US 11,772,893 B1
Transition components for gaps in shuttle rails
Michael Alan Bray, Elkhorn, NE (US); and Rajeev Dwivedi, Sammamish, WA (US)
Assigned to Amazon Technologies, Inc., Seattle, WA (US)
Filed by Amazon Technologies, Inc., Seattle, WA (US)
Filed on Nov. 23, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/533,865.
Int. Cl. B65G 1/04 (2006.01); B65G 41/02 (2006.01); B65G 1/137 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 1/0492 (2013.01) [B65G 1/1371 (2013.01); B65G 1/1373 (2013.01); B65G 41/02 (2013.01); B65G 1/0478 (2013.01); B65G 2203/042 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system configured to transport items, the system comprising:
a shuttle configured to support an item, the shuttle comprising a first wheel, wherein the first wheel has a first side surface, a second side surface, and a middle portion that together form a v-groove;
a first rail configured to engage the first side surface and the second side surface;
a second rail configured to engage the first side surface and the second side surface, wherein the second rail is separated from the first rail; and
a first transition block coupled to the first rail, the first transition block configured to transfer a load of the shuttle from the first side surface and the second side surface to the middle portion of the wheel, wherein the first transition block comprises:
a first ramp portion having a first incline angle; and
a second ramp portion having a second incline angle that is less than the first incline angle.