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 rail-guided trolley system includes a main body that, along rails at least partially in a grid pattern, holds and transports a transportation container on a lower side of the rails, traveling wheels at each of four corners of the main body and that travel on the rails, a controller that controls pivot drivers that change orientations of the traveling wheels, and auxiliary wheels each located at least in either front or rear in a traveling direction of the traveling wheel.

The present invention relates to a tracked shelving system comprising a frame having a plurality of vertical posts and horizontal beams, and further comprising a track and shelving module connected to said frame, said modules comprising a plurality of beam hooks, a plurality of cross-beams, a plurality of track hooks, a plurality of track beams and a shelving assembly, wherein a beam hook comprises at least two telescopic U-shaped profiles, wherein an outer profile comprises a lip for hooking onto said horizontal beams, and an inner profile comprises a horizontal support surface for supporting a cross-beam. The invention also relates to a kit for converting a frame into a tracked shelving system.

A lift system for an automated storage system of the type where storage containers are stacked in storage columns arranged in a grid, and where automated container handling vehicles retrieve and replace containers from a top level of the grid. The lift system has a platform vertically movable adjacent to a face of the grid, arranged for receiving and transporting one or more containers. A dedicated mechanical device is arranged for grabbing, lifting and moving the storage containers from a staging area at the top of the grid and placing containers on the platform and vice versa.

An automated storage system for receiving, storing, and dispensing items is herein proposed. The system has an enclosure, which defines a storage volume, and a port which selectively connects the storage volume to the ambient space for deposit and retrieval of items. The system also includes a plurality of containers for containing at least one item being stored as well as a support structure for supporting the plurality of containers in the storage volume. The containers feature a base, an envelope extending from the base, and an opening opposing the base and providing access to an inner volume defined by the base and envelope for containing at least one item. The system includes a manipulator for transporting the containers between an access position at the port and a storage position at the support structure. Finally, the system includes a one-sided attachment interface between the container and the support structure for removably attach the container to the support structure in the storage position, in which the opening of the container is above the base.

An automated transportation system includes a facility layer including at least one first transportation facility, and a system layer, in which an integrated control system controlling the at least one first transportation facility, a material control system (MCS) controlling a transport command with respect to the integrated control system, an application server managing a Real-Time Dispatcher (RTD), and a database storing information corresponding to an operation of the material control system and the real-time dispatcher are established. The facility layer and the system layer are spatially separated. Therefore, in the automated transportation system, the integrated server may be efficiently and stably operated, to quickly respond to a problem when a problem occurs in the system.

The invention relates to a method for positioning an empty garment hanger in an individual mounting position, comprising the steps of: picking up an empty garment hanger at a loading station with a gripping tool, reading a data signal identifying a garment that is to be hung on the garment hanger, moving the empty garment hanger to a mounting station, adjusting the position of the garment hanger in dependency of the data signal, and holding the garment hanger in the individual mounting position. The advantage of the invention is that the position where a garment is applied on a garment hanger can be adapted to the length of the operator, type of hanger and type of garment, where the position can be adjusted individually for each mounting cycle.

A method for order picking and packing individual goods conveyed overhead. The Method conveys the individual goods overhead in an overhead conveyor facility by means of overhead adapters, providing the individual goods of at least one order in a preparation buffer, conveying the individual goods of the at least one order onto a transport trolley which can be coupled to the preparation buffer in a trolley station, uncoupling the transport trolley from the trolley station, transporting the transport trolley with the individual goods of the at least one order to a packing place and packing the individual goods into orders at the packing place.

A load handling device is disclosed for lifting and moving storage containers stacked in a grid framework structure having first and second sets of parallel rails or tracks. The load handling device includes: a body mounted on first and second sets of wheels arranged to engage with the tracks. A direction-change assembly is arranged to raise or lower the first set of wheels and or lower or raise the second set of wheels with respect to the body to engage and disengage the wheels with the tracks. The direction-change assembly includes a linkage-set having a series of members arranged between a traveller and a fixed brace, wherein the traveller is arranged to move under an applied force to cause the wheels to raise or lower.

A transport system includes: a grid-patterned rail that has a plurality of first rails extending in a first direction and a plurality of second rails extending in a second direction different from the first direction and intersecting with the first rails and that forms a plurality of cells with the plurality of first rails and the plurality of second rails; an overhead transport vehicle that travels along the grid-patterned rail, a suspender that is suspended from the grid-patterned rail; and a frame surrounding one of the cells in a plan view and is provided below the suspender.