Abstract: A switch for a floor transportation system is described, whereby a guide rail is provided below the floor level. A guide pin extends into this guide rail. In front of this guide pin, a guide shoe of ferromagnetic material is pivotally provided. In the area of the switch, the side walls of the guide rail are provided with electromagnets which pull the guide shoe toward the one or the other wall area so that the guide shoe and the guide pin can be directed into one or the other branch rail of a guide rail fork.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a device for the centering of a movable rail section relative to a stationary rail section of an overhead trolley conveyor, notably a lifting station of a trolley conveyor. There is at least one centering body attached to the stationary or to the movable rail section. The centering body has a recess. At the movable rail section and at the stationary rail section, respectively, a centering piece is provided which can be moved into the recess. The centering piece can be rotated within the recess about an axis which extends in the direction of the rail so that it comes into engagement with at least one of the walls of the recess.

Abstract: An electric overhead trolley conveyor is described whereby electric trolleys can drive automatically with reduced velocity in inclining, declining or vertical sections or in selected horizontal sections of the rail without a special control of the electric motor or the drive. For this purpose, chains or racks are provided in sections for reduced speed which mesh with sprocket wheels or gears of the electric trolleys. In the other areas of the rail the electric trolleys are driven by a drive wheel. The circumferential velocity of the drive wheel is greater than the circumferential velocity of the sprocket wheel or gear. In the slow movement sections the circumferential velocity difference is compensated by the drive wheel which has an outer ring, that may rotate relative to an inner hub which is fixedly connected with the drive shaft.

Abstract: A lower chord electric trolley conveyor comprising a rail with an upper flange which is directly connected to a support structure. The electric trolley receives its current from a bus bar attached to the rail. The drive wheels of the trolley engage the upper side of the lower flange of the rail. Upper flanges extend from a vertical web of the rail toward both sides while a lower flange extends only toward one side. The electric trollery wraps around the lower part of the rail. It comprises counter pressure rolls in front of and behind the drive wheel. The counter pressure rolls engage the surface of the upper flange which faces the lower flange. Several support rolls engage both sides of the vertical web of the rail. The bus bar is connected to the side of the vertical web of the rail facing away from the drive wheel.

Abstract: A positioning device for the trolleys of an electric overhead trolley conveyor is described. This positioning device comprises a carrier which is shiftable in the direction of the movement of the trolley. The carrier is connected with a damping device. Further it comprises an engaging member cooperating with the trolley, whereby the engaging member is rendered inoperative toward the end of the carrier movement. This insures on the one side, that the trolley reaches the defined end position by engaging a stopping member. On the other side it is prevented, that the trolley strikes against the stopping member 40 with a high force of inertia. For enabling a recommenced movement the stopping member 40 may be rendered inoperative. The carrier is preferably utilized for this purpose.

Abstract: A motor-driven overhead trolley conveyor is described which comprises a rail having horizontal sections and inclined sections. Rack sections or chain sections are associated to the inclined sections. Each trolley comprises its own drive motor. In the horizontal sections the driving force is transmitted exclusively through a drive roller. In inclined sections the drive is effected by means of a gear meshing with the rack or chain and being driven with the same angular velocity as the drive roller. The drive roller comprises a drive wheel connected with the drive shaft as well as a ring mounted on the periphery of the drive wheel in a slide bearing fashion. By this feature, a cold working of the drive roller surface and the rail surface due to alternate stresses caused by the gear is avoided.