Patent ID: 8770112

Claim:
A transport installation comprising: at least one carrier vehicle resting on the ground to move longitudinally in two directions along a single running track, two end terminals connected by the running track, at least one crossing area where the running track is locally split into two laterally offset branches each respectively associated with outgoing movement and return movement of the carrier vehicle, at least one pair of main rollers carried by the carrier vehicle, and two guiding elements arranged along the track to guide the carrier vehicle laterally in cooperation with the rollers, and each guide element following one of the lateral branches in a continuous manner, wherein the carrier vehicle carries two independent gripping mechanisms arranged on opposite lateral sides of the carrier vehicle, outside a volume situated underneath the carrier vehicle, so as to engage individually in a reversible manner on hauling ropes of a lateral edge of the track, the gripping mechanisms being respectively associated with the two guiding elements and each being able to temporarily secure the carrier vehicle in the lateral direction to the associated guiding elements, the gripping mechanisms being on-board devices for selecting the branch associated with a running direction on entry to the crossing area, wherein each gripping mechanism comprises auxiliary support units able to be moved by actuating devices between an active position engaged with the associated guiding elements and a standby position separated from the associated guiding elements.