A conveyor carrier includes a front end trolley that is a free trolley having an engagement dog that engages with a traction dog of a power chain drive device, and a connection rod located between the front end trolley and an object support unit. The connection rod includes a front division body and a rear division body. The front division body and the rear division body are supported by a slide support unit so as to be relatively slidable in a front-rear direction. A shock absorber in the front-rear direction is disposed between the front division body and the rear division body. The connection rod has a side surface that serves as a drive surface with which a friction roller of a friction roller drive device is in pressure contact.

A conveyor carrier includes a front end trolley that is a free trolley having an engagement dog that engages with a traction dog of a power chain drive device, and a connection rod located between the front end trolley and an object support unit. The connection rod includes a front division body and a rear division body. The front division body and the rear division body are supported by a slide support unit so as to be relatively slidable in a front-rear direction. A shock absorber in the front-rear direction is disposed between the front division body and the rear division body. The connection rod has a side surface that serves as a drive surface with which a friction roller of a friction roller drive device is in pressure contact.

A branch parking track garage includes a conveyor movable in two conveying directions and arranged along a first and a second branch parking track between respective transfer points and an end of the corresponding branch parking track. A first and second drive finger, which are spaced apart on the conveyor, are each movable back and forth between a first and a second drive finger position. A distance between the first and the second drive finger on the conveyor is adopted such that the first drive finger is located in a region of the first branch parking track transfer point or in a region of the conveyor facing a feeder track in the transverse direction between the first and the second branch parking track when the second drive finger is located in the region of the end of the second branch parking track, and vice versa.

Among other things, a connection assembly for motion along a rail is disclosed. The connection assembly can include a first plate assembly, a second plate assembly, and a release assembly. The first plate assembly can include a first stop mounted to a first base. The second plate assembly can include a second stop mounted to a second base and a post mounted to the second base. The release assembly can include a rod and a spring. The rod can include an outward extension. The spring can be disposed between the extension and the second stop. The release assembly can be configured to occupy: a first state such that the spring pushes the extension against the first stop and thereby biases the first base away from the second base; and a second state such that the spring pushes the extension against the post.

A transport system in a fabrication facility includes a driving unit moving along a driving rail, and a steering unit selectively contacting a steering guide rail at a branching part where the driving rail branches off. The steering unit includes horizontal steering wheels contacting a vertical guide part of the steering guide rail, and vertical steering wheels contacting a horizontal guide part of the steering guide rail.

A surface-mounted vehicle includes a body and a mounting system configured to couple the surface-mounted vehicle to a surface. The surface-mounted vehicle also includes a propulsion system configured to move the surface-mounted vehicle along the surface. In addition, the surface-mounted vehicle includes a rail coupling system having at least one rail coupled to the body. The at least one rail is configured to couple a component to the surface-mounted vehicle. The rail coupling system also includes multiple electrical connectors disposed along the at least one rail. The electrical connectors are configured to provide electrical power to the component.

A surface-mounted vehicle includes a body and a mounting system configured to couple the surface-mounted vehicle to a surface. The surface-mounted vehicle also includes a propulsion system configured to move the surface-mounted vehicle along the surface. In addition, the surface-mounted vehicle includes a rail coupling system having at least one rail coupled to the body. The at least one rail is configured to couple a component to the surface-mounted vehicle. The rail coupling system also includes multiple electrical connectors disposed along the at least one rail. The electrical connectors are configured to provide electrical power to the component.

A ropeway or cable system is disclosed having at least two cable loops (1,20) that form a track, a first loop extending directly between two end station embarking or disembarking stations of the track, and a second loop extending between the two end stations via intermediate embarking or disembarking stations) or turning towers on the track. A vehicle (2) is carried from a loop, the vehicle (2) having a cable gripping mechanism (37, 38, 43, 44), the cable gripping mechanism being capable of switching attachment of the vehicle between two or more cable loops (1,20), so as to change the loop that carries the vehicle (2).