Track device and running body

Abstract

A track device includes a switching section configured to switch a running path for guiding a wheel of a running body to running paths in multiple directions, and a traveling path guide portion disposed along the running path which follows a different direction from an inertial direction of the running body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A track device comprising:
 a switching section configured to switch a running path for guiding a wheel of a running body to running paths in multiple directions; and   a traveling path guide portion disposed along the running path which follows a different direction from an inertial direction of the running body.   
     
     
         2 . The track device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the traveling guide portion is formed into a groove shape which is deeper than the running path.   
     
     
         3 . The track device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the traveling path guide portion is provided inside the running path.   
     
     
         4 . The track device according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the traveling path guide portion is provided inside the running path.   
     
     
         5 . The track device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein an identifier configured to cause the running body to detect an entry to the switching section is provided on an entrance side of the switching section.   
     
     
         6 . The track device according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein an identifier configured to cause the running body to detect an entry to the switching section is provided on an entrance side of the switching section.   
     
     
         7 . The track device according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein an identifier configured to cause the running body to detect an entry to the switching section is provided on an entrance side of the switching section.   
     
     
         8 . The track device according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein an identifier configured to cause the running body to detect an entry to the switching section is provided on an entrance side of the switching section.   
     
     
         9 . The track device according to  claim 1 , comprising further:
 a switching track member including the running paths which are switched in the multiple directions by the switching section,   wherein the switching track member is configured so that a single-line track member can be coupled to an end thereof where the switching section is provided and an end thereof where the running paths terminate.   
     
     
         10 . The track device according to  claim 2 , comprising further:
 a switching track member including the running paths which are switched in the multiple directions by the switching section,   wherein the switching track member is configured so that a single-line track member can be coupled to an end thereof where the switching section is provided and an end thereof where the running paths terminate.   
     
     
         11 . The track device according to  claim 3 , comprising further:
 a switching track member including the running paths which are switched in the multiple directions by the switching section,   wherein the switching track member is configured so that a single-line track member can be coupled to an end thereof where the switching section is provided and an end thereof where the running paths terminate.   
     
     
         12 . The track device according to  claim 4 , comprising further:
 a switching track member including the running paths which are switched in the multiple directions by the switching section,   wherein the switching track member is configured so that a single-line track member can be coupled to an end thereof where the switching section is provided and an end thereof where the running paths terminate.   
     
     
         13 . The track device according to  claim 5 , comprising further:
 a switching track member including the running paths which are switched in the multiple directions by the switching section,   wherein the switching track member is configured so that a single-line track member can be coupled to an end thereof where the switching section is provided and an end thereof where the running paths terminate.   
     
     
         14 . The track device according to  claim 9 ,
 wherein the switching track member comprises a coupling portion provided at a first end of the running path and a coupling target portion provided at a second end of the running path, and   wherein the traveling path guide portion is provided in the coupling portion.   
     
     
         15 . The track device according to  claim 10 ,
 wherein the switching track member comprises a coupling portion provided at a first end of the running path and a coupling target portion provided at a second end of the running path, and   wherein the traveling path guide portion is provided in the coupling portion.   
     
     
         16 . The track device according to  claim 11 ,
 wherein the switching track member comprises a coupling portion provided at a first end of the running path and a coupling target portion provided at a second end of the running path, and   wherein the traveling path guide portion is provided in the coupling portion.   
     
     
         17 . The track device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein a crossing section where the running path so switched intersects the running path in a different direction crosswise is provided between the switching section and a switching termination section where switching of the running paths switched by the switching section terminates.   
     
     
         18 . The track device according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein a crossing section where the running path so switched intersects the running path in a different direction crosswise is provided between the switching section and a switching termination section where switching of the running paths switched by the switching section terminates.   
     
     
         19 . The track device according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein a crossing section where the running path so switched intersects the running path in a different direction crosswise is provided between the switching section and a switching termination section where switching of the running paths switched by the switching section terminates.   
     
     
         20 . A running body comprising:
 a wheel configured to run on a running path of a track member while being guided;   a traveling path switching portion configured to be brought into engagement with a traveling path guide portion disposed along the running path which follows a different direction from an inertial direction of running at a switching section where the running path is switched to running paths in multiple directions; and   a control unit configured to cause the traveling path switching portion to be brought into engagement with or disengaged from the traveling path guide portion at the switching section to thereby determine whether or not a running direction is guided along the traveling path guide portion.