Abstract: A guide shoe for a mining machine includes an elongated shoe body, a slot, an insert coupled to the shoe body, and a retainer secured to the shoe body. The shoe body includes a first end, a second end, a first wall, and a second wall. The slot extends between the first end and the second end along a slot axis, and the slot extends along the first wall and the second wall. The insert is positioned between the shoe body and the slot axis and extends along at least a portion of a perimeter of a cross-section of the slot. The insert includes an end positioned adjacent the first end of the shoe body. The retainer abuts the end of the insert to secure the insert against movement relative to the shoe body in a direction parallel to the slot axis.

Abstract: People movers, such as escalators and moving walkways, for instance, may comprise a support member belt comprised of a plurality of support members guided on rails. The support members may be, for example, steps of an escalator or pallets of a moving walkway. Each support member may be secured to a pair of drag rollers that runs on the rails, and each support member may include a roller spindle that is held rotationally conjointly in or on a body of the support member. Between the roller spindle and the body of the support member, there may be a plug-in connection by way of which the roller spindle is maintained against an undercut under bias of a latching device.

Abstract: A guided vehicle transportation system is described in the application. The system includes guard wheels and a guard rail positioned along a center line of a guide track. The guard rail has a groove in which the guard wheels are received with a predetermined clearance between the periphery of the guard wheels and side walls of the groove. The guard rail has a flange extending toward the groove at the top of each side wall. The vehicle has first arms extending in longitudinal direction and being attached rotatably at a central part of an axle provided for suspending each pair of front wheels and rear wheels, and the guard wheels are attached rotatably and directly to the both end parts of the first arms or attached rotatably to both end parts of second arms each of which is attached to a corresponding end part of the first arms.

Abstract: An anti-tip arrangement for a mobile system, such as a mobile storage system, in which a movable member is mounted to a rail arrangement. The anti-tip arrangement includes an anti-tip member which is pivotably mounted to the movable member for movement between an operative position and an inoperative position. The anti-tip member has a hook section that is engageable with an engagement surface of the rail arrangement, for preventing tipping of the movable member relative to the rail arrangement. The anti-tip member further includes a retainer section and a tab section that extend in opposite directions from the pivot axis about which the anti-tip member is pivotable. The tab section extends laterally from the pivot axis, and is engageable by a user to enable the user to pivot the anti-tip member to the operative position.

Abstract: The push-back storage system includes an elongated storing lane defining opposite front and rear ends and at least one pair of spaced-apart parallel elongated rails extending between the front and rear ends of the storing lane and being inclined downwardly from the rear end towards the front end. Each rail includes a pair of elongated inclined side walls integrally linked at a common elongated top edge. At least one cart is rollably carried by the pair of rails and is rollable along the pair of rails between the storing lane front and rear ends, the cart having a load-bearing frame rollably carrying a number of wheels each engaging a corresponding one of the rails. Each wheel has a web rotatable about a rotational axis and a pair of side flanges radially extending from and axially spaced-apart along the wheel web so as to define a rail-engaging surface on the wheel web between the spaced-apart side flanges. The rail-engaging surface is wider than the top edge of the corresponding rail.

Abstract: A mobile carriage system includes a pair of spaced, parallel end rails fixed to a support surface, often with one or more intermediate rails fixed to the support surface and located parallel to and between the pair of end rails. At least one carriage is supported for movement on the end and intermediate rails. The carriage includes an elongated frame that spans all of the rails. At least two drive units, each including a pair of wheels and supporting the carriage on a different one of the rails are provided. The drive units are operatively connected to a drive shaft which extends across a plurality of the rails. The drive shaft and each of the drive units are coupled by a drive gear on the shaft which has a first effective diameter and a driven gear on the drive unit, which has a second effective diameter substantially greater than the first effective diameter. Thus, the drive units minimize torsion twisting of the drive shaft during use.

Abstract: A mobile carriage system includes a pair of spaced, parallel end rails fixed to a support surface, often with one or more intermediate rails fixed to the support surface and located parallel to and between the pair of end rails. At least one carriage is supported for movement on the end and intermediate rails. The carriage includes an elongated frame that spans all of the rails. At least two drive units, each including a pair of wheels and supporting the carriage on a different one of the rails are provided. The drive units are operatively connected to a drive shaft which extends across a plurality of the rails. The drive shaft and each of the drive units are coupled by a drive gear on the shaft which has a first effective diameter and a driven gear on the drive unit, which has a second effective diameter substantially greater than the first effective diameter. Thus, the drive units minimize torsion twisting of the drive shaft during use.

