Patent ID: 7913627
Filing Date: 2011-03-29
Classification: B65G,B66F

Abstract:
1. An upper and lower path switching device for a traveling body for transportation, comprising: an elevating body supported movably vertically on columnar supports along an elevating path of the elevating body between a lower limit and an upper limit of the elevating path; a drive means which drives and elevates the elevating body; an elevating guide rail supported horizontally on the elevating body; upper fixed guide rails which are connected to the elevating guide rail at an elevated position of the elevating body; lower fixed guide rails which are connected to the elevating guide rail at a lowered position of the elevating body, and arranged so as to transfer a traveling body for transportation from either one of the upper fixed guide rail or the lower fixed guide rail onto the other via the elevating guide rail, wherein the elevating guide rail is supported movably vertically in a predetermined range with respect to the elevating body, and receiving members are provided which receive the elevating guide rail at a level at which it is connected to the lower fixed guide rails before the elevating body reaches the lower limit of the elevating path of the elevating body, and after the elevating guide rail is received by the receiving members, the elevating body is operable to be lowered to the lower limit of the elevating path independently of the elevating guide rail.