Abstract: An improved limit switch actuator for position indicating limit switches in a drive chain take-up for a power and free conveyor system includes an actuator rod which is movable relative to a take-up cylinder. A flag is attached to the actuator rod and is positioned such that, as the actuator rod is moved relative to the cylinder, the flag actuates a series of position indicating limit switches. The actuator rod is linked to a piston in the take-up cylinder via a connecting plate which is rotatable relative to the piston while the actuator rod remains stable. Thus, the piston is free to rotate under the torque effects of a take-up chain without damage to the actuator rod.

Abstract: A cushioned tow bar for connecting a drive trolley to a load carriage in a power and free conveyor system includes a particulate shock absorber with a damping chamber which is partially filled with particulate material, such as small ball bearings, which act to dampen the movement of a piston through the damping chamber. The damping chamber comprises a portion of a sleeve which includes a threaded end cap which mates with threads on an open end of the sleeve. The threads in the sleeve extend along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve to an extent which allows the end cap to be threadably adjusted, changing the portion of the sleeve forming the damping chamber, and thus adjusting the cushioning effect of the tow bar.

Abstract: An automatic stabilizing unit for a free trolley and a load carriage in an inverted power and free conveyor system is connected to the free trolley. The stabilizing unit includes a stabilizer actuator which extends above a free track containing the free trolley from beneath the floor of a building which houses the conveyor, and a stabilizing gear mounted on the load carriage. At locations in an assembly plant, such as robotic welders or riveting stations where load shifting tolerances are critical, there must be additional stabilization of the load carriage. At these locations, stabilizing rails are positioned on top of the free track in line with stabilizing trucks on the stabilizing actuator. When the stabilizing trucks contact the rails, the trucks are urged upward, pushing an attached piston upward against a spring which causes a pair of stabilizing wheels on the stabilizing gear to rotate downward into contact with the factory floor, thus stabilizing the carriage only when needed.

Abstract: A trolley body for a power and free conveyor system having preformed machinable inserts cast into an austempered ductile iron body for axles wherein ends of the inserts to be embedded therein are center-drilled for positioning purposes in a casting mold. The preformed axles have a hexagonally-shaped cross-section to prevent rotation of the axles relative to the body and also have a groove thereabout to prevent axial movement of the axles relative to the body. The axles are constructed of swagable material to allow subsequent securement of wheels thereon. Gates in the trolley body casting for introducing the molten iron into the casting are situated immediately above or in near proximity to each insert embedded therein to minimize solidification shrinkage thereabout.

Abstract: A live roller pallet conveyor utilizes a plurality of drive assemblies spaced in aligned relation along the conveyor frame and which project upwardly into the plane containing the lower drive surface of the pallet. The drive assemblies have drive rollers which contact the pallet and are controlled in both drive direction and elevation. When driving the pallet, the drive assemblies carry substantially the entire weight thereof, except for that amount which is carried by spaced rollers along one edge of the conveyor frame. The arrangement permits the pallet to be driven virtually at the peripheral speed of the drive rollers, when driving longitudinallly of the conveyor, as well as permitting a controlled speed variation with fine accelerating or decelerating effects as the drive rollers are angled in drive direction. In one form, the pallet has an elongated free spinning roller on its under side which contacts the drive rollers for producing pallet motion.

Abstract: A self-adjusting shock absorbing carrier for inverted powder and free conveyors includes a telescoping tubular main carrier frame with a support trolley connected to a rear end of an outer tube and a drive trolley connected to a front end of an inner tube of the frame. Tubular friction pads are positioned between the inner and outer tubes and located so that the weight of a load supported by the main frame determines the frictional engagement between the inner and outer tubes and the friction pads. When the drive trolley is abruptly engaged by a pusher dog on a conveyor drive chain or when the drive trolley is abruptly braked, the shock generated thereby is dissipated in frictional resistance to relative movement between the inner and outer tubes to thereby cushion startup and braking of the carrier.

Abstract: A floor conveyor junction seal gap closure includes a closure member pivotally mounted on and resiliently connected to a bracket extending upward from a conveyor switch mechanism. The floor conveyor includes a main line and a diverging branch line, both adapted to carry load trolleys connected by posts to load carriers positioned above the floor level. Floor slots are provided to clear the connection posts, and the slots are closed by split resilient seals. The seals are opened by the connection posts moving through them and resiliently close behind the posts. A seal gap is formed at the area of divergence of the branch slot from the main slot. The closure plate is positioned below the seal gap to normally close the seal gap. The resilient mounting of the closure plate allows it to be deflected to allow a connection post to pass through the seal gap and afterward returns the closure plate to its neutral position to close the seal gap.

Abstract: A shock absorbing load carrier for an inverted power and free conveyor includes a telescoping main frame formed by a leading inner tubular member received in a trailing outer tubular member with a shock absorbing arrangement engaged therebetween. A drive trolley is connected to a front end of the inner member, and a support trolley is connected to a rear end of the outer member. A load supporting framework is mounted on the outer member for fastening a load to be carried thereon. The shock absorbing arrangement includes a damping chamber formed in the inner member and a piston member connected by a rod to the outer member. A particulate damping material, such as a quantity of ball bearings is positioned in the damping chamber. Relative movement of the inner and outer members caused by abrupt startup or braking of the drive trolley is retarded by resistance to movement of the piston through the damping material, thereby reducing the transfer of shocks from the drive trolley to the load.

Abstract: A center link pusher dog assembly for power and free conveyors includes a pusher dog member with a mounting base and a pusher dog projection upstanding therefrom. The mounting base has depending lugs and a rear shoulder to engage an abutment formed by a reduced central area of a center link of a conveyor chain. A bore through the pusher dog member recevies a bolt for clamping a center link between the pusher dog member and a conventional chain support type of power trolley. The lugs engage upstanding teeth on a mounting end of the power trolley and side walls of the center link to fix the longitudinal position of the pusher dog member relative to the power trolley and the center link and to fix its lateral position relative to the center link.

Abstract: A side link pusher dog member includes an elongated side link bar with an integral pusher dog extending upward from an upper surface at a leading end and an integral chain pin extending downward from a lower surface thereof. A trailing end has a slot intersected by a transverse recess to receive and position a conventional chain pin. The integral chain pin and rear chain pin have cylindrical portions forming bearing surfaces with a leading and trailing center link respectively and have T-shaped lower ends to receive a conventional side link member to form a complete side link pusher dog assembly. A lubrication passage is formed through the side link bar at a position immediately behind the pusher dog to provide access for a lubricant from a chain pin oiler machine to lubricate the pivot joint formed by the integral chain pin and the leading center link. The rear pivot joint is lubricated by the oiler machine through the slot in the trailing end of the side link bar.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprises a power and free central power track for receiving lead trolleys of a carrier and a pair of free tracks positioned on opposite sides of the power track for alternatively receiving trailing trolleys of the carriers such that the carriers are twin biased accumulated or banked in side-by-side relationship to one another on opposite sides of the power track. A switching mechanism is provided to control switching of the lead and trailing trolleys from a feed track to the appropriate power track or free track.

Abstract: A weight bearing trolley moves along a track having flanges between which a guide wheel of said trolley is positioned. The movement of the trolley is monitored to determine when braking is desired and, when desired, pressure is applied to said guide wheel, forcing it into contact with one of said flanges and producing frictional retarding force braking said trolley. A fail-safe actuator utilizes fluid pressure to keep a brake operating spring compressed when braking is not wanted.

Abstract: A transport assembly for use with a storage conveyor is provided. Generally, the transport assembly is for use in a warehousing system including a plurality of storage conveyors each having a surface thereon for storage of objects. The storage conveyors do not, independently, include a drive motor. Rather, the transport assembly is provided with means for engagement with a selected storage conveyor, to drive same. In particular, the transport assembly includes a pivotable arm having a powered drive wheel thereon, capable of selectively engaging a conveyor drive wheel. In the preferred embodiment, the arm comprises a yoke having first and second side members. Preferably, the side members include notches therein facilitating proper alignment and secure engagement between the arm and the storage conveyor. Two transport assemblies are disclosed, one for use with a charging end of a storage conveyor and the other for use with a discharge end.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively storing a thin tray or sheet in an elongate storage location, and retrieving trays therefrom, includes a tray extractor and a transport assembly. The tray extractor comprises a tray engagement mechanism and a tray linear movement actuator. The tray engagement mechanism operates as a hand to selectively grip or release trays which are being handled by the apparatus. The tray linear movement actuator acts as an arm to position the tray engagement mechanism and, when operated, to move an engaged tray. The tray linear movement actuator comprises a linear movement link and pulley arrangement which moves an engaged tray along a linear path of motion, and which maintains the tray engagement mechanism in a selected orientation with respect to that path of movement. The tray engagement mechanism comprises an X-shaped scissors mechanism having a plurality of jaws thereon. Scissors motion of the mechanism opens and closes the pairs of jaw members to selectively engage or disengage a tray.

Abstract: A line shaft driven conveyor includes a right angle drive unit in each of a plurality of accumulation zones. A clutch in each zone couples between the right angle unit and a belt and pulley arrangement which transfers drive from the clutch to the rollers in the zone. The clutch is controlled by a rotating collar which declutches when the collar is immobilized. A clutch control pawl in each zone is slidably mounted and is resiliently urged toward a stop position engaging and thus immobilizing the clutch control collar. A control rod extends between and is slidably engaged with the pawl of a zone and the pawls in the upstream and downstream zones adjacent thereto. Each rod has an abutment at each end for engagement with one of the pawls associated therewith in one direction of movement of the control rod. A sensor roller is positioned in each zone for engagement by an article in that zone and is connected with one of the rods associated with the pawl in that zone.

Abstract: An automatic latching assembly is provided for retaining vehicle bodies upon conveyor carriers during conveyance into and out of treatment baths. The assembly includes a carrier having latches mounted thereon which selectively engage the vehicle body securing it to the carrier. The latches comprise pivoting hooks rotatably mounted upon the carrier. Generally, gravity actuates pivoting of the hooks, biasing them into latching orientations. Unlatching orientations are achieved by a stationary, upward biasing cam operating upon the hooks. A downward biasing cam aids in the gravity actutation of the hooks into the latching orientation. The assembly selectively, automatically secures the vehicle body to the conveyor carrier, or releases it therefrom, as desired during transport of the vehicle body by the conveyor.

Abstract: An automatic storage and retrieval system including a storage bin, having a mechanism for positioning a vehicle at the storage bin including a rough positioning mechanism with an encoder having a rotatable member which rotates through an arc less than a complete revolution in response to movement of the vehicle and generates a signal with a different value at each of various member positions which correspond to respective vehicle rough position zones. A control device receives the signal and selectively causes the vehicle to move to a rough position zone at the storage bin. A fine positioning mechanism repositions the vehicle within a particular position zone after rough positioning and utilizes a light source and photoelectric sensor mounted on the vehicle for detecting a target mounted in a fixed relation with respect to the storage bin. The control mechanism receives an electrical signal generated by the photoelectric sensor and causes the vehicle to stop at the fine position location at the storage bin.

Abstract: A power and free conveyor system wherein a train of track supported trolleys includes a lead trolley normally driven by an overhead power chain. The train moves through a transfer area wherein the lead trolley is disengaged from the power chain; and, in order to complete the transfer, a trailing trolley is provided with a secondary or transfer dog which engages the power chain while the lead trolley is undriven. The transfer dog is pivotally connected to one end of an operating arm which is pivotally mounted on a lower portion of the trailing trolley, and the other end of the operating arm supports a cam follower. An actuating cam extends below the track in the transfer area, causing the transfer dog to rise into a transfer position so as to engage the power chain and thereby propel the train through the transfer area.

Abstract: A brake mechanism for an accumulation conveyor includes a brake frame supporting a brake pad at an angle and movable between a lower braking position with the brake pad frictionally engaging one of the conveyor rollers on an upper non-braking position. Preferably, the brake frame includes pressure rollers for moving a roller driving belt into contact with the conveyor rollers in the non-braking position and out of contact with the rollers in the braking position. The brake frame includes ramp members engaging bearing rollers on the conveyor frame, and an extendible member is operable by actuation of a downstream signal roller to move the brake frame relative to the conveyor frame.

Abstract: A conveyor stop structure arrests the forward motion of a selected article carried by a belt driven live roller conveyor and simultaneously disengages an associated roller from powered engagement with the belt. The stop structure includes a stop connected to conveyor frame members for upward pivotal movement, and a roller contacting cam for raising a selected roller from powered engagement with the belt. The stop has an angled lower portion which receives a bottom leading edge of the article and lifts at least the bottom leading edge from contact with another roller as the article swings the stop rearwardly and upwardly.