A transfer device includes: a pusher configured to push a container during a delivery operation; a lockable portion lockable to the container during a pick-up operation; a transfer drive unit configured to cause the pusher and the lockable portion to reciprocate in the transfer direction; and a lock drive unit configured to drive the lockable portion separately from the pusher and causes the lockable portion to change in orientation. The transfer device performs a delivery operation by moving, toward a delivery side in the transfer direction, the pusher in contact with a container rear face portion with use of the transfer drive unit, and performs a pick-up operation by moving the lockable portion in the locking orientation toward a pick-up side in the transfer direction with use of the transfer drive unit.

An exemplary embodiment may provide a robotic powered cargo handling system. An embodiment may implement a pallet-lift mechanism to lift cargo or pallets. Powered rollers may be embedded into the forks of a pallet-lift mechanism and on top of the vehicle body. An exemplary embodiment may be fully autonomous. A user or software may direct the vehicle to a pallet or piece of cargo and set a destination for the cargo. Sensors, cameras, GPS, and computer vision may be implemented to navigate and avoid obstacles. An exemplary embodiment may include independent 4-wheel steering, 4 corner height adjustment, in-hub electric motors, and pneumatic or solid tires.

A method of sorting cargo using an automated guided vehicle is provided. The method of sorting cargo includes: recognizing the pieces of cargo; assigning a location of a carrier pocket into which the recognized cargo is loaded among the plurality of carrier pockets in the automated guided vehicle and a location of the destination chute from which the carrier pocket discharges the cargo; loading the cargo into the location of the assigned carrier pocket; for consecutively supplied pieces of cargo thereafter, repeatedly performing identifier information recognition of the cargo, location assignment, and cargo loading sequentially; sequentially discharging the pieces of cargo to the locations of the assigned destination chutes by allowing the automated guided vehicle into which all pieces of cargo are loaded to start and move along a movement path; and returning the automated guided vehicle after the automated guided vehicle has finished discharging.

Pontoon forks are specifically designed for the marine industry to efficiently and safely lift and maneuver pontoon boats. The pontoon forks are engineered to lift tri-toons and pontoon boats of lengths up to and greater than twenty-eight feet. The forks can further accommodate weights of up to and greater than six-thousand pounds. Removable pockets included with the pontoon forks allow for the lifting and transport of pontoon boats of various sizes without having to have specialized equipment for each and every make and model of the pontoon boat. The pontoon forks are retrofit to fit specific forklifts already owned or easily acquired by marinas.

A vehicle tilting device for tilting a delivery vehicle for increasing access to items from a storage container transported on the delivery vehicle. The vehicle tilting device comprises a base structure and a tiltable platform connected to the base structure, wherein the tiltable platform comprises guiding features adapted to guide the delivery vehicle onto the tiltable platform. The tiltable platform is arranged to be connected to a delivery grid cell of a delivery rail system such that that there is a path to and/or from the tiltable platform for the delivery vehicle via the delivery grid cell. The invention is also related to an access station, a delivery system and a method of accessing a storage container.

A vehicle tilting device for tilting a delivery vehicle for increasing access to items from a storage container transported on the delivery vehicle. The vehicle tilting device comprises a base structure and a tiltable platform connected to the base structure, wherein the tiltable platform comprises guiding features adapted to guide the delivery vehicle onto the tiltable platform. The tiltable platform is arranged to be connected to a delivery grid cell of a delivery rail system such that that there is a path to and/or from the tiltable platform for the delivery vehicle via the delivery grid cell. The invention is also related to an access station, a delivery system and a method of accessing a storage container.

There is huge demand for automation in manufacturing, logistics, postal, distribution centers, ecommerce, retail. Typical scissor lift designs can carry large payload but are larger in size. There is a need for a compact fork with more payload carrying capacity. The dual side actuated scissor fork type lift unit is provided. The dual side actuated scissor fork type lift unit includes a top plate, a bottom plate, one or more linear motion (LM) blocks mounted on one or more linear guides, one or more mounting blocks mounted on the one or more LM blocks, and slot on a first end of at least one actuation link is connected to the bottom plate through a pin. The one or more LM blocks is free to slide on the one or more linear guides. The one or more mounting blocks moves along with a motion of the one or more LM blocks.

There is huge demand for automation in manufacturing, logistics, postal, distribution centers, ecommerce, retail. Typical scissor lift designs can carry large payload but are larger in size. There is a need for a compact fork with more payload carrying capacity. The dual side actuated scissor fork type lift unit is provided. The dual side actuated scissor fork type lift unit includes a top plate, a bottom plate, one or more linear motion (LM) blocks mounted on one or more linear guides, one or more mounting blocks mounted on the one or more LM blocks, and slot on a first end of at least one actuation link is connected to the bottom plate through a pin. The one or more LM blocks is free to slide on the one or more linear guides. The one or more mounting blocks moves along with a motion of the one or more LM blocks.

A carrier applying precision support and lifting by an Automated Guided Vehicle includes a frame, two supporting arms, and pressing components. Two supporting arms are located on either side of the frame and are movable in a receiving direction relative to the frame. The pressing components are located on the frame, the pressing components include first pressure balls, for pushing the supporting arms across the carrier, and second pressure balls for pushing the supporting arms along the receiving direction. The first and second balls improve the positioning accuracy of the supporting arms relative to the object or material to be transported and reduces friction between the supporting arms and the pressing components. An AGV cart and a loading system are also disclosed.

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.