Abstract: The invention relates to a container for cut flowers, the container being nestable, the container comprising a container body which at an upper region is provided with a channel-shaped sleeve holder for holding a protective sleeve arranged to protect cut flowers. The channel-shaped sleeve holder is open at its top. Further, the channel-shaped sleeve holder has an outer channel wall. The container further comprises at least one anti-interlocking flange extending downwardly from the channel-shaped sleeve holder. The anti-interlocking flange, or at least a bottom section of the anti-interlocking flange, is staggered with respect to the outer channel wall, or at least a top section of the outer channel wall.

Abstract: A material storage unit including a bin having a bottom end, a top end, and a sidewall extending therebetween and defining an interior configured to hold particulates, where a portion of the sidewall defines an angular air flow vent having a top air inlet and a bottom air inlet. The material storage unit further includes a fill line inlet extending through one or both of the bottom end of the bin or the sidewall of the bin and in fluid communication with the interior, a venting outlet extending through one or both of the top end of the bin or the sidewall of the bin and in fluid communication with the interior, and a discharge outlet extending through the bottom end of the bin and in fluid communication with the interior.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and way for folding a shipping container in order to improve space utilization when in a folded condition. As a result of the container design, less vertical space is occupied in the folded condition thereby allowing an additional folded container to be stacked in an assembly of folded containers when compared to the prior art designs.

Abstract: Granular material flows out through the discharge opening of a silo and through a sealed housing to a target location. A vent opening in a top portion of the silo has a vent cover operative to selectively open and close the vent opening. When the vent cover is closed, air movement into an upper portion of the silo is prevented. A gate is operative to control a flow of granular material through the discharge opening. A vacuum conduit has a lower input end thereof connected to an interior of the housing, and an upper output end thereof located in an upper portion of an interior of the silo. Material flowing out of the silo creates a vacuum drawing dust from the housing up the vacuum conduit into the silo.

Abstract: A filling ramp for attachment to and filling of a receptacle is described. The filling ramp includes: an attachment end for attachment to a receptacle, the attachment end including connectors configured to interface with the rim of the receptacle; a sheet extending from the attachment end at a proximal end to terminate at a distal end and forming a slide between the distal and proximal ends, the distal end forming a substantially linear edge having a thickness that facilitates movement of material from a surface in contact with the distal end onto the filling ramp.

Abstract: A trash container with a shade closure includes a trash can base including an internal cavity and track grooves located internally along sides of an opening of the cavity and the shade closure including a flexible material and a pin connected to an end of the material, with ends of the pin projecting from sides of the shade and with the ends being configured to fit within the track grooves. The container further includes a shade spool portion located along a back edge of the opening and attached to the shade closure comprising a rotational spring configured to rotate the shade closure around the shade spool portion into a spooled configuration and a latch device located along a front edge of the opening and configured to releasably lock the shade into a planar configuration when the pin of the shade closure is pulled out away from the shade spool portion.

Abstract: A material handling system for lifting and dumping material into a container, material handling systems for lifting and dumping material into a container are described herein which, in some embodiments, comprise at least one horizontal rail connected to the container, at least one vertical track slidably mounted to the horizontal rail, the vertical track defining a generally vertically extending lower portion and a curved upper portion transitioning into the generally vertically extending lower portion, a holder, the holder being connected to the vertical track in a manner permitting movement between an uppermost position and a lowermost position, and a motive power device operable to raise and lower the container along the vertical track between the uppermost position and the lowermost position, wherein the holder is rotated greater than about 90 degrees in the uppermost position relative to the lowermost position.

Abstract: A honeycomb storage system with at least one shelf unit, including a plurality of storage units arranged side-by-side and overtop of each other, accessible from an operating side, for receiving cartridges. The storage units are embodied such that the cartridges can be removed horizontally at the operating side in the longitudinal direction and can be inserted therein. A shelf operating device is arranged at an operating side and a commissioning device is arranged on a front side of the shelf opposite the operating side. The commissioning device is allocated to a plurality of storage units used as marshaling storage units, which are embodied such that cartridges located therein can also be removed at the front of the shelf. The commissioning device has several commissioning sites for placing cartridges as well as a commissioning cart that can move along the front of the shelf perpendicular in reference to the cartridges. This cart is embodied such that it can approach all commissioning sites.

Abstract: A method of filling orders and order fulfillment system includes storing inventory receptacles in an automated warehouse, some having a plurality of different types of inventory items. A queue of orders is maintained in a computer system, each including at least one inventory item. Each order is selected from the queue and assigned to a pick station. The computer system retrieves inventory receptacle(s) from the automated warehouse for the selected order and supplies the receptacle(s) to the pick station. The computer system identifies to an operator which inventory item is to be segregated with the selected order in at least one put receptacle. One or more of the put receptacles receives inventory items for at least one individual order and is directed to a secondary order processing station where items are separated into individual orders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transport device (10.1), in particular in the form of a suspension conveyor, said device comprising one or more trolleys (11) which are movably mounted on a trolley track (15) in a trolley track direction and on each of which a device (18, 19) hanging downwards for receiving transported goods is arranged. To achieve a simple construction and operation, the device (18, 19) for receiving transported goods forms at least one flexible material web (18) that is planar when open and that can be fastened at both ends (19) to the trolley (11), forming a carrying loop hanging downwards.

Abstract: A modular conveying assembly that includes a plurality of roller bodies, a driving member, a positive stop body, and a positive stop actuator. Each roller body includes a top surface, a driven axle mounted to the roller body for conveyance therewith, a roller fixed to the driven axle, and a driven surface fixed to the driven axle. The rollers define a support plane. The driving member selectively engages the driven surfaces to affect rotation of the driven axle. The positive stop body is coupled to the plurality of roller bodies and includes a positive stop that is movable relative to the positive stop body between a first position and a second position. The positive stop extends above the support plane in the second position. The positive stop actuator selectively engages the positive stop to move the positive stop between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A conveyor belt is provided that includes a series of linked elongated support members, which extend transverse to the conveyor belt and are arranged one behind the other in a longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt includes a first and a second support member, which are adjacent and partially inserted into each other. The first support member includes a first part and a second support member includes two second parts, wherein the first part is inserted between the two second parts. The first part includes a through-opening that extends transverse to the conveyor belt. At least one of the second parts includes a pin which extends transverse to the conveyor belt, and which is arranged in the through-opening. The pin is integrally formed with the second support member. The adjacent support members have been manufactured in a coupled state, preferably using an additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: The control belt has an endless web and a drive drum which drives the web and is arranged within the web silhouette perpendicular to the web running direction. Its shaft is mounted in bearings on both sides of the belt. The shaft bearings can be moved vertically and are connected to a drive for moving them vertically.

Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying containers, pallets and the like, or bulk material comprises a drum tube which extends along a longitudinal axis and has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, an electrical drive unit which is designed to exert a conveyor torque from a first axle onto the drum tube, a cartridge tube secured torque-resistantly and coaxially in the drum tube, and a cover rotatably mounted on the first axle and which covers one end of the cartridge tube. The electrical drive unit is arranged inside the cartridge tube and the cartridge tube is secured coaxially inside the drum tube.

Abstract: A rolling device, a package for rolling device and a rolling module are introduced. The rolling device includes a receiving seat defining a receiving recess, at least one secondary rolling member received in the receiving recess to contact with a surface of the receiving recess, a primary rolling member partially received in the receiving recess to contact with a surface of the at least one secondary rolling member, a coupling section connected to the receiving seat for coupling to an external object, and a stop section connected to the receiving seat and defining a stop opening, which has a size smaller than a maximum size of the primary rolling member.

Abstract: A device for increasing the safety of amusement rides, in particular carousels, roller coasters or the like, and comprising at least one mechatronic system, characterized in that the mechatronic system comprises means for taking over completely or at least partially the function, in particular the support function, of a mechanic component in the event of a defect thereof and to detect said taking over and to provide an error signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system has a carousel that has a guiderail that forms a loop that has a loading position and an unloading position. The carousel also has a plurality of buckets, each having an upper end and a lower end. The lower end includes at least one bottom wall that is moveable between (i) a transporting configuration where the at least one bottom wall substantially closes the lower end of the bucket and (ii) a discharge configuration where the at least one bottom wall is moved so as to define an opening in the lower end of the bucket. The buckets are supported by the guiderail such that the buckets can be driven from the loading position towards the unloading position in the transporting configuration. The buckets can be transitioned to the discharge configuration so as to unload inventory items at the unloading position into a packaging material.

Abstract: A device for feeding items to a sorting machine, including: a conveyor plane (26) for feeding items or parcels along an advancement direction (A1); an optical detection device (18), to allow the acquisition, while the items are in motion on the conveyor plane (26) of the three-dimensional coordinates of a determined number of points on the surface of the items and to organize them into coordinate vectors; a manipulator (19) provided to pick the items from the conveyor plane (26) and to place the items picked in a desired position; a control system, provided to process, for each item in motion on the conveyor plane (26), the coordinate vectors in order to obtain a three-dimensional representation of the item, including the information based on which the control system handles the manipulator for picking and placing the items. The invention also relates to a sorting machine and a method for feeding items to a sorting machine aimed at increasing production capacity and accuracy thereof.

Abstract: A transfer device having: a frame; a main conveyer unit having a main conveying passage disposed in a fixed planar area; and a sub conveyer unit having a sub conveying passage disposed in a planar area identical to the planar area of the main conveying passage and conveying an object in a direction crossing a conveying direction of the main conveying passage. A lifting and lowering unit lifts one of the conveying passages to a position above the other conveying passage. A regulating unit is provided for allowing linear upward and downward movement of at least one of the conveyer units. The regulating unit is a plate body or a linear body that bends and/or tilts. A bending direction or a tilting direction is aligned with an upward and downward movement direction of the main conveyer unit or the sub conveyer unit.

Abstract: A conveyor system and method for spreading a mass of electrically conductive articles, such as aluminum cans, being transferred from an infeed conveyor to a wider discharge conveyor. A transfer device between the infeed and discharge conveyors uses linear induction to propel and spread electrically conductive articles across a continuous transfer surface with or without the aid of backpressure or mechanical spreading means.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing substrates using a transport and handing-over arrangement for disc shaped substrates, including a carrier and a take-over arrangement. A substrate carrier of magnetisable material has a peripheral protruding rim. An untreated substrate lies in the substrate carrier below the rim. The substrate carrier is taken-over from the take-over arrangement by controlling a distance between a permanent magnet and the substrate carrier and transported from to a treatment station. The controlled drive of the permanent magnets in the take-over arrangement is performed by means of pneumatic piston/cylinder arrangements.

Abstract: A medium-suction apparatus includes a conveyer to convey a medium in a conveyance direction, a first suction unit to perform suction operation on the medium to attract the medium to the conveyer, and a second suction unit to perform the suction operation on the medium to attract the medium to the conveyer. The second suction unit being disposed next to the first suction unit in a width direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. The second suction unit starts the suction operation after the first suction unit starts the suction operation.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus including a first tray having a first holding portion for holding sheets, a second tray disposed above the first tray and including a second holding portion for holding sheets, a sheet feeder that selectively feeds a sheet from one of the first tray and the second tray in a sheet feed direction, a recording unit that records an image on the sheet fed by the sheet feeder, and a discharge roller that discharges the sheet on which the image is recorded by the recording unit. The second holding portion of the second tray moves above the first holding portion of the first tray. The second tray further includes a discharged sheet receiving portion for receiving the sheet discharged by the discharge roller. The second tray including the discharged sheet receiving portion pivots relative to the first tray.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses print-medium buffering systems that have a set of print-medium-buffer flags (25) which, in one position, maintain a print medium in a guided path (G) as it passes through a print-medium buffer zone. A drive mechanism (30) is provided to move the set of print-medium-buffer flags away from the guided path, to a second position.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a first guide unit is provided with a first opening portion through which light in an optical path connecting a first optical element unit and a second optical element unit passes, a second guide unit is provided with a second opening portion through which light in the optical path connecting the first optical element unit and the second optical element unit passes, the first guide unit is provided with a duct for sending air to the first optical element unit, and the air coming out from the first opening portion hits the second optical element unit via the second opening portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes first and second sheet storages, a sheet conveyer, an image reading unit configured to read a surface of a sheet conveyed from the first sheet storage by the sheet conveyer, an image forming unit configured to form an image on the sheet conveyed from the image reading unit, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine an amount of a color material appearing on the surface of the sheet based on image data generated by the image reading unit, determine one of the image forming unit and the second sheet storage as a sheet feeding destination, based on the determined amount of the color material and a threshold value that is associated with at least one of a type and content of an image to be formed on the sheet, and control the sheet conveyer to convey the sheet to the sheet feeding destination.

