Abstract: Vehicle guidance system that includes a first guidance bogie selectively positionable in a first position for travel and a second position for direction change and a second guidance bogie selectively positionable in a third position for travel and a fourth position for direction change. At a common crossing, one of: the first guidance bogie is selectively positioned into the second position, or the second guidance bogie is selectively positioned into the fourth position.

Abstract: A system and method for automated preparation of deliveries in delivery vehicles using automated guided vehicles is described. In an example implementation, the method may determine a future delivery in a set of deliveries assigned to a delivery vehicle, the future delivery including a first item and determine a storage location in the delivery vehicle of the first item. In some implementations, an AGV may, during transit of the delivery vehicle along a route for delivering the set of deliveries, navigate to a point proximate to the storage location of the first item in the delivery vehicle, and retrieve the first item from the storage location in the delivery vehicle. The AGV may then deliver the first item to a delivery point.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a track structure capable of supplying power, which comprises a track module, a first conducting module, a second conducting module, at least a sliding module, a first electrical transmission module, and a second electrical transmission module. Each track module is provided for disposing an electronic device. The electronic device slides along the track module via the sliding module. The first electrical transmission module is connected to the electronic device, and a first electrode and a second electrode of the sliding module. The first and second electrodes contact the first and second conducting modules, respectively. The second electrical transmission module is connected to the first and second conducing modules and connected to a power supply. The power supply supplies power and transmit the power to the electronic device through the track structure.

Abstract: A vehicle control system and a vehicle control device can switch control of a supporting device for support a drive of a vehicle between an ordinary travel in which the vehicle travels in a state that a power source for causing the vehicle to travel is operated and an inertia travel in which the vehicle travels in a state that an operation of the power source is stopped. Accordingly, since the vehicle control system and the vehicle control device switch the control of the supporting device between the ordinary travel and the inertia travel, the vehicle control system and the vehicle control device achieve an effect that the vehicle can be caused to appropriately travel by inertia.

Abstract: A personal rapid transit (PRT) system that comprises a very economic triple rail topology for bi-directional urban personal transport. All the ramps are implemented always on the one side of the tracks for the sake of the narrow urban spaces accommodation. In order to achieve fast speed direction changes and a non compromised passenger security, the ramps are implemented as parallel lines to the corresponding tracks, and the vehicles do not use any wheel steering or electromagnetic heads. Instead, a landing wheel gear is implemented, and all the wheels are synchronized by speed before touching the rails. The vehicle's center of masses is constantly maintained to be found in most cases in one plain with the guideways. In case of emergencies, a special “anti-fall down” security system keeps the vehicle on the rails. The vehicles are capable of making all kind of turns by utilizing the highly compact Direction Change Connector.

Abstract: A vehicle, including two controllable electrical drives, which are capable of being operated in mutual dependence, the rotational speed and the torque of a first drive, in particular a master drive.

Abstract: Storage and retrieval machine with a chassis (9) for supporting a mast (10), comprising at least one carriage (1) including guide elements (2, 2?), at least one drive element (3) assigned to the carriage (1) and including a drive motor (5), and with at least one rail (4) assigned to the carriage (1), wherein at least a partial area, seen in the installation orientation, directly above the rail (4) is free of guide elements (2, 2?).

Abstract: Storage and retrieval machine with a mast (10), at least one chassis (1, 1?) for supporting the mast (10), at least one rail (4, 4?), on which the at least one chassis (1, 1?) can be moved back and forth, as well as at least one lift carriage (1?) vertically shiftable on the mast (10), wherein the mast (10) is formed of at least two supports (11, 11?) that are spaced from each other in the moving direction of the at least one chassis (1, 1?) and are connected to each other via at least one transversal bar (12, 12?) to obtain a mast profile, wherein the attachment of the at least one transversal bar (12, 12?) to the supports is resistant to bending.

Abstract: A monorail bogie assembly for supporting at least one monorail car over a monorail track that has a running surface and two side surfaces. The monorail bogie assembly comprises a first monorail bogie for supporting a first monorail car. The first monorail bogie comprises at least one load-bearing wheel, two inboard guide wheels and two outboard guide wheels. The monorail bogie assembly further comprises a second monorail bogie for supporting a second monorail car. The second monorail bogie comprises at least one load-bearing wheel and two inboard guide wheels. The monorail bogie assembly further comprises a linking member for interconnecting the first monorail bogie and the second monorail bogie, such that when connected the second monorail bogie is absent any outboard guide wheels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the precise positioning of a carrier (1) for the track of a railborne vehicle, especially a magnetic levitation railway. Said carrier comprises a track plate (3) provided with guiding elements for the vehicle, and at least one, preferably two, connecting elements (5) which protrude essentially at a right angle from the track plate. The carrier is discretely mounted on a bed (7). The carrier and a compensation sleeper (2) are separately produced, and the carrier, compensation sleeper (2), and bed are then interconnected. A fine adjustment of the pre-determined spatial curve of the carrier is carried out between the carrier and the compensation sleeper and/or between the compensation sleeper and the bed.

Abstract: An upper cart 12 and a lower cart 2 have running motors 4, 14, respectively, for controlling these carts in a manner overlapping each other on a vertical line. A mast 18 is formed into a truss structure, and an elevating platform 20 has a slide fork a load on which is supported on a shelf support of a rack. The present invention provides a light stacker crane operating at a high speed.

Abstract: An upper cart 12 and a lower cart 2 have running motors 4, 14, respectively, for controlling these carts in a manner overlapping each other on a vertical line. A mast 18 is formed into a truss structure, and an elevating platform 20 has a slide fork a load on which is supported on a shelf support of a rack. The present invention provides a light stacker crane operating at a high speed.

Abstract: A sliding dolly that is particularly adapted to loading and unloading awkward and heavy packages, mattresses, or box springs from a truck. There is a, a dolly back frame, and a dolly shelf. There is also a means for supporting the dolly over a floor or other surface. This support means may be a slider and or roller assembly. In the preferred embodiment, both the back frame and the roller assembly are joined to the shelf. The back frame is joined to and depends from the slider. The slider permits the attached back frame, shelf, and roller assembly to move along the slider. The slider is typically fastened along one of the sides of a truck near the comer where the top and sides meet. The roller assembly has one or more casters that reduce the friction of moving the sliding dolly along the side of the truck by holding the dolly back frame and shelf away from the side of the truck.

Abstract: A track (rail)-guided transport system has at least one track of bearing and rail-guiding members on which is run at least one transport vehicle which has means for self-automated continuous movement along the track and to which energy is transmitted contactlessly from a primary circuit laid down along the track. The transport vehicle is designed as a carrier vehicle (2) for at least one satellite vehicle (3,9) used to transport goods and has a satellite track section for positioning and parking the satellite vehicle (3,9). The satellite track section can be brought into alignment by positioning the carrier vehicle (2) flush to satellite tracks arranged along its track, perpendicular thereto. Energy from a primary circuit laid down along the satellite tracks (7,8) is transmitted contactlessly to the satellite vehicle (3,9) equipped with means for automated locomotion.

Abstract: A transit system is provided for application within existing routes of travel infrastructures, travelling along the median strip and utilizing the air space over the median strip and above limited height roadway traffic and beneath overpasses and height limiting infrastructures. The transit vehicles are supported on or side mounted from trucks operating on an elevated structural beam trackway with a lower upwardly facing support surface, an upper downwardly facing support surface, and (on certain vehicles) an upper medially facing support surface. Variations of the structural beam mount under overpasses or along the ground surface, and are used in switching means for secondary trackways. The transit system's vertical dimension is reduced by the interrelationship of the trucks and structural beam trackway with the transit vehicles, and by placing the vehicle to the side of the structural beam and side supporting the vehicle from the trucks.

Abstract: The invention refers to a transport system with a minimum of two supporting points disposed on opposite sides of inter-connected ring frames, where within the annular tube (21) along tracks travel light rail vehicles with a passenger cabin. The structure of the cabin is similar to that of an airplane fuselage, where the cabins are at the same time supported by the lower and upper rotating bases which are disposed in the shape of rails (2,3) which include the side rails (10) also bonded to the opposite sides of the basic rings (1). The basic rings (1) are inter-connected by side supports (18) bonded by side bonds (19) for longitudinal central supports (12,13) and longitudinal side supports (14,15) disposed on horizontal frame beams (11) of double columns (10) as vertical supports (4b) of the support structure system.

Abstract: A roller coaster has cars with passenger supports to hold the passengers in a substantially horizontal position within the car during the ride in seats which can be rigidly molded for each new individual passenger to conform to the unique body contours of the passenger, wherein the cars have multiple vertically-tiered levels of passenger support and are supported from above and below on the track, to provide an increased speed and thrill capability for the ride.

Abstract: A cargo restraint system for vehicles is disclosed. The cargo restraining device includes a mechanism secured to a vehicle surface to enable selectable positioning of the cargo restraint system. Also, a member for restraining cargo on the vehicle surface is associated with the selectable positioning mechanism secured to the vehicle surface. The restraining member is movable from a first position, substantially parallel with and adjacent to the vehicle surface, to a second operable position. In the operable second position, the restraining member is substantially orthogonal to the vehicle surface.

Abstract: A track guided transportation system for shelf servicing within warehouses. A lower guide track provides a narrow channel defined between a track bottom face and a pair of track side faces, and an upper guide track extends above and parallel to the lower guide track. A transportation vehicle with a plurality of mounting assemblies is mounted to and between the lower and upper tracks for travel therealong. Each mounting assembly of the lower guide track includes a single supporting wheel for rolling centrally along the track channel on the bottom face to support the vehicle and at least one stabilizing element is provided in the track channel extending generally between the inner side faces and engaging one or other of the side faces at any one time in order to laterally stabilize the vehicle.

Abstract: A transfer bridge for bridging across railroad tracks. The transfer bridge includes a bridge plate that can be pivoted from a vertical rest position into a horizontal operative position, in which the free end of the bridge plate rests upon a platform next to the tracks. In addition, a travel mechanism that is movable parallel to the tracks is associated with the bridge. In order to achieve a simplified and smaller construction for the travel mechanism, the latter is provided with an upwardly extending boom that is held in a guide rail to keep it from tilting.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting goods to and from shelves has a carriage supported frame travelling on inverted T-rails secured to the floor. A vertically extending guide member rides in an overhead U-rail, vertically aligned with the T-rails. The carriage has at least one swivelling axle with wheels travelling on the rails and at least one carriage guiding device with guide rollers guided by an upwardly extending central web of the inverted T-rails except in rail junctions where the central web is omitted. In the rail junctions, guide rails with a U-cross-section take over the guiding of at least one of the guide rollers of each carriage until the central web of the inverted T-rail in the branching rail section takes over the guiding again. Thus, the carriage may be guided selectively into any branching rail section without using railroad type switches nor transfer bridges in the rail system.

Abstract: On one ground rail only, a vehicle containing upper and lower bogies is rolling. The vehicle is guided from above at a ceiling rail. Each lower bogie contains a bogie wheel which is provided with lateral flanges. The ground rail includes a head profile, the upper side of which is interrupted at branch points of the rail by slots to guide the flanges of the bogie wheel. The depth of the slots is substantially less than the height of the head profile. Guide rollers, which can be lifted individually under control to determine the travel direction at the branch points, laterally engage the head profile.

Abstract: In an elevated railway system having a track comprising upper and lower rails extending longitudinally along one side of a beam structure, and passenger cars traveling on the track having doors on their sides adjacent the beam structure, a passenger station comprising an elevator shaft structure, including an elevator car, which extends up from ground level through a gap in the beam structure. A track section with upper and lower rails in continuity with the rails on the beam structure extends alongside the elevator shaft structure at the bottom and top of the door of a car stopped at the station, permitting passenger egress from and ingress to the passenger car and the elevator car between the rails at the station.

Abstract: A monorail driverless vehicle for use on an assembly line includes a vertically disposed frame having a drive wheel on the upper end of the frame and biased downwardly for contact with a drive shaft. Aligned support wheels on the frame are adapted for contact with a track therebelow. A fixture may be mounted on either side face of the vehicle for removably supporting the workpiece to be worked on by persons or apparatus along the assembly line.

Abstract: A storage/retrieval machine (10) is provided with equipment to adapt the machine for use in fighting fires in a warehouse in which the machine is installed. A plurality of platforms (26, 30) and access ladders (28, 32) are provided along the length of the machine mast (14). A standpipe (34) having a connection (36) to a central fire extinguisher fluid source extends along the mast, and hose and nozzle assemblies (38) are provided at each platform. To provide power to the machine to move it to the location of the fire, an auxiliary drive motor (61) is mounted on the storage/retrieval machine, and an auxiliary power supply (46) mounted in a waterproof housing (48) and supported on its own wheels (50, 52), is engageable with the storage/retrieval machine for movement therewith.

Abstract: Improvements are provided in a rapid transit system which employs a guide line network including a main line and an interconnected side line, a car moveable throughout the network and interconnected thereto by an overhead tow bar, car drive means, and switch means for diverting the car to and from the main line and side line. The improvements include an overhead main line guide bar at and around intersections of the main and side lines, a main line guide finger vertically moveable from within the car into and out of sliding engagement with the main line guide bar, an overhead side line guide bar at and around said intersection, and a pair of turn-off guide fingers vertically moveable as a unit from within the car for sliding engagement with the side line guide bar to divert the car to the side line. These fingers are spaced lateral of both sides of the main line guide finger. Lever means in the car alternately raise and lower the turn off guide fingers and main line guide finger.

Abstract: A rail vehicle is disclosed for use on an elevated electric rail system having a lower rail below the vehicle and an upper rail above the vehicle. The vehicle includes a pair of lower wheels having independently rotatable flanges rollably carrying a vehicle cab along the lower rail and an upper wheel having independently rotatable flanges rollably engaging the upper rail. Electric motors, energized through contacts carried on the vehicle by an electric circuit associated with the upper rail, are drivingly connected through drive belts to the respective lower wheel to propel the vehicle along the rail system. The vehicle also includes a clamping rail brake carried by a vehicle which is engagable on the lower rail, and a vertically and laterally extendable servo system secured to the vehicle and carrying the upper wheel.

Abstract: The article delivery device of the present invention is in the form of a conveyor system having a main branch with one or more auxiliary branches coupled thereto for use in connection with vehicles which are driven by frictional contact between a rotating drive shaft and a drive wheel coupled to the vehicle.

Abstract: A gantry loader comprising a horizontally disposed support beam, a railway rail secured to the support beam, the rail including a head, a loader assembly including a carriage selectively displaceable along the beam, the carriage having a first pair of wheels for rollingly engaging the face of the rail head, a second pair of wheels for rollingly engaging one projecting portion of the head, a third pair of wheels for rollingly engaging the other projecting portion of the head, each of the third pair of wheels including a peripheral step selectively facing the first pair of wheels and having a beveled side wall surface, the third pair of wheels being selectively displaceable from a retracted position remote from the rail to an advanced position whereat the base and the beveled side wall surface of the step engage the other projecting head portion, and means for selectively maintaining the third pair of wheels at the advanced position.

Abstract: A passenger transportation system includes a transport vehicle which travels in the interior of an elongated tunnel formed from a series of concrete modular conduits. The cross-section of the conduit interior includes a bottom surface on which the vehicle travels, a pair of spaced apart side walls, and a pair of spaced apart upper wall surfaces extending inwardly from the side walls and on opposite sides of an elongated slotted opening extending lengthwise along the top of the conduit tunnel. The transport vehicle is supported by a suspension system which includes a plurality of carrier frames, each having guide rollers traveling along the bottom surface, the side walls, and the upper wall surfaces of the conduit. The guide rollers are supported by respective biasing elements which urge the guide rollers into continuous contact with the walls of the tunnel to keep the vehicle centered in the tunnel during transit.

Abstract: An overhead transportation system comprises one or more roller tracks joined in a superimposed manner to one or to both sides of a plurality of pillars or columns which form the supporting assembly of the system. Each of the roller tracks is formed of two U-shaped elements arranged parallelly to each other and whose cavities face each other. Each pair of U-shaped elements are connected to the supporting assembly parallel to the vertical axis thereof or slightly inclined thereto. A movable vertebrated or segmented train element includes a series of interconnecting compartments which are pivotally joined to each other in an alternate manner, about vertical axles at the surface thereof nearest to the roller tracks, and about horizontal axles at the base thereof.