US3854604A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article storage and retrieval
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1972-11-08
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1992-11-08
Abstract
Abstract A dual storage wall automatic storage and retrieval apparatus preferably for article storage includes a novel, pivotable, article storage and retrieving device for enabling the orientation of the articles in the storage compartments to remain the same. The article handling mechanism can exchange articles at the ends of the storage arrays. A plurality of stable positions is provided in the handling mechanism for facilitating article transfer between storage compartments and article storage and retrieval apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 C Peterson
- 👤 D Schaefer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:40
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G06K17/0003; G06K17/0012; B; B65; B65G; B65G1/00; B65G1/02; B65G1/04; B65G1/0407; B65G1/0435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
287 words
An information document storage apparatus having two spacedapart parallel-extending facing storage walls each having a multiplicity of open storage compartments, plane travel means extending parallel to and disposed between said storage walls including improved movable means for selectively accessing any of said storage compartments, exchange means accessible by said movable means for exchanging documents with a document handler, the improved movable means including in combination: main carriage means including elevator means for two-dimensional movements along a given defined plane in said plane travel means between said walls an elevator support pole on said carriage means; a frame in said elevator movable along one of said twodimensional movements along said defined plane and having a portion extending in cantilevered relationship from said elevator support pole; a platform on said frame; a pivoting bed having a front end portion on said platform and disposed for pivoting motions transverse to said defined plane; reciprocating carriage means on said pivoting bed and including article retaining means and reciprocal between a traveling position central of said pivoting bed and a load/unload position at said front end portion; and control means on said frame connected to said pivoting bed for establishing plural sable pivoted positions for said pivoting bed, a first one of said stable positions including said front end portion being adjacent a first one of said storage walls for enabling exchange of an article between said article retaining means and a selected storage compartment in said first storage wall, a second one of said stable positions including said first end portion being adjacent a second one of said storage walls for enabling exchange of an article between said article retaining means and a selected storage compartment in said second storage wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
287 words
An information document storage apparatus having two spacedapart parallel-extending facing storage walls each having a multiplicity of open storage compartments, plane travel means extending parallel to and disposed between said storage walls including improved movable means for selectively accessing any of said storage compartments, exchange means accessible by said movable means for exchanging documents with a document handler, the improved movable means including in combination: main carriage means including elevator means for two-dimensional movements along a given defined plane in said plane travel means between said walls an elevator support pole on said carriage means; a frame in said elevator movable along one of said twodimensional movements along said defined plane and having a portion extending in cantilevered relationship from said elevator support pole; a platform on said frame; a pivoting bed having a front end portion on said platform and disposed for pivoting motions transverse to said defined plane; reciprocating carriage means on said pivoting bed and including article retaining means and reciprocal between a traveling position central of said pivoting bed and a load/unload position at said front end portion; and control means on said frame connected to said pivoting bed for establishing plural sable pivoted positions for said pivoting bed, a first one of said stable positions including said front end portion being adjacent a first one of said storage walls for enabling exchange of an article between said article retaining means and a selected storage compartment in said first storage wall, a second one of said stable positions including said first end portion being adjacent a second one of said storage walls for enabling exchange of an article between said article retaining means and a selected storage compartment in said second storage wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus set forth in claim 1 further including in combination: means in said control means limiting pivoting of said pivoting bed to about 180* between said first and second stable positions; means on said platform sensing said bed when in said stable positions and supplying an indication of said stable positions; and means coupling said indication to said reciprocating carriage means to enable movement of same only when said bed is in a stable position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus set forth in claim 2 further including a bail on said platform extending in spaced relation to said reciprocating carriage opposite said elevator support pole and between said stable positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus set forth in claim 2 further including a guide post extending in parallel spaced-apart relation to said elevation support post; a guide portion on said frame extending between said support post to movable engagement with said guide post; and two pairs of facing circumferentially grooved rollers on said frame spaced apart along and rollingly engaging said elevator support post.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus set forth in claim 4 wherein said frame has a central circular aperture, said pivoting bed being pivotably secured to said frame coaxial of said aperture and having a depending portion extending through said aperture; a hollow cylindrical cable drum coaxially mounted on saiD depending portion for rotation with said pivoting bed; first electrical cable junction means on said frame adjacent said cable drum; second electrical cable junction means on said pivoting bed adjacent said reciprocating carriage; and a flexible multiconductor cable extending between said junction means via said cable drum, thence centrally and inside said drum through said aperture to said second junction means, said cable having a portion on said cable drum with a length greater than the circumference thereof equal to the circumferential motion of said drum during maximum pivoting motion of said pivoting bed in said about 180* pivoting.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus set forth in claim 5 further including an electric motor disposed on said depending portion inside said hollow cylindrical cable drum and having a capstan extending through said platform to juxtaposition to said reciprocating carriage, and drive cable means interconnecting said capstan and said reciprocating carriage for effecting reciprocating motions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus set forth in claim 6 wherein said article retaining means includes an electromagnet, and article nesting means on said pivotable bed front end portion disposed for receiving said electromagnet as said reciprocating carriage moves forwardly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus set forth in claim 1 further including article exchanging means in said defined plane, the improved apparatus further including in combination: additional means in said control means selectively establishing a third stable position with said reciprocating carriage movable parallel to said defined plane for exchanging articles with said article exchanging means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus set forth in claim 8 further including in combination: said control means including detent follower means on said platform and detent means on said pivotable bed engaging said detent follower means to establish said first and second stable positions; pivot position indicating means on said cable drum; and position sensing and indicating means on said frame adjacent to and operatively associated with said indicating means for detecting and indicating when said pivoting bed is in a stable position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
282 words
An article storage and retrieval apparatus adapted to store and retrieve articles, two spaced-apart parallel-extending facing storage walls each having a multiplicity of open storage compartments, plane travel means extending parallel to and disposed between said storage walls including improved movable means for selectively accessing any of said storage compartments, exchange means accessible by said movable means for exchanging documents with a document handler, main carriage means including elevator means for two-dimensional movements along a given defined plane in said plane travel means between said walls, and elevator support pole on said carriage means; the improvement including in combination: a frame on said elevator means having a first elongated portion extending along a first axis; two spaced-apart pairs of spaced-apart rollers on said first portion, said pairs being spaced along said first axis; guide means on said frame extending transverse to said first axis; a platform on said frame having a support plane transverse to said first axis and extending therefrom in a direction opposite to said guide means; a pivoting bed on said platform with a pivot axis substantially parallel to said first axis; means on said frame and operatively asociated with said pivoting bed to selectively pivot said pivoting bed about said pivot axis between plural stable positions; reciprocating carriage means on said pivoting bed movable along a travel path transverse to said pivot axis between a travel position central of said bed and a store-retrieve position peripheral of said bed; article nesting means on said bed in coaxial relation to said travel path; and article holding means movable with said reciprocating carriAge with respect to said nesting means for putting an article to be transported into said nexting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
282 words
An article storage and retrieval apparatus adapted to store and retrieve articles, two spaced-apart parallel-extending facing storage walls each having a multiplicity of open storage compartments, plane travel means extending parallel to and disposed between said storage walls including improved movable means for selectively accessing any of said storage compartments, exchange means accessible by said movable means for exchanging documents with a document handler, main carriage means including elevator means for two-dimensional movements along a given defined plane in said plane travel means between said walls, and elevator support pole on said carriage means; the improvement including in combination: a frame on said elevator means having a first elongated portion extending along a first axis; two spaced-apart pairs of spaced-apart rollers on said first portion, said pairs being spaced along said first axis; guide means on said frame extending transverse to said first axis; a platform on said frame having a support plane transverse to said first axis and extending therefrom in a direction opposite to said guide means; a pivoting bed on said platform with a pivot axis substantially parallel to said first axis; means on said frame and operatively asociated with said pivoting bed to selectively pivot said pivoting bed about said pivot axis between plural stable positions; reciprocating carriage means on said pivoting bed movable along a travel path transverse to said pivot axis between a travel position central of said bed and a store-retrieve position peripheral of said bed; article nesting means on said bed in coaxial relation to said travel path; and article holding means movable with said reciprocating carriAge with respect to said nesting means for putting an article to be transported into said nexting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |