Loading patent…
AssigneeTransol Corporation
InventorsPhilip E. Risser, Jeffrey M. Lesoine
Estimating the term…
An enclosed track system comprising an enclosed track having at least one curved portion and a trolley including a rolling section having first and second roller portions located within the track and spaced from each other and an externally located drive section. The second roller portion comprises a drive wheel arranged to roll on an inner surface of the track. The drive section has an articulated joint coupling the first and second roller portions to each other. The drive section includes a motor to cause the drive wheel to rotate, whereupon the trolley rolls along the track, with the articulated joint enabling the first and second roller portions to pivot longitudinally with respect to each other so that the trolley can negotiate curves in the track.
A trolley for use with an enclosed track having at least one curved portion, the enclosed track being an elongated hollow member having a top wall portion, a pair of side wall portions and a pair of flanged portions, the flanged portions are spaced from each other to define a slot therebetween extending longitudinally along the track, said trolley comprising a rolling section and a drive section, said rolling section comprising first and second roller portions, said first roller portion being located within the track and comprising at least one support roller arranged to roll on at least one of the flange portions of the track, said second roller portion being located within the track and comprising a drive wheel arranged to roll on the top wall portion of the track, said second roller portion being spaced longitudinally from said first roller portion, said drive section being located outside of said track and including an articulated joint coupling said first roller portion to said second roller portion, said drive section being arranged to cause said drive wheel to rotate and roll along the top wall portion of the track, whereupon said drive wheel causes said trolley to move along the track, said articulated joint enabling said first roller portion to pivot longitudinally with respect to said second roller portion to enable said trolley to negotiate curves in the track.
In combination a trolley and an enclosed track having at least one curved portion, said enclosed track being an elongated hollow member having a top wall portion, a pair of side wall portions and a pair of flanged portions, said flanged portions are spaced from each other to define a slot therebetween extending longitudinally along said track, said trolley comprising a rolling section and a drive section, said rolling section comprising first and second roller portions, said first roller portion being located within said track and comprising at least one support roller arranged to roll on at least one of said flange portions of said track, said second roller portion being located within said track and comprising a drive wheel arranged to roll on said top wall portion of said track, said second roller portion being spaced longitudinally from said first roller portion, said drive section being located outside of said track and including an articulated joint coupling said first roller portion to said second roller portion, said drive section being arranged to cause said drive wheel to rotate and roll along said top wall portion of said track, whereupon said drive wheel causes said trolley to move along said track, said articulated joint enabling said first roller portion to pivot longitudinally with respect to said second roller portion to enable said trolley to negotiate curves in said track.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.