Cart loading system and method for library-like materials

• US 6,203,262 B1
• Filed: 04/11/2000
• Issued: 03/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tech Logic Corp. (The Library Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Tech Logic Corp. (The Library Corp.)
• Inventors: Jackson, Richard H., Frich, Mark R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kramer, Dean J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chin, Paul T.
• Application Number:
  US09/547,084
• Time in Patent Office: 343 Days
• Field of Search: 414/331, 414/331.06, 414/331.08, 414/331.09, 414/331.1, 414/331.11, 414/331.15, 414/331.16, 414/331.18, 414/359, 414/575, 414/798.01, 414/809
• US Class Current: 414/331.01
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 65/00 Loading or unloading of vehicles B65G67/00

Abstract

A cart loading system for placing library-like items onto a library cart is provided for a cart having a plurality of shelves between first and second cart end members. The loading system includes a cart tilting mechanism for receiving and tilting the cart so as to raise the second cart end member relative to a ground plane and relative to said first cart end member such that the shelves are at a selected angle relative to the ground plane. The loading system also includes a placer device having a rack member for supporting an individual item and a pusher element for pushing the individual item off of the rack member. The loading system additionally includes a transport device coupled to the rack member for positioning the rack member in proximity to a selected shelf of the plurality of shelves and in proximity to an open space on the selected shelf away from the first cart end member, so that the pusher element is capable of pushing the individual item off of the rack member and onto the open space on the selected shelf. The system further includes compacting mechanism coupled to the rack member for compacting any library-like items on the selected shelf.

Claims

1. A cart loading system for placing library-like items onto a library cart, wherein said cart includes a plurality of shelves between first and second cart end members, said cart loading system comprising:

a cart tilting means for receiving said cart, said cart tilting means including means for tilting said cart so as to raise said second cart end member relative to a ground plane and relative to said first cart end member such that said shelves are at a selected angle relative to said ground plane; and

a placer means including,

a rack member for supporting an individual item thereon,

a pusher means for pushing said individual item off of said rack member,

transport means coupled to said rack member for positioning said rack member,

(i) in proximity to a selected shelf of said plurality of shelves, and

(ii) in proximity to an open space on said selected shelf away from said first cart end member, so that said pusher means is capable of pushing said individual item off of said rack member and onto said open space on said selected shelf, and

compacting means coupled to said rack member for compacting any library-like items on said selected shelf.

2. The cart loading system of claim 1 wherein said transport means further includes:

a first linear slide actuator having a first carriage, said first carriage being capable of moving back and forth along a first path in alignment with a first reference axis;

a second linear slide actuator having a second carriage, said second carriage being capable of moving back and forth along a second path in alignment with a second reference axis;

means for mounting said second linear slide actuator to said first carriage such that said first reference axis is transverse to said second reference axis, and said first reference axis is substantially at said selected angle relative to said ground plane; and

means for coupling said rack member to said second carriage such that;

i) said second carriage is capable of transporting said rack member to a position in proximity to said selected shelf, and

ii) said first carriage is capable of transporting said rack member in substantial longitudinal alignment with said selected shelf to a position in proximity to said open space on said selected shelf.

3. The cart loading system of claim 1 further comprising:

a first photoelectric sensor means coupled to said rack member for providing a shelf output signal indicative of a specific shelf in proximity to said rack member;

a second photoelectric sensor means coupled to said rack member for providing an open space signal indicative of the presence or absence of an occupied space on said selected shelf away from said first cart end member; and

control means responsive to (i) a shelf selection signal being representative of said selected shelf upon which said individual item is intended to be placed, (ii) said open space signal, and (iii) said shelf output signal, for providing a transport command signal for causing said transport means to position said rack member so that said pusher may push said individual item onto a first open space on said selected shelf away from said first cart end member.

4. The cart loading system of claim 1 further comprising:

a depository for receiving said individual item;

an identification means for generating a shelf selection signal indicative of which shelf of said plurality of shelves said item is intended to be placed upon; and

conveying means for conveying said individual item to said rack member.

5. The cart loading system of claim 4 wherein said identification means is selected from the group consisting of a bar code reader and an RFID system.

6. A cart loading system for placing library-like items onto a library cart, wherein said cart includes a plurality of shelves between first and second cart end members, said cart loading system comprising:

a cart tilting means for receiving said cart, said cart tilting means including means for tilting said cart so as to raise said second cart end member relative to a ground plane and relative to said first cart end member such that said shelves are at a selected angle relative to said ground plane;

a placer means including,

a rack member for supporting an individual item of library-like items,

a pusher means responsive to a push signal for pushing said individual item off of said rack member,

transport means coupled said rack member for positioning said rack member, said transport means including means responsive to a command signal for positioning said rack member,

(i) in proximity to a selected one shelf of said plurality of shelves, and

(ii) at an open space on said selected shelf away from said first cart end member, so that said pusher means is capable of pushing said individual item off of said rack member and onto said open space on said selected shelf,

shelf sensing means coupled to said rack member for sensing the position of said rack member relative to said plurality of shelves, and providing a shelf output signal indicative thereof, and

open space sensing means coupled to said rack member for sensing an open space on said selected shelf, and providing an open space signal indicative thereof; and

control means responsive to (i) a shelf selection signal indicative of said selected shelf, (ii) said open space signal, and (iii) said shelf output signal, for providing said command signal and said push signal such that said rack member is first positioned relative to said selected shelf prior to said push signal so that said pusher means may push said item onto said first open space away from said first cart end member on said selected shelf.

7. The cart loading system of claim 6 wherein:

said placer means includes compacting means coupled to said rack member for compacting any library-like items on said selected shelf, said compacting means including an arm member capable of extending away from said rack member in response to a reach signal, and retracting in response to a retract signal; and

said control means further includes means for generating said command signal, said push signal, said reach signal, and said retract signal such that;

said transport means successively,

i) positions said rack member in proximity to said selected shelf,

ii) positions said rack member relative to a first open space on said selected shelf away from said first cart end member associated therewith, and

iii) transports said rack member, after generating said reach signal, toward said first cart end member associated with said selected shelf so as to cause said arm member to compact any library-like items on said selected shelf toward said first cart end member, and

said control means,

i) generates said push signal so as to cause said individual item on said rack member to be pushed onto said selected shelf, and

ii) generates said retract signal.

8. The cart loading system of claim 6 wherein said transport means includes:

a first linear slide actuator having a first carriage being capable of moving back and forth along a first path in alignment with a first reference axis;

a second linear slide actuator having a second carriage being capable of moving back and forth along a second path in alignment with a second reference axis;

means for mounting said second slide actuator to said first carriage such that said first reference axis is transverse to said second reference axis, and said first reference axis is substantially at said selected angle relative to said ground plane; and

means for coupling said rack member to said second carriage such that;

ii) said second carriage is capable of transporting said rack member in proximity to said selected shelf of said plurality of shelves, and

i) said first carriage is capable of transporting said rack member in substantial alignment with said selected shelf.

9. The cart loading system of claim 6 wherein said open space sensing means is a photoelectric sensor means coupled to said rack member for providing said open space signal indicative of the presence or absence of an occupied space away from said first cart end member.

10. The cart loading system of claim 6 wherein said shelf sensing means is a photoelectric sensor means coupled to said rack member for providing said shelf output signal indicative of a specific shelf in proximity to said rack member.

11. The cart loading system of claim 6 further comprising:

a depository for receiving said individual item;

an identification means for generating a shelf selection signal indicative of which shelf of said plurality of shelves said item is intended to be placed upon; and

conveying means for conveying said individual item to said rack member.

12. The cart loading system of claim 11 wherein said identification means is selected from the group consisting of a bar code reader and an RFID system.

13. A cart loading system for placing library-like items onto a selected shelf of first and second carts, wherein each of said first and second carts includes a plurality of shelves between first and second cart end members, said cart loading system comprising:

a first cart tilting means for receiving said first cart, said first cart tilting means including means for tilting said first cart so as to raise said second cart end member of said first cart relative to a ground plane and relative to said first cart end member of said first cart such that said shelves of said first cart are at a selected angle relative to said ground plane;

a second cart tilting means for receiving said second cart, said second cart tilting means including means for tilting said second cart so as to raise said second cart end member of said second cart relative to a ground plane and relative to said first cart end member of said second cart such that said shelves of said second cart are at a selected angle relative to said ground plane; and

a placer means positioned between said first cart tilting means and said second cart tilting means, said placer means including,

a rack member for supporting an individual item of library-like items,

a pusher means for pushing said individual item off of said rack member,

transport means coupled to said rack member for positioning said rack member,

(i) in proximity to a selected shelf of said plurality of shelves of one of said first and second carts, and

(ii) at an open space on said selected shelf away from said first cart end member, so that said pusher means is capable of pushing said individual item off of said rack member and onto said open space on said selected shelf, and

compacting means coupled to said rack member for compacting any library-like items on said selected shelf.

