Retrieval and storage mechanism for use with an automated rotating storage unit
First Claim
1. In combination with automatic storage and retrieval system having a continuous track and a continuous rotating storage unit supported from said track and movable therearound in a horizontal direction, wherein said rotating storage unit includes a plurality of horizontally spaced shelves arranged vertically into columns, each shelf being adapted to accommodate a storage bin thereon, a coveyor system mounted adjacent said rotating storage unit for moving storage bins towards and away from said rotating storage unit, and an elevator mounted in a fixed position between said rotating storage unit and said conveyor system;
- the improvement which comprises a platform mounted in said elevator for vertical movement up and down adjacent said rotating storage unit, an extraction and insertion arm assembly slidably mounted on said platform, said arm assembly including a pair of longitudinally disposed extractor arms having forward ends extending towards said rotating storage unit, a driving means for moving said arm assembly in a horizontal direction towards and away from said rotating storage unit for bin placement in and withdrawal from a preselected shelf, a spring loaded bin engaging means mounted on the forward end of each arm for removing a bin from a preselected shelf during an extraction operation, a seating means mounted on the upper portion of each said arm for pushing a bin onto a preselected shelf during an insertion operation, a conveyor belt assembly mounted on said platform in longitudinal alignment therewith between the extractor arms for aiding the movement of a bin into or withdrawal from a preselected shelf, and a retaining means for securing a bin on said platform.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In combination with automatic storage and retrieval system having a continuous track which supports a continuous rotating storage unit to move therearound in a horizontal direction, the rotating storage unit including a plurality of horizontally spaced shelves arranged vertically into columns, a conveyor system mounted adjacent the rotating storage unit for moving storage bins towards and away from the rotating storage unit, and an elevator mounted in a fixed position between the rotating storage unit and the conveyor system; a platform mounted in the elevator for vertical movement up and down adjacent the rotating storage unit, an extraction and insertion arm assembly slidably mounted on the platform, the arm assembly including a pair of longitudinally disposed extractor arms having the forward ends extending towards the rotating storage units, a motor for driving the arm assembly in a horizontal direction towards and away from the rotating storage unit for bin placement in and withdrawal from a preselected shelf; spring loaded flippers mounted on the forward end of each arm for removing a bin from a preselected shelf during the extraction operation; a pusher block mounted on the upper portion of each the arm for pushing a bin onto a preselected shelf during the insertion operation; a conveyor belt assembly mounted on the platform in longitudinal alignment therewith between the extractor arms for aiding the movement of a bin into or withdrawal from a preselected shelf; and retaining bars for securing a bin on the platform.
63 Citations
11 Claims
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1. In combination with automatic storage and retrieval system having a continuous track and a continuous rotating storage unit supported from said track and movable therearound in a horizontal direction, wherein said rotating storage unit includes a plurality of horizontally spaced shelves arranged vertically into columns, each shelf being adapted to accommodate a storage bin thereon, a coveyor system mounted adjacent said rotating storage unit for moving storage bins towards and away from said rotating storage unit, and an elevator mounted in a fixed position between said rotating storage unit and said conveyor system;
- the improvement which comprises a platform mounted in said elevator for vertical movement up and down adjacent said rotating storage unit, an extraction and insertion arm assembly slidably mounted on said platform, said arm assembly including a pair of longitudinally disposed extractor arms having forward ends extending towards said rotating storage unit, a driving means for moving said arm assembly in a horizontal direction towards and away from said rotating storage unit for bin placement in and withdrawal from a preselected shelf, a spring loaded bin engaging means mounted on the forward end of each arm for removing a bin from a preselected shelf during an extraction operation, a seating means mounted on the upper portion of each said arm for pushing a bin onto a preselected shelf during an insertion operation, a conveyor belt assembly mounted on said platform in longitudinal alignment therewith between the extractor arms for aiding the movement of a bin into or withdrawal from a preselected shelf, and a retaining means for securing a bin on said platform.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
Specification