Pusher Patents (Class 104/162)
  • Patent number: 11702050
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, and computer readable medium including program instructions for controlling the braking of one or more vehicles in a vehicle system positioned for unloading/loading of cargo. The vehicle system includes a designated head-end and a tail-end and each of the one or more vehicles is equipped with an electronic braking system in communication with a central control via a communication network spanning across the vehicle system. A dynamic unloading/loading braking profile can be set on at least one electronic braking system on at least one vehicle. During unloading/loading of the cargo from one or more vehicles in the vehicle system, the braking on at least one of the vehicles in the vehicle system is controlled via the dynamic unloading/loading braking profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Charles L. Wolf, Wynand Jacobus Coetzee Jordaan
  • Patent number: 11613426
    Abstract: In an aspect, there is provided a correlator for guiding a vehicle onto a vehicle conveyor. The correlator includes a wheel support surface defining a receiving end of the correlator and a conveyor-interfacing end of the correlator. The wheel support surface is positioned to support a wheel of the vehicle as the wheel rolls thereon. The correlator further includes at least one guide structure positioned to guide a wheel of the vehicle laterally during travel of the wheel on the wheel support surface from the receiving end towards the conveyor-interfacing end. The wheel support surface has a surface region having surface properties selected such that a coefficient of friction between the surface region and tire rubber is sufficiently low to prevent the wheel from having sufficient traction on the surface region to enable climbing of the wheel onto the at least one guide structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Stephenson Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Roy Stephenson
  • Patent number: 11484736
    Abstract: The invention concerns a service vehicle (2) for movement on a rail system (108). The service vehicle (2) comprises a container vehicle handling part (8) for mechanical interacting with a container handling vehicle (300) operating on the rail system (108), an operational part (3) for controlling operations of the service vehicle (2) and caterpillar tracks (6) for allowing movement of the service vehicle (2) on the rail system (108) during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Autostore Technology AS
    Inventor: Trond Austrheim
  • Patent number: 11174896
    Abstract: In a motion guiding device including a track body, and a moving body provided to be movable along the track body, the track body includes a groove formed along a longitudinal direction of the track body and a plurality of rolling surfaces formed inside and outside the groove. The moving body includes a plurality of rotating bodies that roll on the plurality of rolling surfaces, and adopts a configuration in which respective contacts in which the plurality of rotating bodies are in contact with the plurality of rolling surfaces are disposed on the same straight-line in a cross-section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the track body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: THK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Aoki, Takeshi Shimamura
  • Patent number: 11124365
    Abstract: A conveyor system comprising a plurality of conveyor elements forming a conveyor chain for conveying hanging goods, wherein the conveyor chain extends along a conveyor path. A plurality of hanging elements are movable along and mounted on a guide which extends at least in sections parallel to the conveyor path. The hanging elements comprise an engaging section configured to contact in each case one of the conveyor elements to receive a driving force from the conveyor element which is directed along the guide. The engaging section of the hanging elements is tiltable between a conveying position and an accumulating position, wherein the engaging section is straightened in the conveying position to receive the driving force, and is tilted away in the accumulating position to evade the driving force. The engaging section presses into its conveying position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Vanderlande Industries B.V.
    Inventor: Ralf Ferdinand Schneuing
  • Patent number: 11066258
    Abstract: This invention relates to a control system and method for rotary car dumpers comprising a positioning car, silos and feeders. Such control system comprises three integrated and communicating controls in closed grid, that is, the positioning car control, the silos level control and the feeder flow control. In this way, with the data of these controls, the rotary car dumpers control system is configured to maintain the level of silo at maximum, performing changes in the cycle time by controlling the positioning car to maintain the level of silos and thus achieve maximum productivity of the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: VALE S.A.
    Inventors: Bruno Eduardo Lopes, Celson José De Resende Neto, Waldinir Lima Castro Silva
  • Patent number: 10814982
    Abstract: A cargo handling system is configured to load and unload a cargo container with respect to a cargo holding area of a vehicle. The cargo handling system includes parallel roller tracks extending from a floor. The roller tracks are separated by a clearance space. The roller tracks include rollers that are configured to rotatably support the cargo container. A mobile cargo mover is configured to move within the clearance space. The cargo mover is configured to engage the cargo container to move the cargo container on the roller tracks. The cargo mover is configured to disengage the cargo container to move away from the cargo container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Douglas Alan Brown, William Robert Clos, Karen L. Hills, Avery Riddle, Cynthia A. Vandewall
  • Patent number: 10464752
    Abstract: A conveyance facility for conveying a bag includes a carrier including a support supporting the bag, and traveling wheels. A conveyance path includes a straight section and a curve section. In the curve section, a pulley rotatable along the curve section and in frictional contact with the support; and a guide rail guiding the traveling wheels are provided. The guide rail includes a rotation guide rail guiding one traveling wheel of a pair of the traveling wheels, and rotating with the pulley; a fixed guide rail guiding another traveling wheel of the pair of traveling wheels, and being provided along the rotation guide rail; and an upper guide rail and a side guide rail guiding the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: DAIFUKU CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashige Iwata, Hiromichi Ikeuchi
  • Patent number: 10260814
    Abstract: A conveyance device for a heat treatment device presses a conveyed body to convey the conveyed body in a linear direction, and includes a cylinder mechanisms having a retractable rod that presses the conveyed body, in which: an abutting member is disposed at a tip part of the rod of the cylinder mechanism so that the abutting member abuts locations, which are different from each other in a circumferential direction, on an outer peripheral surface of the conveyed body; a guide rail configured to guide the abutting member is provided; and the abutting member is provided with a traveling roller that travels on the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignees: IHI CORPORATION, IHI MACHINERY AND FURNACE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Katsumata, Kaoru Isomoto, Gen Nishitani, Akira Nakayama, Takahiro Nagata, Yuusuke Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10065664
    Abstract: A control system having a controller is configured to operate a vehicle indexing system that moves one or more vehicles in a vehicle system into a position to one or more of unload cargo off of the one or more vehicles or load the cargo onto the one or more vehicles. The controller is configured to determine a power setting of the vehicle indexing system that is used by the vehicle indexing system to move the one or more vehicles in the vehicle system into the position. The controller also is configured to determine a vehicle power setting for the vehicle system based on the power setting of the vehicle indexing system for controlling the vehicle system to provide additional tractive effort to the vehicle indexing system to move the one or more vehicles into the position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Adam Charles Hausmann, Derek Kevin Woo, Peter Idema
  • Patent number: 9745137
    Abstract: An indexing or ratcheting conveyor configured to advance a load includes a frame defining the inlet end and the outlet end of the conveyor, a first device with a gravity rocking pushers and a powered member configured to advance the load in a direction from the inlet end to the outlet end of the conveyor. The conveyor can also include a second device configured to move the load, disposed at the outlet end only, in a direction from the outlet end to the inlet end prior to discharge of the load outwardly from the outlet end. The conveyor can be used as a component of an oven configured to cook or bake dough in containers with electrical resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: ZME, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Robert McCafferty, Zachary Gerald Soles
  • Patent number: 9701324
    Abstract: A chain and hydraulic motor-driven low dog railcar indexer is disclosed which is operable along a curved track section. The system includes left and right track side indexing railcar-moving arrangements, each of which includes an indexer track and a chain-return trough. The indexer tracks and chain return troughs are segmented to accommodate the curved railroad track section and wear pads are provided to enable chain operation in the curved section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Calbrandt, Inc.
    Inventor: Calvin J. Brandt
  • Patent number: 9440156
    Abstract: A method of operating a ride system to provide passengers a flying roller coaster experience. The ride system includes a train of vehicles, with each of the vehicles including seat assemblies that have a seat and seat back for receiving a passenger. The vehicles are supported by the track to roll along the track, and the ride path is adapted for gravity-based movement of the train of vehicles in at least portions of the ride path. The track includes a vertical segment, and the ride system includes a station including a platform assembly with horizontal platforms vertically spaced-apart to provide multi-level loading. The train is positioned on the vertical segment with each of the vehicles proximate to an end of one of the horizontal platforms. The seat backs are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the track to provide vertical loading and, then, vertical launching from the station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Comorre
  • Patent number: 9272719
    Abstract: A railcar handling system is disclosed that includes an indexing unit having a plurality of dog carriages, serially aligned in fixed spaced relation, each carriage carrying a railcar axle-engaging dog and a railcar wheel sensor and a hydraulic operating system including a hydraulic cylinder for moving the plurality of dog carriages in unison in a reciprocating ratcheting manner and operating said axle-engaging dogs. A control system is provided to coordinate the operation of the railcar handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Calbrandt, Inc.
    Inventor: Calvin J. Brandt
  • Publication number: 20150083017
    Abstract: A railcar handling system is disclosed that includes an indexing unit having a plurality of dog carriages, serially aligned in fixed spaced relation, each carriage carrying a railcar axle-engaging dog and a railcar wheel sensor and a hydraulic operating system including a hydraulic cylinder for moving the plurality of dog carriages in unison in a reciprocating ratcheting manner and operating said axle-engaging dogs. A control system is provided to coordinate the operation of the railcar handling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: CALBRANDT, INC.
    Inventor: Calvin J. Brandt
  • Patent number: 8985029
    Abstract: A car wash dolly of the type used in connection with multi-tier car wash conveyors comprises, in mirror image arrangement, first and second pairs of stainless steel journals having external bearing surfaces and polymeric rollers mounted for rotation on said bearing surfaces wherein the journals are nitro carburized and mechanically polished prior to assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Belanger, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry S. Turner
  • Patent number: 8961262
    Abstract: An elongated flexible open coil spring with spaced apart coils adapted to engage a guide pin on a slot car is placed in the slot of a model slot car track. Cars are positioned with their depending pins engaging the open coil spring to be carried around the track by a powered car held by and moving the open coil spring along the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventor: George S. Hudimac, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140261056
    Abstract: A railcar indexer system is disclosed that includes a design that enables extremely high loads to be moved without exceeding present railcar limitations. The railcar handling system of the present invention employs hydraulically-operated indexers that divide the load between consecutive dog carriages that, in turn, operate to apply force to railcar bogey frames or axles on consecutive railcars. This transfers a large amount of force to be applied to a lead railcar and enables a much larger amount of force to be applied to the next railcar and a larger total force to be applied to a string of railcars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Calbrandt, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley J. Goldbeck
  • Patent number: 8708770
    Abstract: An elongated flexible sliding member with spaced apart coils, slots, or holes to engage a guide pin on a slot car is placed in the slot of a model slot car track. Cars positioned where the flexible sliding member engage the coils, slots, holes or detents in the sliding member to be carried around the track by a powered car held by the flexible sliding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: George S. Hudimac, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8113124
    Abstract: A car wash dolly that uses a single shaft having two camshaft lobes and a series of snap ring grooves. The bolt-less design of the dolly includes a stronger camshaft and minimized component count. The center link and wheels may be mounted directly on the shaft to produce a sturdy design for the dolly. Grooves and snap rings are provided to “lock” wheels in their place on the shaft and to keep wheels physically close to one another to prevent dirt or other debris from getting between the wheels. Optional thrust washers also may be provided between plastic wheels and snap rings to reduce friction between the wheels during operation of the dolly in a car wash facility. The dolly according to the present disclosure is intended to roll, via a conveyor chain, on a slotted track of an auto-laundry system. Because of rules governing Abstracts, this Abstract should not be used to construe the claims in this patent application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel D. Smock, Jeffrey A. Sizer
  • Patent number: 8028628
    Abstract: A roller assembly call up mechanism for a vehicle wash conveyor having an endless chain with a plurality of spaced roller assemblies attached thereto for pushing a vehicle along a slotted track, is located below the track and includes a power cylinder, a crank arm connected to the power cylinder and an axle connected to the crank arm for rotation with the axle. A ramp in the form of a pair of spaced forks is connected to the axle for rotation therewith. A slotted link is pivotally connected at one end to the ramp and at an opposite end to the entrance trap door whereby when the power cylinder is actuated the ramp and the trap door are pivoted upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventor: G. Thomas Ennis
  • Patent number: 7934457
    Abstract: A railcar positioning system operable as either an indexer or progressor is disclosed which includes a pair of spaced trackside railcar movers positioned outside and parallel to the rails of a railroad track. Each railcar mover includes a spaced trackside guideway located next to one of the railway rails, a plurality of spaced connected dog carriages mounted for operation together in the guideway, each dog carriage carrying a pusher dog mounted on the carriage, a reciprocating hydraulic cylinder associated with the plurality of spaced, connected dog carriages. A hydraulic power unit is connected to operate each of the cylinders individually or together and a control system is associated with the power unit for controlling the operation of the positioning system such that said positioning system may be optionally operated as an indexer or as a progressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Calbrandt, Inc.
    Inventor: Calvin J. Brandt
  • Publication number: 20110036263
    Abstract: A car wash roller and a manufacturing method are provided. The roller includes a body with first and second apertures and a shaft disposed in the first aperture. The body further includes a third aperture extending from a top surface to the first aperture. The shaft has an aperture that is aligned with the third aperture. The roller further includes a locking member disposed in both the third aperture and the aperture of the shaft that prevents the shaft from rotating relative to the body. The roller further includes first and second plastic sleeves that are disposed on the shaft, such that the sleeves do not rotate relative to the shaft. The roller further includes first and second plastic wheels that are rotatably coupled to the first and second plastic sleeves, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: VAUGHAN INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventor: Andrew Vaughan Balash
  • Patent number: 7845286
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a trailer system, and particularly to a self-driving trailer system for a radiation imaging inspection system and a method for inspecting a vehicle by radiation imaging of a vehicle through the trailer system. The self-driving trailer system comprises two trailers symmetrical in structure. Each of the trailers comprises a driving device, running wheels, a trailer body, a carrying device, a lift cylinder, a balance wheel, and two pairs of guide wheels. The driving device, the running wheels, and the balance wheel are coupled with the trailer body. The carrying device is coupled with the trailer body through the lift cylinder. A front carrying arm and a rear carrying arm can clamp front wheels of a vehicle under inspection, and move upwards and downwards by the lift cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignees: Nuctech Company Limited, Tsinghua University
    Inventors: Bin Hu, Wanquan Shen, Zhizhong Liang, Hua Peng, Shangmin Sun, Nan Jiang, Quanwei Song, Weirong Huang, Zhenbin Guo, Sheng Tang, Guang Yang
  • Publication number: 20100258025
    Abstract: A railcar positioning system operable as either an indexer or progressor is disclosed which includes a pair of spaced trackside railcar movers positioned outside and parallel to the rails of a railroad track. Each railcar mover includes a spaced trackside guideway located next to one of the railway rails, a plurality of spaced connected dog carriages mounted for operation together in the guideway, each dog carriage carrying a pusher dog mounted on the carriage, a reciprocating hydraulic cylinder associated with the plurality of spaced, connected dog carriages. A hydraulic power unit is connected to operate each of the cylinders individually or together and a control system is associated with the power unit for controlling the operation of the positioning system such that said positioning system may be optionally operated as an indexer or as a progressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: Calbrandt, Inc.
    Inventor: Calvin J. Brandt
  • Patent number: 7464651
    Abstract: A railcar moving or positioning system incorporating relatively simple mechanical bogey frame side member sensing systems mounted on each dog carriage of a railcar indexing system is disclosed. Each sensing system is used to control the operation of a dog mounted on the same carriage. A mechanical follower device is employed to sense the underside of an encountered bogey frame side member. Deflection of the follower is used to operate a hydraulic valve which, in turn, is used as a control cylinder to raise or lower an adjacent dog member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Calbrandt, Inc.
    Inventor: Calvin J. Brandt
  • Publication number: 20080229965
    Abstract: A low weight corrosion resistant car wash roller includes a plastic body. The roller also includes a shaft with a sleeve arranged thereon. A set of plastic rollers are arranged on the shaft in contact with the sleeve. A second removable fastener is arranged in the body and has a plastic idle wheel arranged on each end thereof. The roller also includes a carrier link rotatably secured to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Andrew Vaughan Balash
  • Patent number: 7377219
    Abstract: A single-carriage reversing train positioning system which includes an extending spike-type car engaging member for engaging and moving one or more railcars. An extending chuck assembly may be provided with the ability to operate gates in bottom-discharging railcars. The system uses a single self-propelled carriage with an on-board carriage drive system that includes a drive motor which operates the car along a fixed chain situated along a guideway. A generally horizontally disposed, laterally extendable pin car-engaging assembly is mounted on the car-moving carriage for aligning with and engaging a hook loop on a railcar for moving the car. A gate-operating assembly which includes a laterally extendable chuck system which aligns with, engages and rotates gate-operating capstans on bottom discharging railcars may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Calbrandt, Inc.
    Inventor: Calvin J. Brandt
  • Patent number: 7302894
    Abstract: A vehicle tire entry guide for transitioning vehicles into a car wash lane comprises a pair of smoothly-curved, reversely similar tire guide rails covered with plastic. Each curved guide rail comprises a curved angle iron with stanchions which can be bolted to the car wash floor and an extruded polyethylene cover which eliminates the need for moving parts and smoothly transitions into a conveyor tire guide lane. A roller grid or the like may be floor-mounted between the curved guide rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Belanger, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Barry S. Turner
  • Patent number: 7185744
    Abstract: A roller system for moving a load a predetermined distance includes a chock frame having a pair of spaced chocks connected between a pair of rigid siderails and a freely moveable roller unit. The roller unit includes a plurality of rollers and is positioned between the siderails and freely moveable between the pair of spaced chocks. The load may then be moved in inchmeal fashion by slowly advancing the roller unit while shuffling the chock frame on the ground at a similar pace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Triodyne Safety Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Ralph Lipsey Barnett
  • Patent number: 7051660
    Abstract: A railroad car positioning apparatus for positioning a railroad car along a railroad track includes a battery-powered and radio-controlled carriage assembly and first and second dog members mounted on the carriage assembly. The apparatus includes a main control unit for controlling the carriage assembly. The carriage assembly is controlled via radio communication between the carriage assembly and the main control unit. The dog members are generally extendable to an axle height of the railroad car to be acquired for contacting one of the axles of the railroad car. The apparatus further includes a plurality of hydraulic cylinders for moving the carriage assembly in a forward or reverse direction on a guide way disposed between the railroad tracks on which the railroad cars travel. The batteries on the carriage assembly may be remotely recharged using a contactless power transfer device, which includes a battery recharging device situated on the guide way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Metso Minerals Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel P. Insana, Duane B. Swartz
  • Patent number: 6889615
