Accumulation pallet conveyor

Abstract

In an accumulation pallet conveyor () with an upper horizontal conveying run (A) and a lower horizontal return run (B) the pallets are carried by respective pallet-carrying members (P) drawn by an endless chain (). Each pallet-carrying member (P) has at least one sprocket wheel () that engages without turning the chain () along the horizontal runs of the conveyor for drawing the respective pallet-carrying member (P) together with the chain. In the case where a pallet-carrying member is stopped in position along a horizontal run of the conveyor () the aforesaid sprocket wheel carried by the pallet-carrying member (P) starts to turn, enabling movement of the chain with respect to the pallet-carrying member (P). In the curved stretches of the chain, at each end of the conveyor, the movement of the pallet-carrying member (P) is caused by an engagement finger (F) that engages the chain and couples therewith only in said curved stretches of the chain. The engagement finger (F) is biassed against the chain by spring means () in such a way that in the case where the pallet-carrying member (P) is stopped in position along the curved stretch of the chain, the chain can continue to move, causing a movement with multiple consecutive jumps of the engagement finger (F).