Systems, methods, and apparatuses for locating, engaging, and shifting objects in automated or semi-automated fashion

A method, comprising:

• unloading a first object having a first size out of a space using a first combination of shifter assemblies having a first number of a plurality of shifter assemblies by:
• engaging the first object with the first combination of shifter assemblies, wherein each shifter assembly of the first combination of shifter assemblies comprises at least two belt-driven mechanisms that are operable in coordination to shift along a vertical axis of the space to engage the first object;
• and
• shifting the first object with the first combination of shifter assemblies, wherein the first combination of shifter assemblies are operable in coordination to shift along a horizontal axis of the space, wherein the first number of the plurality of shifter assemblies is based on the first size;
• and
• unloading a second object having a second size out of the space using a second combination of shifter assemblies having a second number of the plurality of shifter assemblies by:
• engaging the second object with the second combination of shifter assemblies, wherein each shifter assembly of the second combination of shifter assemblies comprises at least two belt-driven mechanisms that are operable in coordination to shift along the vertical axis of the space to engage the second object;
• and
• shifting the second object with the second combination of shifter assemblies, wherein the second combination of shifter assemblies are operable in coordination to shift along the horizontal axis of the space, wherein the second number of the plurality of shifter assemblies is based on the second size, and the second number is different than the first number.

A method, comprising:

• loading an object having a certain size into a space using a combination of shifter assemblies having a certain number of a plurality of shifter assemblies by:
• engaging the object with the combination of shifter assemblies, wherein each shifter assembly of the combination of shifter assemblies comprises at least two belt-driven mechanisms that are operable in coordination to shift along a vertical axis of the space to engage the object;
• and
• shifting the object with the combination of the shifter assemblies, wherein the combination of shifter assemblies are operable in coordination to shift along a horizontal axis of the space, and the certain number of the plurality of shifter assemblies is based on the certain size.

A system for engaging and shifting objects of different sizes in a space, the space having a horizontal length and a vertical length, the system comprising:

• a plurality of shifter assemblies positioned in the space,
• wherein each shifter assembly of the plurality of shifter assemblies comprises at least a pair of shifter mechanisms that are operable in coordination to displace along the vertical length to engage an object,
• wherein the plurality of shifter assemblies are positioned side-by-side in the storage space along the horizontal length,
• wherein the plurality of shifter assemblies are operable in different combinations based on a size of the object and in coordination along the horizontal length to shift the object within the storage space, and
• wherein a distal end of at least one shifter mechanism of the pair of shifter mechanisms for each of the shifter assemblies of the plurality of shifter assembles is pivotally coupled to a belt-driven mechanism through a rotational actuator, the rotational actuator operable to pivot the belt-driven mechanism to a plurality of different positions.

A system for engaging and shifting objects of different sizes in a space, the space having a horizontal length and a vertical length, the system comprising:

• a plurality of shifter assemblies positioned in the space,
• wherein each shifter assembly of the plurality of shifter assemblies comprises at least a pair of shifter mechanisms that are operable in coordination to displace along the vertical length to engage an object,
• wherein the plurality of shifter assemblies are positioned side-by-side in the storage space along the horizontal length,
• wherein the plurality of shifter assemblies are operable in different combinations based on a size of the object and in coordination along the horizontal length to shift the object within the storage space, and
• wherein each shifter assembly of the plurality of shifter assemblies comprises:
• a first position-changing mechanism that is operable to shift a first shifter mechanism of the pair of shifter mechanisms in each of an x-direction, a y-direction, and a z-direction, and
• a second position-changing mechanism that is operable to shift a second shifter mechanism of the pair of shifter mechanisms in each of the x-direction, the y-direction, and the z-direction.