×

Method and apparatus for storing or retrieving items

  • US 10,457,483 B2
  • Filed: 10/16/2017
  • Issued: 10/29/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2015
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A material handling system, comprising:

  • a storage and retrieval system, comprising;

    a plurality of storage locations for storing items;

    a displaceable storage and retrieval device movable between the plurality of storage locations and operable to retrieve an item from one of the storage locations and move the item to a transfer location;

    a picking system operable to transport an item to and from the transfer location, wherein the picking system comprises;

    a plurality of picking vehicles for transporting items;

    a picking track for guiding the picking vehicles, wherein the track comprises a loop;

    an input/output station along the picking track configured so that an item can be removed from one of the picking vehicles;

    wherein the picking track is configured so that the picking vehicles are operable to circulate around the loop between the input/output station and the transfer location;

    wherein each picking vehicle comprises a drive system for driving the vehicle around the picking track and a motor for driving the drive system;

    wherein the picking system is configured to control operation of the picking vehicles so that the picking vehicles are driven along the picking track to an area adjacent the transfer location to transfer items between the picking vehicle and the storage and retrieval system at the transfer location;

    wherein the picking system is configured to control operation of the picking vehicles so that the picking vehicles are driven from the transfer location to the input/output station to allow removal of items from the picking vehicle; and

    wherein the storage and retrieval system is configured to impede displacement of the displaceable storage and retrieval device into the picking track.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×