Abstract: The present invention relates to a transferring device for dies of presses and work pallets of machine tools and the like. A die transfer car is movable on two parallel rails, one side of the car is provided flanged wheels and the other side of which is provided plain wheels. When the car is stopped by a stopper having a stopper pin provided at the plain wheel side, through a stopping control device, the car is frictionally stopped by the flanges of the wheels and the side face of rails due to rotation caused by the inertia force around the stopper pin.

Abstract: A driverless vehicle has a platform mounted on support wheels for riding on rails. First and second drive wheels adapted for frictional contact with a drive tube are provided on the vehicle. The drive wheels are supported on opposite sides of a longitudinal center line for alternative use depending upon the direction of movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: An automatic work exchanging apparatus for transferring works between a transport truck running in front of plural machine tools and the plural machine tools. The automatic work exchanging apparatus is made to run along the row of the machine tools, and a working face of the apparatus is made vertically movable so that the working face is adjustable according to the height of the table of each machine tool.

Abstract: A truck apparatus for conveying parts includes supply rails laid to reach a delivering position for the parts, rails for a shift car laid perpendicularly to the supply rails, rails for two trucks to be coincided with the supply rails mounted at an interval on the shift car, and bearers for the parts each having a cradle roller placed on the rails for the truck. Each of the trucks includes lifters to vertically displace the bearers on the trucks. When one of the rails for the trucks on the shift car are disposed at a position to be coincided with the supply rails, the positions of right and left sides of the supply rails corresponding to the positions occupied by the other of the rails for the trucks are positions to be placed with the parts on the two bearers for the parts.

Abstract: A floor conveyance system for transporting goods along a preselected conveyance path includes a drag chain conveyor defining a first surface and a skid conveyor having one end adjacent to the drag chain conveyor and defining a second surface disposed at a higher level than the first surface of the drag chain conveyor. A conveying frame is operatively engageable with the drag chain and skid conveyors for supporting goods thereon and includes front and rear pairs of wheels to permit for rolling movement of the conveying frame across the first surface and a pair of elongated parallel skid members mounted interiorly with respect to the front and rear pairs of wheels and each having a longitudinal length less than the separation dimension between the front and rear pairs of wheels. The parallel skid members establish sliding contact with the second surface when the conveying frame is conveyed along the skid conveyor.

Abstract: A pick-up means for roller pallets in such applications where the roller pallets (1) run on rails (2) on tracks (3). At the discharge end of the tracks there is a stop (4) preventing the discharge of roller pallets until a pick-up means (6) provided with a travelling surface (5) comes to get the roller pallets meant to be dispatched. The pick-up means of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a slide (8) movable in its longitudinal direction and provided with a transporter (7), said slide being at a pick-up operation movable in under the first roller pallet (1) on the rails (2), while at the same time it will disengage the stop (4) so that the roller pallet moves onto the travelling surface (5) of the pick-up means, being pulled by the slide (8). The pick-up operation is now accomplished with considerably greater safety and speed than with any apparatus of prior art.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for automatically transporting works between an automated warehouse and a machine tool, and for maintaining the works in a precise position with respect to the machine tool. The system includes an automated warehouse, a pallet for precisely holding works, a truck for carrying the pallet, the truck moving along rails between the warehouse and a work exchanging apparatus adjacent to a machine tool table, and a device for positioning the pallet on the machine tool table precisely with respect to the machine tool. The work exchanging apparatus operates to transfer a pallet which holds unmachined works from the truck to the machine tool table and to transfer a pallet holding machined works from the machine tool table to the truck. The pallet, machine tool table, truck and work exchanging apparatus include means to position the pallet so that after a work is initially positioned on the pallet, the work will be precisely positioned with respect to the machine tool.

Abstract: A system for transporting heavy cylindrical objects such as cable drums or spools on a carriage guided along a pit dug in the floor includes a channel rail (2) lining the bottom and sides of the pit, a central upstanding rail (3) leaving a longitudinal gap between itself and the channel rail and having a plane top surface (3A) level with the ground. Two longitudinal girders (4A, 4B) integral with the carriage fit into the longitudinal gaps, and the carriage is raised and lowered the longitudinal girders so that they have a high position above floor level for holding a cylindrical object.

Abstract: A railroad station with at least two main tracks for freight trains with container-carrying flatcars has several pairs of ancillary tracks each flanking a respective main track, the ancillary tracks being used by respective sets of self-propelled transfer vehicles each having a length substantially corresponding to that of a flatcar. Each transfer vehicle is divided into four identical sections having respective pairs of transport arms which are laterally extendable in either direction to support containers of full or fractional lengths to be moved from or onto a flatcar, another transfer vehicle or a road vehicle aligned therewith. The spacing of the transport arms of each pair differs between vehicles on neighboring ancillary tracks to enable their extension into an interleaved position for a transfer of a container therebetween.

Abstract: A body assembly system for accurately locating and welding multiple component parts of different vehicle bodies and to interfix their assembled relation at a framing station wherein more than three pairs of interchangeable gates can be employed at a single framing station having programmable welding means adapted to accommodate different body styles associated with the various sets of gates. Means are provided for retrieving, storing and exchanging either pair of end gates of a three pair system while the other end pair is in use at the framing station thereby expanding the versatility of the previous system to accommodate five or more pairs of gates.

Abstract: A driverless shuttle vehicle transfers driverless vehicles between first and second parallel tracks. The shuttle vehicle has a track thereon adapted to be aligned with each of the first and second tracks. A motor adjacent each end of the first and second tracks is adapted to selectively move the shuttle vehicle track horizontally toward the end of its associated track for loading and unloading of a driverless vehicle.

Abstract: The conveyor track of a conveyor system is provided with an access way so that persons or vehicles may traverse the tracks without interfering with movement of driverless vehicles along the conveyor. A shuttle is suspended from above and supported for reciprocatory movement across a gap in the track. The vehicles traverse the gap by way of the shuttle.

Abstract: A plant for storing motor vehicles onto mobile platforms, with a parking area comprising at least one long parking stretch and a service track parallel thereto; a motored travelling wagon, mobile along said service track; a plurality of parking places in said parking stretch, each being provided with a stationing track perpendicular to the service track; a plurality of platforms carrying the motor vehicles and being apt to slide on said stationing tracks and on said travelling wagon; a carriage with hook, which is associated with and slidable onto the travelling wagon, for hitching a platform and transferring it from the stationing track onto the wagon itself, or vice versa, from the wagon towards the stationing track.

Abstract: Transporter or material handling apparatus for the controlled movement of goods includes two pairs of intersecting rails, a pallet for supporting the goods, a first group of wheels mounted on the pallet for rolling on one pair of intersecting rails, a second group of wheels mounted on the pallet for rolling on the other pair of intersecting rails, and a directional interchange in each of the intersecting rails permitting movement of the pallet in two angularly disposed directions therefrom. The movement of the pallet may be effected by a drive which engages the pallet for selectively propelling it in either of the two directions.

Abstract: This invention relates to an arrangement for engaging the relative elevation of two intersecting trackways for conveying and transferring freight goods in two conveying directions. One of the conveyors has rollers for engaging the flat bottoms of the freight bins and the other has flat tracks for receiving the wheels which project a short distance below the bottoms of the bins. The flat tracks are disposed at an elevation which is high enough to use the flat bottoms of the bins to clear the rollers in the intersecting conveyor. The portion of the tracks which intersects the roller conveyor is movable downwardly on eccentric cams a sufficient distance to drop the bins on the rollers to accomplish the transfer. Raising the flat track portion on the cams accomplishes transfer in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A pallet positioning apparatus including a bed having guide members mounted thereon which define a pallet transfer path. A pallet traveling along the guide members includes a positioning pin on the lower surface of the pallet. A positioning lever rotatably mounted on the bed includes a roller and a member having a base surface opposite the roller mounted at an end of the positioning lever. The lever is biased to engage the pallet positioning pin for positioning the pallet on the guide members. The positioning lever is rotatable for releasing the pallet positioning pin. A clamping device clamps the pallet in position after the positioning pin has been engaged to fix the pallet in position.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing and intalling batteries from equipment, such as a lift truck. The apparatus includes a mobile frame and a bed is mounted for vertical movement on the frame so that the bed can be moved to a position at the same level as the floor of the battery compartment in the lift truck. A pair of parallel drive chains are mounted for endless travel on the bed, and a coupling is carried by the chain and is adapted to engage a strap which encircles the base portion of the battery. By operating the chains, the battery can be withdrawn from the vehicle onto the bed, and the unit carrying the battery can then be moved to a recharging area where the battery is pushed from the bed onto a recharging rack. To raise and lower the bed, a floating cylinder unit is located within the upper horizontal frame member and is connected to one side of the bed.

Abstract: A rail car transporting and shipping system including a shipping floor having an edge, a plurality of elongated pits within the shipping floor and aligned in side-by-side relation and further having open ends at said edge, first railroad rails in each of the pits extending to the edge and adapted to receive a rail car, and a traveling crane movable in a path adjacent the edge and the pit ends. An elongated carriage is mounted on the traveling crane for vertical movement with respect thereto and second railroad rails are disposed on the carriage alignable with the first rails in each of the pits when the carriage is in a lowered position. A hoist is provided for raising and lowering the carriage on the traveling crane and a coupler structure is mounted on the carriage for movement in a direction parallel to the second rails.

Abstract: A shuttle vehicle reciprocates between sets of tracks for driverless vehicles. The linear movement of the shuttle vehicle causes a turntable on the shuttle vehicle to rotate. The turntable is adapted to support a driverless vehicle to be transported from one set of tracks to another.

Abstract: A vehicle parking system includes a parking area wherein the vehicle to be stored is deposited in a selected floor of a horizontally movable column. The columns are movable within the parking area by means of driving platforms which travel along the floor of the parking area or alternatively by bridge crane which travels along the ceiling of the parking area. A cargo hoist unit moves the vehicles vertically between the column floors and an entrance and exit area. A transfer carriage mounted on the cargo hoist unit transfers a vehicle between the cargo hoist unit and a column floor or the entrance and exit area.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning battery-operated road vehicles at relay stations where exhausted batteries are replaced with recharged batteries and wherein automatic or semiautomatic equipment is used for removal and/or introduction of batteries has a horizontal platform for the rear wheels and two sockets for the front wheels of a vehicle. The sockets are provided in a slide which is movable to and fro in parallelism with the front axle of the vehicle and is mounted in a carriage which is movable back and forth along the ground in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The carriage and the slide are movable by discrete motors to respectively move the vehicle lengthwise and about a vertical axis to an optimum position relative to a dolly or lift for delivery of recharged batteries or removal of exhausted batteries.

Abstract: General cargo must be stowed differently when being transported by ships, or by railway waggons and trucks, respectively. To reduce the time a ship is tied up in port, a transhipping station is provided, where work can proceed before the ship arrives and after the ship has left port. This station is arranged so it is available along one side to railway waggons carried by special transport devices, remotely from railway tracks, at a second side is available to cargo-bigflats, suited for cargo handling on board ships, and possibly also, along a third side, being available to road trucks.

Abstract: In order to transfer long vehicles upon a ground surface and more particularly railway carriages or wagons, use is made of platforms which glide over the ground by means of fluid cushions and which carry track sections for receiving vehicle wheels. Two or more such platforms which are movable independently of each other, are mutually positioned so that the respective track sections are in extension of each other and are assigned to the vehicle front wheel system and to the vehicle rear wheel system respectively, each platform being independently lockable with the vehicle.

Abstract: A handling installation designed for supporting, displacing and stacking loads in predetermined positions comprising, in combination, at least one load storage zone having at least one gangway extending therein, the or each gangway being provided on either side with fixed members comprising an upper track and a lower track, and a vehicle having tyred support wheels for carrying the vehicle on the floor external to the or each gangway, and being further provided with flanged metal rollers for supporting the vehicle on the lower track during movement of the vehicle along the or a chosen gangway, the flanged metal rollers including inner flanges for guiding the vehicle on the lower tracks and the clearance for the flanged metal rollers while ensuring stability of the vehicle against any tilting movement of the vehicle when the vehicle is under load in the gangway.

Abstract: A load carry arrangement with a storage and conveyance of load-carrying roller carts in a loading vehicle in which an endless conveyor is adapted to extend along the longitudinal platform of a cargo carrying vehicle. The arrangement includes a plurality of roller cart-supporting carriers fastened thereto which are adapted to be positioned on a cargo platform in predetermined spaced relationships, and which will facilitate the ready loading and unloading of cargo-carrying roller carts relative to the carriers while assuring the safe storage thereof in the cargo-carrying vehicle. No modification to the carriers or other containers are required, as they are emplaced directly onto the cart-carriers or slave pallets for transit. Space utilization within the truck or other vehicle is maximized with the present design, and the stability of the load emplacement permits ready, rapid cycling of goods within the truck, as in indexing for delivery.

Abstract: The combination of a roller conveyor and a cross-conveyor system having elevatable and depressable wagon structure for picking up structural beams from a storage table and carrying the beams to and depositing them on the conveyor, is improved by upright wagon flange structure for hooking, separating and orienting stored beams prior to pickup. In conjunction with extension of a portion of the cross conveyor structure an additional distance into or through the conveyor, the flange provides for positive alignment of beams against a guide at the conveyor prior to set-down on the conveyor.

Abstract: A high-speed ground transportation system wherein a vehicle rides on a film of air and is propelled as a free piston through a tunnel by pneumatic pressure. Seals on the vehicle create fluid communication between a high pressure area behind the vehicle and the area beneath the vehicle while preventing fluid communication between that high pressure area and an evacuated area located in front of the vehicle, to create an air film beneath the vehicle upon which it rides. Cargo handling means are located near the tunnel and shunting means enable the vehicle to be shunted into those cargo handling areas when desired. Booster stations located at selected points serve to increase a pressure differential across a vehicle to assist that vehicle when necessary, and magnetic means are used to maintain the vehicle in a upright orientation as it is propelled through a tunnel.

Abstract: A warehouse storage system comprises an array of storage bins arranged in vertical tiers with the tiers arranged in rows and having aisles between the rows. A mobile vertical lift moves across the ends of the aisles and carries thereon a mobile transfer vehicle which can be elevated by the mobile vertical lift to any desired storage level. The self-powered mobile transfer vehicle is adapted to be automatically dispatched from the mobile vertical lift at a predetermined aisle and level and is programmable to travel via tracks along the aisle to a predetermined bin location, and extend retrieving mechanism from the vehicle for transferring the pallet load between the mobile transfer vehicle and the storage bin.