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Automatic storage and retrieval system

  • US 4,690,602 A
  • Filed: 02/22/1985
  • Issued: 09/01/1987
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1985
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A storage and retrieval system comprising:

  • (a) a plurality of storage bins arranged in spaced fashion in a first two-dimensional array, each bin having a first pair of engageable means on each side wall near a first end of the bin and a second pair of engageable means on each side wall near the opposite end of the bin;

    (b) means for extracting any selected bin from the array by engaging that pair of engageable means on the selected bin located nearest the front of the array, the extracting means including a frame and parallel arms spaced apart by a distance greater than the bin width, the arms being capable of joint movement with respect to the frame in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the array to a limit position where the arms extend part way along the sides of a selected bin, each arm having associated therewith bin engaging means capable of movement along the arm and having retractable means for engaging the engageable means on any selected bin and thereby withdrawing that bin from the array and onto the frame;

    (c) movable platform means for carrying the extracting means; and

    (d) control means for causing the platform means to move horizontally and vertically to a position with respect to the array where the extracting means is adjacent the selected bin;

    for then directing the arms to move toward and around the bin sufficiently to bring the retractable bin engaging means into alignment with the engageable means on the selected bin;

    for then causing the retractable bin engaging means to engage the bin;

    for then directing the extracting means to extract the selected bin from the array; and

    for then directing the platform means to move horizontally and vertically to another desired location with the selected bin.

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