Abstract: The present invention relates to a crane, in particular to a revolving tower crane, having a load suspension means attached to a hoist rope, drive devices for moving a plurality of crane elements and for traveling the load suspension means, a control apparatus for controlling the drive devices such that the load suspension means travels along a travel path, and an oscillation damping device for damping oscillation movements of the load suspension means, wherein said oscillation damping device has a control module for influencing the control of the drive devices in dependence on oscillation-relevant criteria. It is proposed not only to take account of the actual oscillation movement of the rope per se in the oscillation damping measures, but also the dynamics of the steel construction of the crane and its drivetrains.

Abstract: A working platform for installation on an off-shore wind turbine comprises an impermeable top plate forming a top side of the working platform when installed, an impermeable bottom plate forming a bottom side of the working platform when installed and one or more impermeable side plates. The impermeable top, bottom and side plates are further arranged together to form an enclosed space impervious to water.

Abstract: A lumber transfer system includes an overhead track and a lower conveyor for retrieving and delivering boards from multiple racks of lumber to a platform leading to a saw. In some examples of operation, a board picker travels along the track to pick up a chosen board from one of the racks. The board picker then releases the board onto the conveyor. The conveyor conveys the board underneath the other racks and delivers the board to the saw feed platform. While the conveyor is conveying the board toward the saw feed platform, the board picker returns to the racks for another board. The board picker traveling along the track and handling boards while the conveyor delivers them to the saw saves production time and increases throughput.

Abstract: A description of a continuous conveyor is provided. The continuous conveyor includes a front segment, a central segment and a rear segment. At least the central segment has a conveying device for conveying objects and at least one height-adjustment device for adjusting the height of at least the conveying device from at least one lower, use position for conveying objects into an upper position. In a conveying position, the front segment, the conveying device of the central segment and the rear segment are arranged one behind the other in at least one conveying direction. Provision is made for a free space beneath the conveying device of the central segment in the upper position. The free space has a height of at least 160 cm, a width of at least 70 cm, and a depth corresponding to the width of the conveying device of the central segment.

Abstract: A lifting device 1 includes an upper station 2, a lower station 3, and lifting and lowering placing tables 10 and 11. The upper station 2 and the lower station 3 have horizontal placing tables 5 and 6, respectively. The horizontal placing tables 5 and 6 move only in the horizontal direction. The lifting and lowering placing tables 10 and 11 move only in the vertical direction. When any of the lifting and lowering placing tables 10 and 11 is in the upper station 2, the upper side horizontal placing table 5 is at a position adjacent to the lifting and lowering placing tables 10 and 11 to form a series of conveying passages. When the lifting and lowering placing tables 10 and 11 move away from the upper station 2, the upper side horizontal placing table 5 moves to a position where the lifting and lowering placing tables 10 and 11 used to exist.

Abstract: An offshore wind turbine, having a supporting structure, having a nacelle, having a rotor, having an interior space, having at least one access opening, and having a means of ascent, such as a ladder, a staircase or the like, wherein the supporting structure has a tower and a foundation structure, wherein the tower supports the nacelle and the rotor, wherein the access opening is configured as an access for people to the interior space, wherein the means of ascent is arranged in the interior space, wherein the means of ascent is assigned to the access opening, and wherein no external work platform is arranged between the foundation structure and the access opening, as viewed along a vertical extent of the supporting structure.

Abstract: A method for moving a wind turbine component (42) relative to a wind turbine (16) having a tower (18) with a door (26) for closing off an opening (90) through the tower (18) includes removably positioning a transport system (40) relative to the wind turbine (16), the transport system (40) having a track (44) and a powered drive device (118), such that a first end (78) of the track (44) is positioned outside the tower (18), a second end (80) of the track (44) is positioned inside the tower (18), and the track (44) extends through the opening (90) in the tower (18). The transport system (40) is configured to facilitate movement of the wind turbine component (42) between an inside of the tower (18) and an outside of the tower (18) through the opening (90). The method further comprises moving the wind turbine component (42) vertically within the tower (18) away from or toward the track (44) using the powered drive device (118) of the transport system (40).

Abstract: The disclosure describes an apparatus including a bin sweep arm, a floor support in contact with a floor surface, and a vertical adjustment assembly positioned between floor support and the bin sweep arm and connected to the floor support and the bin sweep arm, wherein the vertical adjustment assembly automatically raises the bin sweep arm off the floor surface and automatically lowers the bin sweep arm to the floor surface in response to changes in weight disposed on the bin sweep arm.

Abstract: A rail transport system and method for a semiconductor fabrication facility (FAB). In one embodiment, the system includes a network of stationary rails and a wheeled vehicle movable on the rails via rolling movement. The vehicle is operable to hold a wafer carrier that stores a plurality of wafers. A cross-floor transport system is provided that may include a vehicle lifter positioned near the network of rails that extends between a first elevation and a second elevation in the FAB. The lifter is configured and operable to receive the vehicle from rails at the first elevation and vertically transport the vehicle to rails at the second elevation without removing the wafer carrier from the wheeled vehicle. In one embodiment, the lifter is configured so that the vehicle may be rolled directly onto and off of the lifter for vertical transport.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices, apparatuses, and systems for lifting and mounting of clinical- and research-related equipment. In particular, the present invention provides a lift and mount system for mass spectrometers (e.g., for time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometers (MS)).

Abstract: A lifting apparatus for a lift system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a) a motor adapted for providing a lifting force, b) at least one connector operatively connected to the motor, the connector adapted for connecting a load-bearing component to the motor, c) an information receiver for receiving a load limit information about the load-bearing component, d) a motor controller electrically coupled to the motor and the information receiver, wherein the motor controller is adapted to limit the lifting force of the motor based on the load limit information received by the information receiver.

Abstract: An array of objects stands on a flexible web on a horizontal support, and a frame at the accumulation region gathers the objects at the downstream end into a group having a plurality of transverse rows. A transport element formed as a blind has an end edge and is shifted shiftable atop the web upstream in the direction between a ready position with the end edge spaced from the group standing on the web and a pickup position underlying the entire group. A lifting element underneath the web moves jointly with the transport element such that the web is raised immediately upstream of the end edge of the transport element to raise downstream edges of the objects and the transport element is engageable between the objects in the group and the web so the transport element can slide underneath the objects in the group.

Abstract: A vertical mounted motor hoist and a method of hoisting a motor are provided. The motor hoist includes a threaded eye bolt for lifting the motor hoist; a sleeve threaded inside one end, and attached and held to the threaded eyebolt by means of a threaded plug and dowel pins and welding; and two safety chains for placement around the motor, each safety chain attachable to the sleeve by means of two oppositely positioned pinch bolts, each pinch bolt having a welded nut welded on to the sleeve and a jam nut tightened against the welded nuts.

Abstract: A column of cups guided by their rims in elongated slots is spaced into desired cup pitch by one or more linear stars from which the cups can be transferred for packaging. The linear stars have lugs engaging and spacing the cups. In another aspect of the invention, cups are manipulated into patterns for final grouping and packaging and by a plurality of cup orienting pickers engaging, inverting and re-orienting the cups. In one final packaged cup group of two or more layers, alternating cups in each layer are inverted and a top lid of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a top lid of a cup in a bottom layer, while a bottom of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a bottom of a cup in a lower layer, and in an alternating pattern.

Abstract: A handling system for handling objects in a vehicle comprises a storage apparatus that is positionable outside a vehicle cabin, an access device that is positionable in a vehicle cabin, and a transport device for transporting objects between the storage apparatus and the access device. The storage apparatus comprises a storage space and a connection station that is connectable to the transport device, wherein the storage apparatus comprises at least one drive device for moving carriers on which objects to be stored are held. The handling system comprises at least one guiding device that with the drive device guides the carriers on at least one circular path within the storage space. The storage space thus comprises a vertical flat shape that results in a significantly smaller reduction in the available cargo volume in a vehicle, while at the same time maximizing the design space available for passenger seats.

Abstract: A system for loading and unloading food products. In one implementation the system includes transport means with a plurality of parallel belts upon which the products to be loaded move, and a tool adapted to load the products. The tool has support means adapted to pass through the gaps between the belts to load the product and to support the product when it is unloaded, and to perform the loading of the product moving it in an ascending vertical direction, the support means lifting the product from the transport means. The support means are adapted to rotate in relation to the support structure to unload the product, when they rotate, the support means have a peripheral speed equal to the speed at which the product moves during the unloading.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for controlling the loading and/or unloading process of an aeroplane. According to the invention, a parcel introduced into the aeroplane is identified, a weight is associated with the parcel, the position of the parcel inside the airplane is monitored, and the total weight and/or center of gravity of the aeroplane is calculated from the aeroplane information provided and the weights and positions of the parcels.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tray sealer comprising a tray conveyor, the conveyor being provided with tray reception means each configured for receiving a tray therein. The disclosure is characterized in that the tray sealer comprises, at a loading station, a loading robot for placing trays filled with a product into tray reception means and, at an unloading station, an unloading robot for removing trays which have been sealed by means of the tray sealer from the tray reception means. The disclosure also relates to a method of operating a tray sealer operable in intermittent operation cycles.

Abstract: An array of objects stands on a flexible web on a horizontal support, and a frame at the accumulation region gathers the objects at the downstream end into a group having a plurality of transverse rows. A transport element formed as a blind has an end edge and is shifted shiftable atop the web upstream in the direction between a ready position with the end edge spaced from the group standing on the web and a pickup position underlying the entire group. A lifting element underneath the web moves jointly with the transport element such that the web is raised immediately upstream of the end edge of the transport element to raise downstream edges of the objects and the transport element is engageable between the objects in the group and the web so the transport element can slide underneath the objects in the group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for picking a plurality of different articles in a fully automated manner, which are preferably stored in storage load supports (70, 72), into order load supports (34) in accordance with a picking order, comprising: a first conveyor (18) conveying the plurality of different articles (52), which are to be picked, from an article warehouse (16) as an article stream downstream relative to a manlessly operated order-picking station (37) including a fully automated gripping unit (30); at least one gripping unit (30), which can be lifted and lowered and which is particularly mounted on a ceiling, for gripping one, in particular one single, arbitrary article (52) from the stream at a receiving point (62) within a gripping area (56) on the first conveyor (18) and for transferring the gripped article (52) to a delivery point (60) outside the gripping area (56), wherein the receiving point (62) and the delivery point (60) are located within a working area (54) of the gripping u

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for loading and/or unloading a transport cargo hold, in particular on a good vehicle, comprising at least one transport unit, by means of which goods units, particularly several thereof, may be simultaneously transported. According to the invention, the costs of said device may be reduced and the flexibility increased, whereby the transport unit may at least partly be introduced into the transport cargo hold.

Abstract: A stocker apparatus includes a first tray stock section (70) for storing a plurality of empty trays (11a), a second tray stock section (80) for storing the plurality of empty trays (11a) loaded with products, tray supporting means (130) provided in the first tray stock section (70) and the second tray stock section (80) for mounting the trays (11) thereon, and lifting and lowering means for lifting and lowering the tray supporting means (130). The stocker apparatus further includes carrier means (140) for carrying the loaded tray to the second tray stock section (80). The stocker apparatus further includes an outer wall constituting member covering the first tray stock section (70) and the second tray stock portion (80) for shielding the first tray stock section (70) and the second tray stock section (80) from an external atmosphere.

Abstract: A container changing system able to prevent deterioration in the working rate of substrate processing apparatuses and deterioration in the amount of production of semiconductor devices. A second mounting portion is arranged between a carrier of a container conveying unit and a first mounting portion of a substrate processing apparatus with respect to a lifting direction of a container. The second mounting portion is configured to freely advance and withdraw to/from a lifting path of the container. A container lifting unit is arranged between the carrier and the second mounting portion with respect to the lifting direction.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a rotary wafer carousel and related wafer handler for moving wafers or other workpieces through a processing system, i.e., a semiconductor fabrication tool. Generally, the present invention includes a rotary wafer carousel having a plurality of wafer seats disposed thereon to support one or more wafers. The rotary carousel is preferably disposed through the lid in a transfer chamber opposite the robot which is preferably disposed through the bottom of the transfer chamber. The rotary carousel and the robot cooperate to locate wafers adjacent to process chambers and move wafers into and out of various chambers of the system. The invention improves the throughput of the system by positioning wafers adjacent to the appropriate chamber to reduce the amount of movement required of the robot for transporting wafers between chambers.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a rotary wafer carousel and related wafer handler for moving wafers or other workpieces through a processing system, i.e., a semiconductor fabrication tool. Generally, the present invention includes a rotary wafer carousel having a plurality of wafer seats disposed thereon to support one or more wafers. The rotary carousel is preferably disposed through the lid in a transfer chamber opposite the robot which is preferably disposed through the bottom of the transfer chamber. The rotary carousel and the robot cooperate to locate wafers adjacent to process chambers and move wafers into and out of various chambers of the system. The invention improves the throughput of the system by positioning wafers adjacent to the appropriate chamber to reduce the amount of movement required of the robot for transporting wafers between chambers.

Abstract: Process for loading spool pegs (10) of a spool rack (11) or the like with full yarn spools (12) set by a loading device (13) onto superimposed horizontally arranged pegs (16) of a transport carriage (15), which is moved by a drive motor (23) on a rail between the loading device (13) and the rack (11) and positioned with a sensor in front of the rack (11) in a predetermined position, wherein the carriage pegs (16) and the pegs (10) of the rack (11) are aligned. In order to avoid time-consuming and complicated setting operations, the process is performed so that the sensor (25) is set at the level of a peg tier (b) of the rack (11), that the travel segments (e.g. x1) of the transport carriage (15) are stored during its travels, that sensor signals triggered by the rack pegs (10) are stored in relation to the travel segments (e.g. x1), and that the transport carriage (15) is steered into its spool transfer position via the stored sensor signals.

Abstract: In an apparatus for storing and automatically delivering cassette and/or pallets containing cassettes to a reader. The apparatus includes a plurality of cassette retaining sites. A door assembly is provided adjacent the portal for allowing access to the plurality of cassette retaining sites. The door assembly has at least one door slideably mounted to the apparatus for movement between a closed position and an open position. A door safety system is provided.

Abstract: A drop sling lumber sorter apparatus comprising a frame assembly including a plurality of bays for receiving pieces of sorted lumber. Each of the bays includes a rotatable drive shaft mounted to the frame assembly and a plurality of elongated, flexible, laterally spaced slings having a first end and a second end. The first end of each sling is mounted to the drive shaft. A pivoting hook and retriever assembly selectively capture and release the second end of each sling to the frame assembly. A spool assembly is mounted on the drive shaft for each sling. Each spool assembly is capable of guiding the sling onto the rotatable drive shaft. The slings are reeled onto or reeled off of the drive shaft as the drive shaft rotates. A tensioner assembly tensions the slings as they are reeled off of the drive shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed directed to transferring articles from a first delivery conveyor to a second transfer and discharge conveyor located above the first delivery conveyor. The second transfer and discharge conveyor has a series of longitudinally spaced openings through which the articles are lifted from the first delivery conveyor for placement on the second transfer and discharge conveyor.

Abstract: Successive workpieces of a series of identical and/or different workpieces are measured at a monitoring station to which the workpieces are delivered by a conveyor serving to advance the workpieces along and/or against one or more orienting devices. A workpiece at the monitoring station is engaged by a clamping device which can enter an axial passage of the workpiece, or can engage a coaxial stud of the workpiece, and is mounted on an elevator which can shift a properly engaged workpiece above or below the transporting level. The workpiece is thereupon monitored by one or more sensors in suspended condition and is returned onto the conveyor.

Abstract: The unit includes an overhead line along which a large number of trollies or sorting containers move. Each is provided with a moving base like a small rotating mat enabling collection and depositing of packages to be sorted along the line. Each of these bases is mounted onto its respective trolley by way of a telescopic structure and along the line there are mechanisms to position each cell at a height corresponding to that of the collection devices where the packages are to be unloaded.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus includes a central tower having an elevated pivot point, a movable base, a support track that rests at its upper end on the central tower pivot and at its lower end on the movable base, and a trolley with hoist that moves along the support track. The apparatus can lift articles within the span of the support track and move them to other locations, by a combination of movement of the trolley and the movable base, and operation of the hoist. The crane is particularly well suited for the handling of articles and containers within domed structures.

Abstract: In an apparatus for collectively holding a plurality of packages aligned in a row to supply them to pegs of a creel bogie, an apparatus for supplying packages to a warper creel includes a package holding mechanism and an empty take-up tube holding mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting and hangering laundered pairs of pants comprises an inspection station, a hangering station and a take-away device. The inspection station includes a pants gripper which supports a pair of pants at the waist with the legs in an extended position to permit simultaneous visual and touch inspection of the pants, after which the pant legs are folded along their creases on a folding table. Hangers are delivered one at a time to a hanger catch plate at one end of the folding table which supports the hangers slightly beneath the plane of the tabletop. The pant legs are slid along the folding table and partially draped over the end of the table and the bottom wire of the hanger supported on the hanger catch plate. A take-away device contacts the hook portion of the hanger and lifts it upwardly, carrying the pants therewith, and then discharges the hangered pants onto a take-away rail for movement to another station for further processing.

Abstract: A manufacturing installation having several fixed work stations and a handling device, said work stations being disposed along at least one handling bay. It further comprises a handling device having, on the one hand, an overhead transporter movable along the handling bay and having means for grasping, transporting and setting down a batch of a given number of objects and, on the other hand, at right angles to each work station, an intermediate take up and storage device having an upstream station for setting down by the transporter, a downstream station for taking up by the transporter and a conveyor capable of grasping the batch of objects as a whole at the upstream station, presenting the objects one by one at the work station and placing them as a whole in the downstream station, so as to completely decouple the operation of the transporter from each work station.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a device comprising a package stock truck moved in the row direction of warper creels, a package feeding conveyor for feeding yarn supply packages to the position of the stock truck, a first package transfer mechanism for transferring the packages on the package feeding conveyor onto the stock truck, and a second package transfer mechanism for transferring the packages on the stock truck to each of pegs of the warper creels.

Abstract: An article storage and retrieval system which includes a continuous track and a continuous article storage carousel supported from the track. The article storage carousel is movable in a horizontal direction and contains a plurality of horizontally spaced and vertically extending baskets. Each basket has vertically spaced compartments. A motor is included to drive the article storage carousel around the track. An elevator is mounted in a fixed position adjacent to the outside of the track and includes a vertically movable article engager for placement in or withdrawal from a preselected compartment.

Abstract: A spool transporting assembly for the sequential transfer of textile spools wound on tubes, includes a spool preparation station having a support surface for textile spools, a spool receiving device, and a spool transporting device for transporting textile spools from the spool preparation station to the spool receiving device, the spool transporting device including a gripper head being movable in at least one plane into and out of a centered spool receiving position being fixed relative to the spool preparation station, the gripper head including gripper elements for gripping textile spools of different diameters in the centered spool receiving position.

Abstract: An apparatus for extraction of articles frozen in moulds in a freezing machine, comprises means for insertion of retaining means in the moulds for engagement with the articles. The apparatus further comprises means for lifting the retaining means for extraction of the articles. The retaining means for each mould comprise at least two plate sections adapted for insertion in a mould along the inner surfaces of two side walls of the latter facing each other. The plate sections ensure that the subject article is firmly gripped for extraction.

Abstract: Completed, shaped and uncured tires are placed on an inclined chute having a gate mechanism for automatically transferring one tire to a tire carrier while the other tires are retained in the chute. The tire carrier raises and rotates the tire to an upper position for movement of a conveyor hook through a central aperture of the tire and into engagement with one side of the tire to move it out of the carrier into a supported position on the conveyor.

Abstract: A support body having a plurality of grasping fingers on opposite sides which are shaped in the form of an arc of a circle. The fingers move in a circular path for grasping and releasing articles with a minimum of clearance along the side of the articles. An arm supports each of the fingers by one end and has the second end of the arm rotationally supported from the support body at an angle. The first end of the arm is at an angle to the plane of the supported finger and the second end is at an angle to the first end. A lever is connected between the support body and the first ends of each arm for rotating the first ends about the second ends. A conveying system may be used with the pick up and release apparatus having a conveyor with spaced rollers in which compression plates are positioned at each end of the rollers for compressing the article for pickup.

Abstract: A machine for vertical transportation of goods from a packing line onto a pallet. The machine includes a vertically movable lifting device provided on a horizontally travelling wagon, the device being provided with lifting forks for receiving and lowering the pieces of packages. Counterweights are provided on the travelling wagon, the counterweights being connected to the lifting device by wires. The counterweights are heavier than the lifting device but the weight thereof is less than the total weight of the lifting device and the thereon loaded pieces of packages. The transmission comprises an endless loop, which is fixedly mounted to the lifting device, which is driven by a motor. During a cycle of operations the pieces of packages are fed from a packing line out onto the lifting forks of the machine until they abut a start impulse switch that starts the motor. Due to the weight of goods, the lifting forks are lowered until they are stopped by the pallet.

Abstract: A crane system sheet feeder method and apparatus employed for depositing collections of bundles of sheets in locations related to specific ones of sheet feeders, such that each collection of bundles can be utilized by an overhead crane to deliver the individual bundles to a specific one of the sheet feeders in accordance with the supply of sheets on that feeder. The bundles are initially bound, and the overhead crane has apparatus for removing the binding and removing the end boards from the bundles so that the bundles are deposited in the feeders free of any bindings.

Abstract: A flipper assembly has a flipper plate and an aligned guide rail both of which provide a support surface for a movable assembly. The flipper plate is movable into and out of the plane of the support surface. An extension arm is mounted on the guide rail for movement in a horizontal plane thereon and for movement in a vertical direction at the location of the flipper plate if permitted by the position of the flipper plate. The flipper plate is counterbalanced to an open position permitting the carrier arm to be moved vertically at that location, but is automatically positioned in a down closed position supporting the carrier arm in the plane of the guide rail support, by an automatic camming action as the slide arm moves toward and onto the flipper plate. In the preferred embodiment, the flipper plate safety device is utilized in a multistation work processing conveyor apparatus and is mounted on a vertical elevator.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling sod includes a wheeled frame for moving along the ground and a forward frame section which is adapted to receive pallets of sod adjacent thereto. A conveyor is coupled to the frame for transporting pieces of sod between the pallet and the ground. A pair of foot supports are attached on either side of the wheeled frame for allowing workers to stand thereon while handling the sod either along the conveyor or on the pallet. The foot supports extend forward from adjacent a rear end of the conveyor to adjacent the pallet of sod.

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus and method for transferring horizontally oriented sheet articles from one location to another in an automated production line facility. The apparatus includes a vertically reciprocal elevator mounted on a horizontally reciprocal carriage and provided with a sheet pick-up head including grippers engageable with and disengageable from the opposed marginal edges of one or more superimposed sheet articles. The apparatus is especially suited for precisely placing paired sheets of glass on bending molds advanced on a conveyor system beneath the pick-up head. The molds are located and locked in position on the conveyor system in vertical registry with the pick-up head during transfer of the sheets from the head to the mold.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a machine for drawing yarn hanks from advancing hank carrying supports and doffing the drawn hanks on a carriage or container or conveyor belt. The machine comprises a pliers holder head wherein the pliers, each formed of two or more rods movable near one another, can be adjusted in spacing for adaptation to various dimensions of hanks. The head is rotatable about a horizontal axis to arrange the hanks in horizontal direction and is tiltable or upsettable about a further horizontal axis. Furthermore, the head is mounted to be movable parallel to the extension of the hank carrying supports, and preferably also parallel to the advancement or feeding of the hank carrying supports.

Abstract: A pipe section positioning apparatus may be located partially below ground surface level, for example, in a trench to accurately lower and position heavy pipe sections, for example, concrete drain pipe sections, under control of a single operator who has an unobstructed view of the interior of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a body which may be positioned partially beneath ground level, an operator's platform attached to the body above ground level, an elevator within the body, a pipe cradle which is raised and lowered by the elevator and which temporarily holds a pipe section, a horizontally aligned track which is partially positioned beneath the pipe cradle to receive the pipe section and which is horizontally aligned, a ram which moves the pipe section horizontally on the track, and a pipe clamp assembly which clamps the pipe section and which then may be moved, under operator control, horizontally to accurately position and pipe section so that it may be joined with a previously laid pipe section.

Abstract: A railroad track relaying train comprises, in addition to the cars for transporting the ballast screening machines and a car equipped with power-wrenches for fixing the tie-screws, a sequence of working cars including a tie- and rail-removing car, a ballast clearing car, and a tie and rail laying car, these cars being interconnected by means of coupling frames supported by caterpillar trucks adapted to keep the working cars on the selected path. The tie and rail removing car comprises an elevator capable of lifting and rotating at least one tie or a track span around ballast conveyors, in order to deposit at least one tie or track span upon a transport element. The train is capable of performing all of the operations necessary for removing the old track, excavating and screening the old ballast, and laying the new track on the screened ballast, without stopping its forward motion when removing the old track.

Abstract: An apparatus having an upper frame with a depending, telescopically elongatable and shortenable suspended structure for supporting at the lower end thereof a working platform in a converter or like metallurgical container, the upper frame being arranged to be supported at the upper end of the converter with the suspended structure extending down through an opening at the upper end of the converter. The apparatus has an endless conveyor which includes a vertical conveyor part extending from the upper frame to a point above the working platform, and a horizontal or inclined conveyor part situated outside the converter and the upper frame, the horizontal or inclined conveyor part permitting, upon elongation or shortening, shortening and elongation, respectively, of the vertical part of the endless conveyor.