Abstract: An X-link conveyor chain (10) having a center link (12) assembled to side links (14) by a pin (16) having lubrication grooves (22). Lubrication grooves (22) extend from first and second T-head ends (38) and (40) of the pin (16) which facilitate lubrication of the central portion of the pin (16). Alternatively, lubrication grooves (50) may be provided in first and second ends (24) and (26) of the center link (12). Lubrication grooves (50) may be provided either directly or as a slot (62) formed in bushings (18) which are received in the first and second ends (24) and (26) of the center link (12). A bushing (18) disposed in first and second ends (24, 26) of a center link (12) provides a renewable X-link conveyor chain which may be repaired by replacing the bushings (18).

Abstract: A conveyor system including a conveyor track, carriers supported thereby, and carrier propelling elements associated with the conveyor track, wherein each carrier includes frame structure having an article supporting portion disposed to one side of the conveyor track and a stabilizing portion disposed to the opposite side thereof. An auxiliary track mounted in parallel, transversely spaced relation with the conveyor track on the opposite side thereof, is engageable by stabilizing wheels on the stabilizing portion of the carrier frame structure so that the article supporting portion thereof is adapted to form a cantilevered type support on which an article can be mounted and transported, spaced transversely from the conveyor track and propelling elements. An article processing station is separated from the conveyor track and propelling elements by a slotted barrier wall through which the article supporting portion of the carrier frame structure projects.

Abstract: A self-propelled trolley and supporting track structure, the trolley forming a housing for a four wheel drive mechanism which is coupled to a driving motor attached to the housing and to a pair of axles each equipped with a pair of driving and supporting wheels adapted to engage transversely spaced track surfaces of the track structure. The track structure comprises a pair of transversely spaced channel section track members, each having upper and lower flanges terminating in guide surfaces and connected by a vertical web, the guide surfaces of one track member facing the guide surfaces of the other. The track surface are formed by the upper flanges of the track members and the guide surfaces are engageable by pairs of guide wheels appended to the trolley below the housing. A conductor bar assembly enclosed within the track members is engaged by collector shoes attached to the trolley.

Abstract: A conveyor having an electrified carrier track supporting wheeled, self-propelled carriers, in which each carrier is provided with power-driven, vertically movable load carrying structure operable to pickup a load from or deposit a load on a supporting surface located beneath the carrier track. Each carrier has load position sensors and a programmable controller that enable the pickup and depositing operations to be performed automatically for loads, such as newsprint rolls, of different dimension.

Abstract: A load carrier for the carrier track of a power and free conveyor has load carrying structure comprising a front suspension member pivotally connected to a front trolley and a rear suspension member pivotally connected to a rear trolley, each suspension member having an upper portion extending transversely to one side of the track and a vertical portion extending obliquely downwardly from the upper portion through a vertical plane containing the pivotal connections. A load supporting member connects the lower ends of the suspension members and is positioned so that the center of gravity of the load carrying structure and of a load supported thereby lies in the vertical plane. A drip pan is mountable below the upper portions of the suspension members.

Abstract: A conveyor includes carriers supported on a carrier track, pushers supported on an adjacent power track, and a work station located along the carrier track. Each carrier is propelled to a pick-up station in advance of the work station by engagement of one of the pushers with a driving dog on the carrier. A carriage, movable between the pick-up station and a discharge station following the work station and having releasable coupling devices adapted to engage carriers at the pick-up and work stations, is reciprocatably driven on forwarding and return movements by a linear motor. On the forwarding carriage movement, carriers at the pick-up and work station are rapidly advanced to the work and discharge station, respectively, and the coupling devices are released prior to the return movement of the carriage. A carrier advanced to the discharge station is re-engaged by one of the pushers of the conveyor.

Abstract: A track member for supporting the wheels of conveyor trolleys connected to a chain comprises first and second trackways arranged in vertically spaced, oppositely facing relation, each trackway having a pair of track surfaces spaced apart by a vertical web. The web of one trackway is longer than the other so that the first trackway is adapted to support trolley wheels of one diameter and the second trackway trolley wheels of another diameter. Various track constructions for overhead and floor type conveyors are obtainable by mounting pairs of the track members in transversely spaced parallel relation with either the first or second trackway of one member aligned with and facing the corresponding trackway of the other. In each of these track constructions the vertical webs of the non-facing trackways form parallel surfaces of a channel which laterally encloses and contains the chain.

Abstract: Power and free conveyor systems wherein each article carrier includes a driving trolley having a movable driving member biased to an operable position in which it is engageable with a driven pusher to propel the carrier along a carrier track, the pusher being supported by a vertically spaced power track. Formed integrally with the driving member are: a holdback dog, a driving dog having a pair of wings projecting transversely to each side of the holdback dog, a stopping cam and an abutment, an accumulation cam, and an anti-jam cam, all cams being adapted to disengage the driving dog from a pusher.

Abstract: A conveyor system in which loads supported by forwardly driven carriers of an overhead power and free conveyor are automatically transferred to a second conveyor arranged below the overhead conveyor at a transfer zone and driven at the same forward speed. The vertical spacing between the overhead and second conveyors is decreased from a greater spacing at which a load is engaged and supported by downwardly extending structure of a carrier to a lesser spacing at which the load is disengaged from the carrier structure and is supported by the second conveyor. As the disengaged carrier and load move forwardly in unison on their respective overhead and second conveyors, the carrier is engaged and moved by a transfer conveyor obliquely to the second conveyor at an increased speed such that the carrier continues to move forwardly in unison with the load while simultaneously moving laterally out of alignment therewith.

