# US 2014/0154034 A1 · Watercraft dry dock storage system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0154034 A1 - Document ID: US20140154034A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/093,988 - Filed: 2013-12-02 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2008-01-28 - Assignees: The Richard C. Lydle Revocable Trust - Inventors: Richard C. Lydle - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140154034A1 ## CPC - B63C 1/00: Dry-docking of vessels or flying-boats (storing of vessels on land otherwise than by dry-docking B63C15/00; mooring of vessels B63B21/00; hydraulic-engineering aspects E02B) - B63C 3/06: by vertical movement of vessel, i.e. by crane - B63C 3/12: using cradles (vehicles in general for transporting boats or the like B60P) - B63C 15/00: Storing of vessels on land otherwise than by dry-docking - B63C: LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS (floating nets, floating slipways, or the like for recovering aircraft from the water B63B35/52) ## Abstract There is provided a storage system for storing and retrieving watercraft or other items to or from a storage position in a storage area as part of an enclosure having a plurality of storage areas. The storage system may include at least one carrier to support the item during movement to or from a storage position, and a positioning system to move the carrier system. An elevator system is usable to move the positioning system and carrier system to and from a storage area, and a control system is usable to control the positioning system to move the carrier system and item into and out of its storage position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for moving and storing items comprising: a plurality of storage areas designed for receiving and supporting at least one item, the plurality of storage areas including at least two floors, at least one carrier system provided on each floor to engage and support the at least one item during movement of the item to or from a storage area, at least one elevator system for supporting and moving the at least one item, and a control system for controlling the at least one carrier system to move the at least one item to and from a storage area while supporting the item. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of carrier systems are provided and are usable to sort a plurality of items in the plurality of storage areas. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one carrier system includes a drive system controlled by the control system to move the at least one carrier system and item to and from a storage position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one item is a large shipping and storage container. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein a plurality of large shipping containers are temporarily stored in the plurality of storage areas and the control system tracks the location of each shipping container. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein a plurality of large shipping containers are stored in each storage area on each floor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the elevator system is positioned exterior to and/or within the plurality of storage areas. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one carrier system includes at least one transfer system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the transfer system moves the at least one item from a home position in association with the elevator into a position to engage the carrier system. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the transfer system includes a plurality of drive members to engage and drive the transfer system. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the transfer system includes members that engage the at least one item or supporting structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the control system positions the at least one carrier system and item in a predetermined storage position within a storage area. ### Claim 13 A system for temporarily storing items comprising: a plurality of storage areas formed on at least two floors of a structure, with at least some storage areas arranged vertically and laterally relative to one another, for receiving and temporarily storing a plurality of items, at least one item positioning system provided on each floor to provide movement of the item to and from a storage position in a storage area, an elevator system to transfer the item to the item positioning system, and a control system which automatically controls movement of the at least one positioning system and elevator to position an item in a predetermined position in a predetermined storage area, wherein the control system includes locating systems to control movement of items having different configurations to and from a stored position in a predetermined storage area. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one positioning system includes a transfer system associated therewith, the transfer system allowing movement of the item both into a storage area from the elevator system or from a storage area onto the elevator system. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the transfer system supports and moves the at least one item. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, further comprising an item carrier system that is customized for the carrying of a predetermined item or has universal supports for carrying a plurality of items having different configurations. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the control system further comprising locating systems to control movement of items to and from a stored position in a predetermined storage area. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the at least one item is a large shipping container, and a plurality of large shipping containers are stored in each storage area on each floor. ### Claim 19 A system for storing large items comprising: a plurality of storage areas, with at least some storage areas arranged vertically and laterally relative to one another, for receiving and supporting at least one item, at least one item positioning system including an item carrier system and a transfer system associated therewith for supporting an item and providing movement of the item to a storage position in a storage area, the transfer system including a drive system, and an elevator system on which the item positioning system can be supported and moved vertically to be stored in a predetermined position in a predetermined storage area; and a control system which automatically controls movement of the at least one item positioning system and the elevator system to position or retrieve an item from a predetermined position in a predetermined storage area. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, the control system further comprising locating systems to control movement of items to and from a stored position in a predetermined storage area.