Abstract: A deployable production facility may be used to produce building modules for use in the construction of buildings, and may be capable of later being redeployed at other locations. A frame is removably mounted to a production floor and is used to support one or more overhead cranes that are positioned over one or more production lines defined on the production floor, and a tent, is used to enclose the production line(s), frame and overhead cranes. As desired, the tent, overhead cranes and frame may be disassembled and redeployed at a different site.

Abstract: A method of fire-fighting is provided based on unmanned aerial vehicles “UAV(s)” launched from transporter aircrafts to deliver water or fire-retardants or any other fire-fighting materials to a location selected by the fire-fighting personnel. A capability of putting-off high intensity forest fires is provided that stems from the precision and the quantity of material that can be delivered per unit surface per unit time. After releasing the fire-fighting material(s), the UAV reaches a safe altitude from which it flies on autopilot to intercept and then proceed on a pre-programmed route to land per pre-programmed instructions on an airfield from which fire-fighting transporter(s) operate, allowing a high efficiency along the line, from loading the transporter airplanes to maximizing the quantity of material that reach the target, to minimizing the remote-pilot time and up to the recovery system that minimizes the recovery cost and it maximizes UAVs' utilization by a quick turnaround.

Abstract: A rail-changing system for air transport systems that comprises a bearing assembly and an arrangement of beams for changing direction, in which the bearing assembly is of the type that is linked to a carriage of an air transport system on beams, and comprises a frame linked to a pair of extensions defining a configuration similar to a yoke, each extension comprising a pair of main wheels with a common rotational axis arranged horizontally, and the main wheels being able to circulate on a beam; the bearing assembly also comprises at least one cam arranged on a rotating basis between the extensions, such that the rotational axis of the cam is arranged vertically, the arrangement of the beams for changing direction of a carriage with a bearing assembly and the beams being rails of the passive type.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a storage and dispensing system for products and/or packagings. The system (1) comprises at least one carrier (3) with at least a bottom (34) which defines thereon a space for the products and/or packagings, a storage area (2), such as a storage rack or shelving system, for selectively accommodating the carrier, and at least one transporter (4) for selective displacement of the carrier from and/or to and into and/or out of the storage area. In a situation where it is accommodated in the storage area the carrier comprises a gripping element (31) on a side oriented outside the storage area, and the transporter comprises a gripping device (23) acting on the gripping element at least during displacement of the carrier into and/or out of the storage area. Space can thus be saved in the storage area laterally of carriers placed therein, and a compact configuration of the storage area can be realized.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine using externally supplied ignition, having a manually operable transmission, in which a torque produced by the internal combustion engine is able to be influenced via at least one control variable. An impending shifting process of the manual transmission and/or another operating situation of the internal combustion engine, during which a temporary lowering of the torque produced by the internal combustion engine is required and/or desired, is detected, and, as a function of the detection, the torque is lowered by changing at least one control variable of a fuel path.

Abstract: A conveyance apparatus using movable bodies, in which a plurality of lateral travel rail members capable of supporting and guiding guided devices situated on a main rail are provided to the side of a prescribed region of the fixed path, in such a manner that a frame member provided with a supporting section assumes an orthogonal attitude or position with respect to a direction of travel, and the other frame members become aligned in the direction of travel, and causing the guided devices to branch off onto the lateral travel rail member group in the prescribed region. Thereby, spacing between the movable bodies in the lateral travel direction can be maintained readily by using a simple structure, and the group of movable bodies can be moved laterally in such a manner that there is no mutual contact between conveyed items.

Abstract: A conveyance apparatus using movable bodies, in which a plurality of lateral travel rail members capable of supporting and guiding guided devices situated on a main rail are provided to the side of a prescribed region of the fixed path, in such a manner that a frame member provided with a supporting section assumes an orthogonal attitude or position with respect to a direction of travel, and the other frame members become aligned in the direction of travel, and causing the guided devices to branch off onto the lateral travel rail member group in the prescribed region. Thereby, spacing between the movable bodies in the lateral travel direction can be maintained readily by using a simple structure, and the group of movable bodies can be moved laterally in such a manner that there is no mutual contact between conveyed items.

Abstract: A rail mounted patient lift comprises a ceiling mountable rail 10, a carriage 16 mounted for displacement along the rail, a flexible elongate support element and power operated lifting means for extending and retracting the support element relative to the carriage. The rail 10 comprises a plurality of rail sections 10a, 10b which in use are suspended from a ceiling with a gap 13 therebetween at a position where the rail 10 is to cross the path of a curtain 14. Each rail section has at least one pivotable flap 19 engageable by the carriage 16 as it moves along the rail. The flap 19 of one of a pair of adjoining rail sections is pivotable by the carriage as it moves in one direction to bridge the gap between the two sections and the flap of the other of the pair of adjoining rail sections is pivotable by the carriage as it moves in an opposite direction to bridge the gap between the two rail sections.

Abstract: An automatic track switching stem is provided for a movable wall system having multiple wall panels (22) supported by and movable along multiple paths defined by multiple track sections (26-32) to predetermined configurations. The track switching system is operable by manually pushing each of the wall panels (22) along the track sections. Multiple switch assemblies (50, 70, 80) automatically direct each wall panel to an appropriate position based upon diverter means (115 et al.) associated with the trolley assemblies (85 et al.) for each wall panel. The switch assemblies include an array of vertically oriented plates (e.g., 255, 256, 257) that are each offset at different lateral distances from the track path. The diverter means for each trolley assembly includes a vertical pin (e.g., 123) that is situated at a predetermined lateral distance to engage a selected one of the switching plates.

Abstract: The processing system serves for processing piece goods (e.g. containers or printed products). It comprises a conveying system with a closed rail track system optionally having switch points (SV, SZ) and a plurality of conveying/holding means displaceable in one direction on the track system independently of one another and it further comprises devices (A) for loading conveying/holding means with items or groups of items to be processed, devices (V) for processing items or groups of items and devices (B) for unloading items or groups of items from conveying/holding means. An entry control means and upstream thereof a collecting section are allocated to each device (A, B, V). The entry control establishes the spatial orientation and the temporal sequence of the conveying/holding means or of the items as required by the device. If necessary, the conveying/holding means are retained along the collecting section before the entry monitoring.

Abstract: A suspension conveyor system includes a rail network and a roller apparatus adapted to travel along it. The rails comprise at least two sectional running girders each with upper and lower running surfaces and at least one sectional support girder. The running girders extend side by side and are interconnected through strips spaced from each other so as to form a guide slit. The roller apparatus has a carriage comprising two bearing rollers and which is supported by the upper surfaces of the girders. The lower end of the roller apparatus is equipped with a load carrier, arranged below the guide slit. Below the bearing rollers, at least two stabilizing rollers are arranged on either side of the travelling axis of the bearing rollers. The roller apparatus further includes two lateral guide rollers spaced from each other in the travelling direction of the apparatus.

Abstract: A garage for storing vehicles of a continuous cable railway system. The garage has a plurality of side tracks arranged parallel or substantially parallel to one another to form preferably a rectangular shape. The garage is loaded with vehicles from the station track of the cable railway system over a first feeder track. A second feeder track is used to load the vehicles from the garage to the station track. Conveying units are present at the feeder tracks and side tracks to convey the vehicles. A single junction having two switch units is arranged between the feeder tracks. The junction also allows the vehicles to travel from one of the feeder tracks to the other. Sliding switches, each having an arc-shaped conveyer track, are located on the incoming and outgoing sides of the side tracks. Buffer tracks, each having several stopping points, act as buffers in the feeder tracks for the vehicles when loading or unloading the garage.

Abstract: A track switch for use with a track intersection for movable wall panels wherein the track intersection has a first track path and a second track path for the movable wall panels to traverse. The switch includes an actuator movable between a first actuator position and a second actuator position upon actuation by a power source. The switch also includes a diverter operatively connected to the actuator and selectively movable between a first diverter position defining the first track path and a second diverter position defining a second track path. Movement of the actuator between the first and second actuator positions causes the diverter to move between the first and second diverter positions, respectively. The actuator includes a biasing mechanism for biasing the diverter toward the selected diverter position.

Abstract: A switch track apparatus for a girder type track comprises a movable girder composed of at least one girder portion shiftable between a plurality of positions on a fixed supporting member and of at least one drive device for driving the movable girder. The drive device is supported on a side surface of the movable girder substantially within a thickness of the movable girder.

