Transfer system using movable bodies

Abstract

In a transfer system using movable bodies supported and guided by a rail through a plurality of guided devices so that they are capable of moving in a given path, when a movable body taken out from the given path is transferred to a separate given path or restored to the original given path, the movable body needs be separated or joined while being longitudinally moved, thus requiring a long path for separating or joining. The invention provides a system comprising a group of guided devices relatively turnably connected to main bodies of the movable bodies through vertical shafts, a plurality of divisional rail bodies capable of supporting the group of guided devices and disposed in a set path portion in the given path, turning means for turning these divisional rail bodies around vertical axes, and a group of transverse rail bodies disposed laterally of the set path portion such that the divisional rail bodies turned for separation from the rail can be connected. Consequently, the movable body can be transversely separated from and joined to the given path.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.