Abstract: Person-conveying device of quiet operating design having a step-belt or pallet belt which is guided in guide rails by transport chains with step-chain or pallet-chain rollers as well as chain-guide rollers, the points of contact of the step-chain or pallet-chain rollers with the travel surface being spaced from the lateral guide surface of the guide rail.

Abstract: An escalator having a conveyor constructed of rigid, pivotally interconnected toothed links, step axles, steps on the step axles, axle rollers on the axles, and step rollers on the steps. The guide arrangement for the conveyor includes a truss having axle and step roller guides. The guide portion of the truss includes movable, free-floating, self-adjusting, upper and lower turnarounds guided for rectilinear movement, and a fixed intermediate portion. Sliding joints which permit mis-alignment without binding interconnect the movable and fixed portions of the axle and step roller guides.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly is disclosed herein in which the conveyor is supported by a first set of rollers which will rotate on an underlying guide rail and a second set of rollers which will rotate on an overlying guide rail thereby restraining the conveyor against vertical movement. Laterally disposed guide tracks engage a third set of rollers and restrain the conveyor against lateral movement.

Abstract: A conveyor having a belt capable of following a curved path is mounted on a carriage having a central attachment to a conveyor chain and lateral attachments to a pair of side stabilizers. The conveyor operates on a track assembly having a central slide surface for contact with the chain and lateral stabilizer operating surfaces for contact with the stabilizers when they are in use. The stabilizers may be slightly elevated from their operating surfaces during normal conveyor operation with a balanced load on the belt, only touching the operating surfaces when the load becomes unbalanced. The track assembly is preferably in the cross-sectional shape of an I-beam with the conveyor operating on the flanges of the beam. Beam sections in regular geometric shapes such as vertical curves, horizontal curves, and straight sections are joined together in approximate alignment to form the desired conveyor path, and the slide surfaces are then shimmed into closer alignment if necessary.

Abstract: A conveyor system employs a belt of the type having load carrying areas and yieldable areas in alternating sequence such that the belt can flex to follow a serpentine path. The belt travels along a path established by a cruciform track containing a pulling chain having alternating horizontal and vertical links, each link being joined to a roller carriage at each of its opposite ends such that each carriage includes both a horizontal and a vertical pivot axis with rollers on each axis for operating in the cruciform track. The axes are substantially coplanar with each other and with the yieldable areas of the belt, and each belt section is connected to a link. The track may be split into longitudinal halves joined to a common web by fasteners alternately removable from opposite track halves for service access to the interior of the track without disassembly of the entire track from the web.

Abstract: A part of the arcuate guides for the hinged belt (13) of the conveyor consists of solid curved pieces (247, 270) which are fastened releasably to parts of the conveyor frame. In the region of the drive station, guide plates (35; 299) which are fastened to the side pieces (17, 18; 220) are assigned to the empty side of the hinged belt. A U-shaped baseplate (20; 232) is connected with its upwardly projecting legs, to the side pieces (17, 18; 220). If the conveyor is a lifting conveyor with a lower and an upper horizontal longitudinal section as well as with a longitudinal section which is directed obliquely upwards, the arcuate guides consist of curved crosspieces (33, 34; 276, 294) which extend between the side pieces (17, 18; 220), in the region of the mutually angled longitudinal sections.

Abstract: A track splice having finger members fixed to the spaced ends of two track sections. The finger members include adjoining, contacting surfaces which are configured to positively align the finger members and wheel support surfaces of the finger members and associated track sections, while enabling the ends of the track sections to be adjustably spaced. The track splice further includes a clamping device for firmly clamping the finger members together, once the desired spacing between the track ends is selected.

Abstract: An elongated conveyor having conveying and return traverses formed by an endless conveying element orbitally movable through a closed horizontally extending loop, the length and direction of which may be varied.

Abstract: A conveyor for transporting articles placed in series thereon includes a conveyor track of extruded high density polyethylene having an upwardly opening inverted T-shaped longitudinal slot therein and an endless conveyor chain slidably engaged in the slot with integral chain tabs extending laterally outwardly into lateral slot recesses from selected links of the conveyor chain so as to retain the chain against lateral, vertical or torsional displacement with respect to the slot. The conveyor chain projects above the opening of the slot to support the conveyed articles and bears on an upstanding central rib on the slot bottom and, through its tabs, on the lateral recess bottoms. Convergent notches in corresponding ends of successively end-abutted track members making up the track guide the chain tabs into the slot recesses without interference from track member end faces due to slight misalignment of track members.

Abstract: A precision roller chain with parallel runs and with an even number of links is trained around a sprocket wheel and an idler wheel and is driven around a racetrack-shaped path. To compensate for the inherent tendency of the chain to tighten and loosen in a cyclic manner, the idler wheel is formed with a smooth periphery and has a somewhat smaller diameter than the effective diameter of the sprocket wheel. In addition, compensating ramps hold the chain outwardly away from the idler wheel adjacent the tangency points of the idler wheel and keep the chain tight when the rollers of the chain are in angular positions which otherwise would cause the chain to inherently loosen.

Abstract: The load carrying upper reach of a belt conveyor particularly useful for transporting large pieces of rock and other heavy bulk material dispenses with the usual idle troughing rollers and is supported by an endless succession of spaced transverse flexible cross members or hammocks each of which has a trolley at each end riding on endless rails extending along each side of the belt and around the rollers at the head and discharge ends of the belt conveyor. Along the return strand of the conveyor belt the hammocks are above the belt but rest on it. The side-to-side distance between rails is less than the width of the conveyor belt so that the weighed belt cradles itself in the hammocks. However, at the head end of the conveyor there is a decending traveling belt ramp and at the discharge end an upwardly sloping belt ramp to flatten the hammocks and the belt for passage around the head and tail pulleys respectively. In these areas, the rails spread apart to take up the slack in the hammocks.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a continuously moving street or road formed from a continuous chain of cars having flexible couplings therebetween. The upper surface of the moving conveyor is at approximately the same level as the supporting surface along the track which carries the conveyor, so that persons may step onto the conveyor without having to step up or down. The running street or road can be driven continuously by internal combustion engines, electricity, or other conventional drive means for vehicles. The speed of the road may be adjusted so as to maximize safety and so as to make it easy for persons to step onto the moving conveyor. Fans or cooling systems are provided below the cars to cool the air beneath the cars caused by continuous running. The spaces between the cars are covered by elastic support members.

Abstract: In a chain conveyor having a plurality of side-by-side endless chains which support articles being conveyed and are driven by engagement with sprocket wheels on common driving shafts, the chains are rendered individually and independently removable and replaceable by mounting them on a cassette. The cassette comprises a frame which provides a track for the rollers of the chain and supports the sprocket wheels in bearings. Thus the sprocket wheels are not supported by the drive shafts, which are axially withdrawn to allow removal of a cassette.

Abstract: An escalator including an endless belt and a plurality of steps attached thereto. The endless belt and steps are guided about a loop which includes load bearing and return runs for the steps, by guide wheels rotatably mounted on a common side of the endless belt, and a guide track. The guide wheels and guide track cooperatively define the first and second yieldable guide points, and first and second non-yieldable guide points, which function at different levels of side thrust forces on the endless belt.

Abstract: A flexible belt trough type conveyor is directed over a hump having an upwardly angling inclined side defined by belt supporting rails, then over a sprocket or similar rolling support device, and down the declined side of the hump on further rails. At the apex of the hump the belt is tensioned sufficiently to stretch the trough structures and partially or entirely flatten them, creating a loading station for granular materials such as explosives. When the belt has traveled over the apex, the tension decreases and the trough structure returns and automatically separates the granular material into discrete load units separated by the raised edges of the troughs.

Abstract: A gear cutting machine is provided with an endless chain for carrying a plurality of tools into contact with one or more workpieces to thereby form gear tooth configurations on the workpieces. The endless chain is pressed into firm contact with a first series of rollers in the zone in which its tools make contact with a workpiece to thereby prevent unwanted deflections of the endless chain and its tools relative to the workpiece. A second series of rollers prevents side-to-side deflections of the endless chain in the work zone.

Abstract: A carriage guidance system is disclosed which employs an endless track defining upper and lower parallel track-ways adapted to receive guide rollers mounted on a carriage for rotation about vertical coplanar axes. The track also defines an intermediate track-way adapted to receive horizontal support rollers mounted on the carriage plate. The track-ways and carriage rollers cooperate in a manner to increase the allowable manufacturing and assembly tolerance range, and facilitate relatively easy removal of the carriage plate from the guide track.

Abstract: A shuttle conveyor for moving articles fore and aft on a cargo support, such as the baggage area in an aircraft cargo compartment, comprises a trolley assembly moved fore and aft by a cable means travelling in downwardly canted tracks and a means to raise and lower selectively one of two cargo-engaging pawls adapted to move cargo forward or aft of the compartment and operated by cable or chain operators.

Abstract: A closed loop conveyor for viscid material is provided with a plurality of spaced, planar conveying flights within a material conveying conduit. The flights are mounted on an endless transporting chain and are moved from one or more charge stations where material is loaded into the conduit to one or more gravity discharge stations where the material falls out of the conveyor. At the discharge station the planar conveying flights are scraped clean by a rotatable assembly. The assembly preferably comprises a circular plate mounted for rotation in a generally vertical plane adjacent to the conveying path and about a substantially horizontal axis. A number of scraper blades are mounted on the circular plate substantially uniformly, peripherally spaced from one another and extend away from one side of the plate in a generally horizontal direction toward a conveying path defined by movement of the flights.

Abstract: A flexible conveyor track assembly has segmented rails forming upper and lower runs, with the segments having tongues and recesses aligned with respect to the direction of conveyor travel on the respective runs. The individual segments of each upper rail are joined to a segment of a lower rail by connecting plates, and laterally spaced resilient guide rods string together the connecting plates on each lateral side of the assembly and have rubber spring dampers between adjacent connecting plates to damp segment vibration. A series of pivotally connected, elongated links, each longer than a single rail segment, runs the length of the segmented rails to control the curvature of the assembly, each link being attached to a segment of each rail. In an alternative embodiment, the track assembly is hung from a monorail and the series of links is replaced with an external draw bar between monorail hangers at the opposite ends of the assembly.

Abstract: Transportation apparatus including an endless belt having platforms, pallets or steps attached thereto. The endless belt is driven in a guided loop through load bearing and return runs interconnected by turn-arounds at the ends of the loop. Guide rollers and guide tracks cooperate to guide the endless belt, with the guide tracks associated with the load bearing and return runs being connected in the turn-arounds via dynamic transition apparatus including cooperative guide track structure which enables normal manufacturing and assembly tolerances to be observed while automatically compensating for wear. The apparatus constantly seeks the best adjustment mode, providing smooth operation with minimal noise and vibration.

Abstract: An endless belt conveyor for heavy materials handling is provided in which shock forces generated by the loading of heavy objects onto the conveyor are absorbed in the vertical, longitudinal and lateral directions with respect to the conveyor by resilient suspension means such as a plurality of rubber shear spring blocks which are associated with the support structure for the track upon which the conveyor belt moves. The belt is comprised of slat links having a central transverse reinforcing beam and slat link covers surrounding the transverse reinforcing beam which converge to either side of the beam at a point intermediate the vertical distance between the top and bottom portions of the beam.

Abstract: An escalator including an endless belt and a plurality of steps attached thereto. The endless belt and steps are guided about a loop which includes load bearing and return runs for the steps, by guide wheels rotatably mounted on a common side of the endless belt, and a guide track. The guide wheels and guide track have cooperative, non-flat surfaces which guide the endless belt and steps about the loop, as well as provide the required support for the associated side of the endless belt.

Abstract: A conveyor for the nonforced displacement of a multiplicity of workpiece-supporting carriages along a transport path whereby the carriages can be selectively stopped and, after unloading, are returned to the starting end of the conveyor. Flanking this path there are provided upwardly-open upper channels and laterally open lower channels, each upper and lower channel on a respective side of the path receiving a roller conveyor chain so that rollers of the conveyor are supported upon the bottoms of each channel. The chain has central rollers which support the carriage along the upper stretch of the chain while the lateral rollers engage the bottom of the upper channel. On the return stretch, the central rollers support the chain on the lower channel while at least one of the lateral rollers supports the returning carriage through brackets which reach around the channels and form guides for laterally positioning the carriage with respect to both upper and lower channels.