Abstract: A shopping cart conveyor that inhibits the loading of a non-compliant shopping cart onto the conveyor. In one aspect, the invention provides a conveyor comprising a track operable to guide the shopping cart between a first location and a second location, a gate assembly including a door movable between a closed position inhibiting entry to the track and an open position allowing entry to the track, a lock for securing the door in the closed position, and a sensor (e.g., an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor, a radar sensor, an infrared sensor, an RFID reader, a magnetic sensor, and a mechanical sensor) positioned to detect the presence of a shopping cart. In another aspect, the conveyor is configured to move the gate from the closed position to the open position when the sensor detects the presence of a shopping cart. Preferably this is done using a drive mechanism coupled to the gate.

Abstract: A vertical conveyor that includes a frame, a carriage, and a drive mechanism. The frame includes a vertical support member, and the carriage is coupled to the frame to carry a load. The carriage is mounted for movement along the vertical support member. The drive mechanism includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The first actuator includes a cylinder and a rod that extends from the cylinder to raise the carriage. The second actuator includes a cylinder and a rod each having lengths greater than lengths of the cylinder and rod of the first actuator. The rod of the second actuator extends from the cylinder of the second actuator to raise the carriage and the cylinder of the first actuator.

Abstract: A shopping cart conveyor that inhibits the loading of a non-compliant shopping cart onto the conveyor. In one aspect, the invention provides a conveyor comprising a track operable to guide the shopping cart between a first location and a second location, a gate assembly including a door movable between a closed position inhibiting entry to the track and an open position allowing entry to the track, a lock for securing the door in the closed position, and a sensor (e.g., an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor, a radar sensor, an infrared sensor, an RFID reader, a magnetic sensor, and a mechanical sensor) positioned to detect the presence of a shopping cart. In another aspect, the conveyor is configured to move the gate from the closed position to the open position when the sensor detects the presence of a shopping cart. Preferably this is done using a drive mechanism coupled to the gate.

Abstract: A conveyor belt assembly including a flexible belt body with a plurality of spaced flexible teeth and at least one hardened tooth coupled to the belt body. The flexible belt body and flexible teeth comprise a resilient material. The hardened tooth comprises hardened plastic or metal. The flexible belt body also includes at least one reinforcing member within the belt body. A guide member is coupled to the flexible belt body and the hardened tooth to assist in transporting objects on the conveyor belt assembly. A pivotable clamping device clamps the ends of the belt body together to form a continuous belt. The clamping device clamps the reinforcing member to ensure a strong connection.

Abstract: A conveyor belt assembly including a flexible belt body with a plurality of spaced flexible teeth and at least one hardened tooth coupled to the belt body. The flexible belt body and flexible teeth comprise a resilient material. The hardened tooth comprises hardened plastic or metal. The flexible belt body also includes at least one reinforcing member within the belt body. A guide member is coupled to the flexible belt body and the hardened tooth to assist in transporting objects on the conveyor belt assembly. A pivotable clamping device clamps the ends of the belt body together to form a continuous belt. The clamping device clamps the reinforcing member to ensure a strong connection.

Abstract: A conveyor belt assembly including a flexible belt body with a plurality of spaced flexible teeth and at least one hardened tooth coupled to the belt body. The flexible belt body and flexible teeth comprise a resilient material. The hardened tooth comprises hardened plastic or metal. The flexible belt body also includes at least one reinforcing member within the belt body. A guide member is coupled to the flexible belt body and the hardened tooth to assist in transporting objects on the conveyor belt assembly. A pivotable clamping device clamps the ends of the belt body together to form a continuous belt. The clamping device clamps the reinforcing member to ensure a strong connection.

Abstract: A conveyor belt assembly including a flexible belt body with a plurality of spaced flexible teeth and at least one hardened tooth coupled to the belt body. The flexible belt body and flexible teeth comprise a resilient material. The hardened tooth comprises hardened plastic or metal. The flexible belt body also includes at least one reinforcing member within the belt body. A guide member is coupled to the flexible belt body and the hardened tooth to assist in transporting objects on the conveyor belt assembly. A pivotable clamping device clamps the ends of the belt body together to form a continuous belt. The clamping device clamps the reinforcing member to ensure a strong connection.

Abstract: An inclined conveyor for transporting shopping carts between an upper floor and a lower floor. The inclined conveyor includes a continuous conveyor assembly having a conveyor belt including a plurality of spaced drive lugs that engage a shopping cart. The moving conveyor belt transports the shopping cart between the upper and lower floors. The inclined conveyor includes a jam detector that interrupts operation of the conveyor upon detection of a jam along the conveyor. The inclined conveyor further includes a front wheel alignment and turning system for rotating at least one of the front wheels 180 degrees to place both front wheels in a common aligned position so as to prevent unnecessary operation of the jam detector along the conveyor belt. The inclined conveyor further includes a cart travel correction device for maintaining proper engagement between a portion of the cart and one of the drive lugs on the conveyor belt.

Abstract: An inclined conveyor for transporting shopping carts between an upper floor and a lower floor. The inclined conveyor includes a continuous conveyor assembly having a conveyor belt including a plurality of spaced drive lugs that engage a shopping cart. The moving conveyor belt transports the shopping cart between the upper and lower floors. The inclined conveyor includes a jam detector that interrupts operation of the conveyor upon detection of a jam along the conveyor. The inclined conveyor further includes sensors that prevent operation of the conveyor assembly if a person is present at either the unloading end or loading end of the conveyor assembly. At least one cart arrester is positioned along the length of the inclined conveyor to prevent uncontrolled descent of a shopping cart along the length of the inclined conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting articles between various locations along a conveyor path including multiple sections extending in different directions. The conveyor system includes a conveyor roller assembly that includes an articulated conveyor body. The articulated conveyor body includes a plurality of front guide rollers and a plurality of back guide rollers. The front and back guide rollers support the carriage assembly between a tubular inner guide rail and a tubular outer guide rail. The tubular inner and outer guide rails define a conveyor path along which each of the individual carriage roller assemblies travel. Each conveyor roller assembly includes a center shaft about which the front guide rollers and rear guide rollers are independently rotatable. The center shaft is connected to a driven conveyor chain that moves each of the individual carriage roller assemblies along the conveyor path.

Abstract: A vertical reciprocating conveyor having a safety mechanism for automatically locking the carriage of the conveyor at an elevated level upon uncontrolled vertical movement of the carriage. The conveyor includes a safety mechanism having a locking device mounted onto the movable carriage. The locking device includes a safety cam that is movable between an engaging position and a non-engaging position, such that when the safety cam is in the engaging position, the safety cam prevents the carriage from moving along the vertical support columns. The safety mechanism further includes a speed-sensing device that detects the speed of vertical movement of the carriage. When the speed of the conveyor exceeds an upper speed limit, the speed-sensing device releases the locking device. The speed-sensing device includes a cylindrical housing having a weighted shaft that slides into and out of the housing.

Abstract: A portable lift for transporting cargo between different vertical levels of a building. The lift comprises a frame mounted for movement on a plurality of wheels. A carriage having a cantilevered platform that is adapted to support the cargo is mounted for vertical movement on the frame between a lower level and an upper level. The wheels can be manually moved between a lower supporting position where they support the frame for movement to an upper, non-supporting position. Movement of the wheels to the upper, non-supporting position automatically engages a locking mechanism to lock the frame to the building to prevent accidental movement of the frame during a loading operation. The platform of the carriage can be selectively positioned at either a lower position to receive cargo from mechanical handling equipment, or at an upper position to receive a manually carried cargo.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic drive mechanism for a vertical conveyor. The conveyor comprises a pair of upright supports or columns and a carriage to support a load or cargo is guided for vertical movement on the columns. The drive mechanism includes a pair of first hydraulic cylinder units and a pair of second hydraulic cylinder units that preferably have twice the length of the first cylinder units. The first or shorter cylinder units are connected between a movable cross beam and the carriage, while the second cylinder units are connected between the movable beam and the upper end of the frame. At a lower level both the first and second cylinder units are in an extended condition, while at an upper level both cylinder units are retracted.

Abstract: A vertical reciprocating conveyor having a safety mechanism for automatically locking the conveyor at an elevated level. The conveyor comprises a cargo-supporting carriage which is guided for movement between a lower level and an upper level on a supporting structure. A drive mechanism which can take the form of a hydraulic cylinder unit is operably connected to the carriage and moves the carriage from the lower to the upper level. As the carriage moves upwardly, it travels slightly beyond the upper level to a third higher location where the carriage engages a limit switch which acts to discontinue operation of the hydraulic system, enabling the carriage to lower by gravity. At this third location, a pair of locking bars that are pivoted to the sides of the carriage, are moved toward a locking position so that as the carriage moves downwardly, the locking bars engage ledges on the supporting structure thereby locking the carriage at the upper level.

Abstract: A vertical conveyor for lifting materials between different vertical levels. The conveyor comprises a pair of spaced upright supports or beams and a carriage to support a load or cargo is guided for vertical movement on the beams. A hydraulic cylinder unit is associated with each beam and the ram or piston rod of each cylinder unit carries a first sheave, while a second sheave is located at the upper end of each beam. A link chain formed of a plurality of interconnected loops is trained over each first and second sheave, and one end of each chain is dead-ended on the respective beam, while the opposite end of the chain is connected to the carriage. Retraction of the piston rod will move the carriage upwardly to a second vertical level. The axes of the first sheaves are located at 90.degree. with respect to the axes of the second sheaves, so that the cylinder can be mounted tight against the beams to minimize the bending moment.

Abstract: A material transfer apparatus for transferring articles between different vertical levels. The apparatus includes a pair of endless members, such as chains, mounted for travel in parallel generally rectangular paths, each including an upward vertical run, an upper horizontal run, a downward vertical run and a lower horizontal run. At least one carrier is mounted on the chains for free rotation about a horizontal axis and the carrier has a article supporting surface extending horizontally in cantilevered relation from the axis. Articles to be transferred are fed into the path of travel of the carrier by a first conveyer as the carrier moves in the upward vertical run and are elevated from the first conveyer and subsequently lowered by the carrier onto a second discharge conveyer for discharge as the carrier travels in the downward vertical run.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing and intalling batteries from equipment, such as a lift truck. The apparatus includes a mobile frame and a bed is mounted for vertical movement on the frame so that the bed can be moved to a position at the same level as the floor of the battery compartment in the lift truck. A pair of parallel drive chains are mounted for endless travel on the bed, and a coupling is carried by the chain and is adapted to engage a strap which encircles the base portion of the battery. By operating the chains, the battery can be withdrawn from the vehicle onto the bed, and the unit carrying the battery can then be moved to a recharging area where the battery is pushed from the bed onto a recharging rack. To raise and lower the bed, a floating cylinder unit is located within the upper horizontal frame member and is connected to one side of the bed.