Abstract: Automated storage and retrieval systems which include robots that move along ceilings and/or walls to retrieve and/or transport goods. The robots use magnetic adhesion to hold to the surfaces. The robots adjust the magnetic adhesion force in response to changes in weight or other conditions.

Abstract: An enveloping layer-coated slide bearing includes a slide bearing having a bearing surface formed in a cylindrical shape, and a first enveloping layer composed of a thermoplastic elastomer formed on and directly contacting an outer circumferential surface of the slide bearing. In another arrangement, a second enveloping layer is interposed between the first enveloping layer and the slide bearing and directly contacts the outer circumferential surface of the slide bearing.

Abstract: An enveloping layer-coated slide bearing includes a slide bearing having a bearing surface formed in a cylindrical shape, and a first enveloping layer composed of a thermoplastic elastomer formed on and directly contacting an outer circumferential surface of the slide bearing. In another arrangement, a second enveloping layer is interposed between the first enveloping layer and the slide bearing and directly contacts the outer circumferential surface of the slide bearing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an enveloping layer-coated slide bearing includes preparing a slide bearing formed of polycarbonate, ABS resin, or an alloy material of the polycarbonate and the ABS resin; and forming an enveloping layer by injection molding a thermoplastic elastomer on an outer circumferential surface of the slide bearing. In an alternate method, an inner enveloping layer is formed directly on the outer circumferential outer surface of the slide bearing beneath the thermoplastic elastomeric enveloping layer.

Abstract: A suspended scaffold comprises a work platform (6) and at least one suspending device (2) via which the work platform (6) is attachable to an object (1). The suspending device (2) comprises a claw device (3) intended and configured to engage optionally directly on the object (1), and a coupling device (4). The claw device (3) is adjustable relative to the coupling device (4) between a first position (21) and a second position (22). The second position (22) lies spatially offset relative to the first position (21).

Abstract: A vertical hydraulic tank includes an upper cylindrical section and a lower conical section, with an outlet in the lower conical section. A lower multi-path manifold is attached to the outlet, the manifold including a vertical conduit in fluid communication with the outlet and a plurality of horizontal conduits in fluid communication with the vertical conduit. An upper multi-path manifold can also be attached to the tank with a plurality of upper horizontal conduits and a vertical conduit in fluid communication with the upper cylindrical section of the tank. Valves may be provided along the vertical conduit and the horizontal conduits to regulate flow of material through the conduits. A pump may be connected to either the upper manifold or the lower manifold, or both by way of a pump conduit. Multiple tanks can be connected together by way of tubing between the manifolds of each tank.

Abstract: A friction brake (1) for braking a rail-guided transport device (26), in particular a lift (elevator), having at least one brake lever (15) with a brake lining (4), which can be pressed against a rail (2) in order to brake the transport device (26), and with an actuator (6) for actuating the at least one brake lever (15). According to the invention, a solid body joint (36) is proposed, which has at least one web (37) to which a brake lever (3) is fastened, wherein the web (37) twists about the longitudinal axis (38) thereof when the brake lever (3) performs a pivoting movement. Moreover, according to the invention, means (42, 42?, 50, 52) are provided, which limit or prevent deflection of the web (37) in the lateral direction (x).

Abstract: A suspended flying rig system including a plurality of cables attached to a load support. In response to retraction and/or deployment of at least one of the plurality of cables, motion is provided generally within a three-dimensional working space to the load support. The motion includes at least six degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A transport vehicle that reduces shaking of a transport article includes a travelling unit, a transport unit, a fall prevention member, and a shaking reduction member. The travelling unit travels along a rail provided on a ceiling. The transport unit transports a transport article. The fall prevention member is rotatably supported such that it can rotate between a fall prevention position and a retracted position. The fall prevention member is, at the fall prevention position, below the transport article. A pushing portion of the shaking reduction member pushes against a side surface of the transport article with a pushing surface thereof in conjunction with the rotating of the fall prevention member from the retracted position to the fall prevention position. A lever portion of the shaking reduction member has one end supporting the pushing portion and the other end rotatably supported in a manner coaxial with the fall prevention member.

Abstract: An overhead transport vehicle comprises a travelling unit that travels on a rail, a conveying unit that moves and conveys an article and a swing inhibiting member that moves between a pushing position and a retracting position. The swing inhibiting members includes a pushing member that pushes a side surface of the article, lever members that support the pushing member at a first end side and are pivotally supported by the conveying unit at a second end side, and a biasing member that biases the pushing member toward the article. The pushing member includes a main body member pivotally supported by the lever members, slide members slidably supported by a main body member, and elastic bodies arranged between the main body member and the slide member that slide elastically the slide member.

Abstract: An elevated bicycle-based transportation system comprises a bicycle, a front suspension member, connected to a front portion of the bicycle and having on the upper end a rolling, sliding, or gliding member, a rear suspension member, connected to a rear portion of the bicycle and having on the upper end a rolling, sliding, or gliding member, and an overhead track, which is a supporting member substantially horizontal in orientation, on which the rolling, sliding or gliding members of the suspension members rest. When suspended in this way, the bicycle can be ridden along the overhead track. When the suspension members are not suspended from the overhead track, the bicycle can be used in the normal manner, and at least one of the suspension members can be retracted, collapsed, folded, pivoted, detached, or otherwise modified by a simple operation, to be made less prominent.

Abstract: An autonomous moving highway system including an elevated guideway having a support pier with a pier cap having a first end, a second end, an upper portion and a lower portion, where the lower portion of the pier cap is attached to the top end of the support pier, a first girder located at the first end of the pier cap and a second girder located at the second end of the pier cap, a first magnetically levitated (maglev) transportation track mounted to a bottom of the first girder and a second maglev transportation track mounted to a bottom of the second girder, a plurality of individual transportation pods, each transportation pod is configured to enclose a vehicle and at least one passenger of the vehicle, a computer control system configured to control power, propulsion, direction and motion of the plurality of transportation pods.

Abstract: A self-cooling trolley includes a wheel formed of a non-ferromagnetic material with a groove between two flanges disposed on a circumference. At least one pair of magnets are disposed in proximity to the wheel. Each pair of magnets comprises a north magnet with a north magnetic pole in proximity to the wheel and a south magnet with a south magnetic pole in proximity to the wheel. The at least one pair of magnets generate an eddy current within the rotating wheel opposing an angular motion of the wheel. Self-cooling means is provided on the wheel to generate an air flow toward and/or away from the wheel as the wheel rotates. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: A transport vehicle that reduces shaking of a transport article includes a travelling unit, a transport unit, a fall prevention member, and a shaking reduction member. The travelling unit travels along a rail provided on a ceiling. The transport unit transports a transport article. The fall prevention member is rotatably supported such that it can rotate between a fall prevention position and a retracted position. The fall prevention member is, at the fall prevention position, below the transport article. A pushing portion of the shaking reduction member pushes against a side surface of the transport article with a pushing surface thereof in conjunction with the rotating of the fall prevention member from the retracted position to the fall prevention position. A lever portion of the shaking reduction member has one end supporting the pushing portion and the other end rotatably supported in a manner coaxial with the fall prevention member).

Abstract: An aerial tramway system that conveys carriers between terminals along a haul rope, in which the carriers (a) detach from the haul rope within at least one of the terminals for loading and unloading, and (b) reattach to the haul rope for conveyance to the next terminal, includes one or more Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs) within at least one of the terminals, that move the carriers for at least part of the time that the carriers are detached from the haul rope. The system also includes a plurality of the carriers, each carrier comprising a reaction rail that includes at least one magnet configured for magnetic interaction with the one or more LSMs. A carrier for an aerial tramway system includes a chair, a freight carrier or a gondola, and a reaction rail that interacts with a linear synchronous motor of the system, to control movement of the carrier.

Abstract: A zip line trolley includes a frame assembled from a pair of spaced-apart parallel side plates and an inner beam, which is partially sandwiched between the side plates. The inner beam has a gallery of block-T-shaped cross section which extends its length. A shackle, from which a rider is suspended, can be pinned anywhere within the gallery. A main pulley, which is installed in an upper middle portion of the frame, rotates on a pair of sealed ball bearing races that are pressed on a hollow keyed shaft which slides into opposed grooves machined into each of the side plates. The keyed shaft is bolted between the side plates with a shoulder bolt passing transversely through both side plates. A water-wiping brake pad is pivotally mounted within the frame in front of the main pulley. A bumper is bolted between front portions of the side plates.

Abstract: A trolley for transporting the rider supported by a harness on a cable or rope, the trolley having a mounting plate configured with a connection point to receive the rider's harness, a pulley rotatably mounted to the mounting plate to support the plate on the cable or rope, and a friction shoe mounted on the plate forward of the pulley to contact the upper portion of the cable or rope, wherein the connection point is located beneath the cable or rope between the centers of the pulley and the friction shoe. The apparatus may also provide a manually operated brake handle to allow the rider to selectively apply braking force to reduce the speed of the trolley on the cable as desired.

Abstract: A ride system for moving a passenger vehicle through a dynamically-defined work space. The system includes a track structure that guides one or more motorized or driven carriers on the track structure. The system includes winches on the carrier(s) that are independently operable to set lengths of the vehicle supporting cables, which extend outward from the winches to the vehicle. During operation, the winch systems provide upper anchor points for suspending the passenger vehicle such that these anchor points are selectively positioned. The winches may be independently operated as the carrier(s) travels from a first position to a second position, such that the vehicle body pitches, rolls, or yaws and moves transversely relative to the track. The winches may be operated concurrently to drop or raise the vehicle to define the work space for the vehicle in the vertical direction. Passenger input may interactively control motion of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention regards to a pulley device, especially turbo braking pulley device, especially designed for cableways, for gravitational transport of persons and things. The pulley device has at least one pair of blades (43, 44; 53, 54), a rotation speed of which is applied upon them by a respective pulley (30) being guided along a cableway rope (F). The rotation speed of the blades (43, 44; 53, 54) is reduced by effect of friction with air encountered as the pulley device descends a cableway span. That reduction in rotation speed is transmitted to the at least one pulley.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chassis (1) for a cable or pipeline trolley (2), for traveling along a carrier rail, the chassis including at least one pair of carrier rollers (3) having a horizontal axis of rotation and at least one pair of guide rollers (4) having a vertical axis of rotation. The disadvantage of known chassis of this type is that they jolt at uneven sections of the carrier rail and a significant supply of replacement parts is required for repairs. The aim of the invention is to develop a chassis with improved driving characteristics, whilst at the same time reducing production and inventory costs. To achieve this, the carrier rollers (3) and guide rollers (4) are essentially arranged symmetrically to a vertical axis.

Abstract: A zip line or trolley system kit for propelling a person or an object using gravity along an extended cable line suspended between two trees or towers. The zip line system having a frame with one or more wheels, an adjustable length seat, a handle and a braking system for slowing the speed of descent of the zip line system. The trolley system having at least two wheels spaced apart at a suitable distance to increase ride smoothness and improve sliding of the zip line system along the extended cable. An actuator of the braking system allows for the rider to control of the speed of descent of the zip line system.

Abstract: A joint connector for the lower flanges of adjoining running rails is assembled from two abutment pieces that each is seated in a lower flange of a respective rail that forms the joint. By use of centering devices, the correctly aligned positioning of the two abutment pieces is assured, wherein the abutment pieces transfer their aligned positioning to the lower flanges that meet each other without offset at the joint and the positioning cannot be negatively affected by transverse forces. The connection also provides a positive-fit in a transverse direction of the rails. Another joint connector arrangement connects the two running rails in the region of the top side. Abutment pieces in this case are seated as riders on a support rib and are connected to each other by tension rods.

