Rail connection for overhead conveyors

Claim 2

A rail connection for connecting the confronting ends of adjacent rails of an overhead conveyor system or the like, comprising at least one pair of adjacent rails having confronting rail ends, each of said rails incorporating a respective rail traveling flange having a free end equipped with at least one marginal portion providing a rail traveling surface, said confronting ends of adjacent rails forming therebetween a substantially vertically extending parting plane to permit removal of any one given rail without having positionally to alter the next adjacent rail, a single centering bolt means for interconnecting the confronting rail ends with one another arranged at such adjacent rails for sliding movement in the direction of said rails, said single centering bolt means being located at the marginal portion of said flange yet not directly on said traveling surface, at least one of said adjacent rails being equipped with means at the region of its rail end for slidably completely receiving said single centering bolt means, said receiving means comprising a recessed portion provided at said rail end.

Claim 3

A rail connection for connecting the confronting ends of adjacent rails of an overhead conveyor system or the like, comprising at least one pair of adjacent rails having confronting rail ends, each of said rails possessing a rail traveling surface, said confronting ends of adjacent rails forming therebetween a substantially vertically extending parting plane to permit removal of any one given rail without having positionally to alter the next adjacent rail, a single centering bolt means for interconnecting the confronting rail ends with one another arranged at such adjacent rails for sliding movement in the direction of said rails, said single centering bolt means being located in the immediate neighborhood of said rail traveling surface yet not directly thereat, at least one of said adjacent rails being equipped with means at the region of its rail end for slidably completely receiving said single centering bolt means, said receiving means comprising a recessed portion provided at said rail end, each of said adjacent rails incorporates a respective rail traveling flange having a free end equipped with at least one marginal portion providing said rail tRaveling surface, said marginal portion forming a profile member which at the region of its rail end forms a hollow profile which is partially slotted and open towards the outside and defining said receiving means for slidably receiving said single centering bolt means.

Claim 4

A rail connection for connecting the confronting ends of adjacent rails of an overhead conveyor system or the like, comprising at least one pair of adjacent rails having confronting rail ends, each of said rails possessing a rail traveling surface, said confronting ends of adjacent rails forming therebetween a substantially vertically extending parting plane to permit removal of any one given rail without having positionally to alter the next adjacent rail, a single centering bolt means for interconnecting the confronting rail ends with one another arranged at such adjacent rails for sliding movement in the direction of said rails, said single centering bolt means being located in the immediate neighborhood of said rail traveling surface yet not directly thereat, at least one of said adjacent rails being equipped with means at the region of its rail end for slidably completely receiving said single centering bolt means, said receiving means comprising a recessed portion provided at said rail end, each of said adjacent rails incorporates a respective rail traveling flange having a free end equipped with at least one marginal portion providing said rail tRaveling surface, said marginal portion forming a profile member which at the region of its rail end forms a hollow profile which is partially slotted and open towards the outside and defining said receiving means for slidably receiving said single centering bolt means.

Claim 5

A rail connection as defined in claim 1, wherein the confronting ends of adjacent rails are each provided with recessed portions defining said receiving means for slideably receiving said centering bolt means.