    Abstract: A power driven conveyor having a drive means and a carrier supported for movement along a path of travel parallel to the path of movement provided by the drive means. The carrier has a contact surface adjacent to the drive means that is movable between a first position wherein the contact surface is disengaged from the drive means and a second position wherein the contact surface is frictionally driven by the drive means so as to cause the carrier to move from a first station to a second station along the path of travel provided by the drive means. An actuator is operatively associated with the carrier for causing the contact surface to move between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Bridgewater Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William Johnson, Paul Bridgewater
  • Patent number: 6837168
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reversing train positioning system for engaging and moving a railroad car or trip of cars by engaging a bogey wheel truck frame. The train positioning system includes a dog carriage having a drive motor mounted on the dog carriage which operates to propel the dog carriage back and forth along a single tension chain in a carriage guideway provided alongside a railroad track. The carriage is supplied with electric power and hydraulic fluid from an attached flexible power track system which has a fixed end connected to a source of high pressure hydraulic fluid and a return sump and a source of electric power and a free end attached to move with the carriage. Alternatively, the entire hydraulic system may be carried on board the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Calbrandt, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Goldbeck, Calvin J. Brandt, Kenneth D. Fritz
  • Publication number: 20040194655
    Abstract: A railroad car positioning apparatus for positioning a railroad car along a railroad track includes a battery-powered and radio-controlled carriage assembly and first and second dog members mounted on the carriage assembly. The apparatus includes a main control unit for controlling the carriage assembly. The carriage assembly is controlled via radio communication between the carriage assembly and the main control unit. The dog members are generally extendable to an axle height of the railroad car to be acquired for contacting one of the axles of the railroad car. The apparatus further includes a plurality of hydraulic cylinders for moving the carriage assembly in a forward or reverse direction on a guide way disposed between the railroad tracks on which the railroad cars travel. The batteries on the carriage assembly may be remotely recharged using a contactless power transfer device, which includes a battery recharging device situated on the guide way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Samuel P. Insana, Duane B. Swartz
  • Patent number: 6668730
    Abstract: A reversing chain-operated, dual carriage train indexer is provided with a chain tension control that acts directly on the chain and a retraction-biased, two-position carriage connection cylinder in conjunction with a spring biased linkage system allows indexer operation in either direction with dogs up or down in dual force ranges controlled by the chain tension control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Calbrandt, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley J. Goldbeck
  • Patent number: 6644210
    Abstract: An inclined conveyor for transporting shopping carts between an upper floor and a lower floor. The inclined conveyor includes a continuous conveyor assembly having a conveyor belt including a plurality of spaced drive lugs that engage a shopping cart. The moving conveyor belt transports the shopping cart between the upper and lower floors. The inclined conveyor includes a jam detector that interrupts operation of the conveyor upon detection of a jam along the conveyor. The inclined conveyor further includes a front wheel alignment and turning system for rotating at least one of the front wheels 180 degrees to place both front wheels in a common aligned position so as to prevent unnecessary operation of the jam detector along the conveyor belt. The inclined conveyor further includes a cart travel correction device for maintaining proper engagement between a portion of the cart and one of the drive lugs on the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Pflow Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Pfleger, Michael H. Sohn, Craig S. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6622636
    Abstract: A device for automatically moving vehicles along guide ways of lifts is constituted by a pusher carriage movable horizontally with a corresponding actuator on a guide that is longitudinally fixable to at least one of the guide ways and is provided with at least one pair of arms that are articulated thereto and rotate in a scissor-like fashion on a horizontal plane flush with the upper resting surface of the guide way, from an active position, in which they are parallel one another and adjacent to at least one wheel and lie transversely above the wheel, to an inactive position, in which they are divaricated and aligned parallel to the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Giuliano S.r.l.
