Abstract: A vertical reciprocating conveyor has a carriage mounted for movement in a support frame between different designated vertical levels, a door assembly mounted on the support frame for gaining access to the carriage when the carriage is at the one designated level. A visual warning barrier is movably mounted between a raised, inoperative position and a lowered, operative position across a doorway formed in the support frame at the one designated level. The visual warning barrier is automatically moved from the raised, inoperative position to the lowered, operative position upon movement of the door assembly to the open position when the carriage is located away from the one designated level.

Abstract: A vertical reciprocating conveyor has a carriage mounted for movement in a support frame between different designated vertical levels, a door assembly mounted on the support frame for gaining access to the carriage when the carriage is at the one designated level. A visual warning barrier is movably mounted between a raised, inoperative position and a lowered, operative position across a doorway formed in the support frame at the one designated level. The visual warning barrier is automatically moved from the raised, inoperative position to the lowered, operative position upon movement of the door assembly to the open position when the carriage is located away from the one designated level.

Abstract: A conveyor for moving a shopping cart between a first location and a second location. The conveyor including a movable conveyor that is adapted to engage and move the shopping cart along a path, and a gate assembly including a door that is movable between an open position allowing passage of the shopping cart along the path, and a closed position inhibiting passage of the shopping art along the path. The door is adapted to move from the closed position to the open position as the shopping cart approaches, and is adapted to move back to the closed position before the shopping cart has passed the door.

Abstract: A multi-level vehicle lift comprising a first platform mounted for movement between a lowered position and a raised position. A second platform is positioned below the first platform and is coupled to the first platform by a lift member such that movement of the first platform above a first raised position causes movement of the second platform. A third platform is positioned below the second platform and coupled to the first platform by a lift member such that movement of the first platform above a second raised position causes movement of the third platform A pit may be positioned below the platforms, and the lower-most platform is in the pit when the first platform is in the lowered position. Preferably, the pit is recessed into a ground surface, and an upper surface of the first platform is substantially flush with the ground surface when in the lowered position.

Abstract: A conveyor for moving a shopping cart between a first location and a second location. The conveyor including a movable conveyor that is adapted to engage and move the shopping cart along a path, and a gate assembly including a door that is movable between an open position allowing passage of the shopping cart along the path, and a closed position inhibiting passage of the shopping art along the path. The door is adapted to move from the closed position to the open position as the shopping cart approaches, and is adapted to move back to the closed position before the shopping cart has passed the door.

Abstract: A shopping cart conveyor system that moves a shopping cart from one location to another along a path. The system includes a frame, a track coupled to the frame, and a conveyor coupled to the frame and having an engagement member (e.g., multiple engagement members) adapted to engage a shopping cart. The engagement member is movable (e.g., pivotable) relative to the track from a first position, where the engagement member will engage and move the shopping cart along the path, and a second position, where the engagement member is capable of releasing engagement of the shopping cart. Preferably, the engagement member is biased toward the first position (e.g., by a resilient member). In one embodiment, the engagement member includes an engagement surface adapted to engage the shopping cart and defining an engagement angle between the engagement surface and a reference axis parallel to the path.

Abstract: A multi-level vehicle lift comprising a first platform mounted for movement between a lowered position and a raised position. A second platform is positioned below the first platform and is coupled to the first platform by a short collapsible lift member such that upward movement of the first platform above a first raised position causes upward movement of the second platform. A third platform is positioned below the second platform and coupled to the first platform by a long collapsible lift member such that upward movement of the first platform above a second raised position causes upward movement of the third platform. In another aspect of the invention, a pit is positioned below the platforms, and at least the lower-most platform is at least partially in the pit when the first platform is in the lowered position. Preferably, the pit is recessed into a ground surface, and an upper surface of the first platform is substantially flush with the ground surface when in the lowered position.

Abstract: A shopping cart conveyor system that moves a shopping cart from one location to another along a path. The system includes a frame, a track coupled to the frame, and a conveyor coupled to the frame and having an engagement member (e.g., multiple engagement members) adapted to engage a shopping cart. The engagement member is movable (e.g., pivotable) relative to the track from a first position, where the engagement member will engage and move the shopping cart along the path, and a second position, where the engagement member is capable of releasing engagement of the shopping cart. Preferably, the engagement member is biased toward the first position (e.g., by a resilient member). In one embodiment, the engagement member includes an engagement surface adapted to engage the shopping cart and defining an engagement angle between the engagement surface and a reference axis parallel to the path.

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 an improved 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 is operably connected to the carriage and moves the carriage from the lower to the upper level. A locking arrangement having a pair of ramp members and a locking projection is mounted on the supporting structure at the upper level and is movable among a release position, an extended position and a locking position. An actuating assembly including a roller depending from the pivot arm and a catch plate is mounted for movement on the carriage for moving the locking arrangement between the release position and the locking position.

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.