Abstract: In a bearing and support for use either as a bearing, per se, or as a bearinged support for other items and incorporating the bearing of this invention; the bearing includes at least a pair of rotatable members that rotate or counter-rotate about a common axis, a shaft supporting the rotatable members for rotation about its common axis; roller, ball, sleeve, or other forms of bearings disposed between the rotatable members and the shaft to facilitate the rotation of the members therearound; a structural member incorporating a series of keepers upon its upper and lower edges and which retain races or tracks, and being disposed for having one of the rotatable members associated thereon to provide a bearing suspended support for holding other items, or the body of a person.

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: A cabin for a funicular railway comprises a floor, two lateral walls facing each other, one of which is provided with a door opening, two end-walls, and a roof. All of these parts are united detachably by means of bolts, so that the cabin may be transported in the knocked-down condition, and may be subsequently assembled by bolting. The side and upper edges of the lateral walls consist of light-metal bars, the ends of which are welded together in pairs. The roof is provided with four bars welded together in pairs and together forming a roof-frame, two of these bars being welded to the bars forming the upper edges of the lateral walls. The end-walls are edged at the bottom and sides with bars which are bolted to the bars of the lateral walls and are riveted to the plates. The upper parts of the end-walls consist of transparent sheets, secured detachably, by means of resilient strips to parts of the end-walls, of the two lateral walls, and of the roof.

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: This invention relates to a suspension railroad in mines, including a monorail having an elongated friction section and an elongated rack section located above the friction section, a car suspended on the monorail and driven for moving the car along the rail including a friction wheel in frictional engagement with the friction section, a gear wheel coaxial with the friction wheel, and a shiftable device for moving the gear wheel into and out of engagement with the rack section.

Abstract: A system for supporting an overhead trolley rail which requires a minimum of simple parts and wherein the trolley rail is supported from washer-like elements each having a centrally-disposed opening therein and at least one curved portion depending downwardly from the element. A bolt extends across the curved portion and supports two L-shaped keepers each having one leg through which its associated bolt extends and a second leg which underlies a flange on a trolley rail, which in most cases comprises an I-beam. A single roof bolt extends through the centrally-disposed opening of the washer-like element and into a mine roof or the like, the single roof bolt comprising the sole support for the washer-like element.

Abstract: In an aerial transport system having an aerial track such as a cableway or tramway and one or more carriages travelling along the track, a structure for suspending the carriage from the track comprising a beam, both ends of which are pivotally connected to a plurality of frames supporting wheels, the frames being rotatable in a yaw direction about yaw axes with respect to the beam, and a hanger, the upper end of which is connected to the beam in a pivotable position in a pitch direction about a pitch axis with respect to the beam, the improvement comprising, in combination a plurality of separate beams being positioned apart from one another and linked to respective opposing ends by link members in alignment, a plurality of frames respectively connected to both ends of a respective beam in a pivotal position with respect to the beam about respective yaw axes, one wheel being mounted on each of the frames, and a plurality of hangers, the lower ends of which are connected to a carriage body in a pivotable posit

Abstract: A conveyor system comprising a motor power unit, a load carrier and a track along which the motor power unit and the load carrier can move. A vacuum pad is mounted on the motor power unit and extends rearwardly and a vacuum power unit is mounted on said motor power unit for applying vacuum to the vacuum pad. A plate is mounted on and extends forwardly of the load carrier and is adapted to be engaged by the vacuum pad whereby when the vacuum pad engages the plate and is activated a coupling is provided between the motor power unit and said load carrier so that the motor power unit will move the load carrier along the track in either direction.

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 rolling bearing type traction wheel and hub assembly which is especially adapted to ride upon either flat (i.e. horizontal) or laterally sloping surfaces such as trolley trackways and/or the opposite side flanges of supporting I-beams or the like; the axis of wheel rotation being in any case canted relative to the support surface. The wheel assembly comprises a generally cylindrical shaped inner bearing race/hub member which is fixed to an external support and is encircled by a rotatable outer race/wheel member, with rolling bearings enclosed therebetween. The wheel and hub parts are formed of sheet material and are so shaped as to novelly facilitate initial assembly thereof. When the device is operating under load the parts automatically float into self-aligning operational relationship and are retained in proper operative relationship without need of any auxiliary retention device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring a weight of a wire fabric to a top rail of a chain link fence is disclosed. The apparatus includes a generally L-shaped or C-shaped frame made up of straight, rectangular bars. Connected to a lower end of a leg of the L-shaped or C-shaped frame is a relatively long, rectangular bar which includes at least one hook. An axle is rigidly connected to an upper portion of the L-shaped or C-shaped frame, and a guide roller is rotatably mounted on the axle.

Abstract: A lading support carrier for handling packaged goods in conjunction with an overhead conveyor, such as a monorail conveyor. Includes a support member suspendable in generally upright position from the conveyor and spaced apart, generally outstanding bars hingeable and detachably connected thereto to receive the goods such as package goods to be moved. Provision is made for suspending the support rack for movement along an overhead conveyor. The outstanding bars may be selectively hinged in aligned relation with respect to the upright support member to vary the space between any two extending support bars to accomodate larger packages or goods. All outwardly extending support bars may be hinged for greater convenience in handling and/or shipping. Where used in a food processing plant, the outstanding bars may be readily removed for sterilization and quickly replaced. The material from which the unit is made may be provided of substantially corrosion proof and impermeable material.

Abstract: A braking system for a freight module, crane module, or the like which is suspended for movement on an overhead guiding rail having the form of an I beam with upper and lower horizontal flanges and a vertical web in which braking results from the pincer action of pivoted pincers having upper arm portions pressing brake shoes, one mounted on each pincer, against the vertical web of the I beam. The lower arm portions of each pincer diverge outwardly and downwardly to provide a triangular opening below the pivot pin and a rectangular opening at the bottom ends. A tension spring is mounted at the base of the triangular portion. A parallelogram shaped cam disc having curved ends is mounted for opening movement between base plates at the sides of the rectangular opening. A motor and shaft rotate the cam through a predetermined arc to apply the braking movement in a controlled manner to gradually slow down the module and avoid oscillations of the module.

Abstract: A load carrying device for an overhead conveyor, comprising a carriage for ovement along an overhead rail and a load-bearing container suspended from the carriage by two substantially parallel connecting elements pivoted at their upper ends to the carriage and at their lower ends to the load-bearing container to form a pivoted parallelogram linkage which permits the two connecting elements to swing when the carriage is accelerated or decelerated sharply while holding the load-bearing container upright; energy dissipation means, such as one or more friction bush or hydraulic shock absorber are also provided to damp the oscillation of the container and limit its movement in order to cushion the articles in the container against shock.

Abstract: In a monorail system in which a carriage is displaceable along a track and is adapted to be connected to or released from load carriers or the like, a coupling device is provided which comprises a hook swingably mounted on the axis of one of the supporting rollers of a carriage or carrier and adapted to engage a portion of the roller dolly of the other vehicle above the rail.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system in which a continuous overhead rail extends through a plurality of transport stations. Transport tubes are arranged along the rail for high-speed travel of a vehicle which is suspended therefrom. Between the transport tubes, the vehicle rests upon driven rollers which propel the vehicle into the tubes and receive the vehicle after it leaves the tubes. In the stretches provided with these rollers, the rail approaches the rollers so that the vehicle rests upon the rollers and is only guided laterally by the rail. Within the tubes themselves, however, the vehicle is suspended from the rail generally out of contact with the walls of the tubes and is displaced through the latter by a pressure differential generated by suction devices.

Abstract: A rail vehicle is disclosed for use on an elevated electric rail system having a lower rail below the vehicle and an upper rail above the vehicle. The vehicle includes a pair of lower wheels having independently rotatable flanges rollably carrying a vehicle cab along the lower rail and an upper wheel having independently rotatable flanges rollably engaging the upper rail. Electric motors, energized through contacts carried on the vehicle by an electric circuit associated with the upper rail, are drivingly connected through drive belts to the respective lower wheel to propel the vehicle along the rail system. The vehicle also includes a clamping rail brake carried by a vehicle which is engagable on the lower rail, and a vertically and laterally extendable servo system secured to the vehicle and carrying the upper wheel.

Abstract: A chair assembly mounting apparatus is disclosed which may be employed to mount a chair, gondola, platform, etc. to a hanger arm for use in a chairlift or the like. The apparatus provides a movable connection between the chair frame and hanger arm which reduces vibration and fatigue and yet damps or resists excessive motion. The mounting apparatus includes a rubber-like member which encircles a frame portion, preferably having a flange thereon, and in turn is encircled by a support housing rigidly mounted to the hanger arm. Movement of the frame relative to the hanger arm causes the flange to resiliently displace the rubber-like member.

Abstract: The invention has reference to an overhead trolley, particularly for tracks in a store, its wheel running on a rail driven by a motor, where actuation of the pivoted auxiliary wheel assembly elevates the trolley to support the driven wheel of the trolley on a support wheel and the auxiliary wheel above a rail of the tracks. The trolley includes an arrangement with an auxiliary wheel, which may be pivoted manually into and out of engagement with the rail surface. Pivoting the auxiliary wheel into engagement with the rail surface has the effect of raising the drive wheel from the rail surface so that a disabled trolley may be pushed out of the way.

Abstract: An overhead suspended monorail type material handling system or apparatus comprising a rail having a web and a transversely extending flange on each side along its upper edge and a wider flange on each side along its lower edge, a plate-like member or cleat for attachment to an overhead structure and provided wth a through aperture enlarged at one end, a bolt-like load supporting stud shaft or hanger member having a head at one end and a nut at the other end with the nut located in the enlarged part of the aperture through the cleat and the shank of the bolt-like hanger member extending to the other side of the cleat member, and a pair of clamp plates bolted together, the clamp plates providing an inverted T-like aperture therebetween enclosing the head of the bolt-like hanger member and the narrower flanges on a part of the rail. As an alternative construction the headed stud or hanger member may be incorporated into the cleat.

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: There is disclosed an apparatus suitable for shifting the plates of a plate filter press. The apparatus comprises supporting means for supporting the apparatus so that it can be moved longitudinally of the plate filter press, and a manually-operable, power-drivable device including first and second members capable of engaging plates of the plate filter press and movable relative to one another by a source of power along a line of action which, when the apparatus is in use is parallel to, or substantially parallel to, the plate filter press. The arrangement is such that, in use, the device can be rotated or swung in order to bring the first and second members into and out of engagement with plates of the plate filter press and, when in engagement with plates of the plate filter press, the device can be operated to cause movement of the first and second members relative to one another and hence movement of one or more plates of the plate filter press.

Abstract: A cable transport system for cabins wherein at each station there are secured two control rails and wherein each cabin comprises a door which, in its closed condition, is locked by a locking mechanism, the door being operatively connected with an actuation lever at which there engages one end of a tensioning device which in an intermediate position of the door intersects an extension of the axis of rotation of the actuation lever. A feeler element is connected with a control element, the feeler element, upon scanning the control rails, moving the control element from one terminal position into another terminal position, the door being opened in one terminal position and closed in the other terminal position. The control element comprises a carriage which can be displaced along a guide rail fixedly connected with the cabin.

Abstract: A cable connection with slack cable-brake release for an aerial cableway, wherein a traction cable and possibly a counter cable are secured to the travelling mechanism or carriage of the aerial cableway and a brake mechanism of the aerial cableway is automatically released by a brake release mechanism influenced by the cable traction upon decrease of the cable traction to a predetermined minimum value. The tensioned or traction cable is guided over a damping mechanism arranged at the travelling mechanism for overcoming the oscillations of the cable and after wrapping about a cable drum is attached to the travelling mechanism. The traction cable in an oscillation-free range is deflected by a force measuring device which for a predetermined value of the cable-contact force which is proportional to the cable traction brings about the response of the brake release mechanism.