Material handling apparatus with vehicle track for reducing vehicle damage
OwnerMichael York, Joseph Lakawicz +1inventors
InventorsMichael York, Joseph Lakawicz, Stuart Ligo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for delivering items to a plurality of storage locations is provided. The system includes a plurality of storage locations. The storage locations may be positioned to provide an aisle and a plurality of delivery vehicles may be operable within the aisle to deliver items to the storage locations. The system may include a track that the guides the vehicles to the storage locations. A reorientation assembly may be provided for re-orienting the vehicles relative to the track to reduce misalignment between the vehicles and the track.
Claims14
An apparatus for sorting items, comprising:
- a plurality of sort locations for receiving items arranged such that an aisle is formed between the plurality of sort locations;
- a plurality of vehicles operable within the aisle to deliver items to the sort locations wherein the vehicles comprise a first drive element and a second drive element;
- a track assembly disposed within the aisle for guiding the vehicles along a vertical loop to the sort locations, comprising:
- a first track having a plurality of first engagement elements configured to cooperate with the first drive element of the vehicles;
- a second track spaced apart from the first track having a plurality of second engagement elements configured to cooperate with the second drive elements of the vehicles;
- wherein the second track comprises a reorientation section configured to release engagement between the second engagement elements and the second drive element while the first drive element remains engaged with the first engagement elements to allow the second drive elements to slide along the second track.
An apparatus for sorting items, comprising:
- a plurality of sort locations for receiving items arranged such that an aisle is formed between the plurality of sort locations;
- a plurality of vehicles operable within the aisle to deliver items to the sort locations wherein the vehicles comprise a first drive element and a second drive element;
- a track assembly disposed within the aisle for guiding the vehicles along a vertical loop to the sort locations, comprising:
- a first track having a plurality of first engagement elements configured to cooperate with the first drive element of the vehicles;
- a second track spaced apart from the first track having a plurality of second engagement elements configured to cooperate with the second drive elements of the vehicles;
- wherein the second track comprises means for releasing engagement between the second engagement elements and the second drive element while the first drive element remains engaged with the first engagement elements to allow the second drive elements to slide along the second track.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.