Patent US4385859A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4385859A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Storage installation permitting the automatic selection and removal of articles
Assignee: DOMATIC Ltd
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Filing: 1980-09-24
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Granted: 1983-05-31
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Expires: 2000-09-24
Abstract
Abstract Storage installation permitting the automatic selection and removal of articles stored at different levels on carrying elements of one or more shelf units, each carrying element (5) being fitted with a device for transporting the articles and with an individual and self-governing control member (6) for actuating this transporting device. The articles removed in this way can be grouped and moved by a common transporting means towards a central packaging and distributing station.
Inventors
- 👤 Willy P. M. Goossens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:37
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G1/00; B65G1/02; B65G1/04; B65G1/06; B65G1/137; B65G1/1373; B65G1/1376
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
Storage installation permitting the automatic selection and removal of articles stored at different levels on carrying elements of one or more shelf units, each carrying element being fitted with a device for transporting the articles, and the articles removed in this way being grouped and moved by a common transporting means towards a central packaging and distributing station, characterized in that each carrying element (5) comprises a substantially U-shaped body (10) which is closed by a profiled cover or plate (11) provided with longitudinal grooves in the vertical plane (12) and in the horizontal plane (13) so as to be able to carry out modular assembly of the transporting paths, adapted to the dimensions of the articles, and an individual and self-governing control member (6) for actuating the device for transporting the articles to be removed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
Storage installation permitting the automatic selection and removal of articles stored at different levels on carrying elements of one or more shelf units, each carrying element being fitted with a device for transporting the articles, and the articles removed in this way being grouped and moved by a common transporting means towards a central packaging and distributing station, characterized in that each carrying element (5) comprises a substantially U-shaped body (10) which is closed by a profiled cover or plate (11) provided with longitudinal grooves in the vertical plane (12) and in the horizontal plane (13) so as to be able to carry out modular assembly of the transporting paths, adapted to the dimensions of the articles, and an individual and self-governing control member (6) for actuating the device for transporting the articles to be removed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
96 words
Storage installation according to claim 1, in which the articles (4) are moved on the carrying elements (5) with the aid of at least one conveyor belt (18), characterized in that the conveyor belt (18) is held and tensioned on either side of the carrying element (5) by at least two rollers, namely a tensioning roller (16) and a drive roller (17) of slightly concave shape, and in that the upper part of the belt (18) is supported by the plate (11), and in that said conveyor belt (18) is actuated by an electric motor (6).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
Storage installation according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that lateral guide walls (14) can be arranged in the vertical grooves (12) in the plate (11) and spacers (15), or closure walls, for articles of large dimensions, can be arranged in the horizontal grooves (13).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
Storage installation according to claim 2, characterized in that the tensioning roller (16) of each carrying element (5) is supported by an axle which is housed in forks (21) provided in lateral walls of the body (10), and in that it is subjected to the action of compression springs and adjusting screws, which make it possible to achieve a constant tension of the belt (18).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
Storage installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the removal of each article (4) stored on a carrying element (5) is controlled by one or more photoelectric elements or other current-breaking elements, arranged in the falling or tilting path of the article on an inclined plane (13).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
Storage installation according to claim 1, characterized by girders or longitudinal beams (3) supporting a series of carrying elements (5) which are extended on the discharge side by inclined planes (7) which cooperate with each other in order to break the fall of the articles (4) coming from the upper carrying elements (5).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
Storage installation according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a device (23-24) for varying the inclination of the inclined planes (7).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
Storage installation according to claim 7, characterized in that the removal of each article (4) stored on a carrying element (5) is controlled by one or more photoelectric elements, and in that the device for varying the inclination of the inclined planes act immediately after any article has left one of the carrying elements (5) and has passed in front of one of the photoelectric elements (22).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
Storage installation according to claim 8, characterized in that the device for varying the inclination of the inclined planes (7) is mounted between two uprights or walls (2), each inclined plane being able to tilt around an axle (23) and a suitable device being provided for controlling this tilting.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
Storage installation according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a motor (24) suitable for tilting the inclined planes (7).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
Storage installation according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises an individual motor (24) for tilting each inclined plane (7).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
110 words
Storage installation according to claim 11, characterized in that the passage, in front of a photoelectric element (22), of the last article of a series constituting a complete order instructs the motors (24) of the successive inclined planes (7) to modify their inclination so as to let through articles which may be wedged between two opposite planes, always starting with the upper inclined planes and ending with the lowest, it being impossible for any other article belonging to another order to be caused to pass in front of a photoelectric element (22) as long as all the inclined planes actuated in this way have not returned to their initial position.
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) | 1986-05-30 | 1986-11-29 | 1987-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-30 | 1990-11-29 | 1991-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-30 | 1994-11-29 | 1995-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |