Abstract: In devices, such as overhead conveyors which have a main track and one or more spur tracks where carriers hold objects to be treated at the spur track stations, the carriers are towed or pushed along the main track by a chain tow means running in a guide which parallels the main track and are switched to the spur tracks for treatment. To save on costs, the spur tracks usually have an inclined portion so that the carriers move thereon to a treating station by gravity once they have been disconnected and switched from the main track. Here pusher means are provided on the tow chain to push the carriers out of the area of the switching zone, to thereby avoid collision with oncoming carriers and to push the switched carriers far enough that the force of gravity takes effect to cause the carriers to continue their movement.

Abstract: In a coupling apparatus for a circulating tow conveyor in which the carriages are held on a track with a portion running parallel to circulating tow chain and in which a coupling finger on the tow chain cooperates with coupling means on the conveyor, the coupling finger of the tow chain is pivotally mounted in a housing and is normally held in its vertical position by means of a locking lever which prevents the finger from pivoting out of contact with the cooperating coupling on the carriage but does not prevent pivotal movement of the finger in the opposite direction so that carriages pushed faster than the tow chain moves can be moved past one or more fingers on the tow chain. A releasing lever is provided to release the locking lever and, therefore, the carriage when the release lever is operated.

Abstract: A coupling arrangement for towing conveyors comprising a towing chain having catchers, a track disposed below the towing chain, running carts equipped with two running mechanisms rolling on the track, said catchers having movable coupling parts and said running carts having coupling elements securely disposed on said running mechanisms cooperating with said coupling parts, where the coupling parts disposed on the catchers of the towing chain comprise a housing in which a catcher finger and a setting lever which is in operative relationship thereto are pivotally mounted for movement in opposite directions about horizontal axes in a manner that the setting lever normally holds the catcher finger in its position of engagement and for a raised position of a run up part provided at the rear running mechanism of each running cart with a local running mechanism as seen in the direction of feed causes a pivoting upwardly of the catcher finger, while the roller carriers' supports of the running cart are designed as co

Abstract: Aim control arrangement for conveyor installations of the type having coding cards coordinated to individual carriages that work together with address questioning stations of the conveyor installation comprising a chain guiding rail, a running rail for said carriages, a pulling chain guided by said chain guiding rail, an address carrier frame for each carriage in which the coding card is received, an adjusting insert in said frame operative to adjust the height of the coding card in the proximity of the address questioning stations for cooperation with corresponding means.