    Inventor: Fabrizio Bonacini
  • Patent number: 6553916
    Abstract: The present invention provides a low clearance, compact guideway, train positioning system that can be installed in close quarters alongside an existing railroad track. The system is chain driven and features an improved over/under or vertical sprocket carriage drive system in which parts normally exposed to the elements are protected while, at the same time, horizontal space requirements alongside the track are reduced. The system employs a vertically oriented chain drive which employs enclosed vertically mounted drive and idler sprocket units and a chain tube enclosing the lower chain strand which further minimizes exposure of the mechanism chain to the elements by totally enclosing the lower chain path in the over/under arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Calbrandt, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley J. Goldbeck
  • Publication number: 20030010249
    Abstract: The present invention provides a low clearance, compact guideway, train positioning system that can be installed in close quarters alongside an existing railroad track. The system is chain driven and features an improved over/under or vertical sprocket carriage drive system in which parts normally exposed to the elements are protected while, at the same time, horizontal space requirements alongside the track are reduced. The system employs a vertically oriented chain drive which employs enclosed vertically mounted drive and idler sprocket units and a chain tube enclosing the lower chain strand which further minimizes exposure of the mechanism chain to the elements by totally enclosing the lower chain path in the over/under arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: Motion Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley J. Goldbeck
  • Patent number: 6490979
    Abstract: An inclined conveyor for transporting shopping carts between an upper floor and a lower floor. The inclined conveyor includes a continuous conveyor assembly having a conveyor belt including a plurality of spaced drive lugs that engage a shopping cart. The moving conveyor belt transports the shopping cart between the upper and lower floors. The inclined conveyor includes a jam detector that interrupts operation of the conveyor upon detection of a jam along the conveyor. The inclined conveyor further includes sensors that prevent operation of the conveyor assembly if a person is present at either the unloading end or loading end of the conveyor assembly. At least one cart arrester is positioned along the length of the inclined conveyor to prevent uncontrolled descent of a shopping cart along the length of the inclined conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Pflow Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Pfleger, Michael H. Sohn, Craig S. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6435099
    Abstract: A powered pushing unit transfers ads no greater than a predetermined magnitude in one direction along the length of a load transfer system. The pushing unit includes a frame and a source of power for moving the pushing unit back and forth along the length of the load transfer system. A dog for engaging a load is pivotally mounted with respect to the frame. A restricting mechanism applies a load engaging force to hold the dog at a load transfer range of positions until the load is greater than the predetermined magnitude. A toggle joint is mounted between the dog and the frame. The toggle joint forms an angle in a first angular direction to lock the dog in a load engaging position during engagement of a load under the predetermined magnitude. The toggle joint further shifts to form an angle in a second angular direction upon engagement of a load in excess of the predetermined magnitude, thereby allowing the dog to pivot away from the load which is in excess of the predetermined magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Ridg-U-Rak, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Gunter
  • Patent number: 6422153
    Abstract: A car wash conveyor including a simplified and improved track structure using cut out flat support plates for mounting three tiers of tracks. The support plates allow equal widths of an intermediate and lower track, and incorporation of integral stanchions for support of tire guide rollers. The chain take up mechanism and the roller control mechanism together form an assembly able to be installed into the conveyor or removed for service as a single unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: Gilbert J. Reitsch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6389984
    Abstract: A dog carriage for a railway car indexing system for positioning a railway car or a trip of coupled railway cars having railway wheels mounted in and carrying bogey wheel truck frames by engaging and pushing against the bogey wheel truck frames using dogs includes a dog carriage frame moveable along a railroad track, a pair of spaced opposed dogs pivotally attached to the dog carriage frame for pivoting between a lowered position and a raised position to engage a bogey wheel truck frame in the raised position by movement of the dog carriage frame. A bogey wheel truck frame sensing device is carried on the dog carriage and a dog operating system is provided for controlling the position of each of the dogs individually between the lowered and the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Calbrandt, Inc.
