Apparatus for transferring goods within a storage system

Claim 1

An apparatus for carrying in and carrying out stored goods and storing the same comprising a goods supporting shelf assembly (2) comprising a plurality of goods supporting shelves (3) arranged in multiple layers and multiple rows; pull-out means (10) mounted in each of said shelves (3) of the goods supporting shelf assembly (2) for pulling out toward the goods carry-out side the goods supported on the goods supporting shelves (3), said pull-out means (10) having a plurality of locking members (12) provided on said pull-out means (10) in positions suitably spaced apart from each other, said locking members (12) being maintained in an inoperative position when a force in the forward direction is applied thereto and in an operative position when a force in the backward direction is applied thereto, and an engaging member (14) mounted on the goods carry-out side of the pull-out means (10) having an engaging frame (15) formed with an opening (16) and pressing plates (17) disposed to face an inner side of the engaging opening (16), guide means for said pull-out means (10) located below the surface of said locking members (12); and stacker cranes (22, 23) disposed on both the goods carry-in side and goods carry-out side of said goods supporting shelf assembly (2) for movement along a path substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the goods supporting shelf assembly (2), said stacker crane (22) disposed on the goods carry-in side having an elevator (30) for carrying goods in the shelves of the goods supporting shelf assembly (2), and a pushin member (32) adapted to move toward and away from the goods supporting shelf assembly (2), and said stacker crane (23) disposed on the goods carry-out side having an elevator (34) for carrying goods out of the shelves of the goods supporting shelf assembly (2), a receiver (36) provided on said elevator (34) for receiving goods thereon, and a pull-out engaging member (37) provided on an end of said receiver (36) at the goods carry-out side of the goods supporting shelf assembly (2) and having a hook (39) adapted to be brought into and out of engagement with said opening (16) of the engaging frame (15) and to be contacted with said pressing plates (17) so as to push it, whereby the goods on one of the shelves of the goods supporting shelf assembly (2) can be moved from the goods carry-in side to the goods carry-out side by the reciprocating motion of the pull-out engaging member (37) engaged with the engaging member (14) of said pull-out means (10).

Claim 2

An apparatus for carrying in and carrying out stored goods and storing the same comprising a goods supporting shelf assembly (2) comprising a plurality of goods supporting shelves (3) arranged in multiple layers and multiple rows; pull-out means (10) mounted in each of said shelves (3) of the goods supporting shelf assembly (2) for pulling out toward the goods carry-out side the goods supported on the goods supporting shelves (3), said pull-out means (10) having a plurality of locking members (12) provided on said pull-out means (10) in positions suitably spaced apart from each other, said locking members (12) being maintained in an inoperative position when a force in the forward direction is applied thereto and in an operative position when a force in the backward direction is applied thereto, and an engaging member (14) mounted on the goods carry-out side of the pull-out means (10) having an engaging frame (15) formed with an opening (16) and pressing plates (17) disposed to face an inner side of the engaging opening (16), guide means for said pull-out means (10) located below the surface of said locking members (12); and stacker cranes (22, 23) disposed on both the goods carry-in side and goods carry-out side of said goods supporting shelf assembly (2) for movement along a path substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the goods supporting shelf assembly (2), said stacker crane (22) disposed on the goods carry-in side having an elevator (30) for carrying goods in the shelves of the goods supporting shelf assembly (2), and a pushin member (32) adapted to move toward and away from the goods supporting shelf assembly (2), and said stacker crane (23) disposed on the goods carry-out side having an elevator (34) for carrying goods out of the shelves of the goods supporting shelf assembly (2), a receiver (36) provided on said elevator (34) for receiving goods thereon, and a pull-out engaging member (37) provided on an end of said receiver (36) at the goods carry-out side of the goods supporting shelf assembly (2) and having a hook (39) adapted to be brought into and out of engagement with said opening (16) of the engaging frame (15) and to be contacted with said pressing plates (17) so as to push it, whereby the goods on one of the shelves of the goods supporting shelf assembly (2) can be moved from the goods carry-in side to the goods carry-out side by the reciprocating motion of the pull-out engaging member (37) engaged with the engaging member (14) of said pull-out means (10).