# US 11,299,345 B2 · Automated storage and retrieval system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,299,345 B2 - Document ID: US11299345B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/758,157 - Filed: 2018-08-27 - Published: 2020-09-17 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2017-10-24 - Assignees: Autostore Technology AS - Applicants: Autostore Technology AS - Inventors: Trond Austrheim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11299345B2 ## CPC - B65G 1/0464: {with access from above} - B65G 1/0414: {provided with satellite cars adapted to travel in storage racks} - B65G 1/0478: {for matrix-arrangements} - B65G 1/065: {with self propelled cars} - B66F 9/063: {Automatically guided} - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - B66F: HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD ({invalid lifting devices A61G7/10; } mounting artificial islands on piles or like supports E02B17/00; scaffolding combined with lifting devices E04G1/22; lifting devices for sliding forms E04G11/24; lifting of buildings E04G23/06; shores or struts E04G25/00; lifts or other hoisting devices on ladders E06C7/12; props for mining E21D15/00) ## Abstract An automated storage and retrieval system includes a three-dimensional grid and a plurality of container handling vehicles. The three-dimensional grid includes multiple storage columns, in which containers may be stored on top of one another in vertical stacks. Each container handling vehicle includes a container lifting device having a lifting frame for releasably connecting to a container, and is operated on rails at a top level of the grid for retrieving containers from, and storing containers in, the storage columns, and for transporting the containers horizontally across the grid. The automated storage system comprises multiple floor elements, each floor element arrangeable at a top end of a storage column on top of a vertical stack of containers, such that an operator may stand on top of the storage column. The floor elements may be stored on top of one another in a vertical stack arranged in a storage column in the grid. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An automated storage and retrieval system comprising a three-dimensional grid and a plurality of container handling vehicles, wherein the three-dimensional grid comprises multiple storage columns, in which containers may be stored on top of one another in vertical stacks; and wherein each container handling vehicle comprises a container lifting device having a lifting frame for releasably connecting to a container, and is operated on rails at a top level of the grid for retrieving containers from, and storing containers in, the storage columns, and for transporting the containers horizontally across the grid; wherein the automated storage system comprises multiple floor elements, each floor element arrangeable at a top end of a storage column on top of and supported by a vertical stack of containers, such that an operator may stand on top of the storage column; and wherein the floor elements may be stored on top of one another in a vertical stack arranged in a storage column in the grid. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An automated storage and retrieval system according to claim 1, wherein each of the floor elements may be transported and arranged at the top end of a storage column by use of a vehicle arranged at the top level of the grid. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An automated storage and retrieval system according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle is a dedicated floor element handling vehicle or a container handling vehicle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An automated storage and retrieval system according to claim 1, wherein each of the floor elements is releasably connectable to the lifting frame of the container handling vehicles. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An automated storage and retrieval system according to claim 1, wherein each of the floor elements has a horizontal periphery substantially corresponding to a horizontal periphery of the containers. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An automated storage and retrieval system according to claim 1, wherein the lifting frame comprises container connecting elements for releasable connection to corresponding lifting frame connecting elements on any of a peripheral top section of the containers and a peripheral top section of the floor elements. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An automated storage and retrieval system according to claim 1, wherein each of the floor elements is arrangeable on top of a vertical stack of containers. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An automated storage and retrieval system according to claim 1, wherein the floor elements are arrangeable such that a container handling vehicle is able to pass over a section of adjacent storage columns, when each storage column features a floor element at the top end. ### Claim 9 A method of providing access to equipment arranged at, or accessible from, the top level of an automated storage and retrieval system comprising a three-dimensional grid and a plurality of container handling vehicles, wherein the three-dimensional grid comprises multiple storage columns, in which containers may be stored on top of one another in vertical stacks; and each container handling vehicle comprises a container lifting device having a lifting frame for releasably connecting to a container, and is operated on rails at a top level of the grid for retrieving containers from, and storing containers in, the storage columns, and for transporting the containers horizontally across the grid; wherein the automated storage system comprises multiple floor elements, each floor element arrangeable at a top end of a storage column, on top of and supported by a vertical stack of the containers such that an operator may stand on top of the storage column; the method comprising: identifying a set of adjacent storage columns forming a continuous section between an operator accessible part of the top level of the grid and the equipment; and arranging a floor element at the top end of each storage column in the set of adjacent storage columns, such that a walkway is formed between the operator accessible part of the top level of the grid and the equipment. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A method according to claim 9, wherein arranging a floor element at a top end of each storage column in the set of adjacent storage columns is performed by at least one vehicle arranged at the top level of the grid. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A method according to claim 10, comprising directing at least one of the container handling vehicles to transfer at least one container into one of the adjacent storage columns, such that the storage column is full of containers before a floor element is arranged at the top end. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A method according to claim 11, wherein directing at least one of the container-handling vehicles to transfer at least one container into one of the adjacent storage columns is repeated until all of the adjacent storage columns forming the continuous section are full of containers. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) A method according to claim 10, wherein the floor element arranged at the top end of a storage column is supported on top of an uppermost container in the storage column.