Lift unit docking systems

A lift unit docking system, comprising:

• a docking rail configured to provide ingress and egress of a lift unit to and from an overhead rail, the docking rail comprising a body defining a channel and an adapter receiving opening within the body;
• a docking rail adapter repositionable relative to the adapter receiving opening of the docking rail and configured to transport the lift unit into and out of the channel of the docking rail;
• a locking mechanism repositionable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locking mechanism extends into the channel to block movement of a mounted lift unit toward the adapter receiving opening of the docking rail when in the locked position;
• and
• a vertical lifter configured to vertically lift the docking rail adapter to the adapter receiving opening of the docking rail,
• wherein the docking rail adaptor comprises a carrier wheel track configured to support the lift unit thereon and the carrier wheel track defining a raised portion positioned at a terminal end of the carrier wheel track such that the lift unit traverses the raised portion during ingress and egress of the lift unit to and from the carrier wheel track.