14. A cart loading system for placing library-like items onto a selected shelf of first and second carts, wherein each of said first and second carts includes a plurality of shelves between first and second cart end members, said cart loading system comprising:

a first cart tilting means for receiving said first cart, said first cart tilting means including means for tilting said first cart so as to raise said second cart end member of said first cart relative to a ground plane and relative to said first cart end member of said first cart such that said shelves of said first cart are at a selected angle relative to said ground plane;

a second cart tilting means for receiving said second cart, said second cart tilting means including means for tilting said second cart so as to raise said second cart end member of said second cart relative to a ground plane and relative to said first cart end member of said second cart such that said shelves of said second cart are at a selected angle relative to said ground plane; and

a placer means positioned between said first cart tilting means and said second cart tilting means, said placer means including,

a rack member for supporting an individual item of library-like items,

a pusher means for pushing said individual item off of said rack member,

transport means coupled to said rack member for positioning said rack member,

(i) in proximity to a selected shelf of said plurality of shelves of one of said first and second carts, and

(ii) at an open space on said selected shelf away from said first cart end member, so that said pusher means is capable of pushing said individual item off of said rack member and onto said open space on said selected shelf,

shelf sensing means coupled to said rack member for sensing the position of said rack member relative to said plurality of shelves of said cart associated with said selected shelf, and providing a shelf output signal indicative thereof; and

open space sensing means coupled to said rack member for sensing an open space on said selected shelf, and providing an open space signal indicative thereof;

control means responsive to (i) a shelf selection signal indicative of said selected shelf, (ii) said open space signal, and (iii) said shelf output signal, for providing said command signal and said push signal such that said rack member is first positioned relative to said selected shelf prior to said push signal so that said pusher means may push said item onto said first open space away from said first cart end member on said selected shelf.

15. The cart loading system of claim 14 wherein:

said placer means includes compacting means coupled to said rack member for compacting any library-like items on said selected shelf, said compacting means including an arm member capable of extending away from said rack member in response to a reach signal, and retracting in response to a retract signal; and

said control means further includes means for generating said command signal, said push signal, said reach signal, and said retract signal such that;

said transport means successively,

i) positions said rack member in proximity to said selected shelf,

ii) positions said rack member relative to a first open space on said selected shelf away from said first cart end member associated therewith, and

iii) transports said rack member, after generating said reach signal, toward said first cart end member associated with said selected shelf so as to cause said arm member to compact any library-like items on said selected shelf toward said first cart end member, and

said control means,

i) generates said push signal so as to cause said library item on said rack member to be pushed onto said selected shelf, and

ii) generates said retract signal.

16. The cart loading system of claim 14 wherein said transport means includes:

a first linear slide actuator having a first carriage being capable of moving back and forth along a first path in alignment with a first reference axis;

a second linear slide actuator having a second carriage being capable of moving back and forth along a second path in alignment with a second reference axis;

means for mounting said second slide actuator to said first carriage such that said first reference axis is transverse to said second reference axis, and said first reference axis is substantially at said selected angle relative to said ground plane; and

means for coupling said rack member to said second carriage such that;

i) said second carriage is capable of transporting said rack member in proximity to said selected shelf of said plurality of shelves, and

ii) said first carriage is capable of transporting said rack member in substantial alignment with said selected shelf.

17. The cart loading system of claim 14 wherein said open space sensing means is a photoelectric sensor means coupled to said rack member for providing said open space signal indicative of the presence or absence of an occupied space away from said first cart end member.

18. The cart loading system of claim 14 wherein said shelf sensing means is a second photoelectric sensor means coupled to said rack member for providing said shelf output signal indicative of a specific shelf in proximity to said rack member.

19. The cart loading system of claim 14 further comprising:

a depository for receiving said individual item;

an identification means for generating a shelf selection signal indicative of which shelf of said plurality of shelves of said first cart and of said second cart said item is intended to be placed upon; and

conveying means for conveying said individual item to said rack member.

20. The cart loading system of claim 19 wherein said identification means is selected from the group consisting of a bar code reader and an RFID system.

21. A method of loading library-like items onto a cart, wherein said cart includes a plurality of shelves between first and second cart end members, said method comprising the steps of:

positioning said cart upon a tilting means;

tilting said cart, by way of said tilting means, so as to raise said second cart end member relative to a ground plane and relative to said first cart end member such that said shelves are at a selected angle relative to said ground plane;

positioning an individual library-like item on a rack member, wherein said rack member is capable of supporting said individual item;

transporting said rack member so as to be,

(i) in proximity to a selected shelf of said plurality of shelves, and

(ii) in proximity to an open space on said selected shelf away from said first cart end member, such that said individual item may be pushed off of said rack member into said open space;

compacting any library-like items on said selected shelf toward said first cart end member; and

pushing said individual item off of said rack member and onto said selected shelf.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said step of compacting includes compacting said any library-like items on said shelf toward said first cart end member while said individual item is pushed onto said shelf.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein:

said step of compacting includes the step of extending an arm member away from said rack member into said open space above said selected shelf;

said step of transporting said rack member includes the step of transporting said rack member sufficiently toward said cart first end member so as to cause said arm member to compact any library-like items on said selected shelf; and

said step of compacting includes the step of withdrawing said arm member away from said selected shelf after said individual item is pushed onto said selected shelf.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein said step of transporting said rack member further includes the steps of:

receiving a command signal identifying said selected shelf;

sensing the position of said rack member relative to said plurality of shelves;

selectively raising and lowering said rack member relative to said ground plane so as to position said rack member to be in proximity to said selected shelf;

moving said rack member toward said second cart end member; and

sensing a location of said open space on said selected shelf.

25. A method of loading library-like items onto a cart, wherein said cart includes a plurality of shelves between first and second cart end members, said method comprising the steps of:

positioning said cart upon a tilting means;

tilting said cart, by way of said tilting means, so as to raise said second cart end member relative to a ground plane and relative to said first cart end member such that said shelves are at a selected angle relative to said ground plane;

positioning an individual library-like item on a rack member, wherein said rack member is capable of supporting said individual item;

transporting said rack member so as to be,

(i) in proximity to a selected shelf of said plurality of shelves, and

(ii) in proximity to an open space on said selected shelf away from said first cart end member, such that said individual item may be pushed off of said rack member into said open space; and

pushing said individual item off of said rack member and onto said selected shelf.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein said step of transporting said rack member further includes the steps of:

receiving a command signal identifying said selected shelf;

sensing the position of said rack member relative to said plurality of shelves;

selectively raising and lowering said rack member relative to said ground plane so as to position said rack member to be in proximity to said selected shelf;

moving said rack member toward said second cart end member; and

sensing a location of said open space on said selected shelf.

27. A method of loading library-like items onto a selected shelf of first and second carts positioned on opposite sides of an item placer system, with said item placer system including a first cart tilting means, a second cart tilting means, and a rack member, wherein each of said first and second carts includes a plurality of shelves between first and second cart end members, said method comprising the steps of:

positioning said first cart upon said first tilting means, and positioning said second cart upon said second tilting means;

tilting said first and second carts, by way of said first and second tilting means, so as to raise said second cart end member of each cart relative to a ground plane and relative to its respective said first cart end member such that said shelves are at a selected angle relative to said ground plane;

positioning an individual library-like item on said rack member, wherein said rack member is capable of supporting said individual item;

transporting said rack member so as to be,

(i) in proximity to a selected shelf of said plurality of shelves of one of said first and second carts, and

(ii) in proximity to an open space on said selected shelf away from said first cart end member, such that said individual item may be pushed off of said rack member into said open space;

compacting any library-like items on said selected shelf toward its corresponding said first cart end member; and

pushing said individual item off of said rack member and onto said selected shelf.