Abstract: A conveyor has vertically spaced carrier and power tracks respectively supporting carriers and primary pushers, each carrier being propellable by a driving dog movable between retracted and extended positions and drivingly engageable only in the extended position by one of the primary pushers. Carriers are also advanceable along a portion of the carrier track from engagement of their driving dogs by secondary pushers movably connected to a reciprocatable transfer member supported alongside of the power track and driven on forward and return strokes by a linear motor. When operational, the secondary pushers are moved to a driving position, each driving dog engaged by a secondary pusher is held thereby in retracted position, and carriers are advanced by a forward stroke of the transfer member. When non-operational, the secondary pushers remain in a non-driving position, the driving dogs remain in extended position, and carriers are propelled by the primary pushers.

Abstract: An assembly consisting of a conveyor chain link having sides and ends defining an open center, a supporting bracket having an attachment portion which engages the sides of the link and interlocks longitudinally and transversely within the center of the link, a clamp member engaging the sides of the link opposite to the bracket, and a fastener engaging the bracket and clamp member and extending through the center of the link. The clamp member is interlocked with the link and the bracket by lugs projecting into the center of the link and has tabs deformable into interlocking engagement with the fastener after assembly.

Abstract: A conveyor comprising a track formed by a pair of longitudinally extending track members providing a pair of transversely spaced supporting surfaces and a pair of transversely spaced guide surfaces; and a trolley having a body on which supporting wheels and guide rollers are rotatably mounted. The trolley body includes a shield member that is disposed adjacent to the guide rollers, extends radially outwardly of the periphery thereof, and overlaps the guide track surfaces engaged thereby. A socket, formed in the trolley body and having one end closed by the shield member, movably supports a driving dog which has a stem portion projecting into the socket and engaged therein by rollers and wear plates carried by the trolley body. The shield member is located above the trolley and forms a cover that protects the moving parts of the trolley from contamination and decreases the possibility of a foreign object becoming wedged between the guide rollers and guide track surfaces.

Abstract: A method of processing articles through successive operations requiring access to their top and sides comprises placing each article on a platform of a conveyor carrier, supporting the carrier on a carrier track positioned below the platform, and propelling the carrier through the processing operations by providing the carrier with a driving dog which is engageable by a pusher member of a driven endless chain located below the carrier, and which is disengageable from the pusher for the stopping and accumulation of carriers, as desired. Engagement between supporting wheels and guide rollers of carrier trolleys and the carrier track maintains the platform in proper position. Each carrier includes a driving trolley connected to at least one load carrying trolley by a tow bar located above the carrier track. The driving trolley is provided with a one-piece driving member having a holdback dog and a driving dog which includes a forwardly projecting cam formed with an abutment notch.

Abstract: A track member for use in a track arrangement of a power driven overhead trolley conveyor apparatus, each track member including an upper enclosure which receives wheels of trolley load support members of the apparatus, and an integral lower enclosure which encloses an endless drive chain of the apparatus. The track members are longitudinally joined to form a continuous overhead track arrangement which encloses the trolley wheels, as well as the chain support portion, of trolley members riding therealong.

Abstract: A track construction for a self-propelled vehicle includes a pair of longitudinally extending track members connected in transversely spaced relation by arch-shaped yokes which extend upwardly over the track members and from which a conductor rail is suspended in vertically spaced centered relation with the track members, the conductor rail being engageable by collectors on the vehicle for powering a vehicle drive motor. At a junction between main and branch line track members and conductor rails, co-axially pivoted, independently movable, track and conductor rail switch tongues are mounted and are interconnected by a differential motion transmitting mechanism which causes one of the switch tongues to move between main and branch positions in response to a different extent of movement of the other switch tongue between such positions.

Abstract: A conveyor chain drive unit having a main frame formed essentially by an H-section structural member whose flanges provide a pair of vertical plates located on either side of the path of travel of the conveyor chain. A bearing mounted on one of these plates supports the vertically extending output shaft of a reducer with the reducer housing positioned above the main frame. Connected to the reducer housing is a movable frame which extends radially outward from the axis of the reducer output shaft and supports a motor for driving the reducer. The conveyor chain is engaged by a caterpillar type of drive chain trained about a drive sprocket on the reducer output shaft and about a take-up sprocket and a back-up bar both mounted on the one side plate of the main frame. A roller nest carried by the opposite main frame side plate holds the conveyor chain in engagement with the drive chain.

Abstract: A conveyor chain drive unit having a main frame formed essentially by an H-section structural member whose flanges provide a pair of vertical plates located on either side of the path of travel of the conveyor chain. A bearing mounted on one of these plates supports the vertically extending output shaft of a reducer with the reducer housing positioned above the main frame. Connected to the reducer housing is a movable frame which extends radially outward from the axis of the reducer output shaft and supports a motor for driving the reducer. The conveyor chain is engaged by a caterpillar type of drive chain trained about a drive sprocket on the reducer output shaft and about a take-up sprocket and a back-up bar both mounted on the one side plate of the main frame. A roller nest carried by the opposite main frame side plate holds the conveyor chain in engagement with the drive chain.