A system for growing plants includes an elevated track circuit comprising two straight track sections and two arcuate track sections, with the straight track sections each including a cavity. A plurality of wheeled trolleys that each include a wheel configured to roll within the cavities and each include a shaft extending downwardly form the wheel. A drive system is configured to move the wheeled trolleys along the track circuit with the wheeled trolleys connected together by a cable, and with the shafts of the trolleys configured to support plants coupled thereto to selectively move the plants along the track circuit. Uses of the system include for growing produce of vine plants in a lean-and-lower manner, or transporting hanging plants through an irrigation device of the system.

A transport system includes a main cable, a track assembly, and a conveyance assembly, wherein the track assembly is suspended from the main cable to allow unimpeded translational movement of the conveyance assembly along the track assembly. In another aspect according to the present invention, the track assembly has a track changing assembly that includes a track changing section rotatably coupled to a primary track section for selective alignment of the track changing section to any one of a plurality of exit track sections. A method of conveyance along a suspended track includes suspending a main cable between natural or artificial support structures, suspending a track assembly from the main cable, and mounting a conveyance assembly on the suspended track assembly to provide unimpeded translational movement of the conveyance assembly along the track assembly.

A transport system includes a main cable, a track assembly, and a conveyance assembly, wherein the track assembly is suspended from the main cable to allow unimpeded translational movement of the conveyance assembly along the track assembly. In another aspect according to the present invention, the track assembly has a track changing assembly that includes a track changing section rotatably coupled to a primary track section for selective alignment of the track changing section to any one of a plurality of exit track sections. A method of conveyance along a suspended track includes suspending a main cable between natural or artificial support structures, suspending a track assembly from the main cable, and mounting a conveyance assembly on the suspended track assembly to provide unimpeded translational movement of the conveyance assembly along the track assembly.

A switch is described. The switch is for interconnecting a first rail providing a first portion of a running surface for a wheel and a second rail providing a second portion of the running surface wherein a first end of the first rail and an opposed second end of the second rail are axially mutually spaced apart by a first spacing. The switch comprises a set of rail segments including a first rail segment, having a first end, a second end and a first length therebetween correlating with the first spacing. The switch is arrangeable in a first configuration, wherein the first rail segment is arranged to interconnect the first rail and the second rail, thereby providing an interconnecting portion of the running surface between the first portion and the second portion. The switch is arrangeable in a second configuration, wherein the first rail segment is transversely spaced apart from the first rail and/or the second rail. The switch is arranged to move from the first configuration to the second configuration by a first transverse movement of the first rail segment.

A switch is described. The switch is for interconnecting a first rail providing a first portion of a running surface for a wheel and a second rail providing a second portion of the running surface wherein a first end of the first rail and an opposed second end of the second rail are axially mutually spaced apart by a first spacing. The switch comprises a set of rail segments including a first rail segment, having a first end, a second end and a first length therebetween correlating with the first spacing. The switch is arrangeable in a first configuration, wherein the first rail segment is arranged to interconnect the first rail and the second rail, thereby providing an interconnecting portion of the running surface between the first portion and the second portion. The switch is arrangeable in a second configuration, wherein the first rail segment is transversely spaced apart from the first rail and/or the second rail. The switch is arranged to move from the first configuration to the second configuration by a first transverse movement of the first rail segment.

A rail-changing system for air transport systems that comprises a bearing assembly and an arrangement of beams for changing direction, in which the bearing assembly is of the type that is linked to a carriage of an air transport system on beams, and comprises a frame linked to a pair of extensions defining a configuration similar to a yoke, each extension comprising a pair of main wheels with a common rotational axis arranged horizontally, and the main wheels being able to circulate on a beam; the bearing assembly also comprises at least one cam arranged on a rotating basis between the extensions, such that the rotational axis of the cam is arranged vertically, the arrangement of the beams for changing direction of a carriage with a bearing assembly and the beams being rails of the passive type.

A rail-changing system for air transport systems that comprises a bearing assembly and an arrangement of beams for changing direction, in which the bearing assembly is of the type that is linked to a carriage of an air transport system on beams, and comprises a frame linked to a pair of extensions defining a configuration similar to a yoke, each extension comprising a pair of main wheels with a common rotational axis arranged horizontally, and the main wheels being able to circulate on a beam; the bearing assembly also comprises at least one cam arranged on a rotating basis between the extensions, such that the rotational axis of the cam is arranged vertically, the arrangement of the beams for changing direction of a carriage with a bearing assembly and the beams being rails of the passive type.

The disclosure provides a frame assembly for suspending a rider from a trolley moving along a rail in a longitudinal direction. The frame assembly includes a bar fixedly mounted to the trolley transverse to the longitudinal direction. The frame assembly also includes a frame including: a horizontal segment positioned above a location for the rider; at least one vertical segment extending from the horizontal segment; and a substantially horizontal platform suspended from the vertical segment. The frame assembly also includes a pivot assembly including a first portion coupled to the trolley and a second portion coupled to the horizontal segment. The pivot assembly includes at least two axis of rotation between the first portion and the second portion. The frame assembly also includes a sway limiter connected between the bar and the horizontal segment limiting a range of movement of the pivot assembly.

The disclosure provides a frame assembly for suspending a rider from a trolley moving along a rail in a longitudinal direction. The frame assembly includes a bar fixedly mounted to the trolley transverse to the longitudinal direction. The frame assembly also includes a frame including: a horizontal segment positioned above a location for the rider; at least one vertical segment extending from the horizontal segment; and a substantially horizontal platform suspended from the vertical segment. The frame assembly also includes a pivot assembly including a first portion coupled to the trolley and a second portion coupled to the horizontal segment. The pivot assembly includes at least two axis of rotation between the first portion and the second portion. The frame assembly also includes a sway limiter connected between the bar and the horizontal segment limiting a range of movement of the pivot assembly.

An assembly that may be used in a transportation system is disclosed that in one or more embodiments includes at least one or more of the following: a braking system, which at least partially functions with an air bearing, a linear induction motor (LIM) that has tilting abilities, and an inflated air bearing that is positioned with respect to a rail such that a portion of the rail is inside the air bearing. Regarding the latter, in one or more embodiments the inflated air bearing has a semi-enclosed cavity shape and the rail is cross-sectionally curved such that a portion of the cross-sectionally curved is positioned partially inside the semi-enclosed cavity. In one or more embodiments, the assembly is included as part of a monorail system.