Rail-guided apparatus-carrying system

Description

Technical Field of the Invention:

[0001] The present invention relates to a rail-guided apparatus-carrying system particularly applicable for moving apparatuses that need to be applied to a roof or a wall of a house or any kind of structure wherein the apparatus needs to be moved and for carrying the apparatus along a predetermined path. The term "apparatus or apparatuses" refers in general to any kind of articles, objects, aparatuses, devices, appliances like loudspeakers, spotlights, tools, etc., which may need to be moved along the wall or roof, particularly along a predetermined path and rotated, in any kind of house, structure, office, supermarkets, etc..

[0002] The preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in the following in reference to a system that may be applied to the roof of a house. However, the invention is not limited thereto. The invention may be applied to any kind of fixed surface as for example, a wall or roof surface and it may be embedded in a wall, in inclined walls, beams, profiles, etc. The system is also useful for showing off objects at exhibitions, lectures, conferences, etc..

Background art:

[0003] For some considerable time, attempts have been made to provide simple, easy-installation, agreeable systems for installing, for example, spotlights or loudspeakers in houses with the possibility of moving them along a predetermined path within a room like a living-room, bathroom, etc..

[0004] Most of the existing systems consist of a mere rail for supporting the spotlight stationary while it is necessary to move the spotlight by hand in order to place it in a desired position to remain in the stationary position that was selected. For this operation, it is generally necessary the use of ladders that cause this operation to be cumbersome and dangerous.

[0005] Even when these spotlights may be moved by hand, the power-supplying wires that receive the electricity from the house power mains are generally of insufficient length to allow the spotlight to be moved to extreme positions or, otherwise, when the spotlight is moved to a position close to the place where the wires enter the roof or the electrical wall boxes, the excess of wire length is caused to hang from the roof.

[0006] Other devices are wireless, however, and may be moved and kept stationary in predetermined locations of the rail wherein electrical connectors are provided for electrically feeding the device.

[0007] UK patent n° 530,789 discloses an overhead lighting device for operating rooms and comprises a guide-way and a carriage, the latter hanging from roller means which engage the guide-way to enable the carriage to translate in horizontal and oblique directions. The carriage includes a forked support that pivotably mounts a lighting apparatus in a way in which the latter may be moved angularly. Movement of both the carriage relative to the guide-way and the lighting apparatus relative to the carriage is effected by separate motors and the specification includes an embodiment wherein both movements, i.e. starting and stopping of the respective motors, may be independantly controlled at a distance. In this way, the operating table may be illuminated from differently selectable points and angles according to different operating requirements; however the patented invention is not concerned with the situation wherein the carriage-and-lighting-device assembly has to be moved continuously or repeatedly and, therefore, does not address the problem of vibrations and/or instability in the light beam during movement.

[0008] US patent n° 3,680,030 discloses a movable carrier (or trolley) suspended from a rail-like frame including a supporting track and a guiding track longitudinally extending in a same path direction. The carrier includes means for attaching a lighting appliance and means for coupling it to the frame means including a pair of side-mounted rollers for supporting the carrier from the supporting track and a third roller for guiding it along the guiding track; the third roller cooperates with said supporting means to jointly apply pressure to said tracks. According to the patented invention, the pressure applied to the tracks may be adjusted manually by means of a turnbuckle. Since the pair of supporting track-roller sets also acts as electrical pick-up means, such pressure adjustment is used to insure good electrical contact between side roller and corresponding track and at the same time enable the carrier to be moved between different positions along the frame. Although said pressure may provide some degree of stability during movement, this is not a stated object nor is it suggested by the disclosure; in applications wherein the carriage-and-lighting-device assembly has to be moved continuously or repeatedly from one position to another there is no provision for substantially maintaining the lignt beam stable in movement nor dampening vibrations during carrier movement, whether centred or offset from the gravity centre of said carrier.

Disclosure of the Invention:

[0009] It has now been suprisingly found that the problems and drawbacks of the techniques and devises described above can be eliminated by the present invention, particularly in applications wherein the appliance needs to be started and stopped or otherwise moved continuously or repeatedly during active use of the light and wherein vibrations and instability of the carried apparatus would be detrimental to the application.

[0010] The invention is directed to a guided appliance-carrying system for moving one or more appliances along a predetermined path, the system comprising: a rail-like holding device for attachment to a fixed surface and including at least a supporting track and a guiding track extending in the same direction and defining said predetermined path, and at least one movable carrier adapted to be moved along said holder device between different positions along said path and including means for attaching said appliance thereto; said carrier comprising coupling means including means for supporting said carrier on said supporting track and means for guiding the carrier along said guiding track, driving means for propelling the carrier in the holding device and along said path, and means for energizing at least said driving means and eventually said appliance; characterised by further comprising means for stabilizing said carrier and dampening vibrations transmitted between said supporting and guiding means and said carrier during acceleration and deceleration thereof and movement along said holder, said carrier stabilizing and vibration dampening means being resiliently connected to said coupling means, whereby said stabilizing and vibration dampening means are responsive to vibrations produced during movement of said carrier, including vibrations both centred or offset from the gravity centre of said carrier.

[0011] The invention is also directed to a rail-guided apparatus-carrying system that has an electrical-feeding system for supplying electrical power to the component elements of the movable carrier and to the carried apparatus.

[0012] The invention is also directed to a rail-guided apparatus carrying system including batteries for operating the system and the carried apparatus.

[0013] The system of the invention is also capable of being operated by remote control such as an ultrasonic, infrared or radio control. The system may also be operated through a switch, for example embedded in the wall.

[0014] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings:

[0015] Figure 1A is a cross-section view, taken along cutting lines A-A of figure 2, of the system according to the present invention.

[0016] Figure 1B is an enlarged view of the holding assembly of figure 1A.

[0017] Figure 2 is a top plan view of the system of figure 1, with the holding system removed and part of the carrier shown as if it were transparent for clarity purposes.

[0018] Figure 3 is a cross-section view of the system of figure 1, taken along the cutting lines B-B of figure 2.

[0019] Figure 4 is a cross-section view of the system of figure 1, taken along the cutting lines C-C of figure 2.

[0020] Figure 5 is a cross-section view of a second embodiment of the invention, taken along the cutting lines A-A of figure 2.

[0021] Figure 6 is a top plan view of the system according to the invention showing a coupling between a curved section and a straight section of the holding assembly.

[0022] Figure 7 is a cross-section view taken along cutting lines A-A of figure 6.

[0023] Figures 8, 9 and 10 are schematic views of different embodiments of the stabilizing mechanism.

Detailed Account of Examples of the Invention:

[0024] Referring to figures 1A to 4, an apparatus carrying system according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. A holding assembly 1 and a movable carrier 2 capable of carrying an apparatus not shown are illustrated.

[0025] Holding assembly 1 includes a U-shaped profile 3 holder having a base 14 that may be affixed to a roof 12 by means of screws 13 or any other securing members. Base 14 has a vertical pending guiding rib 11 for the purposes described below. Although one rib is illustrated more than one may be provided even upright extended. A pair of parallel wings 4 pending from base 14 provide, in an inner side, opposite flanges 15 defining respective tracks lying in the same plane. At the lower end of wings 4, a track-retaining profile 22 is provided for defining respective opposite tracks 25 in order that the movable carrier may move along the entire length of the holder 3 as it will be described below. In the case that holder 3 is to be affixed to a vertical wall, it may be supported on the wall through base 14, with minor changes done in the system.

[0026] Parallelly to inner wings 4 there is provided a pair of outer wings 5 also pending, in this embodiment, from base 14 of holder 3. For defining an electrical feeding system 16, outer wings 5 carry electrical contacts 17 which may be connected to the power mains of the house wherein the system of the present invention is installed. The purpose of the electrical-feeding system 16 is to supply power to the movable carrier 2 and to the apparatus (not shown) that is carried by the movable carrier 2. Contacts 17 may consist of elongated conductors like bars, tracks, rails and the like.

[0027] In order that the movable carrier 2 may move along the length of holder 3 and hang therefrom, a stabilizing guiding mechanism 6 is provided to connect, in a movable relationship, the holder 3 to carrier 2. For this purpose, mechanism 6 is provided with a central hanger bar 10 which at a lower end thereof is connected to, for example, a top wall 42 of a carrier box 37 of the carrier 2 by means of an upper hanger member 24.

[0028] Member 24 comprises any kind of retaining member, such as a threaded sleeve, etc., which allows the carrier 2 to be supported by the hanger bar.

[0029] At an upper end, hanger bar 10 has at least one guide wheel 7, connected thereto by a resilient means (obscured), the purpose of which is to run over guiding rib 11 of holder 3 to guide carrier 2 along its predetermined movement path. At a lower level relative to guide wheel 7, hanger bar 10 is provided with an axle 9 rotably mounted to bar 10 by means of ball-bearings or the like, axle 9 having a pair of supporting wheels 8 the purpose of which is to support the entire assembly formed by carrier 2 and the apparatus (not shown) carried by the carrier 2. For this purpose, wheels 8 run over the opposite flanges or tracks 15 of the inner wings 4 shown in figures 1 and 3. The guiding effect provided by rib 11 may be otherwise provided by tracks 15. In this case, flanges 15 may include each an upright rib over which each supporting wheel 8 may run, in which event wheels 8 will function as supporting and guiding wheels and rib 11 is therefore not necessary. In this case, the guiding and supporting mechanisms comprise only one assembly.

[0030] Additional stabilization and guidance is provided by respective leading sliding bar 35L and rear sliding bar 35R. Of course, these references correspond to the carrier 2 moving in the direction indicated by the arrow in figure 3. If the carrier is moved in the opposite direction the rear bar 35R will be the leading bar during this movement. For clarity purposes, these number references have been adopted in respect of the selected direction of movement indicated by the arrow in figure 3. Similarly to the hanger bar 10, sliding bars 35L and 35R have at their upper ends respective guide wheels 7L and 7R. At the lower end regarding guide wheels 7L and 7R, respective leading and rear axles 9L and 9R are provided, having stabilizing wheels 8L and 8R also running over tracks 15.

[0031] At least a pair of hinged arms 34 are pivotally connected at an end thereof, to a middle part of hanger bar 10 while at the other end, bars 34 are connected to the leading and rear sliding bars 35L and 35R. Leading and rear sliding bar 35L and 35R have at their respective lower ends sliding wheels 36L and 36R the purpose of which is to participate in the stabilization of carrier 2 by rotably acting against the inner side of the top 42 of the carrier box 37 which includes a grooved surface wherein the sliding wheels 36L and 36R run into.

[0032] By means of the above-described stabilizing hanger mechanisms 6, all the load of the carrier 2 as well as the apparatus (not shown), even loads that are offset from the centre of gravity of the entire assembly, are proportionally and uniformly discharged over holder 3. Arms 34 also allow bars 35L and 35R to move along to sections of the holder 3 by rotating about the hanger bar 10. Holder 3 may be formed by assembling a plurality of straight and curved sections in order to define a predetermined and desired path design.

[0033] For moving carrier 2 along holder 3, at least one driving wheel 21 acts against the inner side of wing 4 of holder 3. Driving wheel 21 is provided at an upper end of a driving shaft 20 which in turn is powered by a driving motor unit 25 housed within a carrier box 37. In this embodiment, driving wheel 21 is a toothed wheel that runs over a toothed track 23 in order to move carrier 2 along holder 3. Although both driving wheels may be powered by the motor unit 25, in this embodiment only one shaft 20 is connected to the motor unit 25 while the shaft 20 located on the right-hand side, as viewed in figure 1, is a freely-rotably-mounted shaft. Driving wheels 21 may be metal, plastics or rubber made wheels. It may be necessary to exert appropriate pressure on the driving wheels 21 against the track 23 to generate the driving effect, in which case it may be necessary to provide a pressure regulator 32 that will move driving shaft 20 in order to place driving wheels 21 against track 23 and to exert more pressure against the latter to improve driving conditions.

