STACKER CRANE CONSTRUCTION

• US 3,792,758 A
• Filed: 11/15/1971
• Issued: 02/19/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edward A. Wentz
• Original Assignee: Edward A. Wentz
• Inventors: Wentz, Edward A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sheridan, Robert G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Johnson, R. B.
• Application Number:
  US05/198,917
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 214/16.4A 187/9,95,17 212/14,6
• US Class Current: 187/236
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/0407 using stacker cranes constructional features of stacker cranes B66F9/06
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/141 with shuttle-type movement

Abstract

A stacker crane storage arrangement wherein a tray is supported for reversible extension transversely of a tower which is movable on a track, so as to deposit cargo laden pallets in cells or cubicles of open sides storage grids on both sides of the track. The tray of the tower is movable by a compact mechanism, utilizing telescopically and reversibly extending drive members carried by pairs of cantilever beams and driven by sprocket chains and hydraulic cylinders in a dual system which effects reversible motion of a tray to either side of the tower. The telescopic tray mechanism provides for moving a cargo laden tray to either a part distance or a full distance transversely of the tower, so that pallets can be stored in or retrieved from double depth storage grids. The specific racks or cells can hold two pallets in tandem, there being a first pallet position and a second pallet position in each cell. The arrangement and construction has features whereby very tall towers are usable.

Claims

1. A stacker crane comprising a tower having a pair of horizontally spaced columns and a traction wheel under each, said columns and wheels being spaced longitudinally in the direction of travel of said stacker crane, a respective traction drive motor for each traction wheel adjacent the respective traction wheel, a tray elevator in the space between said columns and an elevator drive motor for actuating said tray elevator in a vertical path of traverse, said traction drive motors being disposed outside the space between the columns, a pair of spaced lift chains extending vertically and supported by said columns and having upper and lower ends attached to said tray elevator and being spaced substantially the distance between said columns and extending downwardly intermediate said traction wheels below the upper peripheries thereof effecting space between said wheels and said chains to increase the path of vertical traverse of said tray elevator.

2. A stacker crane as set forth in claim 1, including means at the lower ends of each chain for taking up slack due to chain wear elongation and means to adjust elongation due to load variation.

3. A stacker crane as set forth in claim 2, both of said means comprising bolt and nut devices and the latter of said means being resilient.

4. A stacker crane as set forth in claim 1, said towers comprising vertical corner members extending substantially the height of said tower and said tray elevator having guide roller means encompassing said corner members and movable threalong for guidance.

5. A stacker crane as set forth in claim 1, said tower columns being each comprised of four corner angle irons having diagonal structural bracing therebetween, a top frame extending across said tower and securing said columns, said columns extending into said frame, bearing blocks carried by said columns in said top frame and a shaft extending between said bearing blocks and having sprocket wheels thereon and said lift chains being carried on respective sprocket wheels.

6. A stacker crane as set forth in claim 1, and comprising a bottom frame for said columns, bearing blocks in said bottom frame disposed below said respective columns and a shaft extending between said bearing blocks and having sprocket wheels thereon and respective lift chains extending around said sprocket wheels, inclduing a drive means between said tray elevator motor and said shaft.