Abstract: A stationary platform for supporting a supply transport device is provided. The stationary platform includes a frame having at least two longitudinal sides, a first end and a second opposing end, and a top surface and a bottom surface, and a plurality of legs extending from the bottom surface of the frame to support the supply transport device on the frame. The supply transport device is slidably received on the top surface of the frame. A wheel base assembly having a cleaning device for contacting a bottom surface of the supply transport device, to remove dirt and debris from or to disinfect the supply transport device, is also provided.

Abstract: A dry docking station that may include an interface that comprises an interface portion for contacting a self-propelled debris collecting robot when the self-propelled debris collecting robot is positioned at a container replacement position; a container manipulator that is arranged to assist, while the self-propelled solid debris collecting robot is contacted by the interface, in positioning a new debris collecting container into a debris collection position within the self-propelled debris collecting robot and to extract from the self-propelled debris collecting robot a used debris collecting container; a used container storage module for storing the used debris collecting container after the used debris collecting contains is extracted from the self-propelled debris collecting robot; and a new container storage module for storing the new debris collecting container before the new debris collecting container is positioned in the self-propelled debris collecting robot.

Abstract: A cart transports items between a controlled environment (e.g., a clean room or an airlock to a clean room) and an uncontrolled environment. The cart has a main body that carries the items, and a removable and interchangeable wheel base assembly. A first wheel base assembly is located in the uncontrolled environment and a second wheel base assembly is located in the controlled environment. The user can push the cart (with the first wheel base assembly) up to the second wheel base assembly at the boundary between the controlled environment and the uncontrolled environment. The user then unlocks the main body from the first wheel base assembly, slides the main body onto the second wheel base assembly, and locks the main body to the second wheel base assembly. An autoclavable storage and transport cart can hold several wheel base assemblies.

Abstract: The invention provides a high speed sorting mechanism arranged to empty or discharge a container for carrying a load, e.g. totes in a luggage handling system. The sorting mechanism as a plurality of tilting elements T1-T11 for receiving and transporting the container in a transport direction. The tilting elements T1-T11 are arranged neighbouring each other, and they are individually tiltable by controllable tilting actuators, e.g. servo motors. Hereby, the tilting elements T1-T11 can tilt around an axis parallel with the transport direction. A computerized controller serves to individually control the tilting of the tilting elements T1-T11 with a control algorithm in response to at least one position signal such that a group of at least two tilting elements T1-T11 perform a coordinated tilting motion in response to the position signal so as to tilt the container for emptying or discharging its load, upon the container passing the sorting mechanism in the transport direction.

Abstract: A ship to railroad intermodal freight system. In an embodiment, a conveyor system is provided for placing railroad cars in a position for loading shipping containers thereon. Railroad cars have a frame with a front end and a rear end, supported between bogies. Conveyor hooks are pivotally mounted to the frame, and a guide roller with hook guide is provided to adjustably support the conveyor hook(s) below the frame of the railroad car. A method for loading or unloading the railroad cars includes lifting a conveyor hook from a drag chain conveyor using the interaction of the guide roller with a pivot board mounted at the chain conveyor, while shipping container(s) are placed on the railroad car. By utilizing the method, efficient loading and unloading of railcars involved in ship to railroad intermodal shipments may save considerable time, and thus reduce costs.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to conveying systems, for moving work pieces from work station to work station including conveyors which generally move at a constant speed and include load carrying units which can be coupled for movement therewith between work stations and uncoupled from the conveyor so that they will be stationary at the work stations while work is done on a work piece carried by the load carrying units. More particularly, the present invention pertains to improved systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing locomotion and control to a conveyor system including surface-mounted drive system and adjustable, automatic take-up system with floating drive chassis. The present invention also pertains to elevated conveyor systems comprising many of the same components as the surface-mounted conveyor systems.

Abstract: The invention provides a sorting mechanism arranged to empty or discharge a container for carrying a load, e.g. totes in a luggage handling system. The sorting mechanism has a plurality of tilting elements T1-T11 for receiving and transporting the container in a transport direction. The tilting elements T1-T11 are arranged neighboring each other, and they are individually tiltable by controllable tilting actuators, e.g. servo motors. The tilting elements T1-T11 are controlled in response to at least one position signal such that a group of at least two tilting elements T1-T11 perform a coordinated tilting motion, when the container passes the sorting mechanism. Each tilting element T1-T11 has a length of 30-50% of the container. The tilting elements T1-T11 are stationary, and the container is driven forward by belts on each of the tilting elements T1-T11.

Abstract: A moving floor system that includes a moving work surface to move work products from an upstream end to a downstream end. The moving work surface is formed from a plurality of individual carts joined to each other. The stack of carts is moved along upper support rails located at an upper level. When each individual cart reaches the downstream end, a downstream lift conveyor moves the individual cart from the upper level to a lower level. When at the lower level, each individual cart is returned from the downstream end to the upstream end. When each individual cart reaches the upstream end, an upstream lift conveyor returns the individual carts from the lower level to the upper level. An upper drive mechanism provides the motive force to move the stack of carts along the upper level at the working speed.

Abstract: A video recording assembly includes a cart that may be positioned on a support surface. A plurality of wheels is coupled to the cart. A track may be positioned on the support surface so the track extends between a starting point and an end point. A processor is coupled to the cart. A motor is coupled to the cart, the processor and the wheels. The motor may urge the cart along the support surface. A camera is coupled to the cart and the processor. The camera may record the athlete while the athlete is running. A sensor is coupled to the cart and the processor. The sensor may detect a motion of the athlete. A plurality of pins is coupled to the cart. The pins engage the track. The cart is guided between the starting and end points. The cart travels alongside the athlete when the athlete is running.

Abstract: A log/tree chipper having an infeed with a roller member, such as a sprocket or pulley, guides a chain has at least one lug in the roller member, such lug extending above the outer surface of the chain and above a feed table. One or more auxiliary feed members with lugs can rotate with and along the same axis of rotation of the roller member and be spaced to one side of a roller member. The auxiliary feed member can be positioned at the material exit end of a feed table, or at both ends of a feed table. Lugs on the auxiliary feed members and/or the roller members/sprockets are, in some embodiments, positioned at the material exit end of the feed table work so as to work in a symbiotic relationship with the main feed roller.

Abstract: A system for moving crates in a warehouse, in which crates (C) to be moved are organized in supply modules (M), each made up of a predetermined number of rows each having a predetermined number of crates. The system includes a translator device (1) for rows of crates that brings about the movement of at least one row of crates, so as to create at least one aisle (W) for passing between one row and another of the module, in which it is possible to gain access through a crates manipulator (3), which is able to move along the module and through the aisles.

Abstract: A synchronized carrying system comprising: an overhead conveyor which transports a vehicle body; a floor-side conveyor which transports an underbody part; a control device which operates and controls the overhead conveyor and the floor-side conveyor; and a carrying device on which the underbody part is mounted, wherein the synchronized carrying system synchronizes the overhead conveyor and the floor-side conveyor during a process that loads the underbody part to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A conveyor installation for conveying and accumulating hanging items comprises a drive chain which is mounted to a guide rail, and retaining members which are mounted on rollers below the drive chain. The retaining members—together with the items to be transported which are suspended therefrom—are conveyed by the drive chain in a direction of conveyance and, if required, stopped and accumulated by means of a stopping device, with the drive connection being released between the drive chain and the retaining members by displacing the drive chain upwards due to a particular design of coupling members arranged on the lower side of the drive chain.

Abstract: A transporting rail unit includes a first driving mechanism driving the object to a first position on a rail. A second driving mechanism includes a member designed to displace in response to reception of a force from the object when the object moves forward to the first position from a second position in front of the first position on the rail. The second driving mechanism allows accumulation of an elastic repulsive force based on displacement of the member. The transporting rail unit allows the object to keep moving forward based on the elastic repulsive force even after the object is released from engagement with the first driving mechanism. If the second driving mechanism is interposed between the first driving mechanisms, the object can be transferred between the first driving mechanisms. A single transporting rail unit can be utilized in common. This results in reduction in the production and management costs.

Abstract: A transportation facility in which an object transported while being suspended from a hanger such as a trolley conveyor is transferred on to a carriage of a carriage-type transportation device for a certain section of a route. At the start point, there is an object receiving means at the under side of a traveling route of a traveling body. An object support device is lifted relative to the hanger of the traveling body and the object receiving means is caused to receive the object (W) from the hanger. At the end of the transportation, an object return means is provided for lowering the object support device relative to the hanger to transfer the object to the hanger. In the transportation route, the traveling body is switched to a state in which drive is released and a hanger engagement means is engaged with the hanger so that the traveling body can be pulled and moved by the carriage.

Abstract: The apparatus is a coupling device that couples a cart to a continuously moving towline which is recessed into the cart support surface. A vertically movable coupling pin engages the towline and is lifted away from the towline to disengage the cart from the towline. To prevent irregularities in the support surface from accidentally lifting the pin away from the towline, the pin is attached to the cart through a structure that also permits the cart to move freely relative to the pin but maintain the pin engaged with the towline. The preferred embodiment attaches the coupling pin to a movable tube that moves within a fixed tube, and the movable tube also can be lifted by a cam and locked into a position with the pin disengaged.

Abstract: A system and method for returning empty luggage carts over long distances from a remote collecting station to a retrieval station in a passenger terminal, where they may be retrieved by arriving passengers for the transportation of their luggage to parking lots, cab and bus loading areas, etc. A plurality of carts are inserted in nested arrangement into a load-in station. The carts are engaged individually, separated from the nested arrangement, and transported individually, in spaced-apart relation along a series of transport conveyor sections, changing elevations as appropriate and extending around curves as required to reach a discharge and retrieval station near the terminal luggage discharge area.

Abstract: A modular and removable track placed on the ground, comprises a succession of panels, supplied with at least one longitudinal guiding, groove which allows at least one beak, tightly connected to the load to be dragged, to penetrate inside it, to interact with the series of towing elements, one for each panel, and to be guided in running along the track; each towing element being constituted of a longitudinal ring like element, stretched between two spools and furnished with dragging elements, of at least one switch and of the motor connected to one of the spools and activated/deactivated by the switch. Each panel furthermore comprises at least the ducts and for the connections of the switch to the motor and with the fluid dynamic circuit connected at the start of the track with a primary motor, through which at least one motor is activated in one of the panels of the track.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a conveyor assembly and carrier for use with a conveyor wherein the carrier includes a frame having a longitudinal axis, a first pair of load wheels rotatably coupled to the frame, and a first pair of stabilizer wheels positioned laterally outward of the first pair of load wheels and rotatably coupled to the frame. The conveyor includes the carrier, a drive, and a stabilizer track having first and second channels spaced from one another. The first pair of stabilizer wheels are disposable for movement within the channels.

Abstract: A cam bar assembly for transferring a trolley from driving engagement with a first chain to driving engagement with a second chain wherein the cam bar assembly includes a cam bar having a first longitudinal axis, a cam surface centered about the first longitudinal axis, a second longitudinal axis, and a cam face centered about the second longitudinal axis. The second longitudinal axis is offset from the first longitudinal axis. The present invention is also directed to a power and free conveyor having the cam bar assembly as well as a drive trolley disposed within a free track for movement in a driven direction and having a retractable surface movable between an engaging position and a retracted position. The power and free conveyor also includes a first drive chain, a second drive chain, and a transfer zone having an entrance and an exit.

Abstract: An overhead conveyor includes a rotator system for rotating a work piece as it travels along a conveying track. A carrier movable along the track is propelled by an endless conveyor chain disposed within said track. The carrier is detachably connected to the chain and includes an uncoupling assembly for detaching the carrier from the chain. A support post extends upwardly from an upper surface of the carrier and an upper portion of the support post is attached to an upper arm of a C-shaped load arm. The C-shaped load arm is provided with a lower arm having a rotatable platter attached thereto. A camming pin is fixedly attached to said platter and a camming assembly is affixed to an underside of the track wherein the track is provided with flanges to receive said camming pin. Upon engagement of the camming pin with the flanges of the track, the platter is rotated a preselected amount.

Abstract: A stop mechanism for detaching a conveyor trolley from a drive system which normally drives the trolley along a conveyor track. A ramp can be moved into the path of a trolley dog so that the trolley dog moves upwardly along an inclined ramp surface to disengage the trolley dog from a drive dog carried by a driven chain of the conveyor system. The actuating mechanism for the ramp includes a pivotal cam plate actuated by a power cylinder. A cam slot in the cam plate receives a cam roller connected with a guide link which moves in a vertical guide slot. The guide link is connected with the ramp to move it up and down under the control of the actuating cylinder.