Abstract: An industrial materials handling system including a base member having a loading end with a first senor that detects when a first carriage or second carriage is positioned in a loading/unloading position at the loading end, and an operator end with a second sensor that detects when the first or second carriage is positioned in the loading/unloading position, a controller coupled to the first sensor and second sensor, the first carriage coupled to the base member and a first drive mechanism controlled by the controller to move the first carriage, the loading end, and the operator end, the second carriage coupled to the base member and to a second drive mechanism configured to move the second carriage between the loading end and the operator end under the control of the controller, and a bypass mechanism to move the second carriage between the loading end and the operator end.

Abstract: In one example, a mother cart is provided that is suitable for transporting a daughter cart. The mother cart includes a base frame having a group of wheels configured to allow the mother cart to be moved. The base frame, in turn, includes a loading bay for receiving the daughter cart, and a support surface for supporting the daughter cart. Finally, the base frame includes a primary restraint mechanism for engaging and securing the daughter cart in the loading bay.

Abstract: In one example, a mother cart is provided that is suitable for transporting a daughter cart. The mother cart includes a base frame having a group of wheels configured to allow the mother cart to be moved. The base frame, in turn, includes a loading bay for receiving the daughter cart, and a support surface for supporting the daughter cart. Finally, the base frame includes a primary restraint mechanism for engaging and securing the daughter cart in the loading bay.

Abstract: In one example, a mother cart is provided that is suitable for transporting a daughter cart. The mother cart includes a lower frame, an upper frame connected to the lower frame, and the lower frame includes wheels configured to allow the mother cart to be moved. The lower frame also includes support guides configured to support the daughter cart in a raised position to provide a predetermined ground clearance, and the lower frame has two open sides so as to provide for two-way loading and unloading of the daughter cart on the mother cart.

Abstract: An industrial cart or rack loading/unloading and switcher system and method for operation thereof. The switcher system comprises a base member having a loading end and an operator end; a first carriage for carrying a bin, said first carriage being operatively coupled to said base member and configured to move between said loading end and said operator end; a second carriage for carrying another bin; a bypass mechanism configured to support said second carriage and said other bin; said bypass mechanism being operatively coupled to said base member and configured to move between said loading end and said operator end; said bypass mechanism being further configured to operate in a bypass mode, and in said bypass mode said bypass mechanism being operable to permit movement of said first carriage and said bin between said loading end and said operator end.

Abstract: An industrial cart or rack loading/unloading and switcher system and method for operation thereof. The switcher system comprises a base member having a loading end and an operator end; a first carriage for carrying a bin, said first carriage being operatively coupled to said base member and configured to move between said loading end and said operator end; a second carriage for carrying another bin; a bypass mechanism configured to support said second carriage and said other bin; said bypass mechanism being operatively coupled to said base member and configured to move between said loading end and said operator end; said bypass mechanism being further configured to operate in a bypass mode, and in said bypass mode said bypass mechanism being operable to permit movement of said first carriage and said bin between said loading end and said operator end.

Abstract: A latch and fail-safe mechanism suitable for use with an industrial cart, dolly, trailer or other types mobile platforms or carriers. According to an embodiment, the latch comprises a housing or enclosure, a latch mechanism, a hitch hook and a fail-safe mechanism. The housing includes a back-plate configured to attach the latch to amounting bracket or frame plate on the cart. The latch mechanism is operatively coupled to the hitch hook and configured to bias the hitch hook in a closed or engaging position. The fail-safe mechanism is operatively coupled to the hitch hook and configured to bias and maintain the hitch hook in the closed position in the event of failure of the latch mechanism.

Abstract: In one example, a mother cart is provided that is suitable for transporting a daughter cart. The mother cart includes a base frame having a group of wheels configured to allow the mother cart to be moved. The base frame, in turn, includes a loading bay for receiving the daughter cart, and a support surface for supporting the daughter cart. Finally, the base frame includes a primary restraint mechanism for engaging and securing the daughter cart in the loading bay.