    Inventor: Calvin J. Brandt
  • Patent number: 6374747
    Abstract: A sound abatement method includes applying a sound abating material to at least one area of at least one component of the moving trolley. A sound abatement conveyor trolley includes a trolley body having at least one wheel for traveling in a track and one or more component cooperatively associated with the trolley body, which the components each include a sound abating material applied to the area for sound abatement. An element used in a conveyor trolley includes at least one area and a sound abating material applied to the area for sound abatement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Jervis B. Webb Company
    Inventors: Deepak Devnani, Christopher M. Ariss, Craig R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20010035106
    Abstract: A powered pushing unit transfers loads no greater than a predetermined magnitude in one direction along the length of a load transfer system. The pushing unit includes a frame and a source of power for moving the pushing unit back and forth along the length of the load transfer system. A dog for engaging a load is pivotally mounted with respect to the frame. A restricting mechanism applies a load engaging force to hold the dog at a load transfer range of positions until the load is greater than the predetermined magnitude. A toggle joint is mounted between the dog and the frame. The togglejoint forms an angle in a first angular direction to lock the dog in a load engaging position during engagement of a load under the predetermined magnitude. The toggle joint further shifts to form an angle in a second angular direction upon engagement of a load in excess of the predetermined magnitude, thereby allowing the dog to pivot away from the load which is in excess of the predetermined magnitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: Ridg-U-Rak, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Gunter
  • Patent number: 6267059
    Abstract: A train positioning system for moving railroad cars by engaging bogey frames from one side includes a dog carriage guideway spaced from and parallel to a railroad track, a dog carriage mounted to operate along the guideway, a first dog pivotally attached to the dog carriage to pivot in a generally horizontal plane between a retracted position and an extended position. The first dog is positioned to engage a bogey frame in a first direction and be deflected by the bogey frame in a second direction in the extended position. A second dog may be mounted in opposed spaced relation to the first dog also to pivot in a generally horizontal plane between a retracted and an extended position. The second dog is configured to engage a bogey frame in the second direction and be deflected by the bogey frame in the first direction. A system is provided for reversibly operating the dog carriage along the guideway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Motion Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Calvin J. Brandt
  • Patent number: 6186073
    Abstract: A roller assembly for car wash conveyors having three pairs of pusher rollers on the upper end of a conveyor roller bar in order to reduce and make more uniform the roller wear. The roller pairs are arranged to respectively engage the upper, intermediate and lower tracks of the conveyor. The pairs of pusher rollers are each mounted on one of three parallel shafts arranged in a triangular pattern each roller in each pair confined between sets of two plates having holes receiving the shafts which are welded thereto. Two of the shafts are welded to the upper end of the roller bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Peco Corporation
    Inventor: Gilbert J. Reitsch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6006673
    Abstract: A rail car indexer that provides a continuous transfer of the rail car bogeys from one dog to the next without ramming into the rail car axles in either the forward or rearward directions. The rail car indexer includes two parallel linearly offset progressor each of which has a barney and dog attached thereto. A center balance and back pressure bypass valve are used to control the raising of the dogs and to insure that the dogs remain in their lowered position until the proper progressor is ready to begin pulling on the rail car bogey axle. Sensors and a photo eye emitter and receiver coordinate the extension, retraction and transfer of an axle between the progressors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Motion Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Calvin J. Brandt
  • Patent number: 5709153
    Abstract: Railway car indexers are disclosed that include a high dog engaging member for engaging a bogey frame behind a railway axle. The high dog is pivotally attached to a dog carriage which is slidably inserted in an indexer track juxtaposed to the railroad track. The high dog is actuated between a raised and a lowered position by a lever arm which is pivotally attached to the dog carriage and a spring-piston cylinder connected to the high dog and the lever arm. The dog carriage is moved back and forth in the indexer track to engage the lever arm and high dog with the bogey frame to move the railway cars. In a reversing indexer, the dog carriage includes opposing high dogs for engaging the bogey frame behind either axle for moving the railway cars in either direction. The single direction or reversing direction indexers include a dog carriage on one or both sides of the railroad track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Motion Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Calvin Brandt
  • Patent number: 5695044
    Abstract: A retainer dog is pivotally mounted on a pusher dog at the front end portion thereof and normally urged to a standing position. The distance between a retainer surface of the retainer dog and a thrust surface of the pusher dog is predetermined such that a space large enough for the retainer dog to rotate with a tilting radius can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Akira Morikiyo, Koichi Mizuguchi, Susumu Kawano, Kenji Umezawa, Isao Takatori