US3890903A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Storage assemblies
Assignee: BAR PRODUCTIONS BROMSGROVE Ltd
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Filing: 1973-11-30
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Granted: 1975-06-24
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Expires: 1993-11-30
Abstract
Abstract Storage assemblies in which a row of storage members, such as racks, are movable along the length of the row in either of two opposite directions so that a gangway can be provided between any two adjacent members.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard G D Showell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 04:59
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B53/00; A47B53/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
287 words
A storage assembly comprising a row of storage members which are movable along the length of the row in either of two opposite directions so that a gangway can be provided between any two neighbouring storage members; drive means associated with each storage member which serves to move it along the length of the row; two drive switch means associated with each storage member which each control the drive means associated with said storage member and operate to cause the latter to be driven in a different direction along thE length of the row; separate elongate feeler bars mounted on both sides of each storage member towards the bottom thereof so that each extend substantially the full width of the storage member and is operated by the neighbouring storage member opposite when said storage member on which it is mounted has closed onto said neighbouring storage member; two sensor switches mounted on each storage member which are each operated by a respective one of said feeler bars when the latter is operated; a central programmer including a plurality of selector switches and manually operable means which control operation of the selector switches in a predetermined manner for selection of the different gangways; and a plurality of control circuits each of which includes a selector switch, a sensor switch and one of said drive switch means which is associated with the same storage member as the sensor switch and which operates to cause the associated drive means to drive said storage member in a direction which results in operation of the sensor switch through the associated feeler bar, said drive switch means being operative only when the selector switch is operated and the sensor switch is not operated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
287 words
A storage assembly comprising a row of storage members which are movable along the length of the row in either of two opposite directions so that a gangway can be provided between any two neighbouring storage members; drive means associated with each storage member which serves to move it along the length of the row; two drive switch means associated with each storage member which each control the drive means associated with said storage member and operate to cause the latter to be driven in a different direction along thE length of the row; separate elongate feeler bars mounted on both sides of each storage member towards the bottom thereof so that each extend substantially the full width of the storage member and is operated by the neighbouring storage member opposite when said storage member on which it is mounted has closed onto said neighbouring storage member; two sensor switches mounted on each storage member which are each operated by a respective one of said feeler bars when the latter is operated; a central programmer including a plurality of selector switches and manually operable means which control operation of the selector switches in a predetermined manner for selection of the different gangways; and a plurality of control circuits each of which includes a selector switch, a sensor switch and one of said drive switch means which is associated with the same storage member as the sensor switch and which operates to cause the associated drive means to drive said storage member in a direction which results in operation of the sensor switch through the associated feeler bar, said drive switch means being operative only when the selector switch is operated and the sensor switch is not operated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the drive means comprises at least one reversible electric motor mounted on each storage member, and in which the two drive switch means associated with each storage member control the power supply to the motor so that the polarity of the applied power is different in each case.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 2 in which the drive switch means are relays and each control circuit is a series circuit which includes a selector switch which is closed when operated by the central programmer, a sensor switch which is closed when not operated by the associated feeler bar and a drive relay.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which each control circuit includes a timer which introduces a predetermined delay between the time when a sensor switch assumes its non-operated state following movement of the associated storage member away from a neighbouring storage member, and the time when the drive switch means is operated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 4 in which each control circuit comprises a first series circuit including a selector switch which is closed when operated by the central programmer, a sensor switch which is closed when not operated by the associated feeler bar, and a timer; and a second series circuit including a switch contact operated by the timer and a drive switch means, this second series circuit being connected in parallel with the sensor switch and timer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 5 in which each drive switch means is a relay and is made self-holding by a switch contact thereof which is connected across the switch contact of the timer so that the latter is by-passed once it operates to energise the relay.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 5 in which the drive switch means in said second series circuit of each pair of control circuit associated with the same storage member controls a switch contact in the other so that operation of the two drive switch means are interlocked in a mutually exclusive manner.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
114 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 5 in which each sensor switch is a double pole switch having a first switch contact which is connected in said first series circuit with the timer, and a second switch contact which always assumes the opposite state to said first switch contact and is connected in a third series circuit which includes stop means and which is connected in parallel with said first switch contact and the timer, said first series circuit further including a switch contact which is controlled by said stop means and which opens to make the drive switch means inoperative when the stop means is operated by closure of said second switch contact.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which each sensor switch is a double pole switch having a first switch contact which, when the sensor swiTch is not operated, operates the drive switch means, a second switch contact which, when the sensor switch is operated, operates stop means which in turn makes the drive switch means inoperative.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
76 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 9 which includes a start switch which controls operation of all said control circuits and which must be operated to initiate movement of the storage members, and in which each stop means is connected in a self-holding circuit which includes a switch controlled by the stop means and switch means which is ganged with the start switch so that the stop means remains operated until the start switch is operated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 1 which includes a start switch which controls operation of all said control circuits and which must be operated to initiate movement of the storage members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 11 in which the start switch is connected in a start circuit with a timer which after the start switch is operated operates for a predetermined time corresponding to a complete gangway selection operation and which at the end of this time disconnects power from the control circuits.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 12 in which the start switch controls energisation of a start relay which has a switch contact connected in the power supply line to the control circuits, and the timer operates to de-energise the start relay after said predetermined time.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 11 in which the start switch is connected in a start circuit with a self-holding start relay and controls energisation of this relay, and in which a selector switch is connected in the start circuit and operates to de-energise the start relay each time the manually operable means of the central programmer is operated to make a gangway selection.
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) | 1978-06-23 | 1978-12-23 | 1979-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-23 | 1982-12-23 | 1983-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-23 | 1986-12-23 | 1987-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |