Storage system

A storage system for moving cargo elements to be stored into specified individual locations and retrieving them as desired, which comprises;

• a building structure having at least one level, each said at least one level having a plurality of contiguous substantially rectangular storage spaces;
• a plurality of movable storage platforms, each of said platforms being dimensioned to fit and be positioned in any of said plurality of storage spaces and each said platform comprising:
• a substantially planar horizontally disposed rectangular base;
• a first pair of guide rails mounted parallelly and spacedly on, and depending from, said base, said first pair of rails extending longitudinally along the front and rear edges of said base;
• and
• a second pair of guide rails mounted parallelly and spacedly on, and depending from, said base, said second pair of rails extending transversely along the side edges of said base;
• first means for supporting and moving horizontally one of said storage platforms and its cargo thereon, if any, in a longitudinal direction, said first means being mounted operatively in each of said plurality of storage spaces so as to be positioned to engage, support and move longitudinally said first pair of guide rails and hence said storage platform connected thereto selectively into one of said plurality of storage spaces for placement and storage therein and for later retrieval therefrom;
• second means for supporting and moving said one of said storage platforms and its cargo thereon, if any, in a transverse direction, said second means being mounted operatively in each of said plurality of storage spaces so as to be positioned to engage, support and move transversely said second pair of guide rails and hence said storage platform connected thereto selectively into one of said plurality of storage spaces for placement and storage therein and later retrieval therefrom;
• and
• shift means for selectively bringing one of said supporting and moving means into and out of operative engagement and support of the corresponding said pair of guide rails, so that only one of said first and said second supporting and moving means is in supportive contact with one of said plurality of storage platforms at any time when said platform occupies the corresponding said storage space.