Suspended conveyor system

Claim 2

In a conveyor system, the combination comprising means defining a first load supporting track, a first conveyor having a portion thereof adjacent said track and including longitudinally spaced pusher members, a plurality of carriErs for movement along said track, each said carrier having a first pusher dog, each said carrier having a second pusher dog, means for mounting said second pusher dog on said carrier for movement to and from a position where it may be engaged by a pusher member on the conveyor, means on said carrier for releasably holding said second pusher dog in position for engagement by a pusher member, a second load supporting track, means for guiding said carrier between said first and second load supporting tracks, means in advance of the area of said last-mentioned means for moving said second pusher dog into position for engagement with a pusher member of the conveyor whereby when a carrier is moved to said intermediate transfer portion, a pusher member of said conveyor becomes disengaged from said first dog and a succeeding pusher member engages said second dog to push said carrier across said intermediate transfer portion, and means beyond said area for moving said second pusher dog into position out of the path of a pusher member, said means on said carrier for releasably holding said second pusher dog being independent of said means in advance of the area and said means beyond the area.

Claim 3

The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said means in advance of the area for moving the second pusher dog comprises a first cam and a projection on said second pusher dog adapted to engage the first cam, said projection being mounted for yieldable transverse movement with respect to said carrier, said means beyond said area comprising a second cam.

Claim 4

The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said projection comprises a transversely extending member on the upper end of said second pusher dog.

Claim 5

The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said projection comprises a transversely extending member on the lower end of said second pusher dog.

Claim 6

The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said projection comprises a bar that extends transversely with respect to said carrier on opposite sides thereof.

Claim 7

The combination set forth in claim 1 including means for releasably holding said second pusher dog in each of said positions.

Claim 8

The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said second pusher dog is mounted for generally vertical straight line movement.

Claim 9

The combination set forth in claim 1 including a third cam positioned along said first supporting track to engage said second pusher dog and insure it being held in position out of the path of the pusher member.

Claim 10

In a conveyor system, the combination comprising means defining a first overhead load supporting track, a first conveyor having a portion thereof adjacent said track and including longitudinally spaced pusher members, a plurality of carriers for movement along said track, each said carrier comprising a plurality of interconnected trolleys, one of said trolleys having a first pusher dog, another of said trolleys of each said carrier having a second pusher dog, means for mounting said second pusher dog on said carrier for movement to and from position where it may be engaged by a pusher member on the conveyor, means on the carrier for releasably holding said second pusher dog in position for engagement by a pusher member, a second overhead load supporting track, overhead means for guiding said carrier between said first and second load supporting tracks, means in advance of the area of said last-mentioned means for moving said second pusher dog into position for engagement with a pusher member of the conveyor whereby when a carrier is moved to said intermediate transfer portion, a pusher member of said conveyor becomes disengaged from said first pusher dog and a succeeding pusher member engages said second pusher dog to push said carrier across said intermediate transfer portion, and means beyond said area for moving said second pusher dog into position out of the path of a pusher member, sAid means on said carrier for releasably holding said second pusher dog being independent of said means in advance of the area and said means beyond the area.

Claim 11

In a conveyor system, the combination comprising means defining a first overhead load supporting track, a first conveyor having a portion thereof adjacent said track and including longitudinally spaced pusher members, a plurality of carriers for movement along said track, each said carrier comprising a plurality of interconnected trolleys, one of said trolleys having a first pusher dog, another of said trolleys of each said carrier having a second pusher dog, means for mounting said second pusher dog on said carrier for movement to and from position where it may be engaged by a pusher member on the conveyor, means on the carrier for releasably holding said second pusher dog in position for engagement by a pusher member, a second overhead load supporting track, overhead means for guiding said carrier between said first and second load supporting tracks, means in advance of the area of said last-mentioned means for moving said second pusher dog into position for engagement with a pusher member of the conveyor whereby when a carrier is moved to said intermediate transfer portion, a pusher member of said conveyor becomes disengaged from said first pusher dog and a succeeding pusher member engages said second pusher dog to push said carrier across said intermediate transfer portion, and means beyond said area for moving said second pusher dog into position out of the path of a pusher member, sAid means on said carrier for releasably holding said second pusher dog being independent of said means in advance of the area and said means beyond the area.

Claim 12

The combination set forth in claim 9 wherein said means in advance of the area for moving the second pusher dog comprises a first cam and a projection on said second pusher dog adapted to engage the first cam, said means beyond said area comprising a second cam.

Claim 13

The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein said projection comprises a transversely extending member on the upper end of said second pusher dog.

Claim 14

The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein said projection comprises a transversely extending member on the lower end of said second pusher dog.

Claim 15

The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein said projection comprises a bar that extends transversely with respect to said carrier on opposite sides thereof.

Claim 16

The combination set forth in claim 10 including means for releasably holding said second pusher dog in each of said positions.

Claim 17

In a conveyor system, the combination comprising means defining a first load supporting track, a first conveyor having a portion thereof adjacent said track and including longitudinally spaced pusher members, a plurality of carriers for movement along said track, each said carrier having a first pusher dog, each said carrier having a second pusher dog, means for mounting said second pusher dog on said carrier for movement to and from a position where it may be engaged by a pusher member on the conveyor, means on said carrier for releasably holding said second pusher dog in position for engagement by a pusher member, a second load supporting track, means for guiding said carrier between said first and second load supporting tracks, means in advance of the area of said last-mentioned means for moving said second pusher dog into position for engagement with a pusher member of the conveyor whereby when a carrier is moved to said intermediate transfer portion, a pusher member of said conveyor becomes disengaged from said first dog and a succeeding pusher member engages said second dog to push said carrier across said intermediate transfer portion, and means beyond said area for moving said second pusher dog into position out of the path of a pusher member, means for releasably retaining said second pusher dog in position for engagement by a pusher member comprising a spring loaded detent on said carrier, and a recess on said second pusher dog engaged by said detent.

Claim 18

In a conveyor system, the combination comprising means defining a first load supporting track, a first conveyor having a portion thereof adjacent said track and including longitudinally spaced pusher members, a plurality of carriers for movement along said track, each said carrier having a first pusher dog, each said carrier having a second pusher dog, means for mounting said second pusher dog on said carrier for movement to and from a position where it may be engaged by a pusher member on the conveyor, means on said carrier for releasably holding said second pusher dog in position for engagement by a pusher member, a second load supporting track, means for guiding said carrier between said first and second load supporting tracks, means in advance of the area of said last-mentioned means for moving said second pusher dog into position for engagement with a pusher member of the conveyor whereby when a carrier is moved to said intermediate transfer portion, a pusher member of said conveyor becomes disengaged from said first dog and a succeeding pusher member engages said second dog to push said carrier across said intermediate transfer portion, and means beyond said area for moving said second pusher dog into position out of the path of a pusher member, means for releasably retaining said second pusher dog in position for engagement by a pusher member comprising a spring loaded detent on said carrier, and a recess on said second pusher dog engaged by said detent.

Claim 19

In a conveyor system, the combination comprising means defining a first load supporting track, a first conveyor having a portion thereof adjacent said track and including longitudinally spaced pusher members, a plurality of carriers for movement along said track, each said carrier having a first pusher dog, each said carrier having a second pusher dog, means for mounting said second pusher dog on said carrier for movement to and from a position where it may be engaged by a pusher member on the conveyor, means on said carrier for releasably holding said second pusher dog in position for engagement by a pusher member, a second load supporting track, means for guiding said carrier between said first and second load supporting tracks, means in advance of the area of said last-mentioned means for moving said second pusher dog into position for engagement with a pusher member of the conveyor whereby when a carrier is moved to said intermediate transfer portion, a pusher member of said conveyor becomes disengaged from said first dog and a succeeding pusher member engages said second dog to push said carrier across said intermediate transfer portion, and means beyond said area for moving said second pusher dog into position out of the path of a pusher member, means for releasably holding said second pusher dog in each of said positions comprising a pair oF spring loaded detents on said carrier, and a recess on said second pusher dog selectively engaged by said detent when said second pusher dog is in each of said positions.

Claim 20

In a conveyor system, the combination comprising means defining a first load supporting track, a first conveyor having a portion thereof adjacent said track and including longitudinally spaced pusher members, a plurality of carriers for movement along said track, each said carrier having a first pusher dog, each said carrier having a second pusher dog, means for mounting said second pusher dog on said carrier for movement to and from a position where it may be engaged by a pusher member on the conveyor, means on said carrier for releasably holding said second pusher dog in position for engagement by a pusher member, a second load supporting track, means for guiding said carrier between said first and second load supporting tracks, means in advance of the area of said last-mentioned means for moving said second pusher dog into position for engagement with a pusher member of the conveyor whereby when a carrier is moved to said intermediate transfer portion, a pusher member of said conveyor becomes disengaged from said first dog and a succeeding pusher member engages said second dog to push said carrier across said intermediate transfer portion, and means beyond said area for moving said second pusher dog into position out of the path of a pusher member, means for releasably holding said second pusher dog in each of said positions comprising a pair oF spring loaded detents on said carrier, and a recess on said second pusher dog selectively engaged by said detent when said second pusher dog is in each of said positions.

Claim 21

In a conveyor system, the combination comprising means defining a first overhead load supporting track, a first conveyor having a portion thereof adjacent said track and including longitudinally spaced pusher members, a plurality of carriers for movement along said track, each said carrier comprising a plurality of interconnected trolleys, one of said trolleys having a first pusher dog, another of said trolleys of each said carrier having a second pusher dog, means for mounting said second pusher dog on said carrier for movement to and from position where it may be engaged by a pusher member on the conveyor, a second overhead load supporting track, overhead means for guiding said carrier between said first and second load supporting tracks, means in advance of the area of said last-mentioned means for moving said second pusher dog into position for engagement with a pusher member of the conveyor whereby when a carrier is moved to said intermediate transfer portion, a pusher member of said conveyor becomes disengaged from said first pusher dog and a succeeding pusher member engages said second pusher dog to push said carrier across said intermediate transfer portion, and means beyond said area for moving said second pusher dog into position out of the path of a pusher member, said means in advance of the area for moving the second pusher dog comprising a first cam and a projection on said second pusher dog adapted to engage the first cam, said means beyond said area comprising a second cam, means for releasably retaining said second pusher dog in position for engagement by a pusher member comprising a spring loaded detent on said carrier, and a recess on said second pusher dog engaged by said detent.

Claim 22

In a conveyor system, the combination comprising means defining a first overhead load supporting track, a first conveyor having a portion thereof adjacent said track and including longitudinally spaced pusher members, a plurality of carriers for movement along said track, each said carrier comprising a plurality of interconnected trolleys, one of said trolleys having a first pusher dog, another of said trolleys of each said carrier having a second pusher dog, means for mounting said second pusher dog on said carrier for movement to and from position where it may be engaged by a pusher member on the conveyor, a second overhead load supporting track, overhead means for guiding said carrier between said first and second load supporting tracks, means in advance of the area of said last-mentioned means for moving said second pusher dog into position for engagement with a pusher member of the conveyor whereby when a carrier is moved to said intermediate transfer portion, a pusher member of said conveyor becomes disengaged from said first pusher dog and a succeeding pusher member engages said second pusher dog to push said carrier across said intermediate transfer portion, and means beyond said area for moving said second pusher dog into position out of the path of a pusher member, said means in advance of the area for moving the second pusher dog comprising a first cam and a projection on said second pusher dog adapted to engage the first cam, said means beyond said area comprising a second cam, means for releasably retaining said second pusher dog in position for engagement by a pusher member comprising a spring loaded detent on said carrier, and a recess on said second pusher dog engaged by said detent.

Claim 23

In a conveyor system, the combination comprising means defining a first overhead load supporting track, a first conveyor having a portion thereof adjacent said track and including longitudinally spaced pusher members, a plurality of carriers for movement along said track, each said carrier comprising a plurality of interconnected trolleys, one of said trolleys having a first pusher dog, another of said trolleys of each said carrier having a second pusher dog, means for mounting said second pusher dog on said carrier for movement to and from position where it may be engaged by a pusher member on the conveyor, a second overhead load supporting track, overhead means for guiding said carrier between said first and second load supporting tracks, means in advance of the area of said last-mentioned means for moving said second pusher dog into position for engagement with a pusher member of the conveyor whereby when a carrier is moved to said intermediate transfer portion, a pusher member of said conveyor becomes disengaged from said first pusher dog and a succeeding pusher member engages said second pusher dog to push said carrier across said intermediate transfer portion, and means beyond said area for moving said second pusher dog into position out of the path of a pusher member, said means in advance of the area for moving the second pusher dog comprising a first cam and a projection on said second pusher dog adapted to engage the first cam, said means beyond said area comprising a second cam, means for releasably holding said second pusher dog in each of said positions comprising a pair of spring loaded detents on said carrier, and a recess on said second pusher dog selectively engaged by said detent when said second pusher dog is in each of said positions.

Claim 24

In a conveyor system, the combination comprising means defining a first overhead load supporting track, a first conveyor having a portion thereof adjacent said track and including longitudinally spaced pusher members, a plurality of carriers for movement along said track, each said carrier comprising a plurality of interconnected trolleys, one of said trolleys having a first pusher dog, another of said trolleys of each said carrier having a second pusher dog, means for mounting said second pusher dog on said carrier for movement to and from position where it may be engaged by a pusher member on the conveyor, a second overhead load supporting track, overhead means for guiding said carrier between said first and second load supporting tracks, means in advance of the area of said last-mentioned means for moving said second pusher dog into position for engagement with a pusher member of the conveyor whereby when a carrier is moved to said intermediate transfer portion, a pusher member of said conveyor becomes disengaged from said first pusher dog and a succeeding pusher member engages said second pusher dog to push said carrier across said intermediate transfer portion, and means beyond said area for moving said second pusher dog into position out of the path of a pusher member, said means in advance of the area for moving the second pusher dog comprising a first cam and a projection on said second pusher dog adapted to engage the first cam, said means beyond said area comprising a second cam, means for releasably holding said second pusher dog in each of said positions comprising a pair of spring loaded detents on said carrier, and a recess on said second pusher dog selectively engaged by said detent when said second pusher dog is in each of said positions.