Abstract: Apparatus for conveying articles of length L through an irradiation beam of width B, where L substantially exceeds B. The articles are supported on carriers which are suspended between and more along two tracks positioned with the beam therebetween. The carriers travel for a first distance with the articles extending transversely relative to the two tracks to permit close-packing of the carriers as they move toward the beam. As each carrier approaches the beam, it is reoriented relative to the two tracks to increase the exposure angle defined between (a) the carrier dimension along which the article extends and (b) the width of the beam. After exiting from under the beam each carrier is preferably returned to a transverse travelling orientation relative to the two tracks. The invention further includes the directing of carriers along monorails enroute to and/or from the two tracks.

Abstract: A conveyor system has a track defining an endless path traversing a loading station and an unloading station and having a transport stretch therebetween, an annular succession of longitudinally spaced trucks riding on the track, and an endless conveyor belt extending along the track and having a pair of longitudinally extending edges one of which is suspended from every other truck and the other of which is suspended from the remaining trucks. A drive element extends along the track and engages the trucks to advance the belt in a longitudinal transport direction from the loading station through the transport stretch to the unloading station and then back to the loading station. At least one carrier is connected to the lower end of at least one hanger having an upper end releasably attachable to the belt so as to suspend the carrier from the belt in the transport stretch. The carrier can be a flat rigid pallet having corners each connected to the lower end of a respective such hanger.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor apparatus, particularly for intra-plant and plant-to-plant suspension conveyance, comprising a conveyor rail system for the conveyance therealong of bridge-type carriers suspended at both ends from the conveyor rails by means of rollers connected to said carriers by brackets, and container means for the goods to be conveyed, said container means being suspended from said carrier by means of a carrier head releasably engaging said carrier from above.In order to enable said container means to be suspended from said rail system for conveyance or to be released therefrom, respectively, with a minimum of structural and labor expenditure, the carrier head is adapted to be released from the carrier by being lifted relative thereto and withdrawn in the longitudinal direction thereof.

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: A method for controlling the lateral displacement of a trolley supporting goods to be unloaded at an unloading location, the goods being releasably attached to the trolley by an elongated flexible member. The method is characterized in that the trolley, which supports the goods, via the elongated flexible member during a first phase of the unloading operation, is decelerated from a certain lateral displacement speed at which it approaches the unloading station and, at least after part of the unloading operation of the goods, is accelerated in the opposite direction, whereby the retardation phase and the acceleration phase are invidually carried out within less than one period of the pendulum motion of the elongated flexible member. The method can be used in cases where the length of the flexible member varies during the approach of the goods to the unloading location.

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 power-and-free conveyor comprising a carrier including front, rear and intermediate free trolleys at least three in number, a first connecting bar supported by the intermediate free trolley and either one of the front and rear free trolleys, a rail provided on the first connecting bar and extending along the conveyor line, at least two roller trap portions formed in the rail and spaced apart by a predetermined distance longitudinally of the rail, a second connecting bar supported by the first connecting bar and the other of the front and rear free trolleys, and a roller supported by the second connecting bar as projected thereabove and rollingly movable along the rail; and a roller releasing device for releasing the roller from the trap portion and returning the roller onto the rail. For the transport of an article, the roller is caused to fall into the trap portion of the rail most proximate to the second connecting bar.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a tiltable hanger apparatus including an overhead track assembly and a work-carrying assembly movable below and along the overhead track assembly. The work-carrying assembly is composed of a main carrier frame suspended from the overhead track assembly, an auxiliary carrier frame supported by the main carrier frame and arranged to be tiltable with respect to the main carrier frame in a fore-and-aft direction of the work-carrying assembly, and a hanger frame supported by the auxiliary carrier frame and angularly movable with respect to the auxiliary carrier frame about an axis normal to a plane perpendicular to the fore-and-aft direction of the work-carrying assembly. The auxiliary carrier frame is caused to tilt with respect to the main carrier frame in a fore-and-aft direction of the work-carrying assembly by the aid of a first set of guide rollers and rails.

