Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying goods having a lying conveyor for conveying the goods horizontally, where the lying conveyor includes a sorting device with multiple delivery points, and having an overhead conveyor, by way of which the goods are conveyed in a suspended manner on a goods carrier, where the overhead conveyor is connected to at least one of the delivery points for delivering the goods.

Abstract: A chain wheel transmission guide mechanism for use in condom production having a rack and a mold frame. The rack is provided with a chain wheel assembly and an auxiliary rail assembly arranged in parallel with a chain of the chain wheel assembly. The auxiliary rail assembly has an upper load bearing guide rail and a lower limiting guide rail respectively disposed on the top and bottom of the rack. The chain wheel assembly has a chain wheel and a chain connected to the mold frame, and the mold frame is movably and cooperatively connected to an auxiliary rail assembly through a sliding part.

Abstract: A carrier component for a track system may comprise a carrier and a pair of rollers coupled to one another by the carrier. Each of the rollers may include at least one rolling surface configured to engage opposing sides of a track. At least one of the rollers may be spring-loaded and biased toward the other. Alternatively, or additionally, at least one spring loaded roller may include an armature connected to a pivot of the carrier, wherein the armature may be biased by a coil spring for coupling the at least one spring loaded roller with a track.

Abstract: A plant growing system configured for high density crop growth and yield, including an environmentally-controlled growing chamber and a vertical growth column within, the column configured to support a hydroponic plant growth module which is configured for containing and supporting plant growth media for containing and supporting a root structure of at least one gravitropic crop plant growing therein and for detachably mounting to the vertical growth column, the hydroponic plant growth module including a lateral growth opening to allow the plant to grow laterally through toward a light emitting source, a nutrient supply system to direct aqueous crop nutrient solution through an upper opening of the hydroponic plant growth module, an airflow source to direct airflow away from the growth opening and through an under-canopy of the plant, so as to disturb the boundary layer, and a control system for regulating, at least one growing condition in an area in or adjacent to the under-canopy.

Abstract: A handling device (100) having at least one controllably deformable elastic element (10) is disclosed. With the objective of increasing handling precision and flexibility, the inventive solution provides for the controllably deformable elastic element (10) to be arranged in an active region (40) of the device and be designed to assume a normal position or at least one deformation position upon the appropriate control, wherein the position of a central region (15) of the elastic element (10) in the main direction of elongation (R), which extends substantially along the longitudinal axis (60) in the normal position and projects substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis (60) in the at least one deformation position, is definable by controlling the change in distance (A) from the longitudinal axis (60) within the active region (40).

Abstract: A transport device includes a traveling holding member which can travel while holding a storage container, and a move out prevention mechanism which prevents substrates from moving out of an opening of the storage container. The move out prevention mechanism is configured to include a contacting member which can be moved between a contact position at which the contacting member is in contact with side faces of the substrates, and a spaced apart position at which the contacting member is spaced apart from the side faces of the substrates. The contact position is set such that the contacting member is located between an opening side end portion and a central portion of the substrates in a direction along which the substrates are inserted and removed.

Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying objects, particularly vehicle bodies, in an immersion treatment system, comprising at least one conveyor carriage having a chassis supporting at least one load-bearing wheel that can rotate about a rotary axis. At least one object can be attached to a mounting device that can pivot about a pivot axis. The at least one load-bearing wheel runs on a guide rail. The conveyor carriage is moved along the guide rail using drive means. The rotary axis of the at least one load-bearing wheel and the pivot axis of the mounting device are disposed coaxially to each other. An immersion treatment system comprising such a conveyor system.

Abstract: A ceiling-mounted apparatus for running a cable harness, in more precise terms a ceiling-mounted apparatus for running a cable harness with a chain of guide carriages coupled to one another by means of spring elements, said guide carriages running in at least one guide rail in each instance, with a first guide carriage being connected to a cable harness source by means of at least one spring element and with the guide carriages comprising additional spring elements for attaching the cable harness.

