Method and apparatus for retrieving units from a storage system
US11273980B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 10, 2017 |
| Grant date | Mar 15, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 8, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G1/0464
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A storage system includes a plurality of rails or tracks arranged in a grid pattern above the stacks of containers. The grid pattern includes a plurality of grid spaces and each stack is located within a footprint of only a single grid space. A load handling device is configured to move laterally on the rails or tracks above the stacks. The load handling device includes a container receiving space located above the rails or tracks in use and a lifting device arranged to lift a container from a stack into the container receiving space. The load handling device includes a mechanism for enabling lateral movement of the device in one of two transverse directions by enabling either a first or second set of wheels to selectively engage the first or second set of rails or tracks.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.