[0034] Driving motor unit may comprise a DC or AC motor or any kind of suitable motor and the pressure regulator 32 may include springs, screw-regulated springs and the like. Movable carrier 2 also includes an apparatus actuating unit 28 comprising one or more motors generating rotations about a vertical, a horizontal or an inclined axis, as well as a holding mechanism. In the case that more than one motor is provided, one motor may move a support wherein another motor is mounted to obtain an ample variety of movements. The purpose of unit 28 is to provide the carried apparatus (not shown) with the required movement thereof. For example, if the apparatus is a spotlight, it may be necessary to provide a spotlight with a rotating movement to direct the light beam to the desired part of the room. The spotlight may be moved by the unit 28 about a horizontal axis as well as about a vertical geometrical axis. One or more motors may be provided together with electromagnetic clutches, servomechanisms, etc..

[0035] Unit 28 may be mounted on a supporting plate 33 although it may be connected to any other part of carrier box 37 by means of screws or any other retaining means.

[0036] Since units 25 and 28 as well as the carried apparatus need power to operate, a plurality of multi-terminals or connector boxes 26 are provided within carrier box 37. To supply electricity to the units 25 and 28 as well as to the apparatus (not shown), boxes 26 must collect power from electrical contacts 17. For this purpose, a plurality of electrical contacting fingers 19 are provided which in turn have at their upper ends a rotary electrical-contacting head 18 the purpose of which is to move along the selected electrical contact 17 and remain electrically engaged with the contacts 17 in spite of carrier 2 moving along holder 3. Head 18 may slide over any kind of conducting material 17 which may comprise a flexible plate, a metallic bar, etc.. Head 18 may exert pressure against contacts 17 by means of springs, etc..

[0037] Electrical conducting wires 27 or any other conductor members carry the necessary electricity to feed units 25 and 28. Electrical conducting member 30, such as a wire, carry the necessary power for the rotary electrical connectors 29 which collect the electricity and transmit it to the carried apparatus which, in turn, is connected to carrier 2 by means of an apparatus hanger member 31 that comprises a retaining member such as threaded sleeves with electrical connectors, washers and the like. Connectors 29 may comprise any rotating connectors of the conventional type which are capable of rotating while collecting electricity from wire 30 and transmitting it to the carried apparatus (not shown). Hanging member 31 is also capable of retaining the apparatus (not shown), moving it and transmitting the necessary electrical power to it.

[0038] In operation, the movement of carrier 2 may be started by switching on a wall-embedded switch capable of starting driving motor 25 to move carrier 2 along holder 3. Unit 28 may be operated with a different switch to rotate, for example, a spotlight once the carrier has been moved to the desired location. Obviously, the movement of carrier 2 as well as the movement of the spotlight may be done simultaneously.

[0039] The quantity of movements to which the apparatus is subjected will depend on the needs. It is also possible to have a remote control circuit that allows the user to move the carrier and the spotlight with a remote control unit. Although the circuitry is not illustrated, this kind of remote control system is well known in the art and a description thereof is not necessary.

[0040] Referring now to figure 5, a second embodiment of the invention is shown together with figures 2 to 4. Parts in figure 5 already described in figure 1 have the same reference number.

[0041] The embodiment of figure 5 differs from the first described embodiment in that the outer wings 5 are not integral with holder 3. In fact, wings 5 comprise a flange profile which is slidably and/or removably connected to holder 3 by a plurality of flanges 39. By this construction, it is possible to add a plurality of parallel arranged wings 5 which enable the system to have an increased number of electrical contacts 17. More than one or two wings 5 may be assembled to the system. Wings may be connected to the holder 3 by any kind of retaining means such as screws, fasteners, clamps, etc.. Contacts 17 may also be arranged in groups in horizontal or vertical patterns.

[0042] In order to select the different electrical contacts 17 from the different parallel wings 5, a finger actuating unit 38 is provided in carrier 2. Unit 38 comprises a slide-rail or cursor along which the contacting fingers 19 slide to keep an electrical engagement with the corresponding contacts 17 of any of wings 5.

[0043] For the remaining parts of the system, this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment described in connection with figures 1 to 4.

[0044] In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), the electrical power for units 25 and 28 or any other unit involved in the operation of the system, as well as for the carried apparatus, is provided by batteries which supply power through conducting members such as wires. The switches for operating the system of this embodiment or for acting on batteries 40 may be either provided on the exterior of carrier 2 or a remote control unit may be provided.

[0045] The batteries may be used in the embodiments of figures 1 through 5 by adapting the parts involved, as well as other parts used in the first two embodiments may be used in the present alternative one.

[0046] Figures 6 and 7 show the joint between two sections of holder 3, that is a curved section 44 and a straight section 46, coupled by a coupling 47. Coupling 47 provides for a mechanical coupling between sections 44 and 46 as well as for the electrical coupling to the electrical connector 17. If sections 44-46 are both straight, some changes could be done to the carrier. For example, the guiding mechanism will not be articulated on the axle of the supporting wheels. As it is clearly shown in figure 7, wings 5 are very similar to those illustrated in the embodiment of figure 5. These wings are of the type that may be removably assembled to holder 3. This coupling may be used in any of the above-described embodiments and it is not limited to any of them.

[0047] Although electrical contacts 17 may be connected to the power mains of the house at an end of the path defined by the system of the invention, the power may be picked up at the middle part of this path, for example, by coupling 47 and by means of electrical connectors 48. This array is also useful for all embodiments and makes it possible to have an endless electrical circuit.

[0048] For clarity purposes, the stabilizing hanger mechanism 6 has not been illustrated in figure 7 and also because its mechanism may be the same or similar to those illustrated in the embodiments described previously.

[0049] Referring to figures 8A, 8B and 9A, 9B, a second and third embodiments of the stabilizing guiding mechanism 6 according to the present invention are respectively illustrated. The embodiment of figures 8A and 8B differs from the embodiment described in figure 3 in that the hinged arms are, in this case, two pairs of flexible strips 50-51, each joined to ball-bearings 52 rotably mounted on the hanger bar 10. Said ball-bearings 52 allow stabilizing mechanism to easily rotate around bar 10. The upper ends

[0050] of said strips 50-51 include guiding and stabilizing wheels 50' and 51' corresponding to wheels 7, 8 and 36 of the embodiment of figure 3. In this case, the flexible strips will dampen centred or offset forces particularly appearing during movement of the carrier. Said forces may be produced by the movement about the bar 10 with respect to the carried apparatus, by the inertia of said apparatus during movement and stopping or by the reciprocating movement of said apparatus.

[0051] Figures 9A and 9B show another embodiment wherein the flexible strips 50-51 are replaced by dampers 55 mounted between guiding and stabilizing wheels 53 and 54 while hinged arms 34 are mounted on wheels 52 and include said stabilizing wheels 54 at their free ends 34'.

[0052] Finally, figures 10A and 10B show another embodiment wherein the guiding mechanism comprises free-rolling wheels 62 which run over tracks 63. Said wheels 62 are bonded to facing plates 60-61 jointed by an elastic means such as a spring.

Claims

1. A guided appliance-carrying system for moving one or more appliances along a predetermined path, the system comprising: a rail-like holding device (1) for attachment to a fixed surface and including at least a supporting track (15) and a guiding track (11) extending in the same direction and defining said predetermined path, and at least one movable carrier (2) adapted to be moved along said holder device between different positions along said path and including means (31) for attaching said appliance thereto; said carrier comprising coupling means including means (8) for supporting said carrier on said supporting track and means (7) for guiding the carrier along said guiding track, driving means (21, 25) for propelling the carrier in the holding device and along said path, and means for energizing at least said driving means and eventually said appliance; characterised by further comprising means for stabilizing said carrier and dampening vibrations transmitted between said supporting and guiding means and said carrier during acceleration and decelaration thereof and movement along said holder, said carrier stabilizing and vibration dampening means being resiliently connected to said coupling means, whereby said stabilizing and vibration dampening means are responsive to vibrations produced during movement of said carrier, including vibrations both centred or offset from the gravity centre of said carrier.

2. The system of claim 1, characterised in that said supporting tracks include two substantially flat, coplanar tracks (15) longitudinally extending parallel to and transversely spaced apart from one another; said stabilizing and vibration dampening means include two pairs of wheels (8L, 8R) longitudinally spaced each pair from one another along said path, each pair including a respective wheel rolling on a different one of said tracks.

3. The system of claim 2, characterised in that said pairs of wheels are each mounted on a respective axle (9) generally transverse to said path.

4. The system of claim 3, characterised in that said coupling means includes stabilizing bars (35) connecting said axles to said carrier.

5. The system of claim 4, characterised in that said stabilizing bars include two sliding bars (35) spaced from one another along said path and each connecting a respective one of said axles to said carrier; and in that said carrier hangs from a central bar (10) and said sliding bars are connected to said central bar by arms (34) hinged on said central bar.

6. The system of claim 3, characterised in that said carrier hangs from a central bar (10) and said axles are connected to said resilient connecting means which pivot on said central bar in a plane generally parallel to the plane containing said axles.

7. The system of claim 6, characterised in that said resilient connecting means comprise flexible strips (51) connected to each axle and pivoting on said central bar.

8. The system of claim 6, characterised in that said axles are mounted on dampers (55) and said resilient connecting means comprise arms (34) connected to said dampers (55) and hinged on said central bar.

9. The system of one of claims 5 to 8, characterised in that said guiding track longitudinally extends parallel to said two substantially flat, coplanar tracks (15) but spaced from the plane thereof and said guiding track further comprises a two flange surfaces generally perpendicular to the plane of said two coplanar supporting tracks; said carrier stabilizing and vibration dampening means further includes a pair of transversal wheels rolling against opposite side surfaces of said flange surfaces to assist in stabilizing transversal forces appearing during carrier movement along said path and a third pair of wheels (7L, 7R) longitudinally spaced from one another along said path and rolling on said guiding track, said resilient connecting means further connect said third pair of wheels to said central bar with like means connecting the first two pairs of wheels to said central bar.

10. The system of claim 2, characterised in that said carrier hangs from a central bar (10) and said two pairs of wheels (62) are mounted to a first plate (60) perpendicular to said central bar and mounted thereon; and in that said guiding track comprises two additional substantially flat, coplanar tracks (11) longitudinally extending parallel to said two substantially flat, coplanar tracks (15) but spaced from the plane thereof; said stabilizing and vibration dampening means further including two additional pairs of wheels (62) longitudinally spaced from one another along said path and rolling on said additional tracks, said dampening means further including a second plate (61) facing said first plate and connected thereto by elastic means such as a spring (64), said second plate is mounted to said central bar and has said additional pairs of wheels mounted thereon.

11. The system of one of claims 5 to 10, characterised in that said resilient connecting means are mounted on said central bar by ball-bearings (52).

12. The system of one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each of said tracks comprises a flange provided with a longitudinal rib and said wheels are each traversed by a circumferential groove fitting onto the corresponding rib.

