Storage system

Claim 1

In a storage system including a plurality of storage frames positioned in a storage area; each frame having a length dimension extending parallel to the width of the storage area; the storage frames being aligned in the direction of depth of the storage area; a gantry movable parallel to the depth of the storage area; a horizontal cross beam vertically movably mounted on the gantry and having a length dimension oriented parallel to the width of the storage area for lowering the cross beam into the service area defined between two selected adjoining storage frames; the cross beam having a cross-sectional outline; a plurality of tines secured to the cross beam along the length thereof for depositing articles into and removing articles from selected storage frames; each tine being formed of a first and a second tine arm rigidly attached to one another at an approximately right angle; each tine being swingable in a vertical plane about a pivotal support situated in the zone of connection of the tine arms, into first and second operative positions offset about 90° with respect to one another; in the first operative position the first tine arm extending horizontally in one direction perpendicularly to the cross beam and the second tine arm extending vertically from the pivotal support; in the second operative position the second tine arm extending horizontally in the other, opposite direction perpendicularly to the cross beam and the first tine arm extending vertically from the pivotal support; the improvement comprising suspension means for securing each tine to said cross beam, said suspension means including a. a carrier arm extending generally vertically downwardly from an underside of said cross beam; said carrier arm having upper and lower portions; said tine being secured, at least indirectly, to the lower portion of said carrier arm; b. mounting means for displaceably securing said carrier arm at its said upper end beneath said cross beam adjacent said underside thereof, said mounting means defining, for said carrier arm, a horizontal path of travel extending transversely to the length dimension of said cross beam and having a length approximately corresponding to the width of said cross beam measured parallel to the depth of said storage area; said carrier arm having first and second opposite end positions at respective opposite ends of said path of travel; when said tine is in said first operative position and simultaneously, said carrier arm is in said first end position, said tine being in an advanced condition in which said first tine arm projects substantially beyond said cross-sectional outline of said cross beam; when said tine is in said first operative position and simultaneously, said carrier arm is in said second end position, said tine being in a withdrawn condition in which substantially the entire tine is disposed within said cross-sectional outline of said cross beam; when said tine is in said second operative position and simultaneously, said carrier arm is in said second end position, said tine being in an advanced condition in which said second tine arm projects substantially beyond said cross-sectional outline of said cross beam; when said tine is in said second operative position and simultaneously, said carrier arm is in said first end position, said tine being in a withdrawn condition in which substantially the entire tine is disposed within said cross-sectional outline of said cross beam; and c. means for tilting said tine about its said pivotal support in the course of the displacement of said carrier arm and said tine from said advanced condition into said withdrawn condition for effecting a more inclined orientation of the horizontal tine arm downwards towards its said pivotal support in the withdrawn condition than in the advanced condition in the same operative position of the tine.