said casing at the opposite side of said diaphragm being connected to said tube line at opposite ends of said opening, the area in said casing at the opposite side of said diaphragm being connected to said passageway at a point

9. A pneumatic tube system for the transmission of carriers comprising a tube line, a transfer casing formed with a carrier passageway extending perpendicular to the axis of said tube line, said tube line being formed with an opening in one side thereof in confronting registration with said passageway, said opening and passageway being dimensioned for movement of a carrier therethrough disposed in parallel relation to said tube line, means connected to said tube line and operable for simultaneously creating air flow through said tube line from opposite ends thereof toward and through said opening and passageway, a pair of carrier engaging members mounted in said tube line and being normally positioned outwardly of the inner surface of the closed side of said tube line and being movable inwardly in a direction from the closed side of said tube line toward said opening, said members being spaced apart for engagement with the end portions of a carrier positioned in registration with said opening, said carrier engaging members being operatively connected to a yoke member disposed externally of said tube line at the closed side thereof, a closed diaphragm casing, a diaphragm sealed about its periphery to the sidewall of said casing, a conduit communicating with said tube line in the area thereof at each end of a carrier positioned in registration with said opening, said conduits extending to said diaphragm casing to provide air pressure in the area at one side of said diaphragm, said diaphragm being operatively connected to said yoke member and being operable upon the air pressure in said casing reaching a predetermined value to move said yoke member and to move said carrier engaging members inwardly from the closed

10. The pneumatic tube system as described in claim 9 and including means adjustable to control the flow of air into said casing at said one side of

11. The system as described in claim 9 and including a conduit communicating with said transfer casing in the area thereof spaced from said tube opening, said last-mentioned conduit being connected to said casing for supplying air pressure against the opposite side of said

12. A pneumatic tube system for the transmission of carriers comprising a tube line, a transfer casing connected to said tube line and being formed with a carrier passageway extending perpendicular to the axis of the tube line, said tube line being formed with an opening in one side thereof in confronting registration with said passageway, said opening and passageway being dimensioned for movement of a carrier therethrough disposed in parallel relation to said tube line, means connected to said tube line and operable for simultaneously creating air flow from said tube lines at opposite ends thereof toward and through said openings and passageway, a pair of carrier engaging members mounted in said tube line, said members being normally positioned outwardly of the inner surface of the closed side of said tube line and being movable in a direction inwardly of the closed side of said tube line towards said opening to move a carrier toward said opening, said carrier engaging members being operatively connected to a solenoid disposed externally of said tube line, a pressure operated switch connected in circuit with said solenoid, conduits communicating with said tube line in the areas thereof at the ends of a carrier positioned in registration with said opening, said switch being operable upon the pressure supplied thereto by said conduits reaching a

13. A pneumatic tube system as defined in claim 12, and including an adjustable timer connected in circuit between said switch and said solenoid for delaying the operation of said solenoid subsequent to the operation of said switch.

A single line pneumatic tube system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,419,229, dated Dec. 31, 1968, to P. F. Crosby. In that system, an air flow is established for movement from each end of the tube line to an opening in the sidewall of the tube line to move the carrier to the opening and to stop the carrier in registration with the opening. The movement of the carrier through the tube line is effected by one air flow and when the carrier arrives at the opening, it is encountered by the air flow from the opposite end of the tube, whereby movement of the carrier is yieldingly arrested and the carrier is positioned in registration with the opening and is moved therethrough by the two air flows.

The system described in the patent has many advantages over conventional pneumatic tube systems for a number of installations. However, if it is desired to transfer the carrier in a vertical direction from the tube line and if the gross weight of the carrier and the load thereon is substantial, delay in the transfer of the tube occasionally happens. This is due to the fact that the heavy carrier is resting on the closed side of the tube line and therefore, the admission of the air flows underneath the carrier is impeded.

This invention is directed to a carrier-shifting mechanism which is operable upon the carrier being positioned in registration with the opening in the tube line to move the carrier a short distance in a direction away from the closed side of the tube toward the opening, whereupon the opposing air flows in the tube line immediately create a pressure between the carrier and the closed side of the tube, effecting transfer of the carrier through the opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a type of installation in which our invention is embodied.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the tube line and the transfer casing, as indicated by the line 2-2, FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view with parts in section, looking to the right FIG. 2, as indicated by the line 3-3.

FIG. 4 is a view as indicated by the line 4-4, FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view, similar to FIG. 3, showing a modified form of carrier shifter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the installation as illustrated in FIG. 1, the tube line is indicated at 20, this line, as shown, extending between two sending and receiving stations designated generally 21 and 22. A transfer casing 23 is connected to the tube line 20 at station 22, and a similar transfer casing 25 is connected to the tube line at station 21. The tube line 20 has a portion 27 extending beyond the transfer casing 23, and an end section 28 extending beyond the transfer casing 25. Each of these end portions 27, 28, of the tube line is connected to a blower 30. The blowers 30 create air flows in opposite directions through the tube line 20. These air flows move in the direction of a selected one of the transfer casings 23, 25, which is connected to atmosphere.

At each station, the tube line 20 is formed with an opening 33 extending half of the circumference of the tube and having a length slightly greater than the length of a carrier C. The transfer casings 23, 25, communicate at their upper ends with housings 35. Each transfer casing is formed with a carrier passageway having a cross-sectional dimension comparable to the tube line opening 33 with which it is in registration. Conventionally, the carriers C are formed with enlarged end portions 37. Guide strips 40 are mounted on the inner surfaces of opposite sidewalls of the transfer casings, these guide strips extending between the enlarged end portions 37 of the carriers, see FIG. 4, and assist in maintaining the carrier in substantially parallel relationship with the axis of the tube line during movement of the carrier through the transfer casing.

The housings 35 are formed with an access opening 41 in one sidewall, and with a vent opening 43 which is shown in FIG. 2 as formed in the sidewall of the casing opposite the wall in which the access opening 41 is located. The housing 35 is provided with a door 45 forming a closure for the access opening 41. The venting opening 43 is provided with a door 46. The doors 45, 46, as shown in FIG. 2, are mounted on the inner surface of the casing walls and may consist of sheet plastic material fixedly secured along the upper edge to the housing and provided with a groove 47 to provide a hinge joint. The doors 45, 46, are maintained in closed position by air pressure within the housing. Means is provided for moving the venting door 46 to open position. Such means may be in the form of a rotary solenoid 50. Each housing is provided with a manually operable switch 51 which, when operated, provides power to the solenoid 50 at another station and power to both of the blowers 30. In the arrangement in FIG. 1, only two stations are employed and therefore, only one switch 51 is provided at each housing.

The upper ends of the transfer casings 23, 25, terminating in the housing 35, are formed with openings 53 confronting the access openings 41. The transfer casings and housings at all sending and receiving stations, involve the same structural arrangement.

If a carrier is inserted in the upper end opening of transfer casing 23 at station 22, the carrier will drop into the tube line 20. Upon actuation of the switch 51 at station 22, the venting solenoid 50 at station 21 will open the venting door 46 in the casing 35 at that station, and the blowers 30 will be put into operation. The carrier will move through the tube line from the casing 23 in registration with the opening in the tube line at the lower end of the casing 25 and if the carrier is not of great weight, the opposing air flows at the tube opening in casing 25 will move the carrier upwardly through the transfer casing 25 for deposit in the housing at station 21.

The carrier discharged from the casing 25 will drop onto a pad 84, FIG. 2, actuating a switch 85 which will deenergize the blowers 30 and the venting solenoid 50. This system is described in detail in the Crosby Patent above referred to.

If the carrier C, arriving at the casing 25, is of substantial weight, it will require a period of time for the opposing air flows to create pressure under the carrier for its movement upwardly in the casing 25. Referring to FIG. 3, carrier-shifting pins 60 are slidably mounted in guide members 61 fixed to the exterior surface of the closed side of tube 20. The pins 60 are movable in the guide members 61 through the closed side of the tube for engagement with the enlarged end portions 37 of the carrier positioned in registration with the tube opening 33.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 3, the shifting pins 60 are fixedly mounted in the ends of a yoke member 63 which is connected intermediate its ends to a plunger 65 of a solenoid 66. The solenoid 66 is fixedly mounted on the exterior of the tube line 20 and, when energized, operates to move the shifting pins 60 through the closed side of the tube, elevating the carrier a short distance from the closed side of the tube, permitting the opposing air flows to reenter between the carrier and the closed side of the tube, as indicated by the arrows 67.

The solenoid 66 is energized by a switch 70, the contacts of which are moved to closed position by air pressure applied to the line 71. Branch conduits 73 extend from the tube line at each end of the opening 33. As the carrier C is positioned in registration with the tube opening 33, the pressure in the tube line in the area at each end of the carrier increases, and this increased pressure is transmitted by the conduits 73, 71, to the switch 70, effecting actuation thereof for energization of the solenoid 66 whereupon, the pins 60 elevate the carrier, as shown in FIG. 3, to permit the air flows to enter between the carrier and the closed side of the tube to transfer the carrier through the transfer casing 25 for discharge into the housing 35 at station 21.

A suitable type switch 70 may be the differential pressure switch No. 1822.5, produced by the Dwyer Manufacturing Company. Preferably, the output of the switch 70 is connected to a timer 74 which, when energized by operation of the switch 70, produces an energizing circuit for the solenoid 66. This timer is adjustable from one to twenty sections. The timer may be Model 591-14, produced by G. C. Wilson & Co., Huntington, West Virginia. The purpose of the timer 74 is to make certain the carrier has come to rest in registration with the opening 33 prior to the operation of the solenoid 66.

In FIG. 5, the yoke 63, to which the carrier-shifting pins 60 are affixed, is actuated directly by the buildup of pressure in the areas at the ends of the carrier. The yoke 63, in this construction, is connected by a stem 75 to a diaphragm 77, the peripheral margin of which is sealed in a casing 78 intermediate the top and bottom walls 79, 80, thereof. The area between the diaphragm and the bottom wall 80 is supplied with pressure by the conduits 81. Accordingly, with the buildup of pressure at the ends of the carrier C, the diaphragm 77 will be moved upwardly and accordingly, the shifting pins 60. The area above the diaphragm 77 is connected by a conduit 87 with the casing 25 at a point above the tube opening 33. As the carrier is elevated to the dotted line position FIG. 3, the pressure in the transfer casing below the carrier equals the pressure in the tube line and accordingly, the pressure above the diaphragm 77 is equal to the pressure below the diaphragm, permitting the yoke 63 and shifting pins 60 to descend to normal position. With the pressure equalized above the below the diaphragm 77, the yoke and pins 60 are returned to normal position by springs 83 mounted on the pins 60 intermediate the bearings 61 and yoke 63.

With this arrangement assurance is had that upon movement of a carrier through the transfer casing, the shifting pins will be returned to normal position with their inner ends flush with the inner surface of the closed side of the tube, or slightly therebelow.

An adjustable flow valve 85 is mounted in a tee fitting 86 to which the lines 81 are connected. The valve 85 may be adjusted to control the flow of air from the tube line to the area below the diaphragm 77 and accordingly, to establish the time in which the buildup of pressure below the diaphragm is sufficient to actuate the yoke 63. The valve 85 accordingly provides a timing device functioning in a manner similar to the timer 74 in FIG. 3. These variable timing devices are advantageous in that the necessary pressure build up for operating the carrier-shifting unit will vary somewhat from one installation to another, depending on the air pressure applied to the end of the tube line, the pressure drop through the tube line, and the weight of the carrier being transmitted.

With this transfer mechanism, it will be observed that the carrier is not movable toward the open side of the tube until after it has been moved in registration therewith by the build up of equal pressure in the tube line in the areas at the ends of the carrier.