Abstract: A continuous conveyor for elevating articles such as trayed mail has a support frame on which are mounted sprockets which drive two parallel drive chains in vertical planes. A bar is connected between the chains and a carriage is rotatably connected to the bar. The carriage has a plurality of tines which form an elevatable platform. The carriage has a center guide roller which is guided along a closed looped path by vertical guide tracks and two side rollers guided by a separate set of tracks. Spring-loaded members maintain engagement of the side rollers with the track at the lower portion of carriage travel. The apparatus is substantially open at the front and the sides to permit infeed and outfeed from either the front or the sides. The front-loading conveyors have a plurality of sprocket-driven belts and the side loading conveyors have a plurality of driven rollers which interdigitate with the tines of the carriage to permit elevation of articles in a continuous stream.

Abstract: A trolley body for a power and free conveyor system having preformed machinable inserts cast into an austempered ductile iron body for axles wherein ends of the inserts to be embedded therein are center-drilled for positioning purposes in a casting mold. The preformed axles have a hexagonally-shaped cross-section to prevent rotation of the axles relative to the body and also have a groove thereabout to prevent axial movement of the axles relative to the body. The axles are constructed of swagable material to allow subsequent securement of wheels thereon. Gates in the trolley body casting for introducing the molten iron into the casting are situated immediately above or in near proximity to each insert embedded therein to minimize solidification shrinkage thereabout.

Abstract: A self-adjusting shock absorbing carrier for inverted powder and free conveyors includes a telescoping tubular main carrier frame with a support trolley connected to a rear end of an outer tube and a drive trolley connected to a front end of an inner tube of the frame. Tubular friction pads are positioned between the inner and outer tubes and located so that the weight of a load supported by the main frame determines the frictional engagement between the inner and outer tubes and the friction pads. When the drive trolley is abruptly engaged by a pusher dog on a conveyor drive chain or when the drive trolley is abruptly braked, the shock generated thereby is dissipated in frictional resistance to relative movement between the inner and outer tubes to thereby cushion startup and braking of the carrier.