Abstract: A displacement mechanism for a remotely operated vehicle includes a motor configured to actuate a drive crank, a coupler link connected to the drive crank on a first side, and a lift rocker on a second side, a displacement link connected to the lift rocker, and a displacement plate connected to the displacement link and having a plurality of wheels provided thereon. The drive crank, the coupler link, the lift rocker, the displacement link, and the displacement plate are each respectively connected with pivot connections such that actuation of the motor actuates the displacement plate between a raised position and a lowered position. The lift rocker is configured with a pivot point arranged in a body of the lift rocker such that the lift rocker, the pivot connection between the displacement link and the lift rocker, and the pivot connection between the lift rocker and the coupler link each rotate around the pivot point when the motor is actuated.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for retractable rail components for container shuttle rails. In one embodiment, an example system for a shuttle may include a linear rail segment, and a first retractable rail segment assembly disposed adjacent to the linear rail segment. The first retractable rail segment assembly may include a first rail segment configured to move vertically from a first position aligned with the linear rail segment to a second position that is retracted with respect to the linear rail segment, and a first actuator configured to push the first rail segment from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: A switch point (20) is alternatively raised and lowered. An upper comb structure (22) has a switch point (20) on its upper surface and teeth (23) on a lower surface. A lower comb structure (24) has compatible teeth (25) on its upper surface. The upper comb (22) moves only vertically. The lower comb structure (24) moves only horizontally. The combs may assume a raised configuration wherein the upper comb teeth (23) are supported on the lower comb teeth (25), or alternatively, a lowered configuration wherein the upper and lower comb teeth are nested. The comb structures (22, 24) have either laterally or longitudinally disposed teeth, and may be either linear or curvilinear with respect to a longitudinal axis. The combs and switch point are enveloped within containment walls (36) and end plates (38) so as to be a largely sealed unit.

Abstract: A switch point (20) is alternatively raised and lowered. An upper comb structure (22) has a switch point (20) on its upper surface and teeth (23) on a lower surface. A lower comb structure (24) has compatible teeth (25) on its upper surface. The upper comb (22) moves only vertically. The lower comb structure (24) moves only horizontally. The combs may assume a raised configuration wherein the upper comb teeth (23) are supported on the lower comb teeth (25), or alternatively, a lowered configuration wherein the upper and lower comb teeth are nested. The comb structures (22, 24) have either laterally or longitudinally disposed teeth, and may be either linear or curvilinear with respect to a longitudinal axis. The combs and switch point are enveloped within containment walls (36) and end plates (38) so as to be a largely sealed unit.

Abstract: A junction for guideways of vehicles, especially magnetic levitation railways, moving along the guideways and encompassing side elements, includes a first main guideway portion selectively connected to an adjoining second main guideway portion to form the main guideway or to a connecting guideway portion to form a connecting guideway. A junction resetting device has both a selectively lowerable main guideway segment of the main guideway and connecting guideway segment of the connecting guideway. The main segment connects the two segments of the main roadway in its raised position and releases the end of the first main guideway portion in its lowered position and the connecting guideway segment is next to the first main guideway portion and, in its raised position, extends the connecting guideway portion to the end of the first main guideway portion. The first main guideway portion and the curved connecting guideway portion form the continuous connecting guideway.

Abstract: A track switch for a train for selectively coupling a main track to a selected one of first and second tracks. The track switch includes a first channel and first support means movable within the first channel between a raised position wherein the first support forms a first track connection between the main track and the first track, and a lowered position wherein the first channel forms a first gap between the main track and the first track. The track switch further includes a second channel and a second support movable within the second channel between a lowered position, wherein the second channel forms a second gap between the main track and the second track, and a raised position, wherein the second channel forms a second track connection between the main track and the second track.

Abstract: Direction control assembly for a material handling car having travel wheels mounted thereon and adapted to operate on parallel rails, the control assembly comprising a ramp assembly adapted to receive and respond to a signal from a computer to direct a next approaching car onto one of a main track and a side track, a sensor upstream of the ramp assembly operative to detect the approach of the car and initiate the signal from the computer to the ramp assembly, a first guide wheel mounted on a first arm extending outwardly from the car on a first side of the car, a second guide wheel mounted on a second arm extending outwardly from the car on a second side of the car, each of the guide wheels being connected to a divert arm pivotally mounted on the car and having mounted thereon a divert wheel, the ramp assembly being adapted in response to the signal to assume a position in which part of the ramp assembly is engageable by one of the guide wheels, causing one of the divert arms to pivot and one of the divert wh

Abstract: A switching structure for a guideway track including one or more running ways adapted for supporting running wheels of a guideway vehicle and one or more guide rails adapted for guiding guide wheels of the vehicle. The switching structure includes a first and second substantially vertically movable guide rails, a crank mechanism for alternately raising and lowering the first and second movable guide rails for switching running path of the vehicle and a driving device for driving the crank mechanism. The crank mechanism has a first and second crankarms having a phase difference smaller than 180.degree.

Abstract: Switching mechanism for tracks of a guideway vehicle system including a pair of movable guide rail segments which are mounted on a pair of transversely extending crankshafts so that the guide rail segments can be alternately moved into an operative position. The crankshafts are connected by a linkage so that they rotate simultaneously.