Improvements in and connected with Conveying Apparatus.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd May, 1898-Accepted, 17th Sept., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Conveying Apparatus.
A communication from abroad by ALVARO SILAS KROTZ, of Springfield, Clark Co.,
Ohio, Electrician.
'
I, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE, of 46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of London,
Consulting Engineer and Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to conveying systems, and although capable of embodi-
ment in a multitude of ways in various connections, it is particularly adapted for
use in store service apparatus for conveying parcels from place to place as from
the counter where the salesman is located to the cashier's stand where the goods
are wrapped and change is made, the money for the goods being transmitted to
the cashier's stand with the parcel. I have said that the invention is particularly
adapted for use in store service apparatus, because I have found this to be the
case in actual practice, but I contemplate its employment in many other con-
nections, and hence do not desire to limit myself in any way to the embodiment
of the invention in any one form of apparatus or for any one particular purpose.
The invention involves the employment of electricity in the operation of the
system, and instrumentalities whereby automatic transfer of the parcels or other
load to be carried is effected, and the invention is intended largely as
improvement upon certain prior constructions involving the general idea of a
store service apparatus in which a conveyor is caused to traverse a track by elec-
tricity, and to pick up receptacles or carriers at various points or stations along
the track, and to leave such receptacles at their proper stations after having been
delivered at a receiving station, and again picked up thereat, the transfer of the
receptacles between the conveyor and the holders at the various stations, being
effected automatically by means of suitable stop and trip devices; furthermore
the idea of an elevator located at each salesman's station for supporting the recep-
tacle, holder or carrier, and raising and lowering the same, the lowering being
effected automatically by gravity when a receptacle has been deposited in the
elevator from the conveyor, the latter in passing operating trip mechanism to
release the elevator.
an
With full knowledge of this prior state of the art, I have in evolving the present
nvention endeavored to utilize elements of known apparatus while avoiding
ertain objectionable features, and to so combine the useful and essential elements
with other elements as to produce a thoroughly practical result.
While it is true I employ a number of elements which may be considered the
quivalent of corresponding elements used in prior constructions yet my inven-
ion differs essentially therefrom in novel combinations of parts whereby defects
iscovered in prior apparatus are entirely obviated.
My invention involves novelty in the system of applying electricity in pro-
ulsion of the conveyor, as well as novelty in the combination of parts what

page_text: the receptacles are transferred between the conveyor and the holders at the variou
stations. By the latter combinations absolute certainty is ensured that the recep
tacles will be properly transferred without possibility of accident to any portion
of the apparatus, and this is accomplished without undue complication of parts
and the number of parts is reduced to the minimum by so constructing and arrang
ing them that their functions are multiplied. The improvement in the electrica
conducting system provides for an economic use of electricity so that all th
work required can be expeditiously accomplished without appreciable waste of th
current. This improved electrical conducting system also provides for more com
plete and perfect control of its workings than any apparatus of this kind hereto
fore known.
While certain of the general features of the present invention are, as abov
stated, not new with me, yet the evolution of the present invention is believed to
make possible for the first time the practical application of those general feature
in a great variety of industries, opening up much broader fields for the utilization
of an automatic conveying system than could possibly have been contemplated
by prior inventors. The form in which I have embodied the general features of
a conveying system of the character above indicated will readily suggest their
practical application in various other connections than for store service, as for
example in apparatus for conveying commodities from place to place, in work
shops and factories, in excavating and dredging operations, and in fact in any
connection where a load is to be carried from place to place and deposited or dis-
charged at a receiving station. In the present application I have indicated only
a limited number of modes in which the invention is capable of embodiment, but
it will be understood that I do not propose to confine myself to a limited applica-
tion of the invention, and therefore the appended claims which recite what I
consider its essential elements are intended to cover the broad application of the
invention in any connection where it is applicable.
The drawings which accompany and form part of this specification illustrate
a number of forms of embodiment of the invention. Of said drawings
Figure 1 represents a general perspective view of a complete apparatus.
Figure 2 represents the conveyor in perspective and detached.
Figure 3 represents the frame work at the receiving station in perspective.
Figure 4 represents an elevation of this frame work together with a portion of
the track, and the conveyor, as it appears in passing through the receiving station.
Figure represents a plan view of the same.
Figure 6 represents a perspective view of the fixture at one of the salesman's
stations, and its appurtenances together with the elevator in its raised position.
Figure 6 represents in side elevation certain cut-out devices located at the
station.
Figure 6 represents a cushioning device for the elevators, in side elevation.
Figure 7 represents a side elevation of the same parts together with part of the
conveyor and one of the baskets illustrating the manner in which the latter is
picked up by the conveyor.
Figure 8 represents in perspective a modified arrangement of stop and trip
devices for effecting the automatic transfer of the basket between the conveyor
and the elevator.
Figure 9 represents a sectional elevation taken on line IX-IX of Figure 8
and looking in the direction of the arrow crossing this line.
Figure 10 represents in perspective another modification of these devices.
Figure 11 represents a fragmentary elevation of the same.
Figure 12 shows a modified form of receiving station in side elevation.
Figure 13 is a detail of trip devices employed at this receiving station.
Figure 14 represents the electrical system in diagram.
The invention may be embodied in a system where the track is continuous,
extending over the cashier's desk, or over a suitable stand where wrapping is
done, or where change is made, the track thence extending on an incline at each

page_text: side until the desired elevation is attained, and thence horizontally from the top
of one inclined section to the top of the other. Such a system is illustrated in
perspective in Figure 1, and the letters a and a designate respectively the outer
and inner rails composing the main portion of the track, sections of the inner
5 rail in the inclined portions of the track being insulated from the main portion a¹
of the inner rail and also from each other, as indicated at the points 2, 3, and 4,
in the diagrammatic view, Figure 14. The purpose of this particular construc-
tion of the inner rail of the track will be more clearly set forth hereinafter in
connection with the description of the electrical apparatus for operating the system,
but it may be here remarked that the general purpose of this sectional construc-
tion is to provide for the application of more power when a load is being carried
up an inclined portion of the track, and to reduce the power when a load is travel-
ing down an inclined portion of the track.
rails which are angular in cross-section, as shown in Figure 6, said rails being
The track is preferably composed of
supported in any suitable manner as for example, by hangers suspended from
the ceiling of the room in which the apparatus is erected.
letter 6 designates the stem of such a hanger, and b¹ a
In the drawings the
end of the stem and to the track rails on the outer sides of the latter with properly
yoke secured to the lower
interposed insulation.
The carriage which travels upon the above described track and is intended to
rémain constantly thereon is of the following description; reference being had
more particularly to Figure 2. It comprises a pair of rails c each tapered at both
ends on the upper sides, as shown at c¹, and turned inwardly at one end, and
tapered on the outer side also, as shown at c. The said rails are connected near
their ends by cross-rods 2, and at intermediate points by arches 3 and ct of
skeleton construction which constitute respectively the bases for a trailer and a
motor truck.
The latter comprises a suitable frame d having a pendant journal d' engaging
a vertical bearing upon the arch e, a shaft du journaled in suitable bearings
on said frame and carrying within the latter an armature d³ and outside the frame
a pair of wheels which run upon the track, the said wheels being preferably
rubber coated and their body portions being composed of hard fibrous material.
Field coils are supported at opposite sides of the armature in arms do projecting
from the frame of the motor, and to one of said arms there is secured a cross-
piece carrying curved spring arms d which support brushes ds, the latter bearing
gainst the inner surfaces of the track-rails. These brushes are suitably wired to
he commutator which is arranged at one side of the frame d and the said com-
mutator is suitably wired to the field coils 5. The brushes de conduct the electric
urrent from the track-rails, and thence the current passes through the motor in
well-known manner to drive the wheels d³, and propel the carriage along the
racks in an obvious way. The lower forward arm de of the motor frame carries
bracket e on the outer ends of the arms of which there are journaled a pair of
ollers el which by contact with the inner surface of the track-rails properly guide
he motor around the track, insulation being appropriately interposed to prevent
ese rollers acting as conductors of electricity to drive the motor. Further guid-
g means are provided in the form of blocks of insulation e2 secured to the sides
the motor frame and shouldered so as to extend over the inner sides of the
ack-rails and also underneath the same, to prevent the motor from jumping
e track.
The trailer hereinbefore referred to comprises a frame f having a pendant
urnal which engages a hearing f¹ which in turn is journaled in the frame c³,
e said journals being at right-angles to each other, with the object of com-
nsating for irregularities in the track without causing the rails of the carriage
be appreciably affected. The trailer frame f is formed with upright bearings
a shaft f which carries wheels f to run upon the track-rails, these wheels
ing of corresponding construction to the wheels of the motor. Arms f which
pend from the frame f at opposite sides of the same carry blocks of insulation f5

page_text: shouldered to extend over the inner sides of the track-rails and also under the
lower sides of the same to properly guide the trailer and also to prevent the same
from jumping the track. Further guiding means are provided by rollers fo
journaled at the outer ends and on the under sides of arms f7 projecting from the
front side of the frame f the said roller's running along the inner sides of the
track-rails.
It will be seen that a carriage constructed as above described is calculated to
run easily around the track without any possibility of binding thereon at any
point, notwithstanding the fact that slight irregularities may exist, and moreover,
ample provision is made for preventing any possibility of the carriage becoming
derailed.
The other equipments of the carriage which will next be described have to do
with its capability of handling the baskets or other carriers; that is to say, taking
up the same at various points and dropping them again at the cashier's stand,
and also returning them to and depositing them at their own stations. A shaft g
is journaled in the carriage rails c at the rear end of the latter, said shaft having
affixed to its middle portion a hook-shaped arm g' which, when the shaft is in
its normal position bears against the rear cross-rod depending sufficiently
below the same to act against a basket or carrier which may be resting upon the
rails c.
A spiral spring g surrounds the said shaft and is secured at one end
thereto and at its opposite end is engaged with the cross-rod c² the said spring
pressing the hook-shaped arm gl downwardly against said cross-rod.
An arm g³
affixed to the said rock-shaft projects upwardly therefrom and is equipped with
a roller g which by co-action with certain cam-strips hereinafter described, one
of which is located at the cashier's stand, and others at the various stations, pro-
duces a sufficient elevation of the hook-shaped arm gl to remove it from position
for engagement with a carrier or basket to permit the latter leaving the carriage.
In front of the motor, gravity stop-pieces h are pivotally connected with the
carriage-rails on the inner sides of the same, these stop-pieces having pins h¹
which project into the inside grooves of the rails so as to limit downward move-
ment of the stop-pieces, the latter being for the purpose of preventing a holder
or basket from moving off of the front end of the carriage. At this part of the
carriage there are also provided spring strips i which are secured to the outer
sides of the carriage rails and project therefrom for co-action with the baskets or
carriers in a manner which will be hereinafter explained. At the rear end of
the carriage an arm j is rigidly fastened to one of the rails c and projects up-
wardly therefrom being equipped with a roller j¹ which co-acts with parts herein-
after described at the different stations in connection with the delivery of the
baskets or carriers.
On the inner sides of the rails c of the carriage there are fastened strips k
which project somewhat below the lower edges of the rails and are composed of
suitable material, such as rubber which will cause sufficient friction between the
carriage and baskets or carriers to ensure the latter's being properly lodged upon
the carriage and the swiftly moving carriage properly picking up the baskets or
carriers.
The form of basket here shown comprises a body portion m of any suitable
form and construction, that here shown, being composed of wire network and a
suitable frame of metal rods and suspension rods m¹ which rise from the frame
of the body-portion and have rigidly connected with them rods m² extending
lengthwise of the basket at an elevation above the body of the same and project-
ing beyond the ends of the basket for the purpose of engagement with certain
supports hereinafter described, located at the various stations. On the rods m
there are rigidly fastened upstanding hooks m³ whose horizontal arms project
towards each other and are adapted to engage the upper sides of the rails c of
the carriage whereby the basket or holder is suspended from and carried by the
carriage. There are also rigidly affixed to one of the rods m2 upstanding pro-
jections m designed for co-action with certain abutments located at the par-

page_text: station where the basket belongs, as will be more fully explained herein-
after. The basket is provided at one end with outwardly projecting lugs or pins m³
for engagement with a portion of the frame-work at the cashier's stand, which
frame-work will next be described. It comprises a suitable number of U-shaped
uprights n see Figure 3; a back rail n' at a suitable elevation to properly receive
the projecting ends of the rods m² of the baskets when the latter are brought to
the cashier's stand by the carriage; a front rail n³ considerably lower than the
back rail n¹ so as to permit the baskets being taken out and replaced readily,
said front rail providing a resting place for the pins or lugs m5 on the baskets;
and a supplemental front rail at the same height as the back rail n¹ and
affording a support for the projecting ends of the rods m² of the baskets when
the latter are put in position to be taken by the carriage and conveyed away
from the cashier's stand. At about the middle of the frame-work on the cashier's
stand; that is to say where the upper and lower front rails n³ and n² overlap
as shown in drawings, there is arranged a stop mechanism for effecting the
delivery of the baskets when brought to the cashier's stand from the various
stations. This stop mechanism comprises the following parts: In suitable guides
on the outer sides of the back-rail n₁ and the front rails n³ there are arranged to
slide vertically, a pair of strips n and n5 which normally project above the said
rails in the path of the projecting ends of the basket rods m² so that the latter
will encounter said stop-pieces, and be prevented thereby from being carried on
by the carriage. Said strips or stop-pieces are connected with a rock-shaft n6 by
means of arms n7 and no affixed to said rock shaft and pivotally connected with
the strips respectively. Said arm 8 is equipped with a suitable handle n³ and
is connected by a spiral spring 12 with one of the uprights of the frame-work.
This spring holds the stop-pieces or strips normally projected above the rails n'
and 3 but by means of the handle n the stop-pieces or strips may be lowered to
permit passage of the basket beyond the same so as to rest upon the rails n¹ and
nin position to be taken by the carriage.
When a basket is brought into the receiving station, its front rod m² abuts the
strips n and n, as shown in Figure 4, and the carriage passes on through, the
basket dropping upon the rails n¹ and n² when disengaged from the carriage. In
order to have the basket taken away by the carriage, the stop-pieces n' and n³ are
lowered and the basket pushed along beyond the same where it can be picked
up, as also shown in Figure 4, and conveyed away.
Of course when one or more baskets have already been deposited in the receiv-
ing station, the next basket brought in will not come against the strips n' and n5,
but against the basket in front of it. The upward movement of the strips is
limited by a projection n on one of them coming against the underside of the
guide on the rail n³.
Extending along just under the outside track rail, a where the latter runs above
the cashier's stand, there is a strip g³ secured to the said track-rail by means of
suitable brackets and positioned to co-act with the roller g herein before described
as part of the carriage equipment. The said strip g5 has an upturned end-
portion g', and when the carriage runs into the frame-work on the cashier's stand
he roller g' by co-action with the said upturned end of the strip g³ causes a rock-
ng of the shaft g sufficient to elevate the hook gl above the plane of the basket
ods m² so that the carriage can pass on through the frame-work on the cashier's
tand, while the baskets are left in the latter by reason of their abutment against
he stops n and n5. The strip g5 is of sufficient length to hold the hook gl elevated
ong enough to ensure the complete disengagement of the carriage from the
asket or holders.
At each of the stations where the baskets are picked up by the carriage, there
erected a tubular standard o (see Figure 6) which projects above the track
nd constitutes a guide for a vertically movable basket-holder, or elevator com-
rising a U-shaped frame of having suitable clips 2 loosely embracing the said
andard; and longitudinal rods o³ fixedly mounted upon the uprights of the

page_text: U-shaped frame and constituting supports for the basket, and projecting end-
portions of whose rods. m² are adapted to rest upon the said rods o³ and the latter
being provided with upstanding pins o near their ends to prevent the accidental
removal of the basket. The basket-holder or elevator is counterbalanced by a
weight o suspended within the tubular standard by means of a cord of which
runs over a pulley of mounted in bearings on the upper end of the standard the
said cord depending on the outer side of the standard and suitably connected with
the elevator. Suitable means are provided for raising the elevator, those here
shown comprising a cord 08 attached at one end to one of the clips and passing
upwardly and over a pulley o on the standard at the upper part of the same
the said cord depending a suitable distance for manipulation and being equipped
with a suitable handle, knob or button. The weight of exactly counterbalances
the elevator so that the latter will remain in any position to which it is brought,
but when a basket or holder is deposited in the elevator the counterbalancing
weight is overcome so that the elevator lowers, and to prevent shock in the lower-
ing of the elevator with the basket, any suitable cushioning means may be pro-
vided. That here shown comprises a cylinder o, a piston rod 12 having a
piston on one end closely fitting the interior of the cylinder and a head o¹³ on
the upper end, and a spiral spring o¹, surrounding the piston-rod and bearing
at one end against the cylinder and at the other against the head 3. When
the elevator lowers, a flattened projection or foot, o15, formed upon the frame o¹,
encounters the head ¹³, and a cushioning effect is produced in an obvious
manner.
To secure easy running of the elevator up and down the standard, rollers, o¹6,
are journaled in the clips 2, and have concaved peripheries to engage the surface
of the standard on opposite sides of the same. Suitable means are also provided
such as a slot in the standard and a projection on one of the elevator clips, to
prevent turning of the elevator.
The standard, o, is fixedly connected at its upper end with one of the hangers, b¹,
by means of a rod or shaft, p, and a corresponding shaft, p¹, projects from the
opposite side of the said hanger, and these shafts constitute supports for adjust-
able stop devices in the form of arms, p², having bosses 73, which embrace the
rods and are adjustably secured to the same by means of set screws p. The
arms project forward and downwardly from the shafts or rods, and at their
ends have down-turned portions against which the projections, m² on the
basket abut when the latter is delivered by the carriage. To prevent a rebound
of the basket or carrier when such abutment takes place, guard springs 25 are
fastened to the undersides of the arms p², said springs being curved in a manner
to permit of their ready displacement by the basket projections, but turned up-
wardly at their ends so as to extend substantially parallel with the down-turned 4
end portions of the arms, 2, and hence prevent a rebound of the basket after
striking the down-turned ends, ". The stop arms, 72 are adjusted differently
at different stations, so that they will stand in the path of the projections on that
basket which belongs at the station where these stop-arms are located. The rod
or shaft p¹ carries at its outer end a pendant arm 76, having a bifurcated lower 4
end p², constituting a guide for the elevator, which is suitable formed at its outer
side for engagement with the bifurcation of said arm. A strip 8, extends along
below the outer track-rail, a, and on either side of the hanger, bl said strip being
supported by brackets g fastened to the said track-rail and being formed at one
end with an upturned or inclined portion, gl, positioned for co-action with the 5
roller, , on the carriage for a similar purpose to that herein before described in
connection with the delivery of the baskets at the cashier's stand, namely, to
elevate the hook, g¹, so that it will clear the basket when the same is to be
delivered at the station.
When the elevator with its basket is raised to bring the basket in position to 5
be taken by the carriage, it is held in that position by means of a hook,
pivotally connected at its upper end with the standard, o, and depending for

page_text: ngagement with a pin, j³, on one of the clips of the elevator frame, the said
hook being inclined on its under edge and spring-actuated for the purpose of
automatic engagement with the pin. The said pendant hook is connected by a
link, with one end of a horizontally disposed lever, 5, which is pivoted to an
5 arm j, depending from and fixedly attached to the shaft or rod, p, and said lever
on the front side of its pivot is curved inwardly as shown at 7 so as to extend in
the path of the roller j, on the carriage, whereby the hook, j, may be displaced
as the carriage passes, and the automatic lowering of the elevator with its basket
thereby effected. A spiral spring 8, which is connected at one end with the
standard o, and at the other end with the lever j³, exerts itself to restore the parts
to their normal positions, as illustrated in Figure 6.
In the operation of the system the carriage traveling around on the track will
pick up any one of the baskets or holders which may have been raised at any one
of the stations. When so raised the basket assumes a position with its upstand-
ing hooks m³ so located that the rails, c, of the carriage will pass through said
hooks, but the horizontal arms of said hooks are not in as high a plane as the
upper sides of the carriage rails, and the basket is elevated by the action of the
inclined upper sides, c¹, of the carriage rails acting against the under sides of
the horizontal arms of the hooks, (as shown in Figure 7). The basket is not
raised far enough by the elevator to bring its projections m¹ into line with the
stops, 2, and it is evident that before the basket is raised by the carriage the said
stops, m, must be beyond the stops, pl, otherwise the basket could not be carried
on by the carriage. Sufficient friction may be engendered between the carriage
rails and the hooks on the basket which are first encountered to move the latter
forward far enough to carry its projections, m³, beyond the stops, 21, but to
ensure this result the springs, i, are provided on the sides of the carriage rails
for pressure against the upright portions of the hooks m³, first encountered so
that the basket will not only be tipped up at its rear side, but will be carried
forward before it is bodily elevated. Of course, the basket may be in such a
position on the elevator that this last described operation is not necessary, but
again it is liable to rest upon the rods, 03, of the elevator in such a position that
the projections, m³, on the carriage will come behind the stops, pl, and hence
the provisions above described for ensuring conveying away of the basket by the
carriage. It will be understood that as the carriage comes into the station the
roller, on the carriage encounters the inclined end of the strip, 98, and it is
thereby depressed so that the hook, g' will be elevated and can pass over a basket
which is to be delivered at the station. A basket which is not to be delivered
at the station will be carried on through as it will encounter no stops at the
station. As the carriage leaves the station, its roller, j', acts against the curved
portion of the levers j³, and through the connection hereinbefore described,
the hook is tripped so that a basket delivered at the station will be immediately
owered to its normal position.
When a başket has been taken from one of the stations in the manner above
lescribed, it is conveyed to the cashier's stand where the carriage runs into the
rame-work and carries the basket against the stops, n¹ and n³, and passes on
eaving the basket in the frame. When the basket is to be carried from the
ashier's stand back to its station, stops n and n5 are lowered by means of the
andle, n, and the basket is moved beyond the said stops which are again pro-
ected above the rails, n¹, and n³. When the carriage comes around again it will
ake up the basket thus moved beyond the stops, n, and n³ in the same manner
s it picked up the basket at the station and it will then carry the basket to its
wn station and there deposit it. Suitable stop pins, no, project from the rails n',
ad n³, to prevent the basket from being carried off the same without having been
roperly engaged with the carriage.
Each elevator carries a circuit closer in the form of a metal piece, q, with con-
ct fingers, for engagement with contact-fingers, q¹, and q², connected with
parate electrical conductors as hereinafter more fully described, the said metal

page_text: piece q and contact-fingers q¹ and 93 being fastened to blocks of insulation q³
and secured to the elevator and the standard respectively, and the arrange-
ment being such that when the elevator is raised a circuit is closed through the
motor on the carriage.
It will be seen that the operation of such a system as above described may
proceed automatically so far as the transferring of the baskets between the
carriage and the holders at the various stations and the propulsion of the carriage
is concerned, it being only necessary for the operators to put the baskets in
positions to be taken up by the carriage in passing, and even this can be effected
automatically if desirable, as hereinafter explained. It is to be noted that the
transfer devices are constructed and arranged with a view to certainty of opera-
tion and durability. It may be here stated that wherever there is a direct impact,
abutting parts will be faced with wear proof and sound deadening material.
Possibility of derangement of the system is very slight for the manipulations
which attendants are called upon to perform are of the simplest nature, and
mistakes calculated to cause accidents to the system are hardly possible.
Modifications in the details of construction of the stop and trip devices whereby
the receptacles are transferred between the carriage and the holders at the
different stations are illustrated in Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11.
.
In the construction herein before described the catch on the carriage, namely,
the hook-shaped arm, g¹, is elevated from position for engagement with the
baskets at each and every station whether or not a basket is to be left at any
station. In the modification shown in Figures 8 and 9 a construction is illustrated
which provides for the displacement of the catch on the carriage, only when a
basket is to be delivered at one of the stations. This arrangement comprises a
lever consisting of a rock-shaft, journaled in bearings on the hanger 61 and
having affixed to it arms, a¹, and, projecting in opposite directions, the former
being shouldered at its outer end on the under side as shown at 3, and the latter
being provided with a laterally projecting pin at its extremity. The arm x¹
constitutes an abutment standing normally with its lower edge inclined down-
wardly in the direction of the travel of the carriage as shown in Figure 9, and
the projection, m³, on the basket which is to be delivered at its station, encounters
the said arm and by acting against its inclined lower edge elevates the arm and
consequently lowers the arm 2. The object of the shoulder 3 is to prevent a
rebound of the basket after it has encountered the fixed abutment p". The catch
on the carriage is in the form of a lever comprising a curved arm, 6, extending
into the horizontal plane of the pin when lowered as described so that the said
arm, 6, will encounter the said pin, 4, and be depressed thereby; and comprising
an arm formed at its front end for engagement with a projection, 8, on one
of the rods of the basket. Normally the said arm 7, occupies a position where
it will engage the projection 8 and prevent the basket leaving the carriage as
clearly shown in Figure 9, but when the basket is to be delivered at a station, and
the basket-projection, mt, has acted upon the arm, a¹, in the manner herein before
described, the consequent depression of the arm, ³, results in the arm being
elevated so as to clear the projection, 8, by reason of the depression of the arm, a,
by its encounter with the pin, . It will be seen that by the above described
construction it is only when the projection on the basket encounters the arm x¹,
at its own station that the catch on the carriage is displaced.
The further modification shown in Figures 10 and 11, illustrates a construction
wherein the catch on the carriage is not displaced at all, except at the receiving
station. To effect this, the stop-projection or abutment on the basket is not affixed
thereto; but is in the form of an arm, y, pivotally mounted upon the rod m³, of
the basket so as to have a rocking movement thereon limited by the abutment
of pins y fastened in the said arm against a projection on the said rod. This
arm y, is connected on the lower side of the rod, m², by a supplemental rod y³,
with another arm or catch, y, pivotally mounted upon the rod, m³, and formed
with a
rearward shoulder y, which constitutes the abutment for the carriage

page_text: catch to act against. This catch is constructed substantially as shown in
Figure 10, the same comprising a lever composed of arms y7 and 8. A spiral
spring y, mounted on the rod, m³, and fastened at one end thereto and engaged
at the other end with the rod y³, exerts itself to hold the upstanding arm, y in a
5 forward position for engagement with the abutment p11, at the station where
the basket belongs. It will be seen that normally the arm y7 of the carriage catch
extends behind the shoulder y, and prevents removal of the basket from the
carriage. But when the basket is to be delivered at its station, the arm, y,
encounters the abutment, and therefore the shoulder, y5, is depressed below the
arm, y, by reason of the pivotal movement of the arm, y, and parts connected
therewith. Then the catch-arm, y', on the carriage can pass freely above the
arm, y, leaving the basket at its station.
It will be seen that in each of the above described modifications there are coacting
catches on the conveyor and the carrier whereby the latter is kept on the carriage,
and that one of these catches is adapted to be displaced when the carrier is taken
into its station. In the construction shown in Figures 8 and 9, the catch on the
conveyor in the form of a lever, 26, 27, is the one displaced, whereas in the con-
struction shown in Figures 10 and 11, the catch on the carrier in the form of an
army, is the one displaced. Again, in each modification above referred to,
there is an abutment on the carrier and one at the latter's station, and one of
such abutments is displaced by the encounter between them resulting from the
incoming of the carrier. In the construction shown in Figures 8 and 9, the
abutment displaced is the one located at the station and in the form of a pivoted
arm, ¹, whereas in the construction shown in Figures 10 and 11, the abutment
displaced is on the carrier and in the form of a pivoted arm y.
each of said modified constructions, the movable abutment coacts with the movable
Furthermore in
catch so that the latter is displaced as a result of the encounter between the abut-
ments. In the construction shown in Figures 8 and 9, the movable abutment
being at the station and the movable catch 7 on the conveyor, they cannot, of
course, be connected together, whereas in the construction shown in Figures 10
and 11, the movable abutment y and the movable catch yt, being both mounted
on the carrier, they can be and are connected together. However in each case
these two movable parts coact so that displacement of the abutment results in
displacement of the catch.
In Figure 8 a slightly modified construction for holding the elevator in its
uppermost position is illustrated, the same comprising a hook z, pivotally mounted
on the elevator and adapted to engage a projection or pin z¹, affixed upon the
standard, and an arm, z², extending at an angle to the hook, z, and fixedly con-
nected therewith, the said arm, z2, being formed for co-action with a suitable
projection on the carriage as the roller-equipped arm ³, so that as the latter
eaves the station it will depress the arm, 22, and disengage the hook z, from
the pin, z¹.
A modification in the apparatus at the receiving station is illustrated in
Figures 12 and 13. The frame w which receives the carriers from the carriage
s mounted on rollers which run on an inclined track 2, extending from front
o rear of the cashier's stand. Said frame is maintained in a position directly
nder the track by means of a latch w³ shown in detail in Figure 13 which is
eveled at its outer end so that when the frame is pushed forward, a projection w¹,
hereon will displace the latch against the stress of a spring w5, causing the catch
t the end of the latch to move behind said projection was soon as the latter
as passed the catch. The spring w5 is of the spiral variety and is connected
t one end with one arm of the latch and at the other end with any suitable
ationary support, and this arm of the said latch is coupled by a slot and pin con-
ection with a pendant lever w6, pivoted to a suitable overhead support 7, which
ay be an arm projecting from one track rail, and said lever 6 carries an arm us,
rojecting toward the track and equipped with the roller against which a suit-
ole projection on the carriage acts so that when a receptacle has been deposited

page_text: in the frame the latter is released and moves by gravity down its track to the
lower side of the cashier's stand. When receptacles are to be taken from the
frame, the cashier moves the same up the inclined rails to a position below the
track where it is held by the latch herein before described.
Figure 14 shows a diagram of the electrical connections for controlling and
operating the above described parcel and cash carrier system. The battery_or
other source of electrical supply is indicated conventionally at B, a rheostat at R;
and switches or cut-outs at S and S¹, these last three devices being in practice
located at the receiving station, or the cashier's desk or stand. An electrical
conductor designated by the numeral, 5, connects the negative pole of the battery
with one terminal of the switch, S, and another conductor, 6, connects the com-
panion termínal of said switch with the outside track-rail, a, which it will be
remembered is a continuous conductor, and through these connections therefore
the motor is always in electrical connection with one pole of the battery when
the main switch S, is closed. At each of the various stations located around the
track there is a terminal 7, which is connected by a branch 8, with a conductor, 9,
which is connected with one of the end contact-points of the rheostat R. A
conductor 10 connects the positive pole of the battery B with a terminal of the
switch S and the companion terminal in said switch is connected by a conductor 11,
with the arc-shaped contact bar of the rheostat. At each one of the stations.
there is a terminal 12 connected by a conductor 13 with the inside track-rail, and
it will be seen that whenever the terminals 7 and 12 are connected a circuit is
established through the motor, provided, of course, that the switch S, is closed.
As hereinbefore described the inside track-rail, a', is made in sections insulated
from each other at the points, 2, 3, and 4; the section of track between points 3
and 4 is inclined and the motor travels down the same so that it is desirable
to cause the current to pass through a resistance coil, before entering this section
of the track and in the diagram the resistance coil is shown at 14 connecting
the insulated section with the main section of the inside track. The other insu-
lated section of the track between points 2 and 4, also has an inclined portion,
but the motor travels up this inclination, and therefore it is desirable to increase
the strength of current through the motor at this point where more work is done
than when the car is running on the level or down the other incline, and therefore
this insulated section of the track is connected by a conductor 15 with the end
contact point of the rheostat opposite that with which the conductor 9 is con-
nected. It will be seen that by properly adjusting the rheostat arm or finger 16,
an increase in the strength of current through the motor will result, while the
car is running over this upward inclined insulated section of the inside track-rai];
that is to say, the arm or finger of the rheostat can be so adjusted that the current
encounters less resistance in the rheostat when the motor is running up the
inclined portion of the track than when it is running over the level
portion of the track or down an inclined portion thereof. The object of
the switch, S¹ is to provide for the closing of the circuit independent of the circuit
closers at the various stations, and to this end a branch 18 of the conductor 9
connects with a terminal in the switch S¹ and the companion terminal in said
switch is connected by the conductor 19 with the inside track-rail. It will thus
be seen that when the switches S and S¹ are closed the circuit is complete without
any connection between terminals 7 and 12 at any one of the stations.
These station terminals correspond with the contact fingers q¹ and q³, herein-
before described as attached to the standard o at each of the various stations, and
adapted to be connected by the metal piece q on the elevator, and it will be clear
from the diagram above described that whenever such connection is made, the
circuit is closed, provided of course that the main switch S is closed.
By means of the rheostat it is evident that resistances in the circuits embracing
different sections of the track can be regulated so as to proportion the strength
of the current to the condition of the track at different points. A circuit having
been closed by the raising of one of the elevators at a station, remains closed so

page_text: far as the switch at that station is concerned, until the basket has been redelivered
at the station. This having taken place, the circuit is broken and the carriage
comes to a standstill unless another elevator has in the meantime been elevated,
or unless the switch S₁ has been closed. It will be seen that this latter switch
provides a means whereby an operator at the receiving station can put the
carriage in motion wherever it may be and whatever may be the condition at
the various out-stations. It will of course be understood that the switch S cuts
out the whole system, and without this switch being closed, the connection of
terminals at the various places described is ineffectual to start the carriage.
It is evident that the receptacles, instead of being carried to, and delivered at,
a common receiving station, as in the previously described forms of apparatus,
may be delivered at corresponding stations to their own, and simply transferred
between two or more corresponding stations. Such an apparatus would be adapted
for use in establishments where goods or commodities are carried from one room
to another, or from one part of the building to another for any purpose. The
track arrangement in such system may be such as to provide for either round and
round traverse of the car, or a reciprocal traverse thereof. It will be readily
understood that the appliances herein before described in detail in connection with
the parcel carrier system are equally applicable in such a system as now
indicated.
The above described modifications are only a few of those which might be
resorted to in carrying out the invention here disclosed. It is evident that elevat-
ing motors might be employed at the different stations; that is to say the carriage
in approaching a station might be arranged to close a circuit through a motor
suitably connected with the elevator so as to lift the same to its uppermost
position, the circuit through this elevating motor being automatically interrupted
when the elevator has been caught by the hook which sustains it in its uppermost
position. I may also arrange a circuit closer to be operated by the load when
placed into the elevator, so that only where there is a load in the carriage will
this branch circuit be closed.
It will also be apparent that where loads of great weight are to be picked up
by the carriage, resistances can be introduced in the electrical connections in such
a manner as to cause the carriage to slack up when approaching and leaving a
station.
It is further apparent that while I have shown in the drawings a single carriage
running upon the track, it is entirely feasible to employ a number of carriages
and that in such an event the track could be so constructed, and the electrical con-
nections be so arranged as to establish a block system to prevent collision between
the carriages.
It is proposed in erecting a parcel carrier and cash carrier system in accordance
with my invention to utilize an electric current which may be supplied to a build-
ing for lighting purposes, and if by reason of insurance regulations, exposure of
a conductor carrying full strength of the light current is prohibited a suitable
transformer or other device can be introduced to reduce the strength of the cur-
rent so as to come within any such prohibitory regulations and in this connection
it may be stated that it is entirely feasible to operate a cash or parcel carrier
system in accordance with my invention by the use of a current of electricity of
such moderate voltage as to remove all danger from exposed conductors.
While I have shown in the drawings a track composed of two rails it is evident
that numerous modifications in this respect may be resorted to, for the carriage
or carriages might be run upon a track composed of wire stretched between suit-
able points as in many cash carrier and other systems now in use, and one or more
stretches of such wire or cable or other form of track may be used in carrying
out my invention, it not being essential that the car shall run upon two cables
or rails.
It may be added that while I have here shown and described the track rails as

page_text: •
:
"
constituting conductors of electricity, yet it is evident that the brushes on the
carriage may run in contact with conductors independent of the track. Therefore
the term track-conductor employed in the claims means either a track rail
or a conductor running along the track and not necessarily constituting a way
for the wheels of the motor to run upon.
In the following claims the essential features of the invention are recited, and
these claims are intended to embrace the embodiment of the invention in any
kind of a conveying system where it is applicable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In a conveying apparatus, the combination with a track or way, a conveyor
on said track, and propelling means; of an abutment, a carrier adapted to lodge
on said conveyor in position to encounter said abutment, a holder for said carrier
adapted to support the same in a position different from that it occupies on the
conveyor, the latter and the carrier having provisions for engagement when the
carrier is thus lodged in the holder, to shift the carrier clear of the abutment as
it is transferred to the conveyor..
2. In a conveying apparatus, the combination with a track or way, a conveyor
on said track, and propelling means; of a pendant abutment, a carrier adapted
to lodge in said conveyor in position to encounter said abutment, a holder for
said carrier adapted to support the same in a position lower than that it occupies
on the conveyor, the latter and the carrier having provisions for engagement
when the carrier is thus lodged in the holder, to move the carrier beyond the abut-
ment as it is transferred to the conveyor.
3. In a conveying apparatus, the combination with a track or way, a con-
veyor on said track, and propelling means; of an abutment, a carrier adapted to
lodge on said conveyor in position to encounter said abutment, a holder for said
carrier adapted to support the same in a position different from that it occupies
on the conveyor, said holder having an elongated rest for the carrier and suit-
able stops, and the conveyor and the carrier having provisions for engagement
when the carrier is thus lodged in the holder, to shift the carrier clear of the
abutment as it is transferred to the conveyor.
4. In a conveying apparatus, the combination with a track or way, a conveyor
on said track, and propelling means; of a pendant abutment, a carrier adapted
to lodge on said conveyor in position to encounter said abutment, a holder for
· said carrier adapted to support the same in a lower position than it occupies on
the conveyor, said holder having an elongated rest for the carrier and suitable
stops, and the conveyor and the carrier having provisions for engagement when
the carrier is thus lodged in the holder, to move the carrier on its rest beyond
the abutment as it is transferred to the conveyor, substantially as described.
5. In a conveying apparatus, the combination with a track, a conveyor thereon,
and propelling means; of one or more pendant abutments, a carrier adapted to
lodge on the conveyor in position to encounter said abutments, the carrier having
a plurality of projections at opposite sides, and a holder for said carrier having
elongated rests or ways for the said projections of the carrier to lodge upon, the
holder adapted to support the carrier in a lower position than it occupies in the
conveyor and the latter and the carrier having provision for engagement to
advance the carrier on the ways of the holder to clear the abutments in trans-
ferring the carrier to the conveyor.
6. In a conveying apparatus, the combination with a track, a conveyor thereon,
and propelling means; of one or more pendant abutments, a carrier adapted to
lodge on the conveyor in position to encounter said abutments, a carrier having
a plurality of projections at opposite sides, and an elevator for holding said
carrier in position to be taken by the conveyor, but in a lower position than the
carrier occupies on the conveyor, the latter and the carrier having provisions for

page_text: engagement to advance the carrier clear of the abutments in its, transfer to the
conveyor from the elevator.
7. In a conveying apparatus, the combination of a suitable track or way, a
conveyor traveling thereon and having a carrier-rail with a beveled end, a carrier
adapted to lodge on said rail, an abutment for said carrier to encounter when on
the conveyor, and a holder between which and the latter the carrier is transferred,
said holder adapted to support the carrier in a different position than it occupies
on the conveyor, the beveled end of the carrier-rail of the latter operating to shift
the carrier from such different position, and sufficient friction being engendered
between the conveyor and the carrier to cause the latter to be carried beyond
the abutment before it is shifted into line with the same.
8. In a conveying apparatus, the combination of a suitable track or way, a
conveyor traveling thereon and having a carrier-rail with a beveled upper side at
one end, a carrier adapted to lodge on said rail, a pendant abutment for the
carrier to encounter when on the conveyor, and a holder between which and the
latter the carrier is transferred, said holder adapted to support the carrier in a
lower position than it occupies on the conveyor, the beveled upper side of the
carrier-rail of the latter operating to lift the carrier from such lower position,
and sufficient friction being engendered between the conveyor and the carrier
to cause the latter to be carried beyond the abutment before being lifted into
line therewith.
9. In a conveying apparatus, the combination of a suitable track or way, a con-
veyor traveling thereon and having carrier-rails with beveled upper edges at the
forward end, a carrier having front and rear hooks to take over said rails and
also one or more stop-projections, one or more pendant abutments for the latter to
encounter when the carrier is on the conveyor, and a holder having elongated
rests upon which the carrier drops when disengaged from the conveyor, said rests
having stop-projections beyond the pendant abutments and the carrier adapted to
be slid forward on said rests and against said stop-projections by the engagement
of the carrier rails of the conveyor with the rear hooks of the carrier, the beveled
upper sides of the said rails operating to lift the carrier and bring its stop-
projections into line with the pendant abutments beyond the same, substantially
as described.
10. In a conveying apparatus, the combination of a suitable track or way, a
conveyor traveling thereon and having carrier-rails with beveled upper edges
at the forward end, and outstanding spring-strips on the sides, a carrier having
front and rear hooks to take over said rails and also one or more stop-projections,
one or more pendant abutments for the latter to encounter when the carrier is
on the conveyor, and a holder having elongated rests upon which the carrier
drops when disengaged from the conveyor, said rests having stop-projections
beyond the pendant abutments and the carrier adapted to be slid forward on said
rests and against said stop projections by the engagement of the spring-strips
on the carrier-rails of the conveyor with the rear hooks of the carrier, the beveled
upper sides of the said rails operating to lift the carrier and bring its stop-pro-
jections into line with the pendant abutments beyond the same, substantially as
lescribed.
11. In a conveying apparatus of the character described, a conveyor or carriage
comprising rails to engage and support the carriers, frames extending between
aid rails, a forward truck horizontally swiveled to one of said frames, and a
railer truck horizontally and vertically swiveled to the other of said frames.
12. In a conveying apparatus, the combination with a suitable track or way, a
onveyor thereon, and means for propelling the conveyor along the track; of
uide-rails at a receiving station, movable manipulative stop mechanism inter-
hediate the ends of said guide-rails, and a carrier adapted to lodge on and be
arried by the conveyor or to lodge on the guide-rails at the receiving station by
oming against an abutment or abutments presented by the said stop mechanism.
13. In a conveying apparatus, the combination with a suitable track or way,

page_text: a conveyor thereon, and means for propelling the conveyor along the track; of
horizontal guide-rails at a receiving station, vertically movable spring sustained
stop-pieces adjacent said rails intermediate the ends thereof, means for depressing
said stop-pieces, and a carrier adapted to lodge on and be carried by the conveyor
or to lodge on the guide-rails at the receiving station by coming against an abut-
ment or abutments presented by the said stop mechanism.
14. In a conveying apparatus, the combination with the track, the conveyor
traveling thereon, propelling means, and a carrier having means of engagement
with the conveyor and also lateral projections; of front and rear rails at a receiv-
ing station adapted to support the carrier by the lateral projections thereon, one
of said rails being in a lower plane than the other to facilitate removal of the
goods from the carrier, and devices, whereby transfer of the carrier between the
conveyor and the station may be automatically effected.
15. A holder or carrier for a conveying apparatus of the character described,
said carrier comprising a body portion, rods extending lengthwise thereof and
projecting beyond its ends and connected with the body by suspension rods,
hook-shaped projections fixed on said longitudinal rods, and stop-projections on
one of said latter rods.
16. In a conveying apparatus, the combination of a track, a conveyor thereon,
inclined ways extending transversely of the track at a receiving station, a holder
on said ways, and a spring-held catch to engage the said holder when the latter
is at the high end of the ways, the conveyor having provision for displacing
said catch.
17. The combination of the track, the conveyor thereon, and the receptacle or
carrier adapted to lodge on said conveyor, the conveyor and carrier having stop-
pieces or cutches adapted for engagement to prevent separation thereof and one
of said catches being movable relative to the other to permit separation of the
carrier and conveyor at a predetermined station; abutments being provided on
the carrier and at such station one movable with respect to the other and that
on the carrier adapted to encounter that at the station; and the movable abut-
ment co-acting with the movable catch to displace the same, substantially as
and for the purpose described.
18. The combination of the track, the conveyor thereon, and the receptacle or
carrier, adapted to lodge on said conveyor, the conveyor and carrier having stop-
pieces or catches adapted for engagement to prevent separation thereof, and one
of said catches being movable relative to the other to permit separation of the
carrier from the conveyor at a predetermined station, and an abutment at that
station, for the carrier to encounter, provisions existing for displacement of the
movable catch by coaction with the carrier.
19. The combination of the track, the conveyor thereon, and the receptacle or
carrier adapted to lodge on said conveyor, the conveyor and carrier having stop-
pieces or catches adapted for engagement to prevent separation thereof and one of
said catches being movable relative to the other to permit separation of the
carrier and conveyor at a predetermined station; and an abutment at such station
in the form of a pivoted arm normally standing in the path of a projection on
the carrier and having associated with it a projection adapted to enter the path
of the movable catch and effect the displacement thereof when the abutment arm
is displaced, substantially as described.
20. The combination of the track, the conveyor thereon, and the receptacle or
carrier adapted to lodge on said conveyor, the conveyor having a trip-lever nor-
mally standing behind a projection on the carrier and the latter having an abut-
ment-projection; and a lever located at a station where the carrier is deposited,
an arm of said lever normally standing in the path of the said abutment-projection
on the carrier and another arm of said lever having a projection to effect the dis-
placement of the trip-lever, substantially as described.
21. In a conveying apparatus of the character described a fixed abutment arm
for the carrier to encounter, and a spring-strip fastened to the arm and extending

page_text: front of the portion thereof encountered by the carrier, said spring-strip adapted
to be displaced by the latter and having a shoulder to prevent rebounding of the
same after striking the arm.
22. In an electric conveying system, the combination of a battery or other
source of electrical supply, track-conductors, one connected with one pole of the
latter, a plurality of terminals stationed along a continuous stretch of the other
track-conductor and all connected with the other pole of the battery, and auto-
matically opening circuit closers to connect said terminals respectively with said
latter track-conductor.
23. In an electric conveying system, the combination of a battery or other
source of electrical supply, track-conductors, one connected with one pole of the
latter, a plurality of terminals stationed along a continuous stretch of the other
track-conductor and all connected with the other pole of the battery, circuit
closers to connect said terminals respectively with said latter track-conductor,
and means for effecting automatic displacement of said circuit closers by the
traverse of the motor vehicle along the track.
24. In an electric conveying system, the combination of a battery or other
source of electrical supply, track-conductors, one connected with one pole of the
latter, a plurality of terminals stationed along a continuous stretch of the other
track-conductor and all connected with the other pole of the battery, automati-
cally opening circuit closers to connect said terminals respectively with said latter
track-conductor, and an additional connection between the same and the battery
having a manually controlled switch, substantially as and for the purpose described.
25. In an electric conveying system, the combination of a battery or other
source of electrical supply, track-conductors, one connected with one pole of the
latter, a plurality of terminals stationed along a continuous stretch of the other
track-conductor and all connected with the other pole of the battery, circuit
closers to connect said terminals respectively with said latter track-conductor,
means for effecting automatic displacement of said circuit closers by the traverse
of the motor vehicle along the track, and an additional connection between the
same and the battery having a manually controlled switch, susbtantially as and
for the purpose described.
26. In an electric conveying system, the combination of a continuous track-
conductor, a sectional track-conductor, a rheostat whose end contact-points are
independently connected with sections of the sectional track-conductor, a battery
or other source of electrical supply, and connections between the poles of the latter
and the rheostat and continuous track-conductor respectively.
3
27. In an electrical conveying system, the combination of a track composed of
a rail or member which is a continuous conductor of electricity, and a rail which
is in sections insulated from each other, a battery or other source of supply of
electricity, an electrical connection between one pole of said battery and the
continuous rail, with an interposed switch, a rheostat, an electrical connection
between the other pole of the battery and the movable member of the rheostat,
eparate electrical connections between the end contact points of the latter and
he sections of the sectional rail, one or more cut-outs at one or more stations
long the track, and a conveying motor travelling in electrical contact with both
rack rails.
28. In an electrical conveying system, the combination of a track composed
f a rail or member which is a continuous conductor of electricity, and a rail
which is in sections insulated from each other, a battery or other source of supply
f electricity, an electrical connection between one pole of said battery and the
ontinuous rail, with an interposed switch, a rheostat, an electrical connection
etween the other pole of the battery and the rheostat, separate electrical con-
ections between the latter and the sections of the sectional rail, one or more
ut-outs at one or more stations along the track, an electrical connection between
he rheostat and the sectional rail independent of said cut-outs and itself having

page_text: a cut-out, and a conveying motor travelling in electrical contact with the track
rails.
29. In an electrical conveying system, the combination of an elevated track
conductor of electricity, a conveying motor running in electrical contact there-
with, an electric circuit embracing the track conductor and motor, one or more
elevators stationed along the track and having means for closing said circuit and
one or more carriers for transfer between the elevator and the motor.
30. In an electrical conveying system, the combination of a track composed
of a rail or member which is a continuous conductor of electricity, and a rail
which is in sections insulated from each other, a battery or other source of supply
of electricity, an electrical connection between one pole of said battery and the
continuous rail, with an interposed switch, a rheostat, an electrical connection
between the other pole of the battery and the rheostat, separate electrical con-
nections between the end contact points of the latter and the sections of
the sectional rail, including terminals at stations along the track, one or more
elevators having circuit closers to make contact with said terminals, and a convey-
ing motor running on the track in electrical contact therewith.
31. In an electrical conveying system, the combination with a track or way, a
travelling motor thereon, and an electric circuit embracing the same; of an
elevator having means for closing said circuit and a carrier adapted to lodge in
said elevator, or on said motor, the motor and carrier having provisions for en-
gagement whereby the latter may be sustained and conveyed by the former, and
suitable stop and trip devices being provided whereby the carrier may be auto-
matically transferred between the motor and elevator.
32. In an electrical conveying system, the combination with a track or way,
a travelling motor thereon, and an electric circuit embracing the same; of an
elevator having means for closing said circuit, and a carrier adapted to lodge in
said elevator, or on said motor; the motor and carrier having provisions for
engagement whereby the latter may be sustained and conveyed by the former,
and suitable stop and trip devices being provided whereby the carrier may be
automatically transferred between the motor and elevator, and also lodged at a
receiving station having stop and trip devices.
or
33. In an electrical conveying system, the combination with a track conductor,
a conveying motor in electrical contact therewith, and an electric circuit
embracing the track-conductor and motor and having terminals at one
more stations along the track; of one Or more elevators at such
stations and carrying circuit closers for contact with the said terminals
when the elevator is raised, and one or more carriers adapted to be automatically
transferred between the conveying motor and the elevator or elevators, suitable
stop and trip devices being provided for this purpose.
C
34. In an electric-conveying system, the combination of a normally open track-
circuit having terminals in one or more pairs, one or more elevators having
circuit-closers to contact with the said terminals, detent mechanism to sustain
the elevator in circuit closing position, a track, a motor vehicle thereon having
means for tripping said detent mechanism, and a holder for transfer between the
vehicle and the elevator.
... 1
1
A
1000
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.