Abstract: A conveyor composed of connected carriages comprises a conveying path, a plurality of carriages connected together at the front and rear ends of each carriage, and a recprocating driver movable through a predetermined distance, the driver being engageable with at least one of said carriages. A disconnecting device and traverser are provided for disconnecting carriages as they arrive at the end of the conveying path and for transferring them to a return path. A connecting device and traverser are also provided adjacent to the beginning of the conveyor path. The traversers include elevators so that the return path can be located at a level lower than that of the conveying path.

Abstract: In a system for conveying metal coils or other heavy articles using multiple conveyors, the articles are conveyed on carriers which pass from one conveyor to another and thereby remain associated with the conveyed articles throughout the conveying process. The conveying system comprises an entry conveyor, a lateral feed conveyor and an exit conveyor. Each of the entry and exit conveyors comprises a storage conveyor section for loaded carriers, a return conveyor section for empty carriers, and a traversing section. The storage conveyor section utilizes a set of reciprocating drive frames having pins for selectively engaging and disengaging the carriers to effect stepwise movement of the carriers along the conveyor section. The lateral feed conveyor is a high speed, electrically driven car having the capability of taking on a loaded carrier and discharging an unloaded carrier and vice-versa.