Abstract: A rail switch (1), particularly for an overhead conveyor system, adapted to assume at least two switch positions (I, II, III) for selectively connecting a first rail (2) comprising a runway (2a, 2b) for casters (7a, 7b) of conveyor carriages (6) to the free ends of other rails (3, 4, 5). The switch includes a switch portion (10) carrying a corresponding runway (10a, 10b) and having one of its ends connected to the free end of the first rail (2) by a hinge (9) permitting it to be pivoted about a pivot axis (11) so that the opposite free end of the switch portion (10) may be selectively connected to the free ends of the other rails (3, 4, 5). To ensure substantially smooth passage of the casters (7a, 7b) over the hinge (9), the runway adjacent the hinge (9) is formed by mutually overlapping runway surface portions (17a, 17b, 19a, 19b) on the switch portion (10) and on the first rail (2).

Abstract: A carrier is mounted for movement along a conveying path defined by a pair of conveying rails, one of which has a relatively short gap at a work station. A manipulator device is located at the work station and includes a relatively short conveying rail section which may selectively located to span the gap in the one rail or located in a position displaced from the rail. An article support frame is mounted upon the carrier for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the rails between conveying position and a transfer position. A rail gripping device fixed to the support frame slides along the one rail to support the support frame in its conveying position during movement of the carrier along the rails.

Abstract: In overhead rail systems with branching tracks, a carrier such as a feeding container can be brought to pass a cyclic transportation course when the pertaining switches are correctly operated. By the invention the carrier (8, 6) and the switches (10) are arranged in such a manner that a predestined transportation course is automatically achieved without applying any separate control of the switches, as the carrier (6) is provided with switchable activation cams (22), which can co-operate with change-over switch arms (26, 28) on each rail switch (10) in such a manner that the carrier (6) by its own movement can cause a change-over of the switch (10), when this is relevant, as the activation cams (22) selectively are made operative and inoperative, respectively, by passing strategically placed, fixed actuator members (30, 32). Hereby a cyclic course of the conveyance of the carrier can be arranged purely mechanically.

Abstract: The switching device which interconnects a substantially linear primary track with a curved branch track, wherein each such track possesses a travel rail and in a plane above each of the travel rails a guide track, comprises two pivotable or swivelable travel rail sections and a curved pivotable or swivelable guide rail section. The pivotable or swivelable travel rail sections are alternatively movable out of rest positions into travel positions in which such are located in recesses formed by stationary travel rail sections. The movable rail sections are mutually interconnected with one another and with an actuation rod by toggle levers or toggle joint structures and thus commonly actuatable. These toggle levers or toggle joint structures coact with abutments and enable locking the movable rail sections in their travel positions. The switching device affords quiet travel of the vehicles of the overhead cable transport installation and prevents derailing thereof.

Abstract: Described in a suspension conveyor system suitable for the use of conveyance units having two travelling rollers interconnected by an open yoke. The suspension conveyor system is universally applicable and capable of optimum adaptation to operating and space conditions in a given plant. To this purpose the system comprises changeover means selectively operable to tilt a conveyance unit to a left or right laterally suspended position or a center-suspended position to thereby permit for instance the radii of curved rail sections to be considerably shortened and particularly achieve a less complicated construction of required switches. In a preferred embodiment the switch is formed as an integral shaped member, so that the continuity of the rail circuit has not to be interrupted for guiding a conveyance unit onto selected branch rails.

Abstract: Apparatus for passively exercising the human extremities includes an elongate track (16) comprising a tubular housing (46) having a slot formed in the bottom thereof. A lead screw (62) is longitudinally disposed in the housing and a carriage (26) is threadably engaged with the lead screw (62). The carriage (26) is connected to the extremity to be exercised, so that upon movement of the carriage (26) back and forth along the elongated track (16) the extremity is moved through a pre-determined range of motion. Stop members (28) are positionable on the housing in the path of movement of the carriage (26). Engagement of the carriage (26) with the stop member (28) effects longitudinal shifting of the lead screw (62). Longitudinal shifting of the lead screw (62) actuates switches (110) which reverse the direction of rotation of the lead screw (62) thereby reversing the direction of movement of the carriage (26).

