Abstract: The conveyor comprises an assembly of links each of which links comprises two longitudinally extending bars articulated to two opposed trunnions of a cross-member the other two opposed trunnions of which act as an articulation to the bars of an adjacent link. Each trunnion is capped by a carrying or steering roller which rolls along a track carried by a guide rail. The roller includes a rolling bearing having cylindrical rolling elements and in particular needles.

Abstract: A conveyor chain for a dishwashing system which chain includes a plurality of pinned links and travels on a conveyor pan and supports at least in part racks to be carried. The links are pinned for movement about a vertical axis (in a horizontal plane). Paired wheels are pinned to the links and lie in planes that form acute angles with the pan. This minimizes lateral sliding friction between the wheels of the links and the pan and therefore, wear, when the chain travels through a non-linear portion of the pan.

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 carrier roller for use in a conveyor chain, including a bushing adapted to be mounted on a shaft. A resilient roller tire, having a tread, is rotatably mounted over the bushing. A load-limiting annular disk is rotatably mounted over the bushing adjacent the resilient roller tire and includes means for limiting the amount of radial load to be supported by the resilient roller tire.

Abstract: A conveyor system is provided which includes a conveyor table which has an advancing section wherein a conveyor transports racks of small objects from a loading position to a position wherein the racks can be removed from the conveyor or unloaded, and a return section wherein the conveyor returns unloaded racks positioned on their sides to the loading point where the racks can be again loaded with small objects or removed from the conveyor for storage, or until later needed. The conveyor is an endless length of a plurality of links joined together head-to-toe, next adjacent links being connected together in such a manner as to allow horizontal pivotal motion permitting the conveyor to move in a curved direction. Each link provides support for the racks and is in turn supported on a rotatable member which makes only line contact with the conveyor table as the conveyor is moved along the conveyor table.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a number of closely spaced pallets (14) having nested pairs of ears (47,48 and 56,57) mounted on chain pins (33). First rollers (37) are mounted on pins (33) to ride between guide walls (38 and 39) and are engaged by a drive sprocket (12) to move the pallets through a number of work stations (16 to 19). Additional horizontal rollers (63, 71 and 72) are rotatably mounted on the pallets (14) to ride on one of the guide walls (30) and a third guide wall (74). A crowder pin device (81,82) is operated to engage a pallet at a work station to thrust the pallet rollers (37) against the wall (38) to fixedly position the pallet at the work station. Further precise positioning is attained by moving a tapered shot pin (84) into a hole (87) formed in the positioned pallet.

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 comprises two endless chains mounted on sprockets secured on two transverse shafts, and a plurality of transverse slats mounted on and extending between the chains. The chains are fitted with wheels which roll along rails for supporting the chains and slats. Each slat comprises a main plate made of thin sheet metal and having its longitudinal margins turned down through an angle greater than 90.degree., a rod having the shape of a shallow V which extends along the underside of the plate and has its ends secured to the main plate adjacent the ends of the main plate, and a central upright plate which supports the center of the main plate on the center of the rod.

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: 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: An endless conveyor, particularly for the precision assembly and disassembly of parts, comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected links at least one of which includes a block member having at least one longitudinally extending bore defined therethrough. Linear bearings are mounted in the block bore and a fixed longitudinally extending cylindrical guide rail is adapted to be engaged in the linear ball bearing within the bore so that the block member is supported on the guide rail during an upper horizontal movement of the block member. A guide member is disposed below and substantially parallel to the guide rail. First and second sprocket wheels are rotatably mounted on respective axes between the guide rails and the guide member beyond the respective ends thereof and rollers are provided on the block member for engaging the guide member during a lower horizontal movement thereof.

Abstract: A conveyor roller wheel assembly comprising a roller member rotatably mounted on a hub member, as by means of a plain journal bearing or by rolling elements such as ball or roller bearings, between inner and outer seal flanges on the hub member, the hub member having a portion of reduced diameter between its ends and a lubrication passageway extending from an end face of the hub member and communicating with its reduced diameter portion through a surface thereof. Facing side surfaces of the roller member and seal flanges are shaped to define annular labyrinth seal passageways therearound of restricted cross section and of tortuous configuration radially of the conveyor wheel. One or more of the wheel assembly members may be constituted of moldings of sintered powered metal.

Abstract: A roller assembly for use on a conveyor chain to provide rolling support for the working run thereof includes a roller journaled on a mounting bushing and held thereon from axial displacement by a double sealing ring arrangement at each roller end face. The double sealing rings are arranged to provide a labyrinth seal to aid in the retention of lubricant within and the exclusion of contaminants from the assembly, and the inner ring of each pair also provides an axial thrust bearing surface for the roller. The sealing rings are preferably of L-shaped cross section and are adaptable for use with rollers of either metal or platic construction.

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.