Patent Publication Number: US-4733615-A

Title: Carrier rail for overhead conveyors

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a carrier rail for overhead conveyors. More particularly, it relates to a carrier rail for overhead conveyors which includes an upper and a lower flange connected together by a vertical web. 
     In German Gebrauchsmuster No. 84 04 118.4 a carrier rail of this type is described, in which on the under- or innerside of the flanges, outside of the pressure plane developed upon bending of the rail, and on both sides of the web, longitudinally extending ledges are provided to form longitudinal grooves between the web and ledges. These longitudinal grooves serve to secure the fastening devices for electrical conductors, and accurate guide or control markings or the like, without changing the rail. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved carrier rail which has complete independence from the longitudinal grooves of the flanges, so as to prevent a compressing or tensioning of the longitudinal grooves on bending of the rail, or the curves corresponding to the course of the rail. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The foregoing and related objects are readily attained in a carrier rail of the type described above wherein at one or both sides along the two faces of the web, angled profiles are arranged at a distance from the underside of the flanges, to form two or four grooves. The invention affords the significant advantage that the longitudinal grooves are not compressed on bending the curves corresponding to the course of the rail. A further feature of the invention is to use the web surfaces between upper and lower flange, and the angled profiles arranged on the web, for mounting track measuring systems, for example, toothed racks, adhesive films having a distance grating or screen, or similar systems, and thereby to control a vehicle traveling on the profile. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, each two grooves on one side of the web are directed so that their openings are opposed, i.e., the opening of the groove of the lower flange faces upwards and the opening of the groove of the upper flange faces downwards. The angled profiles may be formed integral with the web and, preferably, may form a right angle to the web surfaces. 
     Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, which discloses one embodiment of the invention. It is to be understood that the drawing is to be used for the purpose of illustration only, and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The drawing is a cross-sectional view of the carrier rail according to the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning now in particular to the appended drawing, therein illustrated is a novel symmetrical, double-T carrier rail, embodying the present invention, which includes an upper flange 1 and a lower flange 2, which are joined together by a vertical web 3. At a distance from upper flange 1, two angled profiles 4 and 5 are arranged on web 3, and form longitudinally-extending grooves 6,7 with web 3. In the same way, two angled profiles 8,9 are arranged at a distance from lower flange 2, and form two longitudinally-extending grooves 10,11 on opposite sides of the web. Grooves 6,10 or 7,11 are arranged so that their openings are opposite to each other. Angled profiles 4,5 and 8,9 can be formed integral with web 3 and the two flanges 1 and 2, respectively. In the specific embodiment illustrated in the drawing, angled profiles 4,5 and 8,9 form a right angle to web 3. Longitudinal grooves 6,7 and 10,11 may be used to easily attach electrical conductors, guide controls, joint connectors, overhead suspensions, etc., to the rail. 
     Thus, while only a single embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.