Abstract: A pallet storage system and method are provided. A rack for storing pallets loaded with goods is constructed with a corresponding pair of left and right rails. Carts for supporting the pallets ride on those rails. The rails can have an I-beam shape cross section, include a lower horizontal wall, a vertical wall extending up from the lower horizontal wall and an upper horizontal wall at the top of the vertical wall. The lower and upper horizontal walls include an outer flange extending from the vertical wall in a sideways direction away from the corresponding other rail and an inner flange, extending sideways towards the corresponding other rail. The carts can nest, until loaded and the front of the carts can be flush at the front of the rack.

Abstract: An overhead guide track system for automated material handling and storage facilities wherein at least one transfer unit is suspended from carriages that travel along the track system, the track system including a plurality of first and second support beams being assembled in an X-Y manner such that the first and second support beams intersect with one another in perpendicular relationship and wherein each of the first and second support beams includes a horizontal flange connected to a central vertical web, each of the vertical webs of the first and second beams having opposite ends connected to vertically oriented pedestals at a plurality of intersections of the first and second support beams and which pedestals support transfer plates over which the carriages are supported as the carriages pass over open gaps between the horizontal flanges at the intersections of the first and second support beams.

Abstract: Storage and retrieval unit that includes a rail arrangement having a track and a flange arrangement. In a direction of gravity, the track is located below the flange arrangement. The storage and retrieval unit further includes a moving gear comprising a track roller arrangement and an array of underfriction wheels. The track roller arrangement is configured to support the moving gear on the track, and the array of underfriction wheels is arranged to engage under the flange arrangement.

Abstract: A system for supporting exterior panels or cladding units on a building substrate. The system includes a plurality of polymeric bracket members, wherein each of the polymeric bracket members further includes an anchor section, adapted to be coupled to the building substrate, and a support section adapted to couple to the exterior cladding unit. In assembly, as disposed between the building substrate and the exterior cladding units, the polymeric bracket members provide a thermal break from the exterior cladding units to the building substrate.

Abstract: An overhead guide track system for automated material handling and storage facilities wherein at least one transfer unit is suspended from carriages that travel along the track system, the track system including a plurality of first and second support beams being assembled in an X-Y manner such that the first and second support beams intersect with one another in perpendicular relationship and wherein each of the first and second support beams includes a horizontal flange connected to a central vertical web, each of the vertical webs of the first and second beams having opposite ends connected to vertically oriented pedestals at a plurality of intersections of the first and second support beams and which pedestals support transfer plates over which the carriages are supported as the carriages pass over open gaps between the horizontal flanges at the intersections of the first and second support beams.

Abstract: Personnel safety apparatus is provided on a machine to prevent users from falling while moving between access points on the machine. The apparatus includes a rail having a first end positioned adjacent a first user access point and a second end positioned adjacent a second user access point to define a rail path that spans a vertical elevation. A carrier is movably coupled to the rail and has a first mode, in which the carrier engages a fixed position on the rail, and a second mode, in which the carrier is permitted to move relative to the rail. A tether extends between a harness on the user and the carrier to secure the user to the machine.

Abstract: Rail for self-propelled electric trucks, with the rail (2) having a base part (6) and C-shaped side flanks (8, 10) which engage over side wheels (12) of the truck (4). In order to improve the rail, each C-shaped side flank (8, 10) has a central running area (14), which is offset outwards, for side guide rollers (16) of the truck (4) and upper and lower supporting services (18, 20) which run at an angle to the wheel (12) for the side wheels (12), with the running area (14) and the supporting areas (18, 20) being used alternately.

Abstract: A profile rail joint for use for example in light crane systems has connecting ends of profile rails to be joined, provided with jointing sleeves arranged on side surfaces of the rails, the sleeves comprising through holes for locking devices of the joint, and at least two of the sleeves being situated in profile recesses of the rails. The joint also includes guide elements extending over the joint surface for aligning the connecting ends. At least two jointing sleeves provided in the profile recesses are arranged such that the bottom of the recess and the side wall of the jointing sleeve are spaced apart at least over a section of the sleeve's length, the guide elements for the joint being placed in resulting intermediate spaces.

Abstract: An improved monorail-type track section for use in a material handling and sortation system in which one or more train-type trolleys or cars runs along the track between various sortation and handling stations. The track section comprises a substantially hollow, vertical support member terminating at an upper end in an upper transverse leg defining upper wheel bearing surfaces on each side of the support, and terminating at a base end in a transversely extending base leg defining lower wheel bearing surfaces on each side of the vertical support. The upper and lower wheel bearing surfaces are angled to trap upper and lower wheel assemblies on a trolley in a torsionally stable mounting arrangement. The spacing of the upper wheel bearing surfaces is less than that of the lower wheel bearing surfaces, such that removal of the upper wheel assemblies allows the entire trolley to be lifted vertically off the track section with clearance for the lower wheel assemblies.

Abstract: A conveyor track support system includes an elongated support rail with an upper horizontal planar support surface removably connected to a plurality of hangers, and preferably suspended from a ceiling above the ground. Each hanger includes a bar projecting outwardly from the lower end and a sleeve slidably journaled on the bar with set screws to adjustably retain the sleeve on the bar. A pair of ears on the top of the sleeve are spaced apart and have set screws which will selectively retain the support rail on the sleeve. The rail itself has a generally "l" shaped cross-section with an upper plate, lower plate and vertical web. A pair of vertical forward and rearward walls along the forward and rearward edges of the upper plate have inwardly directed lips along an upper edge thereof to form an upper channel above the upper plate. An upper surface of the lips forms the support surface on the top of the rail.

Abstract: A beam for a bridge crane or conveyor system is extruded from an aluminum alloy in a configuration that disposes thickened regions at four corners of the beam. One pair of these is along opposite edges of a top flange, and another pair is at opposite lower corners of a bottom channel. The thickened regions are formed with alignment pin dowel grooves that can receive dowel pins for aligning butt joints between beams. The thickened regions also contribute to the strength-to-weight ratio of the beam.

Abstract: An improved sliding door composed of articulated strips in which the novel features are a high guide containing a rotating vertical wheel that supports two adjacent strips and a rotating horizontal wheel that follow a curved track. Additional features include a floor guide that contains only straight segments that are not joined together the corner and a base guide attached to the articulated strips that travels within the floor guide without touching said floor guide during stationary or ordinary operation of the door.

Abstract: A running rail has a double T profile formed by two chords connected with a web. Grooves extend parallel to the web, in the inner sides of both chords. On a lower end, the suspension arm has a suspension plate with an upper edge that engages into the groove in the upper chord. A securing claw is provided that engages the lower groove with one end, and engages the side of the suspension plate remote from the web, with the other end. At the upper end of the suspension arm is a roof flange which is horizontally adjustably connected by using a nut and bolt cooperating with a bush.

Abstract: An amusement ride vehicle for travel along a trackway defined by a pair of track rails. The vehicle includes a pair of transverse frames pivotally carried by an elongated main frame, with drive wheels carried by the transverse frames in driving engagement with upper surfaces of the track rails. Up-stop or pinch wheels below the drive wheels engage under sides of the track rails. The pinch wheels are pivotally mounted to the transverse frames by strut assemblies which hold the pinch wheels in constant forcible rolling engagement with the track rails at all times. This improves the driving traction of the drive wheels and provides constant up-stop protection against separation of the vehicle from the track rails. The strut assemblies are disconnectable to enable the pinch wheels to be pivoted out of interfering relation with the track rails so that the vehicle can be lifted from the track rails for maintenance, storage or the like.

Abstract: A mechanism for the transportation of objects on an endlessly rotating roller chain (4) of a support structure, which chain moves in or upon a support structure (1), having pallet-like sliding carriages (12) guided in or upon tracks of the support structure for receiving the objects to be transported. The sliding carriages are each provided with a guiding element (29) in which a second endless roller chain (34) or a sprocket wheel rotates with part of its rollers (35) or with the sprocket wheel engaging between the conveyor rollers (5) of the first roller chain (4), thereby resulting in a form locking. The guiding element (29) is provided with a member (41) that adjusts the carrying force of the second roller chain or of the sprocket wheel.

Abstract: A conveyor device for conveying articles along a predetermined path of travel having a running rail on opposite sides of the path of travel. A bus bar is below said running rails. A self-propelled carrier has driving wheels to roll on the running rails. The wheels are rotated by a single electric motor which receives power from the bus bar. Cover members overhang the running rails and wheels during operation, and interlock with the rail support member so that the cover may be readily removed by disengaging the interlock.

Abstract: An amusement ride installation of a closed track figure eight configuration has passenger carriers suspended to swing from a plurality of support rods pivotally mounted to a single carriage. Each carriage has a frame made of transverse and longitudinal members with a lower longitudinal member having a raised middle part wherein the vehicle suspending support rods are pivotally mounted. U-shaped yokes affixed to the frame with universal joints, hold at least two wheel groups, which comprise running rollers and guide rollers riding on rails. Also connected to the frame are V-shaped struts which support drive spars having brake flanges, and damping cylinders which damp oscillations of the pivoting support rods using a toothed rack assembly. Elastic couplings are provided to connect adjacent carriages.

Abstract: A track member for supporting the wheels of conveyor trolleys connected to a chain comprises first and second trackways arranged in vertically spaced, oppositely facing relation, each trackway having a pair of track surfaces spaced apart by a vertical web. The web of one trackway is longer than the other so that the first trackway is adapted to support trolley wheels of one diameter and the second trackway trolley wheels of another diameter. Various track constructions for overhead and floor type conveyors are obtainable by mounting pairs of the track members in transversely spaced parallel relation with either the first or second trackway of one member aligned with and facing the corresponding trackway of the other. In each of these track constructions the vertical webs of the non-facing trackways form parallel surfaces of a channel which laterally encloses and contains the chain.

Abstract: A conveyor for moving a number of goods carriers (22) along a track has a drive device provided with a driver member (59) operating with a reciprocating movement which can entrain the goods carriers in the desired transport direction and move freely in the return direction. The track consists of a hollow profile (1) with a groove (11) which in the longitudinal direction of the track firstly has fully closed sections and secondly is provided with sections having a side aperture (62). Plugs (26, 32) are inserted in the fully closed sections and between the plugs cylindrical spaces (40) are formed which enclose a piston (36) with a piston rod (38) which extends beyond the cylindrical space. In the open sections members (24) which can move along the groove are provided, these members being combined with piston rod (38) and provided with the carrier devices (59) which are accessible through the side aperture (62).

Abstract: A rail having an upper supporting edge and a lower braking edge, and a traction unit for riding on the rail and adapted to be connected to a carrier so as to suspend the carrier from the rail. This traction unit has a power-driven wheel to ride on the rail upper edge, and a plurality of braking wheels positioned close enough to the lower edge of the rail to prevent the traction wheel from jumping off the upper edge thereof, and a brake system for each brake wheel. A substantially C-shaped arm is pivotally connected to the traction unit near the top thereof and extends downwardly and around the rail and has a lower end extending across the plane of the rail, to which the carrier is connected.

Abstract: The invention has reference to an overhead trolley, particularly for tracks in a store, its wheel running on a rail driven by a motor, where actuation of the pivoted auxiliary wheel assembly elevates the trolley to support the driven wheel of the trolley on a support wheel and the auxiliary wheel above a rail of the tracks. The trolley includes an arrangement with an auxiliary wheel, which may be pivoted manually into and out of engagement with the rail surface. Pivoting the auxiliary wheel into engagement with the rail surface has the effect of raising the drive wheel from the rail surface so that a disabled trolley may be pushed out of the way.

Abstract: A track for combined monorail and overhead monorail having a power supply and control tracks consisting of a U-shaped rail section having inwardly extending flanges at its upper sides for receiving the rollers or wheels of the accessory device. At least one shoulder section is formed on the lower surface of the bottom portion of the U-shaped rail section as well as on the upper surface of the upper inwardly extending flange so that the track can be mounted on a suitable support or suspension structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved trolley truck traveling on a monorail having spaced horizontal surfaces, in which a frame of the truck supports at least one supporting or traction wheel on the upper surface of the rail and a counterwheel on the lower surface of the rail, the separation of the wheels being greater than the vertical spacing of the horizontal rail surfaces to accommodate rapid and easy placement of the truck upon and/or removal of the truck from the monorail.