초록 ▼

A cable or other track is supported at points along its length by track support brackets that define and shape the course of the track, providing corners, curves, and other direction changes. A track-traveling element is provided that can travel along the track unimpeded by the track supports. The t

A cable or other track is supported at points along its length by track support brackets that define and shape the course of the track, providing corners, curves, and other direction changes. A track-traveling element is provided that can travel along the track unimpeded by the track supports. The track support and the track-traveling element are formed to cooperate with each other so that the track-traveling element can pass by the track support brackets without manipulation. The track support has an arcuate arm having a center of curvature and an arm radius defining a circular segment. The track-traveling element has a passageway surrounding the track, a pivoting axis, and a slot communicating with the passageway. The slot is spaced from the pivoting axis by a distance substantially equal to the arm radius of the track support. The pivoting axis and the arcuate arm's center of curvature are arranged to be coincident within a predetermined tolerance, so that the slot passes the arcuate arm despite pivoting of the track-traveling element throughout a substantial range of angles about the pivoting axis. The system can be used for various purposes including carrying loads in a conveyor system, protection of a worker in a fall-arrest system, controlling an animal in an animal-tethering system, and supporting and guiding draperies.

대표청구항 ▼

[ Having described my invention, I claim:] [1.] Apparatus for guided transport of a load generally along a path constrained by a track, said apparatus comprising:a track; anda) a track support supporting and locating said track, said track support having a curvilinear arm forming a sector of a circl

[ Having described my invention, I claim:] [1.] Apparatus for guided transport of a load generally along a path constrained by a track, said apparatus comprising:a track; anda) a track support supporting and locating said track, said track support having a curvilinear arm forming a sector of a circle, said circle having a radius and a center of curvature; and said track disposed at said center of curvature; andb) a track-traveling element movable along said track and pivotable about an axis parallel to said track, said track-traveling element having means for attaching said load to said track-traveling element, said track-traveling element having a periphery and a passageway, said passageway generally surrounding said track, said track-traveling element having a slot extending from said passageway through said periphery, said axis being disposed to be coincident with said center of curvature to within a tolerance, and said slot being disposed at a distance from said axis substantially equal to said radius to allow said slot to pass said curvilinear arm of said track-support as said track-traveling element is moved along said track.