Caterpillar Inc.

David G Bilson

John M Spangler

A material handling system includes a composite beam including an upper rail and a lower track connected through a plurality of spaced apart transverse members. A trolley includes an upper set of wheels and a lower set of wheels. The lower set of wheels is received within two parallel channels defined by the lower track. A drive tube is positioned between the upper rail and the lower track such that the upper set of wheels are in frictional engagement with the drive tube. A drive system is configured to rotate the drive tube.

Friction drive material handling system including composite beam and method of operating same

A material handling system includes a first independent track assembly configured to transport a forward trolley along a first path, and a second independent track assembly configured to transport a trailing trolley along a second path. The second path is substantially parallel to the first path. A carrier is configured to support an article and has a first end pivotably supported by the forward trolley and a second end pivotably supported by the trailing trolley. The material handling system also includes a third independent track assembly configured to transport the forward trolley and the trailing trolley along a third path. Each of the first independent track assembly, the second independent track assembly, and the third independent track assembly includes an independent drive system for independently moving a respective one of the forward trolley and the trailing trolley and a station control system including a microprocessor in communication with the independent drive system.

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Commerce Township, MI, United States of America

David G Bilson