Abstract: A bogie for a vehicle of a guide rail type which is guided by guide wheels that rotate while keeping contact with a guide rail arranged along a guideway of the vehicle, comprises: a guide frame which includes a pair of transverse beams and a connecting member arranged between the pair of the transverse beams, each of the traverse beams being equipped with the guide wheels rotatably on both ends thereof; an axle which is supported on a non-turning part of the bogie such that the axle is capable of turning; and running wheels which are attached to both ends of the axle, wherein the running wheels are rigidly fixed to the axle and the guide frame is fixed to the axle so as to steer the guide frame, the axle and the running wheels integrally.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system operable to transport an object, comprises a frame, a frame transport system, a securing system, an object lift system and a sideways drive system. The frame transport system moves the frame in a plurality of directions comprising a first direction. The securing system couples an object to the frame. The object lift system lifts the object, and comprises at least one pump and at least one cylinder. The sideways drive systems deactivate the frame transport system and moves the frame in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: An overhead support system. A riding surface is located over a space and supports at least one overhead cart from which a load is supported by a tension element. A plurality of spherical elements are positioned between the riding surface and overhead cart and are attached to either the cart or the riding surface. The load can be moved horizontally in the space by applying a horizontal force to the load causing the cart to move over the riding surface while carrying the load in the horizontal direction. In preferred embodiments the riding surface is an array of spoked rimless wheels. In other preferred embodiments the riding surface is a slot track, or the riding surface may be a combination of the array and slot tracks. In other preferred embodiments a hoist assembly is used to raise and lower the load. In a preferred embodiment the hoist assembly is located below the riding surface. In another preferred embodiment, the hoist assembly is located above the riding surface.

Abstract: An overhead support system. A riding surface is located over a space and supports at least one overhead cart from which a load is supported by a tension element. The load can be moved horizontally in the space by applying a horizontal force to the load causing the cart to move over the riding surface while carrying the load in the horizontal direction. In preferred embodiments the riding surface is an array of spoked rimless wheels. In other preferred embodiments the riding surface is a slot track, or the riding surface may be a combination of the array and slot tracks. In preferred embodiments casters are mounted on the top of the riding surface to permit easy horizontal movement of the cart over the casters. In other preferred embodiments the riding surface is flat and casters are mounted on the bottom of the overhead cart.

Abstract: A movable platform or dolly for supporting heavy equipment in which the dolly rolls on tracks. Track sections are located under the dolly and additional sections can be attached to extend the track.

Abstract: An electrically driven self-propelled truck having at least one electrically driven wheel guidable along a rail on a floor, an article lift table mounted on the upper side of the truck body, a work space provided around the lift table, and an adjacent truck coupling provided on all four side edge portions of the truck body. At an intersection of truck guide rails on the floor, a rail segment rotating mechanism is provided which has a rail segment for changing the course of the wheel. A truck orientation changing turntable is provided on a floor portion where the orientation of the truck is to be changed.

Abstract: Material handling systems for supporting and transferring articles within defined areas from one location to another in which cooperatively spaced support plates are mounted within the defined areas and carriages or shuttles are movably supported by the plates in a manner such that the carriages may be guided along a network of optional routes along open passageways created between the plates. The carriages may be mechanized or manually maneuverable and may include load lifting and adjusting components which are selectively operated to raise, support, re-orient and lower the articles so that such articles may be transferred and repositioned as desired.

Abstract: A circulating latch transport mechanism is provided which is capable of moving freely in any direction across the under side of a horizontal array of parallel I-beams while remaining attached to this array. The transport mechanism is attached simultaneously to several I-beams, which allows the mechanism to move across a ceiling in a longitudinal direction with respect to the I-beams, a direction perpendicular or transverse to the I-beams, and, by the mechanical independent actions of the longitudinal and perpendicular motions, in an arbitrary direction.

Abstract: A robotic tractor that travels on rails forming a grid over a crop field and automatically performs tasks in the field is described. The tractor is supported on extendable legs that carry dual tandem perpendicular wheel sets. A rotary implement bed supported by the tractor is adapted to carry implements.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for movable bolster assemblies adapted to ride on bolster track includes a piston housing vertically oriented above the track. A cylinder piston including a wheel clevis is received within the piston housing. A wheel is rotatably mounted to the clevis and powered by hydraulic pressure to raise or lower the bolster assembly. The cylinder piston is rotatable within the piston housing to allow the axial alignment of the wheel to be changed for orthogonal travel.

Abstract: The plant comprises a carrier structure formed by a network of orthogonal paths (1,2) on which carriages to be stored (5) are capable to move in two directions (xy). The displacement along (y) is provided by a robot carriage (18) carried by a carrier carriage (23) moving on a side path (24,25). The displacement of carriages along (x) is provided by bars (11) provided with pneumatic fingers (17). The carriages are either provided with two wheel trains (8,9) with axles perpendicular between each other and of which the running planes are at different levels, or provided with pads allowing the carriages to move by sliding. When the carriages run on their high wheels (9), the low wheels (8) are free in clearing channels (10). The carrier structure may be completely full except for at least one transversal row (y). For the purpose of its withdrawal, a carriage is isolated in the free row, previously displaced if required by displacement along (x) of the neighbouring carriages.

Abstract: A panel locator for moving bundles of panels from one place to another on a roof includes a base section movably mounted on roof purlins, and a tower section extending upwardly from the base section, and a boom section pivotably mounted on the tower section. The locator has the capability for maintaining a level orientation on a sloped roof and can change direction of movement from along the roof length to up and down the slope.

Abstract: A coke quenching plant comprises vertical quenching chambers arranged in a row and each having a coke-charging means installed in the upper part thereof, hoisting shafts, each of which is located opposite a corresponding quenching chamber, and lifts. Each of the lifts is provided with a carriage transporting a body for carrying coke upwards from the hoisting shaft to the coke-charging means, and downwards. Also provided in the plant is a trestle installed along the quenching chambers on the level of the lifts coming out from the hoisting shafts, and a means for transferring the carriage of the lift in horizontal plane along the trestle and perpendicularly thereto.

Abstract: A railroad set-off apparatus includes vertically movable running gears and an auxiliary track extending transversely to the railway carriage on which it is mounted, the auxiliary track having two rails for the running gears, each of the auxiliary track rails consisting of at least two rail sections pivotally connected to each other, one of the rail sections of each auxiliary track rail being pivotal into a vertical position, struts interconnecting the two rails, power drives for pivoting the one rail section and a support for at least one end of the rails. A rack-and-pinion drive is provided for transversely moving the carriage on the running gears along the auxiliary 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: The invention refers to a transport exchange truck for changing and alternating metallurgic vessels, particularly for steel mill converters. The truck is provided with an interior frame part arranged to rotate in the center of the exterior carriage frame with at least one piston--supportable on the mill floor--of a piston-cylinder unit to raise the exterior frame part carrying the undercarriages. The exterior frame part supports a lift table which can be raised or lowered by means of one or several piston-cylinder units. Each piston rod is connected with the lift table through at least one ball-and-socket joint whose joint housing is provided with articulated traction elements.

Abstract: A crane mover is arranged to transfer a crane, such as a dockside crane, around a curve from one straight track to another straight track. The mover runs on rails and carries synchronized jacks engageable with lift pads on the crane. The mover also carries lips on the jack stems to engage and restrict excess rocking movement of the crane wheel equalizers. All of the mover actions and motion are preferably controlled from an operator station on the crane mover.

Abstract: An elongated shuttle car is provided having a set of undriven rail wheels and a set of driven road wheels. The rail wheels are movable between a lowered position wherein they support the shuttle car and a raised position wherein the shuttle car is supported from the road drive wheels. The road drive wheels are independently driven by fluid drive motors, one of which is associated with each road wheel. The road wheels are disposed so as to permit movement of the shuttle car generally perpendicular to its longitudinal axis which is aligned with the rail bed. Hydraulic cylinders or jacks are utilized for raising and lowering the undriven rail wheels which are normally formed of steel. The rail wheels are supported in movable truck assemblies. The movable truck assemblies have an axle permanently attached thereto and a pair of rail wheels are attached to the ends of the fixed axle.

Abstract: A vehicle for operation on both road and railroad track is provided with a wheeled chassis comprising a steered front wheel axle and a rear wheel axle, both with road or rubber tire wheels. A front and a rear wheel axle are provided with rail wheels, the rear rail wheel axle being pivotable around a vertical axis relative to the wheel chassis. The rail wheel axles are vertically displaceable to be moved into engagement with the railroad track during the lifting of adjacent rubber tire wheels out of engagement with the ground. The rear rail wheel axle is located behind the rear wheel axle for road or rubber tire wheels of the vehicle and is turnable at least 180.degree. around the vertical axis. Preferably two parallel rear rail wheel axles are mounted on a bogie, which is turnable or rotatory relative to the wheeled chassis.

Abstract: A dual track system whereby a transfer car can be turned at least 90.degree. in a minimum amount of space. The track system comprises a first set of parallel railroad-type rails of a standard size and cross section for the wheels of the lead truck of a transfer car and a second set of parallel railroad-type rails of the same size and cross section for the wheels of the following truck of the same transfer car. The first and second sets of rails are parallel to each other and overlapped with the right hand rails of each set lying in close proximity to each other and the left hand rails of each set lying in close proximity to each other. At the point where the transfer car is to begin its 90.degree.

Abstract: There is disclosed a transporting and lifting vehicle for heavy loads, in particular for converter exchange vessels used in steel production. The vehicle comprises a travelling frame and a lifting frame that carries a lifting means and receives. The converter, the travelling frame is preferably rotatable about a vertical axis for the purpose of transposing the vehicle at track intersections. The travelling frame is provided with turret-like projections having recesses and the lifting means is preferably in the form of bilaterally acting hydraulic pistons connected with traverse-like carriers arranged below the lifting frame. At the end of the carriers extractable and retractable bolts are provided.