Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for transferring carts may include a transfer surface, a loading station lift, a working station lift, and a controller. The transfer surface may include a loading station and a working station arranged laterally with respect to the loading station. The loading station lift may include loading station rollers that are in rotatable engagement with the loading station lift. The working station lift may include working station rollers that are in rotatable engagement with the working station lift. The controller that can actuate the loading station lift and the working station lift between a loading state with the loading station rollers and the working station rollers offset a relatively low distance above the transfer surface and a transferring state with the loading station rollers and the working station rollers offset a relatively high distance above the transfer surface.

Abstract: A dolly and methods for transporting and discharging items. The dolly includes a frame and one or more power conveyer assemblies. The one or more power conveyer assemblies include a set of transfer rollers and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a drive motor, a continuous drive belt, a set of idler pulleys, a plurality of electrical actuation members, and a foot actuation pedal. Engagement of the foot actuation pedal can cause the drive motor to rotate the continuous drive belt around the set of idler pulleys and the plurality of electrical actuation members to move the continuous drive belt into an interference position with the set of transfer rollers. This can result in rotation of the set of transfer rollers and application of a discharge force to items set upon them.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for transferring carts may include a transfer surface, a loading station lift, a working station lift, and a controller. The transfer surface may include a loading station and a working station arranged laterally with respect to the loading station. The loading station lift may include loading station rollers that are in rotatable engagement with the loading station lift. The working station lift may include working station rollers that are in rotatable engagement with the working station lift. The controller that can actuate the loading station lift and the working station lift between a loading state with the loading station rollers and the working station rollers offset a relatively low distance above the transfer surface and a transferring state with the loading station rollers and the working station rollers offset a relatively high distance above the transfer surface.

Abstract: A dolly and methods for transporting and discharging items. The dolly includes a frame and one or more power conveyer assemblies. The one or more power conveyer assemblies include a set of transfer rollers and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a drive motor, a continuous drive belt, a set of idler pulleys, a plurality of electrical actuation members, and a foot actuation pedal. Engagement of the foot actuation pedal can cause the drive motor to rotate the continuous drive belt around the set of idler pulleys and the plurality of electrical actuation members to move the continuous drive belt into an interference position with the set of transfer rollers. This can result in rotation of the set of transfer rollers and application of a discharge force to items set upon them.

Abstract: A docking station for an automated guided vehicle includes a station base unit and a shift unit adapted to move relative to the station base unit between an extended position and a retracted position, where movement of the shift unit from the extended position to the retracted position defines a shift unit movement direction. The docking station further includes an actuator coupled to the station base unit and the shift unit, where the actuator is adapted to move the shift unit between the extended position and the retracted position and at least one locator block coupled to the shift unit. The docking station stops an automated guided vehicle travelling in the shift unit movement direction when a portion of the automated guided vehicle contacts the at least one locator block with the shift unit in the extended position.

Abstract: A docking station for an automated guided vehicle includes a station base unit and a shift unit adapted to move relative to the station base unit between an extended position and a retracted position, where movement of the shift unit from the extended position to the retracted position defines a shift unit movement direction. The docking station further includes an actuator coupled to the station base unit and the shift unit, where the actuator is adapted to move the shift unit between the extended position and the retracted position and at least one locator block coupled to the shift unit. The docking station stops an automated guided vehicle travelling in the shift unit movement direction when a portion of the automated guided vehicle contacts the at least one locator block with the shift unit in the extended position.