← Back to Patent Explorer
EP0022441A1 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Carousel automatic storage and retrieval system

Assignee: SPS Technologies LLC
•
Filing: 1979-07-11
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 1999-07-11
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract An article storage and retrieval system which includes a continuous track and a continuous article storage means supported from the track. The article storage means is movable in a horizontal direction and contains a plurality of horizontally spaced and vertically extended baskets (56). Each basket has vertically spaced compartments (58). Means (60) are included to drive the article storage means around the track. A derrick (12) is mounted in a fixed position adjacent to the outside of the track and includes a vertically movable article engager (18) for placement in or withdrawal from a preselected compartment. The article engager can be moved to a predetermined vertical location on the derrick in response to a demand to insert or withdraw a given article. The article storage means can be moved a predetermined degree to align a preselected basket with the article engager.

Inventors

  • 👤 Clay Bernard
  • 👤 William M Angell
  • 👤 William Forbes Matheny

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 18:12
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G1/00; B65G1/02; B65G1/04; B65G1/12; B65G1/133

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 138 words
An article storage and retrieval apparatus which comprises a continuous track; continuous article storage means supported from said track and movable in a horizontal direction; a plurality of horizontally spaced and vertically extending baskets located on said article storage means, each basket having vertically spaced compartments; means for driving said article storage means around said track; a derrick mounted in a fixed position adjacent to the outside of said track; vertically movable article engaging means on said derrick for article placement in or withdrawal from a preselected compartment; means for moving said article engaging means to a predetermined vertical location on said derrick in response to a demand to insert or withdraw a given article; and means for moving said article storage means a predetermined degree to align a preselected basket with said article placement or withdrawal means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 138 words
An article storage and retrieval apparatus which comprises a continuous track; continuous article storage means supported from said track and movable in a horizontal direction; a plurality of horizontally spaced and vertically extending baskets located on said article storage means, each basket having vertically spaced compartments; means for driving said article storage means around said track; a derrick mounted in a fixed position adjacent to the outside of said track; vertically movable article engaging means on said derrick for article placement in or withdrawal from a preselected compartment; means for moving said article engaging means to a predetermined vertical location on said derrick in response to a demand to insert or withdraw a given article; and means for moving said article storage means a predetermined degree to align a preselected basket with said article placement or withdrawal means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 63 words
An article storage and retrieval apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including a plurality of tracks identical to said continuous track, each track parallel to and spaced from an adjoining track; and a plurality of article storage means identical to said continuous article storage means, each storage means supported from a separate track and movable independently of the other article storage means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 78 words
An article storage and retrieval apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including an additional derrick mounted in some other fixed position adjacent to the outside of said track; vertically movable article engaging means on said additional derrick for article placement in or withdrawal from a preselected compartment; and means for moving said additional article engaging means to a predetermined vertical location on said additional derrick in response to a demand to insert or withdraw a given article.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 40 words
An article storage and retrieval apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said article engaging means includes a travelling arm, means to move said arm, and vacuum pump suction means formed on said arm for engaging a given article.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 31 words
An article storage and retrival apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said articles are stored in a plurality of coded tote bins capable of being inserted within said compartments.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 60 words
.An article storage and retrieval apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said derrick includes vertically movable roller shuttle means for moving a given article on or off said derrick; means for moving said shuttle to a predetermined vertical location on said derrick; and conveyor means to move a given article between said article engaging means and shuttle means.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

FR1370770A Cited
FR1427294A Cited
US3456817A Cited
FR2115764A5 Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag