Automated material handling system with load transfer vehicles
First Claim
1. An automated material transfer and storage system for moving articles along and between a plurality of vertically spaced levels, the system comprising:
- at least one vertical trunk extending between and communicating the plurality of spaced levels, said at least one trunk defining an open trunk including access openings at said plurality of levels and having opposite sides;
generally opposing pairs of spaced rack means extending vertically along at least portions of said opposite sides;
a load transfer vehicle having a body defining an article support surface, said body having opposite ends and opposite sides, at least one first drive assembly having first drive means for mobilizing said load transfer vehicle horizontally across the plurality of levels, and a plurality of second drive assemblies each having second drive means engageable with said first rack means for moving said load transfer vehicle vertically within said at least one vertical trunk;
a plurality of first deployment mechanisms for selectively extending said plurality of second drive means from first positions in spaced relationship from the rack means to a second oppositely deployed positions spaced outwardly relative to said body so as to mesh with said rack means such that said plurality of second drive means may be selectively moved to the first positions in spaced relationship from the rack means to thereby permit said load transfer vehicle to exit the at least one trunk through one of the access openings;
means for supplying power to said transfer vehicle and connected to said at least one first and second drive means; and
control means carried by said transfer vehicle for controlling said at least one first and plurality of second drive means so as to maneuver said load transfer vehicle along said plurality of levels and within said at least one trunk whereby an article supported on said load transfer vehicle can be automatically transported from point-to-point along and between said plurality of levels and within said at least one trunk.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A material handling system for use in storing and moving goods within multi-level storage warehouses, ocean going vessels and the like wherein storage areas are provided on at least one of the levels and wherein goods are automatically transferred to and from the storage areas and between the various levels by self-propelled load transfer vehicles. The load transfer vehicles move across the surface of the various levels and are also movable under their own power within open vertical trunks between the levels to thereby move goods to any desired area within the system, warehouse or vessel.
168 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An automated material transfer and storage system for moving articles along and between a plurality of vertically spaced levels, the system comprising:
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at least one vertical trunk extending between and communicating the plurality of spaced levels, said at least one trunk defining an open trunk including access openings at said plurality of levels and having opposite sides; generally opposing pairs of spaced rack means extending vertically along at least portions of said opposite sides; a load transfer vehicle having a body defining an article support surface, said body having opposite ends and opposite sides, at least one first drive assembly having first drive means for mobilizing said load transfer vehicle horizontally across the plurality of levels, and a plurality of second drive assemblies each having second drive means engageable with said first rack means for moving said load transfer vehicle vertically within said at least one vertical trunk; a plurality of first deployment mechanisms for selectively extending said plurality of second drive means from first positions in spaced relationship from the rack means to a second oppositely deployed positions spaced outwardly relative to said body so as to mesh with said rack means such that said plurality of second drive means may be selectively moved to the first positions in spaced relationship from the rack means to thereby permit said load transfer vehicle to exit the at least one trunk through one of the access openings; means for supplying power to said transfer vehicle and connected to said at least one first and second drive means; and control means carried by said transfer vehicle for controlling said at least one first and plurality of second drive means so as to maneuver said load transfer vehicle along said plurality of levels and within said at least one trunk whereby an article supported on said load transfer vehicle can be automatically transported from point-to-point along and between said plurality of levels and within said at least one trunk. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A load transfer vehicle for distributing articles with respect to a plurality of vertically spaced levels which levels are communicated by at least one vertical trunk which defines an open shaft including access openings at said plurality of levels and having two pair of spaced opposing gear racks extending vertically within the open shaft, the load transfer vehicle comprising;
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a body including an article support surface, at least one first drive means for mobilizing said load transfer vehicle across the plurality of levels, at least four second drive means each including a driven gear means, each of said second drive means including first deployment means for selectively deploying said driven gear means thereof outwardly relative to the vehicle to engage with one of said gear racks for moving the load transfer vehicle vertically within said at least one vertical trunk and for withdrawing said driven gear means from engagement with said gear racks, plurality of third drive means for automatically moving the transfer vehicle into or out of the at least one trunk, each of said third drive means including at least one third drive member and second deployment means for extending and retracting said at least one third drive member outwardly of and toward said body, respectively, means for supplying power to said first, second and third drive means, said means for supplying power carried by the load transfer vehicle; and control means carried by said transfer vehicle for controlling said first and second and drive means so as to move the transfer vehicle along the plurality of levels and within the at least one trunk whereby an article supported on said article support surface can be transported from point-to-point along and between the plurality of levels and within the at least one trunk. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification