Abstract: The invention concerns a device for loading (10) or unloading (58) preforms (12) comprising a neck (20) on a transporting element (14) which includes a device (28) for individually gripping one preform (12) by its neck, the loading or unloading device comprising: means for dispensing (32, 42) preforms which include means for individually receiving (42) each preform, the trajectory of the receiving means and the trajectory of the gripping means, in planar projection, being tangent in at least one intersecting point (P3, P4) wherein the preform (12) being in a gripping position, the neck (20) of the preform (12) is vertically arranged opposite the gripping member; means for synchronizing the movement of the receiving means relative to the movement of the gripping member. The invention is characterized in that the trajectory of the receiving means and the trajectory of the gripping member are superimposed along at least one intersecting line (P3-P1, P2-P4).

Abstract: A device for feeding sterile closures, which have been delivered in bags, into a filling system for containers, such as bottles, having a housing that features an inlet opening for the bags, an outlet opening for the closures and a sterilization device, wherein a conveying device that transports the bags is provided in the housing, and wherein the conveying device for the bags is embodied as a suspended conveyer.

Abstract: Provided herein are various suspension devices and associated methods and apparatus to open loops (or form opened loops) in a chain of linked products suspended from one or more suspension devices in a conveyor system. In one implementation, a suspension device for a chain of linked products includes a link support portion pivotally coupled to a conveyor, the link support portion configured to suspend a portion of the chain of linked products therefrom and comprising a lower portion downwardly extending from the link support portion. The lower portion is configured to engage a portion of a respective link of the chain upon a pivoting motion of the link support portion about a pivot axis in order to open a respective loop suspended from the link support portion to an unloading orientation for unloading.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a first apparatus is provided for inter-station overhead transport of a substrate carrier. The first apparatus includes (1) an overhead transport mechanism; (2) a substrate carrier support suspended from the overhead transport mechanism and adapted to receive and support a substrate carrier; and (3) a stabilization apparatus adapted to limit rocking of the substrate carrier and substrate carrier support relative to the overhead transport mechanism. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: Construction element for a device for forward feeding of product carriers (16), which construction element comprises a first beam section (14) presenting a main rail (15) intended to carry product carriers (16) movably resting on said main rail (15), a second beam section presenting a console intended to carry an endless belt (1) or chain, which is intended to contribute to the forward feeding of said product carrier (16), and guiding means (19) running along said main rail (15) intended to retain product carriers (16) on the main rail (15), and also a device for forward feeding of product carriers including such a construction element.

Abstract: A workpiece transfer apparatus is provided for transferring workpieces throughout an entire transfer path. A workpiece is transferred along a production line and is processed by processing facilities. Workpiece graspers grasp a workpiece. Rails are arranged above the processing facilities and movably hang the workpiece graspers. The rails are arranged so that at least the two of the rails partially overlap with each other above at least one of the processing facilities.

Abstract: An arrangement and a method for guide rail adjustment on a conveyor, the arrangement comprising a set of guide rails, a set of mounting elements, which each support at least one moveably suspended guide rail, and means for simultaneous individual adjustment of said set of mounting elements, the means permitting simultaneous adjustment of the position of the guide rails moveably supported by the mounting elements.

Abstract: Provided herein are various suspension devices and associated methods and apparatus to open loops (or form opened loops) in a chain of linked products suspended from one or more suspension devices in a conveyor system. In one implementation, a suspension device for a chain of linked products includes a link support portion pivotally coupled to a conveyor, the link support portion configured to suspend a portion of the chain of linked products therefrom and comprising a lower portion downwardly extending from the link support portion. The lower portion is configured to engage a portion of a respective link of the chain upon a pivoting motion of the link support portion about a pivot axis in order to open a respective loop suspended from the link support portion to an unloading orientation for unloading.

Abstract: Overhead transport system for the selective drawing of garment lots, making use of a box-shaped support rail (1) on which the garment hanger books (G) are hanging, inside which liftable tracks (5) are provided, through which a closed circuit chain (7) is guided. The chain being able to seize and draw the said hooks when the said liftable tracks are selectively push upwards due to to the inflation of corresponding rubber tubes (4).

Abstract: Travelling carrier delivery equipment includes a delivery unit for transferring a travelling carrier that has no self-running means between a movable rail and a main rail by means of external friction-driven, and the travelling carrier is provided with a friction driving surface across its entire length, the delivery unit has a friction drive wheel and friction drive wheel moving means, the friction drive wheel is provided on the movable rail and is switchable between a driving state, in that it propels the travelling carrier via the friction driving surface and a driving release state, and the friction drive wheel moving means reciprocates the friction drive wheel between a retreating position (R), at which the friction drive wheel can be made to contact with the friction driving surface of the travelling carrier supported on the movable rail and a forwarding position (F), at which the friction drive wheel can be made to contact with the friction driving surface of the travelling carrier supported on the mai

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveying means which is intended for an overhead conveyer and has at least one running body (2, 4) which can be moved in a hanging state on a guide rail (30) and has a load-bearing body (6) with a hang-on portion (18) for receiving hooks (20) of article holders (22), e.g. clothes hangers, wherein the load-bearing body (6) has a free support (10) which, with the conveying means (1) hanging as intended on the guide rail (30) projects laterally outwards transversely to the guide rail (30) and has the hang-on portion (18) at its distal end, the hang-on portion (18) being free throughout on its top side, and it is therefore accessible from both opposite sides along the guide rail (30) in order to be fitted with a hook (20) of an article holder 22).

Abstract: An assembly and method for controlling movement of a chain section during removal, including a mounting body providing a connector adapted for connection to a chain, a pair of rollers secured to the mounting body, the rollers being adapted for rotational movement along the channeled track, and an engaging member positioned between each roller and said mounting body, wherein the engaging member is configured to extend the roller between a disengaged and engaged positions, so that movement of the chain is retarded as the roller extends towards the engaged position.

Abstract: A slip tube system is configured to transport a load along a conveying path of an overhead conveyor system. A stationary frame has at least one rotating shaft with a shaft axis extending along the conveying path of the stationary frame, and a movable carriage configured to transport a load along the conveying path. A slip tube is placed on at least one of the least one rotating drive shafts and each slip tube has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of a respective drive shaft, and is in rotational sliding engagement therewith. At least one driven wheel is attached to the carriage to engage with an exterior of the slip tube surrounding the at least one rotating drive shaft to push the slip tube into driving engagement with the rotating shaft, and to rotate the slip tube therewith.

Abstract: In a semiconductor fabrication facility, a conveyor transports substrate carriers. The substrate carriers are unloaded from the conveyor and loaded onto the conveyor without stopping the conveyor. A load and/or unload mechanism lifts the substrate carriers from the conveyor during unloading operations, while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Similarly, during loading operations, the load/unload mechanism lowers a substrate carrier into engagement with the conveyor while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Individual substrates, without carriers, may be similarly loaded and/or unloaded from a conveyor.

Abstract: In a drive system for an overhead conveyor, a first drive shaft presents a path of travel for a trolley, and a second drive shaft spaced from the first drive shaft provides a continuation of the path of travel. A flexible drive cable spans the gap between the shafts and interconnects the terminal end of the first shaft with the receiving end of the second shaft to transfer torque thereto to rotate the second shaft. The cable comprises spiral wound strands joined together to preclude unraveling thereof and thus the second shaft may be driven by the first shaft when their longitudinal axes are not collinear.

Abstract: A hanger system provided with a hanger drive device for driving a hanger for conveying a conveyance object. The hanger drive device includes a drive wheel facing a bar provided to the hanger, a pinch roll, and a cylinder for pushing the pinch roll toward the drive wheel. The hanger moves when the bar is pushed towards the drive wheel by the pinch roll. When the pinch roll returns to a stand-by position, the bar is separated from the drive wheel, and the movement stops.

Abstract: A break-away mounting system for a continuous-motion, high-speed position conveyor system is disclosed. A support cradle may be suspended from a conveyor belt such that the support cradle maintains a fixed position and orientation relative to at least one point on the conveyor belt without inducing appreciable stress on the conveyor belt, the support cradle, or the coupling between the conveyor belt and the support cradle. The mount may include a leading rotatable bearing attached to the support cradle which may releasably engage a first key attached to the conveyor belt, the rotatable bearing adapted to accommodate rotational forces applied to the support cradle by the conveyor belt. The mount may also include a slide bearing attached to the support cradle which may releasably engage a second key attached to the conveyor belt, the slide bearing adapted to accommodate longitudinal forces applied to the support cradle by the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A method for grouping clothes hangers includes stopping a first one of a plurality of adapter hooks on a rail by a stopper, detecting a position of the first adapter hook by a sensor, permitting clothes hangers to be grouped adjacent to the first adapter hook, opening the stopper to permit the first adapter hook and clothes hangers to pass the stopper in a transport direction, and closing the stopper to permit stopping of a second one of the plurality of adapter hooks.

Abstract: A break-away mounting system for a continuous-motion, high-speed position conveyor system is disclosed. A support cradle may be suspended from a conveyor belt such that the support cradle maintains a fixed position and orientation relative to at least one point on the conveyor belt without inducing appreciable stress on the conveyor belt, the support cradle, or the coupling between the conveyor belt and the support cradle. The mount may include a leading rotatable bearing attached to the support cradle which may releasably engage a first key attached to the conveyor belt, the rotatable bearing adapted to accommodate rotational forces applied to the support cradle by the conveyor belt. The mount may also include a slide bearing attached to the support cradle which may releasably engage a second key attached to the conveyor belt, the slide bearing adapted to accommodate longitudinal forces applied to the support cradle by the conveyor belt.

Abstract: Provided herein are various suspension devices and associated methods and apparatus to open loops (or form opened loops) in a chain of linked products suspended from one or more suspension devices in a conveyor system. In one implementation, a suspension device for a chain of linked products includes a link support portion pivotally coupled to a conveyor, the link support portion configured to suspend a portion of the chain of linked products therefrom and comprising a lower portion downwardly extending from the link support portion. The lower portion is configured to engage a portion of a respective link of the chain upon a pivoting motion of the link support portion about a pivot axis in order to open a respective loop suspended from the link support portion to an unloading orientation for unloading.

Abstract: In a semiconductor fabrication facility, a conveyor transports substrate carriers. The substrate carriers are unloaded from the conveyor and loaded onto the conveyor without stopping the conveyor. A load and/or unload mechanism lifts the substrate carriers from the conveyor during unloading operations, while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Similarly, during loading operations, the load/unload mechanism lowers a substrate carrier into engagement with the conveyor while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Individual substrates, without carriers, may be similarly loaded and/or unloaded from a conveyor.

Abstract: In a semiconductor fabrication facility, a conveyor transports substrate carriers. The substrate carriers are unloaded from the conveyor and loaded onto the conveyor without stopping the conveyor. A load and/or unload mechanism lifts the substrate carriers from the conveyor during unloading operations, while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Similarly, during loading operations, the load/unload mechanism lowers a substrate carrier into engagement with the conveyor while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Individual substrates, without carriers, may be similarly loaded and/or unloaded from a conveyor.

Abstract: A break-away mounting system for a continuous-motion, high-speed position conveyor system is disclosed. A support cradle may be suspended from a conveyor belt such that the support cradle maintains a fixed position and orientation relative to at least one point on the conveyor belt without inducing appreciable stress on the conveyor belt, the support cradle, or the coupling between the conveyor belt and the support cradle. The mount may include a leading rotatable bearing attached to the support cradle which may releasably engage a first key attached to the conveyor belt, the rotatable bearing adapted to accommodate rotational forces applied to the support cradle by the conveyor belt. The mount may also include a slide bearing attached to the support cradle which may releasably engage a second key attached to the conveyor belt, the slide bearing adapted to accommodate longitudinal forces applied to the support cradle by the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A break-away mounting system for a continuous-motion, high-speed position conveyor system is disclosed. A support cradle may be suspended from a conveyor belt such that the support cradle maintains a fixed position and orientation relative to at least one point on the conveyor belt without inducing appreciable stress on the conveyor belt, the support cradle, or the coupling between the conveyor belt and the support cradle. The mount may include a leading rotatable bearing attached to the support cradle which may releasably engage a first key attached to the conveyor belt, the rotatable bearing adapted to accommodate rotational forces applied to the support cradle by the conveyor belt. The mount may also include a slide bearing attached to the support cradle which may releasably engage a second key attached to the conveyor belt, the slide bearing adapted to accommodate longitudinal forces applied to the support cradle by the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A conveyor system including a crank arm having a base end portion rotatably supported by a second support axle and a free end portion rotatably supporting a suspended supporting apparatus, and a swinging arm having a base end portion fixed to a first support axle and a front end portion coupled to an intermediate position of the crank arm. A movable bearing stand supporting the second support axle is provided to be movable toward and away from a fixed bearing stand supporting the first support axle. Further, a suspended section parallel link mechanism of a suspended supporting apparatus is so configured that a free end support axle is located above a line connecting suspension pins at both ends of an upper frame.

Abstract: A transportation facility in which an object transported while being suspended from a hanger such as a trolley conveyor is transferred on to a carriage of a carriage-type transportation device for a certain section of a route. At the start point, there is an object receiving means at the under side of a traveling route of a traveling body. An object support device is lifted relative to the hanger of the traveling body and the object receiving means is caused to receive the object (W) from the hanger. At the end of the transportation, an object return means is provided for lowering the object support device relative to the hanger to transfer the object to the hanger. In the transportation route, the traveling body is switched to a state in which drive is released and a hanger engagement means is engaged with the hanger so that the traveling body can be pulled and moved by the carriage.

Abstract: In a drive system for an overhead conveyor, a first drive shaft presents a path of travel for a trolley, and a second drive shaft spaced from the first drive shaft provides a continuation of the path of travel. A flexible drive cable spans the gap between the shafts and interconnects the terminal end of the first shaft with the receiving end of the second shaft to transfer torque thereto to rotate the second shaft. The cable comprises spiral wound strands joined together to preclude unraveling thereof and thus the second shaft may be driven by the first shaft when their longitudinal axes are not collinear.

Abstract: A device for assembling, tuning and testing motor vehicles may be installed anywhere in a flat hall without modifying the ceiling or floor and is transportable. The device may be assembled from individual, transportable, modular, interconnectable components that can be installed on a flat surface without using pits or creating floor load. The device encompasses the conveying mechanisms and assembly units for the motor vehicles to be assembled.

Abstract: A flexible conveyor carrier fixture that can be easily and quickly adjusted to allow for the transport of arts along the same conveyor. For example, a flexible conveyor carrier fixture that allows for the transport of dissimilar body panels along the same overhead conveyor. An exemplary conveyor carrier fixture includes a frame to which one or more cross-rails are attached. At least one of the cross-rails is moveable along the carrier frame to permit the repositioning thereof. At least one of the cross rails is preferably provided with a part support, such as a hanger. The position of the moveable cross-rail(s) can preferably be secured by a releasable retention mechanism. The repositionability of the cross-rail(s) allows the carrier fixture to support a greater number of dissimilar body panels.

Abstract: A device for conveying workpieces along a path of movement is described. The device includes a conveyor driven by a conveying drive unit. Spindle or spindle-like elements, on which the workpieces may be arranged, are fastened to the conveyor. The device also includes a synchronizing mechanism with at least one guide device, driven by a synchronizing drive unit, for guiding the spindle or spindle-like elements during movement of the conveyor. The synchronizing drive unit is mechanically coupled with the conveying drive unit to achieve synchronicity.

Abstract: Provided herein are various suspension devices and associated methods and apparatus to open loops (or form opened loops) in a chain of linked products suspended from one or more suspension devices in a conveyor system. In one implementation, a suspension device for a chain of linked products includes a link support portion pivotally coupled to a conveyor, the link support portion configured to suspend a portion of the chain of linked products therefrom and comprising a lower portion downwardly extending from the link support portion. The lower portion is configured to engage a portion of a respective link of the chain upon a pivoting motion of the link support portion about a pivot axis in order to open a respective loop suspended from the link support portion to an unloading orientation for unloading.

Abstract: A support structure for a receiver (18) which is provided on a hanger arm for supporting an object to be conveyed and the position of which can be switched is simplified. A suspension conveyance apparatus has a long hole (31) provided at a shaft support section for a parallel link (24) that laterally movably supports a receiver (18) and permitting vertical movement of the receiver (18), a spring (28a) for urging the receiver (18) to a direction to pull down the receiver (18) on to a receiver support member (21a), an engagement member (33) provided on the receiver supporting member (21a) side, and two inner and outer engagement recesses (32a, 32b) arranged on the receiver (18) side so as to engage with the engagement member (33) when the receiver (18) is at both inner and outer positions (P1, P2), at a level at which the receiver (18) is supported by the receiver support member (21a).

Abstract: A star-shaped intermediate conveyor (13) between the feed conveyor (11) and the delivery conveyor (12). The intermediate conveyor (13) has a plurality of radial arms (26), which are fastened to a central part (28) of the intermediate conveyor (13). The radially outwardly pointing arms (26) are rotatable about an axis of rotation (29) of the intermediate conveyor (13). In this way it is possible with any given orientation of the transporting hanger for an arm (26) to be brought under the hanger hook (16) of the transporting hanger. This ensures reliable transfer of a transporting hanger from the feed conveyor (11) to the delivery conveyor (12) under any circumstances in a simple way.

Abstract: A conveyor system including a guide-way (2) with guide rails (4) and conveyor elements (1) with rollers (3), wherein the rollers (3) are assigned to guide rails (4) located opposite one another and/or conveyor elements (1) include rollers (3) with non-parallel axes and due to this the system can be loaded with forces oriented in the most differing directions. The rollers (3) in this conveyor system comprise a relatively hard running jacket (5) with a running surface, which is flat transverse to the conveying direction. The material of the running jacket is paired with the material of the guide rail for low friction and little wear. In addition, the rollers (3) include a relatively soft, elastically deformable damper ring (6) arranged between the running jacket (5) and the roller body (7) and the guide rails (4) of the guide-way (2) are supported on a dampening substrate at least at such points of the conveying track, at which load changes occur.

Abstract: A hanger system provided with a hanger drive device for driving a hanger for conveying a conveyance object. The hanger drive device includes a drive wheel facing a bar provided to the hanger, a pinch roll, and a cylinder for pushing the pinch roll toward the drive wheel. The hanger moves when the bar is pushed towards the drive wheel by the pinch roll. When the pinch roll returns to a stand-by position, the bar is separated from the drive wheel, and the movement stops.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a belt for overhead conveyor systems, of the type provided with regularly spaced openings (F), characterised by the fact that it has a close series of brackets (1) fixed to the upper longitudinal edge of the belt, each bracket being composed by an opposite pair of identical curved jaws (2, 3) and designed to support an opposite pair of wheels (10) with horizontal axis in central position and a single wheel with vertical axis at each end; it being provided that the wheels (8) allow the belt to remain coupled and slide inside a boxed rail that is the bearing structure of the overhead conveyor system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an overhead conveyor of the type that comprises at least one drive carriage (13) which is drivably arranged in a girder system and from which load-holding means (18) are suspended, and where the girder system comprises an elongate straight box girder (9) having a first inner space with rails (12) for the drive carriage (13) and a second elongate inner space comprising a driven endless belt (5, 6) with means (23) to be drivingly connected to the drive carriage.(13).

Abstract: This patent application concerns a device for the collection, transfer and automatic unloading, using a single actuator, of garment hangers between two adjacent overhead transport lines (A, B), of the sort that are commonly used in the clothing industry or in their storage or shipment warehouses, where the handling of the garments from one operating station to an other occurs by means of closed loop overhead transport lines, on which the garments are hung each with a garment hanger. This device uses guide rails (9, 10) specially profiled where the hanger is collected and a special hook-carrier trolley (2) with a pair of rams (6a) suited to cooperate with appropriate matching cams.

Abstract: A chain drive overhead conveyer extends through an oven to move carriages between exit and entrance ends of respective rotary drive shafts that are outside the oven. Driven wheels of the carriages are canted with respect to the rotary drive shafts so that when a drive shaft is rotated, a helical loci of engagement between the drive shaft and engaged driven wheels provides sufficient traction to propel the carriages along the conveying path outside the oven. Weight of loaded carriages is carried through carriage support wheels to a load support structure adjacent to and independently of the rotary drive shafts and the chain conveyer through the conveying path. Heat sensitive portions of the carriages, e.g. the driven wheels, are chilled at the exit of the oven.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus comprising a material delivery configuration configured with a first end and a second end, a transfer configuration connected to the first end of the garment delivery rail, a movable material handling arrangement configured to transfer at least one set of material on hangers supported by the arrangement, a computer, a user interface configured to accept, process and provide data to a user, the user interface connected to the computer to transfer and receive data, a clearing arrangement configured to remove material from the material delivery configuration; and an enclosure configured to separate a user from the movable material handling arrangement.

Abstract: A hanger for an overhead conveyor system has a member including spaced-apart-shaped portions generally along a first axis a distance that is generally equal to a distance between adjacent load pins of a conveyor chain or a whole number multiple of the distance between adjacent load pins of the conveyor chain. The member further has an angled portion disposed between the hook-shaped portions along a line that is generally parallel to the first axis and along a second axis that is generally perpendicular to the first axis. The member further includes a first arm interconnecting the first hook-shaped portion and the angled portion and a second arm interconnecting the second hook-shaped portion and the angled portion.

Abstract: A conveyance system, wherein dividable horizontal conveyance units are connected to each other through joint plates and a support post and rails of the horizontal conveyance units are connected to each other without any step and clearance. A joint conveyance carnage assembly is conveyed by a force applied thereto from annular chains of the horizontal conveyance units through chain presser plates. When the rearmost one of the chain presser plates leaves the annular chain of the horizontal conveyance unit, the chain presser plate of the headmost first conveyance carriage reaches the annular chain of the horizontal conveyance unit and the joint conveyance carriage assembly is continuously conveyed.

Abstract: This is a device that is designed as a conveyance system for use in the interior of any type of vehicle and other myriad uses such as a home, warehouse, closet, etc. The conveyance system is anchored to the interior roofline of a vehicle; it has a conveyor such as a pulley, track or slide, a holding apparatus such as a basket or similar object for stowing items in, and a method of moving the conveying device and basket from the front of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A laundry inventory management system comprises several components in combination. A structure has a computer system with a program to store data with the computer being coupled to an electrical source. A pair of trolley rails with each rail having a set of indicia and rail supports. A trolley coupled to the computer has a shuttle track, a plurality of rail wheels, an indicia reading means and a motor. A shuttle with a motor and a pick-up gripper with a motor are coupled to the computer. A power source and a power means drive the trolley motor and the shuttle motor and the pick-up gripper motor. A computer program controls the movement of trolley, shuttle and pick-up gripper.

Abstract: In a semiconductor fabrication facility, a conveyor transports substrate carriers. The substrate carriers are unloaded from the conveyor and loaded onto the conveyor without stopping the conveyor. A load and/or unload mechanism lifts the substrate carriers from the conveyor during unloading operations, while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Similarly, during loading operations, the load/unload mechanism lowers a substrate carrier into engagement with the conveyor while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Individual substrates, without carriers, may be similarly loaded and/or unloaded from a conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus moves a plurality of transport media along a path of travel. The plurality of transport media define at least two groups of transport media, where each group of transport media has substantially identical transverse dimensions with respect to one another within one group of transport media, while having substantially different transverse dimensions with respect to another group of transport media. The apparatus includes a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted in fixed locations spaced along a path of travel. At least one motor is provided for driving at least one of the rollers in rotation. At least one transport media is supported on the rollers for movement along the path of travel in response to rotation of the roller by the motor. Each transport media has at least one elongate support member continuously engageable with at least two rollers simultaneously while the transport media moves along the path of travel.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus for transferring a body side of an automotive vehicle which is supported so that a front-to-rear direction of the body side coincides with a transfer direction, includes a hanger having a plurality of support members for supporting a side sill lower portion, a rear pillar or its adjacent portion and an arch portion front side of a rear wheel house of the body side, respectively. The hanger is configured to support the body side in a posture inclining inboard of the automotive vehicle and declining toward a rear end of the body side hanger is further configured so that the body side is urged only by its own weight against the support members so as to be positioned and supported thereby. A transfer method for the body side is also provided.

Abstract: An overhead rotatably powered conveyer drive shaft has ridges inter-engaged with skewed driven wheels mounted for free rotation on a load carrying carriage to trace a helical loci of engagement and improve traction. The ridges are preferably extruded to be parallel. The driven wheels may also have extruded parallel ridges or have an elastic peripheral surface deformed elastically into spaces between adjacent drive shaft ridges during normal conveying to provide the inter-engaging.

Abstract: A break-away mounting system for a continuous-motion, high-speed position conveyor system is disclosed. A support cradle may be suspended from a conveyor belt such that the support cradle maintains a fixed position and orientation relative to at least one point on the conveyor belt without inducing appreciable stress on the conveyor belt, the support cradle, or the coupling between the conveyor belt and the support cradle. The mount may include a leading rotatable bearing attached to the support cradle which may releasably engage a first key attached to the conveyor belt, the rotatable bearing adapted to accommodate rotational forces applied to the support cradle by the conveyor belt. The mount may also include a slide bearing attached to the support cradle which may releasably engage a second key attached to the conveyor belt, the slide bearing adapted to accommodate longitudinal forces applied to the support cradle by the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A plurality of working blocks (A, B) are connected by rails (18). A branched transporting mechanism (100) is disposed at the intersections of the rails (18). A transportation vehicle (300) of non-self-propelled type moves on the rails (18) by the driving power of a wire (20). A placement table (450) is positioned in the vicinity of the working blocks (A, B). The placement table (450) moves up and down with a workpiece placed thereon between the transportation vehicle (300) and the working blocks (A, B). Transfer of work is effected by moving the placement table (450) up and down, and adjusting the height of the placement table (450) to the height of the transportation vehicle (300) or to the height of the working blocks (A, B). Further, the transportation vehicle (300) has a wire gripping mechanism (350) for gripping the wire (20), and workpiece placement plates (326a, 326b) for placing the workpiece thereon.