Guide means for a traversing vehicle

Claim 2

In a combination of the class described, a traversing vehicle, means for guiding said vehicle for traversing a predetermined linear path comprising guide means positioned at the side of said path and guide devices mounted on the side of said vehicle engaging said guide means and coacting therewith, said guide means and guide devices being so related to said path and vehicle that said vehicle is free to move vertically in said path while maintaining engagement between said guide means and devices to thereby guide movement of said vehicle along said path, and selectively actuatable means for fixing said vehicle in a predetermined position against vertical movement relative to said path, said last stated means comprising at least one selectively actuatable motor mounted on said vehicle having a shaft mounted for rotary movement relative thereto upon actuation thereof and a lock member eccentrically mounted on said shaft positioned to engage said guide means upon rotary movement of said shaft for locking said vehicle in a predetermined vertical position relative to said guide means.

Claim 3

In the combination of claim 1, the feature that said guide means and said guide devices respectively comprise linear barriers and rollers positioned for coaction with said barriers.

Claim 4

In the combination of claim 2, the feature that said barriers define therebetween a space permitting vertical movement of said rollers between said barriers for vertical adjustment of said vehicle.

Claim 5

In the combination of claim 2, the feature that means are utilized for moving said rollers relatively to said barriers to withdraw the rollers from guiding engagement with said barriers.

Claim 6

In the combination of claim 1, the feature that air flow means are provided on said vehicle to move it vertically off a ground surface as permitted by said gUide means and devices for easy transport, and traction means are provided for said vehicle to move it in said linear path.

Claim 7

In the combination of claim 1, the feature that said vehicle has a pair of spaced trolleys at its upper end adjacent the ceiling of a warehouse or the like in which said vehicle moves, and at least one trackway on said ceiling for coaction with said trolleys to stabilize said vehicle.

Claim 8

In a combination of claim 6, the feature that said trolleys and trackway are formed to allow vertical movement therebetween while remaining in engagement.

Claim 9

In a combination of the class described, a traversing vehicle, means for guiding said vehicle for traversing a predetermined path comprising guide means positioned at one side of said path and guide devices mounted on said vehicle for coacting with said guide means to guide said vehicle along said path, said path comprising a first aisle extending in one direction and a second aisle extending generally perpendicular thereto, said guide means comprising a first guide extending along said first aisle and a second guide extending along said second aisle, said guide devices comprising a first roller for engaging said first guide when said vehicle is disposed in said first aisle, a second roller for engaging said second guide when said vehicle is disposed in said second aisle, and means mounted on the vehicle for selectively moving said rollers to engage the respective guides, said guide devices being cooperable between said vehicle and said guide means to allow relative vertical movement between said vehicle and said path while effectively guiding said vehicle therealong, and means for locating and locking said vehicle in a predetermined vertical position relative to at least one of said guides, said means comprising a motor mounted on said vehicle, said motor having a shaft mounted therein for rotary movement relative thereto and a lock member eccentrically mounted on said shaft positioned to engage one of said guides upon rotary movement of said shaft to thereby locate and hold said vehicle in a predetermined vertical position relative to said one of said guides.

Claim 10

In a combination of the class described, a traversing vehicle, means for guiding said vehicle for traversing a predetermined path comprising guide means positioned at one side of said path and guide devices mounted on said vehicle for coacting with said guide means to guide said vehicle along said path, said path comprising a first aisle extending in one direction and a second aisle extending generally perpendicular thereto, said guide means comprising a first guide extending along said first aisle and a second guide extending along said second aisle, said guide devices comprising a first roller for engaging said first guide when said vehicle is disposed in said first aisle, a second roller for engaging said second guide when said vehicle is disposed in said second aisle, and means mounted on the vehicle for selectively moving said rollers to engage the respective guides, said guide devices being cooperable between said vehicle and said guide means to allow relative vertical movement between said vehicle and said path while effectively guiding said vehicle therealong, and means for locating and locking said vehicle in a predetermined vertical position relative to at least one of said guides, said means comprising a motor mounted on said vehicle, said motor having a shaft mounted therein for rotary movement relative thereto and a lock member eccentrically mounted on said shaft positioned to engage one of said guides upon rotary movement of said shaft to thereby locate and hold said vehicle in a predetermined vertical position relative to said one of said guides.

Claim 11

In the combination of claim 8, the feature that said vehicle has a trolley at its upper end coacting with a fixed trackway in said aisles for guiding and stabilizing the upper end of said vehicle, as it traverses either of said aisles.