Abstract: In one example, a mother cart is provided that is suitable for transporting a daughter cart. The mother cart includes a lower frame, an upper frame connected to the lower frame, and the lower frame includes wheels configured to allow the mother cart to be moved. The lower frame also includes support guides configured to support the daughter cart in a raised position to provide a predetermined ground clearance, and the lower frame has two open sides so as to provide for two-way loading and unloading of the daughter cart on the mother cart.

Abstract: In one example, a mother cart is provided that is suitable for transporting a daughter cart. The mother cart includes a lower frame, an upper frame connected to the lower frame, and the lower frame includes wheels configured to allow the mother cart to be moved. The lower frame also includes support guides configured to support the daughter cart in a raised position to provide a predetermined ground clearance, and the lower frame has two open sides so as to provide for two-way loading and unloading of the daughter cart on the mother cart.

Abstract: In one example, a mother cart is provided that is suitable for transporting a daughter cart. The mother cart includes a lower frame, an upper frame connected to the lower frame, and the lower frame includes wheels configured to allow the mother cart to be moved. The lower frame also includes support guides configured to support the daughter cart in a raised position to provide a predetermined ground clearance, and the lower frame has two open sides so as to provide for two-way loading and unloading of the daughter cart on the mother cart.

Abstract: An industrial cart system and method for operation thereof. The industrial cart system comprises a mother cart and a daughter cart. The mother cart comprises an upper frame and a lower frame. According to an embodiment, the lower frame is configured to support the daughter cart in a loaded or travel position. The lower frame is further configured to allow two-way loading and unloading of the daughter cart. According to another embodiment, the mother cart comprises a chassis and one or more lift mechanisms operatively coupled to the lower frame. The chassis is configured to support the daughter cart and the lift mechanisms are configured to lower and raise the chassis (and the daughter cart) to facilitate the loading and unloading of the daughter cart.

Abstract: A latch and fail-safe mechanism suitable for use with an industrial cart, dolly, trailer or other types mobile platforms or carriers. According to an embodiment, the latch comprises a housing or enclosure, a latch mechanism, a hitch hook and a fail-safe mechanism. The housing includes a back-plate configured to attach the latch to a mounting bracket or frame plate on the cart. The latch mechanism is operatively coupled to the hitch hook and configured to bias the hitch hook in a closed or engaging position. The fail-safe mechanism is operatively coupled to the hitch hook and configured to bias and maintain the hitch hook in the closed position in the event of failure of the latch mechanism.

Abstract: A latch and fail-safe mechanism suitable for use with an industrial cart, dolly, trailer or other types mobile platforms or carriers. According to an embodiment, the latch comprises a housing or enclosure, a latch mechanism, a hitch hook and a fail-safe mechanism. The housing includes a back-plate configured to attach the latch to a mounting bracket or frame plate on the cart. The latch mechanism is operatively coupled to the hitch hook and configured to bias the hitch hook in a closed or engaging position. The fail-safe mechanism is operatively coupled to the hitch hook and configured to bias and maintain the hitch hook in the closed position in the event of failure of the latch mechanism.

Abstract: An industrial cart system and method for operation thereof. The industrial cart system comprises a mother cart and a daughter cart. The mother cart comprises an upper frame and a lower frame. According to an embodiment, the lower frame is configured to support the daughter cart in a loaded or travel position. The lower frame is further configured to allow two-way loading and unloading of the daughter cart. According to another embodiment, the mother cart comprises a chassis and one or more lift mechanisms operatively coupled to the lower frame. The chassis is configured to support the daughter cart and the lift mechanisms are configured to lower and raise the chassis (and the daughter cart) to facilitate the loading and unloading of the daughter cart.

Abstract: A latch and fail-safe mechanism suitable for use with an industrial cart, dolly, trailer or other types mobile platforms or carriers. According to an embodiment, the latch comprises a housing or enclosure, a latch mechanism, a hitch hook and a fail-safe mechanism. The housing includes a back-plate configured to attach the latch to a mounting bracket or frame plate on the cart. The latch mechanism is operatively coupled to the hitch hook and configured to bias the hitch hook in a closed or engaging position. The fail-safe mechanism is operatively coupled to the hitch hook and configured to bias and maintain the hitch hook in the closed position in the event of failure of the latch mechanism.