Abstract: A hanging and conveying device comprising a slide slidingly coupled to a guide to move along the guide in a given advancement direction; and a gondola hanging from the slide and comprising an arched member having a first axis parallel to the advancement direction and adjustable in position about the first axis, and coupling means carried by the arched member to engage, during operation, a floor of a vehicle body arranged through the arched member; the coupling means comprising two coplanar longitudinal members provided with pins to couple with and support the vehicle body, and positioning means to cause the pins to be arrangeable on the longitudinal members in a number of selectively engageable alternative positions, to result in different types of vehicle bodies being selective mountable on the arched member.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a power contactor from an existing contactor having a magnetic amplifier that comprises a blowout coil and a ferromagnetic core, and an arc chute for extinguishing an arc generated by opening the existing contactor under a current load is disclosed. The method includes removing a bolt assembly from the existing contactor and at least one side plate from the existing contactor. The method also includes removing the ferromagnetic core from the existing contactor.

Abstract: An easer rail is mated with the uncut web of a fixed running rail to form a more rigid thermal expansion joint between the fixed rail and a moveable rail. The easer rail has an extension that protrudes into the uncut web the fixed rail. The easer rail extension is machined to be complementary in shape to the uncut web and fits tightly against the flange, the underside of the head, and the base of the uncut web of the fixed rail. Bolt holes are provided through the extension and the easer rail, its extension, and the fixed rail to form multiple bolt joints. The bolted extension not only lengthens the easer rail but locks it in place between the head and base of the fixed rail to provide additional rigidity.

Abstract: A cable railway system has two or more stations and at least one carrying cable and a conveying cable extending between the stations and guided in the stations by way of deflection pulleys. At least one of the pulleys is driven. Vehicles, such as cable cars or chairs, may be boarded or disembarked from in the stations by the passengers. The system may also have one or more fixed carrying cables along which the cars are moved by way of one or more hauling cables. At least one device is associated with the vehicles along the section of the cable railway system, by way of which device the pendulum movements that the vehicles are subject to transversely relative to the direction of movement of the vehicles are detectable and its output signals are conducted to a device that controls the drive of the cable railway system. The drive is thereby controllable in dependence on the extent of the pendulum movements.

Abstract: A suspension conveyance apparatus has a conveying traveling body movably supported on a traveling guide rail and a hanger suspended from the conveying traveling body, and an anti-swaying guide rail in parallel with the traveling guide rail, the anti-swaying guide rail is engaged with a roller and prevents lateral swaying of the hanger. The anti-swaying guide rail is installed on only one of the right and left sides of the traveling guide rail and includes a horizontal flat rail surface and a circular rail surface curvedly protruding in the vertically opposite direction of the horizontal flat rail surface, and a flat peripheral surface roller adjoining to the horizontal flat rail surface and rolling and an hourglass-shaped peripheral surface roller fitted to the circular rail surface are provided as the roller.

Abstract: A suspension conveyance apparatus has a conveying traveling body movably supported on a traveling guide rail and a hanger suspended from the conveying traveling body, and an anti-swaying guide rail in parallel with the traveling guide rail, the anti-swaying guide rail is engaged with a roller and prevents lateral swaying of the hanger. The anti-swaying guide rail is installed on only one of the right and left sides of the traveling guide rail and includes a horizontal flat rail surface and a circular rail surface curvedly protruding in the vertically opposite direction of the horizontal flat rail surface, and a flat peripheral surface roller adjoining to the horizontal flat rail surface and rolling and an hourglass-shaped peripheral surface roller fitted to the circular rail surface are provided as the roller.

Abstract: A maintenance vehicle for performing operations along an aerial ropeway of a mechanical lift installation consists of a car suspended on the rope by connecting means which comprise a top part fixed to the rope, a bottom part fixed to the car, articulation means of the top part with respect to the bottom part, adjustment means of the angle between the bottom part and top part up to an inclined position of the car with respect to the vertical, and means for securing car in the inclined position.

Abstract: A transport system has at least one track, preferably hung on supports or hanging from cables, on which transport cars may travel, by at east one trolley. Several running wheels are provided in the trolley and the trolley may be actively rotated about the axis of the track relative to the transport car. Branchings are provided in the track, in which the track divides into two track branches. In the vicinity of the branching lies an intersection of the outer surfaces of the track branches, such that on each of the upper side and the lower side there are two grooves due to the intersection, which meet in the vicinity of the gusset, between the two track branches. Between the grooves, on both the upper and lower side, is a tapering web, the surfaces of which are part of the surface area of the track branches.

Abstract: A skate for a stairlift chair assembly (10) comprises two spaced-apart pairs of rollers, the two rollers (e.g., 27, 28) of each pair being arranged to run respectively above and below a circular section support rail (12) of the stairlift. The two rollers of each pair are rotatable about respective axes (C, D) transverse of the skate, and each roller is able to turn about a further axis (E) which intersects and is orthogonal to the rotary axes (C, D) of the pair of rollers. Each roller is constrained so that its rotary axis (C or D) remains substantially in a plane to which said further axis (E) is perpendicular.

Abstract: A conveyor has an overhead conveyor rail with a horizontal portion and an angled portion. A receptacle is carried by supports below the rail with the receptacle positioned transversely to the rail. A two-piece rack hanger has an upper part with an upper angular end portion pivotally connected to the receptacle by a bracket. The hanger has a lower part affixed to a rack for parts or articles and a pivot connects the lower part and the upper part of the hanger. The pivot is separable so that the lower part of the hanger and the rack can be separated from the upper part of the hanger. Stops are associated with the receptacle and upper angular end portion of the hanger to limit transverse movement of the racks as they move on the angled portion of the conveyor. When the racks reach a limited transverse position, they are held in horizontal dispositions by the pivot between the lower and upper parts of the hanger.

Abstract: A hanger tilt mechanism for a hanging transportation apparatus in which a carrier traveling along a rail is equipped with a hanger having a circular arc-shaped portion so as to be tiltable. The carrier is further equipped with a driving motor and a tilt mechanism for transmitting a rotational force of the driving motor to the circular arc-shaped portion for tilting the hanger. The tilt mechanism, in a preferred embodiment, includes a chain stretched along the circular arc-shaped portion of the hanger and a sprocket which meshes with the chain and is rotated by the driving motor.

Abstract: A conveyor has an overhead conveyor rail with a horizontal portion and an angled portion. A receptacle is carried by supports below the rail with the receptacle positioned transversely to the rail. A two-piece rack hanger has an upper part with an upper angular end portion received in the receptacle. The hanger has a lower part affixed to a rack for parts or articles and a pivot connects the lower part and the upper part of the hanger. Stops are associated with the receptacle and upper angular end portion of the hanger to limit transverse movement of the racks as they move on the angled portion of the conveyor. When the racks reach a limited transverse position, they are held in horizontal dispositions by the pivots between the lower and upper parts of the hanger.

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 self-propelling transport having utility as an elevator system in a high rise building, the transport having a vehicle unit that rides on a track unit that includes a stationary drive chain that is engaged by a sprocket wheel assembly on the vehicle unit, the vehicle unit having a suspended passenger cab and a propulsion unit that engages the chain to retain the vehicle unit against the track during movement with the drive chain being magnetically retained on the track unit by electromagnets that are demagnetized where the drive chain is engaged by the sprocket wheel assembly.

Abstract: A magnetically floating carrier system has a carriage body which is adapted to be floated by the attraction force of floating magnets acting upon the bottom surfaces of rails. The carriage body is driven by a linear motor. The rails are mounted on a framework extending longitudinally to define a track and having one side thereof supported. The carriage body is provided with a support member extending upwards at the other side of the framework to a point above the top surfaces of the framework. A pallet for supporting a load is mounted on the top end of the support member so as to be disposed over the framework. The carriage carries four magnets at front and rear parts thereof which are adapted to exert a force of attraction on the pair of rails. The magnets are mounted at both ends of two beams mounted on front and rear parts of the carriage body for see-saw motions and steering motions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shock-absorbing angle-bent coupling rod disposed for the mechanical connection of cableway cars. Preferably, the coupling rod has a bend of approximately 90 degrees and includes at least one shock-absorber and spring mechanism. In one preferred embodiment, the side of the bend in the coupling rod includes a friction vibration absorber. The vibration absorption between the individual cableway cars provided by the present invention allows such vibration to be distributed throughout the entire cableway system so that the cableway speed and traveling comfort can be increased without compromising safety.

Abstract: A conveyor system including a conveyor track, carriers supported thereby, and carrier propelling elements associated with the conveyor track, wherein each carrier includes frame structure having an article supporting portion disposed to one side of the conveyor track and a stabilizing portion disposed to the opposite side thereof. An auxiliary track mounted in parallel, transversely spaced relation with the conveyor track on the opposite side thereof, is engageable by stabilizing wheels on the stabilizing portion of the carrier frame structure so that the article supporting portion thereof is adapted to form a cantilevered type support on which an article can be mounted and transported, spaced transversely from the conveyor track and propelling elements. An article processing station is separated from the conveyor track and propelling elements by a slotted barrier wall through which the article supporting portion of the carrier frame structure projects.

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 device for the transfer of an overhead conveyor carriage (1) from one track (4) onto another track (4A) in an overhead conveyor system. The transfer takes place by altering the height positions of the wheels in relation to the track (4). An overhead conveyor carriage (1) that is provided with two sets of transfer wheels (9) placed at a transverse distance from each other is brought to a track-exchange area, where a first track (4) and a second track (4A) are placed at a specified distance in parallel to each other. The height positions of the sets of transfer wheels (9) of the conveyor carriage (1) placed facing the first track (4) and the second track (4A) are altered in such a way that the wheel sets (9) in the carrying position are detached from the first track (4) and the wheel sets (10) in the detached position are placed into the carrying position on the second track (4A).

