Abstract: Dispensing apparatus for dispensing articles such as thin substrates includes horizontally disposed shelves one above the other. Each shelf is divided into a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes at least one endless belt for moving a stack of upright substrates toward a front edge of the shelf. A drive mechanism is connected to each belt for driving each belt. A transfer member is provided for each lane adjacent the front end portion of the shelf. Each transfer member projects beyond the effective reach of its associated belt so that the leading substrate to be dispensed is supported by the transfer member prior to dropping downwardly off the free end of the transfer member.

Abstract: A control device for controlling the speed of driverless vehicles moving along a track is selectively operable for stopping vehicles by contact therewith. The device is operated by a motor. Springs are provided for biasing the device to an operative position for contact with the vehicle upon failure of supply of power to the motor.

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: 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: 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 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 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 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 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 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.

Abstract: A track system is arranged to be flush with the floor and a drive shaft is mounted for rotation beneath the level of the floor. A vehicle mounted on wheels is moved along the tracks by a drive wheel which extends downwardly from the bottom of the vehicle through an elongated slot in the floor and which contacts the drive shaft. The vehicle includes a bumper system which upon impact oscillates the drive wheel into a position which decellerates and stops the vehicle. A cam associated with the drive wheel selectively cooperates with a cam surface located beneath the floor level at a queuing station for oscillating the drive wheel into a position which decellerates and stops the vehicle. Means are also provided at the queuing station for positively holding the vehicle in a stopped position.

Abstract: A tow line accumulator is provided having at least one conveyor chain track or channel which is stationary and associated with first and second movable control members. The control members cause a tow pin on a driverless tow vehicle to lose contact with a pusher dog on the conveyor chain whereby the vehicle will come to a stop at the accumulator.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for automatically unloading a driverless vehicle while the vehicle is moving along a guided path. The propulsion force of the vehicle is used to effect the unloading. A cantilever arm projects across the guided path for the driverless vehicle and is pushed out of the way by the vehicle. The pushing of the cantilever arm by the vehicle causes a sweep arm to traverse at least a portion of the vehicle deck thereby pushing a load off the deck onto a receiver such as a conveyor. The cantilever arm and sweep arm are selectively connected together whereby vehicles which are not to be unloaded may traverse the location of the unloader without effecting movement of the sweep arm.