Abstract: A multiple drive chain system comprises two-chain pairs and a plurality of rotatable sprockets working together and with the chain pairs to lift and transport heavy loads. The two-chain pairs are arranged in superposed interlocking relationship and each chain is made of a succession of links having link plates wherein the link plates of the fourth chain lie between and are inner to the link plates of the third chain, and the link plates of the first plate lie between and are inner to the link plates of the second chain. The first and third chains are piggybacked for part of their travel and, similarly, the second and fourth chains are piggybacked through part of their travel.

Abstract: A lift conveyor for conveying loads from one level to another comprises a first and second pair of offset endless chains trained over sprockets which guide the chains through their travel in a substantially parallel and spaced-apart relationship. The sprockets are rotatably driven by a motor, and load-carrying connectors connected to the chains define horizontal platforms between levels for carrying the loads and are bendable during their travel over the sprockets. By-pass stations are provided at each floor adjacent the chains which are selectively operable to by-pass any given floor. The by-pass station includes a lift table and a hydraulic device for raising and lowering the lift table. A horizontal roller conveyor on the lift table receives the loads and conveys them to a storage terminal, or when the table is raised in a by-pass mode, serves to re-load the load back onto the lift conveyor for lifting and unloading to another floor.

Abstract: An endless belt conveyor system has patterned belt transport surface for engaging loads having spaced protrusions on their bottom surfaces, such as, for example, multi-wheeled carts. The endless belt is trained over a pair of rollers, and has a plurality of nesting elements on its transport surface designed to match and engage the protrusions on the bottom of the loads. As each approaching load is identified, the belt speed is controlled so that the nesting elements on the belt surface engages the protrusions on the loads for securely engaging the loads during their transportation from one station to another. Different patterned belt transport surfaces are provided for engagements of the different protrusions of the loads with corresponding nesting elements on the surface of the belt during the transportation of the load.

Abstract: Residual gearing transmission which includes a rotary planetary satellite carrier that carries an annular array of a plurality of rotatably mounted and angularly spaced satellite gear units for driven rotation about the axes of these units independently of rotation of the carrier. An output gear is rotatably mounted coaxially with respect to this carrier and is also rotatable independently of the latter. A continuous inverted drive chain loop has an outer run lapped about the outer sides of the satellite gear units to extend at opposite ends of this outer run to between an adjacent pair of such units for providing an inner run that is lapped about the output gear. A first input drive means is drivably connected to the plurality of satellite gear units to rotate them simultaneously, and a second input drive means to this carrier.