Abstract: A control device is provided for controlling the speed of a vehicle used in a conveyor system wherein the vehicle moves along a track. The control device has a generally straight section between a first angled section having a cam surface for deceleration and a second angled section having a cam surface for acceleration in a controlled manner. The control member is supported for movement between operative and inoperative positions. A motor is provided for moving the control member from an inoperative position to an operative position. The control member is held in its operative position by a cam follower on the vehicle. When the cam follower loses contact with the control member, the control member moves to its inoperative position by gravity.

Abstract: A pair of laterally spaced wheel chocks are each normally connected in a gap in a railroad track rail, with each chock having a straight upper surface over which car wheels can roll in crossing the gap. Pivotally connected on a horizontal axis to each chock is the rear end of an arm, the front end of which is pivotally connected to a support. Means are provided for lifting the chocks after car wheels have rolled across them, whereby to cause the chocks to engage a pair of car wheels and move them forward on the track. The arms guide the upwardly-moving chocks in paths that result in there being substantially no sliding of the chocks against the wheels.

Abstract: A transfer table is movable to place tracks thereon into and out of alignment with stationary tracks. When a driverless wheeled vehicle is on the tracks of the transfer table, and the transfer table tracks are out of alignment with the stationary tracks, a device automatically stops vehicles adjacent the free ends of the stationary tracks. A discrete rotatable drive shaft is provided between the stationary tracks and between the tracks of the transfer table for causing a driverless vehicle to move therealong.

Abstract: A driverless turntable system is disclosed and includes two turntables coupled together for simutaneous rotation in opposite directions. A driverless vehicle enters the first turntable, is transferred to the second turntable, and then exits from the second turntable in a direction parallel to that when it entered the first turntable. Stationary tracks are provided adjacent the turntables for guiding the vehicles thereonto and therefrom.

Abstract: Two car retarders and an interposed means to push the cars are installed on a storage track. The upstream retarder slows the cars. The downstream retarder collects the cars released from the upstream retarder. The cars, coupled as a block, are pushed from the downstream retarder.

Abstract: A train position control arm adapted for use in handling cars of a unit train in a movable train positioner and in a stationary train holder. The arm is proportioned to engage a car coupler from a zone limited to the area immediately above the coupler so that a symmetrical pair of such arms may be simultaneously employed at the same location on a mating pair of couplers. A coupler engaging head of the arm includes elements for engaging and disengaging a coupler under full compression or buff loading. In a train holder apparatus, the arm is pivotally supported on a horizontal axis spaced from the tracks and at substantially the same height as a car coupler. A stationary base supporting the arm includes shock absorbing apparatus adapted to resist impact forces on the arm along a line coincident with the pivot axis.

Abstract: A power and free conveyor has a stop lug on the carrier body adapted to abut a stop member movable into the path of the carrier along the conveyor track to arrest movement of the carrier, the stop member serving to disengage the driving dog from the power chain prior to abutting the stop lug. The stop lug is spaced rearwardly of the driving dog a distance exceeding rebound of the carrier whereby accidental re-engagement of the driving dog with the power chain is avoided. The stop lug is positioned to engage the power chain pusher lug on a decline in the conveyor system should the hold-back dog fail to do so, thereby preventing a runaway.

Abstract: An overhead conveyor having an accumulation dock and crabs which are movable in a track, which crabs can be temporarily arrested in the accumulation dock. For their movement the crabs can be coupled to a transporting chain circulating in the accumulation dock and provided with pivotable pawls which can be locked to a coupling element of the crabs. For arresting the crabs the pawls are unlocked by means of stationary pivotable uncoupler assemblies which are controlled by the crabs. The transport is started again by the successive automatic coupling of the crabs to the transporting chain.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting work pieces by means of work piece pickups engageable with a chain type conveyor to a plurality of work stations located along the path of the conveyor. Work piece pickups located between parallel spaced guide rails which are disposed above two parallel spaced endless link type chains are provided with guide rolls which engage the undersides of the guide rails and with pivotally mounted carrier arms provided with toe portions adapted to engage the links in the conveyor chains. Means are provided at each work station to stop one, or a group, of work piece pickups while the conveyor chains continue to move and to actuate a gripping device for releasing the work piece so that it can be worked on.

Abstract: A conveyor comprising a track, at least one carrier movable along the track, and a conveyor for driving the carrier along the track. A device is provided along the track and is responsive to the speed of the carrier along the track to stop the carrier when the speed exceeds a predetermined value.