Detachable monorail conveyor system

摘要

A detachable monorail system is provided for conveying articles between workstations wherein carriers may be disengaged and moved independently from the monorail. A carrier is provided with a load retainer, a hook, and a roller. A chain having a plurality of load bar assemblies is provided for supporting a pin extending transverse to the length of the chain. A guide track vertically adjacent the chain extends along a portion of the length of the chain. A disengagement station is defined at a location where the chain and the guide track converge vertically so that the hook disengages the load bar assembly as the roller contacts the guide track. An engagement station is defined at a location where the chain and the guide track diverge vertically so that the hook engages the load bar assembly to lift the roller off of the guide track.