Abstract: A positive displacement sorter, preferably of the parallel displacement type, includes a conveying surface, a plurality of pusher shoes capable of travelling laterally of the conveying surface, a plurality of diverting rails extending diagonally under the conveying surface and a plurality of electromagnetic actuators associated with the diverting rails. The pusher shoes include a transfer assembly below the conveying surface including a pilot member made of a magnetically permeable material. A pusher shoe is diverted to one of the diverting rails by the actuator associated with the diverting rail magnetically attracting the pilot member associated with that pusher shoe to magnetically initiate a divert. The transfer member associated with the pusher shoe mechanically completes the divert that is initiated magnetically. This allows actuators to be positioned at a pitch that is no greater than the shoe pitch.

Abstract: An alignment device for aligning a photo-detector with a target on a conveyor includes a mount for the photo-detector having at least two apertures. Screws are inserted through those apertures into corresponding apertures in a bracket attached to the conveyor. The screws are threadedly secured to one of the mount and bracket and non-threadedly secured to the other of the mount and bracket such that rotation of either of the screws alters the distance between the mount and the bracket. The alteration in distance changes the orientation of the photo-detector. Springs may be mounted between the bracket and the mount.

Abstract: A positive displacement sorter, preferably of the parallel displacement type, includes a conveying surface, a plurality of pusher shoes capable of travelling laterally of the conveying surface, a plurality of diverting rails extending diagonally under the conveying surface and a plurality of electromagnetic actuators associated with the diverting rails. The pusher shoes include a transfer assembly below the conveying surface including a pilot member made of a magnetically permeable material. A pusher shoe is diverted to one of the diverting rails by the actuator associated with the diverting rail magnetically attracting the pilot member associated with that pusher shoe to magnetically initiate a divert. The transfer member associated with the pusher shoe mechanically completes the divert that is initiated magnetically. This allows actuators to be positioned at a pitch that is no greater than the shoe pitch.

Abstract: A system for alerting passengers, particularly school children, that the particular bus they are to board is approaching. The passengers have a receiver which senses the particular signal transmitted by the approaching bus. The passengers listen for and/or watch for a visual indication that the bus is now at the location on its route where preparations should be made for boarding. The bus carries a transmitter which sends out a specific signal identifying that bus. The signal is derived from data which was entered into a signal generator in the transmitter relating to the particular school district, the route to be traveled by the bus, and the number of the bus. Each residence where the school children are waiting has a receiver which will activate an indicating device only when the specific bus identification signal is received.

Abstract: An automated vehicle guidance system (100) includes automated self-propelled vehicles (102) selectively traveling a guidepath (114) comprising a plurality of interconnected guidelines (110, 116, 118). The guidepath (114) comprises an electric field wire system comprising a series of wire segments buried under a floor surface (112), and excited by an alternating current (AC) voltage source (210) referenced to earth ground. Voltage probes (222, 224) sense the electric field emanating from the guidepath segments and generate an intelligence signal for appropriately steering the vehicle (102) along the guidepath (114).

Abstract: An automatically guided vehicle (110) is disclosed which follows guide lines positioned in a predetermined guide path (102) on the floor. The guide path (102) includes coded markings and the vehicle comprises sensing circuitry (210) capable of sensing the markings and generating proximity signals indicative thereof. The coded markings can indicate approach of the vehicle into a "congestion" zone wherein other vehicles similarly situated can cause hazardous conditions therein. Radio frequency (RF) transmission circuitry (240) on the approaching vehicle (110) is responsive to the congestion zone indication signals to transmit and receive RF signals to and from other vehicles on the guide path (102). The approaching vehicle (110) performs various collision avoidance operations as determined by the received RF signals.

Abstract: A proportional speed control arrangement (100) is disclosed for use with vehicles requiring variable velocities of operation. Specifically, the arrangement is utilized with a traction motor apparatus (101) to provide velocity adjustments to a service type of vehicle via electronic circuitry responsive to signals generated from an interface controller (102). The interface controller (102) comprises acceleration switches (KI, KD) and an enabling switch (KE) which are responsive to activation thereof by external means to establish velocity command signals. The velocity command signals control the application of energizing signals to the motor apparatus. A requisite velocity is maintained by deactivation of the acceleration switches while correspondingly maintaining activation of the enabling switch.

Abstract: A vehicle which is automatically driven and steered on a predetermined guide path and which has a manual control behind a front door and/or operable by rotating a tiller from a vertical to a horizontal position has a reverse control with an exteriorally located actuating means for driving the vehicle in a reverse direction when the other manual controls are inaccessible. The reverse control overrides both the manual control as well as the automatic control for the vehicle.

Abstract: An automatically controlled manually steerable vehicle has power steering in both manual and automatic control modes. A torque sensing means for the coupling between the steering handle and the steerable wheel uses a flexible coupling and a photocell detecting system to control the power steering for the vehicle in the manual mode.