Storage device

• US 20050058531A1
• Filed: 09/12/2003
• Published: 03/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Systems Integration (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Systems Integration (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Wisniewski, Michael A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,153,089 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/792.700
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2201/0258 Trays, totes or bins
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 57/302 added articles being lifted to substantially stationary grippers or holders

Abstract

A storage device for storing trays, the device including a first movable member and a second movable member positioned opposite the first movable member. The first and second movable members are adapted to selectively vertically move and support at least one tray therebetween. A conveyor moves a tray to transfer position, and a transfer mechanism elevates the tray to a storage position between the two movable members. A stack of nested trays may be stored.

Claims

1. A storage device for storing trays, comprising:

a first movable member; and

a second movable member positioned opposite the first movable member, the first and second movable members adapted to selectively vertically support at least one tray therebetween.

2. The storage device of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second movable members engages the same tray.

3. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the at least one tray comprises a plurality of nested trays in a vertical column having an uppermost tray and a lowest tray.

4. The storage device of claim 3, wherein the lowest tray of the plurality of nested trays is supported by the first and second movable members.

5. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the first and second movable members include first and second rotatable members, respectively.

6. The storage device of claim 5, wherein the first and second rotatable members include teeth extending from their respective outer surfaces, the teeth engaging a lip on the tray.

7. The storage device of claim 6, wherein the at least one tray includes a stack of nested trays having an uppermost tray and a lowest tray, and wherein the lowest tray is supported by the teeth of the first and second rotatable members.

8. The storage device of claim 6, wherein the teeth are configured with a tapered shape.

9. The storage device of claim 1, further comprising at least one motor driving the first and second movable members.

10. The storage device of claim 9, further comprising a gearbox coupling the at least one motor and the movable members.

11. The storage device of claim 10, wherein the gearbox drives the first and second movable members in opposite directions at substantially the same speed.

12. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the first movable member is driven by a first motor, and the second movable member is driven by a second motor.

13. The storage device of claim 12, further comprising a controller operable to drive the first motor and the second motor.

14. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the first and second movable members are driven in opposite directions at substantially the same speed.

15. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the first movable member includes a first outer frictional surface and the second movable member includes a second outer frictional surface, the first outer frictional surface frictionally engaging one side of the tray and the second outer frictional surface frictionally engaging an opposite side of the tray.

16. The storage device of claim 15, further comprising at least one transfer mechanism movable relative to the tray to selectively insert and remove the tray between the first and second movable members.

17. The storage device of claim 16, further comprising at least one suction device coupled to the transfer mechanism, the at least one suction device being engageable with a bottom surface of the tray to cling to the tray.

18. The storage device of claim 17, wherein the at least one suction device utilizes a source of vacuum to assist the at least one suction device in clinging onto the bottom surface of the tray.

19. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the first and second movable members are portions of at least one belt.

20. The storage device of claim 19, wherein the at least one belt includes a third movable member and a fourth movable member positioned opposite the third movable member, and wherein the third and fourth movable members are adapted to selectively vertically support at least one tray therebetween.

21. The storage device of claim 19, wherein the first movable member is a portion of a first belt, and the second movable member is a portion of a second belt.

22. The storage device of claim 19, wherein the first movable member includes a first projection extending from the at least one belt and the second movable member includes a second projection extending from the at least one belt, and wherein the first and second projections engage a lip on the at least one tray to support the tray between the first and second projections.

23. The storage device of claim 1, further comprising a transfer mechanism configured for transferring a tray from a transfer position to a storage position.

24. The storage device of claim 23, further comprising a conveyor configured to transport the tray to and from the transfer position.

25. The storage device of claim 24, wherein the transfer mechanism includes at least one tine movable through the conveyor, the at least one tine engaging the tray located at the transfer position and movable the tray to the storage position.

26. The storage device of claim 25, further comprising at least one suction device coupled to the tine, the at least one suction device being engageable with a bottom surface of the tray to cling to the tray.

27. The storage device of claim 26, wherein the at least one suction device utilizes a source of vacuum to assist the at least one suction device in clinging onto the bottom surface of the tray.

28. The storage device of claim 23, wherein the transfer mechanism elevates the tray from the transfer position to the storage position.

29. The storage device of claim 23, wherein the first and second movable members receive therebetween successive trays from the transfer mechanism, and wherein the movable members store the successive trays in a nested configuration in the storage position.

30. The storage device of claim 1, further comprising a shroud substantially covering the first movable member, the second movable member, and the at least one tray supported by the movable members.

31. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the at least one tray is a mail-handling tray.

32. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the first and second movable members are wheels having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom to support the at least one tray.

33. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the first and second movable members are wheels having respective outer frictional surfaces to support the at least one tray.

34. A method for storing trays, comprising:

transporting a first tray to a transfer position;

vertically transferring the first tray from the transfer position to a storage position; and

supporting the first tray in the storage position by two opposed movable members.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein vertically transferring the first tray includes:

elevating the first tray from the transfer position; and

moving the two opposed movable members to engage and elevate the first tray to the storage position.

36. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

transporting a second tray to the transfer position;

vertically transferring the second tray from the transfer position to the storage position; and

nesting the first and second trays.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

supporting the second tray in the storage position by the two movable members.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein vertically transferring the second tray includes:

elevating the second tray from the transfer position; and

moving the two opposed movable members to engage and elevate the second tray to the storage position.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein nesting the first and second trays includes nesting first and second mail-handling trays.