US3724688A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hoisting mechanism for automatic warehousing system
Assignee: Triax Co
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Filing: 1971-04-06
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-04-06
Abstract
Abstract An automatic warehousing system comprising a plurality of load support cubicles for storing loads and a mechanized load carrier comprising a horizontally movable conveyor portion, a vertically movable elevator portion mounted on the conveyor portion and a laterally extensible load handling or extractor portion, mounted on the elevator portion, for inserting loads into and removing loads from selected of the storage cubicles. The lift motor for the elevator portion is mounted adjacent the lower end of the conveyor portion and is coupled to the elevator portion by flexible support means, such as, for instance, roller chain coacting with the lift motor and reeved about idler sprockets mounted on the upper end of the conveyor portion, and then extending downwardly to be anchored to the elevator portion. Automatic tensioning means coacts with the flexible support means for maintaining the flexible support means taut irrespective of the vertical position of the elevator portion with respect to the horizontally movable conveyor portion.
Inventors
- 👤 W Atwater
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:22
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66F; B66F9/00; B66F9/06; B66F9/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
In an automatic warehousing system comprising, a plurality of horizontally and vertically disposed load mounting means having open load receiving ends defining a generally vertical plane and there being an elongated travel zone alongside said plane, and a load carrier movable in said travel zone for delivering loads to and retrieving loads from said load mounting means, said load carrier comprising a generally horizontally movable conveyor portion, an elevator portion mounted for vertical movement on said conveyor portion, and an extensible extractor portion mounted for lateral movement on said elevator portion, power means for moving said elevator portion vertically with respect to said conveyor portion, said power means comprising a motor mounted on the lower section of said conveyor portion, flexible support means movably mounted on said conveyor portion and attached to said elevator portion, said flexible support means coacting with said motor whereby energization of said motor causes movement of said flexible support means to cause generally vertical movement of said elevator portion relative to said conveyor portion, and tensioning link means coacting with said flexible support means providing for maintaining a predetermined range of tension in the flexible support means throughout the range of vertical movement of said elevator portion with respect to said conveyor portion, said link means being supported by said flexible support means and being adapted to travel therewith upon said movement of said flexible support means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
In an automatic warehousing system comprising, a plurality of horizontally and vertically disposed load mounting means having open load receiving ends defining a generally vertical plane and there being an elongated travel zone alongside said plane, and a load carrier movable in said travel zone for delivering loads to and retrieving loads from said load mounting means, said load carrier comprising a generally horizontally movable conveyor portion, an elevator portion mounted for vertical movement on said conveyor portion, and an extensible extractor portion mounted for lateral movement on said elevator portion, power means for moving said elevator portion vertically with respect to said conveyor portion, said power means comprising a motor mounted on the lower section of said conveyor portion, flexible support means movably mounted on said conveyor portion and attached to said elevator portion, said flexible support means coacting with said motor whereby energization of said motor causes movement of said flexible support means to cause generally vertical movement of said elevator portion relative to said conveyor portion, and tensioning link means coacting with said flexible support means providing for maintaining a predetermined range of tension in the flexible support means throughout the range of vertical movement of said elevator portion with respect to said conveyor portion, said link means being supported by said flexible support means and being adapted to travel therewith upon said movement of said flexible support means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said flexible support means includes a substantially endless loop-like section coacting with said link means and said motor, and an open ended section coacting between said link means and said elevator potion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system in accordance with claim 2 including idler means on said conveyor portion coacting with said flexible support means facilitating movement of said flexible support means with respect to said conveyor portion during vertical movement of said elevator portion relative to said conveyor portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
A system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said tensioning link means comprises a rigid bar and said endless section comprises a stretch of said flexible support means extending downwardly from said bar and being connected thereto intermediate its ends, and said endless section and said open section comprise runs of said flexible support means extending upwardly from said bar on opposite sides of the connection of the first mentioned stretch of flexible support means to said bar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system in accordance with claim 4 wherein the connection of said first mentioned stretch to said bar is disposed within a range of approximately 17 to 50 percent of the distance between the connections of said upwardly extending runs to said bar commencing at the connection of said run of said open section to said bar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
117 words
A system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said tensioning link means comprises a bar, said endless section including a stretch of flexible roller chain connected to said bar intermediate the ends thereof, and said endless section and said open section comprising other flexible stretches of roller chain connected to said bar on opposite sides of the connection of the first mentioned stretch to said bar, with the distance of the connection of the first mentioned stretch to the bar being no greater than approximately 50 percent of the distance between the connections of said other stretches to said bar commencing at the connection of said stretch of said open section of roller chain to said bar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said bar is of inverted triangular-shaped configuration with the connection of said first mentioned stretch to said bar being offset downwardly from the connections of said runs to said bar.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said connections of said first mentioned stretch and said runs to said bar are disposed generally linearly along said bar substantially in a horizontal plane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system in accordance with claim 7 including means for changing the location of said connections to said bar.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system in accordance with claim 8 including means on said bar for changing the distance ratio between the locations of said connections to said bar.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US987384A
Cited
US3402835A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |