Abstract: According to one embodiment, a picking apparatus includes a carriage, a holding mechanism, and a movement mechanism. The holding mechanism includes an arm, a rotating shaft provided at one end of the arm and rotating the arm, and a holding part provided at the other end of the arm and able to hold at least one object. The movement mechanism is provided on the carriage, and includes a first movement part that moves the rotating shaft along a first direction toward the object, and a second movement part that moves the first movement part along a second direction intersecting with the first direction and approximately perpendicular to the carriage. The first movement part is positioned along a direction away from the object with respect to the second movement part.

Abstract: A rail system for an electric pallet track has, in known manner, a main line which can be optionally connected to at least two branch lines by way of points. The points have as many movable rail portions for each rail of the main line as there are branch lines. These movable rail portions can each be pivoted about a stationary pivot axis which is located outside the longitudinal extent of the corresponding movable rail portion.

Abstract: A rail system for a powered pallet conveyor, which comprises alternative pathways having an electric cable provided on at least one of n parallel rails defining a travel pathway, wherein n?2, whereby the rail system includes a switch for switching between m alternative travel pathways, wherein m?2, and allowing the vehicle to continuously move across the switch after switching. The switch comprises a first actuator for selectively positioning (m*n) rigid rail portions bridging the distance between rail ends at (i) n joining points where the n parallel rails of each of the m alternative travel pathways subject to switching converge, and (ii) (m*n) continuation points where each alternative pathway subject to switching diverges downstream from the joining points A second actuator selectively positions [m(n?1)] rigid rail portions bridging the distance between rail ends, where each alternative pathway is discontinued downstream from the corresponding continuation points.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a switch for a powered pallet conveyor is provided. The switch comprising (a) a turntable and (b) rail portions which are arranged upon the turntable and define at least a first travel pathway and a second travel pathway, whereby the first travel pathway is defined by straight rail portions and a second travel pathway is defined by curved rail portions, so that the central line of the first travel pathway and the departure lines of the second travel pathway respectively pass through the fulcrum of the turntable.

Abstract: A lateral transfer apparatus for an overhead conveyor comprises generally horizontally extending, side-by-side load tracks for receiving load-bearing trolleys for movement along a first track, and for movement along a second track. A transfer shuttle unit has a normal position aligned with the first track and provides a continuation thereof, and a transfer position aligned with the second track to provide a continuation of the second track. An actuator connected with the shuttle unit shifts it between the normal and transfer positions thereof at an acute angle to the tracks, thereby transferring trolleys to a position aligned with the receiving track for movement therealong.

Abstract: A rail system for a powered pallet conveyor, which comprises alternative pathways having an electric cable provided on at least one of n parallel rails defining a travel pathway, wherein n?2, whereby the rail system includes a switch for switching between m alternative travel pathways, wherein m?2, and allowing the vehicle to continuously move across the switch after switching, said switch comprising a first actuator for selectively positioning (m*n) rigid rail portions bridging the distance between rail ends at (i) n joining points where the n parallel rails of each of the m alternative travel pathways subject to switching converge, and (ii) (m*n) continuation points where each alternative pathway subject to switching diverges downstream from the joining points. A second actuator selectively positions [m(n?1)] rigid rail portions bridging the distance between rail ends, where each alternative pathway is discontinued downstream from the corresponding continuation points.

Abstract: Rail mounting assembly of the type in which a top plate is secured to a frame by an elastomer body surrounding the top plate and bonded to both the top plate and the frame. The rounded ends of the top plate and frame receive the elastomer in gaps between downwardly and inwardly inclined surfaces while the elastomer between the longitudinal flanks of the frame and top plate has downwardly open voids which are narrower toward the end of the top plate and wider at a midpoint.

Abstract: A conveyor switch for a conveyor track comprising a tubular linear induction motor as the switch drive. A switch tongue is adapted to be pivoted between first and second positions on the conveyor track and has a driving arm extending from one end thereof. The switch drive is operatively connected to the driving arm for driving the switch tongue, wherein the switch tongue is adapted to direct a moving conveyor component between first and second paths of travel on the conveyor track. Various means are provided to account for the linear movement of the switch drive in relation to the arcuate movement of the switch tongue. The switch assembly is especially adapted for switches in power and free conveyor systems.

Abstract: A wire measuring and cutting apparatus 1 is provided with an U-turn guide section 6 which serves to guide a wire W being fed into a guide passage 5b for bending the wire W in a substantially U-shaped manner. In the section 6, a movable guide part 5 is constituted by a pair of guide pieces 5a, 5a which are pivoted so as to open and close together. The U-turn guide section 6 is provided with a displacement mechanism 8. The mechanism 8 can maintain the pair of guide pieces 5a, 5a in the closed position. While, the mechanism 8 can displace the guide pieces 5a, 5a for the opened position together with feeding inertia of the wire W in process of measuring the length of the wire W. With this structure, the guide pieces 5a, 5a can be opened at high speed due to the feeding inertia in addition to the driving force of the mechanism 8 to open the pieces 5a, 5a and there is no need to stop feeding the wire W during the measurement of the wire W.

Abstract: Left side panels and right side panel are produced in a left side panel production line and a right side panel production line, respectively By vertical lifters, each left side panel and each right side panel are lifted at the delivery stations and then transferred to runners at work transfer positions. The runner with the left side panel held thereon travels along a rail while the runner with the right side panel held thereon travels along a rail. Both runners are stopped at a standby position and then conveyed to a runner transfer position simultaneously. The runners with the left and right side panels held thereon, respectively, are loaded on the traverser and then conveyed to a drop lifter arranged above a main body assembly line. The left and right side panels are transferred to the drop lifter. The drop lifter then descends and feeds the left and right side panels simultaneously on opposite sides of a floor panel in the main body assembly line.

Abstract: The movable track of the automatic exchanging device is moved outward by hydraulic cylinders, letting the hanging bracket thereon, which is carried from a preceding process cycle, to be moved onto the rail of the conveying system of a proximate process cycle, so that another hanging bracket, which is carried on the rail of said proximate process cycle, is moved onto the movable track for shifting to the rail of said preceding process cycle.

Abstract: In apparatuses of the generic type, single point modules are provided which can transfer only the transport wagons arriving from one point branch optionally into one of the two other point branches. It is achieved by the development of the point modules according to the invention as T-shaped double point modules (40) that each point branch (42, 44, 46) can be connected optionally to one of the other two point branches, which results in a construction of a network transport path system of a simpler construction which requires less space and provides a better overview. For narrowing the spacing of parallel transport path routes (76, 80), point modules (72) are proposed whose branch angle is less than 90.degree., preferably 45.degree.. Apparatus with flexible transport path and assembly systems in industrial production plants are a preferred application sector.

Abstract: A newspaper bundle handling system is shown and includes a bundle arranging and loading apparatus for arranging and loading successive layers of newspaper bundles on a wheeled cart. The present invention also includes a conveying mechanism for conveying empty carts to the loading apparatus and for subsequently conveying loaded carts away from the loading apparatus.

Abstract: A monorail public transport system utilizing a plurality of independent cars that circulate a main route with shunting of select cars to passenger loading stations without substantial interference of the continuous circulation of the remaining cars on a circuitous main route, wherein the shunting is accomplished by a high-speed switching mechanism having multiple segmented articulated rails having one segment that is pivotally anchored for pivoting the rail.

Abstract: Diversion-type switches and cross-type switches are provided for inclusion in suspended rail conveyor arrangements to form a rail conveyor system. Each of said switches includes at least one shiftable rail section movable between a first position of cooperation with spaced rails of one conveyor pathway and a second position of cooperation with spaced rails of another conveyor pathway. Rail alignment and load transmitting elements, in the configuration of coacting fingers and seats, are disposed at the respective end of the shiftable rail section and fixed rail section and coact therewith so that load forces acting on the shiftable rail section act to align the shiftable rail section with the spaced rails of the respective conveyor pathways and so that load forces applied to the shiftable rail section are transmitted directly to the fixed rail section.

Abstract: In order to reduce operating costs while enhancing the overall operating efficiency of an industrial plant, a method for automating a plant or warehouse using portable gantry robots is provided. Work stations for the robots are organized along rows in various parts of the plant where work is present. An overhead rail system is provided over the work stations wherein at least some overhead rail system have sections of displaceable rails. A transporter is provided for transporting the portable robots between rail systems or locations within a rail system. The transporters have a section of transfer rails which are identical in size to the displaceable rail section. A displaceable rail section is displaced following which the transfer rail section is locked into plance. The transfer rail section may also be aligned at one end of an overhead rail system. The robots are then added or removed from the overhead rail system while the transfer rail section is aligned with the overhead rail system.

Abstract: A suspension conveyor system for automatically conveying suspended conveyor carriages having a plurality of first rails disposed with their free ends in mutual transverse alignment along at least one transfer lane and at least one second rail disposed parallel with the transfer lane. A pallet travels on the second rail along the transfer lane and has at least one pallet rail, the path of travel of the pallet permitting a free end of the pallet rail to be selectively aligned with a free end of a first rail for the transfer of a conveyor carriage between the rails. A trolley is mounted for movement along the transfer lane independent of the pallet and control apparatus are provided for controlling movement of the trolley. A coupling device automatically couples and uncouples the trolley with the pallet to permit the trolley to travel together with the pallet or independently of it.

Abstract: A switch is employed in a conveyorized transport system which has a first actuator capable of imparting a first linear movement and a second actuator capable of imparting a second linear movement, which actuators being oriented parallel with one another and are slidably mounted on two guide rods secured to a switch base plate. A bracket carrying a transfer rail section is also supported for movement on the guide rods and is moved between a gap in a first rail and in the entrance end of a subsidiary loop or loops oppositely disposed relative to one another by combined or individual movement of the first and second actuators.

Abstract: The switch arrangement allocates first and second connections in groups to each other. A carriage is used which supports a number of connection elements corresponding to the number of second connections per each group. The carriage is movable along the first and the second connections in such fashion that each of the second connections of the group can be connected to the first connection allocated to that group. The switch arrangement is particularly suited for a suspension conveyor system for the feeding of flyer bobbins to ring spinners.

Abstract: In a switch, a straight rail section (3) is movable with respect to a stationary rail (1). The straight rail section (3) is connected via a bracket (5) to a movable switch base plate (6) which is guided by travel wheels (7) in travel or running rails (12) and by guide rollers (8) in guide rails (13) of lateral profiled sections (9). The lateral profiled sections are connected to each other by intermediate profiled sections (11) forming a support plate (10).

Abstract: A subsidiary work station loop for a work station conveyor system has a gravity fed rail assembly for trolleys shunted from the main conveyor. An elevator returns the trolleys from the lower end of the rail assembly. Four rail segments define this rail assembly and three of the four are supported by a single bracket and a single fastener. The rail segments are coupled by a pin and slot connection that permits limited angular rotation of one segment relative to the other, but which prevents relative axial misalignment.

Abstract: Diversion-type switches and cross-type switches are provided for inclusion in suspended rail conveyor arrangements to form a rail conveyor system. Each of the switches includes at least one shiftable rail section movable between a first position of cooperation with spaced rails of one conveyor pathway and a second position of cooperation with spaced rails of another conveyor pathway. Rail alignment and load transmitting elements, in the configuration of coating fingers and seats, are disposed at the respective ends of the shiftable rail section and fixed rail section and coact therewith so that load forces acting on the shiftable rail section act to align the shiftable rail section with the spaced rails of the respective conveyor pathways and so that load forces applied to the shiftable rail section are transmitted directly to the fixed rail section.

Abstract: A conveyorized transport apparatus has an overhead rail system for transporting articles on a suspended trolley from one location to another. A moveable rail section in the system has a pivotal connection with an adjacent rail section to pivot the moveable section from a conveying position and a diverted position in which articles are delivered closer to a work station disposed laterally of the rail system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved turnout unit to be employed in turnout point of railway tracks, which does not necessitate maintenance of the sliding surface of the base plate. In the turnout unit of the present invention, a spray-coated ceramic layer is formed on the base plate and the tongue rail slides on the ceramic layer.

Abstract: A transfer slide is used in a conveyor system to advance a trolley from one position to another position and includes a body fixed to a free end of a rail and has a cavity formed substantially throughout its length. The body has longitudinally extending surfaces spaced apart from one another by an opening communicating with the cavity which surfaces provide a rolling surface upon which a trolley travels. A slide is received within the cavity of the body and reciprocates within the body in response to the reciprocating movements of an actuator means connected with the slide. The slide has a pusher device extending upwardly from the body and above the rail and which pusher device is engageable with the trolley to push it from the initial position to a final position.

Abstract: A conveyorized transport apparatus has an overhead rail system for transporting articles on a suspended trolley from one location to another. A moveable rail section in the system has a pivotal connection with an adjacent rail section to pivot the moveable section from a conveying position and a diverted position in which articles are delivered closer to a work station disposed laterally of the rail system.

Abstract: A tracking arrangement for a conveyorized transport system of the type in which coded workpiece carriers are routed by a switching mechanism from a main rail to an entry end of a subsidiary loop and then returned to the switching mechanism via a discharge end of the subsidiary loop, the entry end of the subsidiary loop being located downstream of the discharge end relative to the general direction of carrier movement on the carrier rail. The tracking arrangement comprises a sensor which reads the codes on the carriers while the carriers are located on the switching mechanism so that the codes may be read shortly before a carrier enters into a subsidiary loop and shortly after the carrier exits from a subsidiary loop.

Abstract: A conveyorized transport system which can be used to transport workpieces to a series of subsidiary loops, comprises a main rail, workpiece carrying trolleys movable on the main rail, a subsidiary loop adjacent to the main rail which leads to a work station, a special switch to transfer a trolley between the main rail and the subsidiary loop, and a computer to track and control the movement of the workpieces. The main rail and the subsidiary loop each have a gap laterally spaced from one another, and each switch includes a transfer rail section which can be moved laterally between the gap in the main rail and the gap in the subsidiary loop to transfer a trolley between the main rail and the subsidiary loop. One specific embodiment of the transport system also includes a chain-driven pusher extending downward from an overhead track which drives said trolley while it is being transferred between the main rail and the subsidiary loop.

Abstract: A hospital curtain track system utilizing a track switch which permits the use of a single privacy curtain selectively for each of a pair of adjacent bed cubicles. One track switch unit between each two bed environment splices directly with the cubicle track and eliminates extra connecting parts including one complete track leg resulting in minimal installation time and expense. The switch utilizes a pull-chain actuated toggle for shifting a horizontally shiftable switch section into alignment with the desired curtain track.

Abstract: A track switching device for selectively coupling a first track to one of second and third tracks. The switching device comprises a plurality of movable members, one of which has two parallel rails which operate such that when it is moved, the two rails are moved between the outer rails of the second and third tracks so that a selected one of the rails on the movable member is coupled to a selected one of the inner rails of the second and third tracks.

Abstract: A personal transportation system including a guideway of channel members submerged beneath the ground with an opening along the ground line, the guideway including an intersection, a rail running along the base of the channel members for supporting wheeled, passenger carrying vehicle thereon, and a steering system for selectively steering the vehicle through the intersection and into one of at least two guideway sections leading from the intersection.