Importance

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Abstract

A friction-drive carriage type conveyor includes a carriage 1 so supported as to run in a running direction along a track, which includes a linear path and a turning path 18. The carriage 1 has a frictional surface 6a continuing linearly along its whole length. The conveyor is fitted with first friction drive rollers 15 for contact with the frictional surface 6a, which are positioned near the linear path. The conveyor is also fitted with second friction drive rollers 15A 15C for driving the carriage 1 smoothly and reliably even along the turning path 18. The second friction drive rollers 15A 15C are spaced at intervals along the turning path 18, which are shorter than the frictional surface 6a. The second friction drive rollers 15A 15C are so supported that each of them can move between an advance limit position and a retraction limit position. The advance limit position is on the locus described by the frictional surface 6a when the carriage 1 passes along the turning path 18. The retraction limit position is outside the locus. Each of the second friction drive rollers 15A 15C can be biased toward the associated advance limit position by a biasing means, which may be a hydraulic cylinder 25. Each of the second friction drive rollers 15A 15C comes into compressive contact with the frictional surface 6a of the carriage 1 driven forward by the just upward friction drive roller and drives the carriage to a position where the frictional surface comes into compressive contact with at least the just downstream friction drive roller.

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First Claim