Abstract: An amusement ride has an endless path defined by a rail from which the vehicle is suspended by a strut which, at its upper end, is swingable in a deformable frame on a yoke which is likewise pivotal on this frame and carries stirrups by which brackets are pivotally mounted in the carriage. The brackets carry the running and guide rollers. A pair of air springs in the form of bellows cylinders is braced between the strut and the yoke.

Abstract: A train system includes(a) a train car,(b) a support for the car adapted to be guided along a rail having variable angular tilt along its length and relative to horizontal, whereby the support assumes the tilt of the rail, and(c) a gimbal coupled between the car and support to accommodate rotation of the support relative to the car as the car travels lengthwise of and along the rail, whereby the car remains upright despite variable tilting of the rail along which the car travels.

Abstract: A plastic conveyor trolley for an inverted T-bar monorail conveyor track is provided. The conveyor trolley comprises a pair of upper track-supported wheels and pairs of lower wheels engageable with and rotatable at times upon the underside surfaces of the track, the upper wheels being rotatably mounted on stub axles secured to the upper portions of the trolley arms, the lower wheels being rotatably mounted on bearing portions integrally formed in intermediate portions of the trolley arms, and a pendant member secured to and between the lower portions of the trolley arms. The lower wheels lie in a plane below and substantially parallel with the plane of the upper wheels.

Abstract: A monorail conveyor system having an inverted plastic T-bar monorail track suspended from supporting structural members conjoined by conventional bolt and nut fasteners, a plurality of plastic conveyor trolleys operatively movable on the T-bar monorail by a drive chain comprising a plurality of plastic chain links articulatedly connected together, the drive chain being driven by conventional conveyor drive chain power mechanism. Each plastic T-bar monorail track section comprises an upstanding stem having a laterally extending pendant lobe on each side thereof and a pair of laterally outwardly directed flanges at the distal end of said stem for both horizontal and inclined travel of the conveyor trolleys.

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 plastic conveyor trolley structure having plastic bearings and made of a super tough plastic material, comprises a pair of complementary arms each supporting a wheel for rotation on roller bearings held in a fixed inner race forming an integral part of a stub axle on which the trolley wheel is rotatable. The trolley is readily movable on the flanges of an I-beam monorail. A pendant member secured to and between the lower ends of the trolley arms is engaged by the conveyor drive chain to move the trolley along on the monorail. Metal screws are used to hold the depending member to the arms and to secure the stub axle for the trolley wheel to its supporting arm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-propelled suspension monorail vehicle carried on top of a nonstop train. At depots the monorail vehicle attaches itself to a suspended monorail by way of an attachable drive mechanism.Passengers leaving the nonstop train have access to the monorail vehicle by way of a stairway that extends through a magnetic collar that connects the bottom of the monorail vehicle to the top of the nonstop train. Horizontal sliding doors seal the bottom of the monorail vehicle and the top of the nonstop train during a separation or retrieving maneuver.

Abstract: A mounting for a crane on a load carrying platform comprising a guide mounted on the underside of the platform and extending at least the full length of one side of the platform, a carriage mounted on said guide for movement therealong and having a portion projecting beyond the adjacent edge of the platform, said projecting portion being so dimensioned to enable the base of a crane to be mounted thereon so that the crane projects upwardly beyond the load carrying platform.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus particularly for intra-plant conveyance in the garment industry comprises conveyor tracks, carrier units travelling on the conveyor tracks and having each at least one stirrup member straddling a conveyor track from below and provided with rollers resting on the top surface of the track, and at least one drive unit for actively conveying the carrier units. The drive unit comprises a conveying bar actuatable to reciprocate along a track section and carrying a plurality of drive transmitting members for engagement with the carrier units. The drive transmitting members are mounted so that they are operative to convey in one working stroke direction, while being able to pass said carrier units without engagement therewith in the return stroke direction. The drive transmitting members are adjustable to reverse the conveying direction of the working stroke.

Abstract: A carrier head which rides a rail is provided such that when connected by a load carrying member to a second carrier head on a second rail lateral movement is facilitated between the carriers to adjust for differences in distance between the rails. The carrier head has a surface for bearing the load while a pin positioned above the load supporting surface passes through a load bearing connector which permits movement of the load longitudinally.

Abstract: An improved chain bracket, and especially a trolley bracket assembly for use with conveyor chains in overhead conveyor systems. The bracket and assembly parts are economically stamped from sheet metal and include strengthened, reinforced chain link supports or pads which resist bending and wear when under load. In one embodiment, the chain pads extend from one of either the chain bracket or a separate bracket attachment while the reinforcing member extends from the other of the chain bracket or bracket attachment. In another embodiment, the reinforcing portion extends generally in a plane perpendicular to both the chain pad and to the planar bracket portion from which the pad is formed. In this latter case, the reinforcing member may be either integral and in one piece with the chain bracket and pad or extend separately from the bracket attachment.

Abstract: An improved chain bracket, and especially a trolley bracket, for use with overhead conveyor chains and a method for making same which provides an economical bracket having increased chain support strength. The bracket is stamped from sheet metal and includes a chain pad extending transversely across the bracket for engaging and supporting one link of a conveyor chain when mounted on the bracket. A reinforcing portion formed in one piece with and bent from the bracket sheet metal resists and substantially prevents bending of the chain pad under load. The method includes stamping the peripheral outline of the bracket from sheet metal, and bending the chain pad and reinforcing portion integrally and in one piece from the bracket sheet metal.

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: An improved chain bracket and especially a trolley bracket for use in overhead conveyor systems including a strengthened chain support structure. The bracket is stamped from sheet metal but includes chain support pads formed separately and secured to the stamped bracket by welding or the like. In one embodiment, reinforcing members back up at least some of the chain pads to resist bending and deformation when the pads support a conveyor chain link under load. Alternately, the chain pads can be bent in one piece from the bracket sheet metal and reinforced with separate rigid bars or triangular supports welded or otherwise fastened to the stamped bracket preferably intermediate upstanding marginal side edge flanges which help stiffen, rigidify and strengthen the bracket. The separate pads or reinforcing members can be made from harder, more wear resistant materials than the remainder of the bracket.

Abstract: A conveyor trolley for transporting articles along an elongated supporting rail and embodying dielectric supporting and retaining wheels and bumpers constituted and arranged so as to effectively electrically insulate the trolley and the article to be transported from such a rail and from members, such as other trolleys or stop members, on said rail.

Abstract: A rolling trolley device adapted to ride upon opposite side flanges of a support beam; said trolley device comprising a generally V-shaped load supporting yoke bar of one-piece formation carrying at the opposite legs thereof a pair of generally tubular-shaped trolley wheel support housings; wheel support members extending from said housings at opposite sides of the legs of said bar; and support beam engaging wheels mounted upon said support members; said housings being keyed to said yoke bar legs in positionally adjustable relation thereon to adapt said device to operate efficiently on a large variety of support beam sizes and flange width and slope configurations. The trolley wheels are carried by said housings so as to rotate about axes which slope away from and into acute angle intersections with the planes of the trolley wheel contact/support surfaces; thereby directionally balancing out the thrust load and reaction load forces to provide an improved wheel tracking operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in the construction of reactor-driven articulated trains with elevated track, consisting of an indefinite succession of modular rings of circular, prismatic, eliptical or similar section, of suitable dimensions, equipped with flanges folded inwards in such a way that the said rings are longitudinally joined, placing between them an elastic joint of the same profile as the rings, in one or more pieces, making possible a perfect articulation of the rings on curves of any radius, in this way forming a clear tubular unit that is extremely flexible and deformable, which can be hauled by a reactor motor element, resting on pneumatic sliding wheels; in the interior of the tubular unit a floor is made and seats for passengers are suitably arranged and which are provided with means of tilting that make it possible to absorb the centrifugal forces developed in relation to the speed and the radius of the curves of the elevated track rails, with elimination of cant in the sai

Abstract: A conveyor trolley structure made of a plastic super tough nylon material comprises a pair of arms each supporting a wheel for rotation and bearing upon the flanges of an I-beam monorail. A pendant member is secured to and between the lower ends of the arms. Metal screws are used to hold the depending member to the arms and to secure stub axles for the trolley wheels to their arms.

Abstract: An improved chain bracket, and especially a trolley bracket, for use with overhead conveyor chains and a method for making same which provides an economical bracket having increased chain support strength. The bracket is stamped from sheet metal and includes a chain pad extending transversely across the bracket for engaging and supporting one link of a conveyor chain when mounted on the bracket. A reinforcing portion formed in one piece with and bent from the bracket sheet metal resists and substantially prevents bending of the chain pad under load. The method includes stamping the peripheral outline of the bracket from sheet metal, and bending the chain pad and reinforcing portion integrally and in one piece from the bracket sheet metal.

