Storage and retrieval apparatus
US4568233A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 6, 1984 |
| Grant date | Feb 4, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 6, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G1/0464
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The storage and retrieval apparatus of this invention comprises parallel tracks, each normally supporting numerous upright storage bins that are in close proximity to one another and to bins on laterally adjacent tracks. Each bin is open at its front and is mounted on wheels to roll rearward along its track. An overhead carrier lifts a desired bin off its track to a level above the other bins and carries it forward. A pusher near the front end of that track pushes rearward on the front bin, moving bins back to fill the space left by the lifted bin, which is then lowered into the space at the front of the track for loading or unloading, through its open front. On the top of each bin is an identifier plate distinctive to the bin. A sensor on the overhead carrier, connected with a computer, reads the identifier plates as the carriage moves rearward along a track and is thus able to find and lift a desired bin even though it is in a random position along the track. Gates at the front of the tracks are arranged to prevent personnel from getting in the way of bins being lowered.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.