Abstract: In one example, a holder for a media roll includes a first support to support a first end of the roll, a second support to support a second end of the roll, and a shifter to change the distance between the first support and the first end of the roll without changing the distance between the second support and the second end of the roll.

Abstract: The invention describes contact rolls for pressing at least one web of material, preferably a web of plastic film, against at least one rotating winding device, the contact roll comprising a surface layer. At least two segments are provided which are spaced axially apart and which extend around, in which segments the quality of the surface layer differs from the quality of the other areas of the surface layer, at least some portions of said segments being in contact with the edges of the at least one web of material.

Abstract: A splice arrangement includes an unwinding arrangement for unwinding a finite first material web from a first material roll or a finite second material web from a second material roll, a braking arrangement for applying a braking force to the unwinding arrangement and/or the finite material web being unwound, a connection arrangement for connecting the finite material webs to form an endless material web, a storage trolley for the uninterrupted conveying of the endless material web, at least one material web tension-influencing device arranged before the storage trolley, and an actuation device, which is in signal connection with the at least one material web tension-influencing device for actuating the same.

Abstract: A method accurately determines internal stress in a film roll and prevents defects in the film roll. A film winding device includes a take-up roller and a winding tension adjustment device. A calculation device uses a winding equation in which a winding tension function is explicitly expressed, the winding tension function expressing a winding tension as a function of a radius of a core. The winding tension adjustment device controls winding tension in accordance with a winding tension distribution function calculated by the calculation device.

Abstract: In an example, a roller lock may include a lock to engage with a roller of a feed system, and a leadscrew to engage with the lock. The lock may include a coupling to operably engage with a complementary coupling of the roller. The leadscrew may include an advancer to engage with the lock such that the advancer may translate the lock along a longitudinal axis of the roller so that the lock may engage and disengage with the roller to intermittently prevent the roller from rotating in a forward direction.

Abstract: A post-processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus includes a processing tray on which a sheet bundle is placed for discharging onto a discharge tray, a detector configured to detect presence or absence of the sheet bundle on the processing tray, and a controller. The controller is configured to control driving of the processing tray to discharge the sheet bundle onto the discharge tray and to determine whether or not to output an error if a detection result of the detector after the processing tray has been driven to discharge the sheet bundle onto the discharge tray indicates presence of the sheet bundle. The controller outputs the error if the sheet bundle is not a last sheet bundle of a post-processing job and does not output the error if the sheet bundle is the last sheet bundle of the post-processing job.

Abstract: An improved imbricating method, folding method, and device for producing imbricated streams (3) which are produced from singulated and preferably folded blanks (2) is provided. The method includes taking imbricated bundles of blanks including of a number of overlapping blanks corresponding to the number of the individual streams formed by the blanks of a first individual stream being transported at a distance from one another along a transport surface through a compiling station. In the process, the blanks of the at least one remaining individual stream are first of all deflected vertically with respect to the transport surface by a deflecting device of the compiling station and are then guided in the direction of the first individual stream and are subsequently deposited with an offset onto the blanks of the first individual stream.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing provided with a conveyance path, a conveyance unit which conveys a sheet along the conveyance path, a discharge port from which the sheet conveyed along the conveyance path is discharged, a discharge tray on which the sheet discharged from the discharge port is stacked, and an attitude change unit which changes an attitude of the discharge tray. The discharge tray includes a first sheet receiving surface which is a portion facing the discharge port in a discharge direction of the sheet and on which a leading edge of the sheet lands, and a second sheet receiving surface which is formed at a predetermined inclination with respect to the first sheet receiving surface. The attitude change unit changes the attitude of the discharge tray so that the first sheet receiving surface of the discharge tray is inclined toward the discharge port.

Abstract: A printer includes: a housing; a paper delivery table on which paper sheets delivered from an inside of the housing are stacked; a suction fan that sucks a gas that cools down the inside of the housing from an outside of the housing; and a first suction port that is a suction port through which a gas is sucked from the outside of the housing by the suction fan and through which a gas below a paper sheet that is delivered from the inside of the housing is sucked.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes: a pair of binding members that respectively have a pair of crimping teeth facing each other, which move between binding positions where a sheet bundle is bound and retreat positions retreated from the binding positions; and a pair of regulating members that are arranged close to the binding members and respectively have a pair of regulating pieces which face each other and move between regulating positions where displacement of the sheet bundle bound by the pair of crimping teeth is regulated and retreat positions retreated from the regulating positions, wherein a separation distance between the pair of regulating pieces at the retreat positions of the regulating pieces is longer than a separation distance between the pair of crimping teeth at the retreat positions of the crimping teeth.

Abstract: A payout device is provided, wherein the payout device can include a carton, a rotatable member, and a support assembly. The carton can include an opening providing an egress for elongated flexible material stored within an interior compartment, and the interior compartment can be cylindrical in a substantially horizontal direction around a rotatable member therein. The support assembly can have a slot for rotatably supporting the rotatable member, wherein the slot can have a generally teardrop shape with a larger diameter end, sized to allow the rotatable member to rotate therein, and a smaller diameter end, sized smaller than a circumference of the rotatable member. The rotatable member can be slidable between the larger and smaller diameter ends, and the slot can be positioned on the carton with the larger diameter end being in a position that is elevated and closer to the opening than the smaller diameter end.

Abstract: A tether guide operable through a wide range of tether/fleeting angles while causing minimal wear and having a reduced size compared to a levelwind wheel. The tether guide may include a series of rollers approximating the curved shape and radius of levelwind wheel. The tether guide may include downward facing guide wings matched to a curved roller profile, but flaring out to capture and guide tether into rollers. Sensors may be included on the tether guide to provide information about tether location, including whether the tether is engaged in the tether guide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wire electrode supply apparatus for suppressing wire electrode driving vibration for wire electrodes having a wide range of diameters and formed of various materials, thereby improving processed surface roughness. The wire electrode supply apparatus includes a back tension adjustment unit that adjusts a back tension of the wire electrode drawn from a source bobbin, a tension applying unit, and a constant pressure ejecting unit that ejects the wire electrode with constant pressure and rate after the transference via the tension applying unit and an electrical discharge machining unit. The tension applying unit includes a low tension applying unit that applies a tension to the wire electrode, and a high tension applying unit that can supply a higher tension. After the high tension applying unit supplies a tension, the low tension applying unit supplies a tension. Otherwise, only the low tension applying unit supplies a tension.

Abstract: A method for unwinding yarn is provided that allows for maximizing the draft of the yarn, while monitoring tension. The method includes providing a yarn package including elastic yarn; choosing a selected draft for said elastic yarn; unwinding the elastic yarn from the yarn package from a driven roll to yarn processing equipment at the selected draft which is determined by a ratio of a speed of the yarn at the yarn processing equipment to a speed of the driven roll; measuring tension in the elastic yarn; and providing an alarm when said tension reaches a critical level.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a rotational wire transport. In certain examples, the rotational wire transport may be a part of a wire processing system. The rotational wire transport may include a winding spool, a linear actuator, a cam, and a gripping tab. The rotational wire transport may be configured to wind wire into a coil and move between a plurality of different stations within the wire processing system.

Abstract: The present invention achieves a separator core that is easy to clean and that will have no or few remaining foreign substances and a separator roll obtained by winding a separator around the separator core. Provided is a separator core around which a separator is wound or is to be wound, in which at least one of (i) a connection between a surface of a support part and the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical part and (ii) a connection between the surface of the support part and the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical part is made smoothly by a curved face.

Abstract: A cord reel apparatus for holding and winding cords includes a housing, a spool and a handle. The housing and spool further have three outlets to conveniently access the two plugging ends of the cord. The handle extends from exterior of housing and a crank handle internally connected to spool helps in faster and smoother winding and unwinding of the cords. Also the cord reel apparatus includes a gear system (outer, central and inner gears) to help in faster winding and unwinding of cords.

Abstract: A system includes a frame and a first pair of rollers coupled to a first side of the frame. The first pair of rollers is configured to support a first end of a pipe reel. The system also includes a first cradle disposed longitudinally between the first pair of rollers and a second pair of rollers coupled to a second side of the frame. The second pair of rollers is configured to support a second end of a pipe reel. The system also includes a second cradle disposed longitudinally between the second pair of rollers, a pipe guide coupled to a third side of the frame between the first and second sides, a pipe brake coupled to the frame, and a pipe re-spooler coupled to the frame.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing and energy-collecting roller cage shoe including a base, a main energy-collecting module, two auxiliary energy-collecting modules, and a roller is provided. The base is provided with three containing spaces for containing the main energy-collecting module and the two auxiliary energy-collecting modules. In the three containing spaces, the main energy-collecting module and the two auxiliary energy-collecting modules are respectively connected fixedly to the base through wire rope shock absorbers, the main energy-collecting module and the two auxiliary energy-collecting modules are respectively pressed on the left side, the upper side and the lower side of the roller, and the right side of the roller is pressed on a cage guide. The energy-collecting modules collect vibrational energy generated by vibration in the operation process of a lifting container, and convert the vibrational energy into collectable piezoelectric energy.

Abstract: A traction sheave for an elevator system includes an outer sheave surface having a distance from a sheave axis that varies along a width of the traction sheave. The outer sheave surface includes a first portion having a first coefficient of friction and one or more second portions having a second coefficient of friction less than the first coefficient of friction. An elevator system includes an elevator car, a motor and a traction sheave operably connected to the motor to drive rotation of the traction sheave. The traction sheave includes an outer sheave surface having a distance from a sheave axis that varies along a width of the traction sheave. The outer surface includes a first portion having a first coefficient of friction and one or more second portions having a second coefficient of friction less than the first coefficient of friction.

Abstract: An offshore floating vessel includes a hoisting system including a drive for moving connecting device and emergency brakes to inhibit motion of the connecting device; wherein the hoisting system is to be operated at least in a hoisting mode and in an active heave compensation mode; wherein hoisting system is to perform an active heave compensation when operated in the active heave compensation mode and to operate without active heave compensation when operated in the hoisting mode; wherein the emergency brakes are operable in a normally-energized mode including a de-energized state where the emergency brakes engage so as to inhibit motion of the connecting device relative to the floating vessel; wherein each emergency brake of the plurality of hydraulic emergency brakes has associated with it a separate accumulator reservoir.

Abstract: A mobile gantry for transporting heavy loads includes first, second, and third booms which are supported on the ground by respective wheel sets. The booms are spaced from one another so to present a generally triangular configuration when viewed from above. First, second, and third lift legs telescope to extend and retract the booms, and the lift legs are interconnected to one another and can raise and lower a load. The load can be maintained level by individually adjusting the length of each boom by extending and retracting the lift legs. A pivot axle, attached to each one of the wheel sets, allows each of the wheel sets to pivot about an axis that is at least generally parallel to the ground, thus maintaining a uniform load while the mobile gantry encounters changes in slope or other surface irregularities.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to rope drives working with high-strength fiber ropes such as crane hoists, boom adjustment gear, trolley traveling gear, etc. The invention in this respect in particular applies to hoist drums for the rope hoist winch of such a fiber rope drive having a drum jacket body which is provided with grooving at the peripheral side and having two guard plates adjacent to the drum jacket body at the end sides. The invention further relates to a rope pulley for such a fiber rope drive having a rotatably supported pulley body whose jacket surface has at least one rope groove. In accordance with the invention, the rope grooves have a flat-pressed, round groove contour which differs from the circular and which has a larger radius of curvature in the region of the groove base than in the region of the groove flanks adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle includes a power unit; a load handling assembly coupled to the power unit; at least one obstacle detector mounted to the power unit; and a controller. The at least one obstacle detector detects object located along a path of travel of the power unit, and generate a distance signal upon detecting an object corresponding to a distance between the detected object and the power unit. The controller receives the distance signal and generates a corresponding vehicle stop or predetermined maximum allowable speed signal based on the distance signal, wherein if a sensed object is located within a speed zone associated with a predetermined maximum allowable travel speed comprising a fixed speed greater than zero (0) miles per hour, as determined by the distance signal, the vehicle speed is reduced to the predetermined maximum allowable vehicle speed.