The present invention relates to a device for conveying products on a production line, comprising a section for moving said products longitudinally and another section for diverting said products in relation to said longitudinal movement. One of the sections comprises a plurality of Mecanum wheels compactly grouped in sets, and the device comprises a single means for driving the assembly of Mecanum wheels. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for conveying products.

The present invention relates to a device for conveying products on a production line, comprising a section for moving said products longitudinally and another section for diverting said products in relation to said longitudinal movement. One of the sections comprises a plurality of Mecanum wheels compactly grouped in sets, and the device comprises a single means for driving the assembly of Mecanum wheels. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for conveying products.

Disclosed is an object transfer device for a conveying installation, the device including a main object conveying path and a plurality of rotary drive elements, the rotary elements being configured to adopt a lowered position in which the element is situated below the main path a raised position in which the element projects above the main path in order to drive an object, the rotary drive element including drive surfaces with external diameters that vary over the length of the element, wherein the drive surfaces of the rotary drive elements have an external diameter that varies according to the angular position of the rotary element along the transfer path. Also disclosed is a conveying installation including such transfer device.

Disclosed is an object transfer device for a conveying installation, the device including a main object conveying path and a plurality of rotary drive elements, the rotary elements being configured to adopt a lowered position in which the element is situated below the main path a raised position in which the element projects above the main path in order to drive an object, the rotary drive element including drive surfaces with external diameters that vary over the length of the element, wherein the drive surfaces of the rotary drive elements have an external diameter that varies according to the angular position of the rotary element along the transfer path. Also disclosed is a conveying installation including such transfer device.

Disclosed is a guiding device having a guide roller that is rotatable about a roller axis and that has an exterior guide surface extending in a circumferential direction about the roller axis, wherein the guide roller includes a plurality of roller segments juxtaposed in an axial direction along the roller axis for forming the exterior guide surface, wherein the plurality of roller segments are movable relative to each other to enable the guide roller to be positioned in a maximum bend state in which the roller axis extends along an arc, wherein the plurality of roller segments are interlocked to rotate together about the roller axis in a maximum bend state, wherein the plurality of roller segments extend over an arc length along the arc of the roller axis, wherein the arc length is at least ninety degrees in the maximum bend state.

Disclosed is a guiding device having a guide roller that is rotatable about a roller axis and that has an exterior guide surface extending in a circumferential direction about the roller axis, wherein the guide roller includes a plurality of roller segments juxtaposed in an axial direction along the roller axis for forming the exterior guide surface, wherein the plurality of roller segments are movable relative to each other to enable the guide roller to be positioned in a maximum bend state in which the roller axis extends along an arc, wherein the plurality of roller segments are interlocked to rotate together about the roller axis in a maximum bend state, wherein the plurality of roller segments extend over an arc length along the arc of the roller axis, wherein the arc length is at least ninety degrees in the maximum bend state.

An aircraft loader 54 includes an upper loading platform 50 and an underlying frame 52 with the frame utilizing the bogey suspension system 60, as well as carrying auxiliary lift system 400 at the rearward end thereof for assisting in the initial lifting of the platform relative to the frame. Powered roller assemblies 100, 110, 120, and 130, composed of hollow drive shafts, may be conveniently assembled and disassembled from the underside of loading platform 50. A plurality of upwardly convex-shaped static slider elements 200 facilitate unidirectional movement of loads on the platform 50. At the forward end of the platform, a guard or side rail 316 is rotatable from a retracted position within the confines of a control platform 68 to a forwardly directed position toward the fuselage of the aircraft. The side rail 316 is shaped to resemble the exterior cross-sectional shape of the fuselage, thereby to close the gap between the forward end of the loading platform and the fuselage, for the protection of loader personnel.

An aircraft loader 54 includes an upper loading platform 50 and an underlying frame 52 with the frame utilizing the bogey suspension system 60, as well as carrying auxiliary lift system 400 at the rearward end thereof for assisting in the initial lifting of the platform relative to the frame. Powered roller assemblies 100, 110, 120, and 130, composed of hollow drive shafts, may be conveniently assembled and disassembled from the underside of loading platform 50. A plurality of upwardly convex-shaped static slider elements 200 facilitate unidirectional movement of loads on the platform 50. At the forward end of the platform, a guard or side rail 316 is rotatable from a retracted position within the confines of a control platform 68 to a forwardly directed position toward the fuselage of the aircraft. The side rail 316 is shaped to resemble the exterior cross-sectional shape of the fuselage, thereby to close the gap between the forward end of the loading platform and the fuselage, for the protection of loader personnel.

A support frame for a conveyor system, the support frame comprising: an upright longitudinally extending between an operative lower end and an operative upper end; a cross member extending outwardly from the upright between an upright end and a trolley end, the cross member including a trolley located towards the trolley end of the cross member and which trolley is operatively adapted to suspend the upright from an overhead rail; and an idler assembly attached to the upright and operatively adapted to support a carry belt portion and a return belt portion of a conveyor belt.

Disclosed is an object transfer device for a conveying installation, the device including a main object conveying path and a plurality of rotary drive elements, the rotary elements being configured to adopt a lowered position in which the element is situated below the main path a raised position in which the element projects above the main path in order to drive an object, the rotary drive element including drive surfaces with external diameters that vary over the length of the element, wherein the drive surfaces of the rotary drive elements have an external diameter that varies according to the angular position of the rotary element along the transfer path. Also disclosed is a conveying installation including such transfer device.