Abstract: A duplex-type product bag unloading apparatus including two downwardly opening and closing chucks and a chuck-moving mechanism for reciprocating the chucks between positions for receiving and discharging product bags. The relative positions of the two chucks are changed as they are moved from the receiving position to the discharging position by the chuck-moving mechanism, so that in the receiving position, the chucks are arranged in a single row in the bag width direction of the grasped product bags, and in the discharging position, the chucks are in a single row in the thickness direction of the grasped product bags. The chuck-moving mechanism is comprised of a pivot arm and a chuck-supporting frame rotatably mounted to the pivot arm, and the two chucks are rotatably mounted on both sides of the chuck-supporting frame. The chuck-supporting frame and the chucks rotate in synchronism with the pivotal motion of the pivot arm.

Abstract: A conveyor is disclosed for moving and positioning objects along a conveyor path. The conveyor includes a conveyor rail extending along the conveyor path and at least one carriage having a rotatable article support mounted for movement along the conveyor rail. A turning block associated with the rotatable article support facilitates rotatable movement of the article support when the turning block is rotated. The conveyor further includes an aligning station for rotating the article support into a predetermined position when the turning block passes through the aligning station as the article support moves through the aligning station. The turning may be formed with a first disk with a first perimeter contour and a second disk with a second perimeter contour. The alignment station has projections in the form of pins for engaging the second disk as needed for rotating the turning block and article support between indexed orientations until the article support is oriented in a predetermined desired orientation.

Abstract: A conveyor installation has carrying bags, in which products to be conveyed can be transported. In order to ensure an adequate spacing of the carrying bags from one another on back-up sections, the latter have spacers, which can be adjusted between a rest position and a working position.

Abstract: A lumber sorter using a conveyor system with hooks that pick up, move and drop lumber. The lumber sorter includes limiters attached to the hooks that restrict the rotation of the hooks while the limiters are running in raceways. The limiters restrict the rotation of the hooks between a first and second orientation through the use of opposing contact points that contact with opposing walls of the raceways. The limiters maintain the hooks in a substantially vertical position while they carry lumber, but permit the hooks to be pivoted to drop the lumber at a designated position. The use of limiters having first and second contact points allows for the pivot direction and degree of rotation to be configurable and predetermined by the position and placement of the contact points.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for conveying objects (6) along a path, the path including an upstream portion (17) and a curved portion (13), the upstream portion (17) defining a direction of entry into the curved portion (13), the curved portion (13) defining a radially outward direction transverse to the direction of entry into the curved portion; the conveyor apparatus comprising suspension means (4) adapted to travel along the path and to carry an object (6) to be conveyed suspended at the suspension means (4); and deflection means (10) arranged to deflect an object (6) suspended at the suspension means (4) in the radially outward direction when the suspension means (4) travels along the upstream portion (17) towards the curved portion (13).

Abstract: A conveyor installation for conveying and accumulating hanging items comprises a drive chain which is mounted to a guide rail, and retaining members which are mounted on rollers below the drive chain. The retaining members—together with the items to be transported which are suspended therefrom—are conveyed by the drive chain in a direction of conveyance and, if required, stopped and accumulated by means of a stopping device, with the drive connection being released between the drive chain and the retaining members by displacing the drive chain upwards due to a particular design of coupling members arranged on the lower side of the drive chain.

Abstract: Suspension devices for suspending strings of sausages in loops. The suspension device may include hooks configured for carrying a loop of the string of sausages and a guide and drive device coupled with the hooks. The guide and drive device is configured for guiding and driving the hooks along a path of movement. The guide and drive device has a drivable circulating drive element for spaced receiving of the hooks and for driving the hooks. The suspension device may include a height-altering device that alters the height of the hooks during the movement of the hooks along the path of movement.

