System for storage and retrieval of warehousable objects

Abstract

A track system for storage and retrieval of materials for use with warehousing vehicle that rides upon tracks in horizontal configuration for storage locations, and that is capable of switching to and riding a sloped track to ascend or descend vertically. A set of transition exchanges allows the vehicle to access multiple levels of storage “flooring” or shelving. The exchanges use ramps, or movable sections of railway, that may be moved out of the way of a set of wheels of the vehicle, while other ramps are set in place to provide support to some wheels of the vehicle, whereby the vehicle may selectively either travel along the elevator track, or to move between elevator track and level storage locations.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation of copending U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 098,224 filed Apr. 4, 2005, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60 / 558,822 filed Apr. 2, 2004.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates generally to solutions for storing, moving, and retrieving objects in warehousing or high density storage environments. More particularly, the invention is directed toward a system for racking or storage and retrieval of multiple items as in a warehouse or librarying environment.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]The industry is aware of the need for increasing efficiency and capabilities of storage in high density situations. In the art, warehouses and high volume storage are typically effected with the use of devices that rely upon an overhead or floor-based support. By way of example, forklifts are frequently employed, which ride on the floor, and lift products to various shelving level...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]Still further exemplary advantages could be recited, though not all are necessary for a system or device to fall within the scope of this invention. For (non-limiting) example, only, the described system does not necessarily include a boom or mast yet it can reach extremely high areas within a storage facility. Unlike industrial trucks or fork lifts, it has a reduced tendency to “tip over;” the vehicle 10 can operate above head-height of personnel, creating an “area system” virtually eliminating human contact or interference; the vehicle 10 may be configured to negotiate very narrow aisles at much greater speeds than traditional devices like a bridge crane, and to pass over stored items, yet unlike a crane also can travel under stored items; it requires in some configurations no heavy counterweight, and therefore could be made more economical and flexible than traditional solutions; it may work well in unusual environments i.e., frozen, wet, hazardous, or underground; it has particular usefulness in ships and mobile equipment, as the entire storage area might be tilted or incur severe shock from outside; in addition, depending upon desire, one vehicle can be used to store, retrieve and deliver items saving many steps in process; the described system may be computer controlled saving operator cost and reducing errors. These discussed advantages are exemplary only, and absence of any or all of these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Problems solved by technology

Passage under the forklifts for persons, other equipment, and the like is not practicable.

Similarly, the number of operable pendant systems is limited by the fact that such devices have difficulty passing one another.

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