Trough item transport system - has trough oscillated by cranks so that each point follows closed curved path

摘要

The system transports items along a mainly horizontal trough by movement of the trough. The trough is so moved that each point on it follows an even closed curved path in a vertical plane, and the items are caused to travel in a direction opposite to that of the horizontal velocity component of the trough at its highest point. The curve can be in the form of a circle, and the trough can be supported in bearings on the throws of a series of parallel crankshafts, these having a weight to counteract the centrifugal forces exerted on them by the trough. The trough can be supported on two throws of each crankshaft, between which there are other throws offset from them for 180 deg., carrying the counterweights.