Abstract: A chain abnormality detection device provided at a predetermined location on a circulation path of an endless chain includes a measurement start position detector, a reference position detector, and a distance measurement unit. The measurement start position detector detects that a measurement start position comes to a first predetermined position, and the reference position detector detects a timing when a reference position comes to a second predetermined position. The distance measurement unit measures a distance from the reference position to a subsequent reference position, at each of the timings. A difference calculator is provided which calculates a difference between the distance measured at the present time and the distance measured at the previous time, for the same reference position, and a breakage determination unit is provided which determines whether there is partial breakage, on the basis of the difference calculated by the difference calculator.

Abstract: A vertical circulating conveyor includes a lowering path part (3) and a raising path part (4) that connect end portions of a conveyance path part (1) and a return path part (2) vertically positioned in a linear arrangement. The lowering path part (3) includes front wheel lowering guide rails (8A) to guide front wheels (F) of a transport vehicle (5) and rear wheel lowering guide rails (8B) to guide rear wheels (R) of the transport vehicle (5). The transport vehicle (5) is moved in the lowering path part (3) by falling under its own weight in almost the horizontal state in a powerless manner while the front wheels (F) of the transport vehicle (5) are guided by the front wheel lowering guide rails (8A) and the rear wheels (R) of the transport vehicle (5) are guided by the rear wheel lowering guide rails (8B).

Abstract: A vertical circulating conveyor includes a lowering path part (3) and a raising path part (4) that connect end portions of a conveyance path part (1) and a return path part (2) vertically positioned in a linear arrangement. The lowering path part (3) includes front wheel lowering guide rails (8A) to guide front wheels (F) of a transport vehicle (5) and rear wheel lowering guide rails (8B) to guide rear wheels (R) of the transport vehicle (5). The transport vehicle (5) is moved in the lowering path part (3) by falling under its own weight in almost the horizontal state in a powerless manner while the front wheels (F) of the transport vehicle (5) are guided by the front wheel lowering guide rails (8A) and the rear wheels (R) of the transport vehicle (5) are guided by the rear wheel lowering guide rails (8B).