Abstract: An improved zip line trolley allowing a rider control of his or her speed while traversing along a suspended cable (8) as seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The trolley comprises front and rear pulleys (44F) and (44R) conjoined via pulley housing (16) with left and right horizontal handles (10L) and (10R) attached to vertical shaft (12). Front and rear hand brake levers (20F) and (20R) are mounted onto left and right horizontal handles (10L) and (10R). When front and rear hand brake levers (20F) and (20R) are squeezed by the rider, they create a constricting force on front left and right calipers (32FL) and (32FR) along with rear left and right calipers (32RL) and (32RR) of FIGS. 2A and 3A. Thus, friction is applied to front and rear pulleys (44F) and (44R) via front left and right brake pads (34FL) and (34FR) along with rear left and right brake pads (34RL) and (34RR).

Abstract: A friction drive trolley conveyor has a conveying traveling body provided with a friction drive load bar having traction purpose engaging means at both ends thereof and allows traction drive to be easily conducted without fail even at the time of conveying a heavy object. The traction purpose engaging means is composed of an engaged shaft arranged in the horizontal direction within a vertical notched portion formed at one end of the load bar, a hook member vertically swingably pivotally supported at an intermediate position in vertical height of the load bar at the other end of the load bar and a holding means holding the hook member in an engaged posture or a disengaged posture, and on a traveling route side, a first switching means switching the hook member from the engaged posture to the disengaged posture and a second switching means switching the hook member from the disengaged posture to the engaged posture.

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: An I beam trolley that can move along an I beam

Abstract: A cableway with suspended tram and remote bogie is disclosed. This includes a self-contained motor, traction and support sheaves with provision for adjusting the height of the tram below said cable for limiting vertical acceleration caused by travel along the cantenary curve of the cableway.

Abstract: A trolley for transporting objects hanging from an I-beam normally securely grips or latches to the I-beam via a pair of brake pads that are urged upward against the bottom of the beam by a torsion spring. The torsion spring is released by pulling a lever downward. Applying lateral force to the trolley, preferably by applying a lateral force to the same lever, pulls the trolley along the I-beam as the wheels engaging the upper portion of the I-beam can rotate freely once the brake pads are released. Releasing the lever after the trolling is pulled to the desired location causes the brakes to again firmly grip the I-beam.

Abstract: A rail means (1) for an electrified monorail system with a suspended vehicle, which comprises an elongated body (2) having a longitudinal axis (A-A?), and a second axis (B-B?) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, whereby the elongated body (2) comprises (a) a central wall means (21) extending essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the second axis of the elongated body (2), said central wall means defining (a1) a first side wall (210) of a first channel (22) for receiving one or more support wheels and one or more guide rollers of a vehicle, the channel (22) having a support surface (220) parallel to the longitudinal axis (A-A?) and perpendicular to the second axis (B-B?) for supporting a support wheel, and one or more first guiding surfaces (230, 231) for guiding a guide rollers of a vehicle; and (a2) a second side wall (211) of a second channel (23) for receiving one or more conductor bars extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body (2), and (b) one or more attachme

Abstract: A trolley for a conveying system includes a first trolley arm with a trolley wheel rotatably mounted thereon, a second trolley arm with a trolley wheel rotatably mounted thereon, and a load bar. The trolley wheels roll along a track of the conveying system to move the trolleys along the conveyor track. The first trolley arm connects to a first attachment element, which includes a base portion and an attaching member that are integrally formed together. The load bar connects to the second trolley arm and to the attaching member of the first attachment element. The load bar has a slot proximate to one or both ends for receiving the attaching member. The attaching member is retainable in the slot, such as via a retaining pin. The first and second trolley arms are connected together via the load bar.

Abstract: A double pulley device which has a pair of sheaves arranged in line inside a reverse U-shaped metal support flange-plate, each sheave being mounted rotating free on a fixed spindle of the flange-plate. At least one orifice for the passage of a snap-hook, is situated between the two spindles of the sheaves, so that the fixing point of the snap-hook is positioned above the point of contact of the sheaves with the cable. One of the wings of the flange-plate is arranged to enable the mobile finger of the snap-hook to be opened when the double pulley device is fitted onto the cable.

Abstract: A double pulley device comprises a pair of sheaves arranged in line inside a reverse U-shaped metal support flange-plate, each sheave being mounted rotating free on a fixed spindle of the flange-plate. At least one orifice for the passage of a snap-hook, is situated between the two spindles of the sheaves, so that the fixing point of the snap-hook is positioned above the point of contact of the sheaves with the cable. One of the wings of the flange-plate is arranged to enable the mobile finger of the snap-hook to be opened when the double pulley device is fitted onto the cable.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus conveys articles used for manufacturing semiconductor devices. The conveying apparatus has a conveying rail section that includes a first rail providing a first conveying route, a second rail providing a second conveying route, and an intermediate rail structure interconnecting the first and second rails. Respective vehicles are fitted to the first and second rails so as to convey articles as supported atop the first rail or as suspended from the second rail, respectively. The conveying apparatus can be readily installed in the bay of an automatic manufacturing system, e.g., of a type for processing wafers having a diameter of 300 mm. In this case, the conveying route of the articles is unified, and space is saved, as well.

Abstract: A system to automate distribution of materials and tooling to production machines, where a very simple cross-section track, such as a circle or an X, is anchored to the equipment and to load/unload stations for materials and tooling, and where simple one or two wheeled robotic cars, where the wheels need not be mounted with yaw pivots to the cars, transport the materials or tooling. A control system keeps controls the motor or motors that drive one or two wheels to minimize pitch of the cars as they move along the track.

Abstract: A balance control mechanism for an overhead traveling carrier includes a movable section disposed on a carrier body at a position below the fulcrum of a traveling wheel of the carrier such that the movable section can be moved laterally of the carrier body to thereby displace the center of gravity of the movable section laterally of the carrier body, a gravity center moving unit for moving the center of gravity of the movable section with respect to the carrier body, and a balance control unit for calculating a balancing position at which the center of gravity of the movable section is to be placed so that the moment of a centrifugal force turning around the fulcrum with an axis lying in a direction of travel of the carrier and applied to the carrier in its entirety upon travel of the carrier over a curved portion of the rail is counterbalanced by the moment of gravity, and then controlling the gravity center moving unit to cause the center of gravity of the movable section to be moved to the balancing positi

Abstract: An improved trolley for use on a track. The improved trolley is of a sandwich construction having a wear resistant interior and a pair of metal end plates. The wear resistant material is preferably plastic or other material designed to avoid damaging a track along which the trolley rides. The end plates are preferably stainless steel and of a diameter greater than the diameter of the center wheel to prevent the trolley from becoming dislodged from a track. By providing a sandwich of long wearing and non brittle materials, the longevity of the trolley is increased and corrosion concerns associated with prior art devices is substantially alleviated.

Abstract: A high-speed high-capacity transportation system is composed of an elevated inverted U-shaped electrified guideway that provides traction and capture surfaces for wheeled motive modules that ride within. Payloads are suspended below the motive unit using a narrow flange. Motive units use flat wheels which ride on flat surfaces of the guideway. The wheels and electric power pickups constitute the only mechanical contact between the vehicle and guideway. Sensors on the motive unit provide position information to an electronic control subsystem which directs the steering of the motive units wheels so as to maintain the desired path through the guideway. As an option, one or more auxiliary wheels can be brought into contact with running surfaces located at the top of the inverted U for additional traction and stability. The payload unit is connected to a the motive unit by way of a hinge that allows the payload to swing laterally.

Abstract: A proximity sensor (22), which generates an alternating current magnetic field in the direction of a guide rail (B) and detects a detection object by a loss of energy caused by a current which this alternating current magnetic field generates to flow to the detection object, is provided at the front end of each transport mover (V); a rear-end collision prevention detection plate (23), which enters between the guide rail (B) and the proximity sensor (22), is provided at the rear end of each transport mover (V); and a stopping device (W), which faces toward the proximity sensor (22) and forms a resonant circuit resonating at the generation frequency of the proximity sensor (22), is provided at a mover stopping location on the guide rail (B).

Abstract: The invention involves a suspended trolley line, particularly an electric monorail line with at least one undercarriage movable along running rails and with a running wheel that may be driven along the rail. At least two frictional wheels are spaced from each other and positioned on the running wheel. The frictional wheels are guided on the undercarriage by a connecting element and are braced against each other by a spring element, such that the frictional wheels additionally contact the supplemental rail and impinge upon the running wheel with pressure when in an operating position. The supplemental rail is located at least partially parallel to the running rail and spaced therefrom. The driven undercarriage is simple in its construction and has improved traction characteristics and therefore is particularly capable of being used in ascending and descending sections of the trolley line. The frictional wheels, the connecting element and the spring element form an assembly unit lying on the running wheel.

Abstract: An overhead trolley track system has extruded aluminum track sections having tubular portions, adjacent track sections connected end to end with plates attached to a central upright flange portions formed on each track section. Sealing tubular fittings are slidably received in each end of the rubular portions adjacent sections held by the plates to allow air pressure to be distributed. Air pressure fittings are inserted in drilled holes along the track sections, held in by brackets. The trolleys have rollers engaged with opposite upper sides of the tubular portions, the trolley rollers separable to allow removal from the track sections.

Abstract: A traveling mechanism for a lifting device, especially for a lifting device having a laterally cantilevering boom, is movable on rails with at least two running wheels. A connection element for attaching a load to said traveling mechanism is supported in the rail by the running wheels which are arranged on both sides of the connection element. The connection element has, at the region projecting down out of the rail, at least one running roller which is freely rotatable about a horizontal axis and rolls on a horizontal outer running surface of the rail. To effectively divert horizontal forces and uniformly distribute the vertical forces to the running wheels, running wheel axles are rigidly connected with a running wheel carrier, and the running wheel carrier and connection element are swivelably connected by a universal type joint. In addition, at least one support roller is rotatably mounted at the connection element in the interior of the rail.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing the noise generated by colliding conveyor carriers is disclosed which comprises urethane bumpers and a method of attaching same to portions of the carriers that do not make contact with other carriers when the carriers are accumulated. The bumpers extend from the carriers a sufficient distance to contact a similar bumper on an adjacent carrier when one carrier rolls up against another. The bumpers do not prevent the normally contacting portions of the carriers from coming into contact, but merely absorb a portion of the kinetic energy of the moving carrier to reduce the noise generated when the contacting portions of the trolleys do meet, and the presence of these bumpers does not adversely affect the spacing of the carriers in the accumulation line.

Abstract: An article transport assembly which is particularly designed for the conveyance of articles such as printing products, and which comprises a guide rail, and a plurality of article transport devices mounted for movement along the guide rail. Each transport device comprises a U-shaped transport body having a base leg and the two upright side legs, and with a gripper for engaging a printing product attached to the base leg. The two side legs each mount a pair of guide rail engaging members, with the two pairs of guide rail engaging members being positioned to engage both sides of the guide rail at two longitudinally spaced apart locations, and so as to permit the guide rail engaging members to move along the guide rail essentially free of play.

Abstract: An amusement device includes a guide structure forming an endless track, along which a vehicle capable of accommodating at least one person can travel, and where a person present in the vehicle extends substantially parallel to the track during operation. The person present in the vehicle lies with his back towards the track and with his face directed away from the track. The person's view is not impeded by other vehicles and he can only see the track itself when he turns his head.

Abstract: A playground shuttle device includes a track having an upper surface and a lower surface and a support structure connected to and supporting the track. The shuttle device includes a shuttle having a housing defining a chamber through which the track traverses and a transport assembly carried by the housing. The transport assembly includes a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted thereto and positioned so as to ride along the upper surface of the track. The transport assembly includes a brake assembly operably connected thereto by a biasing element. The brake assembly includes at least one brake element that is engagable with the track. The brake assembly is movable relative to the transport assembly between a brake position wherein the brake element engages the track and a free-roll position wherein the brake element is disengaged from the track.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a roof structure having a plurality of purlins spaced apart from one another in a parallel arrangement is disclosed. The apparatus includes a carriage which is movable in a downstream direction along the length of the purlins. The carriage pays out a support sheet for support of insulation material as the carriage travels along the length of the purlins so that the support sheet depends from the top portion of adjacent purlins. The apparatus further includes at least one roller mounted on the carriage mounted to roll along the top portion of at least one purlin and thus support and guide the carriage along the downstream direction. The roller includes a frustum portion to hinder movement of the carriage in a direction lateral to the downstream direction and thus help to maintain the carriage in alignment with the purlins.

Abstract: An energy supply train for under-ground mining has several universal transport unit frames (UTU frames) (1) inter-connected by drawbars and useful as elements of a suspended monorail. At least one of the U68TU frames carries a heavy-duty transformer and at least another UTU frame carries a compact station (4, 5) arranged in a pressure-resistant housing (2, 3) with switchgear (13, 14, 15, 16) for supplying electric energy to underground working means and with electric connection devices (10, 11) at the input and output side of the pressure-resistant housing (2, 3). Each UTU frame (1) carries two compact stations (4, 5) mechanically interconnected by a box (6) and electrically interconnected by electric lines (17) that extend through said box (6) so as to form a single device. The electric connection devices are verified by means of authorised power outlets directly arranged on the walls of the pressure-resistant housings (2, 3) of the compact stations (4, 5).

Abstract: A running gear, in particular for chain hoists, load carrying and/or trailing cable, which includes a running rail comprising flange parts and a web part. Running wheels which are located opposite one another are supported on the flange parts of the running rail and guide rollers which are arranged on both sides in front of and behind each running wheel are vertically supported on the web part of the running rail. The guide rollers are rotatably supported in lateral wheel carriers connected below the running rail, at least one of the wheel carriers having a load suspension device connected thereto. Trapezoidally-shaped guide grooves conduct the guide rollers as the running gear moves longitudinally along the rail. The guide rollers have rounded edges which contact only a portion of the guide groove. Thus, the running gear moves steadily along the rail while the pitching and swaying movements which typically accompany the pendulum-like movement of the load are not transferred to the running gear.

Abstract: A support arm for attaching a device in a suspended manner is described. The support arm comprises a carriage secured to a top portion thereof for displacement along a guide rail. A brake pad is retained in a top end of the support arm and is actuated by a rotatable sleeve disposed at the bottom of the support arm whereby the brake pad is releasably engaged to arrest the arm at a desired location along the guide rail. A connecting bracket is rotatably secured to a bottom portion of the support arm to secure a device to be supported by the arm. A locking mechanism is actuable by the sleeve to unlock the connecting bracket to permit the device and the bracket to be rotatably displaced to a desired position and locked at such position. Particularly, but not exclusively, the support arm is for attaching a medical instrument in a suspended manner inside a patient's room of an ambulance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a traveling carriage moveable on a guide rod (14), wherein a traveling body (10) of the traveling carriage partially embraces the guide rod (14) with a gap opening remaining on one side, the gap opening being formed by a fixed projection (16) and a moveable projection (18) and, in the closed and locked operating condition, being smaller than the smallest cross section of the guide rod (14) which can be taken into consideration and, in the opened and unlocked removal condition, being larger than the largest cross section of the guide rod (14) which can be taken into consideration. This traveling carriage serves, for example, to mount a spotlight in a recording studio.