Abstract: A driverless vehicle has at least one drive wheel mounted on a base and oscillatable about the axis of its support between a drive position and an accumulation position. A cam is supported on the base by a horizontal parallelogram linkage with one leg of the linkage connected to the drive wheel support for moving the drive wheel support between said positions. A ground supported cam follower is provided for actuating the cam.

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: The speed of loaded and unloaded driverless vehicles traveling along an inclined path is controlled by a hydraulic retarder mechanism which dissipates the kinetic energy of the vehicle. The retarder mechanism is velocity sensitive and projects into the path of part of the vehicle. The retarder mechanism slows down fast moving vehicles but has little or no effect on slow moving vehicles.

Abstract: Transporter or material handling apparatus for the controlled movement of goods includes two pairs of intersecting rails, a pallet for supporting the goods, a first group of wheels mounted on the pallet for rolling on one pair of intersecting rails, a second group of wheels mounted on the pallet for rolling on the other pair of intersecting rails, and a directional interchange in each of the intersecting rails permitting movement of the pallet in two angularly disposed directions therefrom. The movement of the pallet may be effected by a drive which engages the pallet for selectively propelling it in either of the two directions.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a roller conveyor, a platform at one end of the conveyor, and a wheeled vehicle. The platform facilitates positioning the wheeled vehicle so that the bed thereon is aligned with a load support surface defined by rollers on the conveyor whereby the apparatus may be used for loading or unloading of trailer vans.

Abstract: A tow line vehicle having a tow pin is provided with a bumper capable of moving the tow pin from an operative position coupled to a tow chain to an inoperative position. The bumper is coupled to the tow pin in a manner so that it does not interfere with the ability of simultaneously raising the tow pin and a selector pin by means of a handle on the vehicle.

Abstract: A shuttle vehicle reciprocates between sets of tracks for driverless vehicles. The linear movement of the shuttle vehicle causes a turntable on the shuttle vehicle to rotate. The turntable is adapted to support a driverless vehicle to be transported from one set of tracks to another.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus is disclosed having a horizontally disposed conveyor mounted on a support for vertical movement so that the conveyor may receive articles from each of a plurality of superimposed storage shelves. A picking head for causing articles to be transferred from a shelf to the conveyor is mounted for vertical movement with the conveyor and is also supported for movement along the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading articles onto horizontally and vertically spaced shelves includes a support mechanism movable parallel to an open end of the shelves. The support mechanism carries a loader, which is movable in a vertical direction. A mechanism is provided for aligning the loader with any one of the plurality of vertically spaced shelves.

Abstract: A conveyor tray is longitudinally tilted downwardly in the direction of the movement with a front stop wall having a center notch to support the back of a load applied to the preceding tray. Each tray is also split or divided longitudinally into two tray members, each extending upwardly from the pivot point to an outer portion projecting outwardly at a significantly more shallow angle to the horizontal. A continuous surface cover in which the central portion overlying the pivot line is readily flexible. The pivot axis may be located vertically on a line between the tray members to provide a specific radius in the flexible cover. Each tray half is held by a latch mechanism including a plate with a latch notch within which a latching roller carried by a lever is disposed. The plate has a curved guide edge which engages the roller to produce a guide movement to a release position.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for storing and select-goods in a warehouse including transferring goods from a receiving area to a particular location in a storage area in response to a computer command, moving some of the goods from said area to endless conveyor means in response to a computer command, selecting a particular quantity of specific goods off the conveyor means in response to a computer command, and placing the selected goods on a vehicle for shipment.

Abstract: A control device is provided for controlling the speed of a vehicle used in a conveyor system wherein the vehicle moves along a track. The control device has a generally straight section between a first angled section having a cam surface for deceleration and a second angled section having a cam surface for acceleration in a controlled manner. The control member is supported for movement between operative and inoperative positions. A motor is provided for moving the control member from an inoperative position to an operative position. The control member is held in its operative position by a cam follower on the vehicle. When the cam follower loses contact with the control member, the control member moves to its inoperative position by gravity.

Abstract: A shallow low cost conveyor system is disclosed for use with tow vehicles. The conveyor chain is provided with a drive which includes two idler sprockets and a drive sprocket all disposed to one side of the tow pin slot so that there is no chain in the adjacent portion of the slot. An auxiliary transfer mechanism transfers the tow pin across said portion of said slot.

Abstract: A reversible valve for selectively delivering a pressurized gaseous mixture to and exhausting it from a reversible air motor or other pressure operated device. The valve has a perforate piston actuated by introducing the pressurized gas to a through flow position closing off lateral exhaust ports and actuated by the pressurized gas and a spring to a position fully opening the exhaust ports when flow to the valve is reversed.

Abstract: A vehicle turntable having a set of tracks and a drive tube are mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. A belt and pulley arrangement is provided for rotating the drive tube about its longitudinal axis in all rotative positions of the turntable while using rotation of an adjacent drive tube thereby eliminating the need for a separate independent motor on the turntable.

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 manually operated dump truck is provided with front wheels which are located and mounted on the bottom of the truck, as for example, on swivels, so that they are selectively movable from a forward position substantially in advance of the center of gravity of the truck, which is the position selected when the truck is being loaded or used as a conveyance, to a position more closely adjacent the center of gravity when the truck is to be dumped thus reducing the amount of energy required to tip the truck forwardly in a dumping action. Manually controlled latching means is provided to maintain the wheels in the forward position.

Abstract: A transfer table is movable to place tracks thereon into and out of alignment with stationary tracks. When a driverless wheeled vehicle is on the tracks of the transfer table, and the transfer table tracks are out of alignment with the stationary tracks, a device automatically stops vehicles adjacent the free ends of the stationary tracks. A discrete rotatable drive shaft is provided between the stationary tracks and between the tracks of the transfer table for causing a driverless vehicle to move therealong.

Abstract: A centrifugal rotary loader apparatus for a multiple tray conveyor includes a plurality of similar spirally-shaped, conical supporting surfaces, each having a radially extending pickup vane.Each supporting surface includes an inner loading cone angle of 30.degree. and an outer angle of 20.degree. for a retail merchandise warehousing system.An outer encircling guide wall has a discharge opening with a vertical trailing edge and an inclined leading edge. The load moves outwardly as a result of centrifugal forces through the opening.The rotary loader is loaded perpendicular to the direction of rotation and the tray conveyor is located beneath the loader with the center line of the trays aligned with the periphery of the loader.

Abstract: A driverless turntable system is disclosed and includes two turntables coupled together for simutaneous rotation in opposite directions. A driverless vehicle enters the first turntable, is transferred to the second turntable, and then exits from the second turntable in a direction parallel to that when it entered the first turntable. Stationary tracks are provided adjacent the turntables for guiding the vehicles thereonto and therefrom.