Abstract: A carrier chain is provided which vibrates less when moving on the curved portion of the guide rail. The carrier chain can carry the article to be carried smoothly and in a more stable state, and can prevent the one-sided wear of the guide rail and the chain units. The carrier chain includes pawls which have an upwardly inclined bottom surface. The pawls are formed on both left and right sides of a base bed portion of chain units which make up the carrier chain. A distance which is relative to a support surface of a guide rail gradually increases from a proximal end side toward an extreme end. When the chain unit moves on a curved portion of the guide rail, and when the chain unit is inclined internally of the curved portion by the tension applied from the adjacent chain units before and behind, the bottom surface of the pawl, which is internal of the curved portion, comes in contact with the support surface in a substantially face-to-face contact state.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and apparatus for continuously casting molten metal in a block caster. In accordance with the present invention, novel track and drive systems are provided for reducing imperfections that can be created in a cast by movement of a beam chain through a casting cycle.

Abstract: A conveyor chain having a hollow roller housing (15), an annular series of cylindrical rollers (14A and 14B) therein providing rotation of the hollow roller on an internal bushing (13). Alternate cylindrical rollers (14A) have a pair of cylindrical roller separating retaining rings (17) rotatably fitted over both ends. Intermediate cylindrical rollers (14B) have no cylindrical roller separating retaining rings (17). The retaining rings (17) on the alternate rollers (14A) engage the intermediate cylindrical rollers (14B). The cylindrical bearing surfaces (13A, 15A) are sandwiched between the retaining rings at each end of the rollers (14A) and project toward the outer circumferential surfaces of the cylindrical rollers (14A and 14B). The roller (15) and the bushing (13) have recessed surfaces (15A and 13A) which are spaced from the outer and inner circumferential surfaces of the retaining rings (17).

Abstract: The chain conveyor comprises a roller chain and a supporting rail adapted to vertically support the roller chain. The roller chain is provided with a plurality of roller members which are connected to each other by means of strap members. In order to laterally guide the roller chain with respect to the supporting rail, discrete guide elements are provided. These guide elements comprise a guide cam which protrudes the strap members of the upper run of the roller chain downwards towards the supporting rail. Moreover, the guide elements comprise supporting pin members which laterally project from the guide elements. The guide elements are located between the roller members and fixed to the strap members. The guide cam engages a longitudinal groove provided at the top of the supporting rail, while the lateral supporting pin members vertically support the lower run of the roller chain with the help of auxiliary rail members provided on the supporting rail.

Abstract: A conveyor is provided for conveying cantilevered loads on wheeled carriages. The frame of the conveyor includes carriage roller support surfaces, which support the weight of the carriage and the load and guide the carriage along the conveyor. There is a belt along the frame which drives the carriages. Since the belt does not support the weight of the carriage, the force between the carriage and the belt need only be sufficient to drive the load. This reduces the energy used by the conveyor, reduces the wear on the conveyor, and reduces jostling of the products being conveyed.

Abstract: A gravity conveyor has a train of spaced apart load carriers distributed around a closed circuit trackway. The trackway is inclined downwardly from a loading end to an unloading end. The carriers are connected together into a train by segments of chain, so that removal of a load at the unloading end causes advance of load carriers along a lower track of the trackway. The chains are connected to protruding portions of the carrier to be away from the trackway, avoiding any frictional drag of the chain.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel apparatus for continuously casting molten metal in a block caster. In accordance with the present invention, novel track and drive systems are provided for reducing rotational forces that can be created in a cast by movement of a beam chain through a casting cycle.

Abstract: A belt turn conveyor includes a sliding belt frame having first and second generally stationary vertical bearing surfaces and first and second generally stationary horizontal bearing surfaces. An endless belt is rotationally supported by the sliding belt frame and includes means for engaging the vertical bearing surfaces for retaining the endless belt on said sliding belt frame. Endless belt includes a strip of or a plurality of segments of low friction flexible material which is secured to the endless belt for engaging the horizontal surfaces of the sliding belt frame to restrain vertical movement of said endless belt.

Abstract: A belt turn conveyor includes a conveyor support having first and second generally stationary vertical bearing surfaces and first and second generally stationary horizontal bearing surfaces. An endless belt is rotationally supported by the conveyor support and includes bearing assemblies for engaging the vertical bearing surfaces for retaining the endless belt on the conveyor support. An elongated strip of low friction flexible material is secured to the endless belt for engaging the horizontal surfaces of the conveyor support to restrain vertical movement of the endless belt.

Abstract: A guide track for use with a chain drive having roller chains is provided with a plurality of components assembled in end-to-end relation. The transition joints between the individual components are characterized by the component arranged upstream in the running direction of the chain drive having a substantially concave end face and the component arranged downstream in the running direction of the chain drive having a mating substantially concave end face thereby providing a substantially chatter-free junction.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting goods has an endless conveyor belt and o support tracks, disposed one above the other, for supporting the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is formed with a plurality of transverse beams which are spaced apart from one another in a conveying direction of the conveyor belt. Carrying rollers are supported on the transverse beams. The support are formed with carrying cables on which the rollers are supported. The weight of the conveyor belt is transmitted onto the carrying cables.

Abstract: A slat sorter having a series of platens slidably mounted on an array of slats driven by an endless chain with each platen having a diverter pin for enabling it to be diverted between a straight-through track and at least one divert track. A switch having an elongated arm having a pivot end and a tip opposite and upstream the pivot end which is urged by a prime mover, that preferably is a limited angle torque electric motor, between a straight-through position directing a diverter pin to travel along the straight-through track and a divert position directing the diverter pin to travel along the divert track. The arm has a cutout which allows the arm to be urged from one position to the another position before the diverter pin is completely downstream and cleared of the arm. Operably associated with the arm is a brake for enabling the arm to be urged toward either the straight-through or divert position by an oncoming divert pin to prevent the divert pin from colliding head-on with the arm.

Abstract: A corner conveyor unit (6), for use in transferring movement from a conveyor operating in the direction A to another conveyor operating in the direction B, includes a plurality of frusto conical rollers (10) mounted for rotation between inner and outer curved walls (12, 14). A device is provided to urge the outermost frusto conical rollers in a separative direction, maintaining tension on the conveyor belt 16. A device is provided to restrain the conveyor belt (16) against movement in a direction C inwardly of the corner unit, the device including a plurality of roller assemblies (18) disposed around the outer edge region of the belt (16), each roller assembly (18) having a pair of roller members (20) engaged with upper and lower trackways (22, 24). Each trackway has an upper part and a lower part b, against which the upper and lower roller member (20) of each pair engage.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and apparatus for continuously casting molten metal in a block caster. In accordance with the present invention, novel track and drive systems are provided for reducing imperfections that can be created in a cast by movement of a beam chain through a casting cycle.

Abstract: A chain propelled belt conveyor having a centrally mounted single strand of roller chain. The roller chain drives the belt and supports the belt along the upper load carrying run of the belt. Pairs of conveyor trolleys support the central portion of the belt about the return non-load carrying run of the belt. A track having a horizontal rail extending between a pair of opposed C-shaped channel sections is used to guide the roller chain assembly.

Abstract: An improved conveyor track system is provided wherein the track segments are provided with longitudinal channels of T-shaped cross-section which are offset from the centerline of the track and which accept rectangular splice bars that are used to secure the track segments together. The system is provided with a series of yokes which are connected to the track segments by means of bolts and rectangular connectors disposed in the longitudinal channels of the track segments, and whose position on the track segments is adjustable in both a horizontal and vertical direction.

Abstract: An overlay for a passenger conveyor roller track extends over the joints between segments to provide the engagement surface for the roller track. The overlay separates the engagement surface from the joints between adjacent segments to minimize vibration and improve the comfort of the ride. In one embodiment, an escalator includes a roller track having a support structure formed from multiple segments joined end to end and an overlay extending over the multiple segments. The overlay defines the engagement surface for the rollers engaged with the roller track.

Abstract: The invention concerns a pallet-support rail for the conveyance of pallets and containers, the rail having a pallet-support chain (2, 2a to 2d) designed in the form of a roller chain with a multiplicity of support rollers (11) spaced one behind the other at equal intervals, a rolling surface (4) on which the rollers (11) run and a multiplicity of support links (9) connected to the rollers (11) and designed to be displaced by the rollers (11) along the rolling surface (4). The invention ensures ease of operation and compact design by virtue of the fact that means for lateral control of the support rollers (11) are fitted to the support rollers (11).

Abstract: A conveyor system for delicate items such as mushrooms has a roller-type conveyor chain (10) arranged to run with its pin axes generally vertical. At spaced intervals along the chain are mounted support arms (13) projecting laterally from the chain. The chain-end of each arm has a re-entrant which resiliently embraces two rollers (18) of the chain, and allows the arm to release from the chain in the event of an obstruction. At the other end, each arm is bifurcated to define two limbs (36,37). One limb has a surface which is resiliently movable away from the confronting surface of the other limb.

Abstract: A transport chain for transporting articles along a guideway includes a plurality of interconnected chain parts. The chain parts are provided with a roll body that allows the transport chain to roll along the guideway. The roll body projects through the underside of the respective chain part to rest upon the guideway. The transport chain can also be provided with accumulating rollers that allow the transport chain to continue moving below the transported articles if the articles should reach a temporary standstill.

Abstract: A profiled guide rail, for use in providing a guide path for a roller chain in a web-fed rotary printing press, utilizes a plurality of slits as paths through which ink particles and paper dust can pass out of the track in the guide rail along which the roller chain travels. These slits pass through at least one leg of the guide rail and are longitudinally spaced in the direction of travel of the roller chain.

Abstract: A treadmill with a trampoline-like surface having an endless belt adapted to travel between two guide rails. The treadmill includes an improved suspension system formed from a flexible wire cable that connects two adjacent reinforced openings formed near the lateral edges of the belt to a carrier that moves on the guide rails of the treadmill.

Abstract: A device for crosswise stretching and fixing of plastic sheeting includes a chain carriage (5) which has an positionally adjustable first roller (7') and a second roller (7) mounted thereon. Tension, resulting from tractive forces transmitted when the chain carriage (5) travels in a running direction, is translated into a prestress force directed substantially in the crosswise direction of a guide rail (11). The prestress force holds the adjustable first roller (7') in constant prestress contact with a first running surface (1") of the guide rail and the second roller (7') in steady contact against a second running surface (1') of the guide rail.

Abstract: With a conveyor, in particular a positioning conveyor, having a driven chain system, higher transporting speeds, together with longer service life and less noise nuisance, are made possible by supporting the chain system on an endless runway.

Abstract: In this scraper conveyor for loose bulk material the paddle-shaped conveyor elements are supported and guided in each case by means of supporting rollers of roller guiding arrangements with upper and lower bearing surfaces in the region of at least two longitudinal central planes of reference running parallel to one another. In order to prevent supporting rollers from becoming wedged in the roller guiding arrangments, the supporting rollers are provided on both sides of the appertaining longitudinal central plane of reference and each roller guiding arrangement contains an upper guide rail on one side of the longitudinal central plane of reference and a lower guide rail on the other side for the supporting rollers.

Abstract: A flexible conveyor line comprises (i) an integrally-formed central nonflexible rail which is movable in a horizontal plane, (ii) a first integrally-formed outer nonflexible rail which is immovable, (iii) a second integrally-formed outer nonflexible rail which is immovable, (iv) a first horizontally-flexible rail connected between the first outer nonflexible rail and the central nonflexible rail, and (v) a second horizontally-flexible rail connected between the central nonflexible rail and the second outer nonflexible rail. Each flexible rail comprises rail pieces and connecting plates connecting the rail pieces together. The rail pieces are in contact with each other. Each connecting plate is fixed to one of adjacent rail pieces, and is pivotally connected to the other rail piece. Thus, the rail pieces, together with the connecting plates fixed thereto, are capable of horizontal arcing motion relative to adjacent rail pieces.

