Interior railway transportation system

Abstract

A self-propelled car and load-conveying container on the car travel along a track system having horizontal and vertical track runs with bends or curves between such runs, and having inside and outside corner bends or curves between horizontal track runs . The track system also has switches to connect the system between various stations at various locations on the same or different building floors. The track is generally channel-shaped with spaced rail heads at the extremities of the channel legs. The channel web always has vertical orientation for the horizontal and vertical track runs and bends. The track is formed in sections, and the rail heads have replaceable wear strips. The track sections and wear strips have staggered, non-registering joints. Car travel control strips are mounted at desired locations on the track. Spring-pressed, rounded-groove guide wheels support the car on the track. Car movement control brushes are mounted on the car engageable with the control strips. Motor-driven friction roll means and an energy cell for the motor are mounted on the car and move the car along the track. The container for the load to be moved between stations is pivotally mounted on the car and thus allows the container to remain level, regardless of car location in the track system. A cooperative interlock connects the container door and car drive to prevent car movement if the door is not closed and locked. The car has an obstruction detector which stops car movement when an obstruction is encountered.