Abstract: A rail segment for a stairlift and its method of formation are provided. The rail segment includes an elongate tube made of a first material, the tube comprising a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal retaining slot extending from the first end to the second end; a rack made of a second material, the rack comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the rack is held within the retaining slot; and anchor securing the rack within the retaining slot to the tube at or adjacent to ends of the tube.

Abstract: Embodiments related to magnetic current sensors, systems and methods. In an embodiment, a magnetic current sensor integrated in an integrated circuit (IC) and housed in an IC package comprises an IC die formed to present at least three magnetic sense elements on a first surface, a conductor, and at least one slot formed in the conductor, wherein a first end of the at least one slot and at least one of the magnetic sense elements are relatively positioned such that the at least one of the magnetic sense elements is configured to sense an increased magnetic field induced in the conductor proximate the first end of the at least one slot.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide an integrated circuit package having a conductive leadframe, a non-conductive die paddle mechanically coupled to the leadframe, and a die disposed on the die paddle and electrically connected to the leadframe. With this arrangement, eddy currents are reduced near the magnetic field transducer to reduce interference with magnetic fields.

Abstract: A method of forming a rack (45) (e.g. of the type used in a geared system such as a rack and pinion), suitable for use in a stairlift rail, comprises providing a plurality (30) of elongate strips (10) and securing the plurality of strips together as a stack of strips to form the rack. The strips may be profiled to provide a profile to the rack. Preferably the profile provides a toothed rack on which a gear or roller of a stairlift carriage may be driven. The rack may be formed in a continuous process. The rack may be straight or curved. A rack comprising a plurality of elongate strips secured together as a stack of strips is also described.

Abstract: A multipart rail-like profile comprises at least two or more joinable or insertable profile elements (1), having at least one ratchet (5), a toothed rack compartment, or codings extending in the longitudinal direction. In addition, pattern elements (11) having equidistantly spaced elements (13), which are coupled to the ratchet or toothed rack partitioning, are provided in at least one wall of each profile element (1). For connecting the joinable or insertable profile elements (1), a connecting element (21) having a further wall (23) is provided for adjoining the wall of each profile element, having further, longitudinally extending pattern elements (25) which are congruent with the pattern elements (11), the elements (27) of which have matching spacing.

Abstract: A balancer hoist has an electric servomotor driving irreversible gearing in turn driving a hoist chain drive. A float mode and a manual mode are provided using two independent load sensors for sensing the load weight and force applied to a control grip. A traversing control is produced by a tractor carriage rolling on tracks defined by bottom flanges of an overhead rail connected to a trolley also traveling on the rail and supported on upper hoist assembly.

Abstract: A multipart rail-like profile comprises at least two or more joinable or insertable profile elements (1), having at least one ratchet (5), a toothed rack compartment, or codings extending in the longitudinal direction. In addition, pattern elements (11) having equidistantly spaced elements (13), which are coupled to the ratchet or toothed rack partitioning, are provided in at least one wall of each profile element (1). For connecting the joinable or insertable profile elements (1), a connecting element (21) having a further wall (23) is provided for adjoining the wall of each profile element, having further, longitudinally extending pattern elements (25) which are congruent with the pattern elements (11), the elements (27) of which have matching spacing.

Abstract: The public highway system includes automated, elevated single lane throughways having wide and narrow gauge rail track arranged in various combinations. A control system regulates spacing of bimodal vehicles while maintaining a uniform speed for all vehicles on the system. The bimodal vehicles perform as conventional automobiles on conventional roadways and as fully automated safe high speed vehicles on elevated single lane, single speed, high-density electric rail guideways using static vertical switching accomplished by operation of variable gauge rail wheels on the vehicle to engage with or disengage from a wide gauge track portion wider than the bimodal vehicles. Vehicles enter/leave the mainline on the narrower gauge track. The wider gauge is for passing over off-ramps or in switching systems. A single lane can handle 15,800 veh/hr including mixed use such as mail, freight, mass transit in captive driverless vehicles with exclusive off-ramps to federal, commercial, industrial and public terminals.

