Abstract: A turntable for moving railcars is adapted to be concentrically positioned among a plurality of radially aligned, outer railways. The turntable has an azimuthally rotatable, annular frame having a spaced plurality of radially disposed, intermediate railways that selectively align with different ones of the outer railways. Also included is a platform having at least one central railway that can be aligned with at least one of the intermediate railways. This platform is mounted concentrically within the annular frame.

Abstract: A web roll transferring apparatus consisting of a roll stand, a couple of bogies which run on the rails disposed on each side of the roll stand and a turntable disposed in a roll transferring station locating in front of the roll stand so as to be rotatable horizontally; transference of a web roll being designed to be carried out between the turntable and the bogies stopping at the predetermined positions provided on each side of the turntable; characterized in that at least one jack disposed beneath the turntable, which can be operated by a fluid pressure and the like so as to tilt the turntable to one of the bogies or to the side opposite to the roll stand to a predetermined angle, and that jacks for tilting the bogies toward the turntable may be disposed at the positions by the turntable where the bogies are to stop.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for moving passengers in and out of an amusement ride of the type having a passenger cabin capable of movement in multiple degrees of freedom within an enclosure. The cabin includes ingress doors on one side of the cabin and egress doors on the other side to admit and discharge passengers from seats within the cabin. Another set of ingress and egress doors are provided on opposite sides of the enclosure in respective alignment with the ingress and egress doors of the cabin when the cabin is at rest in a loading position. A plurality of ingress and egress platforms, located outside the operating envelope of the cabin when the cabin is in motion, are adapted to be moved to a deployed position when the cabin is in the loading position to connect the ingress and egress doors of the enclosure with the ingress and egress doors of the cabin. In this way, movement of passengers in and out of the cabin, which is spaced from the enclosure, is provided in a rapid and orderly fashion.

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: The disclosure describes a production plant (1) for the machining or assembly of components (3) transported on workpiece carriers, which has lateral guide lanes and vertical guide lanes (13, 14) and a feed device (15), arranged independently of the latter devices, for the workpiece carriers. This comprises lane sections (11, 12) arranged successively, each one of which is assigned at least one feed device (15) of its own, which is independent of the adjacent sections and has a belt-type driving element (30) and that two vertical guide lanes (13) are arranged spaced apart across the conveying direction, which are assigned the belt-type driving element (30) and the feed drive (15) forms a lateral guide lane (14).

Abstract: Apparatus for loading and unloading passengers from watercraft, such as for use in boat rides at amusement parks, include a substantially planar inclined platform mounted for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the platform. The platform extends obliquely to the path of the watercraft so that a section of the platform is submerged. Watercraft traveling along a predetermined path are engaged by a section of the rotating platform as it surfaces and is carried by the platform over an arcuate path as it rotates. The watercraft is disengaged from the rotating platform as the section of the platform on which it rests submerges.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for moving passengers in and out of an amusement ride of the type having a passenger cabin capable of movement in multiple degrees of freedom within an enclosure. The cabin includes ingrees doors on one side of the cabin and egress doors on the other side to admit and discharge passengers from seats within the cabin. Another set of ingress and egress doors are provided on opposite sides of the enclosure in respective alignment with the ingress and egress doors of the cabin when the cabin is at rest in a loading position. A plurality of ingress and egress platforms, located outside the operating envelope of the cabin when the cabin is in motion, are adapted to be moved to a deployed position when the cabin is in the loading position to connect the ingress and egress doors of the enclosure with the ingress and egress doors of the cabin. In this way, movement of passengers in and out of the cabin, which is spaced from the enclosure, is provided in a rapid and orderly fashion.

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 on all four side edge portions 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: An electromagnetically powered drag racing ride attraction is disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a rotary jack assembly which comprises a rotary frame assembly having first and second frames each having frame receiving members, a plurality of pairs of wheel frames are provided under the first frame receiving members at points above where a circular rail on which the wheel frames ride is placed, the frame assembly is vertically shiftable relative to the wheel frames by means of cylinders. A plurality of crane supporting arms are arranged on the frame assembly and spaced from the cylinders for vertically shifting the frame assembly. Cylinders are connected to the crane supporting arms to slide the crane supporting arms out of the frame assembly for supporting a crane thereon.

Abstract: A hoistway car for transporting wheeled carts between floor levels which includes means for reversing the cart swivel wheels to facilitate off-loading of the cart while avoiding chafing or jamming of such swivel wheels. In the illustrated embodiments, the reversing means comprises turntables at the plane of the car platform which turn in predetermined directions to control wheel swivel action. In one embodiment, the turntables rely on gravitational forces to initiate swivel action, and in another embodiment, the turntables are power-operated for inducing swivel action.

Abstract: A mobile platform (B) for transit about a working face (51) of a truss. The truss has a grid of node guide pins (54) having stationary sprockets (54D). The platform (B) has a rail system (52) comprised of transversely disposed T-shaped tracks (60), direction changing means (58) at their intersections and retractable, reversible chain drive systems (22). The chain drive (22) selectively engages the sprockets (54D) of the guide pins (54) providing selective movement of the platform (B) in two orthogonal directions (L and T). The present invention provides a near-uniform traversing velocity with minimal dynamic loading on the system. Pivoting changers (C1 and C2) move the platform (B) from one face (51) to another.

Abstract: A portable, sectioned, rotatable platform member has four distinct portions, a central portion, a substantially flat table portion, a curved apron portion, and an edge wall portion. The platform member is supported by vertical rotatable bearing surfaces which are positioned under the substantially flat table portion of the platform member. Additionally, horizontal, rotatable, guide surfaces are located under the platform member to position the platform member and allow for its free rotatability.

Abstract: A workpiece transfer assembly which enables a workpiece affixed to a pallet to be rotated at a work station and thereafter returned to its original position for longitudinal indexing along the transfer line. The transfer line includes a pallet locating and supporting unit which carries a first transfer bar segment. The pallet locating and supporting means includes bearing which enable the first transfer bar segment to be longitudinally indexed and rotated about its longitudinal axis. A rotary indexing assembly is provided for rotating the pallet supporting and locating device. A second transfer bar segment is carried by an intermediate transfer section. Both transfer bar segments include end features which interlockingly engage; thus, enabling the rotational and longitudinal movement to be transferred along the bar sections when they are aligned, but permitting the first transfer bar segment to be rotated out of engagement with the remaining transfer bar segments.

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 hand-operated work pallet changer for changing work pallets to be fed onto a pallet mounting portion of a machine tool, comprises a turntable (58) rotatably supported on a base unit and having at least two supporting portions (62, 63) for supporting thereon work pallets (2), respectively, and a table-indexing unit (67) for stopping a rotational movement of the turntable and locking the turntable when each of the supporting portions of the turntable arrives at a predetermined position (C) in which each of the supporting portions is in alignment with the pallet mounting portion of the machine tool. A movable hook (68) is provided on the base unit to prevent a rebound of the work pallet fed from the pallet mounting portion of the machine tool onto one of the supporting portions located at the predetermined position.

Abstract: A pipe handling machine having vertical tracks mounted on a rotatable base. A carriage is mounted on the vertical tracks for vertical movement. A multisection telescoping boom is mounted on the carriage, and a pipe-engaging head is mounted on the end of the boom. The base may be carried on a movable trolley, which engages a set of tracks. The tracks run across the rig floor, from well center to a setback area. A second set of tracks may run across the rig floor, transverse to the first set.

Abstract: A monorail beam is provided with a lower, upwardly-facing support surface, a lower, laterally-facing support surface and an upper, medially-facing support surface (relative to the support beam). Vehicles are hangingly supported, pendulum-like, from davit-like cantilevering arms of support trucks having wheels which run on or act against the base support surfaces so that they run along the side or sides of the beam. The beam may be elevated on columns, surface mounted, or depressed in tunnels. By preference, the vehicles' bodies are detachable from the trucks, and the heaviest air-conditioning components are mounted on the trucks rather than on the bodies. Power transmission and automatic control systems are described, as are switching systems and station facilities.

Abstract: A turntable for driverless vehicles rides on a horizontally disposed circular rail and is pivotable about a vertical axis through an arc of 90.degree.. A vertical shaft is connected at its upper end to the table by way of a universal coupling. A motor is connected to the shaft to pivot the shaft. The turntable is particularly adapted for use at a T junction of a system having a closed loop.

Abstract: A pallet conveying system comprising pallet guide rails supported on a frame, a driving shaft extending along the guide rails, motors for driving the driving shaft, a turntable mechanism disposed at the end of the pallet guide rails and having changeover rails alignable with the guide rails and a changeover driving shaft connectable to the driving shaft, a driven roller pivotally attached to the underside of a pallet and pressed against the circumference of the driving shaft with the axis of rotation thereof inclined with respect to the axis of the driving shaft, levers projecting from the front and the rear ends, respectively, of the pallet for causing the axis of rotation of the driven roller to be moved parallel to the axis of the driving shaft when the levers are retracted, and pallet stopping and positioning mechanisms each disposed at a predetermined position on the guide rails and adapted to cause the axis of rotation of the driven roller to be approximately parallel to the axis of the driving shaft an

Abstract: A turntable for a conveyor system has a main frame, a plurality of load-carrying rollers supported by the main frame for rotation about transverse axes to transport a load between upstream and downstream ends of the conveyor system, a lift frame supported by the main frame, a load-supporting table carried on the main frame, and glide rollers for allowing rotation of the table relative to the lift frame. Air jacks move the lift frame between a first position where the table is slightly below the load-carrying rollers to allow the load to be transported over the load-carrying rollers and a second position where the table is above the load-carrying rollers to lift the load off the load-carrying rollers. A lift-leveling mechanism provides level movement of the lift frame relative to the main frame and includes a plurality of guide plates mounted on the main frame.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for transferring a pallet from a first trackway to a second trackway is disclosed. Each trackway includes an inside track and an outside track. Preferably, the outside tracks of each trackway are connected by an arcuate connecting track. A transfer device moves the pallet from the end of the first trackway to the adjacent end of the second trackway. The transfer device includes a turntable having a track portion thereon, preferably, an inside track portion. By rotating the turntable, the track portion is first presented adjacent the end of the first trackway so that the pallet is received on the track portion. The turntable is then rotated and carries the pallet to the end of the second trackway to which the pallet is then transferred. The track portion can extend continuously around the turntable and the turntable rotated constantly so that a pallet is transferred as soon as the pallet reaches the transfer mechanism.

Abstract: A turning device for piece-goods and bagged goods has transporting devices for transporting goods, and a supporting element located between the transporting elements and turnable about a substantially upright axis so as to support the goods and turn the latter. A transporting element is arranged under the supporting element and has a plurality of transporting members on axles, wherein the axle supporting one of the transporting members extends in the central area of the supporting element through a hollow axle of the latter. The supporting element and/or transporting element are movable between proximal and distal positions relative to one another.

Abstract: A driverless vehicle turntable includes a table pivotably mounted for movement about a vertical axis. The table has tracks and a drive tube as well as drive wheels. An arcuate drive tube assembly is arranged for frictional contact with the drive wheels.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in mechanisms or apparatus for transporting articles or products between points such as work stations in an industrial plant or the like. A track or trackway is provided running between different points or work stations, the track provides fixed rail members. A truck or trolley equipped with rollers on its underside is movable on the trackway between different points or work stations, the trackway being supported at spaced intervals. The truck or trolley is provided with wheels or rollers that are engageable with the track. The truck or trolley is provided with additional wheels positioned so that the truck can move at right angles to the track into a shunt position at a particular work station. Articles such as devices being produced can thus be very readily moved about from one point to another, that is, from one work station to another in a plant area.

Abstract: An assembly to distribute an extremely heavy load uniformly to wheels when the load is moved slowly on irregular rails. Balancelike distribution links are pivotally mounted on a slewing frame as a truck at certain intervals, and another balancelike distribution links are pivotally mounted directly or indirectly on the axles of the wheels. The distribution links on the slewing frame and the distribution links on the axles are joined alternately with connecting bodies which are connecting links or connecting rollers.

Abstract: Material handling apparatus for the controlled movement of goods on pallets having wheels for engaging intersecting rails, movable track sections in the intersecting rails underlying the wheels to selectively permit movement of the pallets in two angular directions, and a drive engaging the pallets for selective movement along either of the two intersecting rails. The drive includes a direction control for orienting a pinion to drive the pallet along either of the intersecting rails and a direction control locking device for locking the pinion in position to drive the pallets along either of the two intersecting rails.

Abstract: A greenhouse structure includes a central hub having a revolving floor therein and a plurality of arms radiating outwardly from that hub. The arms are growth chambers, and movable trays located within those growth chambers move plants from the arms onto and from a workbench in the hub.

Abstract: A pallet feeder for a manufacturing plant or fabrication system wherein pallets are fed along a substantially circular-shaped track or path of travel. A number of transfer stations or locations are provided at which the pallets are infed and outfed essentially at right angles to the circular-shaped conveying path or track. At the center of the circular-shaped pallet feeder there is located a pallet displacement device which is pivotable about the axis of the circular-shaped track into a position coacting with the different transfer stations or locations, in order to be able to move the pallets towards and away from the conveying or conveyor track.

Abstract: In an airplane adapted to carrying cargo, particularly wheeled and/or tracked vehicles, and having a side loading cargo door, a rectangular turntable is installed near the door. The turntable and its pivot are so located that (1) the turntable extends through the door when it is crosswise to the fuselaage and is totally enclosed in the airplane when it is aligned with the fuselage and (2) vehicles longer than the width of the door or width of airplane can be accommodated.

Abstract: A pallet changer having additional distribution and storage functions for a manufacturing plant having a central control station, transfer stations at the conveying and storage part of the installation and address readers. The pallet changer comprises a rotatable part capable of rotating about a vertical axis and having pallet guides and pallet feed devices for pallets equipped with switching markers. The rotatable part can be rotated into four fixed change positions offset by about 90.degree. with respect to one another for changing the pallets at one, two or three transfer stations and at one or two machine tools. Rotation of the rotatable part is accomplished as a function of programmes infed to the central control station and by means of four non-rotatably arranged address readers dispositioned at a spacing of about 90.degree. from one another and with the same spacing from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A marine crane having an upper works rotatably mounted on a pedestal adapter, includes a retainer for limiting the extent to which the upper works can be tilted, such retainer having an arcuate member secured to the upper works that extends partially around the pedestal adapter and presents a lip beneath and out of contact with a stationary circumferential member forming a part of the pedestal adapter. The arcuate member has a series of vertical, plate-like buttresses spaced along its circumferential length that have outer ends facing a machinery deck of the upper works to brace the arcuate member, so as to retain the arcuate member in place in the event of abnormal forces being applied thereto.

Abstract: A vehicle turntable having a set of tracks and a drive tube are mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. A belt and pulley arrangement is provided for rotating the drive tube about its longitudinal axis in all rotative positions of the turntable while using rotation of an adjacent drive tube thereby eliminating the need for a separate independent motor on the turntable.

Abstract: An improved platform for performing subaqueous operations in ice conditions. A substructure on the platform supports the equipment for performing the subaqueous operation and straddles an aperture through the platform. Means are secured to the underside of the substructure for presenting a relatively low coefficient of friction or low lateral resistance between the underside of the substructure and the face of the platform. Locomotion means are associated with substructure for moving the substructure laterally over the face of the platform relative to the aperture whereby the equipment for performing the subaqueous operations may remain over the wellhead in spite of certain magnitudes of lateral movement of the platform responsive to the ice conditions.

Abstract: An endless water way is supported by a superstructure and includes a bottom wall and side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall to form a trough. A pump system effects continuous forward flow of water through the trough of the waterway. A guide track is supported on the waterway above the trough. A plurality of vehicles for transporting passengers from station to station are buoyantly supported by the guide track in the waterway. The guide track maintains the vehicles at a selected depth in the waterway. Each vehicle is provided with braking apparatus for frictionally engaging the guide track of the waterway to slow and stop the vehicles. The continuous forward movement of water in the waterway forwardly propels the vehicles from station to station. A plurality of endless waterways form continuous loops that radiates outwardly from the main terminal to provide transportation around the loops to and from the main terminal.

Abstract: A transfer table is movable to place tracks thereon into and out of alignment with stationary tracks. When a driverless wheeled vehicle is on the tracks of the transfer table, and the transfer table tracks are out of alignment with the stationary tracks, a device automatically stops vehicles adjacent the free ends of the stationary tracks. A discrete rotatable drive shaft is provided between the stationary tracks and between the tracks of the transfer table for causing a driverless vehicle to move therealong.

Abstract: Terminal station return loop device for vehicles, containers or platforms driven continuously along a transport system, which comprises essentially a chain conveyor forming a loop having a relatively short radius of curvature and passing over a platform driven at the same speed as the conveyor, and at least one vehicle equipped with two trains of wheels, i.e. carrier wheels rolling on a fixed rail of the transport line which terminates at the inlet of the platform with a bevelled end, and drive wheels engaging the conveyor chain at the end of an endless belt driving shoes supporting the vehicle when the carrier wheels leave the rail for slipping on the platform by means of their edges.

Abstract: A driverless turntable system is disclosed and includes two turntables coupled together for simutaneous rotation in opposite directions. A driverless vehicle enters the first turntable, is transferred to the second turntable, and then exits from the second turntable in a direction parallel to that when it entered the first turntable. Stationary tracks are provided adjacent the turntables for guiding the vehicles thereonto and therefrom.

Abstract: An enclosed roadway supported by a superstructure forms an endless transit loop on which vehicles are propelled for the mass transportation of passengers between selected stations in the transit loop. A stabilizing system maintains the vehicles on the roadway and includes a stabilizing track having recessed portions that are supported above and at opposite sides of the roadway. A circumferential bumper surrounds each vehicle and is positioned within the recessed portions of the stabilizing track. Braking apparatus mounted on the bumper are operable to frictionally engage the recessed portions of the stabilizing track to slow and stop the vehicle on the roadway. Traction motors mounted on the front and rearward end portions of each vehicle include drive shafts that support driven wheels on the upper surface of the stabilizing track for propelling the vehicle along the roadway.

Abstract: A display turntable for vehicles consists of a rotatable support unit having adjustable cradles telescopingly engaged therewith to accommodate vehicles of different wheel bases, there being wheel pad structures slidably engaged with the cradles for adjustment to accommodate vehicles of different track widths. In order to facilitate telescoping motion between the relatively movable parts, guide means are provided to maintain a requisite degree of alignment, whilst bearer plates are provided to support the slidable element clear of the bottom of the structure with which it is engaged.