Carousel conveyor with rotatable storage racks
AssigneeWhite Consolidated Industries, Inc.
InventorDale Voelz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A carousel-type storage and access system provides storage units having first and second storage zones accessible through first and second opposed access faces. Each storage unit is mounted for pivotal movement in an access position to one of two operated positions. In one operated position, one access face is conveniently positioned for access by the machine operator. In the other operated position, 180.degree. of rotation from the first operated position, the second access side is positioned for easy access by the operator. A turner unit located at the access position is coupled with the adjacent storage unit and operates to rotate the storage unit to the various operated positions required. Sensors generate signals which can be fed to a computer controller for fully automated operation.
Claims18
An article storage and access system comprising a plurality of storage units for storing a plurality of different articles, each unit providing at least first and second sides with a first storage portion accessible from said first side and a second storage portion accessible from said second side, a transporter supporting said units for movement from a storage zone to an access location, said transporter supporting said units at said access location for rotation, said storage units at said access location being rotatable to a first operated position to position said first side for access to said first portion and being rotatable to a second operated position to position a second side for access to said second portion.
A carousel-type storage and access system comprising oval track means, a powered transporter mounted on said track means, a plurality of storage units mounted on said transporter, said transporter operating to position selected storage units in an access location, said storage units providing opposed first and second sides with a first storage portion accessible from said first side and a second storage portion accessible from said second side, said storage units being journaled on said transporter for rotation to first and second operated positions 180.degree. of rotation apart, and a powered turner operating to turn storage units at said access position to selected of said operated positions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.