Abstract: A toy vehicle and a track are provided. The track includes a first recess underneath a first rack and a second recess underneath a second rack opposite the first rack, and the vehicle includes a first coupler with a first lateral portion for insertion into the first recess and a second lateral portion for insertion into the second recess, such that the first lateral portion is adapted to move in the first recess and the second lateral portion is adapted to move in the second recess during motion of the vehicle along the track so as to secure the vehicle to the track. Also, magnet-coupling elements may be provided. Further, the vehicle includes gears disposed near the bottom of the vehicle, and the track includes a pair of opposed racks to cooperate with teeth of the gears to impart motion to the vehicle along the track.

Abstract: A conveyor comprising a plurality of self-propelled carriers adapted to run along a rail, which is provided with a rack disposed at a gradient portion thereof and having a plurality of downward teeth. Each of the carriers has a gear meshable with the rack teeth and an electric motor for driving the gear. The rail is provided, at a portion of transit to the portion having the rack, with a plurality of combined ratchet pawls arranged longitudinally of the rail at a specified spacing. Each combined ratchet pawl comprises in combination a forward ratchet pawl movable only forward to escape and mesh with the gear of the carrier, and a rearward ratchet pawl movable only rearward to escape and mesh with the gear.

Abstract: An elongate deformable ribbon drive rail for carrying a working apparatus having a toothed drive gear and support mechanism is provided in the form of a first narrow elongate strip of metal of width to carry the support mechanism, a second narrower strip of metal having a regular series of corrugations extending lengthwise thereof fixed to the first strip intermediate its edges at each valley of the second strip and adapted to be engaged by the toothed drive gear while the edges of the first strip engage the support mechanism.

Abstract: In the long wall mining of coal, a sectional pan-line is positioned along the working face of the coal seam parallel with the working face. The pan-line sections joined together have parallel rails along which the mining machine travels. At least one of said rails comprises a continuous gear rack at a height above ground with which a power driven gear wheel on the mining machine meshes for propelling the machine back and forth along the face of the coal. This invention is for a wheeled flat bed dolly having two parallel rails, one along each side, that are of height and width matching the rails of the pan-line. There is a support at one end of each of these rails to which the ends of the rails of the pan-line interfit with a temporary connection holding the dolly and pan-line against separation.

Abstract: Cog wheel vehicle system. A single track consists of a square beam having a pair of flanges. There is a row of holes in each flange. A vehicle rides on the track and has a cog wheel engaging the holes in the flange. A directional hydraulic motor is connected to drive the cog wheel. A hydraulic pump is connected to drive the motor. A gasoline engine is pivotally mounted on the vehicle and is connected to drive the pump.

Abstract: A rack-rail assembly for a mining machine has a pair of relatively long rail sections longitudinally generally aligned with each other and having respective forked ends juxtaposed at a joint location. A relatively short link at this joint location has at each of the forked ends an outwardly projecting pin that engages in elongated holes of the forked ends so that limited relative longitudinal displacement between the rail sections and the link is possible. This link has at least two teeth and each of the rail sections has a plurality of teeth, so that when a mining machine travels along the rail assembly thus formed variations in tooth spacing at the joint location can be compensated for. A damping or spring member is provided between each of the rail sections and the link, normally urging them apart.

Abstract: A controllable distributing conveying system for transporting people or goods is provided with stations which are arranged on a passive rail network and which include container loading-on positions, container off-loading positions, and container depots. Self-propelled controllable conveying units are movable between the stations and are fitted with pairs of running wheels for normal travel and for travel when being switched in and out and also have container-carrying surfaces separate from the drive section which are coupled by a universal joint member. Containers are loadable onto and off-loaded from the conveying units by means of loading and off-loading arrangements which have active locking members and unlocking members. These containers are held secure in all directions during travel, and are conductable to their destination by the shortest path by means of passive switching-in and switching-out arrangements, and these latter arrangements comprise rails, which the conveying units hold onto.

Abstract: An elongate formable drive rail for carrying a working apparatus having a toothed drive gear and support elements is provided in the form of a narrow elongate strip of metal having a regular series of corrugations extending lengthwise of the strip intermediate its edges and adapted to be engaged by the toothed drive gear while the edges of the strip engage the support elements.