Abstract: A device for transporting workpieces comprises a transporting path carrier, a plurality of transporting wagons adapted to run on the transporting path carrier, units at every transporting wagon for blocking its traveling when the transporting wagon is located outside a predetermined transporting path, inquiring unit adapted to inquire the transporting path and control the blocking units, and at least one wall surface provided in the transporting path so as to be inquired by the sensor, the at least one wall surface being arranged next to the running surface and at an angle relative to the running surface on the transporting path carrier.

Abstract: An emergency life saving vehicle (ELSV) for providing emergency services on a bridge independently of traffic conditions thereon. In particular, the ELSV conforms to the particular configuration of a bridge so as to ride along an otherwise unused portion of the bridge, and thereby circumvent any traffic which may have accumulated on the bridge. There are at least three different embodiments of the ELSV, each embodiment corresponding to a particular bridge structure. A first embodiment has a raised center portion so that the ELSV is able to straddle a lane dividing wall on a single span bridge; a second embodiment is adapted to straddle a space between two adjacent and parallel spans of a two span bridge by simultaneously riding on the interior walkways of each span; and a third embodiment rides along the interior walkways and retaining walls of a two span bridge.

Abstract: A guide mechanism for a passenger conveyor which includes a series of passenger platforms supported on and movable along a frame which has a support track for support rollers mounted on the platforms. The guide mechanism includes a monotrack guide rail, and a pair of horizontal pinch rollers supported by each passenger platform. The pinch rollers are in engagement with opposite sides of the monotrack guide rail. One of the pinch rollers is of a lower compression stiffness than the other pinch roller. The guide mechanism is coupled to a walking beam assembly wherein a pair of support rollers are mounted at opposite ends of a beam extending in the direction of movement of the conveyor, and the guide rail mechanism is coupled to the beam between the pair of support rollers.

Abstract: An electrically driven self-propelled truck having at least one electrically driven wheel guidable along a rail on a floor, an article lift table mounted on the upper side of the truck body, a work space provided around the lift table, and an adjacent truck coupling provided at least one side edge portion of the truck body. At an intersection of truck guide rails on the floor, a rail segment rotating mechanism is provided which has a rail segment for changing the course of the wheel. A truck orientation changing turntable is provided on a floor portion where the orientation of the truck is to be changed.

Abstract: A roller coaster or gravity motive toy is disclosed herein having a tortuous elevated track layout and toy vehicle system including adjustable support stanchions for the track attached thereto by a universal joint. The vehicle includes rollers movably supporting the vehicle on the track with pivotal roller guide and lateral securement elements to detachably couple the vehicle to the track. An articulated figure or caricature is carried in the vehicle having pivotal extremities adapted for centrifugal actuation during travel of the vehicle. A motorized lift is operably carried on the track selectively engaging with a vehicle lifting the vehicle to an elevated starting position for gravity operation.

Abstract: A transverse guide roller for track-guidable buses effectively prevents the access water to the rotational bearing of such rollers housed rotatably in a horizontal plane. To this end, the rotational bearing is accommodated in a bearing bell which covers the rolling bearing arrangement in a protective and sealing manner. The wheel body has essentially the shape of a cup with an upwardly pointing opening and with a bearing journal projecting from the cup bottom. The rolling bearing is fixed on the bearing journal with the inner ring as a rotating rolling bearing ring. The cup bottom has, at its lowest point, several discharge orifices for the unhindered discharge of water which may have penetrated.

Abstract: A laterally stable and self-turning wheel and rail assembly. The curved rolling surfaces of the wheels bear against curved contact surfaces of the rails such that centrifugal force causes lateral translation of the wheels on the rails, thereby increasing the effective rolling radius of an outside rail while decreasing or maintaining the same effective rolling radius of an inner wheel. The altered rolling radius causes the wheels to move along a curved path without slipping or sliding. Flanges are provided adjacent track turnouts so that guide members activated by a vehicle operator may contact the flanges to either maintain the vehicle in the same set of tracks, or switch the vehicle through the turnout onto a new section of track.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the lateral disposition of a guide roller of a traveling service unit on a textile machine is provided. The apparatus includes a first support wheel rotatably mounted on the traveling service unit and an adjustable wheel assembly. The adjustable wheel assembly includes a second support wheel laterally spaced from the first support wheel, a device for rotatably mounting the second wheel to the traveling service unit and a device for selectively adjusting the vertical displacement of the second wheel relative to the traveling service unit to maintain the guide roller at a predetermined disposition relative to a guide surface of the textile machine. The device for selectively adjusting the vertical displacement of the second wheel includes, in one aspect of the invention, a cylinder and piston assembly and, in another aspect of the invention, a pair of bell cranks interconnected to one another by a cylinder and piston assembly.

Abstract: A displacing apparatus includes a moving table provided movably on a guide rail mounted on a fixed base. A guide bar is provided on the fixed base in parallel with the guide rail. The guide bar is formed with a recess. Also provided is a driving roller maintained in contact with the guide bar and driven by a driving source provided on the moving table for moving the moving table. A device is provided on the moving table for generating a contact pressure for maintaining the driving roller in pressure contact with the guide bar at a position on the guide bar opposite to the drive roller. A detector is also provided in relation to the moving table for detecting the position of the moving table. Finally, a device is provided for nullifying the contact pressure. The nullifying device drops the driving roller into the recess of the guide bar to nullify the contact pressure of the drive roller, the drive roller moving on the guide bar.

Abstract: In a traveling service unit of the type utilized in conjunction with a textile spinning mill machine, the transverse and longitudinal inclination of the service unit with respect to the machine is monitored and adjusted with respect to a fixed horizontal reference plane by at least two electronic levels or like inclination detectors each operatively connected through an associated controller with a vertically-adjustable roller wheel supporting assembly of the service unit for controlling the elevation of the service unit at each supporting assembly to compensate for detected inclination deviations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety system on track guidance lines for optionally track-guidable or road-going vehicles with pivotable feeler rollers. To avoid accidents which may be caused by travelling on track guidance lines with feeler rollers not extended or only incompletely extended, the invention provides for there to be a switch, which can be operated by the feeler rollers, to be arranged on each of the two transverse guide barriers, approximately opposite each other on the same level as the feeler rollers of the vehicle, at the beginning of the track guidance line. These switches, if operated together, switch via a control unit an optical display device, located downstream of the switches in the direction of travel of the vehicle, and normally indicating a block signal, to "clear line".

Abstract: A compact mobile storage system structure and method. The structure includes a sigle track having rail and guide portions for each row of separate storage units and structure for compensating for drift of the individual storage units including adjusting screws for effecting leveling of the single track or varying the slope of the single track. The structure of the invention further includes annular lubricating members in recesses on each side of rotatably mounted wheels on the individual storage units. The method of the invention includes guiding the individual units of a compact mobile storage system along a single track at one edge of the storage units and compensating for drift of the individual units by adjusting the slope of the single track so that it is opposite the slope of the floor at the opposite edge of the individual storage units.

Abstract: Apparatus to travel on primary rails includes:(a) a truck having primary wheels adapted to roll on primary rails under the wheels;(b) and side wheel structure carried by the truck and projecting at the side thereof, for car stabilizing upward engagement with elongated auxiliary rail structure above the side wheels,(c) three being a turnable having a vertical axis of pivoting, there also being extensions of the primary rails and of the auxilary rail structure on the turntable, all at one side of that vertical axis.

Abstract: A robot carrier structure constituted by a portal wagon movable on rails and laterially supported by a pair of carriages each comprising a pair of wheels longitudinally coupled by motion transmission means actuated in synchronism by an electric motor. Further the two electric motors of the pair of carriages are so connected as to constitute an electric axis. Each wheel has a structure adapted to ensure a high adherence to the rail, particularly due to the provision of a pair of rings of elastomeric material engaging the rolling surface of the rail.

Abstract: A golf cart propelling system includes a rail formed by a plurality of channel members, each having a U-shaped cross section defined by spaced side walls joined at lower ends thereof by a bottom wall. The side walls have at upper ends thereof flanges extending inwardly toward each other and defining therebetween a longitudinal groove. The channel members are buried in the ground to define a rail extending through selected locations of a golf course with portions of the flanges flush with the ground surface and with the longitudinal grooves of the channel members defining a continuous rail groove. A golf cart has front and rear wheel members running on the flange portions of the rail. Each wheel member has a width no greater than the width of the exposed flange portions. The golf cart is prevented from falling sideways from the rail by at least one vertical shaft attached to the golf cart and extending downwardly therefrom through the groove into the interior of the rail.