Abstract: A plastic arcuate turn wheel structure for a plastic monorail conveyor structure is disclosed. The turn wheel structure is driven by a plastic chain drive and comprises a supporting structural framework, an arcuate inverted T-bar track section, a disc supporting plate, a turn wheel which is either an idler or a driven wheel, an axial bearing hub for said wheel, and a bearing thrust collar for said wheel.

Abstract: A hanger device for trolley conveyors includes a pair of opposed hanger arms suspended from a carrier and approximately U-shaped when seen sidewise. The two hanger arms are closed while transporting an article and are opened for loading or unloading. Each of the hanger arms comprises a fixed front hanging member, a movable rear hanging member and an extensible horizontal member connected at its opposite ends to the lower ends of the hanging members and provided with article support members inwardly projecting from and attached to its front and rear portions. In accordance with the kind of the article, the rear hanging members are suitably moved forward or rearward with the horizontal members shortened or extended, whereby the length of the hanger frame is variable.

Abstract: A power-and-free trolley conveyor comprising a power line rail, a free line rail disposed immediately below the power line rail, another free line rail provided at one side of the free line rail in parallel thereto, and carriers suspended from the free line rails and each thereby supported at its opposite sides.

Abstract: A power and free conveyor system comprising a plurality of carriers, a carrier track comprising an upper run, a lower run, and connecting portions connecting the upper and lower runs, such that the carriers can be moved along the upper run and thereafter through a first connecting portion along the lower run in inverted position and returned to the upper run through a second connecting portion. A powered conveyor is associated with the upper and lower runs and connecting portions and has pushers thereon for engaging the carriers. Each carrier has a first pusher dog thereon movable downwardly when the carrier moves along the upper run for engagement with a pusher of the conveyor and movable upwardly when the carrier is moving along the lower run so that it is out of engagement with the pusher of the conveyor.

Abstract: In this system an inertial reel is mounted beneath a platform, which is carried by a pair of trucks that roll along an overhead rail which is fastened to the ceiling of a hospital corridor or the like. Two, adjustable, rigid handles project downwardly from the platform to be gripped by a patient, who in turn is adapted to be connected by a harness to a retractable tether or cord, which extends downwardly from the inertial reel behind the patient. While gripping the handles the patient may walk beneath the overhead rail, thereby causing the trucks to roll on the rail and to maintain the platform above the patient. If the patient should suddenly stumble or fall, an hydraulic mechanism in the reel automatically brakes the trucks against movement on the rail and resists withdrawal of the cord from the reel, so that the patient is slowly lowered to the floor. The platform is rotatable by the patient 180.degree. relative to the overhead trucks so as to enable the patient to reverse his or her direction of movement.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-propelled suspension monorail vehicle carried on top of a nonstop train. At depots the monorail vehicle attaches itself to a suspended monorail by way of an attachable drive mechanism.Passengers leaving the nonstop train have access to the monorail vehicle by way of a stairway that extends through a magnetic collar that connects the bottom of the monorail vehicle to the top of the nonstop train. Horizontal sliding doors seal the bottom of the monorail vehicle and the top of the nonstop train during a separation or retrieving maneuver.

Abstract: An overhead conveyor comprising a main rail, right and left two auxiliary rails arranged on the opposite sides of the main rail and positioned at a higher level in an upward slope section of the conveyor line and at a lower level in a downward slope section of the conveyor line, relative to their immediately previous horizontal position based on the main rail, a main running body forwardly movable along the main rail, auxiliary running bodies forwardly movable along the auxiliary rails following the main running body, and a front suspender and right and left rear suspenders connecting the main running body and the auxiliary running bodies to a hanger support positioned below the running bodies. The front and rear suspenders are pivotally movable forward and rearward and horizontally turnable. One of the rear suspenders comprises a forward-rearward pivotable member and a sidewise pivotable member connected to the lower end thereof.

Abstract: A shuttle system using first and second cable driven cars and a drive cable for transporting passengers between first and second spaced apart stations on laterally spaced apart car supporting guideways is disclosed herein. The system is designed such that a first guideway is necessarily shorter than the second guideway by a predetermined amount. Therefore, while the first passenger car can be moved along the first guideway to and between the spaced apart stations by means of the drive cable directly, the second passenger car cannot be moved along the second guideway entirely to and between the stations by means of the drive cable directly. Rather, because the first guideway is shorter than the second guideway, the second car can be moved directly by the drive cable only between one of the stations and a predetermined point on the second guideway short of the other station by an amount equal to the difference in length of the two guideways.

Abstract: A coupling device for so-called power and free handling conveyors wherein, for example, a carrier is displaceable along the track and can be coupled to or decoupled from a drive chain by the coupling device. According to the invention, the coupling device comprises a pair of jaws swingably mounted upon a common pivot extending parallel to the track of travel and provided with ramps or camming surfaces designed to spread these jaws to release a carrier or to enable the jaws to engage the carrier. The pivot is provided with an abutment limiting the swinging displacement of the jaws.

Abstract: A gravity operated conveyor comprises a workpiece supporting trolley having at least two independent unpowered wheels for supporting the trolley on a track. One of the wheels engages the track when the trolley is empty and the other engages the track when the trolley is loaded with a workpiece. Each wheel has a speed retarding mechanism operably connected therewith so that the speed retarding force on the trolley is greater when the trolley is loaded than when the trolley is empty.

Abstract: An improved monorail guideway assembly including unencumbered running surfaces that are supported by a truss. Electrical bus bars are attached to the underside of the running surfaces and a protective skirt is attached to the edges of the running surfaces along their entire length. The skirt is bent so as to form a smoothly curved shoulder that shields the bus bars and guideway surface from snow or rain.

Abstract: A gravity conveyor has a work supporting trolley provided with multiple wheels of different diameters fixed to a shaft that operates a retarder for applying a retarding torque to the wheels proportional to their angular velocity. The conveyor track consists of multiple, laterally spaced, resiliently flexible rails on which selective wheels of the trolley are adapted to roll. The axial spacing of the tracks and wheels simplifies the location of the two centers of gravity of the loaded and unloaded trolley.

Abstract: For use in a work processing line for workpieces, a workpiece storage system including a topologically closed loop track means having downwardly sloping surfaces coupled with elevators and lowerators in the loop, and work holding, gravity-operated pallets to run on said tracks having track engaging wheels equipped with retarding means responsive to wheel angular velocity and utilizing wheels of different diameters on the track depending on the loaded or unloaded condition of the pallets to control the speed of the pallets. Auxiliary track means, pallet loaders and unloaders, and switching mechanisms are incorporated in the system with elevators and lowerators to allow the storage system to function between multiple work processing lines, between single and multiple lines or between multiple and single lines to increase the flexibility of a work processing activity and reduce downtime.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aerial transport system which comprises an aerial track having therealong a pair of electric current-carrying cables in a parallel relationship with respect to one another and with respect to the track, and self-propelled carriages. Each carriage has an electric current collector to collect electric power from the current-carrying cables and to supply the power to an electrical driving mechanism mounted thereon for driving wheels engaging with the track. The current-carrying cables are separated at longitudinal given intervals so as to define respectively independent electric power supply zones. The transport system further includes a system for controlling electric power supply for the vehicle or carriage including a mechanism for detecting a vehicle or carriage position in the track provided in each power supply zone.

