The present invention relates generally to ground transportation systems, and more particularly to a fixed guideway transportation system that achieves a superior ratio of benefits per cost, is lower in net present cost and thus more easily justified for lower density corridors, and can provide passenger carrying capacities appropriate for higher density corridors serviced by mass rapid transit systems today.

Rail-mounted lift systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, the lift system includes a rail having at least one conductor positioned on an upper interior surface of the rail. A carriage may be slidably disposed in the rail for relative movement to the rail. The carriage generally includes a carriage body, at least one pair of support wheels rotatably coupled to the carriage body and slidably engaged with the rail, and a conductor truck comprising at least one conductive roller rotatably attached to the conductor truck. The conductor truck may be mounted to the carriage body with a biasing member upwardly biasing the conductive roller into rolling engagement with the at least one conductor. A lift unit may be coupled to the carriage body and includes a motor paying out and taking up a lifting strap. The lift unit is electrically coupled to the at least one conductive roller.

Rail-mounted lift systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, the lift system includes a rail having at least one conductor positioned on an upper interior surface of the rail. A carriage may be slidably disposed in the rail for relative movement to the rail. The carriage generally includes a carriage body, at least one pair of support wheels rotatably coupled to the carriage body and slidably engaged with the rail, and a conductor truck comprising at least one conductive roller rotatably attached to the conductor truck. The conductor truck may be mounted to the carriage body with a biasing member upwardly biasing the conductive roller into rolling engagement with the at least one conductor. A lift unit may be coupled to the carriage body and includes a motor paying out and taking up a lifting strap. The lift unit is electrically coupled to the at least one conductive roller.

A motorized container carrier can be configured to travel along a suspended railway. The motorized container carrier can include at least one motorized trolley configured to move the motorized container carrier along the suspended railway. The motorized container carrier can include a plurality of end beams with container engagement devices configured to interact with containers of various lengths. In some embodiments, the container engagement devices are twist locks. The motorized container carrier can include a system of bumpers and/or guide wheels.

A motorized container carrier can be configured to travel along a suspended railway. The motorized container carrier can include at least one motorized trolley configured to move the motorized container carrier along the suspended railway. The motorized container carrier can include a plurality of end beams with container engagement devices configured to interact with containers of various lengths. In some embodiments, the container engagement devices are twist locks. The motorized container carrier can include a system of bumpers and/or guide wheels.

A track system on which a skater dolly can roll, comprising one or more pairs of rails and one or more rail clamps. Each rail clamp supports one or two pairs of rails. Rails held side-by-side are parallel to each other. Rail clamps can also secure two rails in end-to-end configuration. The distance between rails can be about 5/16 of an inch. The track system can include a skater dolly, the load-bearing wheels of which are angled 20-30 degrees away from vertical to provide clearance past the rail clamps. The skater also has stabilizing wheels that are approximately perpendicular to the load-bearing wheels, and which secure the skater to the rails when the skater is in a non-upright e.g. upside-down orientation. The system can include a motor pulley system that moves the skater along the rails.

A track system on which a skater dolly can roll, comprising one or more pairs of rails and one or more rail clamps. Each rail clamp supports one or two pairs of rails. Rails held side-by-side are parallel to each other. Rail clamps can also secure two rails in end-to-end configuration. The distance between rails can be about 5/16 of an inch. The track system can include a skater dolly, the load-bearing wheels of which are angled 20-30 degrees away from vertical to provide clearance past the rail clamps. The skater also has stabilizing wheels that are approximately perpendicular to the load-bearing wheels, and which secure the skater to the rails when the skater is in a non-upright e.g. upside-down orientation. The system can include a motor pulley system that moves the skater along the rails.

An overhead conveyor includes a monorail, a driving trolley having a drive wheel rolling along the monorail and a motor driving the drive wheel, a driven trolley disposed to be spaced apart from the driving trolley on the monorail and having a driven wheel rolling along the monorail, a hanger operatively suspended from the monorail, a first friction plate disposed on the hanger, a plurality of first jigs extending towards the first friction plate along the monorail, and a friction drive unit having a friction drive wheel disposed on the first jig so as to convey the first friction plate in a running direction and a drive motor driving the friction drive wheel.

An overhead conveyor includes a monorail, a driving trolley having a drive wheel rolling along the monorail and a motor driving the drive wheel, a driven trolley disposed to be spaced apart from the driving trolley on the monorail and having a driven wheel rolling along the monorail, a hanger operatively suspended from the monorail, a first friction plate disposed on the hanger, a plurality of first jigs extending towards the first friction plate along the monorail, and a friction drive unit having a friction drive wheel disposed on the first jig so as to convey the first friction plate in a running direction and a drive motor driving the friction drive wheel.

A track-based swing ride system providing passengers a unique swinging ride experience. The ride system includes a ride track that supports a moving bogie coupled to the ride track that includes a drive assembly driving the bogie along a ride path defined by the ride track. The ride apparatus includes a pendulum arm pivotally coupled at a first end to the bogie, whereby the pendulum arm is suspended below the ride track and moves along the ride path with the bogie. The ride apparatus includes a passenger vehicle coupled to a second end of the pendulum arm opposite the first end of the pendulum arm. To provide the swinging sensation, the ride apparatus includes a roll driver rotating, concurrently with the drive assembly of the bogie, the pendulum arm about a roll axis extending through the first end of the pendulum arm.