Grid levelling mechanism
AssigneeOcado Innovation Limited
InventorsOliver Kirkby, Benjamin Arthur Portnoy Noar, Andrew Ingram-Tedd, Stephen Millward, Leslie Wynn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A grid framework structure configured to support one or more load handling devices includes a grid structure including a first set of grid members extending in a first direction and a second set of grid members extending in a second direction, the second set of grid members running transversely to the first set of grid members in a substantially horizontal plane in a grid pattern containing plural grid cells; plural vertical uprights supporting the grid structure; and an adjustable grid levelling mechanism for adjusting the level of the grid structure.
Claims17
A grid framework structure configured to support one or more load handling devices thereupon, said grid framework structure comprising:
- i) a grid structure including a first set of grid members extending in a first direction and a second set of grid members extending in a second direction, the second set of grid members running transversely to the first set of grid members in a substantially horizontal plane in a grid pattern containing a plurality of grid cells, each of the plurality of grid cells has an opening to enable a load handling device to lift a container or storage bin through the grid cell;
- ii) a plurality of vertical uprights for supporting the grid structure;
- the plurality of vertical uprights are configured and arranged to form a plurality of vertical storage locations for one or more containers to be stacked between the vertical uprights, each of the vertical uprights comprises a plurality of corners and one or more guides mounted to or formed at each corner, the one or more guides extending along a longitudinal length of each vertical upright for guiding movement of the containers or storage bins along a respective vertical storage location, wherein the plurality of vertical uprights are interconnected at upper ends thereof by the first set of grid members and the second set of grid members;
- and
- iii) an adjustable grid levelling mechanism for adjusting a level of the grid structure, wherein the grid structure is mounted to the adjustable grid levelling mechanism at one or more of the interconnections of the plurality of vertical uprights such that the adjustable grid levelling mechanism is interposed between at least one of the plurality of vertical uprights and the grid structure for adjusting a vertical distance between the at least one of the plurality of vertical uprights and the grid structure;
- wherein the adjustable grid levelling mechanism comprises:
- a base supported or received by the at least one vertical upright;
- a mounting head supporting the grid structure;
- and
- an extendible section interposed between the base and the mounting head and configured to selectively vary a vertical distance between the base and the mounting head such that the level of the grid structure relative to the at least one vertical upright is adjustable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.