Device Of The Self-leveling Type For Storing And Dispensing A Stack Of Articles

Abstract

A self-leveling device for storing and dispensing a stack of articles, such s plates, including a carrier for the stack of articles adapted to move up and down in a tubular member, and means for always presenting the uppermost article of the stack at a predetermined level. The carrier is suspended from a top brace by several springs removably secured and distributed along the circumference of the top brace and the carrier. Means are provided to balance the weight of the carrier proper.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for storing and dispensing articles. In particular, the invention relates to a self-leveling device for storing and dispensing a stack of articles, such as plates, consisting of a tubular member, a carrier for the stack of articles adapted to move upwardly and downwardly in the tubular member guided therewith by the tubular member, and means for always presenting the uppermost unit of the stack of articles at a predetermined level.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of art to which the present invention relates, there is a known device which is disadvantageous because it is only suitable for storing and dispensing articles, such as plates, which are not only of uniform weight but must also be of uniform circumferential shape and size. Moreover, the tubular member of the aforementioned known device consists of a cylinder which is only open at the upper end, and wherein the means to keep the uppermost unit of the stack of articles at the desired level consists of a compression spring provided with an adjusting mechanism, such spring being arranged beneath the carrier in the cylinder. Such compression spring requires each time an adjustment when an article of a different weight has to be handled in the device, and due to the arrangement of the compression spring inside the cylinder which is only open at the upper end, such frequently necessitated adjustment is a time consuming job.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device for storing and dispensing articles, including a bottom element, a top brace, and a plurality of stationary longitudinal members each of which is fixedly connected to the bottom element and to the top brace. First means are provided disposed between the bottom element and the top brace for carrying the articles and is adapted to move up and down within the device. Second means are provided connected to the bottom element and to the top brace for guiding the articles and is adjustable to accomodate articles of various dimensions.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages mentioned above. The present invention is characterized by tubular member which is comprised of at least two stationary longitudinal members spaced circumferentially one from the other, and each member being fixedly connected at its top end to a circumferential brace and at its bottom end to a bottom element of the tubular member. Additionally there is provided at least two circumferential parts arranged movable in the brace and the bottom element, respectively, of the tubular member. Each movable circumferential part is situated freely movable in an intermediate space between two stationary circumferential members so that the carrier is always guided by means of the stationary circumferential members. By means of their longitudinal edges, the movable circumferential parts form adjustable guides for the articles of the stack arranged on the carrier, the guides either cooperating with the guides formed by the stationary longitudinal members or protruding more or less into the inner space of the tubular member dependent on their adjustment in any predetermined case.

In order to facilitate the interchangeability of the means for always keeping the uppermost unit of the stack of articles stored in the device at the predetermined level, the device is provided with a carrier consisting of a brace surrounding the stationary longitudinal members at the exteriors on the one hand, and on the other hand a spindle-like member disposed centrally with respect to the brace and fixed to the brace by means of at least two strutplates extending through the spaces between the stationary longitudinal members beyond the reach of the tubular member. The brace is provided with guide means cooperating with the stationary longitudinal members. The carrier is suspended from the top brace of the tubular member by means of a plurality of springs distributed alont the circumference of the brace and detachably secured to the brace.

In the case where the articles which are to be stored and dispensed are of a very light weight, it is preferable to provide the device according to the present invention with means to balance the weight of the carrier proper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are fragmentary side elevational views, partly in section, of details of the present invention taken along the arrow lines II and III, respectively, shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1, a device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a tubular member consisting of three stationary longitudinal members or U-shaped bars 1, 1a and 1b having their open sides turned outwardly, and secured at their lower ends to a bottom element or plate 2. The upper ends of members or bars 1, 1a and 1b are fixed to a top or upper brace 3. The device also includes three plate-like movable parts or uprights 4, 4a and 4b pivotally connected to the bottom plate 2 as well as to the top brace 3.

In addition, the device includes a first means or carrier 5 consisting of a spindle 6, three strutplates 7, 7a and 7b and a bearing ring 8 surrounding the bars 1, 1a and 1b and the guide uprights 4, 4a and 4b at their outer sides. The spindle 6 is disposed centrally with respect to the tubular member. The strutplates 7, 7a and 7b are fixed to the spindle 6 on one side and on the other side to the bearing ring 8, each strutplate extending at its outer edge beyond the reach of the inner space of the tubular member.

The pivotal connection at the lower end of the second means of each guide upright 4, 4a and 4b consists of a strip 9 fixed to the bottom plate 2 and partially protruding from the plate 2 on one side, and on the other side a widened lower edge 10 of the guide upright ending in a cylindrical bushing 11 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). A bolt 12 extends through the bushing 11, the head 13 of the bolt 12 applying at the upper side of the bushing sleeve 11 whereas a safety nut 14 is arranged on the threaded end of the bolt 12 extending beneath the strip 9.

Referring to FIG. 2, the pivotal connection at the upper end of each upright 4, 4a, and 4b consists of a widened part 15 of the upright ending in a cylindrical bushing 16. The horizontal flange 17 of the brace 3 is provided with an opening corresponding to the bore of the bushing 16. Through the bushing 16 and the corresponding opening in the flange 17 protrudes a bolt 18 which is clamped by means of its head 18a against the under side of the bushing 16 when a cap 19 screwed on the threaded end of the bolt 18 is tightened. Moreover, the cap 19 protects the part of the bolt 18 protruding beyond the flange 17, whereas a safety nut 20 is used to maintain the bolt 18 in its adjusted position.

A flange 23 extends downwardly from the web of the top brace 3 parallel to the flanges 21 and 22 and between the inner flange 21 and the outer flange 22 of the upper top brace 3. The flange 23 is provided with openings 24 spaced regularly one from the other along the circumference of the flange 23. Each opening 24 corresponds with one of the openings 25 provided in the bearing ring 8 of the carrier 5, each set of corresponding openings 24 and 25 lying in a single vertical line.

The bearing ring 8 is suspended from the upper brace 3 by means of a plurality of springs 26. Only three springs are shown in FIG. 1 for the sake of clarity. Each spring 26 is hooked in an opening 24 at one end, and in the corresponding opening 25 at the other end.

Within the reach of each stationary U-shaped bar 1, 1a and 1b, a strip 27 extending vertically upward is fixed to the bearing ring 8. A pin 28 extending horizontally in the upper part of the strip 27 rotatably carries a guide roller 29 guided between the flanges 30 and 30a of the corresponding U-shaped bar.

The device operates as follows. Depending on the size of the articles to be stored and dispensed, for example a quantity of plates to be stacked, the pivotally arranged guide uprights 4, 4a and 4b are adjusted in position to guide the stack and thereafter by means of their pivotal connections at their upper and lower ends are locked in the aforesaid positions.

The largest admissible size of the plates corresponds to the inner diameter of the tubular member, however, plates of any smaller size can also be stored, guided by means of the pivotally arranged guides adjusted and locked in a position corresponding to the smaller size of the plates. The carrier 5 is adapted to move upwardly and downwardly during its movements, and will stretch the spring 26 more or less depending upon the weight of the stack of articles. The rollers 29 ensure the guiding of the carrier 5.

Because each time a plate of a predetermined weight is added to the stack of the plates in the device, the carrier 5 should sink for a predetermined distance, and vice versa the carrier 5 should rise for the same distance when a plate is removed from the stack. The total power of the springs 26 in use for depending the carrier 5 from the upper brace 3 has to be adapted to the weight and height of the stack of plates in any special case to be stacked in the device. The total power can be adjusted in a very simple way of using more or less springs 26. The springs 26 can easily be hooked or unhooked from the outside of the device from the upper brace 3 and from the bearing ring 8, respectively.

The present invention contemplates various modifications of the above-described device. For example, the number of stationary bars and the number of guide uprights can be varied. In addition, the guide uprights can be arranged slidably instead of pivotably in the upper and lower members of the device which in such case must be adapted to such slidable connections. In addition, the present invention contemplates that the tubular member can be shaped otherwise than cylindrical adapting the device for storing and dispensing non-circular articles.

Non-circular articles of a smaller overall size than the internal cross-section of the cylindrical or non-cylindrical tubular member can be stacked in the device when sufficient pivotally arranged uprights are provided each of which is adapted to be adjusted independently from each other in accordance with the shape of the non-circular articles so that the stack on the carrier is properly guided when the carrier is moving upwardly or downwardly.

Claims

I claim:

1. A device for storing and dispensing articles, comprising in combination:

a bottom element;

a top brace;

a plurality of stationary longitudinal members each of which is fixedly connected to said bottom element and to said top brace;

first means disposed between said bottom element and said top brace for carrying the articles and being adapted to move up and down within the device; and

second means connected to said bottom element and to said top brace cooperable with the stationary members for guiding said articles and being pivotally adjustable to accomodate articles of various dimensions and being circumferentially spaced between said stationary members.

2. A self-leveling device having a tubular shape for storing and dispensing a stack of said article comprising in combination:

a bottom element;

a top brace;

first means disposed between said bottom element and said top brace for carrying the articles said first means including a carrier for the stack of articles which is adapted to move up and down in the device;

and including means for always presenting an uppermost unit of said stack of articles at a predetermined level;

a plurality of stationary longitudinal members each of which is fixedly connected to said bottom element and to said top brace, said plurality including at least two stationary longitudinal members spaced circumferentially, and each member being connected at its top end to a circumferential top brace and at its lower end to said bottom element;

second means connected to said bottom element and to said top brace for guiding said articles and being adjustable to accommodate articles of various dimensions and including at least two movable parts arranged between said top brace and said bottom element,

at least two movable parts arranged between said top brace and said bottom element, each movable part being freely movable in space intermediate two of said stationary longitudinal members so that said carrier is always guided by means of the stationary longitudinal members;

and by means of their longitudinal edges, said movable parts form adjustable guides for articles of said stack arranged on said carrier, said adjustable guides cooperating either with the guides formed by said stationary longitudinal members or protruding more or less inwardly dependent on their adjustment in any predetermined case.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein:

said carrier comprises a bearing ring surrounding said stationary longitudinal members and a spindle-like member disposed centrally with respect to said top brace;

said spindle-like member being connected to said bearing ring by means of at least two radial strutplates extending through spaces between and beyond said stationary longitudinal members;

said top brace being provided with guide means cooperating with said stationary longitudinal members; and

said bearing ring being suspended from said top brace by means of a plurality of springs distributed along the circumference of said top brace and said bearing ring and detachably secured to said top brace or said bearing ring.

4. A device according to claim 2, including the provision of means to balance the weight of the carrier proper.

5. A device according to claim 3, including the provision of means to balance the weight of the carrier proper.

6. A device according to claim 2, wherein said first means is suspended from said top brace by means of a plurality of springs distributed along the circumference of said top brace and said first means and detachably secured to both said top brace and said first means.