13. The system of one of the preceding claims, wherein said holder device is a U-shaped profile comprising a base anc wings, characterised in that said holder device is further provided with an electrical feeding system (16) comprising a plurality of elongated electrical conductors (17) on at least one of said wings, said carrier further including contact elements (18) for electrically engaging respective ones of said elongated conductors for supplying electrical power and/or control signals to said carrier and/or said appliance.

14. The system of claim 13, characterised in that said plurality of elongated electrical conductors are mounted on at least a third, outer wing parallel to said inner wings integral with said U-shaped profile.

15. The system of claim 13, characterised in that said plurality of elongated electrical conductors are mounted on outer wings parallel to one another and to said inner wings, said outer wings detachable from said U-shaped profile and arranged including each a flange fixed thereto and removably attached to said holder device by retaining means; and in that said contact elements are supported on finger means (19) slidably mounted on a slide-rail or cursor for electrically engaging said contact elements with selectable ones of said elongated conductors of selectable ones of said detachable wings.

16. The system of one of claims 13 to 15, characterised by further including spring means for regulating the pressure exerted said contact elements against said elongated conductors.

17. The system of claim 1, characterised in that said driving means includes at least one second track (23) longitudinally extending along said holder parallel to said predetermined path, at least one driving wheel (21) mounted to said carrier and acting against said second track, and a motor unit (25) housed within said carrier and powering said at least one driving wheel for moving along said second track and thereby move said carrier and said appliance along said holder.

18. The system of claim 17, characterised in that said at least one second track and said at least one driving wheel are toothed.

19. The system of claim 17 or 18, characterised in that said driving means further include means (32) for regulating the pressure of said at least one driving wheel against said at least one second track.

20. The system of one of claims 17 to 19, characterised in that said at least one driving wheel comprises one driving wheel coupled to a shaft of said motor unit and another driving wheel freely rotable.

21. The system of one of claims 1 to 20, characterised in that said carrier mounts at least one actuator unit (28) for moving said appliance relative to the carrier.

22. The system of claim 21, characterised in that said holder device is further provided with an electrical feeding system connectable to mains, said carrier further including contact elements electrically engaging said electrical feeding system for supplying electrical power to said actuator unit.

23. The system of claim 22, characterised in that said electrical feeding system is connected to supply electrical power to said appliance too.

24. The system of one of claims 13 to 15 or 21 to 22, characterised in that said holder device is made up by sections of rail (44 and 46) making up said tracks and further comprises rail coupling means (47) for mechanically coupling facing ends of adjacent rail sections and for electrically connecting said electrical feeding system between said rail sections, said rail coupling means further including electric power intake connectors (48) for supplying electric power to said electrical feeding system.

25. The system of one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said carrier houses electrical means, including said driving means, powered by batteries removably housed in said carrier.

26. The system of one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said carrier houses electrical means, including said driving means, connected to a remote control circuit for control by a remote control unit.

Ansprüche

1. Geführte Geräteförderanlage zum Bewegen eines oder mehrerer Geräte längs einer vorbestimmten Bahn, wobei die Anlage aufweist: eine gleisartige Halteeinrichtung (1) zur Befestigung an einer festen Oberfläche mit wenigstens einer Stützschiene (15) und einer Führungsschiene (11), die sich in der gleichen Richtung erstrekken und die vorbestimmte Bahn bilden, sowie mindestens einen beweglichen Wagen (2), der längs der Halteeinrichtung zwischen verschiedenen Stellen längs der Bahn bewegt werden kann und Einrichtungen (31) zum Befestigen des Geräts an demselben aufweist; wobei der Wagen Kupplungseinrichtungen einschließlich einer Einrichtung (8) zum Abstützen des Wagens auf der Stützschiene und einer Einrichtung (7) zum Führen des Wagens längs der Führungsschiene, eine Antriebseinrichtung (21,25) zum Antreiben des Wagens in der Halteeinrichtung und längs der Bahn sowie Einrichtungen zur Energieversorgung wenigstens der Antriebseinrichtung und eventuell des Geräts aufweist; gekennzeichnet durch Einrichtungen zur Stabilisierung des Wagens und Dämpfung von Schwingungen, die zwischen der Stütz- und Führungseinrichtung und dem Wagen während der Beschleunigung und Verlangsamung desselben und seiner Bewegung längs der Halteeinrichtung übertragen werden, wobei die Einrichtungen zur Wagenstabilisierung und Schwingungsdämpfung mit den Kupplungseinrichtungen elastisch verbunden sind, wodurch die Stabilisierungs- und Schwingungsdämpfungseinrichtungen auf Schwingungen ansprechen, die während der Bewegung des Wagens erzeugt werden, einschließlich sowohl auf den Schwerpunkt des Wagens zentrierter als auch dagegen versetzter Schwingungen.

2. Anlage nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Stützschienen zwei im wesentlichen flache, coplanare Schienen (15) umfassen, die sich in Längsrichtung parallel zueinander und in gegenseitigem Querabstand erstrekken, wobei die Stabilisierungs- und Schwingungsdämpfungseinrichtungen zwei Paare von Rädern (8L,8R) umfassen und wobei die Paare jeweils einen gegenseitigen Längsabstand entlang der Bahn einschließen und jeweils ein Rad jedes Paares auf einer anderen der Schienen läuft.

3. Anlage nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Paare von Rädern jeweils auf einer zugehörigen Achse (9) gelagert sind, die allgemein quer zu der Bahn angeordnet ist.

4. Anlage nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Kupplungseinrichtungen Stabilisierungsstäbe (35) umfaßt, welche die Achsen mit dem Wagen verbinden.

5. Anlage nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Stabilisierungsstäbe zwei Gleitstäbe (35) aufweisen, die in gegenseitigem Abstand längs der Bahn angeordnet sind und jeweils eine der Achsen mit dem Wagen verbinden; und daß der Wagen an einem Mittelstab (10) hängt und die Gleitstäbe mit dem Mittelstab durch am Mittelstab angelenkte Arme (34) verbunden sind.

6. Anlage nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Wagen an einem Mittelstab (10) hängt und die Achsen mit den elastischen Verbindungseinrichtungen verbunden sind, die am Mittelstab in einer Ebene allgemein parallel zu der die Achsen enthaltenden Ebene schwenkbar angelenkt sind.

7. Anlage nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die elastischen Verbindungseinrichtungen flexible Streifen (51) aufweisen, die mit jeder Achse verbunden sind und am Mittelstab schwenkbar angebracht sind.

8. Anlage nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Achsen auf Dämpfern (55) gelagert sind und die elastischen Verbindungseinrichtungen Arme (34) aufweisen, die mit den Dämpfern (55) verbunden und am Mittelstab schwenkbar angelenkt sind.

9. Anlage nach einem der Ansprüche 5 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Führungsschiene sich in Längsrichtung parallel zu den beiden im wesentlichen flachen coplanaren Schienen (15), jedoch im Abstand von deren Ebene erstreckt und daß die Führungsschiene zwei Flanschflächen allgemein senkrecht zu der Ebene der beiden coplanaren Stützschienen aufweist; die Wagen-Stabilisierungs- und Schwingungsdämpfungseinrichtungen ein Paar von Querrädern aufweisen, die gegen die gegenüberliegenden Seitenflächen der Flanschflächen laufen, um zur Stabilisierung von Querkräften beizutragen, die während der Wagenbewegung längs der Bahn auftreten, sowie ein drittes Paar von Rädern (7L,7R) in gegenseitigem Längsabstand längs der Bahn, die auf der Führungsschiene laufen, und daß die elastischen Verbindungseinrichtungen das dritte Paar von Rädern mit dem Mittelstab mit einer ähnlichen, die ersten zwei Paare von Rädern mit dem Mittelstab verbindenden Einrichtungen verbinden.

10. Anlage nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Wagen an einem Mittelstab (10) hängt und die zwei Paare von Rädern (62) an einer ersten Platte (60) gelagert sind, die senkrecht zum Mittelstab angeordnet und daran befestigt ist; und daß die Führungsschiene zwei zusätzliche im wesentlichen flache coplanare Schienen (11) aufweist, die sich in Längsrichtung parallel zu den zwei im wesentlichen flachen coplanaren Schienen (15) erstrecken, jedoch im Abstand von der Ebene derselben; die Stabilisierungs- und Schwingungsdämpfungseinrichtungen zwei zusätzliche Paare von Rädern (62) aufweisen, die einen gegenseitigen Längsabstand entlang der Bahn einschließen und auf den zusätzlichen Schienen laufen, die Dämpfungseinrichtungen ferner eine zweite Platte (61) aufweisen, die zur ersten Platte hinweist und mit dieser durch elastische Mittel, wie eine Feder (64), verbunden ist, und daß die zweite Platte an dem Mittelstab angebracht ist und an ihr die zusätzlichen Paare von Rädern gelagert sind.

11. Anlage nach einem der Ansprüche 5 bis 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die elastischen Verbindungseinrichtungen an dem Mittelstab durch Kugellager (52) gelagert sind.

12. Anlage nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jede Schiene einen mit einer Längsrippe versehen Flansch aufweist und daß jedes Rad von einer Umfangsnut umfaßt wird, die auf die entsprechende Rippe paßt.

13. Anlage nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, bei welcher die Halteeinrichtung ein U-förmiges Profil mit einer Basis und Flügeln ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Halteeinrichtung mit einem elektrischen Zuführsystem (16) versehen ist, das eine Anzahl von langgestreckten elektrischen Leitern (17) an wenigstens einem der Flügel aufweist, wobei der Wagen Kontaktteile (18) zum elektrischen Eingriff an jeweils einem der langgestreckten Leiter zur Zuführung elektrischer Spannung und/oder von Steuersignalen zum Wagen und/oder dem Gerät aufweist.

14. Anlage nach Anspruch 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Anzahl von langgestreckten elektrischen Leitern an wenigstens einem dritten äußeren Flügel parallel zu den inneren Flügeln einstückig mit dem U-förmigen Profil angebracht sind.

15. Anlage nach Anspruch 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Anzahl von langgestreckten elektrischen Leitern an äußeren Flügeln angebracht sind, die parallel zueinander und zu den inneren Flügeln liegen, wobei die äußeren Flügel vom U-förmigen Profil abnehmbar sind und an deren jedem ein Flansch befestigt ist, der durch Befestigungsmittel abnehmbar an der Halteeinrichtung befestigt ist; und daß die Kontaktteile auf einem Finger (19) abgestützt sind, der auf einer Gleitschiene oder einem Läufer zur elektrischen Verbindung der Kontaktteile mit jeweils ausgewählten der langgestreckten Leiter von jeweils ausgewählten abnehmbaren Flügeln gleitend gelagert ist.

16. Anlage nach einem der Ansprüche 13 bis 15, gekennzeichnet durch Federeinrichtungen zum Regulieren des Druckes, der von den Kontaktteilen gegen die langgestreckten Leiter ausgeübt wird.

17. Anlage nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Antriebseinrichtung wenigstens eine zweite Schiene (23), die sich in Längsrichtung entlang der Halteeinrichtung parallel zu der vorbestimmten Bahn erstreckt, wenigstens ein Antriebsrad (21), das am Wagen gelagert ist und auf die zweite Schiene einwirkt, sowie eine Motoreinheit (25) innerhalb des Wagens aufweist, welche wenigstens ein Antriebsrad zur Bewegung längs der zweiten Schiene und dadurch zur Bewegung des Wagens und des Geräts längs der Halteeinrichtung antreibt.

18. Anlage nach Anspruch 17, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß wenigstens eine zweite Schiene und daß wenigstens ein Antriebsrad gezahnt sind.

19. Anlage nach Anspruch 17 oder 18, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Antriebseinrichtung eine Einrichtung (32) zum Regulieren des Druckes des wenigstens einen Antriebsrades gegen die wenigstens eine zweite Schiene aufweist.

20. Anlage nach einem der Ansprüche 17 bis 19, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das wenigstens eine Antriebsrad aus einem mit einer Welle der Motoreinheit gekoppelten Antriebsrad und einem weiteren, frei drehbaren Antriebsrad besteht.

21. Anlage nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 20, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Wagen wenigstens eine Betätigungseinheit (28) zur Bewegung des Geräts bezüglich des Wagens trägt.

22. Anlage nach Anspruch 21, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Halteeinrichtung mit einem elektrischen Zuführsystem versehen ist, das mit Hauptleitungen verbindbar ist, wobei der Wagen Kontaktteile aufweist, die mit dem elektrischen Zuführsystem zur Zuführung von elektrischer Spannung zu der Betätigungseinheit elektrisch verbunden sind.

23. Anlage nach Anspruch 22, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das elektrische Zuführsystem so angeschlossen ist, daß elektrische Spannung auch dem Gerät zugeführt wird.

24. Anlage nach einem der Ansprüche 13 bis 15 oder 21 bis 22, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Halteeinrichtung aus Gleisabschnitten (44 und 46) besteht, welche die Schienen bilden, und Gleiskoppeleinrichtungen (47) zum mechanischen Kuppeln gegeneinanderweisender Enden von benachbarten Gleisabschnitten und zum elektrischen Anschließen des elektrischen Zuführsystems zwischen den Gleisabschnitten aufweist, wobei die Gleiskupplungseinrichtungen elektrische Leistungsaufnahmeverbinder (48) zur Zuführung elektrischer Leistung zum elektrischen Zuführsystem aufweisen.

25. Anlage nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Wagen elektrische Einrichtungen einschließlich der Antriebseinrichtung enthält, die durch abnehmbar im Wagen aufgenommene Batterien mit Leistung versorgt werden.

26. Anlage nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Wagen elektrische Einrichtungen einschließlich der Antriebseinrichtung enthält, die mit einer Fernsteuerschaltung zum Steuern durch eine Fernsteuereinheit verbunden sind.

Revendications

1. Système guidé de transport d'équipements pour déplacer un ou plusieurs équipements le long d'un chemin prédéterminé, le système comprenant : un dispositif support (1) de type rail destiné à être fixé à une surface fixe et comportant au moins une piste de support (15) et une piste de guidage (11) s'étendant dans la même direction et définissant ledit chemin prédéterminé, et au moins un transporteur mobile (2) prévu pour être déplacé le long dudit dispositif support entre différentes positions le long dudit chemin et comportant des moyens (31) pour y fixer ledit équipement ; ledit transporteur comprenant des moyens de couplage comportant des moyens (8) pour supporter ledit transporteur sur ladite piste de support et des moyens (7) pour guider le transporteur le long de ladite piste de guidage, des moyens d'entraînement (21, 25) pour propulser le transporteur dans le dispositif support et le long dudit chemin, et des moyens pour alimenter au moins lesdits moyens d'entraînement et éventuellement ledit équipement ; caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre des moyens de stabilisation dudit transporteur et amortissement des vibrations transmises entre lesdits moyens de support et de guidage et ledit transporteur pendant son accélération et sa décélération et un déplacement le long dudit support, lesdits moyens de stabilisation et d'amortissement de vibration du transporteur étant élastiquement reliés auxdits moyens de couplage, d'où il résulte que lesdits moyens de stabilisation et d'amortissement de vibration sont sensibles à des vibrations produites pendant le déplacement dudit transporteur, y compris des vibrations centrées ou décalées par rapport au centre de gravité dudit transporteur.

2. Système selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdites pistes de support comportent deux pistes (15) sensiblement planes, coplanaires et s'étendant longitudinalement, parallèlement l'une à l'autre avec un écart transverse ; lesdits moyens de stabilisation et d'amortissement de vibration comprenant deux couples de roues (8L, 8R) espacés longitudinalement l'un de l'autre le long dudit chemin, chaque couple comportant une roue respective roulant sur une piste différente.

3. Système selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que chacun desdits couples de roues est monté sur un axe respectif (9) d'orientation généralement transverse par rapport audit chemin.

4. Système selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de couplage comportent des barres de stabilisation (35) reliant lesdits axes audit transporteur.

5. Système selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que lesdites barres de stabilisation comportent deux barres coulissantes (35) écartées l'une de l'autre le long dudit chemin et reliant chacune l'un respectif desdits axes au transporteur ; et en ce que ledit transporteur est suspendu à une barre centrale (10) et lesdites barres coulissantes sont reliées à la barre centrale par des bras (34) articulés à la barre centrale.

6. Système selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que ledit transporteur est suspendu à une barre centrale (10) et lesdits axes sont reliés auxdits moyens de liaison élastique qui tournent par rapport à la barre centrale dans un plan généralement parallèle au plan contenant lesdits axes.

7. Système selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de liaison élastique comprennent des bandes flexibles (51) reliées à chaque axe et tournant sur la barre centrale.

8. Système selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que lesdits axes sont montés sur des amortisseurs (55) et lesdits moyens de liaison élastique comprennent des bras (34) reliés auxdits amortisseurs (55) et articulés sur ladite barre centrale.

9. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 8, caractérisé en ce que ladite piste de guidage s'étend longitudinalement et parallèlement auxdites pistes sensiblement planes et coplanaires (15) mais à l'écart de leur plan, et en ce que ladite piste de guidage comprend en outre deux surfaces de flasque généralement perpendiculaires au plan desdites deux pistes de support coplanaires ; lesdits moyens de stabilisation et d'amortissement de vibration comprenant en outre un couple de roues transversales roulant contre des faces latérales opposées desdites surfaces de flasque pour assister la stabilisation de forces transversales apparaissant pendant le déplacement du transporteur le long dudit chemin et un troisième couple de roues (7L, 7R) écartés longitudinalement l'un de l'autre le long dudit chemin et roulant sur ladite piste de guidage, lesdits moyens de liaison élastique reliant en outre le troisième couple de roues à la barre centrale avec des moyens semblables à ceux reliant les deux premiers couples de roues à la barre centrale.

10. Système selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que ledit transporteur est suspendu à une barre centrale (10) et lesdits deux couples de roues (62) sont montés sur une première plaque (60) perpendiculaire à ladite barre centrale et montée sur celle-ci ; et en ce que ladite piste de guidage comprend deux pistes supplémentaires (11) sensiblement planes et coplanaires s'étendant longitudinalement et parallèlement aux deux pistes planes et coplanaires (15) mais à l'écart de leur plan ; lesdits moyens de stabilisation et d'amortissement de vibration comportant en outre deux couples de roues supplémentaires (62) écartés longitudinalement l'un de l'autre le long dudit chemin et roulant sur lesdites pistes supplémentaires, lesdits moyens d'amortissement comportant en outre une deuxième plaque (61) faisant face à ladite première plaque et reliée à celle-ci par des moyens élastiques, tels qu'un ressort (64), ladite deuxième plaque étant montée sur la barre centrale et supportant lesdits couples de roues supplémentaires.

11. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 10, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de liaison élastique sont montés sur ladite barre centrale par des roulements à billes (52).

12. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que chacune desdites pistes comprend un flasque muni d'une nervure longitudinale et chacune desdites roues est munie d'une rainure circonférentielle s'ajustant sur la nervure correspondante.

13. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ledit dispositif support est un profilé en U comprenant un fond et deux ailes, caractérisé en ce que ledit dispositif support est en outre muni d'un système d'alimentation électrique (16) comprenant une pluralité de conducteurs électriques allongés (17) sur au moins l'une desdites ailes, ledit transporteur comprenant en outre des éléments de contact (18) pour engager électriquement des conducteurs allongés respectifs pour fournir un courant électrique et/ou des signaux de commande audit transporteur et/ou audit équipement.

14. Système selon la revendication 13, caractérisé en ce que ladite pluralité de conducteurs électriques allongés sont montés sur au moins une troisième aile externe parallèle auxdites ailes internes solidaires du profilé en U.

15. Système selon la revendication 13, caractérisé en ce que ladite pluralité de conducteurs électriques allongés sont montés sur des ailes externes parallèles l'une à l'autre et auxdites ailes internes, lesdites ailes externes étant détachables du profilé en U et comprenant chacune un flasque fixé à une aile et monté de manière amovible sur ledit dispositif support par des moyens de maintien ; et en ce que lesdits éléments de contact sont supportés sur des doigts (19) montés à coulissement sur une glissière ou un curseur afin d'engager électriquement lesdits éléments de contact avec des conducteurs allongés sélectionnés d'ailes détachables sélectionnées.

16. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications 13 à 15, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre des moyens de ressort pour réguler la pression exercée par lesdits éléments de contact contre lesdits conducteurs allongés.

17. Système selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'entraînement comprennent au moins une deuxième piste (23) s'étendant longitudinalement le long dudit support et parallèle au chemin prédéterminé, au moins une roue d'entraînement (21) montée sur ledit transporteur et agissant contre la deuxième piste, et un élément moteur (25) logé dans le transporteur et entraînant ladite au moins une roue d'entraînement pour obtenir un déplacement le long de ladite deuxième piste et ainsi déplacer le transporteur et ledit équipement le long du support.

18. Système selon la revendication 17, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une deuxième piste et ladite au moins une roue d'entraînement comportent des dents.

19. Système selon la revendication 17 ou 18, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'entraînement comprennent en outre des moyens (32) pour réguler la pression exercée par ladite au moins une roue d'entraînement sur ladite au moins une deuxième piste.

20. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications 17 à 19, caractérisé en ce que ladite au moins une roue d'entraînement comprend une roue d'entraînement couplée à un axe dudit élément moteur et une autre roue d'entraînement à rotation libre.

21. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 20, caractérisé en ce que ledit transporteur comporte au moins un actionneur (28) pour déplacer ledit équipement par rapport au transporteur.

22. Système selon la revendication 21, caractérisé en ce que ledit dispositif support est en outre muni d'un système d'alimentation électrique pouvant être connecté au secteur, ledit transporteur comportant en outre des éléments de contact s'engageant électriquement avec ledit système d'alimentation électrique pour alimenter en énergie électrique ledit actionneur.

23. Système selon la revendication 22, caractérisé en ce que ledit système d'alimentation électrique est connecté pour également fournir de l'énergie électrique audit équipement.

24. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications 13 à 15 ou 21 à 22, caractérisé en ce que ledit dispositif support est constitué de sections de rail (44 et 46) constituant lesdites pistes et comprend en outre des moyens de couplage de rail (47) pour réaliser un couplage mécanique entre extrémités se faisant face de sections de rail adjacentes et pour connecter électriquement ledit système d'alimentation électrique entre lesdites sections de rail, lesdits moyens de couplage de rail comportant en outre des conducteurs de prise électrique (48) pour fournir de l'énergie électrique audit système d'alimentation électrique.

25. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit transporteur loge des moyens électriques, comportant lesdits moyens d'entraînement alimentés par des batteries logées de manière amovible dans le transporteur.

26. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit transporteur loge des moyens électriques, comportant lesdits moyens d'entraînement reliés à un circuit de télécommande afin de réaliser la commande par un élément de télécommande.

Drawing