System and apparatus for materials transport and storage

• US 7,123,988 B2
• Filed: 10/10/2002
• Issued: 10/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paul Robert Russell, Toby L. Baumgartner
• Original Assignee: Paul Robert Russell, Toby L. Baumgartner
• Inventors: Russell, Paul Robert, Baumgartner, Toby L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi H.
• Application Number:
  US10/269,099
• Publication Number:
  US 20030093178A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,468 Days
• Field of Search: 700/217, 700/218, 700/219, 414/239, 198/465.1, 198/795
• US Class Current: 700/217
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/04 mechanical
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

A system for moving a pallet is provided. The system provides for a pair of pallets each having means for inducing movement in relation to an other pallet. Further, logic is provided for calculating a movement instruction to move the pallets relative to each other. Additionally, the present invention provides for means for communicating the movement instruction to the movement means on the pallets to prompt movement of one of said pair of pallets relative to the other pallet. As no special floor surface or configuration is necessary, the present invention described herein may be readily adaptable for utilization within existing storage and inventory facilities.

Claims

1. A moveable pallet comprising:

a pallet; and

an arm assembly connected to said pallet, said arm assembly capable of engaging an other pallet for inducing relative movement between said pallet and said other pallet.

2. The pallet as set forth in claim 1 further comprising low friction movement means disposed on said pallet to assist in movement of said pallet.

3. The pallet as set forth in claim 2 wherein said low friction movement means is an air pallet assembly.

4. The pallet as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a transmitter for sending locational data.

5. The pallet as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a receiver for receiving a movement instruction from a control engine.

6. The pallet as set forth in claim 1 wherein said arm assembly is a scissor-type arm assembly.

7. The pallet as set forth in claim 1 wherein said arm assembly is a telescopic-type arm assembly.

8. A pallet comprising:

a surface for supporting a load;

at least one arm assembly means disposed beneath said surface; and

means for actuating said at least one arm assembly to induce relative movement between said pallet and an other pallet.

9. The pallet as set forth in claim 8 further comprising at least one latching mechanism disposed on said pallet.

10. The pallet as set forth in claim 8 wherein said actuating means is an electric motor.

11. The pallet as set forth in claim 8 further comprising a transmitter for sending locational data relative to said pallet.

12. The pallet as set forth in claim 8 further comprising a receiver for receiving a movement instruction from a control engine.

13. The pallet as set forth in claim 8 wherein said arm assembly is a scissor-type arm assembly.

14. The pallet as set forth in claim 8 wherein said arm assembly is a telescopic-type arm assembly.

15. A method for moving a pallet, said method comprising the steps of:

identifying available and unavailable locations in a grid;

creating a grid table representative of grid coordinate data relative to said available and unavailable locations in said grid;

identifying pallet occupied and unoccupied locations in said grid;

creating a pallet table representative of pallet coordinate data relative to said occupied and unoccupied locations in said grid;

comparing said grid table to said pallet table;

determining a movement instruction;

communicating said movement instruction to said pallet to induce movement relative to an other pallet;

actuating an arm assembly on said pallet to engage an other pallet; and

inducing relative movement between said pallet and said other pallet.