Patent ID: 8191483
Filing Date: 2012-06-05
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A method of propelling at least one load across a gap in a rotating drive shaft of an overhead conveyor system, the method comprising: a) providing a first shaft segment and a second shaft segment coaxially aligned along a common shaft axis with a gap therebetween, and a carriage with at least one driven wheel in contact with an outer drive surface of at least one of the shaft segments, the at least one driven wheel canted at an angle to the co-axis of the rotating first shaft segment and the rotating second shaft segment, further providing a bearing housing positioned within the gap between the first shaft segment and the second shaft segment, wherein the bearing housing comprises b) rotating the first shaft segment and the second shaft segment simultaneously to tractionally engage the at least one driven wheel with the rotating outer drive surface of at least one of the first shaft segment and the second shaft segment so as to form a constant helical loci of engagement with sufficient force to propel the carriage with the at least one driven wheel, wherein the at least one driven wheel is always in driven contact with at least one of the rotating first and second shaft segments to continuously provide propulsion to the carriage.