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 drive belt assembly for a load handling device includes a drive belt; a drive wheel; and one or more driven wheels. A first tensioning arm, having a fixed end above an elbow and a rotatable distal end pivotally attached at the elbow, is horizontally displaceable relative to the drive wheel and driven wheels. A second tensioning arm is provided wherein the drive belt is routed around the first and second tensioning arms, and the first and second tensioning arms are arranged to put pressure on the drive belt to tension the drive belt.

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. The wheels have spokes connecting a rim to a hub, and wherein the wheel is at least partially resiliently deformable, wherein the wheel rim and wheel hub are made from a rigid material relative to the spoke material, and wherein the wheel includes two or more layers.

A grid framework structure includes a first set of parallel rails or tracks and a second set of parallel rails or tracks extending substantially perpendicularly to the first set of rails or tracks in a substantially horizontal plane to form a grid pattern. The grid is supported by a set of uprights to form a plurality of vertical storage locations beneath the grid for containers to be stacked between and be guided by the uprights in a vertical direction. A load handling device includes a body mounted on a first set of wheels and a second set of wheels arranged to engage with the tracks. A gripper assembly is provided for latching to a storage container via a deformable flexure mechanism movable between a locked configuration and a release configuration.

A solid wheel for a rail vehicle includes a wheel rim arranged on the circumference of the solid wheel, a tread and a hub for a wheelset shaft, wherein the wheel rim is connected to the hub via an end wall and a rear wall, where the hub is arranged at the center of the solid wheel and includes a longitudinal axis such that a high radial and axial strength of the wheel flange as the basis for a low sound emission is provided by virtue of the solid wheel forming a cavity that is delimited by the end wall and the rear wall, where the end wall and the rear wall transition into each other below the wheel flange in an arched manner, and the end wall has first openings and the rear wall has second openings in order to open the cavity outwards in a spoked manner.

A forged wheel for a chassis of a rail vehicle includes a wheel web, a wheel hub and a wheel rim with a running surface and a wheel flange, where material is recessed out of the wheel web, which is solid in sections, between the wheel hub and the wheel rim, in sections extending in the circumferential direction or transversely with respect to a radial direction of the wheel web, and where at least a first distance and a second distance between a recess centre point of a first recess in the wheel web and an edge of the first recess differ in size such that a lightweight wheel that can be manufactured with little outlay and that has high strength and quality is obtained.

A solid wheel for a rail vehicle includes a wheel rim arranged on the circumference of the solid wheel, a tread and a hub for a wheelset shaft, wherein the wheel rim is connected to the hub via an end wall and a rear wall, where the hub is arranged at the center of the solid wheel and includes a longitudinal axis such that a high radial and axial strength of the wheel flange as the basis for a low sound emission is provided by virtue of the solid wheel forming a cavity that is delimited by the end wall and the rear wall, where the end wall and the rear wall transition into each other below the wheel flange in an arched manner, and the end wall has first openings and the rear wall has second openings in order to open the cavity outwards in a spoked manner.

A drive belt assembly for a load handling device includes a drive belt; a drive wheel; and one or more driven wheels. A first tensioning arm, having a fixed end above an elbow and a rotatable distal end pivotally attached at the elbow, is horizontally displaceable relative to the drive wheel and driven wheels. A second tensioning arm is provided wherein the drive belt is routed around the first and second tensioning arms, and the first and second tensioning arms are arranged to put pressure on the drive belt to tension the drive belt.

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 grid framework structure includes a first set of parallel rails or tracks and a second set of parallel rails or tracks extending substantially perpendicularly to the first set of rails or tracks in a substantially horizontal plane to form a grid pattern. The grid is supported by a set of uprights to form a plurality of vertical storage locations beneath the grid for containers to be stacked between and be guided by the uprights in a vertical direction. A load handling device includes a body mounted on a first set of wheels and a second set of wheels arranged to engage with the tracks. A gripper assembly is provided for latching to a storage container via a deformable flexure mechanism movable between a locked configuration and a release configuration.