Abstract: A remote controlled apparatus particularly for shelf servicing within warehouses. A vehicle is provided for travelling along a path between a plurality of locations. The vehicle has drive means operable for driving the vehicle along the path. Command control means operates the drive means. The control means includes a distance measuring apparatus having an electromagnetic radiation generating unit carried by the vehicle and operable to generate an electromagnetic radiation beam. One or more radiation receiving mirrors are fixed in predetermined relationship to vehicle locations and arranged to receive and reflect back electromagnetic radiation beams from the generating unit. Upon beam reflection, with the generating unit initiates an output signal representative of the distance between the generating unit and a receiving mirror.

Abstract: A crane comprising: an elongated support structure arranged to extend generally horizontally during crane operation; a crane chassis; at least one mounting assembly mounting the chassis at least substantially on the top of the support structure for movement therealong during crane operation; and, a hoist carried by the crane chassis, the hoist extending at least substantially entirely laterally of the chassis so as to be cantilevered from the support structure. The support structure has a plate having a pair of shoulders on which the mounting assembly bears and moves along during movement of the chassis along the structure.

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.