Abstract: A transportation system comprises a continuous stationary track having a pair of opposed rigid bearing surfaces, and a plurality of discrete cantilevered load-carrying vehicle units movable beside said track. Each vehicle is coupled to the track by a bogie having a linear arrangement of bogie wheels running between the bearing surfaces. The bogie wheels are mounted on mutually articulated frames and have a diameter slightly less than the separation of the opposed bearing surfaces to allow limited pivoting movement of the frames within the track. The adjacent articulated frames are forcibly urged to pivot in opposite directions within the track between the bearing surfaces such that bogie wheels carried thereby forcibly and alternately engage the respective opposed bearing surfaces at at least three points to ensure a pro-loaded positive coupling between the bogie and the track.

Abstract: The un-winder for hay bales has a frame having a pair of opposite arms, and a link bridging the pair of arms. One of the arms is to be drivenly mounted at least in part to a roof, particularly the roof of a barn. The other arm is provided with means to unwind a bale of hay. This enables unwinding a bale of hay in a barn particularly when space for unwinding is limited using a compact self-driven suspended un-winders for hay bales.

Abstract: A rail-guided apparatus-carrying system for conveying and moving an apparatus such as a loudspeaker or a spotlight along a predetermined path defined by the system when fixed in a wall or roof of a housing, the system comprising a rail-like stationary holder to be fixed to the roof and a movable carrier including a driving motor unit for moving the carrier along the holder and an apparatus actuating unit for moving the apparatus relative to the carrier, the apparatus being connected to the carrier by an apparatus hanging member, the carrier being supported in the holder by a supporting-guiding-estabilizing mechanism including damping-resilient devices for obtaining steady and smooth movements for the carried apparatus, an electrical system being provided to supply electricity to the units.

Abstract: A sliver can conveying system comprising carriages having vertically movably suspended cages, and adapted for traveling overhead in a spinning factory along a path provided between stations of the factory, each of the carriages being capable of holding cans in the cages, and movable between the positions where they are loaded and unloaded with full cans, and the positions where they are loaded and unloaded with empty cans, thereby enabling the exchange of the full and empty cans.

Abstract: An articulated robot has a pincer-like attachment with a central part and two pivoting parts articulated to the central part, the attachment serving to connect the robot to a support beam in a fixed or slidable manner.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a support rail with travel surfaces for driven support wheels of vehicles, such as suspended or elevated trolleys or the like. An additional rail is provided for additional wheels which apply contact pressure to the support wheels. Such a conveyor system with a plurality of vehicles and a small number of ascending and descending paths is simplified by supporting the additional rail directly or indirectly through springs on the support rail.

Abstract: A conveyor system (10) with an overhead rail (11) has trolleys (12) with an upper drive wheel (13) and lower bucking rollers (15,16) of which at least one is fitted with a spring (17) to provide the necessary traction between drive wheel (13) and rail (11) along sloping paths. The rail (11) has a first unvarying thickness in its horizontal sections (20) and a second thickness, greater than the first, in its sloping sections (21), while the radiused sections (22,23) between horizontal sections (20) and sloping sections (21) have a variable thickness sized to hold substantially constant the compression of the spring (17) along the entire radiused sections (22,23) and in particular, at a value substantially equal to that provided by the spring along the sloping sections (21).

Abstract: A conveyor system (10) with a suspended rail (11) on which run trolleys (12) having an upper drive wheel (13) and lower bucking rollers (15,16). The wheel and the rollers are rigidly fixed relative to one another. Each trolley (12) has a geometry such as to cause a rotation moment around the upper wheel (13) when the trolley traverses sloped sections of rail to increase the force of contact or traction of the driving wheel (13) on the rail. The rail (11) has a cross section of variable thickness along its length so that the distance between the wheel and the rollers is uniform on the curves between straight horizontal and sloping sections.

Abstract: A sliver can conveying system comprising carriages having vertically movably suspended cages, and adapted for traveling overhead in a spinning factory along a path provided between stations of the factory, each of the carriages being capable of holding cans in the cages, and movable between the positions where they are loaded and unloaded with full cans, and the positions where they are loaded and unloaded with empty cans, thereby enabling the exchange of the full and empty cans.

Abstract: A bottom flange running gear of a monorail has load-bearing running wheels on both sides of a preferably I-shaped running rail. Such a running gear has front and rear lateral guide rollers mounted on preferably vertical axles and in contact with the running rail. A preferably unilateral or one-sided load may be applied to the running gear, preferably by a traction motor. The invention proposes that at least one supporting roller carrier, preferably on the sidepiece of the running gear opposite the traction motor, can be linked coaxially to the axle of one of the guide rollers. The invention further proposes that a supplemental guide roller can be in contact, preferably under the force of a laterally positioned spring on the running rail, against the edge of the bottom flange of the running rail. Additionally, a supporting roller, mounted on a preferably horizontal supporting roller axle, may be in contact, from below, against the bottom flange of the running rail.

Abstract: A single-line parts coating system comprises plural coating sections each housing plural coating booths, horizontally-movable nonflexible rails located in the respective coating sections, a first fixed nonflexible rail for introducing parts to be coated into a first coating section, intermediate fixed non-flexible rails located between the coating sections, a last fixed nonflexible rail for discharging the parts from a last coating section, and horizontally-flexible rails located between the nonflexible rails to connect the nonflexible rails. Each flexible rail comprises rail pieces and connecting plates connecting the rail pieces together. The rail pieces are in contact with each other. Each connecting plate is fixed to one of adjacent rail pieces, and is pivotally connected to the other rail piece. Thus, the rail pieces, together with the connecting plates fixed thereto, are capable of horizontal arcing motion relative to adjacent rail pieces.

Abstract: A conveyor comprising a plurality of self-propelled carriers adapted to run along a rail, the rail having a first drive wheel bearing surface facing upward and a plurality of downward teeth formed at least at a gradient portion of the rail, each of the carriers having a first drive wheel rollable on the wheel bearing surface of the rail, a first electric motor for driving the first drive wheel, a gear meshable with the teeth of the rail and a second electric motor for driving the gear.

Abstract: A ski chair lift with variable speed drive for each chair. A linear motor is used in lieu of the conventional closed loop tow cable. The stator of the linear motor includes a closed loop I-beam guide rail, electromagnets secured to the top flange of the I-beam, and permanent magnets secured to chair lift carriers which are driven by selective energization of the electromagnets. Failsafe stops and brakes delimit movement of the chairs on the guide rail in the event of a power failure.

Abstract: A device for shipping suspensible piece goods has an elongated trolley which can travel along an overhead rail. A rod is fixed to either longitudinal end of the trolley and depends from the latter. The end of each rod remote from the trolley has an upwardly open hook-shaped portion. A carrier is removably suspended on the hook-shaped portions and has a cutout which allows goods to be suspended from the carrier. Once the carrier has been loaded, the entire shipping device can be placed in a truck for transport as a unit. A downwardly open hook-shaped element projects laterally of the carrier from the hook-shaped portion of each rod. These hook-shaped elements can be used to suspend the shipping device from a bar in the truck. Since the hook-shaped elements are located laterally of the carrier, the shipping device tilts to one side when it is suspended from the bar. The shipping device and its suspended goods then take up less room in the vertical direction thereby increasing the loading capacity of the truck.

Abstract: A horizontally-flexible rail which comprises rail pieces and connecting plates connecting the rail pieces together, the rail pieces being in contact with each other, each connecting plate being fixed to one of adjacent rail pieces, and pivotally connected to the other rail piece, the rail pieces, together with the connecting plates fixed thereto, being capable of horizontal arcing motion relative to adjacent rail pieces, the connecting plates serving to limit the arcing motions to a relatively small range.

Abstract: A suspended personnel carrier includes an elevated cylindrical track from which a carrier is suspended for translation by a bearing assembly. The bearing assembly includes orthogonal rollers which ride along the cylindrical track. The carrier is propelled along the track through a fan drive system including a propeller and a motor. The frame of the carrier is divided into front and rear portions connected by a hinge. A crossed parallelogram linkage suspension connects the front and rear portions, such that turning of the front portion by manual manipulation of a handlebar assembly effects a mirror image movement of the rear portion. The drive motor and propeller are coupled to the frame of a carrier by a slip rail assembly, and to the bearing assembly by a shock absorbing telescoping linkage, such that drive force is first transmitted to the bearing assembly, rather than the frame.

Abstract: An eyelet of high strength materials is disclosed herein having an upper end equipped with a tapered roller for movably supporting the eyelet on a cable and having a lower end equipped with a similar roller for supporting the end of the lower end of the eyelet from chaff by the cable. The eyelet is composed of stainless steel in the form of an oval-shaped rod in front elevation having a U-shaped upper end joined with a U-shaped lower end by outwardly diverging side members. A selected side member includes a spring-released latch normally biased closed to maintain the load-supporting cable captured within the eyelet between the roller. Lubricating fittings and disassembly construction for maintenance and repair is employed in mounting the rollers.

Abstract: An apparatus for tracking an overhead line includes a carriage, an arm provided relatively movable on the carriage, a hook assembly provided at both end portions of the arm and for slinging the arm over the overhead line, a vertical/rotational motion shaft provided vertically movable and rotatably on the carriage, a wheel supporting arm provided on the top end portion of the vertical/rotational motion shaft swingably, a pair of wheels provided at both ends of the wheel supporting arm with an extension line of the vertical/rotational motion shaft being between the wheels, and a clamp member for clamping the wheels on the overhead line.

Abstract: Apparataus for butt joining hanging conveyor supports having a C-shaped rail section in which conveying hangers can travel back and forth along the rail section. The supports each have a hollow section above the rail section and trolley wires running along at least one vertical side of the supports. Connecting parts are disposed between ends of adjacent supports, the hollow section having at least one profiled section in the shape of a square standing on a point. A square tube connects the ends and bridges the connecting parts and are inserted into the profiled sections at the ends of adjacent supports. Tie rods connect the ends of the adjacent supoorts. At least one L-shaped angle iron is disposed on each of the top sides of the ends of adjacent supports. The angle irons are connected to one another via at least one screw bolt and act, on both vertical sides of the ends of adjacent supports, on the tie rods which connect the ends together.

Abstract: A trolley body for a power and free conveyor system having preformed machinable inserts cast into an austempered ductile iron body for axles wherein ends of the inserts to be embedded therein are center-drilled for positioning purposes in a casting mold. The preformed axles have a hexagonally-shaped cross-section to prevent rotation of the axles relative to the body and also have a groove thereabout to prevent axial movement of the axles relative to the body. The axles are constructed of swagable material to allow subsequent securement of wheels thereon. Gates in the trolley body casting for introducing the molten iron into the casting are situated immediately above or in near proximity to each insert embedded therein to minimize solidification shrinkage thereabout.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of an overhead monorail rapid transit system (10) has a tubular enclosed guideway (12) that is supported above ground level by elevational supports (14). At various locations the guideway splits from a mainline guideway (16) to a secondary guideway (18 and a switching segment (20). The system includes a self-propelled transit vehicle (50) having a carriage or trolley (52) that is mounted within the enclosed guideway with a coupling (54) supporting a depending passenger compartment. The carriage (52) includes a central frame with front and tandem rear whel assemblies and an intermediate stabilizing wheel that engages the upper portion of the inside of the guideway for stabilizing the carriage and passenger compartment to minimize lateral movement.

Abstract: A freight system comprising a conveyor adapted to be driven along a monorail track. A frictional drive wheel of the conveyor engages the upper side of the track and various embodiments of reactive force creating means are positioned to engage the underside of the track to create improved frictional forces during ascendancy. All of these embodiments employ the weight of the unit to create the reactional force and in all embodiments there are positioned a pair of spaced apart guide rollers that engage the underside of the track. In some embodiments, these guides rollers are resiliently biased by either separate springs or by making the guide rollers themselves resilient. In some embodiments there is provided an intermediate fixed guide roller to limit the degree of relative movement between the conveyor and the track. In one embodiment, the guide rollers are suspended by a Y shaped lever that itself carries the load transmitted by the conveyor.

Abstract: Two embodiments of monorail conveyor systems wherein the conveyor is operated by a drive motor that has its center of gravity positioned between the vertical sides of the monorail so as to improve stability and to permit the use of a single friction driven wheel. A gripping device is carried by the conveyor mechanism by a cable system so that it can be raised and lowered through a wide variety of heights.

Abstract: A conveyor system, in particular a suspension conveyor system, comprising at least two transport units adapted to be moved on rollers and interconnected by a disconnectable coupling, the coupling including two identically formed hooks which are each provided with a hook opening, one of said hooks being arranged by an associated base member on one of the transport units to be coupled and the other hook being arranged by an associated base member on the other transport unit to be coupled in such a way that their hook openings face each other, each hook being loaded by a spring and being connected to its associated base member by means of a hub for rotation about an axis coinciding with a centerline of the hub, each hub forming a locking member by, in a coupled condition, being adapted to be engaged by the hook opening of the hook not associated with said transport unit while the hooks, in an uncoupled condition, being adapted to engage each other, and to be rotated by this engagement under tensioning of the spr

Abstract: A conveying system comprised of a rail and at least one transport hanger which can travel back and forth along the rail on rollers, the rollers having horizontal axes of rotation, the rail having horizontal conveyer support projections which are located at the bottom of the rail and along which the rollers are positioned for travel back and forth along the rail carrying the transport hanger with them, trolley wires which are insulated from one another being located on the rail to the side of the path of motion of the transport hanger, the rail having guideways for rollers of a trolley carriage at the side of the path of motion of the transport hanger for facilitating support and movement of the trolley carriage back and forth at the side of the transport hanger and independently thereof, the trolley carriage having sliding contacts for engagement of the trolley wires for powering a tool that may be carried by the trolley carriage.

Abstract: An underground unmanned, trackless mine haulage vehicle and a system for guiding such a vehicle which includes a roof mounted guide rail, physical means to detect and calculate in real time variation in angle and distance of the center line of the vehicle from the ideal path of the guide rail and means on board the vehicle to provide and carry out steering commands to correct the position of the vehicle vis-a-vis the guide rail.

Abstract: A carriage for inspecting a pipe, which has inspection instruments on board and which travels on the outer surface of the pipe, comprises a support member for carrying the inspection instruments, a pair of first wheeled travel bodies each of which include at least two magnetic wheels having substantially the same rotation plane, which rotation planes are substantially in parallel with the axial direction of the pipe. Further provided is a pair of second wheeled travel bodies each of which includes at least two magnetic wheels having substantially the same rotation plane, which rotation planes are substantially at right angles to the axial direction of the pipe. At least one of said pairs of wheeled travel bodies has an elevating means for adjusting a distance between the respective wheels thereof and a floor surface of the carriage.

Abstract: A sliding door assembly comprising a door hanger, a hanger sheave, an upthrust roller and a track, wherein the hanger sheave assembly and the uptrust roller are rotatably mounted on the door hanger. The track provides a first rolling surface for the hanger sheave and a second rolling surface for the upthrust roller. The track also preferably captures the upthrust roller thereby preventing the assembly from leaving the track.

Abstract: A hanger conveyance rail system for transporting at least one item on a clothes hanger is provided. The rail system includes a rail extending in a direction defining a moving direction, the rail having a shape adapted to receive the hook portion of the hanger such that the hook is received on a top portion thereof. The rail system further includes a removable cover affixed to the rail. The cover is (1) made of a flexible, low-friction material; (2) affixed to the rail such that the cover (i) extends along the moving direction; (ii) overlays at least the top portion of the rail; and (3) is configured to have an open cross-section, whereby the cover may be selectively removed from and overlayed on the rail over the rail.

Abstract: A conveyor having an electrified carrier track supporting wheeled, self-propelled carriers, in which each carrier is provided with power-driven, vertically movable load carrying structure operable to pickup a load from or deposit a load on a supporting surface located beneath the carrier track. Each carrier has load position sensors and a programmable controller that enable the pickup and depositing operations to be performed automatically for loads, such as newsprint rolls, of different dimension.

Abstract: A good transporting arrangement (1) utilizing a goods transporting path in the form of a guide device (2) and two wheels (4,6) capable of co-acting with opposite sides of the guide device. The two wheels co-act drivingly with the guide device through a drive arrangement. The rotational speed of one driving wheel (4) is adapted independently of the rotational speed of the other driving wheel (6) by co-action of one driving wheel (4) with a first electric motor and by co-action of the other driving wheel (6) with a second electric motor.

Abstract: A housing supports input and output shafts disposed at right angles, and the shafts are connected by a set of reduction gears and a spring biased clutch sleeve splined to the output shaft for axial movement. An electric motor is flange mounted on the housing and has a motor shaft connected to the input shaft which is surrounded by an electrically actuated brake effective to brake the input shaft to the housing. A shift lever operates a control shaft which extends into the housing parallel to the output shaft, and the control shaft supports a rotary cam which moves a spring biased clutch yoke for shifting the clutch sleeve between positive engaged and disengaged positions with respect to a drive gear rotatably supported by the output shaft. The rotary cam provides for spring biased overtravel of the lever operated control shaft and over center action between the engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: A conveyor trolley with a pair of wheels rolling on a flat upper face of an upper end rail portion of a guide rail, one wheel acting as a drive wheel and attached to an output shaft of a speed-reducing unit mounted on a trolley body movably supported on the guide rail, and a motor for driving the output shaft via a speed-reducing mechanism in the speed-reducing unit, the trolley having a collector unit for supplying power to and communicating control signals with the motor, guide rollers for laterally binding and positioning the upper rail portion and a lower rail portion of the guide rail, a wheel securing unit disposed between an annular concave portion defined in a boss of the drive wheel and the output shaft, the wheel securing unit including an outer ring, an inner ring having a wedge-shaped cross section to be engaged into the outer ring and a tightening member for securing the wheels to the output shaft by reducing an inner diameter of the inner ring and by enlarging an outer diameter of the outer ring

Abstract: A linear motor truck apparatus including: a truck having pairs of wheels rotatably mounted thereon; a supporting mechanism, having a rail extending along a line of travel of the truck, for supporting and guiding the truck along the line of travel by engaging the wheels with the rail; and a drive mechanism, including the linear motor, for driving the truck so that the truck may travel along the line of travel.

Abstract: An improved sliding door composed of articulated strips in which the novel features are a high guide containing a rotating vertical wheel that supports two adjacent strips and a rotating horizontal wheel that follow a curved track. Additional features include a floor guide that contains only straight segments that are not joined together the corner and a base guide attached to the articulated strips that travels within the floor guide without touching said floor guide during stationary or ordinary operation of the door.

Abstract: A running rail has a double T profile formed by two chords connected with a web. Grooves extend parallel to the web, in the inner sides of both chords. On a lower end, the suspension arm has a suspension plate with an upper edge that engages into the groove in the upper chord. A securing claw is provided that engages the lower groove with one end, and engages the side of the suspension plate remote from the web, with the other end. At the upper end of the suspension arm is a roof flange which is horizontally adjustably connected by using a nut and bolt cooperating with a bush.

Abstract: A solar-powered rapid transit system is provided, which travels suspended above ground along a horizontal rail, supported by vertical/horizontal supports. The guide rail is basically a parallelogram, with five inner surfaces. It can be configured as either an overhead monorail system, or a birail system. The rail car is attached to and suspended from such rail by power transmission and support shafts, each of which attaches to a wheel box that fits into the horizontal guide rail. Power is transmitted to the wheels in each wheel box from several electric motors by a series of pulleys and belts in a unique configuration. Such wheels then propel the rail car or cars, which can be connected in series, down the rail. Power for electric motors is supplied by rectangular solar panels supported by vertical supports attached to the roof of each rail car, which extend several feet above the rail car and guide rails.

Abstract: The invention relates to a track rail for a suspension conveyor system particularly for the convenience of materials in the textile industry, having a cross-sectional configuration comprising a pair of roof-shaped converging legs each formed with a roller track surface for one of a pair of track rollers on its upper side, and connected to a carrier rail by an upper carrier web extending in the symmetry plane, said track rollers of said track roller pair defining a derail gap and being mounted in a common yoke with their axes in oblique alignment relative to one another, permitting them to be detached from said track rail by lifting said yoke and tilting it transversely of said track rail. Known track rails are formed as a welded construction composed of continuous steel sections and web sections as the carrier web. They are heavy and permit only the use of center-suspension track roller pairs to travel thereon.

Abstract: A carrier rail for overhead conveyors includes an upper and a lower flange connected together by a web. Angled profiles are disposed on at least one side of the web and are spaced apart interiorly of the flanges. The profiles and the web cooperatively define together at least two grooves therein. Each of the two grooves has an opening and the grooves are directed so that the openings face each other. The angled profiles are preferably integrally formed with the web, and form right angles with the web. Two angled profiles may be disposed on each side of the web, and form four grooves with the web.

Abstract: A cart type conveying apparatus comprising a guide rail having a substantially U-shaped section and including upper and lower horizontal extensions, and a conveyor cart including trolleys guided by the guide rail. The upper and lower extensions define guide grooves, respectively. Supporting wheels and centering rollers attached to lower positions of the trolleys are fitted in the guide grooves defined in the lower extension, and retaining wheels and centering rollers attached to upper positions of the trolleys are fitted in the guide groove defined in the upper extension.

Abstract: An electric overhead trolley conveyor is described whereby electric trolleys can drive automatically with reduced velocity in inclining, declining or vertical sections or in selected horizontal sections of the rail without a special control of the electric motor or the drive. For this purpose, chains or racks are provided in sections for reduced speed which mesh with sprocket wheels or gears of the electric trolleys. In the other areas of the rail the electric trolleys are driven by a drive wheel. The circumferential velocity of the drive wheel is greater than the circumferential velocity of the sprocket wheel or gear. In the slow movement sections the circumferential velocity difference is compensated by the drive wheel which has an outer ring, that may rotate relative to an inner hub which is fixedly connected with the drive shaft.

Abstract: A lower chord electric trolley conveyor comprising a rail with an upper flange which is directly connected to a support structure. The electric trolley receives its current from a bus bar attached to the rail. The drive wheels of the trolley engage the upper side of the lower flange of the rail. Upper flanges extend from a vertical web of the rail toward both sides while a lower flange extends only toward one side. The electric trollery wraps around the lower part of the rail. It comprises counter pressure rolls in front of and behind the drive wheel. The counter pressure rolls engage the surface of the upper flange which faces the lower flange. Several support rolls engage both sides of the vertical web of the rail. The bus bar is connected to the side of the vertical web of the rail facing away from the drive wheel.

Abstract: The drive motor of a vehicle running on an overhead rail and being drivingly coupled thereto through a drive wheel is selectively connected to and disconnected from that wheel through a coupling mechanism which is constructed for obtaining coupling and disconnection through axial movement, being in turn obtained through rotational adjustment under utilization of a control disk having axially extending pins and being part of the vehicle equipment but cooperating with stationary actuating pieces arranged along the track in appropriate positions to obtain selective connection and disconnection of the drive shaft by engaging these pins and turning the coupling mechanism in one direction or the other.

Abstract: An improved carriage for use in a skyline logging system simultaneously utilizing more than one load cable wth the same carriage for connecting to and dragging separate "turns" of logs from the area in which they were felled to a landing area next to the yarder machine.

Abstract: A device intended for the conveyance of goods utilizing a guide-rail (2) as a goods-conveying track, and a mechanism (4) driven electrically or in some other way and capable of interacting with the goods. The mechanism (4) exhibits two wheels (8,9) capable of interacting with the opposite sides of the guide-rail (2) in relation to which the area of contact (20') of the weight of the goods is located to the side of the wheels (8,9) and the guide-rail (2). The two wheels (8,9) are connected together so as to be driven in synchronism by a driving motor (14). The distance between the driving surfaces of the driving wheels facing the guide-rail is selected so as to match the shape of the driving surfaces in such a way that the space formed between the driving surfaces matches the profile of the guide-rail (2). One of the wheels is divided into two parts (91,92) and has the parts held together by spring pressure (93).

Abstract: Conveying equipment provided with a conveying vehicle guided by a single overhead rail without the necessity of an auxiliary rail due to the wheel and vehicle body unit construction which enables stable running of the vehicle. The equipment of the invention employs only one rail, thereby being simple in construction and extremely convenient for a non-permanent installation or a conveying equipment whose route is frequently changed, and also made remote-controllable by photo signals in simple operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides that an overhead suspension system is provided with at least two suspension rails which are parallel, and at least one trolley which runs on the rails, the trolley having respective rollers which respectively engage the rails for the firm mounting of the trolley on the rails.In a particular example, there is provided a novel form of roller head which comprises three rollers with their axes parallel, and the roller head is carried by a suspension bracket.

Abstract: A monorail conveyor system in which an automotive cart comprising a drive wheel, a drive motor for driving the drive wheel, a gear case where output of the driving motor is reduced, and centering rollers rotatable on vertical axes, receives electric currents and control signals from a hollow rail and travels along the hollow rail. The driving motor has an output shaft extending in the forward-rearward direction of travel.

Abstract: A material handling system of the monorail and crane type is adaptable to carry relatively heavy loads and light loads through convenient structural modification using common component parts. The system is comprised of a double track 40 for heavy loads, formed of two track parts 54, 55 that alone are suitable for light-load applications. Carriers 42, 204 are comprised of drive heads 74 and idler heads 78, each with a single load support wheel 70, 71 or 70', 71'. A drive head 74, 74' and an idler head 78, 78' can be releasably interconnected in tandem by a load bar 206 to run along a single track, or in face-to-face opposition with wheels 70, 71 coaxial to form a drive unit 44 adapted to run along a double track. In the latter arrangement two additional heads, such as two idler heads 78b, 78c, are also interconnected in face-to-face opposition to form an idler unit 46 and connected in tandem with the drive unit 44 by a load bar 52.