Abstract: A first free line composed of two rails arranged in parallel in a substantially horizontal plane is joined to a second free line composed of two rails arranged in parallel in the substantially horizontal plane. A switch rail pivotally movable in the substantially horizontal plane is provided at each of the junctions where the rails of the first free line are joined to the rails of the second free line in corresponding relation. Another switch rail pivotally movable in the substantially horizontal plane is provided at a cutout portion formed in the intersection of one of the first free line rails with one of the second free line rails.

Abstract: A switch for lateral guide rollers of a two track suspension railroad has a one piece central switch point which is arranged at the fork point of the inner guide surfaces and with which, in the vicinity of its free end, two further switch points may be associated which form parallel sections of guide surfaces which can be swung to the fixed guide surfaces or the central switch point.

Abstract: A conveyor system for serving a plurality of processing stations having a plurality of trolley carriages, an overhead main conveyor comprising a monorail track for the trolley carriages, and forming a loop having a pair of substantially parallel sides along which the processing stations are distributed, a cable or chain for propelling the trolley carriages along the track, a plurality of side conveyors coordinated with the processing stations. Each of the side conveyors comprises a loop shaped overhead monorail track, and switches for selectively connecting the side conveyors to the main conveyor, including, for each of the side conveyors, a first switch arranged in a first position to lead a trolley carriage along the main conveyor and in a second position to deviate a trolley carriage from the main conveyor to one end of a side conveyor, and a second switch for connecting the other end of the side conveyor to the same side of the main conveyor as the first switch.

Abstract: A track construction for a self-propelled vehicle includes a pair of longitudinally extending track members connected in transversely spaced relation by arch-shaped yokes which extend upwardly over the track members and from which a conductor rail is suspended in vertically spaced centered relation with the track members, the conductor rail being engageable by collectors on the vehicle for powering a vehicle drive motor. At a junction between main and branch line track members and conductor rails, co-axially pivoted, independently movable, track and conductor rail switch tongues are mounted and are interconnected by a differential motion transmitting mechanism which causes one of the switch tongues to move between main and branch positions in response to a different extent of movement of the other switch tongue between such positions.

Abstract: In a transportation system of the kind in which vehicles move along a guideway which includes diverging junctions and a vehicle-mounted track selection mechanism can be set to control which side of the junction the vehicle is to follow, both by an on-board operating member and by an on-guideway operating member. In normal use, the on-guideway operating member would be set to cause the vehicle to take the route with the highest traffic level so that intervention by the on-board operating member is necessary only when divergence from such route is desired.

Abstract: In a power-and-free conveyor including a first free rail, a second free rail branching off from the first free rail, a first and a second power rail provided above the free rails respectively, a transfer system for transferring the carriers movably supported by the first free rail to the second free rail. An auxiliary rail attached to the first of the free rails slightly projects above the first free rail and has a cutaway section of requred length to the rear of the branching point of the second free rail. The carrier has at its front portion a pair of tilting drive and back-up dogs engageable with the propelling member driven along the power rail and at its rear portion a propelling member raising cam member. When a carrier advances into the cutaway section, a raising plate disposed near the front end of the rail cut-away portion, disengages the propelling member from the tilting drive dog on the carrier.

Abstract: Improved power and free trolley apparatus includes independent pusher and hold back dogs positively moved to an accumulate position by a counterweighted actuating lever moving to an accumulate position. The dogs, however, are self-biased, the pusher dog self-locking in its drive position, and the dogs are not interlocked with the lever. They move independently of the lever into operative position when the lever is moved into a non-actuating position and out of blocking relationship with the dogs. The actuating lever counterweight defines a trolley brake for preventing excessive trolley bounce back during accumulation. Another aspect of the invention includes a movable cam selectively raising a drive dog in a trailing trolley for switching, and permitting accumulation of trolleys through a switch zone when held in an inoperative position as when the switch zone is choked.

Abstract: A monorail track switch comprised of two swinging switch beams pivoted to track beam ends from which the wheeled trucks of trains are to be directed onto a continuing main line track beam, freedom for switch movements being provided for by anti-friction articulation of all members thereof, and characterized by a retractile gate that is replaceable between the free end faces of the two swinging switch beams respectively, and the opposed end face of the continuing main line track beam.