Vertical Conveyors

2-Post Straddle A style of VRC where the carriage rides suspended between two masts that are located on opposite sides of the carriage. This style of lift will accommodate “C” and “Z” type loading patterns. 4-Post Dual Drive A style of VRC similar to the 2-Post Straddle as it utilizes four masts as opposed to two masts. This type is capable of lifting large capacities and sizes. This style lift will accommodate “C”, “Z” and “90” type load patterns.

ANSI American National Standards Institute

Approach Ramp An access ramp used to load on/off of a platform.

ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Authorized Person Trained or qualified personnel approved or assigned to perform a specific duty or duties.

Back Frame The vertical portions of the carriage on a cantilever VRC.

Back Stop Panel Panel that is installed opposite the loading edge at upper loading levels of a VRC platform, to prevent personnel and /or the load from falling to the lower level. This term should not be confused with the term “backstop” as defined in ANSI/ASME B20.1.

Cable Wire rope.

Cable Dead-End Mount The segment of the carriage where the lifting cables mount. This mount serves as the leveling adjustment for the carriage.

Cantilever A style of VRC where the carriage rides along masts that are located on the same side of the carriage. This style lift can accommodate “C”, “Z” and “90 Degree” loading patterns.

Capacity The maximum load for which the VRC is designed.

Carriage The entire structural assembly that travels on the mast and carries the load.

Chain Device used to lift a carriage on certain types of VRCs.

CIP Custom Industrial Products, Inc.

Constant Pressure Push Button A push button, which to activate, must remain pressed by the operator in order to perform a desired operation.

Control Box The device housing all controls, circuits and breakers used to operate the lift. Does not include limit switches and push-button stations.

Control Voltage The secondary voltage, which typically originates at a transformer and provides power to the control devices.

Controls Any electrical device used in the operation or control of a lift. Normally Includes push button stations, control box, limit switches, interlocks, etc.

Drop Test A test performed (required in some states) to ensure emergency systems perform within specified guidelines.

Drum The device used to extend and retract the lifting cables.

Effective or Clear The actual usable space available to load material without obstructions.

Electro-Mechanical Interlocks A type of Interlock requiring electrical power to disengage the Interlock allowing doors/gates to be opened.

Enclosure (lift guarding) Structure surrounding a VRC to prevent outside interference with its normal operation and to safe guard personnel. Typically 8′ high panels composed of expanded metal or other materials that will prevent a 2″ diameter ball from passing through. This is a requirement of ANSI/ASME B20.1.

Explosion Proof Electrical devices that are designed to operate safely in a specific location or area where potentially explosive environments can or do exist.

Gate A device that opens and closes manually or automatically t allow access to the carriage to loading and unloading. It is normally a swing, sliding, or vertical acting device constructed of similar expanded metal as the enclosure.

Guarded by Location Describes moving parts so protected by their remoteness from the floor, platform, walkway, or other working level, or by
their locations with reference to frame, foundation, or structure as to reduce the foreseeable risk of accidental contact by persons or objects. Remoteness from foreseeable, regular, or frequent presence of public or employed personnel may in reasonable circumstances constitute guarding by location.

Guide Rails see “Masts”

Guide Rollers The device mounted on the carriage that rides along the inside of the mast to prevent wobble, noise, wear and to maintain alignment.

Interlock (Gate/Door) A locking system used on the access doors or gates of a VRC to prevent its operation unless all such doors/gates are closed and to prevent the opening of any such gate/door unless the VRC carrier or carriage is present at that particular landing or opening.

Intermediate Stop Usually a stop between top and bottom floors or levels.

Knockdown Platform/Carriage see “Spliced Carriage”.

Landing A permanent-working surface at a fixed elevation used for loading/unloading a lifting device.

Limit Switch An electrical control device by which the position or movement of the lift may be controlled within predetermined limits.

Load Height The maximum height of material for which the VRC has been designed.

Load Pattern A method to describe the direction a load will be moved on and off a platform at different landings or levels.

Mast(s) The vertical members by which the carriage is guided throughout its vertical travel.

Mechanical Stop A mechanical means of stopping travel at a predetermined position.

Momentary Contact Push Button A push button, which only has to be pressed for an instant to activate the desired operation.

Non-operating End The side(s) of a carriage or carrier not used for loading/unloading. Handrails with mid-rail and kick plate are normally supplied as minimum guarding.

Operating End The side(s) of the platform used for loading/unloading. The side(s) are normally equipped with a safety chain as minimum guarding.

Overall Height see “Vertical Rise”.

Pallet Master A modular style of VRC based on the 2-Post Straddle design. This type of lift is fully enclosed to provide the best overall safety. The modular design aids in expedited installation.

Pit A sunken area of the floor where a VRC will be mounted. This allows the platform to align flush with the lower/ground level and eliminates the need for an approach ramp.

Pit Mounting The installation of a VRC in a pit.

Platform The horizontal floor surface of the carriage or carrier where the load is placed.

Platform/Carriage Enclosure The structure designed to prevent material from falling through or against a non-operating side of a VRC.

Primary Voltage The main electrical power being supplied for operation of the equipment.

Push Button Station The wall mounted or hand held device used to control the operation of the equipment.

Qualified Person A person, who by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, professional standing, or skill, and who by knowledge, training and experience, has demonstrated the ability to deal with problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project. MHIA

Roll off Panel A structure used on upper levels to prevent personnel and/or products from falling off the platform when loading or unloading.

Security Enclosures see “Enclosure”

Security Panels see “Enclosure”

Sheave Device (pulley) which is designed to guide or change the direction of a wire rope or cable.

Slack Chain Device Device used to signal, interrupt power or alert of a slack chain condition. MHIA

Spliced Carriage Carriage that is split or in several pieces and will be field assembled. This design facilitates ease of installation and handling.

Spliced Guide Rails see “Spliced Mast”.

Spliced Mast Mast or Guide Beam that is fabricated and delivered in two or more sections necessitated by manufacturing, handling, or installation constraints.

Surface Mount The mounting of a VRC directly onto a flat/level surface or floor (not in a pit). This method usually requires/recommends an approach ramp for ease of loading and unloading material at the ground/lower level.

Travel Height The distance the surface of the platform must travel from the lowest point to the highest point.

Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors A reciprocating power or gravity actuated lifting device (not designed to carry passengers or an operator) that receives objects on a carriage and transports these objects vertically from one elevation to another.

Vertical Rise The distance from the lowest (bottom) part to the highest part of the VRC. Vertical Travel see “Travel Height.”

VRC Abbreviation for Vertical Reciprocating Conveyor.