Abstract: A workpiece hanger carriage (10) is movable along a first rail (11) and a pair of second rails (17,18) having portions (14,20) vertically curved toward each other. The carriage (10) includes a first frame (21) having rollers (26) rollingly engageable with the first rail (11), and a second frame (31) pivotally mounted on the first frame (21) and having a pair of rollers (51,52) rollingly engageable with the second rails (17,18). The first and second frames (21,31) are angularly movable relative to each other to maintain the second frame (31) substantially horizontally at all times when they move along the vertically curved portions (14,20) of the first and second rails (11,17,18). A pair of L-shaped arms (42,43) are pivotally mounted on the second frame (31) in laterally spaced relation for supporting a workpiece (W), the arms (42,43) having a pair of rollers (55,56) rollingly engageable with a pair of guide rails (57,58) having vertically curved portions ( 59).

Abstract: This suspension device for the car of a ropeway comprises a pneumatic balloon tire interposed between the bottom of a carrying strap suspended from the wire rope of the ropeway and an upper frame of the car framework which bears upon the tire.

Abstract: In an aerial transport system in which a carriage approaches a station or other fixed parts of the system, a device for stabilizing the carriage as it approaches the station or the other parts, comprising a pair of outward-facing bumping elements on the carriage, and a pair of bars in a V-shape, open towards the direction of approach of the carriage, in between which the bumping elements enter and are restricted as the carriage approaches the station and the other parts. The bars are supported so that they can be moved apart by the impact of the bumping elements, against a resilient restoring force.

Abstract: A damped suspension system for conveyors which has a pair of shock absorbers each of which is associated with an initial stressed spring thereby exerting a balancing effect. In preferred embodiments the shock absorbers are provided with means comprising, for example, a casing and a sleeve wherein the cylinder is executing and up and down movement relative to the sleeve. Casing and sleeve each supporting one end of the spring during movement of the conveyer in a straight line. Since, during an inclination of the cabin of the conveyor, both ends of the spring located on the lower side of the cabin are supported only through the casing, there is no possibility of a releasing. Thereby at least the initial force of the spring located on the raised side of the cabin is effective for a reset of the cabin into its vertical position.

Abstract: An apparatus for motivating one or more animals to move within an enclosed area is disclosed. The apparatus includes a track disposed within the enclosed area and a carriage movably mounted on the track. Also included are a drive mechanism for moving the carriage around the track and an actuating element for actuating the drive mechanism. The invention also includes one or more of a number of elements which are perceivable by the animal and which cause the animal to move within the enclosed area. The actuating element includes a docking member which is connected adjacent the track and a switch which interacts with the docking member to control the movement of the carriage along the track. The actuating member further includes a temperature sensing element which causes the carriage to move along the track whenever a temperature is sensed which is outside a predetermined range.

Abstract: A carrier head which rides a rail is provided such that when connected by a load carrying member to a second carrier head on a second rail lateral movement is facilitated between the carriers to adjust for differences in distance between the rails. The carrier head has a surface for bearing the load while a pin positioned above the load supporting surface passes through a load bearing connector which permits movement of the load longitudinally.

Abstract: A power-and-free conveyor includes a number of pusher dog supporting members attached to a drive chain on a power line. Each pusher dog supporting member includes a pusher dog pivoted at an upper portion thereof and a stopper stopping the pusher dog in a vertical downwardly directed position, where the pusher dog can engage with the free trolley included in a carrier on a free line. The stopper has a pusher dog disengaging portion extending outward therefrom. A disengaging device is disposed on a conveyor line at a location where the carrier is to be brought to a stop. The disengaging device has a stopper raising member which projects into the path of travel of the pusher dog disengaging portion of the stopper. When the carrier reaches the location, the pusher dog disengaging portion of the stopper comes into contact with the stopper raising member which has already projected into the path and the stopper is raised, whereupon the pusher dog is released from the stopper and is disengaged from the trolley.

Abstract: A conveyance system having an overhead guide rail above a surface and one or more vehicles which are guided by the rail and partially supported on the surface by a wheel structure. Preferably, the guide rail includes the stator of a linear induction motor which cooperates with a rotor element in a propulsion member for the vehicle. A handpole on the vehicle connects the propulsion member to a passenger-carrying platform on the wheel structure. The handpole is sufficiently vertical to be readily grasped by a passenger for support while riding and assistance in getting on and off the vehicle, and yet the pole is sufficiently inclined to partially support the vehicle and permit its movement in response to the propulsion member. The preferred system uses simple, lightweight vehicles which can be readily installed over a pre-existing surface such as a sidewalk or corridor and are arranged to move continuously therealong at a slow passenger-transfer speed and a faster speed between transfer points.

Abstract: A monorail type vehicle which is particularly suited for high speed travel on a street or at various locations above a street. The vehicle comprises a motor driven tandem wheel carriage engaging an overhead monorail and a gondola suspended from the carriage by means of an elongated boom having one end pivotally and hydraulically connected to the carriage and having a free end mounting a series of hydraulic cylinders and links operatively connected to the rear of the gondola for raising and lowering the gondola as desired.

Abstract: A support walker comprising a horizontal rail having multiple sides in opposing orientations as track surfaces for a tracking carriage which traverses the rail. The tracking carriage circumscribes the rail and has pairs of radially disposed rollers mounted at the interior surfaces of the carriage in positions such that the pairs of rollers are in opposing contact with opposing track surfaces of the rail. The tracking carriage is thereby restricted to parallel movement in relation to the rail, with minimal play in a radial direction. A restraining vest is coupled to the tracking carriage by straps which connect at front, back and side sections of the vest. The vest further includes rigid stays which assist in maintaining the patient in upright orientation during therapy.

Abstract: A three-dimensional lift intended for use by a handicapped person, providing him with three dimensions of mobility within a room or rooms. The invention consists of uniform channels or rails secured in parallel configuration adjacent to or on a room ceiling with a traveling bridge arranged to traverse the length of the channels, and incorporates with the bridge a head mounted to travel thereacross spanning the room or rooms with a sling suspended therefrom to move vertically, supporting the handicapped person, and includes a remote control hung from the head, accessable to and giving the handicapped person the capability to operate the device while he is seated in the sling, providing that person with three dimensions of travel that they control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in the construction of reactor-driven articulated trains with elevated track, consisting of an indefinite succession of modular rings of circular, prismatic, eliptical or similar section, of suitable dimensions, equipped with flanges folded inwards in such a way that the said rings are longitudinally joined, placing between them an elastic joint of the same profile as the rings, in one or more pieces, making possible a perfect articulation of the rings on curves of any radius, in this way forming a clear tubular unit that is extremely flexible and deformable, which can be hauled by a reactor motor element, resting on pneumatic sliding wheels; in the interior of the tubular unit a floor is made and seats for passengers are suitably arranged and which are provided with means of tilting that make it possible to absorb the centrifugal forces developed in relation to the speed and the radius of the curves of the elevated track rails, with elimination of cant in the sai

Abstract: A hospital curtain track system utilizing a track switch which permits the use of a single privacy curtain selectively for each of a pair of adjacent bed cubicles. The switch and tracks are of two types, one type being a recessed system installable flush with the underside of and as an integral part of an original ceiling installation, and another type being surface mounted installable upward against the underside of an existing ceiling. Self splicing cubicle tracks provide easy assembly and versatility in space planning. One track switch unit between each two bed environment splices directly with the cubicle track and eliminates extra connecting parts including one complete track leg resulting in minimal installation time and expense. The switch utilizes a pull-chain actuated toggle for shifting a horizontally shiftable switch section into alignment with the desired curtain track.