Abstract: A mobile carriage system includes a pair of end rails (12a, 12c) fixed to a support surface and one or more intermediate rails (12b) located parallel to and between the pair of end rails (12a, 12c). At least one carriage (10) is supported for movement on the end and intermediate rails (12a-c). The carriage (10) includes an elongated frame (17) that spans all of the rails. At least two drive units, each including a pair of wheels (23) and supporting the carriage on a different one of the rails are provided. The drive units are operatively connected to a drive shaft (35) which extends across a plurality of the rails. The drive shaft (35) and each of the drive units are coupled by a drive gear (33) on the shaft which has a substantially smaller diameter than the diameter of driven gears (29) on the units. An electric motor (41) is operatively connected to the drive shaft (35).

Abstract: A safety bracket for a vehicle used on a monorail having a top and bottom is disclosed. The vehicle includes a trolley that engages the monorail and propels the vehicle along the monorail. A load portion is attached to the trolley. The load portion can perform predetermined tasks. The safety bracket is connected to the vehicle between the trolley and the load portion. The safety bracket fully supports the vehicle on the monorail when the trolley separates from the monorail. The safety bracket is adapted to move with the trolley and the load portion. The safety bracket includes an attachment piece attached to the vehicle and positioned between the trolley and the load portion. An arm piece is attached to the attachment piece and extends over and above the top of the monorail. The arm piece has an hook section that extends a predetermined distance below the top of the monorail.

Abstract: The guide shoe according to the invention for cutting machines with a pintype drive has an insertion pocket in which a coupling piece engages from above, which coupling piece is arranged on a guide arm of the cutting machine and to which the guide shoe is attached so as to be pivotable by means of a transverse bolt which passes through the insertion pocket. In order also to allow the guide shoe to be pivotable about a vertical axis, the coupling piece is provided with an upright vertical journal which engages from below in a corresponding bearing hole on the guide arm. In this case, in a preferred embodiment, the bearing journal is decoupled from transverse forces which are transmitted between the guide arm and the guide shoe via a transverse-force piece arranged on the coupling piece.

Abstract: The guide shoe arrangement for disk shearers having a pin wheel gear drive and a coupling sleeve into which engages from above a coupling piece disposed on a positioning arm of the disk shearer, to which a guide shoe is pivotably connected by a gudgeon traversing the coupling sleeve. The height of the guide shoe is considerably less than its length. At the one sidewall of the guide shoe, a guide lug that is preferably formed as a hooked cleat is fixedly disposed. With the guide shoe arrangement it is possible to place the center of gravity of the guide show very low, such as about the guide plane of the guide shoe.

Abstract: A laterally mobile modular storage cabinet system having improved anti-tip bracket secured to the wheeled carriage frame, and engaging the rail support pad. The anti-tip bracket is in the configuration of an inverted "T". The bracket includes an elongated leg portion with a cross-member forming a pair of transversely extending legs at the base thereof, and is formed of an acetal polymer with the repeating unit being oxymethylene, and with a melting point of between about 175.degree. C. and 181.degree. C. The rail support pad has a groove formed along the upper surface thereof to engage the anti-tip bracket, and the two transversely extending legs provide support to restrain arcuate tipping of the wheeled frame and cabinet enclosure from the rail support pad.

Abstract: An amusement ride for humans which is constructed to include a plurality of separate tracks located in a side-by-side relationship. On each track is located a vehicle, with this vehicle including a propulsion system which is activated and controlled by a human operator located within the vehicle. The vehicle is mounted in conjunction with a track which keeps each vehicle confined to its particular track and permits the vehicle to move between a Start position and Finish position on the track. Associated with each track is an automatic brake system to stop the vehicle. Each track is composed of a plurality of separate guide rail sections which are located in a spaced apart arrangement with the separate guide rail sections being mounted in an in-line manner within the track. A guide blade is mounted on each vehicle and is to connect with each of these guide rail sections as the vehicle moves along the track.

Abstract: A gantry adapted for operation along rails attached to the top of a railroad car includes two pairs of wheels, each pair operating on a respective rail. A base support member is positioned above the rail and between the wheels on each side of the gantry. Should one end of the gantry be inadvertently driven off of the rails, the base support members engage the rails to prevent the gantry from toppling off of the railroad car. In addition, a safety rail is positioned inside of and above each rail and a plurality of J-hooks are attached to the inside of each base support member to engage the safety rails and prevent the gantry from tipping from side-to-side. All four wheels are independently driven and the gantry is adapted to support a commercially available crane, the position of which can be vertically adjusted via spacers. A number of other safety features are included.

Abstract: An adjustable seating system particularly adapted for use in a passenger aircraft, where there are a pair of tracks mounted in the floor of the aircraft, and a plurality of seating units mounted to these tracks. Each seating unit has a pair of interconnected traction wheels which have positive engagement with the tracks, so as to avoid skewing of the seating units as these are moved along the tracks. Pivotally mounted locking members lock the rear leg portions of the seating units to the tracks at selected locations. Telescoping track cover members cover the track sections that extend between adjacent seating units.

Abstract: A forging manipulator for a forging machine is moved longitudinally by a rack and pinion mechanism comprising a pair of longitudinal guide rails on opposite sides of the manipulator, and respective toothed racks associated with these guide rails, the toothed racks being inclined inwards (in cross section), and the manipulator carriage being provided with a respective travel drive for meshing with each rack, the travel drives similarly having their axes inclined to the horizontal.

Abstract: A mobile storage system has improved safety features on the movable carriages. The safety features include an anti tip mechanism having dual plate for cooperating with respective channels fastened to the rails. The dual plates and channel design prevents disengagement of the plates from the channels if a carriage should lurch to one side. An adjustable safety stop limits carriage end travel to selected locations along the rails. A locking mechanism temporarily locks the carriages in desired locations. The locking mechanism includes a rack that is adjustably positionable along the rails and that is also reversible to meet any locking requirement.

Abstract: A comprehensive transportation system with the ability to transport an individual passenger or a unit of cargo directly from a point of origin to a desired destination. A plurality of vehicles are directed about a network of continuous guideways. The guideways include a raised guide rail and are connected by a plurality of closed loop interchanges. Each vehicle is fitted with a guide rail shoe which facilitates operation of the vehicle on the guideway. The guide rail shoe tracks the raised guide rail, and comprises a switching device that transfers a vehicle from one continuous guideway to another. The guideways are further defined by level-of-service zones. The integrity of each zone is maintained electronically by an operations center and mechanically by a level-of-service screening key.

Abstract: A robot carrier structure constituted by a carriage movable on rails and supported on four wheels two of which are mounted on a driven shaft and two are idle wheels. Each drive 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 in engagement with the rolling surface of the rail. Engagement means movable laterally on the rail are provided to increase the adherence of the drive wheels.

Abstract: An anti-tip device is useful for preventing a mobile storage system movable carriage from tipping. The anti-tip device includes an arm pivotable between inoperative and operative modes. In the inoperative mode, the arm hangs in an open position to permit the carriage to be placed on the system rails. With the carriage on the rails, the arm is pivotable to the operative mode wherein a hook on the arm slidingly engages an undercut surface of a longitudinal groove in the rail. The arm is pinned to the carriage when in the operative mode. A tipping force is resisted by contact between the pinned arm hook and the rail undercut surface.

Abstract: Magnetic levitation apparatus utilizing an arrangement of permanent magnets, one or more electromagnets, position and motion sensors plus electronic circuitry to effectively support the weight of and control the position of a levitated object. Provision is made to minimize the force required from each electromagnet and the levitation system power consumption. Particular damping elements are incorporated in various arrangements of the levitation system to enhance the position and motion control of the levitated object.

Abstract: A toy vehicle and track assembly includes a vehicle and a track along which the vehicle travels. The vehicle is formed with a plurality of wheels and a motor adapted to drive the wheels upon actuation. The track is formed with a guide extending along the length of the track. First and second clips are mounted for pivotal movement on the underside of the vehicle. The clips are adapted to engage the guide and to cooperate to move the vehicle towards the track such that at least one of the wheels is always in driving contact with the track.

Abstract: A transportation system for rapidly loading people from a platform into and from a plurality of cars. The system includes an elongated trackway which extends along a platform. Trolleys extend between the trackway and the cars supporting the cars on the trackway. The cars have side doors extending along the length thereof which open towards the platform to provide access to a single row of seats carried in the vehicles facing the doors. The doors can be automatically opened and closed upon reaching the platform. The trackway includes upper lower and intermediate rails upon which upper, lower and intermediate wheels, carried by the trolleys, engage to provide an interlocking relation therebetween. A vertically extending keel is carried by at least some of the vehicles for engaging power driven wheels that are positioned along the trackway.

Abstract: A recreational mountain slide is basically a double-rail track down which a wheeled cart rolls. The rails are channels of substantially rectangular cross-section laid such that each provides a top, a bottom, and an inside vertical face, each such face being substantially flat, continuous, and unobstructed throughout the length of the track. The rails are mounted on supports which are adjustable and readily removable, being attached to the rails solely along their outer vertical faces. The front wheels of the cart are steerable by the rider. Each wheel is of constant diameter throughout its width and is wider than the rail on which it runs. The wheels are restrained from sliding laterally or jumping vertically off the track by members mounted on the cart in position to bear on the inside vertical face or the bottom face, respectively, of the adjacent rail. The cart also has brakes which can bear upwardly on the bottom face of the rail.

Abstract: The apparatus provides for the automatic uncoupling of a toy semitrailer from a toy tractor truck and provides also for automatic coupling of a toy semitrailer to a toy tractor truck. The uncoupling utilizes a ramp in a roadway which is inboard of the tractor truck wheels, and this ramp is engaged by the forward dolly wheels on the semitrailer, which dolly wheels are also inboard of the truck tractor wheels. The coupling of the toy semitrailer to the toy tractor is achieved by a simple beveled end on the rear of the toy tractor, which backs up to the semitrailer, and the king pin of the semitractor rides up this bevel to the pivot flat area of the tractor to drop into the pivot hole. Both operations are carried out in the same locality by a reciprocating dock which is contacted by the semitrailer during its backing up at the time its dolly wheels ride up the ramp to release the tractor.

Abstract: An escalator comprising steps linked in an endless belt, front wheels and rear wheels for each of the steps supporting the step through a front shaft and a rear shaft respectively, guide rails for guiding the rolling movement of the front and rear wheels respectively, and projections extending axially of the rear shaft for each of the steps and projection upthrust rails mounted in a rear wheel portion of each of the steps, each of the projection upthrust rails being arranged in a manner to be juxtaposed against one of the projections and adapted to be brought into engagement with the projection to prevent an inadvertent pivotal upward movement of the step when this tendency occurs, whereby the accident of the shoes of passengers and other objects being caught in a riser portion of the step due to an inadvertent pivotal upward movement of the step can be avoided.

Abstract: An overhead travelling crane for a structure subject to oscillations resulting from earthquake shocks, comprises a bridge having flanged main wheels at opposite ends which are supported on a circular runway rail attached to the structure. Restraint means are provided between each end of the crane bridge and the structure to damp or control horizontal shifting of the crane relative to the structure resulting from horizontal oscillations of the structure to thereby prevent damage to the flanged main wheels and runway rail and crane derailment. The restraint means comprise a pair of shock absorber assemblies, one mounted at each end of the crane bridge, which are in constant resilient engagement with the sides of the structure and prevent a gap or space from occurring which would allow for excessive accelerated movement of the crane bridge.

Abstract: Haulage equipment for hauling a mining machine or vehicle along a stationary elongated rail assembly having a generally wedge shaped cross-sectional area comprising a body rotatably supporting two pairs of drivably interconnected rollers, the axes of the rollers in each pair being inclined to one another such that the rollers are arranged for drivable engagement with two opposed acutely related inclined faces of the rail assembly.

Abstract: An amusement ride for humans which is constructed to include a plurality of separate tracks located in a side-by-side relationship. On each track is located a vehicle, with this vehicle including a propulsion system which is activated and controlled by a human operator located within the vehicle. The vehicle is mounted in conjunction with a track which keeps each vehicle confined to its particular track and permits the vehicle to move between a Start position and Finish position on the track. Associated with each track is an automatic brake system to stop the vehicle. Each track is composed of a plurality of separate guide rail sections which are located in a spaced apart arrangement with the separate guide rail sections being mounted in an in-line manner within the track. A guide blade is mounted on each vehicle and is to connect with each of these guide rail sections as the vehicle moves along the track.