Abstract: A durable gear strap couples components in an imaging device to a driving force. The gear strap includes a strip having a plurality of rigid sections and a plurality of flexible sections. Gear teeth on the strip enable rotation of a gear to move the gear strap in a track. At least one engagement member extends from one of the rigid sections to couple a component to the gear strap for movement.

Abstract: A side buffer includes a bottom portion on which a FOUP may be placed, a restriction portion, an article receiving portion, and a link portion. The restriction portion is movable between a restricting position and a retracted position. At the restricting position, the restriction portion restricts an inclination of the FOUP on the bottom portion. At the retracted position, the restriction portion allows the FOUP to move between the bottom portion and a position directly above the bottom portion. The article receiving portion is disposed so as to receive a force from the FOUP placed on the bottom portion. The link portion moves the restriction portion from the retracted position to the restricting position with the received force.

Abstract: A crane return system is used for returning a crane component to a home position when there is a loss of power. A crane includes a bridge with a plurality of main wheels adapted to travel along at least one rail. The crane return system includes a plurality of auxiliary drive wheels supported by the bridge, the auxiliary drive wheels movable between a first position, in which the auxiliary drive wheels are recessed from the rail, and a second position, in which the auxiliary drive wheels are in contact with the rail. When power is supplied to the crane return system the auxiliary drive wheels are in the first position. A hydraulic fluid pressure vessel stores hydraulic fluid, wherein a substantially fixed mass of hydraulic fluid is contained within the crane return system, and a hydraulic cylinder is interconnected with the auxiliary drive wheels and selectively fluidly communicates with the hydraulic fluid pressure vessel.

Abstract: A transport apparatus is provided with a track including a predetermined transport path, a first runner adapted to travel on the transport path when subjected to an external impelling force, and a plurality of stators arranged at predetermined intervals along the transport path and adapted to produce changes of magnetic field, whereby an impelling force is applied to the first runner for moving. The transport apparatus is further provided with a second runner adapted to be transported on the transport path by a driving force from built-in transport mechanism.

Abstract: A transport apparatus is provided with a track including a predetermined transport path, a first runner adapted to travel on the transport path when subjected to an external impelling force, and a plurality of stators arranged at predetermined intervals along the transport path and adapted to produce changes of magnetic field, whereby an impelling force is applied to the first runner for moving. The transport apparatus in further provided with a second runner adapted to be transported on the transport path by a driving force from built-in transport mechanism.

Abstract: The conveyor track of a conveyor system is provided with an access way so that persons or vehicles may traverse the tracks without interfering with movement of driverless vehicles along the conveyor. A shuttle is suspended from above and supported for reciprocatory movement across a gap in the track. The vehicles traverse the gap by way of the shuttle.