Abstract: A bucket conveyor frame. At least one horizontal section and one vertical section are connected by a curved section. Each section has a central support tube. A plurality of plates connected to the support tube lie in approximately vertical planes. Upper and lower chain hold downs extend the length of the sections. A transport track delivers products from an infeed station to a discharge station and a return track returns the buckets to the infeed station in a continuous loop. Chain sprockets are located within enclosed housings at the infeed and discharge stations.

Abstract: A conveyor system wherein an endless conveyor belt follows a helical conveying path with the tiers at least partly in self-supporting relationship, wherein the lowermost tier is supported by a plurality of trolleys mounted on a fixed helical rail, and the trolleys are individually driven by the internal capsten which also drives the conveyor belt at the inside edge of the helical conveyor path.

Abstract: A drive assembly has two parallel roller link drive chains which are driven by sprocket drives. The drive chains are transversely connected at spaced intervals by a dog support which has a planar base and two walls which extend upwardly from the base. The rollers of two parallel drive chain links are rotatively mounted to the walls and a plastic drive dog is attached to the support base. The drive dog has two projecting members and a base which define a depression which is radiused to accept a tow chain roller. The depression is spaced from the support base such that the horizontal rotational axis of the engaged tow chain roller and the horizontal rotational axes of the chain rollers are in the same plane. Stabilizing rollers are mounted to the support walls coaxially with the drive rollers and are supported in a formed track section. The dog support carries the shaped dog into engagement with the rollers of the tow chain.

Abstract: A continuous conveyor for elevating articles such as trayed mail has a support frame on which are mounted sprockets which drive two parallel drive chains in vertical planes. A bar is connected between the chains and a carriage is rotatably connected to the bar. The carriage has a plurality of tines which form an elevatable platform. The carriage has a center guide roller which is guided along a closed looped path by vertical guide tracks and two side rollers guided by a separate set of tracks. Spring-loaded members maintain engagement of the side rollers with the track at the lower portion of carriage travel. The apparatus is substantially open at the front and the sides to permit infeed and outfeed from either the front or the sides. The front-loading conveyors have a plurality of sprocket-driven belts and the side loading conveyors have a plurality of driven rollers which interdigitate with the tines of the carriage to permit elevation of articles in a continuous stream.

Abstract: A flexible rail comprises rail pieces arranged in line, laterally opposed side plates, and laterally opposed connecting plates. Each rail piece includes a generally I-shaped member and a shelter member which is fixed to a top of the I-shaped member. The opposed side plates are fixed to respective side walls of the shelter member. The side plate overlaps one side of the rail piece. The connecting plate is fixed to a rear one of adjacent side plates, and is connected to the front side plate for pivotal movement. Thus, the rail piece, the side plates fixed thereto, and the connecting plates fixed to the side plates, as one body, are capable of pivotal movement.

Abstract: An assembly for a stretching frame has a rectangular cross section rail, a multiplicity of carriages displaceable along the rail and formed with shanks which have offset pairs of rollers engaging the surface of the rail perpendicular and parallel to the plane, and couplings on the shanks located substantially in the median plane between the surfaces of the rail perpendicular to the frame for engagement by respective transport devices.

Abstract: A chain link has load-carrying wheels and at least one guide wheel, and the axis of rotation of the load-carrying wheels intersects the axis of rotation of the guide wheel at a single point.

Abstract: A link chain has alternating first and second links which are articulately connected to each other by universal joints. Each first link carries a gripper with a fixed jaw and a second jaw pivotable between first and second end positions through a dead-center intermediate position. Springs are provided to permanently bias each second jaw to either of the two end positions, and each second jaw is connected with a follower which can track a set of cams at two spaced-apart stations to move the second jaw between its end positions. Each link of the chain carries two shafts for pairs of roller followers which track the lateral edge faces of two flanges of an elongated guide rail having an H-shaped cross-sectional outline. The guide rail is bent and/or twisted, if necessary, to establish a helical, arcuate, looped and/or other complex path for advancement of successive links between the two stations.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting the guide members for guiding the moving endless chain for moving an endless belt conveyor, and in particular an endless conveyor for a power turn, mounted on a support frame wherein the guide members are mounted on a support member and at least one isolation member comprising a resilient sound and vibration deadening material is provided and the support member and support frame are secured together with the at least one isolation member located therebetween so as to isolate the support member from the support frame.

Abstract: An improved slat conveyor includes an improved slat having leading and trailing edge configurations inhibiting conveyed product leakage through the slat-formed apron. A leading edge of one slat overlaps and engages the depressed rearward edge of a preceding adjacent slat providing a substantially co-planar product apron. Movement of the slats about a headstock at a conveyor discharge end disengages the leading from the rearward edge, opening a slight gap between the slats so any captured product can fall out, as well as providing a scraping action of the trailing edge of a preceding slat with respect to the underside of the leading edge of a following slat to dislodge entrapped or impacted product. At the same time the leading edge overhangs the preceding slat so discharging product slides off the slats into the discharge location and not between the slats.

Abstract: A conveyor in the nature of a powered belt turn for transporting articles along a curved path is disclosed. The known tendency of curved belt conveyors to drift radially is prevented by a unique guide assembly which is designed so as not to interfere with the useable surface area of the conveyor belt for transporting articles therealong. The guide assembly is designed to include a pair of guide rollers rotationally supported about a common axis for engagement with a pair of spaced apart guide rails.

Abstract: Food products are placed on spaced baskets and conveyed into an enclosure, through a irradiation chamber, and then outwardly from the enclosure. The food products are conveyed through tortuously arranged ductwork which serves to absorb radiation streaming upwardly. A portion of the conveyor is positioned within one or more casings and can be withdrawn, if necessary, to facilitate maintenance and repair.

Abstract: A conveyor of the type having a flexible endless belt with generally horizontal top and lower return levels is movably supported for delivering materials between load and unload stations. A plurality of transversely spaced pairs of wheeled trolleys or other types of slide mechanisms are movably mounted on spaced horizontal guide rails and are attached to opposite sides of the conveyor belt by brackets and small sections of flexible belt material. Each of the trolleys has a pair of horizontally mounted wheels and a pair of vertically mounted wheels which move with the conveyor belt along the guide rails to maintain accurate guidance and tracking of the conveyor belt. One of the trolleys of each pair is spring biased to compensate for possible variations in the guide rails.

Abstract: Printed circuit boards, assemblies and the like are heated uniformly from edge to edge or to a desired lateral temperature profile while being conveyed through a heating area. The conveying systems reliably conveys circuit boards and the like through the heating area without dropping them. A rail heater is provided to heat rails supporting conveyors having pins to hold circuit boards and the like. A control for the rail heaters controls the temperature of the rails so the circuit boards are positively supported on the conveyors and have a uniform temperature profile or desired temperature profile from edge to edge.

Abstract: A chain guide structure for guiding a conveyor chain through a thermoforming machine to protect the chain from plastic chips and other debris. The chain guide includes a support rail structure for supporting an upper run of conveyor chain, and a spring steel cover sheet overlying a track defined by the support rail and in close proximity with the chain to serve as a cover and thereby protect the chain from contamination from foreign material. Additionally, the chain includes a series of spikes to penetrate a plastic sheet and thereby carry it through the machine, wherein the chain guide structure has a width sufficient to permit lateral outward expansion of the plastic sheet as it is heated in the thermoforming machine. An upwardly inclined portion of the guide structure provides a cooling section to permit the plastic sheet to cool as it is carried away from a forming section of the machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shavings conveyor, consisting of a hinged belt and two side plate chains, in which the rims of the hinged belt at the same time form the inner side plates of the two side plate chains and the height of these inner side plates is chosen so as to be greater than the height of the rollers of the side plate chains, so that a lateral definition of position of the shavings conveyor with respect to the stationary guide profile is produced in the lower and upper run of the hinged belt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a table conveyor comprising motor-driven driving chains with which driven chains are interlocked in pairs via friction boards respectively thrusted by springs, wherein the driven chains are connected with parallelly-arranged connecting rods forming a table bed. The total system can be installed into a small area, and an individual table bed can be stopped at any predetermined position.

Abstract: A conveyor system (28-30) includes a track (110) and a conveyor chain (70) for movement along the track. The conveyor chain comprises a plurality of identical links (72) each including a first connection member (74), spaced, parallel, longitudinally extending plates (76) and a second connection member (78). The plates are connected to the connection members for pivotal movement about vertical axes, and the connection member of adjacent links are connected to each other for pivotal movement about horizontal axes thereby accommodating horizontal and vertical flexure of the conveyor chain. The conveyor chain (70) is actuated by a drive mechanism (180) including a drive chain (198) and chain engaging members (206) carried thereby which engage the conveyor chain along an arc having a substantial radius, thereby propelling the conveyor chain through the track (110) without subjecting the conveyor chain to periods of high acceleration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveyor rail intended for handling individual objects. The rail is composed of straight and curved modules consisting of quadratic sections (1), preferably of aluminium, with chain guides (4, 5, 6, 7) arranged on each side, This enables a single type of curved profile to be utilized for curves in any direction.

Abstract: A chain conveyor assembly wherein the conveyor chain is constructed to enable the chain to be flexed in two dimensions, e.g., about horizontal and vertical axes, and is designed to convey heavy loads in a stable manner despite the use of a simple and economical conveyor chain. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the chain conveyor assembly is comprised of a conveyor chain that is formed of a series of wheel units, a guide track arrangement providing surfaces upon which wheels of the wheel units ride, a drive arrangement for driving the conveyor chain, and self-supporting trays for conveying of articles thereon. Each of the trays is coupled to a drive link arrangement that is used to interconnect successive wheel units together and by which the conveyor chain is driven by the drive arrangement.

Abstract: A conveyor system (28-30) includes a track (110) and a conveyor chain (70) for movement along the track. The conveyor chain comprises a plurality of identical links (72) each including a first connection member (74), spaced, parallel, longitudinally extending plates (76) and a second connection member (78). The plates are connected to the connection members for pivotal movement about vertical axes, and the connection member of adjacent links are connected to each other for pivotal movement about horizontal axes thereby accommodating horizontal and vertical flexure of the conveyor chain. The conveyor chain (70) is actuated by a drive mechanism (180) including a drive chain (198) and chain engaging members (206) carried thereby which engage the conveyor chain along an arc having a substantial radius, thereby propelling the conveyor chain through the track (110) without subjecting the conveyor chain to periods of high acceleration.

Abstract: Roller-path system for the transportation of persons and goods, having an endless tread-plate band reversed around a horizontal axis as well as either a freely supported or a roller supported traction chain and self-supporting tread plates, each plate having two pull and two drag support-rod parts arranged close to the slate corners, respectively, opposite each other, where these plates can either directly support themselves, freely supporting rollers and the pull support-rod parts in addition to the traction chain, or can indirectly support themselves, having the pull support-rod parts mounted in traction chains with intermediate rollers and fork-shaped tread-plate resting elements which are attached by drag support-rod parts. The support-rod parts are provided as replaceably arranged system-adaptable pull and drag bolts.

Abstract: A track member for supporting the wheels of conveyor trolleys connected to a chain comprises first and second trackways arranged in vertically spaced, oppositely facing relation, each trackway having a pair of track surfaces spaced apart by a vertical web. The web of one trackway is longer than the other so that the first trackway is adapted to support trolley wheels of one diameter and the second trackway trolley wheels of another diameter. Various track constructions for overhead and floor type conveyors are obtainable by mounting pairs of the track members in transversely spaced parallel relation with either the first or second trackway of one member aligned with and facing the corresponding trackway of the other. In each of these track constructions the vertical webs of the non-facing trackways form parallel surfaces of a channel which laterally encloses and contains the chain.