Modular storage rack

A modular storage rack adapted for use in a storage bay that has a bay front, an opposite bay back, a bay length extending between the bay front and the bay back, generally parallel first and second opposing bay sides that extend between the bay front and the bay back, and a bay width that extends between the bay sides, the storage rack having a storage unit transport comprising:

• a plurality of modular carriage units, each carriage unit having a carriage length from a first carriage end to an opposite second carriage end and having a plurality of carrier members linked together in a flexible link track that is adapted to carry a load from one of the first and second carriage ends to the other of the second and first carriage ends, a first carriage unit mounted adjacent the first side and extending along the bay length, a third carriage unit mounted adjacent the second side and extending along the bay length, a first space defined between the first and the third carriage units, a second carriage unit mounted adjacent the first side and extending along the bay length, the first and the second carriages being aligned along their lengths, a fourth carriage unit mounted adjacent the second side and extending along the bay length, the second and the fourth carriages being aligned along their lengths, a second space defined between the second and the fourth carriage units;
• and
• a transfer unit, the transfer unit extending between the first and the second frames and extending into the first and the second spaces, the transfer unit being adapted to carry the load between the first and the second frames.

A modular storage rack including a storage unit transport, comprising:

• a first frame and a second frame, each frame defining a storage bay that has a bay front, an opposite bay back, generally parallel first and second opposing bay sides that extend between the bay front and the bay back, a uniform bay length that extends between the bay front and the bay back, and a uniform bay width that extends between the bay sides, the first and second frames being positioned with their respective lengths aligned;
• a plurality of modular carriage units, each carriage unit having a carriage length from a first carriage end to an opposite second carriage end, having a plurality of carrier members linked together in a flexible link track that is adapted to carry a load from one of the first and second carriage ends to the other of the second and first carriage ends, and having a carriage width, the carriage length being no less than the uniform bay length and the carriage width being less than about half the uniform bay width, a first carriage unit mounted in the first frame, adjacent the first side, and extending along the bay length, a third carriage unit mounted in the first frame, adjacent the second side, and extending along the bay length, a first space defined between the first and the third carriage units, a second carriage unit mounted in the second frame, adjacent the first side, and extending along the bay length, a fourth carriage unit mounted in the second frame, adjacent the second side, and extending along the bay length, a second space defined between the second and the fourth carriage units;
• and
• a transfer unit, the transfer unit extending between the first and the second frames and extending into the first and the second spaces, the transfer unit being adapted to carry the load between the first and the second frames.