Automatic storage and retrieval apparatus
First Claim
1. A structure incorporating automatic storage and retrieval apparatus comprising:
- (a) a number of identical pallet means, each pallet means having translation means thereunder, arranged such that the pallet means can be translated along a path which is planar to the upper surface of the pallet means;
(b) a structure comprising a number of identical sized, horizontal levels which are aligned in a vertical array extending between a pair of vertical lift shafts which reach from ground level to all the other levels at opposite ends of the levels;
each level having four sides oriented with a first pair of sides perpendicular to the shafts, and a second pair of sides parallel and open to the shafts;
the levels being dimensioned such that, when filled with pallet means with their direction of motion oriented perpendicular to the shafts, each level will exactly hold an integral number of pallet means in the dimension between the shafts; and
with the upper surface of each level having unobstructed, stationary upper surface means dimensioned, located and adapted to cooperate with and receive the pallet translation means of each pallet in pallet moving contact therewith, such that the pallet means can be transferred from either lift onto the surface means and thence, in free movement across the level in a direction perpendicular to the shafts;
(c) a lift mounted within each shaft, each lift having lift mechanism means arranged such that the respective lift can be moved from ground level to any other level;
with the lifts sized to accommodate a pallet means oriented with the direction of motion perpendicular to the levels;
(d) transfer means on each lift operatively associated therewith and dimensioned, located and arranged such that pallet means located on a respective lift can be translated from either lift to the adjacent surface means with the pallet translation means cooperating with the surface means in moving contact therewith when the lift is positioned at any one of the levels; and
(e) control means arranged to operatively control the lift mechanism means and the transfer means so as to position both lifts at the same level whenever a pallet means is to be transferred from a lift to that level, whereby the pallet means being transferred from the one lift onto the stationary upper surface causes the pallet means adjacent the other lift to be transferred thereto by a pushing motion of any intermediate pallet means and the pallet means thereagainst.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Storage and retrieval apparatus and method using pallets for storing vehicles and other loads. A number of storage levels aligned vertically are reached by a pair of lifts in shafts which bracket the levels. A transfer mechanism can push a pallet and automobile from either lift onto any level. Each level is always filled with pallets and sized to exactly hold an integral number of pallets. When a pallet is pushed into a level from one lift the intermediate pallets are pushed laterally to the opposite lift, resulting in the farthest pallet being ejected onto the opposite lift located at the same level. Separate loading stations are provided on ground level for each lift. An automobile can be driven on or off a pallet or a load placed on or off a pallet at the loading station. A loading station mechanism can move a pallet with a load to be stored from the loading station onto a lift. The lift transfer mechanism can transfer a pallet with a load being retrieved from the lift onto the loading station mechanism adjacent the lift, and the loading station mechanism can move the pallet from there to the loading station. A computer having input apparatus, input sensors, output apparatus and displays, utilizes a program to control and optimize the operation. Input identifiers for each automobile, or other load, and pallet are entered into the computer upon storage to permit ready retrieval.
64 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A structure incorporating automatic storage and retrieval apparatus comprising:
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(a) a number of identical pallet means, each pallet means having translation means thereunder, arranged such that the pallet means can be translated along a path which is planar to the upper surface of the pallet means; (b) a structure comprising a number of identical sized, horizontal levels which are aligned in a vertical array extending between a pair of vertical lift shafts which reach from ground level to all the other levels at opposite ends of the levels;
each level having four sides oriented with a first pair of sides perpendicular to the shafts, and a second pair of sides parallel and open to the shafts;
the levels being dimensioned such that, when filled with pallet means with their direction of motion oriented perpendicular to the shafts, each level will exactly hold an integral number of pallet means in the dimension between the shafts; and
with the upper surface of each level having unobstructed, stationary upper surface means dimensioned, located and adapted to cooperate with and receive the pallet translation means of each pallet in pallet moving contact therewith, such that the pallet means can be transferred from either lift onto the surface means and thence, in free movement across the level in a direction perpendicular to the shafts;(c) a lift mounted within each shaft, each lift having lift mechanism means arranged such that the respective lift can be moved from ground level to any other level;
with the lifts sized to accommodate a pallet means oriented with the direction of motion perpendicular to the levels;(d) transfer means on each lift operatively associated therewith and dimensioned, located and arranged such that pallet means located on a respective lift can be translated from either lift to the adjacent surface means with the pallet translation means cooperating with the surface means in moving contact therewith when the lift is positioned at any one of the levels; and (e) control means arranged to operatively control the lift mechanism means and the transfer means so as to position both lifts at the same level whenever a pallet means is to be transferred from a lift to that level, whereby the pallet means being transferred from the one lift onto the stationary upper surface causes the pallet means adjacent the other lift to be transferred thereto by a pushing motion of any intermediate pallet means and the pallet means thereagainst. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification