US3557977A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Load detecting device for warehousing system
Assignee: Triax Co
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Filing: 1968-10-23
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Granted: 1971-01-26
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Expires: 1988-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A warehousing system comprising a storage frame with a plurality of load storage locations in said storage frame and with a powered load carrier adapted for inserting loads into and removing loads from the storage locations. The load carrier includes an extractor mechanism for handling loads at the selected storage location, and load detection means is provided on the load carrier for determining if a selected storage location is occupied by a load, prior to the actuation of the extractor mechanism for placing a load carried thereby into the selected storage location. Such load detection means comprises a movable support member adapted for movement from an inactive position where it is out of coaction with the storage frame to an active position where it is disposed beneath the selected storage location in the storage frame, and energy beam sensing means coacting with the movable support member in the active position of the latter, for checking to see if a load is already in the selected storage location. If no load is in the selected storage location, the energy beam sensing means is energized causing actuation of the extractor whereby the load is deposited in the selected storage location. If the energy beam sensing means is maintained deenergized by a load already in the selected storage location, then the extractor mechanism is prevented from becoming actuated, and in the embodiment illustrated, the load carrier is returned to its starting position.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne G Atwater
- 👤 Sanford Saul
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:06
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G1/00; B65G1/02; B65G1/04; B65G1/0407; B65G1/0421
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
In a warehousing system comprising a storage frame having a plurality of load storage locations therein for receiving loads and a movable load carrier for inserting loads into and withdrawing loads from said storage frame, said load carrier comprising, an extractor movable into a selected load storage location for handling a load thereat, circuit means for controlling the operation of said extractor, load detecting means on said load carrier for determining if said selected storage location is occupied by a load prior to load depositing actuation of said extractor to place a load in said selected storage location, said load detecting means including means movable from an inactive position to an active position in said storage frame into coacting relation with said selected storage location, said movable means includinG reflector means mounted thereon and sensing means generally stationary relative to said movable means and including a light source adapted for coaction with said movable means in said active position of the latter, said reflector means being adapted to reflect light back to said sensing means to energize the latter in he event that the selected storage location is empty, and said circuit means including means responsive to energization of said sensing means to cause load depositing actuation of said extractor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
In a warehousing system comprising a storage frame having a plurality of load storage locations therein for receiving loads and a movable load carrier for inserting loads into and withdrawing loads from said storage frame, said load carrier comprising, an extractor movable into a selected load storage location for handling a load thereat, circuit means for controlling the operation of said extractor, load detecting means on said load carrier for determining if said selected storage location is occupied by a load prior to load depositing actuation of said extractor to place a load in said selected storage location, said load detecting means including means movable from an inactive position to an active position in said storage frame into coacting relation with said selected storage location, said movable means includinG reflector means mounted thereon and sensing means generally stationary relative to said movable means and including a light source adapted for coaction with said movable means in said active position of the latter, said reflector means being adapted to reflect light back to said sensing means to energize the latter in he event that the selected storage location is empty, and said circuit means including means responsive to energization of said sensing means to cause load depositing actuation of said extractor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said movable means comprises an arm member movable into and out of said storage frame below said selected storage location said reflector means being mounted on said arm member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said load carrier includes a vertically movable elevator with said extractor being mounted on said elevator for lateral movement with respect thereto, and wherein said movable means is movably mounted on said elevator at a level downwardly from the upper level of said extractor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sensing means comprises a reflex photocell unit and said reflector means includes a retroreflective member for directing the beam of light from the light source of said photocell unit back along the same axis as the beam of light from said source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said sensing means comprises a photoelectric cell and a light source and said reflector means comprises a reflector button mounted adjacent the outer end of said arm member and adapted to be disposed in the path of the light source in said active position of said movable means for directing the light energy beam back to said photoelectric cell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
A system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said sensing means is disposed in said circuit means, said circuit means including electroresponsive control means, and wherein said sensing means controls certain of said electroresponsive control means which in turn control said power means for preventing actuation of said extractor in the event that said sensing means is not energized.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said arm member is disposed beneath said extractor, and means for actuating said arm member and moving the latter linearly outwardly from said elevator into said active position beneath the selected load storage location.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
94 words
A system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said load carrier comprises a horizontally movable conveyor portion, an elevator portion movable vertically with respect to said conveyor portion and said extractor being mounted on said elevator portion for movement laterally with respect thereto, power means for operating said conveyor portion, said elevator portion and said extractor, circuit means coupled to said power means, and control means in said circuit means coacting with said arm member for preventing predetermined movement of said conveyor and elevator portions when said arm member is in said active position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
123 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said load carrier comprises a longitudinally movable conveyor portion and an elevator portion movable vertically with respect to said conveyor portion, said extractor being mounted on said elevator portion for lateral movement with respect thereto, said movable means comprising a linearly movable arm mounted on said elevator portion and adapted for movement from said inactive position within the confines of said elevator portion of said active position wherein said arm projects laterally from said elevator portion and underlies the lower extremity of said selected storage location, a reflector member comprising said reflector means supported on said arm, said sensing means being mounted on said elevator portion in upwardly spaced relation with respect to said arm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
a system in accordance with claim 6 including electrical means for actuating said actuating said arm member and moving the latter outwardly from Said load carrier into said active position, and wherein said circuit means includes electroresponsive timer means for controlling the actuation of said arm actuating means and causing the latter to return said arm member to said inactive position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said circuit means includes means operable to cause said load carrier to return to its starting position in the event that said sensing means is not energized when said arm member moves to said active position and after said arm member returns to said inactive position from said active position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system in accordance with claim 7, wherein said means for actuating said arm member comprises an electric linear motor for extending said arm member to said active position and retracting it back to said inactive position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system in accordance with claim 12 including switch means mounted on said load carrier and coacting with said arm member for controlling the operation of said motor for returning said arm member to said inactive position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
139 words
A system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said storage frame comprises laterally spaced storage sections defining an aisle therebetween in which said load carrier is adapted to move, said load carrier comprising a longitudinally movable conveyor portion and an elevator portion movable vertically with respect to said conveyor portion, said extractor being supported on said elevator portion for lateral movement with respect thereto and into and out of the selected storage section, said load detecting means comprising a pair of said arm members mounted adjacent opposite sides of said elevator and adjacent the respective end of said extractor, means for programming the extractor for movement into a selected one of said storage sections, and means for controlling the actuation of said arm members responsive to the direction of lateral programmed movement of said extractor from said elevator portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system in accordance with claim 13 wherein said switch means includes means for preventing predetermined horizontal and vertical movement of said load carrier when said arm member moves from said inactive position toward said active position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 including motor means for actuating said movable means from said inactive position to said active position and vice versa, and switch means mounted on said load carrier and coacting with said movable means for controlling operation of said motor means for returning said movable means to said inactive position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said load carrier is movable horizontally and vertically for positioning said extractor with respect to a selected load storage location, and means for preventing predetermined horizontal and vertical movement of said load carrier when said movable means moves from said inactive position toward said active position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-25 | 1974-07-27 | 1975-01-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-25 | 1978-07-27 | 1979-01-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-25 | 1982-07-27 | 1983-01-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |