Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a towing device for motor vehicles, in particular for a washing plant, including: a conveyor chain revolving between a first deflecting device including a first axis of rotation and a second deflecting device including a second axis of rotation, wherein the conveyor chain comprises a chain forward strand along a load strand and a chain return strand along an empty strand; a conveying path for motor vehicles at least partially disposed along the load strand; at least one driver for a motor vehicle tire, wherein the driver is connected to an associated chain joint disposed at the conveyor chain and serves for towing a motor vehicle along the conveying path; and a circumferential guide track for guiding the at least one driver. According to the disclosure the first and the second axis of rotation are arranged vertically, wherein the load strand and the empty strand of the conveyor chain are arranged in a horizontal plane. In this way a cost-effective assembly of the towing device and a reduction in maintenance and repair costs can be achieved.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2013/074027, filed on Nov. 18, 2013, and published in German as WO 2014/111181 A1 on Jul. 24, 2014. This application claims the benefit and priority of European Application No. 13152088.4, filed on Jan. 21, 2013. The entire disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0003]    The disclosure relates to a towing device for motor vehicles, in particular in a washing plant. 
       DISCUSSION 
       [0004]    Such towing devices are typically used to advance motor vehicles with a pre-defined speed through a washing plant. Herein, such towing devices comprise two parallel chains with drivers fixed there between, wherein the drivers disposed between the chains can engage behind a vehicle wheel of a motor vehicle, such that the vehicle can be moved forward via the vehicle wheel along a conveying path while the chain is revolving. Towing of the vehicle is carried out regularly in a load strand of the chains. A return of the chains and the drivers can be effected in an empty strand of the chains, wherein the empty strand is arranged below the load strand of the chains. The drivers for towing the motor vehicle are fixedly arranged at predetermined intervals between the two chains. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0005]    It is an object of the disclosure to provide a towing device of the type mentioned above which allows a more cost-effective assembly and a reduction in the maintenance and repair costs. 
         [0006]    This object is achieved by the features of the teachings of the present disclosure. Advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the following description. 
         [0007]    A towing device for motor vehicles according to the disclosure, especially for a washing plant, comprises: a conveyor chain revolving between a first deflecting device having a first axis of rotation and a second deflecting device having a second axis of rotation, wherein the conveyor chain has a chain forward strand along a load strand and a chain return strand along an empty strand, a conveying path for motor vehicles at least partially arranged along the load strand, at least one driver connected to an associated chain joint which is arranged at the conveyor chain for a motor vehicle tire for towing a motor vehicle along the conveying path, and a revolving guide track for guiding said at least one driver. According to the disclosure the first and the second axis of rotation are arranged vertically, wherein the load strand and the empty strand of the conveyor chain are arranged in a horizontal plane. 
         [0008]    By means of the towing device a motor vehicle can be towed through a washing plant by use of an adjustably driven conveyor chain by means of a driver which engages at a motor vehicle tire. Herein, the conveyor chain can be arranged horizontally revolving between a first deflecting device having a first axis of rotation and a second deflecting device having a second axis of rotation. Herein, a chain forward strand is arranged along a load strand of the conveyor chain, and a chain return strand is arranged along an empty strand of the conveyor chain. Along at least a portion of the load strand a conveying path for towing one or more motor vehicles is arranged along which the motor vehicles can be towed in a conveying direction by means of drivers, which can engage at a vehicle tire of the respective motor vehicle. The first deflecting device can deflect the conveyor chain from the empty strand to the load strand horizontally to a floor on which the towing device may be mounted overfloor. The second deflecting device can deflect the conveyor chain horizontally from the load strand to the empty strand, e.g. at the end of the conveying path. The conveyor chain can be configured in the form of a bush conveyor chain, wherein the chain links may be connected by rivets. The horizontally revolving conveyor chain can be arranged so that the bolts for connecting the individual chain links of the conveyor chain and/or of chain joints are arranged perpendicular to the floor. 
         [0009]    The first deflecting device can be configured in the form of a deflecting station with a chain tensioner and the second deflecting device can be configured in the form of a drive station, for example, comprising an adjustable electric drive which may comprise a transmission. A driver for a motor vehicle tire for towing a motor vehicle along the conveying path can respectively be connected to the conveyor chain by means of chain joint arranged on the conveyor chain. Here, the driver can be arranged horizontally tiltable and pivotable at the respective chain joint by means of a bolt. The chain joint can be disposed at the outer side of the conveyor chain or may be integrated into the conveyor chain in the form of a chain link, for example, by rivets. The driver can be disposed at the outer side of the conveyor chain, wherein the driver may comprise a driver roller for contacting and driving a motor vehicle tire, wherein the driver roller can be rotatably mounted about a driver axis. The driver axis can be disposed perpendicular to the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation. The driver can comprise a first track roller and a second track roller rotatably mounted about the driver axis, wherein the first and the second track roller may be disposed on either side of the driver roller. The diameter of the driver roller may be smaller than the diameter of the first and the second track roller, wherein said driver roller can be rotatably mounted about the driver axis independently of the first and the second track roller. The first and the second track roller can be arranged on both sides of a motor vehicle tire during towing and contacting a motor vehicle tire. For guiding the driver the towing device can comprise a revolving guide track, wherein the driver can comprise a first and a second guide roller for contacting the guide track. Here, the first guide roller can contact the guide track at the outer side, at a side of the guide track facing away from the conveyor chain, in particular in the area of the conveying path and/or the chain return strand. The second guide roller can contact the guide track at the inner side at a side of the guide track facing the conveyor chain, in particular in the area of the conveying path and/or the chain return strand. The second guide roller can be arranged in front of the first guide roller in the conveying direction of the conveyor chain, wherein the first guide roller serves for supporting the force required for towing the motor vehicle on the guide track. The first and the second guide roller can have different diameters and/or different thicknesses, in particular, the second guide roller, which can engage at the inner side of the track, can be configured flatter than the first guide roller. Here, the second guide roller can contact the guide track at the inner side in an upper region spaced apart from the floor. By means of the guide track the driver, for example at the end of the conveying path, can be pivoted in a horizontal plane and thus become disengaged from the motor vehicle tire. After having disengaged from the motor vehicle tire, the driver can be transferred from the conveying path and the load strand into the chain return strand and the empty strand by a horizontal pivoting movement about the second axis of rotation. A horizontal pivoting movement means a pivoting movement in a horizontal plane, which is formed substantially parallel to the floor. The driver axis can be pivoted in the same horizontal plane during the pivoting movement at the first deflecting device and the second deflecting device about the first and the second axis of rotation. 
         [0010]    By means of the vertical arrangement of the first and the second axis of rotation perpendicular to the floor on which the towing device can be arranged overfloor, a horizontal transfer of the driver from the load strand to the empty strand is enabled, wherein the load strand and the empty strand of the conveyor chain can also be arranged side by side in a horizontal plane. Thus the chain forward strand and the chain return strand can also be arranged side by side in the same horizontal plane. This allows to mount the towing device overfloor on a floor which in particular requires no recess, wherein no cost intensive recesses have to be provided for the chain return strand and wherein the towing device in particular with the empty strand of the conveyor chain is not formed underfloor and at least partially extends into the floor. The overfloor configuration of the towing device enables a cost-effective installation directly on the existing floor, wherein the very small overfloor setup of the towing device allows for easy access to components of the towing device and also easy cleaning of the towing device. In addition, due to the small overfloor setup of the towing device the usable storey height can substantially fully be used for a given storey height. In addition, the easy accessibility of the towing device enables simplified maintenance and repair such that maintenance and repair costs can be reduced. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0011]    In a preferred embodiment the guide track comprises a profile formed in a perpendicular direction. The profile of the guide track can be formed in the area of the second deflecting device in particular the drive station at the guide track. Herein, the profile can extend from one end of the conveyor path up to a start of the chain return strand and can extend substantially over an angle of 180° about the second axis of rotation. By means of the profile the vertical extent, the height, of the guide track along a portion of the guide track over the floor can be changed. The profile can, for example, be configured in the form of a step, wherein coming from the conveying path and the chain forward strand the height of the guide track can be reduced by one step and at the start of the chain return strand the height of the guide track can be increased again by one step, for example, to the previous height. By means of the profile, in particular by changing the height of the guide track in the region of the second deflecting device, a guide roller, in particular the second guide roller of the driver can be moved without contact with the guide track, and can be deflected beyond the guide track in the region of the second deflecting device. This enables a tilting movement and a pivoting movement of the driver in a horizontal plane opposite to the moving direction of the conveyor chain. The tilting movement of the driver in the horizontal plane opposite to the moving direction of the conveyor chain can cause a disengagement of the driver from the motor vehicle wheel moving continuously, whereby a lateral inwardly retracting movement of the driver is enabled and the driver can be pivoted horizontally from the chain forward strand to the chain return strand without any force. At the start of the chain return strand the guide roller, in particular the second guide roller, can again engage at the inner side of the track, whereby a guide of the driver along the chain return strand can be ensured. 
         [0012]    In a particularly preferred embodiment the driver comprises at least one support roller. The driver may comprise a first and a second track roller which can be rotatably mounted around a driver axis, wherein the first and the second track roller can be positioned on either side of a driver roller for contacting a motor vehicle tire. The at least one support roller can be rotatably mounted around a support roller axis, wherein the driver axis and the support roller axis can be arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other. A plurality of support rollers may be arranged on the support roller axis and/or may each have own axes. The support roller axis can be arranged at a side of the driver axis facing away from the motor vehicle tire. By means of the support roller the driver can be supported in a horizontal position, whereby a contact of the driver, in particular the first guide roller, with the floor can be avoided. Thus, wear of the guide rollers can be reduced. In addition, the support roller is adapted to avoid torsion of chain joint. 
         [0013]    Particularly preferably the chain joint comprises a bolt for the pivotably mounting the driver and the driver comprises a corresponding bore for receiving the bolt. The chain joint comprises on the outer side a bolt for pivotably mounting the driver, wherein the driver may be mounted rotatably within a corresponding bore of the driver. The bolt may be removably mounted at the outer side of the chain joint. The bore for receiving the bolt at the driver may be disposed between the driver axis and the support roller axis, wherein the bore may in particular be disposed behind the second guide roller when viewed in the conveying direction. By disposing the bolt at the chain joint the construction of the bolt-free driver can be simplified. In addition, a replacement of a driver can be simplified. 
         [0014]    In a particularly preferred embodiment the first and/or the second deflecting device comprises a driver plate for vertically supporting the driver. The driver plate can be configured in the form of a disc and be arranged rotatably about the first and/or the second axis of rotation, for example, below the conveyor chain. During the pivoting movement of a driver, for example, from the load strand to the empty strand the driver plate may be contacted by the driver, such that the driver can be supported in the vertical direction. Thus, a deflection of the driver about the first and/or the second axis of rotation is enabled without contact to the floor, such that wear of the driver can be reduced. 
         [0015]    Particularly preferably the first deflecting device comprises a hydraulic chain tensioner. The first deflecting device can be configured in the form of a deflecting station in order to allow a deflection of the driver from the chain return strand to the chain forward strand with less friction. Herein, the hydraulic chain tensioner of the deflecting device can be configured in the form of a pressure-controlled hydraulic cylinder. This can avoid a manual tensioning of the conveyor chain, and a constant optimal tension of the conveyor chain can be ensured. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the conveying path comprises a track for motor vehicle wheels and/or a rim protector. The conveying path may include a track for motor vehicle tires of a motor vehicle. Herein, the track can be constructed in the form of a plate or a profile, wherein the profile can have one or two collars. A track with two collars may be configured in the shape of a trough, which may comprise a collar at the inner and at the outer side. The conveying path may comprise a rim protector for protecting a rim of a motor vehicle tire during the towing of the motor vehicle along the conveying path. The rim protector can be arranged along at least a portion of the conveying path. The rim protector can be arranged on the inner side at a side of the motor vehicle tire facing the conveyor chain and/or at the outer side at a side of the motor vehicle tire facing away from the conveyor chain. The rim protector can be made from a material having a smooth surface and/or a low coefficient of friction, whereby scratching of the rim can be avoided. 
         [0017]    It is preferably provided that the rim protector is configured in the form of protective rollers. The protective rollers may have an elongated extension and be mounted rotationally about a roll axis. Herein, the roll axis can be arranged substantially parallel to the conveying path and/or the load strand of the conveyor chain. The protective rollers may be arranged at the conveying path, at the track and/or at a cover of the towing device. The roll axes of the protective rollers may respectively be arranged substantially coaxially at the outer and/or inner side of the motor vehicle tire. By means of a contact of the rolling motor vehicle tire with the protective roller, in particular a contact of the motor vehicle rim with the protective roller, the protective role can yield by rotating around the roll axis, such that a damage of the rim by a reduced relative movement between the protective roller and the motor vehicle tire, in particular the rim, can be avoided. A protective roller may be configured from a material having a low friction coefficient and/or a smooth surface, for example from a plastic material such as Teflon. 
         [0018]    More preferably, tracks are provided for the first and the second track roller and/or the support roller of the driver along the chain return strand. The tracks for the first and the second track roller and/or the support roller of the driver may be mounted overfloor in the form of strips on the floor and extend substantially parallel to the conveyor chain along the empty strand and the chain return strand. By means of the tracks the rolling resistance of the drivers can be reduced in the chain return strand. In addition, wear and possible damage to the driver can be avoided. 
         [0019]    Furthermore, a washing plant comprising at least one towing device configured as described above is claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
           [0021]    Hereinafter the disclosure will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings on the basis of a preferred embodiment. 
           [0022]    In the drawings: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a towing device; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a portion of the towing device including a conveying path; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a second deflecting device in the form of a drive station; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic representation of a first deflecting device; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a chain joint including a bolt; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a driver comprising a first and a second track roller; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  shows a plan view of a driver comprising a support roller; 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  shows a side view of the driver shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of the driver shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of the driver shown in  FIG. 7  provided at a chain joint; 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  shows a side view of the second deflecting device with a conveying path and a chain return strand; 
           [0034]      FIG. 12  shows a portion of the second deflecting device shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 13  shows a portion of the second deflecting device shown in  FIG. 12  including a motor vehicle tire; 
           [0036]      FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of the second deflecting device shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0037]      FIGS. 15   a - f  show a plan view of the second deflecting device including a pivoted drive; 
           [0038]      FIG. 16  shows a portion of a conveying path including a track; 
           [0039]      FIG. 17  shows a perspective view of tracks of the chain return strand; 
           [0040]      FIG. 18  shows a perspective view of a cover of the towing device; 
           [0041]      FIG. 19  shows a perspective view of a cover of the conveying path; 
           [0042]      FIG. 20  shows a plan view of a further embodiment of a driver; and 
           [0043]      FIG. 21  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a driver. 
       
    
    
       [0044]    Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0045]    Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0046]      FIG. 1  shows a towing device  10  for motor vehicles in a washing plant comprising a first deflecting device  12  including a first axis of rotation  14  and a second deflecting device  16  including a second axis of rotation  18 . Between the first deflecting device  12  and the second deflection device  16  a chain conveyor  20  including a chain forward strand  22  along a load strand  24  of the conveyor chain  20  and a chain return strand  26  along an empty strand  28  of the conveyor chain  20  is shown. Along a portion of the chain forward strand  22  and the load strand  24  a conveying path  30  is arranged along which a motor vehicle can be towed through a washing plant. For towing a motor vehicle the towing device  10  comprises drivers  32  ( FIG. 2 ) which are arranged at regular intervals on the conveyor chain (not shown) and are adapted to tow a motor vehicle along the conveying path  30 . For contacting a motor vehicle tire the drivers  32  comprise a driver roller  34  which is disposed between a first track roller  36  and second track roller  38 . The drivers  32  roll on a trough-shaped track  40 . The trough-shaped track  40  of the conveying path  30  comprises on the inner side and on the outer side, respectively, a rim protector  42  in order to prevent scratching or damage of a rim of a motor vehicle tire. The chain return strand  26  and the conveyor chain  20  are covered by means of a cover  44  and thus protected from contamination. 
         [0047]      FIG. 3  shows the second deflecting device  16  of the towing device  10  in the form of a drive station including an electrical drive  46 . The driver  32  is arranged on a chain joint  48  of the conveyor chain  20  so that the driver can be engaged by the horizontally revolving conveyor chain  20  along the chain forward strand  22  and can be pivoted horizontally about the second axis of rotation  18  from the chain forward strand  22  to the chain return strand  26 . The horizontal pivotal movement of the driver  32  is enabled by arranging the load strand and the empty strand  24  and  28  of the conveyor chain  20  in the same horizontal plane. The driver  32  runs along the chain forward strand  22  on a trough-shaped track  40  by means of the first and the second track roller  36 ,  38  which are arranged on both sides of the roller  34 . The towing device  10  is at least partially covered by covers  44 , wherein said chain return strand  26  is covered in its entire width by the cover  44 , and wherein the chain forward strand  22  along the conveying path  30  at the inner side comprises a cover which substantially covers the conveyor chain  20 , wherein at the outer side of the cover facing the track  40  a rim protector  42  is disposed. Herein, the rim protector  42  has the form of protective rollers  76  which are arranged parallel to the track  40  and to the conveyor chain  20 . The second deflecting device  16  having the form of a deflecting station including a hydraulic chain tensioner is shown in  FIG. 4 . The first deflecting device  12  comprises the first axis of rotation  14  about which a deflection sprocket  52  is mounted rotatably in order to transfer the conveyor chain (not shown) from the chain return strand into the chain forward strand. The deflecting device  12  also includes a hydraulic unit  54  for supplying a required hydraulic pressure to the chain tensioner (not shown). 
         [0048]      FIG. 5  shows a chain joint  48  which at the outer side comprises a bolt  56  for securing a driver (not shown). The bolt  56  is accommodated in a projection  58 , wherein the bolt  56  is detachably mounted in the projection  58  and is secured by a lock screw  60  against unintentional detaching. By means of a rivet  62  the chain joint  48  can be connected with chain links of the conveyor chain  20 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 6  shows a driver  32  comprising a driver roller  34  for engaging a motor vehicle tire. The driver roller  34  is mounted rotatably about a driver axis  64 . At the ends of the driver roller  34  a first track roller  36  and second track roller  38  are disposed, wherein the first track roller  36  is disposed at the outer side and the second track roller  38  is disposed at the inner side. The first and the second track roller  36 ,  38  and the driver roller  34  are rotatably mounted about the driver axis  64  independently of each other. For guidance the driver comprises a first guide roller  66  and a second guide roller  68 . The guide roller axes  70 ,  72  are disposed substantially perpendicular to the driver axis  64 . The first guide roller  66  including the first guide roller axis  70  is disposed behind the driver axis  64  in the conveying direction of the conveyor chain (not shown), and the second guide roller  68  including the second guide roller axis  72  is disposed in front of the driver axis  64  in the conveying direction. Herein, the first guide roller  66  is disposed at the outer side of a guide track (not shown) and the second guide roller  68  is disposed at the inner side the guide track. For attaching the driver  32  at a chain joint  48  the driver comprises of a bore  74  into which a bolt of a chain joint can be inserted. 
         [0050]      FIG. 7  shows a driver  32  with a support roller  76 , wherein the support roller  50  is rotatably mounted about a support roller axis  78 . Herein, the support roller axis  78  is arranged parallel to and in the conveying direction behind the driver axis  64 , wherein the support roller  50  is arranged behind the second track roller  38  in the conveying direction. The second guide roller  68  is arranged behind the driver axis  64  in the conveying direction of the conveyor chain (not shown). The first guide roller  66  is arranged behind the support roller axis  78  and the support roller  50  in the conveying direction. For attaching the driver  32  at a chain link (not shown) the driver  32  comprises a bore  74 . For protecting the driver roller  32  the driver  32  comprises a guard bracket  80  in front of the roller  34  in the conveying direction which guard bracket substantially extends parallel to driver axis  64  along the first track roller  36 , the driver roller  34  and second track roller  38 . The guard bracket  80  ( FIG. 8 ) is arranged transversely to the conveying direction of the driver  32  below the driver axis  64  at the side of the track or the floor. The second guide roller  68  including the second guide roller axis  72  arranged at the inner side of a conveying track (not shown) is arranged at the inner side of the first guide roller  66 . The second guide roller  68  has a smaller diameter than the first guide roller  66 , and the second guide roller  68  has a smaller height compared to the first guide roller  66 . The second guide roller  68  has a flatter configuration than the first guide roller  66  and one end face thereof is spaced further apart from the floor than the first guide roller  66 . The bore  74  ( FIG. 9 ) is arranged adjacent to and behind the second guide roller  68  in the conveying direction. By means of the support roller  50  arranged axis-parallel to the first track roller  36  and the second track roller  38  and arranged behind the second track roller  38  in the conveying direction, the driver  32  can be supported against tilting moments about the driver axis  64 . Thus, an unintended contact of the driver  32  with the floor can be prevented, whereby wear of the driver  32  can be reduced. The driver  32  disposed at the chain joint  48  ( FIG. 10 ) is pivotally mounted about the bore axis  82 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 11  shows an end view of the second deflecting device  16 , such as at the exit side of the conveying path  30 . The second deflecting device  16  comprises the second axis of rotation  18  and a drive unit  46  by means of which the conveyor chain  20  can be moved, such that motor vehicles, in particular motor vehicle tires  84 , can be driven by means of drivers  32  along the conveying path  30 , wherein the motor vehicle tires  84  can roll on the track  40 . The drivers  32  are pivotably connected to the conveyor chain  20  by the chain joint  48 . The drivers  32  are guided by the first guide roller  66  and the second guide roller  68 , which contact a guide track  86 . The first guide roller  66  contacts the guide track  86  at the outer side, and the second guide roller  68  contacts the guide track at the inner side. In the area of the second deflecting device  16  the guide track  86  has a profile  88  in form of a step, wherein in a range of, for example, substantially 180° about the second axis of rotation  18  the height of the guide track  86  is reduced. As a result, in the area of the profile  88  the second guide roller  68  cannot support the driver  32  against a tilting motion about the bore axis  82  opposite to the conveying direction, such that the second guide roller  68  can intersect the guide track  86 , so that the driver  32  can pivot opposite to the conveying direction and can be disengaged from the motor vehicle tire  84 . This allows the driver  32  to be pivoted with zero load from the conveying path  30  to the chain return strand  26 . At the inner side the driver  32  contacts a driver plate  90  in the area of the second deflecting device  16 , wherein the driver plate prevents a tilting motion of the driver  32  in the vertical direction, whereby a pivoting motion of the driver  32  without any contact to the floor from the chain forward strand  22  to the chain return strand  26  is enabled. The chain return strand  26  comprises two tracks  92  for guiding the drivers  32 . 
         [0052]    The second deflecting device  16  of the towing device  10  shown in  FIG. 12  is at least partially covered by a cover  44 . At the cover  44  at the side of the conveying path  30  a rim protector  42  is disposed, which extends beyond the conveyor chain up to the edge of the track  40 . The track  40  has an edge on the outer side, which also comprises an inwardly directed rim protector  42  and protrudes beyond the outer side of the driver  32 . The driver  32  is guided at the guide track  68  which has a profile  88  in the form of a step. The motor vehicle tire  84  ( FIG. 13 ) is carried by the driver  32  along the conveying path  30 , wherein the driver  32  is supported by the guide rollers  66 ,  68  at the guide track  86  against a horizontal tilting motion opposite to the conveying direction. At the step-shaped profile  88  of the guide track  86  the second guide roller  68 , which at the inner side abuts at the guide track  86 , can no longer contact the guide track  86 , such that a horizontal pivoting motion opposite to the conveying direction of the drive  32  is enabled. 
         [0053]      FIG. 14  shows a motor vehicle tire  84  at the end of the conveying path  30 , wherein the second guide roller  68  with a further transport of the driver  32  by the conveyor chain  20  has no longer contact and traverses the guide track  86  enabling a pivoting motion of the driver supported only by the first guide roll  66 , which driver at the outer side abuts the guide track  86 . Herein, the guide track  86  for pivoting the driver  32  is no longer disposed on the outer side of the conveyor chain  20 , but inwardly, traversing the conveyor chain  20 . 
         [0054]    A driver  32  towing a motor vehicle tire  84  is shown at the end of the conveying path  30  ( FIG. 15A ), wherein the second guide roller  68  is arranged without contact with the guide track  86  and traverses it in the conveying direction. The guide track  86  is arranged at the outer side along the conveying path  30  parallel to the conveyor chain  20  and in the region of the chain return strand  26  the guide track  86  is also arranged on the outer side and parallel to the conveyor chain  20 . In the area of the second deflecting device  16 , the guide track  86  jumps back inwardly and traverses the conveyor chain  20  and is guided at the inner side of the conveyor chain  20  to the chain return strand  26 , wherein in an initial region of the chain return strand  26  the guide track  86  traverses the conveyor chain  20  from the inner to the outer side and is guided further at the outer side parallel to the conveyor chain  20 . By means of the profile  88  in the form of a step while reducing the height of the guide track  86  in the area of the second deflecting device  16  the driver  32  is guided by the horizontal pivoting motion about the bore axis  82  and the first guide roller  66  rolling at the outer side on the guide track  86 . This enables a horizontal pivoting motion of the driver  32  about the bore axis  82  ( FIGS. 15   b - f ) opposite to the conveying direction. This allows the driver  32  to pass the turning point in the second deflecting device  16  with zero load. By means of the end of the profile  88  of the guide track  86  at the beginning of the chain return strand  26  a guidance of the driver  32  is provided by the first guide roller  66  rolling at the outer side on the guide track  86 , the second guide roller  68  rolling again at the inner side on the guide track  86  and the chain joint  48 . In the chain return strand  26  the first and the second track roller  36 ,  38  and the support roller  50  are respectively guided on tracks  92 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 16  shows a component of a modularly constructed conveying path  30 . The track  40  comprises on the outer side a collar, at which a rim protector  48  in the form of protective rollers  76  is disposed. On the inner side the conveying path  30  comprises a portion of the guide track  86 . The chain return strand  26  ( FIG. 17 ) comprises at the outer side and at the inner side, respectively, a track  92  for the track and support rollers (not shown) of the driver. In addition, at the inner side a portion of the guide track  86  is arranged. The towing device  10  can at least partially ( FIG. 18 ,  FIG. 19 ) be covered by covers  44 . Here, the covers  44  may comprise hinges  94 , such that the covers  44 , in particular the cover  44  of the conveying path  30  and the chain return strand  26  are constructed foldable in order to allow an improved access for maintenance and/or repair purposes. The cover  44  in  FIG. 19  is arranged hingedly at the inner side of the track  30  and comprises a rim protector  42  which is constructed in the form of adjacent and coaxially arranged protective rollers  76 . The protective rollers  76  are arranged coaxially with respect to the roll axis  79  and have an elongate extension, such that a contact with a rim of a motor vehicle tire by means of co-rotation contributes to prevent damage to the rim. 
         [0056]      FIG. 20  shows a driver, which for guiding the driver in addition to a first guide roller  66  and a second guide roller  68  comprises a further guide roller  66   b.  The guide rollers  66  and  66   b  are disposed behind the driver axis in the conveying direction of the conveyor chain (not shown), wherein the guide roller  68  is disposed in front of the driver axis in the conveying direction. Here, the guide rollers  66  and  66   b  are disposed at the outer side of a guide track (not shown) and the guide roller  68  is disposed at the inner side of the guide track. For attachment of the driver to a chain joint, the driver comprises of a bore  74  into which a bolt of a chain joint can be inserted. Furthermore, the driver includes a support roller  50  which is disposed between the guide rollers  66  and  66   b.    
         [0057]      FIG. 21  shows a perspective view of the embodiment of a driver shown in  FIG. 20 , which for guiding the driver in addition to a first guide roller  66  and a second guide roller  68  comprises a further guide roller  66   b.  The guide rollers  66  and  66   b  are disposed behind the driver axis in the conveying direction of the conveyor chain (not shown), wherein the guide roller  68  is disposed in front of the driver axis in the conveying direction. The guide rollers  66  and  66   b  are disposed at the outer side of a guide track (not shown) and the guide roller  68  is disposed at the inner side of the guide track. For attachment of the driver to a chain joint the driver comprises a bore  74  into which a bolt of a chain joint can be inserted. Moreover, the driver includes a support roller  50  which is disposed between the guide rollers  66  and  66   b.    
         [0058]    The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.