Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system is provided comprising a number of sample container carriers and a number of transport modules, wherein each transport module comprises: a transport surface, wherein the transport modules are arrangeable adjacent to one another in a row-direction and in a column-direction such that the transport surfaces of the transport modules together form a common transport surface, and controllable drive means being arranged below the transport surface and being adapted to move sample container carriers on top of the transport surface, wherein at least some transport modules of the number of transport modules are movable transport modules being adapted to be moved during operation of the laboratory sample distribution system such that a gap is formed between transport modules arranged in row-direction and/or column-direction or that a gap is closed between transport modules arranged in row-direction and/or column-direction.

Abstract: A guide apparatus for guiding a furniture part, in particular a sliding door or folding-sliding-door, including a guide rail and a chassis which can be connected to the furniture part and which can travel on the guide rail. The chassis has a load-bearing roller, mounted about a first rotation axis, for supporting the weight of the furniture part and a supporting roller for laterally guiding the furniture part. The supporting roller is rotatably mounted about a second rotation axis which is oriented transverse to the first rotation axis, and a support apparatus is separate from the at least one supporting roller, and is designed to relieve the supporting roller in an end position of the at least one guide rail against a transverse force acting laterally, i.e. substantially parallel to the first rotation axis.

Abstract: A hybrid cable/rail transportation system comprising: at least one system portion configured as a cable transportation system comprising at least one cable; at least one system portion configured as a rail transportation system comprising at least one rail, wherein the system portion configured as a cable transportation system is upstream and/or downstream of the system portion configured as a rail transportation system; a plurality of transportation units, wherein each transportation unit comprises a cabin; wherein each cabin is configured for being moved along the entire system, respectively supported hanging from the cable along the system portion configured as a cable transportation system and supported resting on the rail along the system portion configured as a rail transportation system.

Abstract: A building structural assembly system including a building framework and a plurality of module structures fabricated off site and installed at the building site, the module structures including shuttle rail module structures.

Abstract: An aerial cableway system has an endless, closed load-bearing and conveying cable which, in the terminal stations, is guided over drive or deflection wheels. Transportation devices, such as cabins and chairs, can be fixed to the load-bearing and conveying cable via a suspension bar in each case. A bearing at the lower end of the suspension bar mounts the transportation device such that it can rotate about an at least approximately vertical axis. The bearing is attached to the suspension bar via a damping device.

Abstract: An autonomous transport system is disclosed, formed by four main subsystems: a channel subsystem; a vehicle subsystem; a wheel guide subsystem and central control station subsystem. The system is designed for the transportation of people or goods, to be used in tall buildings and in small and large scale urban environments. It comprises unitary vehicles that may move in different directions: horizontal, steeply sloped and also vertical tracks, thanks to novel traction wheel assemblies that roll on carefully designed wheel tracks. The system's cabin maintains the horizontal level/position regardless of the changes of track direction or slanting thanks to pendulum based automatic level control and may rotate up to 180° under normal conditions and even a full 360° turn respect to the wheel assembly in space restricted positions. The cabin is mounted on a cantilever, thereby displacing its center of gravity respect of the wheel guides.

Abstract: A vibration damping arrangement for a gondola of a type having a supporting unit attached to a cable, a hanger suspended from the supporting unit and a carriage suspended from the hanger. A vibration damping device includes an elongated hollow housing. A bottom plate of the housing defines a down-wardly arcuate oscillation track which extends in a direction perpendicular to the cable. A vibration damping body is movably located on the oscillation track such that it can naturally oscillate on the oscillation track in the longitudinal direction of the oscillation track upon vibrations of the carriage. The vibration damping device is located under a seat inside the carriage, suspended from a bottom of the carriage, supported by the hanger above a roof of the carriage or mounted on the roof of the carriage in such a manner that it does not extend beyond width and length of the carriage. The vibration damping device does not substantially occupy a passenger room so that comfortableness is not degraded.

Abstract: A vibration damping arrangement for a gondola of a type having a supporting unit attached to a cable, a hanger suspended from the supporting unit and a carriage suspended from the hanger. A vibration damping device includes an elongated hollow housing. A bottom plate of the housing defines a downwardly arcuate oscillation track which extends in a direction perpendicular to the cable. A vibration damping body is movably located on the oscillation track such that it can naturally oscillate on the oscillation track in the longitudinal direction of the oscillation track upon vibrations of the carriage. The vibration damping device is located under a seat inside the carriage, suspended from a bottom of the carriage, supported by the hanger above a roof of the carriage or mounted on the roof of the carriage in such a manner that it does not extend beyond width and length of the carriage. The vibration damping device does not substantially occupy a passenger room so that comfortableness is not degraded.

Abstract: A vibration damping arrangement for a gondola of a type having a supporting unit attached to a cable, a hanger suspended from the supporting unit and a carriage suspended from the hanger. A vibration damping device includes an elongated hollow housing. A bottom plate of the housing defines a downwardly arcuate oscillation track which extends in a direction perpendicular to the cable. A vibration damping body is movably located on the oscillation track such that it can naturally oscillate on the oscillation track in the longitudinal direction of the oscillation track upon vibrations of the carriage. The vibration damping device is located under a seat inside the carriage, suspended from a bottom of the carriage, supported by the hanger above a roof of the carriage or mounted on the roof of the carriage in such a manner that it does not extend beyond width and length of the carriage. The vibration damping device does not substantially occupy a passenger room so that comfortableness is not degraded.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a traveling trolley, in particular a single-rail trolley having a compact height. A traveling trolley constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a supporting frame with running wheels that run on the bottom flange of a rail, a hoist arranged at the supporting frame, a lever member arranged at the axle of the driven running wheel so as to swivel or pivot, and a friction wheel supported at the free end of the lever member via an additional axle. The friction wheel and the driven running wheel are each coupled to a respective toothed wheel and these toothed wheels are driven by a driving unit. A spring element arranged between the lever member and the supporting frame urges the friction wheel into contact with the bottom flange of the rail.

Abstract: A dynamic absorber for a pendulum type structure is particularly useful for suppressing swing. In operative association with the pendulum type structure, the dynamic absorber is provided above the center of gravity of the pendulum type structure such that the dynamic absorber can apply damping force to the pendulum type structure.

Abstract: A transport system installed in a cleanroom where clean air is caused to flow from a ceiling toward a floor. The transport system includes a vehicle for transporting loads, and a guide rail suspended from the ceiling to guide the vehicle. The vehicle has a main body for running along the guide rail, a load supporting deck disposed over the main body, and connecting members for interconnecting the main body and load supporting deck. The guide rail is enclosed in a tubular cover defining an opening extending longitudinally of the guide rail for receiving the connecting members. The cover has a substantially streamline configuration with respect to the direction of clean air flows.

Abstract: A rail truck for use in an elevated closed beam having a slot in the bottom surface for clearance of a car body support member. The passenger car body is hung beneath the beam and elevated above the ground with the trucks running inside the beam. The flanged wheels run on a pair of parallel rails with an electric power rail located above the center of the two running rails. The suspension permits restrained swinging of the passenger car in the lateral and longitudinal directions. A safety wheel is mounted to the frame to prevent upward movement of the frame to the extent that the wheel flanges on the running rails could climb over the top of the running rails. A pair of auxiliary climbing rails are mounted parallel to the power rail and above the running rails. Auxiliary climbing wheels on the truck are mounted on actuators which permit a controlled elevation of the auxiliary climbing wheels.

Abstract: A transportation system comprises a continuous stationary track having a pair of opposed rigid bearing surfaces, and a plurality of discrete cantilevered load-carrying vehicle units movable beside said track. Each vehicle is coupled to the track by a bogie having a linear arrangement of bogie wheels running between the bearing surfaces. The bogie wheels are mounted on mutually articulated frames and have a diameter slightly less than the separation of the opposed bearing surfaces to allow limited pivoting movement of the frames within the track. The adjacent articulated frames are forcibly urged to pivot in opposite directions within the track between the bearing surfaces such that bogie wheels carried thereby forcibly and alternately engage the respective opposed bearing surfaces at at least three points to ensure a pro-loaded positive coupling between the bogie and the track.

Abstract: A rail-guided apparatus-carrying system for conveying and moving an apparatus such as a loudspeaker or a spotlight along a predetermined path defined by the system when fixed in a wall or roof of a housing, the system comprising a rail-like stationary holder to be fixed to the roof and a movable carrier including a driving motor unit for moving the carrier along the holder and an apparatus actuating unit for moving the apparatus relative to the carrier, the apparatus being connected to the carrier by an apparatus hanging member, the carrier being supported in the holder by a supporting-guiding-estabilizing mechanism including damping-resilient devices for obtaining steady and smooth movements for the carried apparatus, an electrical system being provided to supply electricity to the units.

Abstract: A conveyor for a suspension conveyor system comprising a carrier bar suspended from two yokes for receiving objects to be transported. Each of the yokes is suspended from a rail by a pair of rollers and is connected to the carrier bar via at least one joint having an axis of rotation which extends horizontally to the rail and an axis of rotation which extends transverse to the rail. To make the conveyor more universally usable without any negative impact on its conveying properties, the end of the carrier bar is connected to its yoke via a pivot pin extending at right angles to the horizontal axis of rotation, the pivot pin being received in a bearing shell on the end of the bar that permits the carrier bar to be pivoted relative to the pivot pin over a predetermined angular range in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis extending perpendicular to the pivot pin.

Abstract: A surface-treated steel sheet is provided, at a low cost, which has high weldability and is useful for a material of containers of foods and beverages. The surface treatment is conducted by applying flattened granular tin coating deposits having a specified diameter and high adhesion on a steel sheet surface at a specified plated area ratio, and applying thereon a metallic chromium coating and a chromium hydrate oxide coating.In the surface treatment, firstly, the surface of a steel sheet is subjected to tin-plating in an acidic tin plating bath containing a conventionally used brightener in an amount of from 0.001 to 0.05 g/1 so as to form flattened granular tin coating deposits having a diameter of 0.4-2.4 .mu. at a plated area ratio of 5 to 30% and to improve the adhesion to the steel sheet and decrease falling-off of the granular tin coating deposits until completion of chrome-plating, thereby the variation of the amount of tin coating being decreased.

Abstract: A conveyor system (10) with a suspended rail (11) on which run trolleys (12) having an upper drive wheel (13) and lower bucking rollers (15,16). The wheel and the rollers are rigidly fixed relative to one another. Each trolley (12) has a geometry such as to cause a rotation moment around the upper wheel (13) when the trolley traverses sloped sections of rail to increase the force of contact or traction of the driving wheel (13) on the rail. The rail (11) has a cross section of variable thickness along its length so that the distance between the wheel and the rollers is uniform on the curves between straight horizontal and sloping sections.

Abstract: A conveyor system including a conveyor track, carriers supported thereby, and carrier propelling elements associated with the conveyor track, wherein each carrier includes frame structure having an article supporting portion disposed to one side of the conveyor track and a stabilizing portion disposed to the opposite side thereof. An auxiliary track mounted in parallel, transversely spaced relation with the conveyor track on the opposite side thereof, is engageable by stabilizing wheels on the stabilizing portion of the carrier frame structure so that the article supporting portion thereof is adapted to form a cantilevered type support on which an article can be mounted and transported, spaced transversely from the conveyor track and propelling elements. An article processing station is separated from the conveyor track and propelling elements by a slotted barrier wall through which the article supporting portion of the carrier frame structure projects.

Abstract: The system for suspendingly transporting bodies according to the invention comprises a carriage (4) movable along a predetermined path (P) as guided by guide rails (2) and a support (5) mounted to a lower portion of the carriage (4) through suspenders (32A, 32B). The support (5) comprises a support frame (28) tiltable relative to the carriage (4) and a hanger (30) attached to the support frame (28) and rotatable about a vertical axis (29), the hanger (30) being adapted to support a body (X) thereon. The support frame (28) has lock devices (31) for locking the hanger (30). At a specified location there are disposed a release device (51) for releasing each lock device (31) and a hanger handling device (60) which engages the hanger (30) from below to turn it through a specified angle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suspended motorized vehicle traveling on a line consisting, in its straight sections, of rails placed on track cables held by suspender cables tied to main cables and comprising, for the curved sections, rigid shapes supported by brackets or crossbeams making it possible to change the direction of the vehicles. The invention proposes mounting of wheel sets supported independently of one another, comprising load equalizing bars, and independent motorizing of the wheels.

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: The present invention provides that an overhead suspension system is provided with at least two suspension rails which are parallel, and at least one trolley which runs on the rails, the trolley having respective rollers which respectively engage the rails for the firm mounting of the trolley on the rails.In a particular example, there is provided a novel form of roller head which comprises three rollers with their axes parallel, and the roller head is carried by a suspension bracket.

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 device for preventing turn-around motions of free trolleys in a power-and-free conveyor having a power rail and a free rail is provided. The device includes a connecting link interconnecting the free trolleys and having holes as well as turn-preventing members on the opposite ends thereof. Each of the trolleys is provided with a downwardly directed rod from the trolley, the rod rotatably passing through a hole of the connecting link and having a stopper at its lower end. The stoppers receive the connecting link when the free trolleys are on the free rail. Each of the turn-preventing members has an engaging portion which extends upward. Each of the engaging portions engages with the lower portion of a free trolley when the free trolley is taken off from the free rail. Thus, the turn-around motions of the free trolleys are prevented and the free trolleys are in the position where their directions are the same as that in which the connecting link extends.

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: 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: There are disclosed improvements in the passenger unit for a ski lift such as a chair and the like to incorporate a swivel mechanism in the standard which supports the lift chair from the traveling, overhead cable. The swivel mechanism includes a swivel actuator which can be a hydraulic system to rotate the chair, permitting the occupant to rotate from a forward facing position and turn his back to wind, driving snow and the like or to change his direction of view. The ski lift also includes a mechanism for automatically restoring the forward direction of the passenger unit at the disembarking station or at any other preselected portion along the ski lift.

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 vehicle suspended from a trackway of an aerial trackway system is provided. The vehicle comprises a front traction unit having a supporting wheel and a rear traction unit having a supporting wheel. These traction units support a vehicle body of the vehicle and are rotatable relative to the vehicle body such that the supporting wheels may follow the trackway without slip. Apparatus is provided for linking the front and rear traction units such that a moment at the center of gravity of the front traction unit about its axis of rotation relative to the vehicle body and a moment at the center of gravity of the rear traction unit about its center of rotation relative to the vehicle body are balanced.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport plant in which a plurality of aligned pneumatic tubes define a transport path, the tubes being spaced apart with an overhead rail in the form of an I-beam extending continuously along the path and through each tube, in which it is mounted by brackets flanking the rail and engaging the underside of the upper flange thereof, the brackets being bolted to the walls of the tubes.

Abstract: An improved roller coaster system is provided having a track in the shape of a mobius band and a carriage assembly mounted for movement thereon. Passenger seating means are provided which are rotated and translated in a multiplanar manner as the carriage assembly proceeds along the helical portion of the track.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system in which a transport tube is provided with an overhead rail in the form of an I-beam contained therein and a vehicle riding along the rail. The vehicle is formed by an elongated container suspended beneath the rail and displaceable therealong within the tube, with at least one vertical pivot mounted at an end of the container and a support mounted at an end of the container and a support mounted on the vertical pivot. A plurality of support rollers are mounted on the support and engage the lower flange of the rail while a plurality of guide rollers, also mounted on the support, flank the lower flange of the rail. Packing means provided at an end of the container enables the vehicle to be pneumatically displaced through the tube, the packing means being spaced from the wall of the tube and mounted on the vertical pivot for displacement in a horizontal plane by a pin provided on the support and engaged by a fork provided on the packing means.

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: A support rack for handling packaged goods in conjunction with an overhead conveyor, such as a suspended monorail conveyor. An upright member has spaced apart, outstanding bars hingeable and detachably connected thereto to receive the goods to be moved, preferably packaged goods. Provision is made for attaching the entire unit to an overhead conveyor. The outstanding bars may be selectively hinged upward in the same plane and in aligned relation with respect to the upright support member to vary the space between the normally outwardly extending support bars to accommodate larger packages or goods of greater size, or all outwardly extending support bars may be hinged upwardly for greater convenience in handling and/or shipping. If 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 rust proof metal, metal treated against rust or metal coated to prevent rust.

Abstract: The apparatus is used in a trolley conveying system for transporting various types of article, and in particular garments, between different locations. The apparatus comprises and is supported by a top load bar which has a detent plate supported therefrom by means of a yoke structure. The detent plate has a circular opening for accommodating a swivel assembly including an elongated support rod at the bottom thereof for holding articles preferably at either end thereof.