Abstract: A transportation system is provided that accommodates varying angles of slope along the path of its movement, while maintaining a level transportation platform without the need of mechanical leveling devices or systems. The platform may be connected to the rail by wheels that are held in a substantially fixed relationship to one another, the closest of which to the platform is above the rail, and the other below the rail. Accordingly, the platform is torqued downward to maintain contact between the wheels and the rail. As the slope of the terrain, and thus the slope of the rail, increases, the rail is widened to maintain the platform at level. As the slope decreases, the rail is narrowed to the same effect. The platform also may be tilted for loading or unloading by this rail-widening method, as may be desired.

Abstract: A track system for storage and retrieval of materials for use with warehousing vehicle that rides upon tracks in horizontal configuration for storage locations, and that is capable of switching to and riding a sloped track to ascend or descend vertically. A set of transition exchanges allows the vehicle to access multiple levels of storage “flooring” or shelving. The exchanges use ramps, or movable sections of railway, that may be moved out of the way of a set of wheels of the vehicle, while other ramps are set in place to provide support to some wheels of the vehicle, whereby the vehicle may selectively either travel along the elevator track, or to move between elevator track and level storage locations.

Abstract: A track system for storage and retrieval of materials for use with warehousing vehicle that rides upon tracks in horizontal configuration for storage locations, and that is capable of switching to and riding a sloped track to ascend or descend vertically. A set of transition exchanges allows the vehicle to access multiple levels of storage “flooring” or shelving. The exchanges use ramps, or movable sections of railway, that may be moved out of the way of a set of wheels of the vehicle, while other ramps are set in place to provide support to some wheels of the vehicle, whereby the vehicle may selectively either travel along the elevator track, or to move between elevator track and level storage locations.

Abstract: A transportation system is provided that accommodates varying angles of slope along the path of its movement, while maintaining a level transportation platform without the need of mechanical leveling devices or systems. The platform may be connected to the rail by wheels, the closest of which to the platform is above the rail, and the other below the rail. Accordingly, the platform is torqued downward to maintain contact between the wheels and the rail. As the slope of the terrain, and thus the rail, increases, the rail is widened to maintain the platform at level. As the slope decreases, the rail is narrowed to the same effect. The platform also may be tilted for loading or unloading by this rail-widening method, as may be desired.

Abstract: A transportation system is provided that accommodates varying angles of slope along the path of its movement, while maintaining a level transportation platform without the need of mechanical leveling devices or systems. The platform may be connected to the rail by wheels, the closest of which to the platform is above the rail, and the other below the rail. Accordingly, the platform is torqued downward to maintain contact between the wheels and the rail. As the slope of the terrain, and thus the rail, increases, the rail is widened to maintain the platform at level. As the slope decreases, the rail is narrowed to the same effect. The platform also may be tilted for loading or unloading by this rail-widening method, as may be desired.