In a cable-driven three-dimensional crane system, an end-effector is moved within an operating volume defined by dynamically shifting draw points. Winch assemblies pull the end-effector toward the respective draw points. Each winch assembly includes a cable router that manages travel of its drive cable through the associated draw point. Cable length encoders determine the effective length of each drive cable, from which one method of end-effector position calculations can be made. Draw point angle trackers assess the instantaneous lateral and vertical angles of each drive cable as it vectors away from its draw point toward the carrier from which another method of end-effector position calculations can be made as well as enabling self-calibration techniques. Sensitive mechanical and electrical components are sheltered in heated enclosures that wipe debris from the drive cable and track with its changing position. Multi-zone applications allow sharing of winch assemblies.

An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a monorail system configured and arranged for displacing at least one maintenance device configured and arranged for machining substantially vertically extending surfaces. Another aspect is directed to a maintenance system consisting of at least one maintenance device which is displaceable on the monorail system.

A camera mount includes a pivotable assembly of a pair of arms and a pocket into which an end of one of the arms is inserted, in one of a plurality of discrete orientations. The arms are pivotably joined to one another by a fastener and permitted to be aligned at one of a plurality of angles. The camera mount is installed in a track, a rail or another system mounted to a fixture of a materials handling facility or another environment, and a camera module is mounted to another end of one of the arms. A position of the camera module is selected by installing the camera mount into a desired location on the track, the rail or the other system. An orientation of the camera module is selected by selecting the one of the plurality of discrete orientations and aligning the arms at one of the plurality of angles.

A kit of parts for use in demountably configuring a variety of structural assemblies. A kit may comprise a plurality of cylindrical structural components configured for engagement with various types of male connector components along the sides or at the ends of the cylindrical structural components, there provided for demountable engagement of a female-end socket component at the end of another cylindrical structural component. The kit may additionally comprise components for one or more of roller carriage assemblies and/or one or more of sliding carriage assemblies configured for rolling or sliding movement along rail assemblies comprising a plurality of cylindrical, square, rectangular, or octagonal track components. The rail assemblies may be supported by bases comprising the cylindrical structural components and other components such as weight components, as well as threaded foot components or threaded caster components on which the rail assemblies can be adjustably levelled.

An aerial movement system and method for calibrating same includes, generally, registration points and wireless position transceivers proximate the registration points and the object that communicate with a computer and allow for the computer to determine the appropriate amount of support lines to draw in or release.

An apparatus and method transfer a shipping container from a first dockside unloaded position to a second transporting position. A horse-and-saddle assembly is mounted on a pair of transversely spaced rails, and includes a horse member with roller mechanisms cooperating with the rails. A saddle member includes a mounting frame capable of moving transversely upon the horse member. The saddle member is configured to carry the shipping container mounted thereon. A carrier suspended from an overhead monorail is movable along a track extending from the monorail. Once deposited in the saddle member mounting frame, the shipping container in the mounting frame is urged to a position from which lifting devices mounted onto the saddle frame raises the shipping container from the mounting frame. The shipping container is carried while suspended from the overhead monorail carrier to a desired transfer or storage location.

There is disclosed a compact motorized dolly including an elongated casing incorporating a power source and at least one drive motor, a first circular wheel rotably affixed to the distal end of the elongated casing and the at least one drive motor such that actuation of the at least one drive motor causes the first circular wheel to turn, and a device mount secured to the compact motorized dolly such that a device mounted to the device mount moves along with the compact motorized dolly when the drive motor is activated.

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 support assembly for supporting a camera relative to a camera support includes an elongate support arm, a first bracket assembly for mounting the camera to the support arm and a second bracket assembly for mounting the support arm to the camera support. Each bracket assembly includes i) a clamp member for clamping onto the support arm, ii) a support member pivotal coupled by a pivot shaft on the clamping member, iii) a mounting member supporting the camera equipment relative to the support member; and iv) a locking member adapted to be coupled between the clamping member and the support member so as to simultaneously fix the mounting member relative to the clamping member at a selected angular position and fix the clamping member relative to the support arm at a selected longitudinal position.

A carrier slide-bar device in arc motion includes: a first, a second, and a third slide bar respectively having a first, a second, and a third guide rail, where the third slide bar is provided with an active seat and a passive seat pivotally connected to the first and the second slide bar respectively, the active seat is provided with a first sliding member assembled with the first guide rail and is connected to a first power source to enable the first sliding member to move along the first guide rail, the passive seat is provided with a second sliding member assembled with the second guide rail, a pivot bar is vertically provided on the passive seat, and the rotary seat is pivotally connected to at least a third sliding member; thereby, the carrier such as a camera can take pictures while moving by various arcs and angles.