Abstract: A guide rail and follower wheel construction for a monorail are disclosed. The monorail vehicle follower wheel has a radially directed, circumferential groove shaped to fit over a raised track portion, and the cross sectional shape of the wheel groove and the track over which it fits are such that the uppermost portion of the track contacts the radially innermost portion of the wheel groove. The wheel is mounted on the system comprising: a shaft and wheel includes opposed side-plates mounted for rotation on the shaft and a center disc mounted on the shaft between the side-plates and having a diameter less than that of the side-plates so as to form the groove. The side-plates are shaped to taper in diameter towards the center disc so that the uppermost track portion contacts only the disc. The side plates are rotatable on the shaft independently of the disc.

Abstract: An overhead conveyor comprising a monorail and a carrier supported on the monorail. In the illustrated embodiment, the monorail is generally I-shaped in cross section and the carrier comprises two carriages spaced apart along the monorail having a roller adapted to ride on the top of the monorail and guide rollers adapted to engage the sides of the monorail to provide lateral stability. The two carriages are interconnected by a load beam pivotally mounted on vertical pins in each of the carriages. One of the carriages carries a drive motor for advancing the carrier along the rail and the other of the carriages provides an electrical pick-up device for taking power from trolley lines mounted on the monorail and supplying power to the drive motor.

Abstract: A load-transfer device comprises a pair of rotary members each having an annular series of projecting peg-like elements, and a location member having arcuate tracks in its opposite sides to receive tip portions of the elements respectively. A wire or other elongate element extends beneath the location member and the upright parts of U-shaped clips supporting the wire are received in the spaces between the elements when the device encounters such clips, whereupon the members rotate relative to the location member to permit the clips to pass through the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor apparatus, particularly for intra-plant conveyance, comprising a conveyor rail system and a plurality of carrier units straddling the rail from below and resting thereon through rollers for travelling along at least one inclined conveyor stretch with the aid of a driven endless conveyor chain. On approaching the conveyor chain, coupling members on the carrier units come into engagement with the chain links. The invention improves the engagement of the coupling members to ensure reliable conveyance of the carrier units even after extended periods of operation of the conveyor apparatus. A tilting member is mounted between the arms of the carrier unit and is provided with projections at a mutual spacing adapted to the pitch of the chain in such a manner that as one of the projections enters a chain opening, so as to engage a chain link portion with its engagement face, a second projection has its bearing face engaged by a chain link portion between adjacent chain openings.

Abstract: A load-transfer device comprising at least one rotatable wheel having a series of equally spaced peripheral recesses, a guide element mounted at a peripheral part of the wheel, and a load connection element for attachment of a load to the device. The wheel and guide member have cooperating portions allowing rotation of the wheel about its axis relative to the guide member to allow transversely extending support elements, which the device encounters in use, to pass through the device in one of said recesses as the wheel rotates relative to the guide member. In order to enable the device to withstand relatively heavy loading, interengaging plug and socket portions are provided between the connection element and an adjacent face of the wheel.

Abstract: A novel crane trolley has four guiding pulleys lying on opposed upper and lower guiding surfaces, arranged diagonally to eliminate the need for having eight guiding pulleys. On each side of the trolley are upper and lower guiding pulleys, with the lower in front on one side and the upper in front on the other side. The pulleys may be mounted under spring tension. Two such trolleys may be hinged together to support heavy loads.

Abstract: To permit attachment of a suspended track without drilling of holes lfor installation and connection to support elements (25), the track has an upper hollow structural section (2), for example in essentially semi-circular shape with depending vertical sections (10), a similar lower hollow structural section (2) joined by a connecting web (3), the sections in the web are unitary, the web being of generally horizontal C-shape in cross section, with a generally vertical back portion (11), mutually converging or approaching forward portions (5) which are bent over themselves to form diverging wing portions (6) leaving a groove-like gap (4) therebetween, the ends (7) of the portions (5) and the diverging wing portions (6). Hanger elements (25) can be longitudinally positioned by clamping the hanger elements against internally positioned clamping bars or plates (27), permitting longitudinal alignment by relative sliding of the clamping bars within the C-shaped chamber.