Abstract: An article support assembly (1) is adapted for movement by a conveyor along a path of conveyance. The article support assembly (1) includes a trolley (5) for engagement by the conveyor and a shackle (3) configured to support an article, and rotatable with respect to the trolley. A turning block (33) is associated with the shackle (3), and rotation of the turning block with respect to the trolley (5) causes corresponding rotation of the shackle relative to the trolley. Yieldable indexing features (23, 27, 29, 31) are operatively arranged between the trolley (5) and the turning block (33) to define at least a first and a second incremental rotational position or orientation for the shackle (3). The yieldable indexing features (23, 27, 29, 31) of the article support assembly (1) are biased into yieldable engagement by magnetic repelling forces.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for conveying objects (6) along a path, the path including an upstream portion (17) and a curved portion (13), the upstream portion (17) defining a direction of entry into the curved portion (13), the curved portion (13) defining a radially outward direction transverse to the direction of entry into the curved portion; the conveyor apparatus comprising suspension means (4) adapted to travel along the path and to carry an object (6) to be conveyed suspended at the suspension means (4); and deflection means (10) arranged to deflect an object (6) suspended at the suspension means (4) in the radially outward direction when the suspension means (4) travels along the upstream portion (17) towards the curved portion (13).

Abstract: A conveyor installation has carrying bags, in which products to be conveyed can be transported. In order to ensure an adequate spacing of the carrying bags from one another on back-up sections, the latter have spacers, which can be adjusted between a rest position and a working position.

Abstract: A lumber sorter using a conveyor system with hooks that pick up, move and drop lumber. The lumber sorter includes limiters attached to the hooks that restrict the rotation of the hooks while the limiters are running in raceways. The limiters restrict the rotation of the hooks between a first and second orientation through the use of opposing contact points that contact with opposing walls of the raceways. The limiters maintain the hooks in a substantially vertical position while they carry lumber, but permit the hooks to be pivoted to drop the lumber at a designated position. The use of limiters having first and second contact points allows for the pivot direction and degree of rotation to be configurable and predetermined by the position and placement of the contact points.

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: Apparatus (1) for transporting containers (10) with a transport device (2), which transports a multiplicity of holding devices (4) for the containers individually along a pre-specified transport path (P). According to the invention at least one of these holding devices (4) comprises at least two holding elements (14a. 14b) for gripping the containers and the holding device (4) can be rotated in relation to the transport device (2) about a pre-specified common rotary axis (D).

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: 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 diverter (1) for the selective connection of three guide means for the guided movement of at least one object (50) includes a first, a second and a third guide-means section (10, 20, 30) having in each case at least one guide surface (12, 13, 22, 23, 32, 33), and an actuating means (40) which can assume at least two positions. The actuating means (40) includes at least one actuating element (42, 42?) which can be moved between a first position and a second position perpendicularly with respect to the transport plane (T) which is defined by the guide-means sections (10, 20, 30). In the first position, an at least largely uninterrupted connection exists between at least one guide surface (12, 13, 22, 23) of the first and second guide-means sections (10, 20, 30). In the second position, in an analogous manner, an at least largely uninterrupted connection exists between at least one guide surface (12, 13, 32, 33) of the first and third guide-means sections (10, 20, 30).

Abstract: A production apparatus includes a generally overhead track, a vertically adjustable link assembly supported from the track by one or more trolleys, a substantially horizontally oriented build beam attached to the link assembly opposite the track, a set of first and second cross beams extending from opposite sides of the build beam, and a set of third and fourth cross beams extending from opposite sides of the build beam. A set of first and second connectors are attached to the set of first and second cross beams, respectively, and are configured for attachment to a workpiece. A set of third and fourth connectors are attached to the set of third and fourth cross beams, respectively, and are configured for attachment to a workpiece. The first, second, third and fourth cross beams are each generally perpendicular to the build beam.

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: 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 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 system for transporting dead animals in an animal raising facility to a disposal site using a conveyor having at least one carrier that operates by placing the dead animals in the carrier, transporting the carrier towards a disposal site by the conveyor, and emptying the carrier at the disposal site.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for the handling, transport and or storage of items of wearing apparel which are hung on hangers. In the system, there is plurality of transport units which travel over a rail system from a first location (e.g. an inbound location) to a second location (e.g. an outbound location). Each transport unit has a carrier section which, in the first operating position of the transfer unit, is generally horizontally aligned, and is suspended from a rail by means of first and second roller support sections at opposite ends of the carrier section. The transport unit has a second operating position where the carrier section is rotated relative to one of the roller support sections to a more vertical orientation where the garment units are closer together in a horizontal direction and more vertically aligned with one another, this being a position in which the garment units can be stored and/or shipped in a more closely packed configuration.

Abstract: A suspension-conveyor diverter for a conveyor for transporting hanging objects, including items of clothing hanging on hangers disposed on the conveyor, and having a conveying guide for a driveable conveying member, and also having a first carrying-element guide for at lease one transporting roller, on which the object can be hung by a carrying element such that the carrying element engages with the conveying member, and further having a second carrying-element guide, which is spaced apart from the first carrying-element guide. It is noted that a pivoting guide is provided with one end being articulated on one carrying-element guide, and which is preset such that the other free end of the pivoting guide strikes against the other carrying-element guide, so that the pivoting guide connects the first carrying-element guide and the second carrying-element guide to one another. The pivoting guide is set up for actuation, such as for deflection, by the carrying-element.

Abstract: A unit for sorting and packaging products has a conveying line with an endless chain beneath which there are articulated about a vertical axis a plurality of coupling arms equipped with a coupling member for pulling plates equipped with a member for hooking on a product and deployed along a conveying track parallel to and below the conveying line. Along this conveying line there are distributed a plurality of work stations, each having a relief track to which the pulled plates are selectively directed by routing elements, and along which each of the plates is successively uncoupled by automatic pivoting of the coupling arms, is brought into a position of readiness for loading or unloading, and then is recoupled automatically to a coupling arm, and hence reintegrated along the conveying line.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a releasing method and a releasing member for releasing a towed device from a cableway at a desired point without an assisting person or without stopping the lift. According to the method a towing member (2) connected to the towing rope (10) of the towing apparatus (5) of the cableway (4) is released from the clutch member (1) in the towed device by changing the vertical towing angle (R) between the towing member (2) and the clutch member (1) at the release point. In order to change the angle, a releasing member (3), developed for the method and mounted at the release point, is used, whereby the member has a vertical section (V) arranged intersectingly on the towing line at a height, which allows the towed device to pass below it. A safety system (9) can be connected to the releasing member, which system results in the stopping of the lift in the case that the load in the towing direction acting on the horizontal portion (V) exceeds the allowed value.

Abstract: A conveyor arrangement comprises conveying elements defining a closed loop path having portions with substantially differing slopes. Driving elements are arranged to drive the conveying elements around the closed loop path. A plurality of arm elements are pivotably connected to the conveying elements. Carrier elements are pivotably connectable to the arm elements. Guiding elements are arranged in the vicinity of the closed loop path. A follower member arrangement of the arm elements comprises a first engaging element (18-A) and a second engaging element. The first engaging element is forced in contact with a first section of the guiding element during a first part of the travel along the closed loop path. Similarly, the second engaging element is forced in contact with a second section of the guiding elements during a second part of the travel along the closed loop path.

Abstract: A multi-speed variable spacing conveyor system is shown and described herein having at least a first conveyor operating at a first speed and having a plurality of workpiece carriers thereon in a first spaced configuration. Operably communicating with the first conveyor is at least a second conveyor operating at a second speed. Between the at least first conveyor track and the at least second conveyor track is a transfer mechanism, which allows movement of workpiece carriers therebetween. The second conveyor operating at the second speed allows a second spaced configuration of the workpiece carriers. When disposed in the second spaced configuration, less conveyor track is necessary to hold and move a number of carriers through an inclined and declined portion of conveyor track, as well as a through a workstation resulting in less manufacturing and operating costs.

Abstract: An overhead conveyor in which a pair of front hanger arms (2a, 2a) for loading the bottom of a front part of a vehicle body and a pair of rear hanger arms (2b, 2b) for loading the bottom of a rear part of a vehicle body are arranged at a hanger body (2d) which moves along with a running rail established in the ceiling. The pair of front hanger arms (2a, 2a) and the pair of rear hanger arms 2b, 2b are movably attached to the hanger body 2d, the hanger body 2d having an engaging groove (13) for engaging the movably attached pair of hanger arms at each engaging position of the vehicle body through each an engaging lever (14), having an actuator (16) to control the engaging-and-disengaging movement of the engaging lever.

Abstract: Hanging conveyance equipment according to the present invention comprises a carriage, a number of work supports and a work hand. The carriage travels along a horizontal travelling path, which has stop positions arranged along it. Each of the work supports is fixed below one of the stop positions. An amount of work-lifting positioning and an amount of work-lowering positioning are set for each of the work supports. The work hand can hold a work W hanging from it. The work hand is supported by the carriage in such a manner that the work hand can be positioned horizontally two-dimensionally with respect to the carriage. The work hand can vertically move with respect to the carriage to load a work onto or unload a work from each of the work supports. When the work hand is lowered from the carriage in each of the stop positions to lift a work from the associated work support, the work hand is positioned horizontally two-dimensionally in accordance with the amount of work-lifting positioning for the support.

Abstract: For the horizontal positioning of serially supplied, flat objects (1) to be conveyed onward, the objects (1) are supplied suspended, one of their main surfaces (10) facing downstream and the other main surface (11) facing upstream. Prior to positioning, lower edge zones (13) of the objects (1) are selectively accelerated or retarded relative to the upper edge zones (12), so that the objects (1) are brought into a position inclined relative to the vertical. Thereafter, the upper edge zones (12) are released and the objects (1), under the influence of gravity, are positioned on an onward conveying device, selectively either the downstream or the upstream main surface (10 or 11) facing upwards. For retarding or accelerating the lower edge zones (13), for example, a conveyor belt or two conveyor belts adjoining one another are utilized. The speed (v.3) of the conveyor belts is adjustable to convert from accelerating operation to retarding operation.

Abstract: A vehicle body transfer apparatus (1) that hangs and transfers a vehicle body (F) of every vehicle type is provided. The apparatus (1) includes a hanger (20) that supports the vehicle body (F) in a hanging condition, and moves along a transfer path (25), and vehicle body support parts (32, 32) that adjust supporting positions on the vehicle body (F) in the hanger (20) based upon a center of gravity of the vehicle body (F) of each vehicle type. The hanger (20) includes center-of-gravity management plates (22, 22, 23, 23) having a plurality of vehicle body support parts that support the vehicle body (F) according to the vehicle type of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A produce sizing transport mechanism includes an endless conveyor carrying a plurality of downwardly depending produce retaining members which define an elongated produce retaining zone below at least one portion of the endless conveyor. At least part of the produce retaining members may be movable between a first closed position in which produce is retained within the elongated produce retaining zone and a plurality of further open positions enabling produce of predetermined sizes or size ranges to be released from the produce retaining zone. The retaining members may include a produce support region located generally beneath the produce retaining zone when the produce retaining members are located in the first closed position.

Abstract: An overhead conveyance device and an overhead conveyance vehicle that can convey a conveying object, while keeping it at a minimum distance from surrounding equipment when the overhead conveying vehicle turns around during conveyance of the conveying object. The overhead conveyance device (1) is so structured that even when a carriage part (6) of the overhead conveyance vehicle (5) enters a branching part (3) for allowing the carriage part to change in traveling direction and turns around, the conveying object (25) grasped by a hand (9) can be kept unchanged in direction.

Abstract: A overhead conveyor in which a pair of front hanger arms 2a, 2a for loading the bottom part of front part of a vehicle body and a pair of rear hanger arms 2d, 2d for loading the bottom part of rear part of a vehicle body are arranged at a hanger body 2d which moves along with the running rail established in the ceiling side, characterized in that one of said pair of front hanger arms 2a, 2a and said pair of rear hanger arms 2b, 2b is movably attached to said hanger body 2d, said hanger body 2d having an engaging groove 13 for engaging said movably attached pair of hanger arm at each engaging position of vehicle body through each engaging lever 14, having an actuator 16 to control the engaging-and-disengaging movement of said engaging lever.

Abstract: A vehicle body transfer apparatus 1 that hangs and transfers a vehicle body F of every vehicle type is provided. The apparatus 1 includes a hang-and-transfer means (hanger) 20 that supports the vehicle body F in a hanging condition, and moves along a transfer path (transfer rail) 25, and position adjustment means (vehicle body support parts) 32, 32 that adjust supporting positions on the vehicle body F in the hang-and-transfer means 20 based upon a center of gravity of the vehicle body F of each vehicle type. The hang-and-transfer means 20 includes center-of-gravity management plates 22, 22, 23, 23 having a plurality of vehicle body support parts that support the vehicle body F according to the vehicle type of the vehicle body.

Abstract: Apparatus of the tributary garment hangers on to the moving carrier include a conveyor for transporting the garment hangers, a drive for moving the carrier, and a coordinating mechanism cable controlling the relative movements of the conveyor and the drive such that a carrier being moved by the drive and a garment hanger being transported by the conveyor can be separately moved to a contact location in which the carrier will contact the garment hanger although the carrier and garment hanger are moving. The conveyor and the carrier configured such that the garment hanger is caused to be transferred onto the carrier following the carrier's initial contact with the garment hanger. The garment hangers are suspended from a rotatable shaft having an external helical thread to convey the articles.

Abstract: The invention proposes a conveying apparatus with a three-dimensionally movable receiving conveyor for receiving conveyable-article carriers (3) from a suspended conveyor in which the conveyable-article carriers (3) are guided on a running-roller guide profile for movement along a first conveying section (5) and are supported in a suspended manner on own running rollers (29).

Abstract: A balance control mechanism for an overhead traveling carrier includes a movable section disposed on a carrier body at a position below the fulcrum of a traveling wheel of the carrier such that the movable section can be moved laterally of the carrier body to thereby displace the center of gravity of the movable section laterally of the carrier body, a gravity center moving unit for moving the center of gravity of the movable section with respect to the carrier body, and a balance control unit for calculating a balancing position at which the center of gravity of the movable section is to be placed so that the moment of a centrifugal force turning around the fulcrum with an axis lying in a direction of travel of the carrier and applied to the carrier in its entirety upon travel of the carrier over a curved portion of the rail is counterbalanced by the moment of gravity, and then controlling the gravity center moving unit to cause the center of gravity of the movable section to be moved to the balancing positi

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for carrying and unloading hangers from a first conveyor to a second conveyor including a carrier mounted on the first conveyor so that a hanger hook can be mounted on the carrier, the carrier including a disc having a normally upper surface eccentrically and swingably mounted with respect to the first conveyor, the normally upper surface of the disc including a groove for the hanger hook, and a wedge mounted adjacent to the first conveyor whereby when the carrier passes adjacent to the wedge, the carrier is caused to swing upwardly displacing the normally upper surface of the disc downwardly and causing the hanger hook to fall out of the groove so that it can be transferred to the second conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for loading articles (2) onto a moving conveyor, the apparatus including (a) transport means (3a, 3 b, 3c) on the conveyor which includes holding means (5) adapted to engage at least a portion of an article (2) so as to hold the article (2) in connected relation with the conveyor, and (b) locating means (6) operable to cause an article (2) positioned thereon to move into a position in which it cant thereafter be engaged by the holding means (5); wherein the transport means (3a, 3b, 3c) and the locating means (6) are co-operable such that the article (2) can be caused to be moved on the locating means (6) with the transport means (3a, 3b, 3c to being engaged by the holding means (5).