Automatic storage and retrieval system
First Claim
1. A storage and retrieval machine comprisinga base adapted to move horizontally along a supporting surface,a generally vertical mast supported by said base,a carriage supported for generally vertical movement along said mast, said carriage including an upwardly facing surface, andan extendable and retractable shuttle mechanism supported by said carriage, said shuttle mechanism including an upper plate fixed against horizontal movement relative to said carriage, an intermediate plate which is located below said upper plate and which is supported by said upper plate for horizontal movement relative thereto, and a lower plate which is located below said intermediate plate and above said upwardly facing surface of said carriage and which is supported by said intermediate plate for horizontal movement relative thereto, said shuttle mechanism being operable between a retracted condition wherein said intermediate plate is located directly below said upper plate and said lower plate is located directly below said intermediate plate, and an extended condition wherein said intermediate plate extends outwardly in one direction relative to said upper plate and said lower plate extends outwardly in said one direction relative to said intermediate plate, said shuttle mechanism sliding objects onto and off said upwardly facing surface of said carriage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A storage and retrieval machine comprising a base adapted to move horizontally along a supporting surface, a generally vertical mast supported by the base, a carriage supported for generally vertical movement along the mast, and an extendable and retractable shuttle mechanism supported by the carriage, the shuttle mechanism including an upper plate fixed against horizontal movement relative to the carriage, an intermediate plate which is located below the upper plate and which is supported by the upper plate for horizontal movement relative thereto, a lower plate which is located below the intermediate plate and which is supported by the intermediate plate for horizontal movement relative thereto, and hoops on the lower plate for selectively engaging a load, the shuttle mechanism being operable between a retracted condition wherein the intermediate plate is located directly below the upper plate and the lower plate is located directly below the intermediate plate, and an extended condition wherein the intermediate plate extends outwardly in one direction relative to the upper plate and the lower plate extends outwardly in the one direction relative to the intermediate plate.
211 Citations
47 Claims
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1. A storage and retrieval machine comprising
a base adapted to move horizontally along a supporting surface, a generally vertical mast supported by said base, a carriage supported for generally vertical movement along said mast, said carriage including an upwardly facing surface, and an extendable and retractable shuttle mechanism supported by said carriage, said shuttle mechanism including an upper plate fixed against horizontal movement relative to said carriage, an intermediate plate which is located below said upper plate and which is supported by said upper plate for horizontal movement relative thereto, and a lower plate which is located below said intermediate plate and above said upwardly facing surface of said carriage and which is supported by said intermediate plate for horizontal movement relative thereto, said shuttle mechanism being operable between a retracted condition wherein said intermediate plate is located directly below said upper plate and said lower plate is located directly below said intermediate plate, and an extended condition wherein said intermediate plate extends outwardly in one direction relative to said upper plate and said lower plate extends outwardly in said one direction relative to said intermediate plate, said shuttle mechanism sliding objects onto and off said upwardly facing surface of said carriage.
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4. A storage and retrieval machine comprising
a base adapted to move horizontally along a supporting surface, a generally vertical mast supported by said base, a carriage supported for generally vertical movement along said mast, and an extendable and retractable shuttle mechanism supported by said carriage, said shuttle mechanism including a plate movable horizontally relative to said carriage, said plate having opposite first and second sides, and an engaging mechanism on said plate for selectively engaging an object so that the object moves horizontally with said plate, said engaging mechanism including a member movable relative to said plate between an upper position and a lower position, said member being generally U-shaped and having a first end pivotally connected to said first side and a second end pivotally connected to said second side.
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29. A storage and retrieval machine comprising
a base adapted to move horizontally along a supporting surface, a generally vertical mast supported by said base, a carriage supported for generally vertical movement along said mast, and a shuttle mechanism for extending above a load and sliding the load onto and off said carriage without exerting an upward force on the load.
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40. A storage and retrieval machine comprising
a base adapted to move horizontally along a supporting surface, a generally vertical mast supported by said base, a carriage supported for generally vertical movement along said mast, and an extendable and retractable shuttle mechanism supported by said carriage, said shuttle mechanism including a plate movable horizontally relative to said carriage, a first motor for moving said plate relative to said carriage, a member movable relative to said plate for engaging an object to be moved by said shuttle mechanism, and a second motor for moving said member relative to said plate, said second motor being fixed against horizontal movement relative to said carriage, and said second motor being drivingly connected to said member.
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44. A storage and retrieval machine comprising
a base adapted to move horizontally along a supporting surface, a generally vertical mast supported by said base, a carriage supported for generally vertical movement along said mast, and an extendable and retractable shuttle mechanism supported by said carriage, said shuttle mechanism including a plate movable horizontally relative to said carriage, and an engaging mechanism on said plate for selectively engaging an object beneath said plate so that the object moves horizontally with said plate, said engaging mechanism including first and second members movable relative to said plate between respective upper and lower positions, a first link which extends between said first and second members and which is movable in opposite directions, and a second link which extends between said first and second members and which is movable in opposite directions.
Specification