Storage facility

Claim 2

A mobile storage facility comprising a track, at least three storage structures arranged successively along the track and each movable along the track, drive means for simultaneously moving the two end structures in mutually opposite directions between first positions which are so spaced that all of the structures are then in buff with one another and second positions which are spaced further apart from the first positions, and coupling means for selectively coupling and uncoupling each successive pair of structures to and from one another.

Claim 3

A mobile storage facility as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a central circuit means for controlling operation of the drive means and pressure sensitive means for causing the drive means to position the structures in their second positions, wherein the storage structures are each provided with pressure sensitive means connected into the control circuit such that if any of the pressure sensitive means is struck the drive means operates to move the structures to their second positions.

Claim 4

A mobile storage facility as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprises a plurality of latch mechanisms, there being one latch mechanism for each successive pair of storage structures, each latch mechanism comprising a pivot on one of the structures of the respective pair of structures, a pair of caliper arms swingable about said pivot and extending from that pivot toward the other structure of said pair to free ends having abutments extending inwardly toward one another and facing back toward said pivot, actuator means mounted on said one structure which means is operably connected to said caliper arms for imparting opening and closing movement thereto, and, mounted on said other structure, catch means which has abutment portions facing away from said one structure and which, on relative movement of said structures toward one another with the actuator means acting to close said arms, is engageable with said arms to force them apart until the arm abutments reach the catch abutment portions whereupon the actuator means forces the free ends toward one another so that the arm abutments and catch abutment portions interengage to prevent separation of said pair of structures, the latch connection thereby established being releasable by operation of said actuator means to open said arms.

Claim 5

A mobile storage facility as claimed in claim 3, wherein the actuator means comprises a single acting and spring return fluid operable cylinder.

Claim 6

A mobile storage facility as claimed in claim 4, wherein the drive means comprises a pair of fluid operable power cylinders extending longitudinally of the track and connected in opposed relationship one to each of the end structures.

Claim 7

A mobile storage facility as claimed in claim 5, wherein the said power cylinders have strokes of equal length.

Claim 8

A mobile storage facility as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drive means comprises a pair of fluid operable double acting power cylinders extending longitudinally of the track and connected in opposing relationship one To each of the end structures, and a fluid control circuit which controls operation of the power cylinders such that they operate together through opposed forward strokes and together through opposed return strokes.

Claim 9

A mobile storage facility as claimed in claim 7, wherein the coupling means comprises a plurality of latch mechanisms, there being one latch mechanism for each successive pair of storage structures, each latch mechanism comprising an actuator means operable to condition the mechanism to uncouple the respective pair of structures.

Claim 10

A mobile storage facility as claimed in claim 8, wherein the control circuit includes means which, on operation of the actuator means of any of the latch mechanisms to uncouple a pair of structures, causes the power cylinders to move the end structures to said second positions.

Claim 11

A mobile storage facility as claimed in claim 7, wherein the control circuit includes power cylinder speed control means which is effective substantially to equalize the speeds of operation of the power cylinders during both forward and return strokes.

Claim 12

A mobile storage facility as claimed in claim 10, wherein the control circuit includes two fluid flow ducts which serve as exhaust ducts for the respective power cylinders and said speed control means comprises valve means actuable to present variable obstruction to flow through the two ducts and control means to meter flows in the ducts and to actuate the valve means such that a substantially constant ratio between the flow rates in the two ducts is maintained.

Claim 13

A mobile storage facility as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drive means comprises a pair of fluid operable double-acting power cylinders extending longitudinally of the track and connected in opposing relationship one to each of the end structures, a fluid control circuit which controls operation of the power cylinders and which includes two fluid flow ducts serving as exhaust ducts for the power cylinders, a valve having a valve member movable to simultaneously increase resistance to fluid flow through one of the ducts and to decrease resistance to flow through the other duct and vice versa, first means to produce in one region of each duct a pressure which is dependent on the volumetric flow rate through that duct and second means to move the valve member in response to differences between the pressure in said one region of one duct and the pressure in said one region of the other duct.