Abstract: A plurality of different types of components is fed to a production line or cell by means of a conveyor for recirculating a plurality of pallets on which said components are carried. The conveyor comprises a horizontal carousel for recirculating the pallets along an endless path. The conveyor is able to cause the pallets to circulate in any of the two circulation directions, and the direction of circulation of the pallets is changed according to the type of component required by the production line or cell in each step of operation, in such a way as to carry a component of the type required to the production line or cell in the shortest possible time. The conveyor comprises a single chain-tensioning device designed to tension the chain properly whenever the direction of movement of the chain is reversed.

Abstract: A chain-tensioning device comprises at least one main chain-tensioning sprocket wheel on which a chain engages, a main spring that urges a shaft of the main chain-tensioning sprocket wheel in a direction of tensioning of the chain, and an auxiliary cam element that engages a cam-follower element operatively connected to the shaft of the main chain-tensioning sprocket wheel so as to tend to push this shaft in the tensioning direction under the action of auxiliary elastic means. The auxiliary cam element automatically recovers any play that is generated owing to wear of the chain and prevents a movement of the chain-tensioning sprocket wheel in a direction opposite to the tensioning direction. In a variant, two main chain-tensioning sprocket wheels are provided, each having a respective auxiliary cam element. The two auxiliary cam elements may form part of a single pivoted lever.

Abstract: In an accumulation pallet conveyor (1) with an upper horizontal conveying run (1A) and a lower horizontal return run (1B) the pallets are carried by respective pallet-carrying members (P1) drawn by an endless chain (2). Each pallet-carrying member (P1) has at least one sprocket wheel (3) that engages without turning the chain (2) along the horizontal runs of the conveyor for drawing the respective pallet-carrying member (P1) together with the chain. In the case where a pallet-carrying member is stopped in position along a horizontal run of the conveyor (1) the aforesaid sprocket wheel carried by the pallet-carrying member (P1) starts to turn, enabling movement of the chain with respect to the pallet-carrying member (P1). In the curved stretches of the chain, at each end of the conveyor, the movement of the pallet-carrying member (P1) is caused by an engagement finger (F) that engages the chain and couples therewith only in said curved stretches of the chain.

Abstract: An accumulation pallet conveyor for transporting pallet conveying members conveying members include at least one sprocket that engages an endless chain along horizontal runs of the conveyor while allowing the chain to move relative to the pallet conveying members if the conveying member are obstructed or stopped along the horizontal runs. On curved end portions of the conveyor path, an engagement finger on the pallet conveying member engages the chain to move the pallet conveying members along with the chain. If the pallet conveying member is obstructed or stopped along the conveyor curved end portions, the biased finger may repeatedly dislodge and re-engage the chain allowing the chain to temporarily move relative to the pallet conveying member.

Abstract: A chain-tensioning device comprises at least one main chain-tensioning sprocket wheel on which a chain engages, a main spring that urges a shaft of the main chain-tensioning sprocket wheel in a direction of tensioning of the chain, and an auxiliary cam element that engages a cam-follower element operatively connected to the shaft of the main chain-tensioning sprocket wheel so as to tend to push this shaft in the tensioning direction under the action of auxiliary elastic means. The auxiliary cam element automatically recovers any play that is generated owing to wear of the chain and prevents a movement of the chain-tensioning sprocket wheel in a direction opposite to the tensioning direction. In a variant, two main chain-tensioning sprocket wheels are provided, each having a respective auxiliary cam element. The two auxiliary cam elements may form part of a single pivoted lever.

Abstract: A plurality of different types of components is fed to a production line or cell by means of a conveyor for recirculating a plurality of pallets on which said components are carried. The conveyor comprises a horizontal carousel for recirculating the pallets along an endless path. The conveyor is able to cause the pallets to circulate in any of the two circulation directions, and the direction of circulation of the pallets is changed according to the type of component required by the production line or cell in each step of operation, in such a way as to carry a component of the type required to the production line or cell in the shortest possible time. The conveyor comprises a single chain-tensioning device designed to tension the chain properly whenever the direction of movement of the chain is reversed.