Storage system

• US 4,768,914 A
• Filed: 10/09/1987
• Issued: 09/06/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sing, Peter
• Original Assignee: Sing, Peter
• Inventors: Sing, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Werner, Frank E.
• Application Number:
  US07/106,386
• Time in Patent Office: 333 Days
• Field of Search: 414/233, 414/232, 414/234, 414/235, 414/119, 414/90, 414/236, 414/237, 414/238, 414/239, 414/240, 414/286, 414/274, 414/245, 414/241, 414/252, 414/253, 414/231, 414/278 , 414/37, 104/48, 104/49, 198/465.2, 198/457, 198/787
• US Class Current: 414/237
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/0478 for matrix-arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 6/22 characterised by use of movable platforms for horizontal transport , i.e. cars being permanently parked on palettes

Abstract

A storage system comprises a building structure having an array of contiguous storage spaces on each of at least one level. A plurality of movable storage platforms, on which such cargo as automobiles, shipping containers and the like may be loaded, is available, each individual platform to be moved into, stored or moved out of any one of the storage spaces. Each storage space is provided with a first apparatus for supporting and moving one of the storage platforms in a longitudinal direction, and with a second apparatus for supporting and moving a storage platform in a transverse direction. The two supporting and moving apparatus in each space may be alternately or selectively placed in contact with, and actuated to move, the storage platform therein, thus shifting the platform with its cargo in the direction desired into or out of the storage space. Remote and automatic programmed control of storage and retrieval movements of the cargo being handled may be included.

Claims

1. A storage system for moving cargo elements to be stored into specified individual locations and retrieving them as desired, which comprises;

a building structure having at least one level, each said at least one level having a plurality of contiguous substantially rectangular storage spaces;

a plurality of movable storage platforms, each of said platforms being dimensioned to fit and be positioned in any of said plurality of storage spaces and each said platform comprising;

a substantially planar horizontally disposed rectangular base;

a first pair of guide rails mounted parallelly and spacedly on, and depending from, said base, said first pair of rails extending longitudinally along the front and rear edges of said base; and

a second pair of guide rails mounted parallelly and spacedly on, and depending from, said base, said second pair of rails extending transversely along the side edges of said base;

first means for supporting and moving horizontally one of said storage platforms and its cargo thereon, if any, in a longitudinal direction, said first means being mounted operatively in each of said plurality of storage spaces so as to be positioned to engage, support and move longitudinally said first pair of guide rails and hence said storage platform connected thereto selectively into one of said plurality of storage spaces for placement and storage therein and for later retrieval therefrom;

second means for supporting and moving said one of said storage platforms and its cargo thereon, if any, in a transverse direction, said second means being mounted operatively in each of said plurality of storage spaces so as to be positioned to engage, support and move transversely said second pair of guide rails and hence said storage platform connected thereto selectively into one of said plurality of storage spaces for placement and storage therein and later retrieval therefrom; and

shift means for selectively bringing one of said supporting and moving means into and out of operative engagement and support of the corresponding said pair of guide rails, so that only one of said first and said second supporting and moving means is in supportive contact with one of said plurality of storage platforms at any time when said platform occupies the corresponding said storage space.

2. Storage system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first and said second means for supporting and moving one of said plurality of storage platforms each comprise:

a pair of roller support units mounted within each said storage space, each of said roller support units comprising a plurality of support-drive wheels aligned edge to edge in a row extending longitudinally across in the case of said first supporting and moving means, and extending transversely in the case of said second support and moving means, said support-drive wheels of each said roller support unit being mounted on individual shafts journalled rotatably in a common support frame, each of said roller support units being positioned to support and move the corresponding one of said first and said second pair of guide rails in the direction said pair of guide rails extends; and

motive means for selectively actuating each of said roller support units to rotate said support drive wheels thereof in unison and thereby to move the one of said support platforms positioned thereon in the direction dictated by the selected said roller support units.

3. Storage system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said shift means comprises one of said first and said second supporting and moving means in each said storage space having its corresponding said pair of roller support units mounted each on a plurality of powered jacks for selectively raising and lowering one of said first and said second supporting and moving means above and below the corresponding pair of roller support units of the other of said first and said second supporting and moving means and thereby into and out of supporting and moving contact with one of said storage platforms positioned in the corresponding said storage space.

4. Storage system in accordance with claim 3, wherein said building structure is multi-level and further comprises elevator means for raising and lowering any of said plurality of storage platforms and cargo thereon, if any, to a desired level.

5. Storage system in accordane with claim 4, wherein said elevator means comprises a plurality of elevator levels, said elevator levels being vertically spaced corresponding to the spacing of the levels of said building structure and being capable of carrying any of said storage platforms in each of said plurality of elevator levels, so that a plurality of building levels of said storage spaces may be serviced at one time.

6. Storage system in accordance with claim 4, wherein said elevator means comprises:

means for supporting and moving one of said plurality of storage platforms and its cargo, if any, in a longitudinal direction;

means for supporting and moving one of said plurality of storage platforms and its cargo, if any, in a transverse direction; and

shift means for selectively bringing one of said supporting and moving means into and out of supportive and operative engagement of one of said plurality of storage platforms which occupies said elevator means.

7. Storage system in accordance with claim 4, further comprising platform storage means for accommodating said plurality of storage platforms when said platforms are not positioned in said plurality of storage spaces, said platform storage means comprising at least one storage well wherein said plurality of storage platforms may be placed in a vertical stack, means for raising and lowering said stack so that the topmost of said stored storage platforms may be horizontally aligned with at least one level of said building structure, and means for removing said topmost platform from, and returning any of said plurality of storage platforms to, said stack in said at least one storage well.

8. Storage system in accordance with claim 7, wherein all actuation of said motive means, said power jacks, said elevator means and said means for raising and lowering said stack are controlled automatically by a programmed computer, said computer also being capable of registering the identity and location of cargo, and the presence or absence of one of said plurality of storage platforms in any one of said plurality of storage spaces.

9. Storage system in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of said storage platforms further comprises said base, on which said first and said second pair of guide rails are dependingly mounted, being the bottom of a shipping container.

10. Storage system in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of storage platforms is adapted to carry an automobile and further comprises means for engaging the wheels to prevent inadvertent movement of the automobile while supported and moved on said storage platform.