Abstract: A conveyor has hangers with article-carrying racks which automatically turn transversely to the direction of movement when the hangers are below angled portions of the conveyor. The conveyor is of the overhead monorail type which moves hangers along a predetermined path having a generally horizontal portion and an angled portion. The hangers carry receptacles which receive upper portions of rack hooks which carry the racks. The receptacles and upper portions of the hooks are angled in a manner to cause upright portions of the hooks to turn on their axes when the hangers move between positions below the horizontal portion of the rail and positions below the angled portion of the rail. When the upright portions of the hooks are turned, the racks are also turned to the transverse positions.

Abstract: A car of a funicular railway with track sections of different gradients, having a compartment suspended from a hanger arm supported by a carriage. A jack keeps the compartment horizontal, whatever the gradient.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a tiltable hanger apparatus including an overhead track assembly and a work-carrying assembly movable below and along the overhead track assembly. The work-carrying assembly is composed of a main carrier frame suspended from the overhead track assembly, an auxiliary carrier frame supported by the main carrier frame and arranged to be tiltable with respect to the main carrier frame in a fore-and-aft direction of the work-carrying assembly, and a hanger frame supported by the auxiliary carrier frame and angularly movable with respect to the auxiliary carrier frame about an axis normal to a plane perpendicular to the fore-and-aft direction of the work-carrying assembly. The auxiliary carrier frame is caused to tilt with respect to the main carrier frame in a fore-and-aft direction of the work-carrying assembly by the aid of a first set of guide rollers and rails.

Abstract: An overhead conveyor comprising a main rail, right and left two auxiliary rails arranged on the opposite sides of the main rail and positioned at a higher level in an upward slope section of the conveyor line and at a lower level in a downward slope section of the conveyor line, relative to their immediately previous horizontal position based on the main rail, a main running body forwardly movable along the main rail, auxiliary running bodies forwardly movable along the auxiliary rails following the main running body, and a front suspender and right and left rear suspenders connecting the main running body and the auxiliary running bodies to a hanger support positioned below the running bodies. The front and rear suspenders are pivotally movable forward and rearward and horizontally turnable. One of the rear suspenders comprises a forward-rearward pivotable member and a sidewise pivotable member connected to the lower end thereof.

Abstract: A workpiece hanger carriage (10) is movable along a first rail (11) and a pair of second rails (17,18) having portions (14,20) vertically curved toward each other. The carriage (10) includes a first frame (21) having rollers (26) rollingly engageable with the first rail (11), and a second frame (31) pivotally mounted on the first frame (21) and having a pair of rollers (51,52) rollingly engageable with the second rails (17,18). The first and second frames (21,31) are angularly movable relative to each other to maintain the second frame (31) substantially horizontally at all times when they move along the vertically curved portions (14,20) of the first and second rails (11,17,18). A pair of L-shaped arms (42,43) are pivotally mounted on the second frame (31) in laterally spaced relation for supporting a workpiece (W), the arms (42,43) having a pair of rollers (55,56) rollingly engageable with a pair of guide rails (57,58) having vertically curved portions ( 59).

Abstract: A damped suspension system for conveyors which has a pair of shock absorbers each of which is associated with an initial stressed spring thereby exerting a balancing effect. In preferred embodiments the shock absorbers are provided with means comprising, for example, a casing and a sleeve wherein the cylinder is executing and up and down movement relative to the sleeve. Casing and sleeve each supporting one end of the spring during movement of the conveyer in a straight line. Since, during an inclination of the cabin of the conveyor, both ends of the spring located on the lower side of the cabin are supported only through the casing, there is no possibility of a releasing. Thereby at least the initial force of the spring located on the raised side of the cabin is effective for a reset of the cabin into its vertical position.

Abstract: A load carrying device for an overhead conveyor, comprising a carriage for ovement along an overhead rail and a load-bearing container suspended from the carriage by two substantially parallel connecting elements pivoted at their upper ends to the carriage and at their lower ends to the load-bearing container to form a pivoted parallelogram linkage which permits the two connecting elements to swing when the carriage is accelerated or decelerated sharply while holding the load-bearing container upright; energy dissipation means, such as one or more friction bush or hydraulic shock absorber are also provided to damp the oscillation of the container and limit its movement in order to cushion the articles in the container against shock.

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: This invention provides a continuous flow elevator system wherein a plurality of cabs or cars are contained in a single shaft with means for switching the cabs from a set of continuous flow rails to a set of alternate rails associated therewith. There is also disclosed a supporting apparatus or bogie system permitting rotational movement of cabs in the above-mentioned elevator system.

Abstract: A power and free conveyor system comprising a power track, a conveyor movable along the power track, a carrier track, a plurality of carriers movable along the carrier track and interengaging members between the coveyor and the carriers. At least one module is provided and comprises a body having hooks on a back wall thereof. The carrier has a generally vertical central frame extending downwardly including spaced side portions which are generally vertically aligned with the carrier track. An upper pair of arms extends transversely from the central frame and a cross bar joins the arms. The module extends between the side portions of the central frame with the hooks engaging the cross bar. A pair of lower arms extends transversely from the central frame and a bar between the ends of the lower arms engages the back wall of the module to stabilize the module.