Abstract: An improved chain bracket, and especially a trolley bracket assembly for use with conveyor chains in overhead conveyor systems. The bracket and assembly parts are economically stamped from sheet metal and include strengthened, reinforced chain link supports or pads which resist bending and wear when under load. In one embodiment, the chain pads extend from one of either the chain bracket or a separate bracket attachment while the reinforcing member extends from the other of the chain bracket or bracket attachment. In another embodiment, the reinforcing portion extends generally in a plane perpendicular to both the chain pad and to the planar bracket portion from which the pad is formed. In this latter case, the reinforcing member may be either integral and in one piece with the chain bracket and pad or extend separately from the bracket attachment.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system in which a continuous overhead rail extends through a plurality of transport stations. Transport tubes are arranged along the rail for high-speed travel of a vehicle which is suspended therefrom. Between the transport tubes, the vehicle rests upon driven rollers which propel the vehicle into the tubes and receive the vehicle after it leaves the tubes. In the stretches provided with these rollers, the rail approaches the rollers so that the vehicle rests upon the rollers and is only guided laterally by the rail. Within the tubes themselves, however, the vehicle is suspended from the rail generally out of contact with the walls of the tubes and is displaced through the latter by a pressure differential generated by suction devices.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport plant in which a plurality of aligned pneumatic tubes define a transport path, the tubes being spaced apart with an overhead rail in the form of an I-beam extending continuously along the path and through each tube, in which it is mounted by brackets flanking the rail and engaging the underside of the upper flange thereof, the brackets being bolted to the walls of the tubes.

Abstract: An overhead conveyor includes an I-beam having a web and a pair of side flanges. A pair of opposed interconnected brackets are adapted to support a load, and a trolley wheel assembly is journalled upon each of the brackets and movably mounted upon the I-beam. The wheel assembly comprises a cylindrical shell having an annular shoulder flange at one end and an axial shaft extending from its other end and projected through the upper end of a bracket and secured thereto. A wheel having an axial bore and an internal annular flange has snugly fitted therein a pair of graphite alloy sleeve bearings which bear against the wheel flange, the wheel bearings being loosely disposed upon the shell. The shell flange loosely and retainingly engages one of the bearings and a washer on the shell shaft loosely and retainingly engages the other of the bearings against axial endwise movements respectively.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system in which a transport tube is provided with an overhead rail in the form of an I-beam contained therein and a vehicle riding along the rail. The vehicle is formed by an elongated container suspended beneath the rail and displaceable therealong within the tube, with at least one vertical pivot mounted at an end of the container and a support mounted at an end of the container and a support mounted on the vertical pivot. A plurality of support rollers are mounted on the support and engage the lower flange of the rail while a plurality of guide rollers, also mounted on the support, flank the lower flange of the rail. Packing means provided at an end of the container enables the vehicle to be pneumatically displaced through the tube, the packing means being spaced from the wall of the tube and mounted on the vertical pivot for displacement in a horizontal plane by a pin provided on the support and engaged by a fork provided on the packing means.

Abstract: A carriage has pulleys adjacent opposite ends thereof for riding on a pair of line cables which have obstructions thereon, such as hangers and spacers. The carriage has brakes associated therewith for engaging the line cables. These brakes are such that they permit the carriage to move in one direction but automatically grip the line cables when the carriage moves in the opposite direction. These brakes are releasable to allow the carriage to be moved in either direction. Lifting apparatus is provided for each end of the carriage in the form of hooks that can be placed on the line cables and lifter lines extending between the hooks and the carriage. The lifter cables are connected to a foot pedal in the carriage which can be manipulated to transfer the weight of the adjacent end of the carriage through the hooks to the line cables thereby allowing the pulleys at that end of the carriage to be lifted off the line cables and shifted around an obstruction thereon.

Abstract: A trolley wheel is formed of plastic-like material and includes a bearing assembly, inner and outer metallic races and bearing means positioned therebetween. The entire assembly is formed of non-corrosive material. The bearing means and races therefore are accessible from the sides of the wheel for ease of cleaning during operation.

Abstract: A trolley comprising a trolley body, a shaft fixed on the trolley body and having ends projecting outwardly along the sides of the trolley body and a wheel on each end of the shaft. Each wheel comprises an inner race, an outer race and rollers between the inner and outer races. The inner race having an opening through which the end of the shaft extends. The inner race also has a frusto conical surface adjacent the end of the opening. A conical washer having its outer surface complementary to the frusto conical surface of the inner race is placed adjacent thereto and interengaging means are provided between the washer and the shaft end to prevent rotation therebetween. Each end of the shaft having a threaded opening extending axially therein and a cap screw is threaded into the opening and engages the conical washer to hold the washer against the inner race and relative to the end of the shaft.