Si Handling Systems, Inc.

Robert A Hale

Peter H Rohrbach

Vercoe C Jones

A driverless vehicle has a platform mounted on support wheels for riding on rails. First and second drive wheels adapted for frictional contact with a drive tube are provided on the vehicle. The drive wheels are supported on opposite sides of a longitudinal center line for alternative use depending upon the direction of movement of the vehicle.

Driverless vehicle for two way accumulation

A driverless vehicle has at least one drive wheel for cooperation with a drive tube. The vehicle has two actuators coupled to the drive wheel for rotating the drive wheel to an accumulation position. Each actuator can be selectively rendered inoperative. The vehicle can be propelled by way of the drive wheel and drive tube in opposite directions along a track with either end of the vehicle being the front end.

Driverless vehicle with two way accumulation

A track system is arranged to be flush with the floor and a drive shaft is mounted for rotation beneath the level of the floor. A vehicle mounted on wheels is moved along the tracks by a drive wheel which extends downwardly from the bottom of the vehicle through an elongated slot in the floor and which contacts the drive shaft. The vehicle includes a bumper system which upon impact oscillates the drive wheel into a position which decellerates and stops the vehicle. A cam associated with the drive wheel selectively cooperates with a cam surface located beneath the floor level at a queuing station for oscillating the drive wheel into a position which decellerates and stops the vehicle. Means are also provided at the queuing station for positively holding the vehicle in a stopped position.

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Easton, PA, United States of America

Robert A Hale