US3695463A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Materials handling stacker positioning apparatus
Assignee: C AND M Mfg CO Inc
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Filing: 1970-05-08
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Granted: 1972-10-03
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Expires: 1990-05-08
Abstract
Abstract Stacker attachments have upper and lower photoelectric devices for precisely positioning a carrier opposite a desired storage rack location. The lower photoelectric device is activated when a storage sequence of the stacker is intended. The upper photoelectric device is energized when a load retrieval sequence is intended. An operator generally positions a stacker carriage in the desired area before activating the photoelectric devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexander Weisker
- 👤 Raymond L Smith Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:51
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G1/00; B65G1/02; B65G1/04; B65G1/0407; B65G1/0421
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
272 words
Materials handling stacker apparatus comprising: a base, carriage means connected to the base for vertical movement adjacent a fixed rack structure, a plurality of storage bays in the rack structure, each bay having a single marker mounted on the rack structure adjacent the bay, first and second position sensing means including energy source means and energy sensing means mounted on the carriage means, energizing means connected to the position sensing means for selectively energizing one of the position sensing means and deenergizing the other of the position sensing means, selector means connected to the position sensing means for selecting the first or second means, control means connected to the position sensing means for operating when an energy sensing means of a selected and energized position sensing means senses energy of a predetermined amount, which indicates that the energized position sensing means on the carriage means is directly opposite a marker adjacent a bay in the rack structure, and wherein the first and second position sensing means comprise upper and lower position sensing means, whereby the upper position sensing means is selected by the selector means when a load-withdrawing sequence is intended for the stacker apparatus, and whereby the lower position sensing means is selected by the selector means when a load inserting sequence is intended for the stacker apparatus, further comprising signaling means connected to the control means for producing a discernible signal when an energy sensing means of a selected position sensing means senses energy of a predetermined amount, said discernible signal affecting the senses of an operator to indicate to him to carry out subsequent operations of the carriage means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
272 words
Materials handling stacker apparatus comprising: a base, carriage means connected to the base for vertical movement adjacent a fixed rack structure, a plurality of storage bays in the rack structure, each bay having a single marker mounted on the rack structure adjacent the bay, first and second position sensing means including energy source means and energy sensing means mounted on the carriage means, energizing means connected to the position sensing means for selectively energizing one of the position sensing means and deenergizing the other of the position sensing means, selector means connected to the position sensing means for selecting the first or second means, control means connected to the position sensing means for operating when an energy sensing means of a selected and energized position sensing means senses energy of a predetermined amount, which indicates that the energized position sensing means on the carriage means is directly opposite a marker adjacent a bay in the rack structure, and wherein the first and second position sensing means comprise upper and lower position sensing means, whereby the upper position sensing means is selected by the selector means when a load-withdrawing sequence is intended for the stacker apparatus, and whereby the lower position sensing means is selected by the selector means when a load inserting sequence is intended for the stacker apparatus, further comprising signaling means connected to the control means for producing a discernible signal when an energy sensing means of a selected position sensing means senses energy of a predetermined amount, said discernible signal affecting the senses of an operator to indicate to him to carry out subsequent operations of the carriage means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The materials handling stacker apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second position sensing means comprise a first light source projecting light along a beam, a first photoelectric sensor sensing light returning along the first beam, a second light source projecting light along a second beam, and a second light sensor sensing light returning along the second beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The materials handling stacker apparatus of claim 2 wherein the selector means is connected to the position sensing means for selectively energizing of the first or second light source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
The materials handling stacker apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a carrier movably mounted on the carriage means for transverse movements substantially normal to movement of the carriage means, and a carrier motor connected to the carrier and to the carriage means for moving the carrier with respect thereto, and wherein the control means is connected to the carrier motor for enabling operation of the carrier motor when an energy sensing means of a selected position sensing means senses energy of a predetermined amount.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The materials handling stacker apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base further comprises indicating means connected to the base for indicating the approximate position of the carriage means with respect to a rack, whereby an operator generally positions the carriage means according to the indicating means and precisely positions the carriage means according to the position sensing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
The materials handling stacker apparatus of claim 5 wherein the base comprises a telescopically extensible mast, and wherein the indicating means comprises a scale attached to a fixed portion of the mast and a pointer attached to a movable portion of the mast, and wherein the carriage means and mast movement are interrelated, whereby the pointer indicates an approximate position of the carriage means with respect to the mast.
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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) | 1975-10-03 | 1976-04-03 | 1976-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-03 | 1980-04-03 | 1980-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-03 | 1984-04-03 | 1984-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |