Apparatus and method for storing rod stock and supplying same to a servicing machine

In an installation for storing a variety of elongate rock stock with their longitudinal dimensions all extending parallel to one another in a first direction and for automatically supplying a severing machine with that stock, which installation is composed of:

• a plurality of generally vertically extending shelving units spaced from one another in a second direction transverse to the first direction to define gangways between adjacent units and each presenting a generally vertically spaced plurality of shelving compartments projecting from at least one side of their associated shelving unit and each arranged to hold stock having a respective cross section, each shelving compartment being formed of a plurality of carrier arms extending in the second direction and spaced from one another in the first direction;
• a gantry crane including a crane bridge mounted for vertical movement in the gangways and horizontal movement in the second direction, and means carried by the bridge for conveying stock to and from selected compartments;
• and a rollway associated with one of the shelving units and spaced vertically from the compartments of the associated unit and including rollers projecting in the second direction toward the gangway at one side of its associated shelving unit and operable for conveying stock in a generally horizontal direction to and from the severing machine;
• the severing machine being located outside of the region occupied by the shelving units and the crane, the improvement wherein:
• said installation further comprises a stock carrier located below said rollway and provided with means defining a stock supporting surface, said carrier being movable in the second direction between a stock-receiving position located directly below said rollway and a stock-transferring position located to one side of said shelving unit associated with said rollway and in the gangway at said one side of said associated unit;
• and means supporting said rollway for movement between a raised position for the conveying of stock to and from the severing machine and a lowered position substantially at the level of said carrier for permitting transfer of stock from said rollway to said carrier;
• said rollway, when in its raised position, is spaced below the nearest compartment of its associated shelving unit by a distance sufficient to permit said crane bridge to be positioned directly above said rollway and beneath said nearest compartment;
• and
• said means carried by said crane bridge, said shelving compartment carrier arms, said rollers of said rollway and said means defining a supporting surface of said carrier are constructed for permitting said means carried by said crane bridge to move vertically between said shelving compartment carrier arms and said rollers to effect transfer of stock therebetween, for permitting said rollers to move vertically between said means defining a supporting surface of said carrier to effect transfer of stock from said rollway to said carrier, and for permitting said means carried by said crane bridge to move between said means defining a supporting surface of said carrier to effect transfer of stock from said carrier to said crane bridge.