A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

An embodiment of a transport system may include a vehicle and a circuit with a rail extending at least on sections of the circuit. The system may include a drive system configured for a positive drive for propelling the vehicle along the circuit, wherein, at least on sections extending along the circuit, the drive system has first and second engagement members. The first engagement member may have a first projection and an adjacent second projection on at least sections of the circuit and, between the first and adjacent second projections, grooves, which are each bounded by the first and adjacent second projections. The first engagement member may have one or more openings, of which at least one through-opening is formed between the first and adjacent second projections. Through the through-opening may engage a connecting member configured for connecting the first engagement member with the rail for attachment to the rail.

An embodiment of a transport system may include a vehicle and a circuit with a rail extending at least on sections of the circuit. The system may include a drive system configured for a positive drive for propelling the vehicle along the circuit, wherein, at least on sections extending along the circuit, the drive system has first and second engagement members. The first engagement member may have a first projection and an adjacent second projection on at least sections of the circuit and, between the first and adjacent second projections, grooves, which are each bounded by the first and adjacent second projections. The first engagement member may have one or more openings, of which at least one through-opening is formed between the first and adjacent second projections. Through the through-opening may engage a connecting member configured for connecting the first engagement member with the rail for attachment to the rail.

A transport mechanism for transporting a travel body that can self travel and includes: a motor; a drive wheel to which rotary torque of the motor is transmitted; and a first gear to which the rotary torque of the motor is transmitted is provided. The transport mechanism includes: a transport body configured on which the travel body is placed for transportation, the transport body including a second gear that can mesh with the first gear of the placed travel body; a movement mechanism for moving the transport body, on which the travel body is placed, by the rotary torque of the motor transmitted to the second gear; and an idling section for causing an idle state in which the drive wheel rotates idle in a state where the first gear and the second gear mesh with each other and rotation of the second gear is permitted.

A transport mechanism for transporting a travel body that can self travel and includes: a motor; a drive wheel to which rotary torque of the motor is transmitted; and a first gear to which the rotary torque of the motor is transmitted is provided. The transport mechanism includes: a transport body configured on which the travel body is placed for transportation, the transport body including a second gear that can mesh with the first gear of the placed travel body; a movement mechanism for moving the transport body, on which the travel body is placed, by the rotary torque of the motor transmitted to the second gear; and an idling section for causing an idle state in which the drive wheel rotates idle in a state where the first gear and the second gear mesh with each other and rotation of the second gear is permitted.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

A traveling vehicle system includes a track and a ceiling traveling vehicle. The track includes a first track, a second track, and a connection track. The ceiling traveling vehicle includes a direction changer that turns a coupler, which couples a traveling wheel and a main body to each other and passes through a gap D-between the first track or the second track and the connection track. A guider is provided in the coupler, moves along a first guide surface in a first state in which the traveling wheel rolls on the first track, and moves along a second guide surface in a second state in which the traveling wheel rolls on the second track.

A traveling vehicle system includes a track and a ceiling traveling vehicle. The track includes a first track, a second track, and a connection track. The ceiling traveling vehicle includes a direction changer that turns a coupler, which couples a traveling wheel and a main body to each other and passes through a gap D-between the first track or the second track and the connection track. A guider is provided in the coupler, moves along a first guide surface in a first state in which the traveling wheel rolls on the first track, and moves along a second guide surface in a second state in which the traveling wheel rolls on the second track.