Abstract: Resiliently biased dogs of a car shifting apparatus are automatically moved by double acting hydraulic cylinders to positions in which the dogs cannot engage any car moving along a predetermined path. When this occurs, movement of the dogs from these non-obstructing positions and movement of barneys, which have the dogs pivotally mounted thereon, along the predetermined path are prevented.

Abstract: A passenger loading method and installation is provided by means of which passengers are mechanically propelled and accelerated to a velocity substantially the same as that of a main transport structure onto which they can be loaded without the necessity of stopping or slowing movement of the main transport structure. The invention is particularly applicable to ski-lifts and enables an increase in hourly carrying capacity of such lifts.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a towline cart of the type including a towpin from a non-powered spur line to a main in-floor line includes a housing positionable adjacent the spur line and having supported therein an elongated, flexible transfer member. The transfer member includes at least one pusher dog to engage the towpin of the towcart. A driven sprocket and endless chain is connected to the transfer member and a control system is provided for automatically extending the transfer member to transfer a towcart from the spur line to the main line and for retracting the transfer member back into the housing.

Abstract: The invention refers to an apparatus for disposal of cut end portions in a multistrand casting plant, particularly in a twin strand steel slab strand casting plant, consisting of vehicles moving on a rail track in a position in the strand paths following the separating or cutting device in vertical direction and positioned between the conveyor path rollers of the parallel casting strands. Such vehicles are provided with a bearing surface for the cut end portions just below the conveyor path transport level. The rail track connects the conveyor paths of a strand with a discharge station.

Abstract: The specification describes a double dolly for use with a conveyor for moving an object by engagement with the object. The double dolly comprises a first roller, which rotates about a first axle, a second support roller which rotates about a second axle, a rotatable safety bar located in advance of and below the lower reach of the first roller, and a frame for securing the rollers, axles and safety bar to a conveyor. The first roller, which engages the object is freely rotatable prior to contact with the object. The support roller is in contact with the surface over which the object is being moved for transferring load exerted on the dolly by the object to that surface while permitting movement of the dolly. The safety bar blocks the gap between the supporting surface and the first roller. The rotatability of the safety bar prevents its binding on the supporting surface in the event of tipping of the dolly.

Abstract: A shuttle conveyor for moving articles fore and aft on a cargo support such as the baggage area in an aircraft cargo compartment comprises a shuttle carriage assembly travelling in tracks moved fore and aft by a cable. A control mechanism is provided to raise and lower selectively one of two cargo engaging pawls mounted on the shuttle carriage. The pawls are adapted to move cargo forward or aft in the compartment and are operated by a cable or chain operator.

Abstract: A shuttle conveyor for moving articles fore and aft on a cargo support, such as the baggage area in an aircraft cargo compartment, comprises a trolley assembly moved fore and aft by a cable means travelling in downwardly canted tracks and a means to raise and lower selectively one of two cargo-engaging pawls adapted to move cargo forward or aft of the compartment and operated by cable or chain operators.

Abstract: A roller-coaster track includes a vertical loop and terminates in two steep rises, with a loading and unloading station disposed along a horizontal stretch of track between the loop and the lower of the two rises. An endless belt underneath that horizontal stretch entrains a carriage which, when moving along an upper run of that belt, accelerates a passenger train at the station from standstill to a velocity sufficient to let that train pass through the loop in one direction, ascend the higher rise, descend that rise and pass once more through the loop in the opposite direction before ascending and descending the lower rise, eventually coming to rest at the station. The accelerating force is derived, at the start of the ride, from stored potential or kinetic energy such as that of a weight dropping inside a guide tube or a flywheel intermittently coupled with the belt.

Abstract: A chain drive arrangement wherein there is provided a link chain having a finite chain strand. At least at one side of a stationarily arranged chain-drive unit for the chain strand, which drive unit is reversible with respect to its drive direction, the chain strand is supported by means of its hinges or joints in a guide means.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for lagging (in-process storing) packages of textile yarn on wheeled buggies. At least one storage lane for textile yarn buggies is provided and a plurality of wheeled textile yarn buggies with connecting hooks having depending tail portions for joining the buggies together as a train are positioned in the storage lane. Air switch pads are provided at the exit from the storage lane for detecting the presence of a buggy. A driven chain with lugs thereon for moving the train of buggies forward one buggy length and then engaging the depending portion of the hooks for disconnecting the buggy nearest the exit from the remainder of the train is actuated by a signal from the air switch pads each time the air switch pads fail to detect the presence of a buggy.

Abstract: A transport device for displacement of filter plates embodying a transport pawl pivotally mounted on a drawing element disposed to move the plates in the direction of opening. The pawl has a recess which cooperates with upwardly extending catches and a forward deflector surface which cooperates with the catch of an adjacent plate in a stack of plates to prevent the pawl from dropping into operative position. At least one additional pawl is pivotally mounted on the drawing element and has an additional deflector surface rearwardly of the recess therein which cooperates with the catch of an adjacent plate. The recess in the pawl may be of a length to engage two catches carried by two adjacent plates.

Abstract: A dump truck having a telescoping container body which is initially telescoped to a reduced length to discharge a portion of the load therefrom in response to the telescoping action and thereafter elevated to discharge the remainder of the load in the manner of a conventional dump truck. The fully extended length of the container body, which determines the load carrying capacity of the container body, is greater than that which would normally be elevated to directly discharge the load therefrom in the manner of a conventional dump truck. The retracted length of the container body is no greater than the acceptable length of a container body for elevating to dump a load in a conventional manner.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus suitable for shifting the plates of a plate filter press. The apparatus comprises supporting means for supporting the apparatus so that it can be moved longitudinally of the plate filter press, and a manually-operable, power-drivable device including first and second members capable of engaging plates of the plate filter press and movable relative to one another by a source of power along a line of action which, when the apparatus is in use is parallel to, or substantially parallel to, the plate filter press. The arrangement is such that, in use, the device can be rotated or swung in order to bring the first and second members into and out of engagement with plates of the plate filter press and, when in engagement with plates of the plate filter press, the device can be operated to cause movement of the first and second members relative to one another and hence movement of one or more plates of the plate filter press.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving railroad cars, barges or the like along tracks includes three double-acting hydraulic cylinder mechanisms operatively supported from trackside overhead framework structure. A first, push-pull hydraulic mechanism is extensible and retractable within a plane parallel to the railroad tracks and the same is disposed toward one side of the tracks. A second, clamping hydraulic mechanism is supported upon the free end of the push-pull mechanism. As a result of the disposition of the first mechanism toward one side of the tracks, the clamping mechanism is able to positively clamp the upper side wall portion and said rail portion of the railroad car. Movement of the car in either a forward or backward mode is attained under the influence of the first mechanism. Alternatively, the push-pull mechanism can retard movement of the car and safely retains the car in a predetermined position when the mechanism is not actuated.

Abstract: A pair of laterally spaced wheel chocks are each normally connected in a gap in a railroad track rail, with each chock having a straight upper surface over which car wheels can roll in crossing the gap. Pivotally connected on a horizontal axis to each chock is the rear end of an arm, the front end of which is pivotally connected to a support. Means are provided for lifting the chocks after car wheels have rolled across them, whereby to cause the chocks to engage a pair of car wheels and move them forward on the track. The arms guide the upwardly-moving chocks in paths that result in there being substantially no sliding of the chocks against the wheels.

Abstract: An apparatus for intermittently pushing a plurality of aligned carts along a predetermined path. The apparatus includes a pair of oscillating pusher bars having a plurality of aligned lugs thereon, which engage a portion of the undersurface of the carts and push them forward as the bars move in a forward direction. As the pusher bars move in the opposite direction, the lugs disengage from the cart, so as to permit the cart to remain stationary.

Abstract: A rail-car positioner comprises a carriage on a track running alongside and parallel to the train track and an elongate arm on the carriage is transversely displaceable to enter between a pair of coupled rail-cars of the train and connect the positioner drivingly to the train. The arm is extended substantially axially, from a retracted position on the carriage, in a preferably generally horizontal first direction to introduce an end of the arm between the pair of rail-cars, and said end is then engaged with the rail-cars' coupling by displacing it in a second direction transverse to the first direction.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for linearly conveying wheeled vehicles are disclosed wherein at least one wheel of the vehicle is supported by a plate which reciprocates longitudinally through a forward stroke and a reverse stroke. The supported wheel is engaged and blocked to prevent its rotation during the forward stroke, thereby pushing the wheel, and thus the vehicle, to a forward position with the plate. During the reverse stroke, the wheel is free to rotate, permitting the plate to return to its rearmost position while the wheel remains at the forward position. During subsequent forward strokes, the wheel is similarly engaged and blocked and the vehicle is sequentially advanced the length of the forward stroke during each reciprocation of the plate.

Abstract: Two car retarders and an interposed means to push the cars are installed on a storage track. The upstream retarder slows the cars. The downstream retarder collects the cars released from the upstream retarder. The cars, coupled as a block, are pushed from the downstream retarder.

Abstract: The stepping conveyor comprises a walking beam which carries a plurality of trolley pushers or impellers adapted to advance, in one direction and in step by step fashion, a succession of trolleys that are movable along an overhead trolley rail; the walking beam incorporating structural improvements that minimize the cost of manufacture, of installation, and operation, and ensure a high degree of stability and resistance to wear in the walking beam system.

Abstract: A transport track and a sliding carriage for transporting heavy loads in substantially horizontal direction. The track comprising a bottom plate intended to be positioned loosely on a support capable to bear heavy loads. The upper surface of the plate and the lower surface of the sliding carriage being designed so as to provide minimum resistance to the movement of the sliding carriage over the surface. At least one rod is attached to the bottom plate which rod is adapted for cooperation with a climbing jack intended for moving the carriage and with a guide groove in the carriage for guiding the carriage during the movement. Structure is also arranged for transferring axial forces arising in the rod to the bottom plate.

Abstract: A train position control arm adapted for use in handling cars of a unit train in a movable train positioner and in a stationary train holder. The arm is proportioned to engage a car coupler from a zone limited to the area immediately above the coupler so that a symmetrical pair of such arms may be simultaneously employed at the same location on a mating pair of couplers. A coupler engaging head of the arm includes elements for engaging and disengaging a coupler under full compression or buff loading. In a train holder apparatus, the arm is pivotally supported on a horizontal axis spaced from the tracks and at substantially the same height as a car coupler. A stationary base supporting the arm includes shock absorbing apparatus adapted to resist impact forces on the arm along a line coincident with the pivot axis.

Abstract: A freight handling system particularly adapted to transfer palletized loads from one side of a freight dock to another. There is an endless closed loop conveyor comprising an endless chain defining a closed loop path, along which are unidirectional rollers. At spaced locations along the conveying path, there are a number of transfer stations each having a plurality of multidirectional rollers, in the form of casters, which permit pallet loads to be moved onto and from the conveying path. A plurality of pushing devices, particularly adapted for use in the present invention, are mounted to the chain at regularly spaced locations. Each pushing device comprises a push arm which in its operative position has an upwardly and rearwardly moderately sloped push surface which engages a palletized load at a transfer station to move it along the conveying path over the rollers.

Abstract: A conveyer for indexing wheeled support magazines along a track or rail, including coacting moving and locking bars which alternately connect to the unit for either moving the unit from one position through a given distance to a next position or locking the unit at a position for a desired dwell time.

Abstract: An overhead power and free conveyor system in which a carrier is propelled along a portion of the carrier track of the system in the conventional manner by a pusher on a driven chain engaging a driving dog on the carrier. The carrier is propelled along another portion of the carrier track of this system by a self-propelled tractor, with provision for transferring a carrier from one of these forms of propulsion to another. Preferably, the tractor travels on the carrier track when propelling a carrier or a train of carriers, which may be directly coupled to the tractor. Alternately, the tractor travels on the carrier track and pulls a tow bar, supported by a separate track, and equipped with a pusher engageable with the carrier driving dog.

Abstract: An installation for the agglomeration of minerals including, a rotatable circular track, a plurality of grate-carrying cars which rest on the track and move with it through various treatment zones, and a device for moving the cars relative to the track through a discharge zone. The device may tilt each car as it passes through the discharge zone in order to unload treated minerals from the grate on the car.

Abstract: There is provided, in a railroad car positioning apparatus of the general type shown and described in Reissue Patent No. Re. 27,300 dated Feb. 22, 1972, an improvement in the car positioner arm which is adapted to move between a pair of coupled railroad cars and into car pushing engagement with the cars centrally thereof. The improvement involves the provision, in combination, of force transferring means on the distal extremity of the car positioner arm for engaging a coupled coupler between a pair of coupled railroad cars, separate force transferring means also on the distal extremity of the car positioner arm for engaging an open coupler of at least one uncoupled railroad car, and means for shifting the two force transferring means for selectively disposing either of them in its operative, car-manipulating position and the other in a stored or inoperative position.