Dual access storage and retrieval system
AssigneeWhite Storage & Retrieval Systems, Inc.
InventorDavid Simon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A storage, transportation and retrieval system, and accompanying storage racks, are disclosed for increasing the effective storage capacity of the storage racks, providing simultaneous access to two adjacent storage racks, requiring less call-ups to locate desired items. The system is so arranged that it can be implemented to occupy less area. The storage racks are constructed to provide access to its storage area from at least either side of the storage rack. The system is arranged to move the storage racks in a path which may be of virtually any shape. A circular or substantially similar path imparts the advantages of permitting ready access to any two adjacent storage racks.
Claims38
A storage and retrieval apparatus, said apparatus comprising:
- a. a frame;
- and
- b. a plurality of storage racks arranged one adjacent another on said frame, at least two adjacent storage racks each having at least one storage compartment and each being so arranged on said frame as to be movable along a path between a storage position for storing articles and an access position, at least a portion of said path being arcuate, said access position of said at least two adjacent storage racks being on or adjacent said arcuate portion of said path, and said at least two adjacent storage racks being constructed and arranged with respect to each other and said frame such that the at least one storage compartment of each said at least two adjacent storage racks can be accessed from the access position at the same time.
An apparatus for the storage, transportation and retrieval of articles, said apparatus comprising:
- a. a frame;
- and
- b. a plurality of storage racks having first and second sides and a storage compartment on at least one of said first side or said second side, said storage compartment of at least one storage rack is adjacent the storage compartment of another storage rack, and wherein each said storage rack is movable along a path between storage positions at which articles are stored in a storage compartment thereof and an access position, at least a portion of said path being arcuate and wherein said access position is on or adjacent said arcuate portion of said path so that when two adjacent storage racks are at access positions, access can be gained to the storage compartments thereof from a single work station.
An apparatus for the storage, transportation and retrieval of articles, said apparatus comprising:
- a. a frame;
- and
- b. a plurality of storage racks having first and second sides and a compartment, at least a portion of said storage racks having storage compartments on both said first side and said second side thereof, at least a portion of said storage racks having a front which connects said first side and said second side, and a storage compartment on said front, said storage racks being arranged on said frame such that the storage compartment of at least one storage rack is adjacent the storage compartment of another storage rack, and wherein each said storage rack is movable between storage positions at which articles are stored in a storage compartment thereof and an access position at which access can be gained to the storage compartments of two adjacent storage racks.
An apparatus for the storage, transportation and retrieval of articles, said apparatus comprising:
- a frame;
- and
- b. a plurality of storage racks having first and second sides and a storage compartment on at least one of said first side or said second side, said storage racks being arranged on said frame such that the storage compartment of at least one storage rack is adjacent the storage compartment of another storage rack, and guide means operatively connecting said storage racks on said frame for guiding the movement of said storage racks along an endless path, wherein each said storage rack s movable along said endless path between storage positions at which articles are stored in a storage compartment thereof and an access position at which access can be gained to the storage compartments of two adjacent storage racks.
A storage transportation and retrieval system, said system comprising:
- a. a first storage and retrieval carousel including:
- i. an oblong frame having two semi-circular ends and two elongate portions connecting said ends;
- ii. a plurality of storage racks having first and second sides and a storage compartment on at least one of said first side or said second side, said storage racks being arranged on said frame such that the storage compartment of at least one storage rack is adjacent the storage compartment of at least one other storage rack, and wherein each said storage rack is movable along an oblong path defined by said oblong frame, whereby said storage racks are in a storage position when juxtaposed on said elongate portion of said path and each said storage rack is at an access position when on or adjacent said semi-circular path at which access can be gained to the storage compartment thereof and the storage compartment of an adjacent storage rack;
- and
- b. a second storage and retrieval carousel of substantially similar construction as said first storage and retrieval carousel, said second storage and retrieval carousel being arranged adjacent said first storage and retrieval carousel along the elongate portions thereof.
A method of storing and retrieving articles in and from a storage and retrieval apparatus having a frame, and a plurality of storage racks arranged one adjacent another on the frame wherein at least two adjacent storage racks each have at least one storage compartment and are so arranged on the frame so as to be movable along a path between a storage position for storing articles and an access position at which access is provided to the at least one storage compartment, said method including the steps of:
- a. moving said two adjacent storage racks in an arcuate path to an access position such that the at least one storage compartment of each such adjacent storage rack can be simultaneously accessed from the access position;
- and
- b. removing, while in the access position, articles stored in at least one of the at least one storage compartment of each such adjacent storage rack.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.