Overhead transfer carrier and tracks

Abstract

This invention improves upon my Pat. Nos. 3,483,829 and 3,484,002 and on my pending patent application titled CONTAINER OVERHEAD TRANSFER AND STORAGE SYSTEM Ser. No. 269,239, filed July 5, 1972, wherein the improvement comprises a cam track dip and container carrier for operating thereon to vertically transfer loads to and from a moving train. The cam dip serves to lower and raise a hook or load frame on the carrier to transfer one or more containers or cages to and from a train running parallel below. The hook or load frame is secured on double parallelogram linkage to the frame of the carrier and has outboard wheels for running on the cam track for parallel level movement of the frame down and up along the transfer dip. The hook or load lifting frame is hooked or latched to the carrier frame when lifted thereto and released by bars on each side of the carrier when these bars engage wheels positioned at the dip to release the hook or load frame for a transfer dip when the carrier is checked for register of container with empty spot on car in train to which the carrier is vertically coupled. This cam dip is further applied to carriers having a transfer container or cage as part of the carrier. The hook frame has container hooks which take less space to operate and are enclosed when opened so as not to interfere with the cam track. Where the container is moved along conveyor in car and shifted on carrier in station a stationary hooking arrangement is provided.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.