Material handling apparatus for sorting or retrieving items
DC CAFCFirst Claim
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1. A material handling system for sorting or retrieving a plurality of items, comprising:
- a plurality of destination areas for items, wherein the destination areas are arranged in a plurality of columns or rows;
a plurality of vehicles for transporting items to or from the destination areas; and
a track for guiding the delivery vehicles to the destination areas, wherein the track comprises a plurality of columns or rows adjacent the plurality of destination areas, wherein the track comprises engagement elements;
wherein at least one of the vehicles comprises;
a motor for driving the vehicle to one of the destination areas;
a drive system cooperable with the track to guide the vehicle to one of the destination areas, wherein the drive system comprises a plurality of teeth that mesh with the engagement elements on the track, and wherein the drive system is operable to maintain the orientation of the vehicle relative to the horizon as the vehicle changes from a first direction of travel to a second direction of travel, wherein the first direction is at an angle to the second direction; and
a transfer mechanism for transferring an item between the vehicle and one of the destination areas, wherein the transfer mechanism is operable to transfer the item along a third direction that is transverse both the first and second directions.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A material handling system for sorting or retrieving a plurality of items, comprising:
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a plurality of destination areas for items, wherein the destination areas are arranged in a plurality of columns or rows; a plurality of vehicles for transporting items to or from the destination areas; and a track for guiding the delivery vehicles to the destination areas, wherein the track comprises a plurality of columns or rows adjacent the plurality of destination areas, wherein the track comprises engagement elements; wherein at least one of the vehicles comprises; a motor for driving the vehicle to one of the destination areas; a drive system cooperable with the track to guide the vehicle to one of the destination areas, wherein the drive system comprises a plurality of teeth that mesh with the engagement elements on the track, and wherein the drive system is operable to maintain the orientation of the vehicle relative to the horizon as the vehicle changes from a first direction of travel to a second direction of travel, wherein the first direction is at an angle to the second direction; and a transfer mechanism for transferring an item between the vehicle and one of the destination areas, wherein the transfer mechanism is operable to transfer the item along a third direction that is transverse both the first and second directions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A material handling system for sorting or retrieving a plurality of items, comprising:
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a plurality of destination areas for items, wherein the destination areas are arranged in a plurality of columns or rows; a plurality of vehicles for delivering the items to or from the destination areas, wherein each vehicle comprises an on-board motor for driving the vehicle; and a plurality of horizontal track sections spaced apart from one another and extending in a generally horizontal direction; a plurality of vertical track sections spaced apart from one another and extending in a generally vertical direction, wherein the horizontal track sections intersect vertical track sections; and a plurality of intersections where the horizontal track sections intersect the vertical track sections, wherein the intersections provide a first path along the generally horizontal direction, and a second path along the generally vertical direction; wherein at least one of the vehicles comprises a transfer mechanism for transferring an item between the vehicle and one of the destination areas, wherein the transfer mechanism is operable to transfer the item along a third direction that is transverse both the vertical track sections and the horizontal track sections. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A material handling system for sorting or retrieving a plurality of items, comprising:
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a plurality of destination areas for items, wherein the destination areas are arranged in a plurality of columns or rows; a plurality of vehicles for delivering the items to or from the destination areas, wherein each vehicle comprises an on-board motor for driving the vehicle; and a plurality of horizontal track sections spaced apart from one another and extending in a generally horizontal direction; a plurality of vertical track sections spaced apart from one another and extending in a generally vertical direction, wherein first track sections intersect second track sections; and a plurality of intersections where the horizontal track sections intersect the vertical track sections, wherein the intersections provide a first path along the horizontal direction, and a second path along the vertical direction; wherein at least one of the vehicles comprises a drive element that interacts with the track system to maintain the orientation of the vehicle relative to the horizon as the vehicle moves between a horizontal track section and a vertical track section. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification