Patent · US Expired

Staging, tracking and retrieval system with a rotatable storage structure

US5863172A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
47References
31Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 7, 1997
Grant dateJan 26, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 7, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65G1/0485
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A storage system for the storage and retrieval of material goods has a continuous track and a storage carousel movable along the track. The carousel carries a plurality of shelf arrays, each of which includes a plurality of vertically-spaced shelves removably attachable to the carousel at an adjustable vertical pitch. One or more inserter assemblies are disposed adjacent the carousel for transferring cartons onto the carousel. One or more removal assemblies are disposed adjacent the carousel for removing cartons from the carousel. A vertical transport unit has an upward reach disposed adjacent the inserter assemblies for transferring cartons to the inserter assemblies, and a downward reach disposed adjacent the removal assemblies for receiving cartons from the removal assemblies. The vertical transport unit has a plurality of platforms removably attachable to the vertical transport unit at an adjustable pitch. A control system controls the operation of the storage carousel, the inserter assemblies, the removal assemblies and the vertical transport unit.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.