Abstract: An amusement ride has an endless path defined by a rail from which the vehicle is suspended by a strut which, at its upper end, is swingable in a deformable frame on a yoke which is likewise pivotal on this frame and carries stirrups by which brackets are pivotally mounted in the carriage. The brackets carry the running and guide rollers. A pair of air springs in the form of bellows cylinders is braced between the strut and the yoke.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for moving a hose hauler apparatus through an arc includes a pressure plate which is anchored in a manner to secure the pressure plate at a fixed location on the surface of the earth. An elevating apparatus is attached to the pressure plate. The elevating apparatus can be raised or lowered and has a platform on its upper surface. A linkage capture apparatus is attached to the platform. In use the device is inserted under a hose hauler, anchored and the linkage capturing apparatus is raised until the linkage is secured. Several of the devices are placed as required to initiate desired arcuate deviation in the hose hauler.

Abstract: A system for automatically guiding a vehicle provided with pneumatically tired wheels comprises first and second rollers 7, 7' which follow a rail 8 extending in the path of movement of the vehicle. The first roller is supported by a fork-shaft 9, 10 extending in the direction of movement of the vehicle and capable of oscillating vertically about a horizontal axis 11. It is fastened to a turret 12 connected to at least one coupling bar 17 hinged to a steering lever 6. The second roller is supported by a second support arm extending in the opposite direction, which may also oscillate vertically about a horizontal axis and pivot horizontally independently of the turret, to a limited extent. The vehicle can be guided alternately either by a mechanical type of automatic system, used when the vehicle moves on an appropriate infrastructure, or manually by the driver, when the vehicle moves autonomously.

Abstract: A panel locator for moving bundles of panels from one place to another on a roof includes a base section movably mounted on roof purlins, and a tower section extending upwardly from the base section, and a boom section pivotably mounted on the tower section. The locator has the capability for maintaining a level orientation on a sloped roof and can change direction of movement from along the roof length to up and down the slope.

Abstract: A motor vehicle which may be utilized in a track or rail bound conveyance or on a normal roadway, with the vehicle including steerable supporting wheels and at least one transverse guide member arranged between opposite steerable supporting wheels on a horizontally pivotable track guide lever. The transverse guide member acts on the steerable supporting wheels and extends, in an operating position, below a tread level of the supporting wheels and, by way of a horizontal swivel joint in the track guide lever, can automatically be retracted from the operating position into an ineffective or waiting position and/or lowered into an operating position by roadway responsible roller feelers or the like movably guided at right angles to the driving direction. An expanding drive or force transmission system is coupled with the roller feeler with the system producing, upon a roller feeler movement, a movement oriented in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a turbulent waterway having boats guided in a trough extending between an uphill starting point and a downhill terminus, a chain conveyor having a series of links extending on a slope between said starting point and said terminus and adapted to travel upwardly therebetween, at least one locking bar with transverse grooves is adapted to mesh with the links of said chain conveyor supporting said links for sliding therealong.

Abstract: A convertible rail-highway car moving vehicle is constructed by a tractor having a front end and a rear end. A pair of rubber wheels, which may take the form of rubber-tired wheels is associated with the front end of the tractor. At least one pair of flanged wheels which can be raised and lowered is associated with the front end of said tractor. One further pair of flanged wheels is associated with the rear end of the tractor. One pair of upwardly and downwardly moveable rubber wheels, which may be rubber-tired wheels, is associated with the rear. During operation on rails, the front end of the tractor is raised and the rear end is lowered, while in the terrain driving mode the front end is lowered and the rear end is raised.

Abstract: A power and free conveyor system comprising a power track along which carriers are moved by a power conveyor. Each carrier comprises a plurality of substantially identical trolley bodies which are interconnected to one another. Each trolley body includes forwardly and rearwardly directed cantilever portions having open-ended vertical slots therein and guide wheel assemblies having axles disposed vertically in said slots.

Abstract: A traffic system for track-guided vehicles with steerable wheels, in which a guide groove, guide web or the like, which determines the track and is adapted to be mechanically detected by the vehicles, is provided on the side of the road and a guide lever detecting the guide groove course is provided on the side of the vehicle, whereby the movements of the guide lever are adapted to be transmitted indirectly to the steerable wheels by interconnection of a force and movement transmission mechanism supplied with auxiliary energy; the guide lever which is pivotally connected at the axle member of the vehicle having the steerable wheels is deflectable within a small angular space that corresponds only to a fraction of the maximum deflection angle of the steerable wheels while additionally all parts that participate in the force flow of the movement transmission of the guide lever between the guide groove, on the one hand, and the axle member, on the other, are constructed so strong that the vehicle can be form-loc

Abstract: A transportation system that uses bus-like tire vehicles that travel in an express trackway between the suburbs and the city. The bus-like vehicles also have the capability of driving on conventional roadways in the suburbs and the city for picking people up and dropping them off close to their homes and offices. The bus-like vehicles are electric motor driven so that the motor may receive electric power either from the trackway when the vehicles are on the trackway or from batteries carried by the vehicles when they are off the trackway.

Abstract: A guide follower of a vehicle for a transportation system is coupled to an onboard steering linkage by a bendable cable or equivalent. The bendable cable is taut to transfer the guide following movement of the guide follower to the steering linkage and is relaxed to disconnect the movement transmitting connection between them.

Abstract: The invention relates to an element of a vehicle which is part of a continuously moving train of similar vehicles, the element consisting, on the one hand, of two axles carrying wheels with solid tires and inner tubes and, on the other, of an on-board shunting device essentially consisting of a bistable rocking assembly operated by fixed ramps in relation to the track. The element of the vehicle also comprises pivoting bearings (6,6') which are part of the bistable rocking assembly (7) and are located in the vicinity of the axles (3,3'). The bistable rocking assembly (7) is operated and locked through an eccentric (13). Shunting wheels (8,8') are carried by the bistable rocking assembly (7) and cooperate with the external surfaces of the rails along which the element of the vehicle travels or with counter-rails arranged against the external surfaces.

Abstract: Packets of long metal roofing panels are transported on the skeletal structure of a pitched roof by a carrier structure with an elongated skeletal frame spanning the purlins which run the length of the pitched roof. The carrier structure comprises wheel structure on each of several adjacent purlins, with each such wheel structure comprising multiple sets of pairs of a horizontal axis wheel and a vertical axis wheel.

Abstract: In a vehicle guidance system, a circular-section guidance rail is embraced y a detector on a vehicle. At a fork, where the rail progressively broadens prior to dividing, the rail height is reduced so that a detector, when tilted to select one branch of the fork, has its lowered side between the rail and a side wall of a channel in which the rail is mounted and its raised side riding over the broadened rail.

Abstract: A passenger transportation system includes a transport vehicle which travels in the interior of an elongated tunnel formed from a series of concrete modular conduits. The cross-section of the conduit interior includes a bottom surface on which the vehicle travels, a pair of spaced apart side walls, and a pair of spaced apart upper wall surfaces extending inwardly from the side walls and on opposite sides of an elongated slotted opening extending lengthwise along the top of the conduit tunnel. The transport vehicle is supported by a suspension system which includes a plurality of carrier frames, each having guide rollers traveling along the bottom surface, the side walls, and the upper wall surfaces of the conduit. The guide rollers are supported by respective biasing elements which urge the guide rollers into continuous contact with the walls of the tunnel to keep the vehicle centered in the tunnel during transit.

Abstract: A combination highway and rail vehicle having front and rear sets of tires and front and rear sets of rail guide wheels. The front guide wheels are carried by a wheel suspension which swings the guide wheels into contact with the rails forwardly of the front tires and simultaneously raises the front tires, against the force of tire suspension springs, to positions above the rails. As a result, the front tires, which may be wider apart than the rails, are lifted out of the way, and the rear tires of the vehicle are required to carry a substantially greater portion of the weight of the vehicle plus its load, thereby increasing the traction between the rear tires and the rails.