Abstract: An overhead mounted friction drive conveyor assembly including a biasing section for biasing objects such as car doors. The conveyor assembly includes a conveying rail and a biasing rail extending in spaced and parallel relationship with the conveying rail. The conveyor assembly also includes at least three trolleys and at least two tow bars extending between and interconnecting the trolleys. A biasing mechanism allows at least two of the trolleys to remain on the conveying rail and guides at least one trolley onto the biasing rail so that one of the tow bars extends between the biasing rails. The object is disposed on the tow bar extending between the biasing rails. A plurality of friction drivers are disposed on the conveying rail for only driving the tow bar extending between the trolleys on the conveying rail.

Abstract: An overhead mounted friction drive conveyor assembly including a biasing section for biasing objects such as car doors. The conveyor assembly includes a conveying rail and a biasing rail extending in spaced and parallel relationship with the conveying rail. The conveyor assembly also includes at least three trolleys and at least two tow bars extending between and interconnecting the trolleys. A biasing mechanism allows at least two of the trolleys to remain on the conveying rail and guides at least one trolley onto the biasing rail so that one of the tow bars extends between the biasing rails. The object is disposed on the tow bar extending between the biasing rails. A plurality of friction drivers are disposed on the conveying rail for only driving the tow bar extending between the trolleys on the conveying rail.

Abstract: A conveyor system having a conveyor path and friction drive spaced along the path to drive carriers along the path. Each friction drive is controlled by a drive controller, which communicates tracking, routing, and other information directly to other drive controllers within range via a wireless signal. The drive controllers may also directly communicate wirelessly with a central controller. If the central controller or a desired destination drive controller is out of range of a particular drive controller, that drive controller may communicate through other drive controllers until the desired destination drive controller is reached, or a drive controller that is within range of the central controller is reached.

Abstract: A stackable carrier assembly, carrier stacking system, and method of storing carrier assemblies is disclosed. The carrier assembly includes a base member presenting a load surface and opposite facing transfer surface. A plurality of carrier trolleys extend transversely from the load surface to engage conveyor tracks. A plurality of track sections are coupled to the load surface for receiving the carrier trolleys of another carrier assembly. The track sections are vertically aligned with the carrier trolleys. In a power and free or friction drive conveyor system, a lift device and telescoping arm can lift and stack the carrier assemblies so that track sections of one carrier assembly receive the carrier trolleys of another carrier assembly. In an overhead conveyor system, one carrier assembly can hang from the track sections of another carrier assembly.

Abstract: A conveyor system having a conveyor path and friction drive spaced along the path to drive carriers along the path. Each friction drive is controlled by a drive controller, which communicates tracking, routing, and other information directly to other drive controllers within range via a wireless signal. The drive controllers may also directly communicate wirelessly with a central controller. If the central controller or a desired destination drive controller is out of range of a particular drive controller, that drive controller may communicate through other drive controllers until the desired destination drive controller is reached, or a drive controller that is within range of the central controller is reached.

Abstract: A stackable carrier assembly, carrier stacking system, and method of storing carrier assemblies is disclosed. The carrier assembly includes a base member presenting a load surface and opposite facing transfer surface. A plurality of carrier trolleys extend transversely from the load surface to engage conveyor tracks. A plurality of track sections are coupled to the load surface for receiving the carrier trolleys of another carrier assembly. The track sections are vertically aligned with the carrier trolleys. In a power and free or friction drive conveyor system, a lift device and telescoping arm can lift and stack the carrier assemblies so that track sections of one carrier assembly receive the carrier trolleys of another carrier assembly. In an overhead conveyor system, one carrier assembly can hang from the track sections of another carrier assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle having (i) a rotatable platform for securing a load thereto, and (ii) an object detection system for detecting an object in the vehicle's path of travel. The sensitivity of the object detection system is variable so that it can be varied based on the rotated position of the load.

Abstract: A manufacturing operation having a first production area, a second production area, and a plurality of platforms each having independently controllable drive assemblies for moving the platforms through the production and delivery areas. Adjacent platforms are spaced from one another a first distance in the delivery areas and a second distance in the production areas, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance and, preferably, where the second distance creates a “zero” gap between adjacent platform decks.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly including a conveyor defining a conveying direction and a carrier assembly operably coupled to the conveyor. The carrier assembly includes a carrier frame, a rotating mechanism coupled to move with the carrier and having a rotatable shaft with a rotary axis parallel to the conveying direction. The carrier assembly further includes a workpiece mounting frame coupled to rotate with the rotatable shaft. The invention is also directed to a workpiece treatment system having the conveyor assembly described above as well as a method of using the conveyor assembly to convey workpieces through a treatment system.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly including a conveyor defining a conveying direction and a carrier assembly operably coupled to the conveyor. The carrier assembly includes a carrier frame, a rotating mechanism coupled to move with the carrier and having a rotatable shaft with a rotary axis parallel to the conveying direction. The carrier assembly further includes a workpiece mounting frame coupled to rotate with the rotatable shaft. The invention is also directed to a workpiece treatment system having the conveyor assembly described above as well as a method of using the conveyor assembly to convey workpieces through a treatment system.

Abstract: A manufacturing operation having a first production area, a second production area, and a plurality of platforms each having independently controllable drive assemblies for moving the platforms through the production and delivery areas. Adjacent platforms are spaced from one another a first distance in the delivery areas and a second distance in the production areas, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance and, preferably, where the second distance creates a “zero” gap between adjacent platform decks.

Abstract: A storage track section for a power and free conveyor system having carriers each comprising a leading driving trolley, a first load carrying trolley connected to the driving trolley by a tow bar, and a second load carrying trolley connected to the first load carrying trolley by load carrying structure. The storage track section includes parallel first and second load tracks which respectively support the first and second load carrying trolleys and are transversely spaced apart a distance less than the length of the load carrying structure; and, includes a driving trolley track located intermediate and parallel to the load tracks and transversely spaced from the first load track a distance less than the length of the tow bar.