Abstract: An improved chain bracket, and especially a trolley bracket, for use with overhead conveyor chains and a method for making same which provides an economical bracket having increased chain support strength. The bracket is stamped from sheet metal and includes a chain pad extending transversely across the bracket for engaging and supporting one link of a conveyor chain when mounted on the bracket. A reinforcing portion formed in one piece with and bent from the bracket sheet metal resists and substantially prevents bending of the chain pad under load. The method includes stamping the peripheral outline of the bracket from sheet metal, and bending the chain pad and reinforcing portion integrally and in one piece from the bracket sheet metal.

Abstract: A conveyor system including an overhead conveyor rail system for a plurality of traction members each having a depending tie rod provided at its lower end with a snap coupling for releasably receiving the outer end of a handle rod of any of a plurality of wheel supported carts belonging to the system, for moving the carts on the floor along a predetermined path. The snap coupling an elongate extension member on the tie rod having adjacent its top end a snap latch arrangement for receiving an outermost transverse standard handle bar on the handle rod, and the lower end of the extension member having a transverse portion for abuttingly engaging the adjacent portion of the handle rod itself, when the handle bar is received in the snap lock arrangement, such that by stoppage of the traction member the cart is prevented from moving further by its inertia, without the handle rod having to be of any special design for being usable in the system.

Abstract: A tracked vehicle system comprises a load-carrying vehicle formed by two bogies each of which has two co-axial rollers, the two bogies being connected by an articulating spindle carrying a centering roller arranged to bear against the internal sides of the track. Each bogie preferably carries a steering roller rotatable about a vertical axis and situated substantially in the same plane as the centering roller.

Abstract: A rail having an upper supporting edge and a lower braking edge, and a traction unit for riding on the rail and adapted to be connected to a carrier so as to suspend the carrier from the rail. This traction unit has a power-driven wheel to ride on the rail upper edge, and a plurality of braking wheels positioned close enough to the lower edge of the rail to prevent the traction wheel from jumping off the upper edge thereof, and a brake system for each brake wheel. A substantially C-shaped arm is pivotally connected to the traction unit near the top thereof and extends downwardly and around the rail and has a lower end extending across the plane of the rail, to which the carrier is connected.

Abstract: A railway maintenance car is provided for elevated railways which uses the rails, or rail of a monorail system, to move to the place of maintenance, thus avoiding obstruction of ground areas beneath the railway. The car of the invention includes telescoping cantilevered maintenance access platforms movable laterally and longitudinally of the car to place maintenance personnel alongside stalled cars on the rail or rails, and to move such personnel under the rail itself for maintenance and repair. The telescoping features of the invention include independently operable devices at each end of a telescoping platform in order to extend such platforms at an angle to the axis of the car for accommodating curved rail access.

Abstract: A high-speed transportation system employing a pivotally supported guide rail structure made of sections connected by expansion joints, with a self-propelled airplane automatically steered to fly along the guide rail with minimum force therebetween by a control system that is inclusive of displacement sensors associated with air bearings coupling the aircraft to the guide rail. A wheeled construction having wheels that can be driven, braked or free wheeling is provided that is automatically lowered or maintained in a lowered position contacting the guide rail whenever the aircraft lacks flying speed or the wheels are either driven or braked. The air bearings urge centering of the rail both vertically and laterally with respect thereto. Flight stability of the aircraft is enhanced by the provision of a ground effect bed, and gust spoilers, with the latter additionally functioning as a noise abatement device.

Abstract: A transportation system in which vehicular elements are movably mounted on a track and are supported on the track during operation by an air cushion and are propelled along the track by a linear air turbine, cooperating elements of which are on the track and the vehicle.

Abstract: A continuous transport system for serving an urban region, for example, for ublic transport. The transport system includes at least one looped main track which cooperates with at least one station track. The main track conveys platforms with removable cabins disposed thereon at a constant speed, and the cabins are adapted to be transferred to similar platforms provided on the station track. The station track varies the speed of the cabins therealong to permit embarkation and disembarkation therefrom.

Abstract: There is disclosed a high capacity passenger transport apparatus which may be employed as a ski lift including a high speed main cable ascending up a ski run and driven at high speeds. A pair of first and second shuttle tracks lead from the downhill run of such cable at the bottom station and separate to pass through respective first and second loading areas and then merge back together at the uphill run of the high speed cable. Chair trucks are carried on the main cable and include releasable grippers gripping such cables and are intercepted at the end of their downhill travel by escort cars which decelerate such trucks and escort them past a selector switch to direct alternate ones thereof onto the respective first and second shuttle tracks and then to a stopped position at the loading area so skiers can be loaded thereonto.

Abstract: An improved monorail track and wheel arrangement is provided for a monorail train, specifically a model monorail train. The monorail train includes an engine having an electric motor, conductive wheels, a drive train for driving the wheels, electrical connections between the motor and the wheels for supplying current to the motor and a track for conducting current. In accordance with the improvement of the invention, the wheels have rims with vertical flanges on the outside thereof, and are arranged in pairs to straddle the track. The flanges are positioned on the outsides of the track when the engine is on the track. The track comprises monorail means for receiving the wheels, and the monorail means has an insulating upper surface and two L-shaped conductor means forming outside corners for the upper surface for engaging both the rims and the flanges of the wheels.

Abstract: A transportation system includes a pair of rails spaced transversely of an elongated track on which flanged support wheels of a vehicle are adapted for travel along the sides, top or bottom of the track. The support wheels are transversely spaced apart by at least one-half the width or one-half the height of the vehicle and are sloped to respectively lie in planes intersecting at the center of gravity of the vehicle. Accordingly, horizontal forces acting on the vehicle during travel around curves produce no stresses on the wheel flanges but increase direct stress on one set of wheels and decrease direct stress on the other set of wheels.In another embodiment, the wheels are designed to tip parallel to the resultant forces acting on the wheels during horizontal force changes acting on the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an extensible boom assembly having an anchored end and a distal end. Conveyor means are mounted on the frame assembly for transporting items from the anchored end to the distal end. Takeup means are associated with the conveyor for taking up the slack in the conveyor whenever the frame assembly is retracted and for feeding out the slack in the conveyor whenever the frame assembly is extended. An unloading device is mounted adjacent the distal end of the frame assembly.

Abstract: A modular rapid transportation system is described which features transport modules for carrying passengers and/or freight, high-speed, constant-velocity conveyors for transporting the transport modules from station to station and variable-speed transfer vehicles at the stations capable of matching velocities with the high-speed conveyors for loading and unloading the transport modules onto and off of the conveyors. A station in the system is located between at least two oppositely-moving, constant-velocity conveyors and includes at least two closed-circuit, overhead rails above the constant-velocity conveyors.The transfer vehicle travelling on a rail accelerates from a loading/unloading section of the rail with a transport module and matches the velocity of one of the constant-velocity conveyors, transfers the transport module to that conveyor and then moves to a storage section of the rail.

Abstract: The ceiling of a room is provided with an overhead track along which a carriage can move. A vertical column extends from the carriage and terminates short of the floor in the room in a handle grip which may be held by a patient. Motors in the carriage serve to drive the carriage along the track and thus aid the patient in walking along the direction of the track. A second motor raises and lowers the handle grip to a convenient level so that different sized patients can use the walker.

Abstract: A power and free conveyor system comprising a power track, a conveyor movable along the power track, a carrier track, a plurality of carriers movable along the carrier track and interengaging members between the coveyor and the carriers. At least one module is provided and comprises a body having hooks on a back wall thereof. The carrier has a generally vertical central frame extending downwardly including spaced side portions which are generally vertically aligned with the carrier track. An upper pair of arms extends transversely from the central frame and a cross bar joins the arms. The module extends between the side portions of the central frame with the hooks engaging the cross bar. A pair of lower arms extends transversely from the central frame and a bar between the ends of the lower arms engages the back wall of the module to stabilize the module.