Materials handling system
US4492504A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 7, 1981 |
| Grant date | Jan 8, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 7, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G1/0421
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An unmanned guided vehicle (10) is propelled along a path (P) by a traction mechanism. Movement of the vehicle (10) on the path is controlled by a first control. The vehicle (10) includes storage (40) for storing at least one container (30) and transfer mechanism (44) mounted for vertical movement on the vehicle (10) for moving the at least one container (30) between at least one stationary location and the storage (40). The vehicle (10) also includes second control (16) which selectively controls the transfer of the at least one container (30) between the at least one stationary location and the storage (40). The vehicle (10) is moved to the stationary location whereupon the container (30) is moved from the storage (40) to the transfer mechanism (44) and then to the stationary location or vice versa. The invention also encompasses a materials handling system including a self-propelled, automatically controlled vehicle (10) which follows a path (P) so as to transport a plurality of containers (30) between the three spaced areas in a building. The vehicle (10) includes mechanism for automatically and selectively unloading from the vehicle any one of a plurality of containers at any …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.