Abstract: The invention relates to a drive device (1) for a conveyor carriage (4) of a conveyor device (2), comprising a drive source (6) for generating a drive force (FTr) and a drive force transmission device (8) for transmitting the drive force (FTr) to a drive surface of the conveyor carriage (4). The conveyor carriage (4) has at least one counter bearing element (12) in particular which is designed as a counter bearing for the drive force transmission device (8).

Abstract: A conveying system including a conveying rail, at least one conveying vehicle, which is led along the conveying rail, wherein the at least one conveying vehicle forms a contact element, and also including a driver chain with at least one driver for driving the at least one conveying vehicle in the conveying direction. The driver forms a receiver for receiving the contact element for the purpose of forming a driving contact. The driver includes a deflecting member that forms a spatial limitation for the receiver. The deflecting member is elastically deflectable by the contact element while opening up the receiver.

Abstract: A transporting apparatus permits to intermittent indexing with freely and independently setting stop position of work tables and stopping period adapting to each individual work station. The transporting apparatus sequentially transports a work table across a plurality of work stations. The transporting apparatus has a linear transporting path linearly connecting a plurality of work stations and guiding linear motion of the work table, a cylindrical cam engaging with a contactor provided on the work table for driving the work table for linear motion, and the cylindrical cam having a stopping zone formed corresponding to each position of the work station and having no axial displacement relating to cam rotation angle and a transporting zone formed corresponding to a position between the work station and having an axial displacement relative to cam rotation angle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a friction drive conveyor including carriers 1, which can be propelled along a track by frictional wheels 30 fitted along the track. Each frictional wheel 30 can be driven by a brakeless motor 29. A sensor 32 senses whether each frictional wheel 30 is in contact with any one frictional surface 15 of the carriers 1. The track includes a section along which the frictional wheels 30 are supported at regular intervals equal to or slightly shorter than the total length L of the frictional surfaces 15 on each side of each carrier 1. On the basis of a signal output from each sensor 32, a controller 24 so controls the associated brakeless motor 29 as to start rotating the associated frictional wheel 30 in contact with any one frictional surface 15 when the forward next wheel 30 gets free of the frictional surfaces 15, and as to stop driving the frictional wheel 30 having got free of the frictional surfaces 15.

Abstract: A truck transport apparatus comprises a trolley running rail 11, a front trolley 32 and a rear trolley 33 arranged along the rail 11 in a truck running direction, a truck body 35 connected to the front trolley 32 and the rear trolley 33 at a lengthwise intermediate portion of each trolley so as to permit each trolley to pivotally move horizontally, a driven rod 38 having a front end connected to a rear end of the front trolley 32 so as to make the front trolley 32 free to pivotally move horizontally and a rear end connected to a front end of the rear trolley 33 so as to make the rear trolley 33 free to pivotally move horizontally, and a pair of transport rollers 84, 87 for holding the driven rod 38 therebetween from opposite sides thereof to give the rod a propelling force. The driven rod 38 is extended when the truck is about to move into a curved path of movement from a straight path of movement, while the rod 38 is contracted when the truck is about to move into the straight path from the curved path.

Abstract: A truck transport apparatus comprises a trolley running rail 11, a front trolley 32 and a rear trolley 33 arranged along the rail 11 in a truck running direction, a truck body 35 connected to the front trolley 32 and the rear trolley 33 at a lengthwise intermediate portion of each trolley so as to permit each trolley to pivotally move horizontally, a driven rod 38 having a front end connected to a rear end of the front trolley 32 so as to make the front trolley 32 free to pivotally move horizontally and a rear end connected to a front end of the rear trolley 33 so as to make the rear trolley 33 free to pivotally move horizontally, and a pair of transport rollers 84, 87 for holding the driven rod 38 therebetween from opposite sides thereof to give the rod a propelling force. The driven rod 38 is extended when the truck is about to move into a curved path of movement from a straight path of movement, while the rod 38 is contracted when the truck is about to move into the straight path from the curved path.

Abstract: A suspension type conveyor device including conveyor paths for conveyed carrier members conveyed in suspended fashion, and a constructionally simple and operationally reliable switch for transferring the conveyed carrier members from at least two conveyor paths entering into the switch to at least one conveyor path exiting from the switch. The switch cooperates with a stop surface on the conveyed members and is provided at its side facing the entering conveyor paths with an inlet opening that bridges all of the entering conveyor paths and an outlet opening oriented towards the exiting conveyor path.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for driving roller supported trolleys around a radiused track to the upper end of a gravity conveyor, in which one or more rotating members each have a spring-loaded element which is retracted as the member rotates across the top of a trolley and is spring extended into a recess in the top of the trolley to establish a driving contact. The trolley is then swept around the radiused track by rotation of the rotating member. The elements may comprise pivotally mounted inclined dogs which allow overrunning of the trolleys when impacted from the rear by succeeding trolleys. The trolleys may also be controllably lowered at the other end of the conveyor by rotation of a second powered rotary member having similar spring-loaded elements.

Abstract: A returning system for rail-borne transporting carts without self-driving means is provided with an auxiliary drive system which has an auxiliary drive wheel in the form of a friction wheel. The friction wheel clamps, for transporting a cart and cooperating with a contact pressure part with suitable parts of the transporting cart and transfers the latter from a transporting track to a return track located under the transporting track.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the disposition of loads movable on wheels, e.g., roller pallets or their equivalent, in a storage area consisting of one or more storage levels located one above the other and provided with collateral flow-through channels for the loads, the storage levels being arranged either horizontally or with a slight downward inclination towards the output end, provides that each storage channel has a conveyor rail mechanism which, by utilization of a conveyor rail, both guides and conveys the loads of goods in the channel.

Abstract: A live roller pallet conveyor utilizes a plurality of drive assemblies spaced in aligned relation along the conveyor frame and which project upwardly into the plane containing the lower drive surface of the pallet. The drive assemblies have drive rollers which contact the pallet and are controlled in both drive direction and elevation. When driving the pallet, the drive assemblies carry substantially the entire weight thereof, except for that amount which is carried by spaced rollers along one edge of the conveyor frame. The arrangement permits the pallet to be driven virtually at the peripheral speed of the drive rollers, when driving longitudinallly of the conveyor, as well as permitting a controlled speed variation with fine accelerating or decelerating effects as the drive rollers are angled in drive direction. In one form, the pallet has an elongated free spinning roller on its under side which contacts the drive rollers for producing pallet motion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the disposition of loads movable on wheels, e.g. roller pallets or their equivalent, in a storage area consisting of one or more storage levels located one above the other and provided with collateral flow-through channels for the loads, the storage levels being arranged either horizontally or with a slight downward inclination towards the output end, provides that each storage channel has a conveyor rail mechanism which, by utilization of a conveyor rail, both guides and conveys the loads of goods in the channel.

Abstract: A closed loop transit system that transports passengers in vehicles to a destination of their choice where they exit a main line to a shunt line and station. The system has automatic means for bypassing vehicles past stations that are full and moving excess empty vehicles from one station to a next station that does not have excess vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for transporting rove bobbins between a flyer frame and a spinning frame wherein transporting operation of rove bobbins can be assured for a long period of time. The system comprises a plurality of driving devices provided at fixed positions along a transport rail. A carrier for hanging rove bobbins thereon is smoothly moved along the transport rail by way of a mechanical engaging structure which establishes motion transmission between the carrier and a successive one of the driving devices.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment for a detechable gondola lift is disclosed in which carraiges on a closed circuit are detached from the circuit upon entering an end station and coupled to a semi-circular section before being recoupled onto the circuit upon exiting the end station. The semi-circular section has a drive wheel with a first drive mechanism on its periphery for driving the carriages over the semi-circular section. The first drive mechanism is located at regular intervals and driven at a predetermined first speed to impose a regular flow rate to the carriages leaving the semi-circular section and a regular distribution of carriages on the circuit. The semi-circular section also includes a second drive mechanism for imparting a slightly different speed to the carriages from that imposed by the drive wheel. One of the drive means has priority to impose a predetermined flow rate to the carriages leaving the semi-circular section.

Abstract: A sorting and/or conveying system and relevant working plants wherein there are used a set of carriages preferably automatically tilting, dragged along a pre-determined path, there being provided a preferably tubular guide with a longitudinal opening, on the inside of which there glide a certain number of spindles or the like, worked, through proper openings made along the guide, by one or more driving wheels linked to the power plant, to some of these spindles there being fastened the supports of the carriages.

Abstract: A travel drive for a pulling engine of a single rail suspended railroad used in mines includes a pair of friction wheels and a pair of toothed wheels each of which is mounted on a common shaft with the respective friction wheels for joint rotation therewith about a vertical axis and for displacement along the common shaft between a retracted position in which the toothed wheel is accommodated in a protective chamber of the respective friction wheel, and a raised position in which the toothed wheel is capable of engaging an indented segment extending along the rail. A double-action cylinder-and-piston arrangement is so operatively connected to the respective toothed wheel as to be capable of raising and lowering the same.

Abstract: Combination barge positioning and propelling apparatus utilizing a plurality of powered, reversible traction devices in frictional contact with the vertical sides of the barge is disclosed. Several embodiments of the apparatus are shown to accommodate various widths of barges and variations in the water level and/or draft of the barges.

Abstract: A docking mechanism for watercraft such as barges and the like which is readily secured to a mooring pile and is floatable, the mechanism including a driving apparatus which is engageable with and drives the watercraft and apparatus for effecting the driving engagement. A method of controlling the direction of travel of a watercraft such as barges and the like between particular points from preferably an on-shore control station according to which the driving apparatus of the docking mechanism mentioned above is controlled in its driving relationship to the watercraft.