# US 12,767,440 B2 · Assembly, a storage module and an 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 12,767,440 B2 - Document ID: US12767440B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/702,206 - Filed: 2022-10-12 - Published: 2024-12-12 - Granted: 2026-10-20 - Earliest claimed: 2021-10-19 - Assignees: Autostore Technology AS - Applicants: Autostore Technology AS - Inventors: Ingvar Fagerland - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12767440B2 ## CPC - B65G 1/0464: {with access from above} - B65G 1/04: mechanical - B65G 1/0478: {for matrix-arrangements} - B65G 1/06: with means for presenting articles for removal at predetermined position or level (B65G1/12 takes precedence) - E05B 47/0001: {with electric actuators; Constructional features thereof (for vehicles E05B81/04)} - E05B 65/5215: {sliding} - G06Q 10/08: Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management - G06Q 10/087: Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders - B65G 2203/0233: Position of the article - E05B 2047/0068: {Door closed} - 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) - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract An assembly includes a goods holder having a front side and a storage cell for storing the goods holder. At least a section of the front side is movable so as to allow access into the interior of the goods holder. The storage cell is provided with a locking mechanism configured to engage with the movable section of the front side of the stored goods holder so as to secure the movable section. The assembly is configured such that the goods holder stored in the storage cell is accessible from above by a remotely operated vehicle operating on a rail system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An assembly comprising: a goods holder comprising a front side, wherein at least a section of the front side is movable so as to allow access into an interior of the goods holder, a storage cell for storing the goods holder, said storage cell being provided with a locking mechanism configured to engage with the movable section of the front side of the stored goods holder so as to secure said movable section, wherein said assembly is configured such that the goods holder stored in the storage cell is accessible from above by means of a remotely operated vehicle operating on a rail system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An assembly of claim 1, wherein said storage cell is provided with a sensor for detecting position of the movable section of the front side. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An assembly of claim 1, wherein said storage cell further comprises a detector for determining position of the goods holder when stored in the storage cell. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An assembly of claim 1, wherein said storage cell is laterally delimited by portions of vertically extending upright members and said locking mechanism is attached to a vertically extending upright member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An assembly of claim 1, wherein said movable section is pivotable. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An assembly of claim 1, wherein the goods holder is from a plurality of goods holders being stored in storage cells being arranged in at least one stack of a storage module. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) An assembly of claim 6, wherein said storage module comprises a two-dimensional, vertically extending protective structure covering the front side of the plurality of goods holders stored in storage cells. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) An assembly of claim 6, wherein said storage module is for coupling to a framework structure of an automated storage and retrieval system, said automated storage and retrieval system comprising a storage volume consisting of storage columns. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) An assembly of claim 6, further comprising an automated storage and retrieval system comprising a storage grid and a rail system arranged across a top of the automated storage and retrieval system, wherein the plurality of goods holders are bidirectionally transferred between the storage grid and the storage cells of the storage module by a remotely operated vehicle operating on the rail system. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a movable bolt and an actuator which activates the bolt so that said bolt engages with the movable section of the front side. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) An assembly of claim 10, wherein said storage cell further comprises a control unit for controlling operation of the actuator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) An assembly of claim 10, wherein said movable section comprises at least one horizontally extending blind hole for receiving the bolt. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) An assembly of claim 12, wherein at least one horizontally extending through-hole for receiving the bolt is arranged in a first lateral side of the goods holder, said through-hole being aligned with the blind hole of said movable section when the movable section is secured. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) An assembly of claim 13, wherein said movable section is a door hinged along an edge of the goods holder, said edge being associated with a second lateral side of the goods holder, said second lateral side being arranged opposite said first lateral side. ### Claim 15 A method of accessing an interior of a goods holder stored in a storage cell provided with a locking mechanism, the goods holder and the storage cell making up an assembly, said assembly being configured such that the goods holder stored in the storage cell is accessible from above by means of a remotely operated vehicle operating on a rail system, said method comprising: in response to a signal, disengaging said locking mechanism from a movable section of a front side of the goods holder so as to release said movable section.