System for transporting and transferring a movable rack assembly and transfer cart assembly therefor

A system for transporting a movable rack assembly and transferring said movable rack assembly between a transfer cart assembly and a station, the transfer cart assembly being configured to transport the movable rack assembly to the station, transfer the movable rack assembly to the station, and receive the movable rack assembly from the station, the system comprising:

• a rack support assembly integrated into the transfer cart assembly, the rack support assembly being configured to securely and movably support the movable rack assembly thereon;
• a rack locking assembly integrated into the transfer cart assembly, the rack locking assembly being configured to lock the movable rack assembly to the rack support assembly;
• a docking enabling assembly integrated into the transfer cart assembly, the docking enabling assembly being configured to enable temporary docking of the transfer cart assembly with the station for the transfer of the movable rack assembly to the station or the receipt of the movable rack assembly from the station;
• a cart locking assembly integrated into the station, the cart locking assembly being configured to interact with the docking enabling assembly to temporarily secure the transfer cart assembly to the station for the transfer of the movable rack assembly to the station or the receipt of the movable rack assembly from the station;
• and
• an anti-return mechanism integrated into an end of the station, the anti-return mechanism being configured to actively inhibit removal of the movable rack assembly from the station or transfer of the movable rack assembly to the station when the transfer cart assembly is not temporarily secured to the station,
• wherein, when the transfer cart assembly is temporarily secured to the station, the transfer cart assembly causes the anti-return mechanism deactivate to allow for the transfer of the movable rack assembly from the transfer cart assembly to the station or the receipt of the movable rack assembly from the station by the transfer cart assembly, and
• wherein, when the transfer cart assembly is temporarily secured to the station, the rack locking assembly is unlocked to allow for the transfer of the movable rack assembly to the station or the receipt of the movable rack assembly from the station.