Abstract: A gravity operated conveyor comprises a workpiece supporting trolley having at least two independent unpowered wheels for supporting the trolley on a track. One of the wheels engages the track when the trolley is empty and the other engages the track when the trolley is loaded with a workpiece. Each wheel has a speed retarding mechanism operably connected therewith so that the speed retarding force on the trolley is greater when the trolley is loaded than when the trolley is empty.

Abstract: A cable car type vehicle arrester features a pair of trumpet bars which are interconnected by a link which either maintains the distance between the bars constant or reduces same upon one of the bars being deflected outboard of its home or rest position. This reduces the free swinging time of the vehicle between bars and increases the distance through which the bars subsequent to the initial deflection are deflectable by the vehicle. This accordingly increases the stroke of shock absorbers associated with the bars increasing the conversion of the kinetic energy of the vehicle. Casters can be provided to support the bars to allow longer lighter bars with less robust bearing and structural members. The casters can be run on a corrugated surface to cam the bars vertically further increasing the kinetic energy conversion and endow a self-centering action on the arrester.

Abstract: A conveyor arrangement incorporated in a continuous oven comprises a plurality of support rails, one mounted in each oven chamber, and load-carrying frames suspended from the rails and arranged to move through the chambers. Each chamber has at least one drive pinion assembly comprising two pinions drivingly coupled by a chain drive, and each pinion can mesh with a rack to advance the load-carrying frames through the oven chamber. Each rack is secured to a respective load-carrying frame.

Abstract: An elevated downhill transport system is provided with a cable system and appropriate towers to support the cable along a variable downhill course. A single cable only, being necessary, a cable trolley is also provided that prevents the carriage from accidently leaving the cable during any part of the descent. The system relies on no outside power except gravity for the descent. Ascent can be provided for by pre-existing ski lift equipment. The entire system is simple, inexpensive and transportable, lending itself to portable operation.

Abstract: A gravity conveyor has a work supporting trolley provided with multiple wheels of different diameters fixed to a shaft that operates a retarder for applying a retarding torque to the wheels proportional to their angular velocity. The conveyor track consists of multiple, laterally spaced, resiliently flexible rails on which selective wheels of the trolley are adapted to roll. The axial spacing of the tracks and wheels simplifies the location of the two centers of gravity of the loaded and unloaded trolley.

Abstract: For use in a work processing line for workpieces, a workpiece storage system including a topologically closed loop track means having downwardly sloping surfaces coupled with elevators and lowerators in the loop, and work holding, gravity-operated pallets to run on said tracks having track engaging wheels equipped with retarding means responsive to wheel angular velocity and utilizing wheels of different diameters on the track depending on the loaded or unloaded condition of the pallets to control the speed of the pallets. Auxiliary track means, pallet loaders and unloaders, and switching mechanisms are incorporated in the system with elevators and lowerators to allow the storage system to function between multiple work processing lines, between single and multiple lines or between multiple and single lines to increase the flexibility of a work processing activity and reduce downtime.

Abstract: A cabin for a funicular railway comprises a floor, two lateral walls facing each other, one of which is provided with a door opening, two end-walls, and a roof. All of these parts are united detachably by means of bolts, so that the cabin may be transported in the knocked-down condition, and may be subsequently assembled by bolting. The side and upper edges of the lateral walls consist of light-metal bars, the ends of which are welded together in pairs. The roof is provided with four bars welded together in pairs and together forming a roof-frame, two of these bars being welded to the bars forming the upper edges of the lateral walls. The end-walls are edged at the bottom and sides with bars which are bolted to the bars of the lateral walls and are riveted to the plates. The upper parts of the end-walls consist of transparent sheets, secured detachably, by means of resilient strips to parts of the end-walls, of the two lateral walls, and of the roof.

Abstract: In an aerial transport system in which a carriage approaches a station or other fixed parts of the system, a device for stabilizing the carriage as it approaches the station or the other parts, comprising a pair of outward-facing bumping elements on the carriage, and a pair of bars in a V-shape, open towards the direction of approach of the carriage, in between which the bumping elements enter and are restricted as the carriage approaches the station and the other parts. The bars are supported so that they can be moved apart by the impact of the bumping elements, against a resilient restoring force.

Abstract: A system for supporting an overhead trolley rail which requires a minimum of simple parts and wherein the trolley rail is supported from washer-like elements each having a centrally-disposed opening therein and at least one curved portion depending downwardly from the element. A bolt extends across the curved portion and supports two L-shaped keepers each having one leg through which its associated bolt extends and a second leg which underlies a flange on a trolley rail, which in most cases comprises an I-beam. A single roof bolt extends through the centrally-disposed opening of the washer-like element and into a mine roof or the like, the single roof bolt comprising the sole support for the washer-like element.

Abstract: In an aerial transport system having an aerial track such as a cableway or tramway and one or more carriages travelling along the track, a structure for suspending the carriage from the track comprising a beam, both ends of which are pivotally connected to a plurality of frames supporting wheels, the frames being rotatable in a yaw direction about yaw axes with respect to the beam, and a hanger, the upper end of which is connected to the beam in a pivotable position in a pitch direction about a pitch axis with respect to the beam, the improvement comprising, in combination a plurality of separate beams being positioned apart from one another and linked to respective opposing ends by link members in alignment, a plurality of frames respectively connected to both ends of a respective beam in a pivotal position with respect to the beam about respective yaw axes, one wheel being mounted on each of the frames, and a plurality of hangers, the lower ends of which are connected to a carriage body in a pivotable posit

Abstract: The present invention relates to an overhead trolley switching system which is operative in both manual and automatic modes. The switching system is particularly suited for the storage of overhead trolleys and includes a secondary rail spaced from the main rail along with a switching rail adapted to divert one wheel assembly from the main rail. The trolleys can, if desired, be stored in a diagonal position.

Abstract: A monorail type vehicle which is particularly suited for high speed travel on a street or at various locations above a street. The vehicle comprises a motor driven tandem wheel carriage engaging an overhead monorail and a gondola suspended from the carriage by means of an elongated boom having one end pivotally and hydraulically connected to the carriage and having a free end mounting a series of hydraulic cylinders and links operatively connected to the rear of the gondola for raising and lowering the gondola as desired.

Abstract: A rolling bearing type traction wheel and hub assembly which is especially adapted to ride upon either flat (i.e. horizontal) or laterally sloping surfaces such as trolley trackways and/or the opposite side flanges of supporting I-beams or the like; the axis of wheel rotation being in any case canted relative to the support surface. The wheel assembly comprises a generally cylindrical shaped inner bearing race/hub member which is fixed to an external support and is encircled by a rotatable outer race/wheel member, with rolling bearings enclosed therebetween. The wheel and hub parts are formed of sheet material and are so shaped as to novelly facilitate initial assembly thereof. When the device is operating under load the parts automatically float into self-aligning operational relationship and are retained in proper operative relationship without need of any auxiliary retention device.

Abstract: A lading support carrier for handling packaged goods in conjunction with an overhead conveyor, such as a monorail conveyor. Includes a support member suspendable in generally upright position from the conveyor and spaced apart, generally outstanding bars hingeable and detachably connected thereto to receive the goods such as package goods to be moved. Provision is made for suspending the support rack for movement along an overhead conveyor. The outstanding bars may be selectively hinged in aligned relation with respect to the upright support member to vary the space between any two extending support bars to accomodate larger packages or goods. All outwardly extending support bars may be hinged for greater convenience in handling and/or shipping. Where used in a food processing plant, the outstanding bars may be readily removed for sterilization and quickly replaced. The material from which the unit is made may be provided of substantially corrosion proof and impermeable material.

Abstract: In a monorail system in which a carriage is displaceable along a track and is adapted to be connected to or released from load carriers or the like, a coupling device is provided which comprises a hook swingably mounted on the axis of one of the supporting rollers of a carriage or carrier and adapted to engage a portion of the roller dolly of the other vehicle above the rail.

Abstract: A cable car for traveling along an overhead cable-way, the car having an on-board engine that powers the vehicle to haul itself along the cable-way, the engine rotating a winch drum around which is frictionally grasped a stationary hawling cable which at its oposite ends is suppoted from stationary towers.

Abstract: A vehicle suspended from a trackway of an aerial trackway system is provided. The vehicle comprises a front traction unit having a supporting wheel and a rear traction unit having a supporting wheel. These traction units support a vehicle body of the vehicle and are rotatable relative to the vehicle body such that the supporting wheels may follow the trackway without slip. Apparatus is provided for linking the front and rear traction units such that a moment at the center of gravity of the front traction unit about its axis of rotation relative to the vehicle body and a moment at the center of gravity of the rear traction unit about its center of rotation relative to the vehicle body are balanced.

Abstract: A rail having an upper supporting edge and a lower braking edge, and a traction unit for riding on the rail and adapted to be connected to a carrier so as to suspend the carrier from the rail. This traction unit has a power-driven wheel to ride on the rail upper edge, and a plurality of braking wheels positioned close enough to the lower edge of the rail to prevent the traction wheel from jumping off the upper edge thereof, and a brake system for each brake wheel. A substantially C-shaped arm is pivotally connected to the traction unit near the top thereof and extends downwardly and around the rail and has a lower end extending across the plane of the rail, to which the carrier is connected.

Abstract: The invention has reference to an overhead trolley, particularly for tracks in a store, its wheel running on a rail driven by a motor, where actuation of the pivoted auxiliary wheel assembly elevates the trolley to support the driven wheel of the trolley on a support wheel and the auxiliary wheel above a rail of the tracks. The trolley includes an arrangement with an auxiliary wheel, which may be pivoted manually into and out of engagement with the rail surface. Pivoting the auxiliary wheel into engagement with the rail surface has the effect of raising the drive wheel from the rail surface so that a disabled trolley may be pushed out of the way.

Abstract: A trolley conveyor comprising a hollow guide rail within which an endless conveyor chain is centrally supported by guide rollers. A plurality of spaced U-shaped hangers supported by said chain extend through a longitudinal opening in one side of the guide rail spaced above the bottom of the rail. The lower side of the guide rail below the opening is inclined outwardly and serves to contain foreign matter present within the guide rail as well as to catch matter falling from above. The hangers each include a projection adjacent the longitudinal opening which serves to prevent the splashing of foreign matter from the interior of the guide rail out through the opening.

Abstract: An overhead suspended monorail type material handling system or apparatus comprising a rail having a web and a transversely extending flange on each side along its upper edge and a wider flange on each side along its lower edge, a plate-like member or cleat for attachment to an overhead structure and provided wth a through aperture enlarged at one end, a bolt-like load supporting stud shaft or hanger member having a head at one end and a nut at the other end with the nut located in the enlarged part of the aperture through the cleat and the shank of the bolt-like hanger member extending to the other side of the cleat member, and a pair of clamp plates bolted together, the clamp plates providing an inverted T-like aperture therebetween enclosing the head of the bolt-like hanger member and the narrower flanges on a part of the rail. As an alternative construction the headed stud or hanger member may be incorporated into the cleat.

Abstract: A conveyer system including a power line with a running rail and a running chain, a horizontal free line with a running rail, a running belt and a stopper, and trolleys wherein the trolleys are brought into contact with the belt which runs along the running rail of the free line and are transferred along the free line by frictional force with the running belt. The stopper provided on the free line running rail may halt the trolleys against the frictional force of the belt.

Abstract: A unitary hanger is provided for supporting from the lower web of a single, overhead I-beam support the trolley rail, the advancing reach, and one or more returning reaches of a drop finger conveyor.

Abstract: A gantry loader comprising a horizontally disposed support beam, a railway rail secured to the support beam, the rail including a head, a loader assembly including a carriage selectively displaceable along the beam, the carriage having a first pair of wheels for rollingly engaging the face of the rail head, a second pair of wheels for rollingly engaging one projecting portion of the head, a third pair of wheels for rollingly engaging the other projecting portion of the head, each of the third pair of wheels including a peripheral step selectively facing the first pair of wheels and having a beveled side wall surface, the third pair of wheels being selectively displaceable from a retracted position remote from the rail to an advanced position whereat the base and the beveled side wall surface of the step engage the other projecting head portion, and means for selectively maintaining the third pair of wheels at the advanced position.

Abstract: A carrier is suspended and moves on two shafts. The carrier includes a plurality of sealed roller bearings which form openings approximately equal to the dimensions of the shaft. One or more of the bearings is mounted on a leaf spring to provide a predetermined contact pressure between the bearings and the shaft. In addition, damping elements may be substituted for one or more of the sealed roller bearings to minimize interference from vibrations.

Abstract: A cable holder device for holding current-carrying cables spaced apart but biased to maintain contact with two current-collecting shoes. The shoes are mounted on a self-propelled cable car having an electric drive motor connected to the shoes and driven apparatus constructed as a driven pulley for suspending the cable car on a suspension cable from which the cable car is suspended and on which it travels. The holder maintains positive contact between the current-carrying shoes and the current-carrying cables regardless of the swaying of the cables and the cable car.

Abstract: A support rack for handling packaged goods in conjunction with an overhead conveyor, such as a suspended monorail conveyor. An upright member has spaced apart, outstanding bars hingeable and detachably connected thereto to receive the goods to be moved, preferably packaged goods. Provision is made for attaching the entire unit to an overhead conveyor. The outstanding bars may be selectively hinged upward in the same plane and in aligned relation with respect to the upright support member to vary the space between the normally outwardly extending support bars to accommodate larger packages or goods of greater size, or all outwardly extending support bars may be hinged upwardly for greater convenience in handling and/or shipping. If used in a food processing plant, the outstanding bars may be readily removed for sterilization and quickly replaced. The material from which the unit is made may be rust proof metal, metal treated against rust or metal coated to prevent rust.

Abstract: A cable transport system for cabins wherein at each station there are secured two control rails and wherein each cabin comprises a door which, in its closed condition, is locked by a locking mechanism, the door being operatively connected with an actuation lever at which there engages one end of a tensioning device which in an intermediate position of the door intersects an extension of the axis of rotation of the actuation lever. A feeler element is connected with a control element, the feeler element, upon scanning the control rails, moving the control element from one terminal position into another terminal position, the door being opened in one terminal position and closed in the other terminal position. The control element comprises a carriage which can be displaced along a guide rail fixedly connected with the cabin.

Abstract: A means for supporting a toy craft for uninterrupted travel around a room. This invention comprises a circuitous rail mounted on the walls of a room adjacent the ceiling to avoid all the openings normally provided in a room. The rail, carries a drive train free to travel thereon. Depending from the drive train and rail is a link member having a magnet provided on the distal end thereof. The toy craft is removably held to the link member for travel with the drive train by the magnet.

Abstract: An amusement ride, especially a trailer mounted amusement ride, in which passenger cabs, or compartments, are suspended from a track which has one reach extending longitudinally along the trailer on the outside and another reach inside the trailer following a sinuous path therethrough. The track portion outside the trailer is detachable therefrom for transporting the ride from place to place. The trailer vehicle is also adapted for being coupled to another trailer vehicle in end to end relation to form an elongated ride. The passenger cabs, or compartments, have individual drive motors thereon for propelling the cabs along the track and each motor is battery powered by a battery on the respective cab. Conveniently, battery charging rails are provided inside the trailer so that the batteries are charged while the cabs are moving inside the trailer and the cabs run solely on battery power while outside the trailer.

Abstract: A personalized rapid transit system incorporating an interconnected network of rails which are supported in a predetermined three dimensional pattern. A plurality of vehicles which are each adapted to carry at least one person and have a configuration which facilitates the removable nesting of vehicles when not in use are provided. Connection and drive apparatus is on each vehicle and is connected to the network of rails so that the vehicle is suspended from the rail network and is guided and supported thereby during travel and storage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved trolley truck traveling on a monorail having spaced horizontal surfaces, in which a frame of the truck supports at least one supporting or traction wheel on the upper surface of the rail and a counterwheel on the lower surface of the rail, the separation of the wheels being greater than the vertical spacing of the horizontal rail surfaces to accommodate rapid and easy placement of the truck upon and/or removal of the truck from the monorail.