Semi-automated warehousing system
First Claim
1. A stacker crane for use in a warehousing system comprising:
- (a) spaced masts,(b) a headpiece joining said masts together at the top thereof and a base joining said masts together at the bottom thereof,(c) wheels joined to said base and adapted to ride along a track located in a floor,(d) an elevator spanning the space between said masts,(e) a hydraulic cylinder and a piston extensible therefrom,(f) a moveable sheave nest secured to said piston,(g) chain means fixed at one end to one of said masts and fixed at the other end to said elevator with the intermediate length passing about said moveable sheave, and(h) hydraulic system means, including said hydraulic cylinder, for actuating said piston relative to said cylinder to shift said moveable sheave relative to said chain means and thereby alter the position of said elevator;
wherein said hydraulic system means comprises;
a power supply circuit including a reservoir containing hydraulic fluid secured to one of said masts, a main pump, a motor for supplying power to said pump, conduits interconnecting said reservoir, said pump and said hydraulic cylinder so that the pump can withdraw fluid from the reservoir and supply the fluid to the cylinder to extend the piston therefrom and a proportioning valve connected between the main pump and the hydraulic cylinder, the position of the proportioning valve regulating the volume of hydraulic fluid flowing toward said hydraulic cylinder, anda control circuit for regulating said power supply circuit, said control circuit including a second pump smaller than said main pump connected thereto in piggyback fashion and also powered by said motor, a control valve and conduits connecting said second pump and said control valve to said proportioning valve to exert a biasing force thereon.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A semi-automated warehousing system for unitized loads, such as load carrying pallets, which are retained in storage racks arranged in a multiple lane, multiple tier array is provided. The system employs a man operated stacker crane that travels upon a fixed rail and serves as a host vehicle for a ratio controlled transfer vehicle which is powered by a rechargeable battery. An elevator, which forms part of the crane is mounted between masts of the crane and a man carrying cab is secured to the elevator. The transfer vehicle can move laterally away from the crane, in either direction, in response to radio command signals controlled by the operator in the cab. The transfer vehicle rides on support rails in the storage racks and, upon command, deposits or picks up a pallet. The battery which powers the transfer vehicle is recharged each time the vehicle returns to the elevator portion of the crane.
68 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A stacker crane for use in a warehousing system comprising:
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(a) spaced masts, (b) a headpiece joining said masts together at the top thereof and a base joining said masts together at the bottom thereof, (c) wheels joined to said base and adapted to ride along a track located in a floor, (d) an elevator spanning the space between said masts, (e) a hydraulic cylinder and a piston extensible therefrom, (f) a moveable sheave nest secured to said piston, (g) chain means fixed at one end to one of said masts and fixed at the other end to said elevator with the intermediate length passing about said moveable sheave, and (h) hydraulic system means, including said hydraulic cylinder, for actuating said piston relative to said cylinder to shift said moveable sheave relative to said chain means and thereby alter the position of said elevator;
wherein said hydraulic system means comprises;
a power supply circuit including a reservoir containing hydraulic fluid secured to one of said masts, a main pump, a motor for supplying power to said pump, conduits interconnecting said reservoir, said pump and said hydraulic cylinder so that the pump can withdraw fluid from the reservoir and supply the fluid to the cylinder to extend the piston therefrom and a proportioning valve connected between the main pump and the hydraulic cylinder, the position of the proportioning valve regulating the volume of hydraulic fluid flowing toward said hydraulic cylinder, anda control circuit for regulating said power supply circuit, said control circuit including a second pump smaller than said main pump connected thereto in piggyback fashion and also powered by said motor, a control valve and conduits connecting said second pump and said control valve to said proportioning valve to exert a biasing force thereon. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A stacker crane for use in a warehousing system comprising:
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spaced masts; a headpiece joining said masts together at the top thereof and a base joining said masts together at the bottom thereof; wheels joined to said base adapted to ride along a track located in a floor; an elevator spanning the space between said masts; a hydraulic cylinder and piston extensible therefrom; a moveable sheave nest secured to said piston; chain means fixed at one end to one of said masts and fixed at the other end to said elevator with the intermediate length passing about said moveable sheave; hydraulic system means, including said hydraulic cylinder, for actuating said piston relative to said cylinder to shift said moveable sheave relative to said chain means and thereby alter the position of said elevator; a pair of guide rails secured to the upper piston of the elevator, said guide rails being adapted to accomodate a transfer vehicle; and a stop member secured at the front of the upper elevator surface inwardly of said guide rails and substantially perpendicular thereto, said stop member cooperating with a transfer vehicle'"'"'s body so as to automatically stop the latter'"'"'s movement when such a transfer vehicle is improperly oriented relative to the surface of said elevator. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A stacker crane for use in a warehousing system comprising:
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(a) spaced masts, (b) a headpiece and a base joining the masts together, (c) wheels secured to said base and adapted to ride along a floor mounted track located proximate thereto, (d) an elevator spanning at least the space between said masts, (e) a cab with an access door situated on said elevator, the closure of said door tripping a first switch, (f) means for adjusting the vertical position of said elevator, said means including a reservoir for hydraulic fluid, conduits, a pump for circulating said fluid through said conduits, a motor for driving said pump, and a valve disposed in said conduits for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid, (g) at least one manually operable control situated in said cab, (h) said manually operable control normally actuating said means for adjusting the elevator vertically, (i) and a second switch operatively associated with said valve, (j) said second switch being tripped when said valve is opened to permit flow of hydraulic fluid from the reservoir through the pump, (k) said first and second switches being connected in series so that both of said switches must be tripped before the vertical position of the elevator can be adjusted by said manual control.
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Specification