Cart loading system and method for library-like materials

A cart loading system for placing library-like items onto a library cart, wherein said cart includes a plurality of shelves between first and second cart end members, said cart loading system comprising:

• a cart tilting means for receiving said cart, said cart tilting means including means for tilting said cart so as to raise said second cart end member relative to a ground plane and relative to said first cart end member such that said shelves are at a selected angle relative to said ground plane;
• a placer means including,
• a rack member for supporting an individual item of library-like items,
• a pusher means responsive to a push signal for pushing said individual item off of said rack member,
• transport means coupled said rack member for positioning said rack member, said transport means including means responsive to a command signal for positioning said rack member,
• (i) in proximity to a selected one shelf of said plurality of shelves, and
• (ii) at an open space on said selected shelf away from said first cart end member, so that said pusher means is capable of pushing said individual item off of said rack member and onto said open space on said selected shelf,
• shelf sensing means coupled to said rack member for sensing the position of said rack member relative to said plurality of shelves, and providing a shelf output signal indicative thereof, and
• open space sensing means coupled to said rack member for sensing an open space on said selected shelf, and providing an open space signal indicative thereof;
• and
• control means responsive to (i) a shelf selection signal indicative of said selected shelf, (ii) said open space signal, and (iii) said shelf output signal, for providing said command signal and said push signal such that said rack member is first positioned relative to said selected shelf prior to said push signal so that said pusher means may push said item onto said first open space away from said first cart end member on said selected shelf.

A cart loading system for placing library-like items onto a selected shelf of first and second carts, wherein each of said first and second carts includes a plurality of shelves between first and second cart end members, said cart loading system comprising:

• a first cart tilting means for receiving said first cart, said first cart tilting means including means for tilting said first cart so as to raise said second cart end member of said first cart relative to a ground plane and relative to said first cart end member of said first cart such that said shelves of said first cart are at a selected angle relative to said ground plane;
• a second cart tilting means for receiving said second cart, said second cart tilting means including means for tilting said second cart so as to raise said second cart end member of said second cart relative to a ground plane and relative to said first cart end member of said second cart such that said shelves of said second cart are at a selected angle relative to said ground plane;
• and
• a placer means positioned between said first cart tilting means and said second cart tilting means, said placer means including,
• a rack member for supporting an individual item of library-like items,
• a pusher means for pushing said individual item off of said rack member,
• transport means coupled to said rack member for positioning said rack member,
• (i) in proximity to a selected shelf of said plurality of shelves of one of said first and second carts, and
• (ii) at an open space on said selected shelf away from said first cart end member, so that said pusher means is capable of pushing said individual item off of said rack member and onto said open space on said selected shelf, and
• compacting means coupled to said rack member for compacting any library-like items on said selected shelf.

A cart loading system for placing library-like items onto a selected shelf of first and second carts, wherein each of said first and second carts includes a plurality of shelves between first and second cart end members, said cart loading system comprising:

• a first cart tilting means for receiving said first cart, said first cart tilting means including means for tilting said first cart so as to raise said second cart end member of said first cart relative to a ground plane and relative to said first cart end member of said first cart such that said shelves of said first cart are at a selected angle relative to said ground plane;
• a second cart tilting means for receiving said second cart, said second cart tilting means including means for tilting said second cart so as to raise said second cart end member of said second cart relative to a ground plane and relative to said first cart end member of said second cart such that said shelves of said second cart are at a selected angle relative to said ground plane;
• and
• a placer means positioned between said first cart tilting means and said second cart tilting means, said placer means including,
• a rack member for supporting an individual item of library-like items,
• a pusher means for pushing said individual item off of said rack member,
• transport means coupled to said rack member for positioning said rack member,
• (i) in proximity to a selected shelf of said plurality of shelves of one of said first and second carts, and
• (ii) at an open space on said selected shelf away from said first cart end member, so that said pusher means is capable of pushing said individual item off of said rack member and onto said open space on said selected shelf,
• shelf sensing means coupled to said rack member for sensing the position of said rack member relative to said plurality of shelves of said cart associated with said selected shelf, and providing a shelf output signal indicative thereof;
• and
• open space sensing means coupled to said rack member for sensing an open space on said selected shelf, and providing an open space signal indicative thereof;
• control means responsive to (i) a shelf selection signal indicative of said selected shelf, (ii) said open space signal, and (iii) said shelf output signal, for providing said command signal and said push signal such that said rack member is first positioned relative to said selected shelf prior to said push signal so that said pusher means may push said item onto said first open space away from said first cart end member on said selected shelf.

A method of loading library-like items onto a cart, wherein said cart includes a plurality of shelves between first and second cart end members, said method comprising the steps of:

• positioning said cart upon a tilting means;
• tilting said cart, by way of said tilting means, so as to raise said second cart end member relative to a ground plane and relative to said first cart end member such that said shelves are at a selected angle relative to said ground plane;
• positioning an individual library-like item on a rack member, wherein said rack member is capable of supporting said individual item;
• transporting said rack member so as to be,
• (i) in proximity to a selected shelf of said plurality of shelves, and
• (ii) in proximity to an open space on said selected shelf away from said first cart end member, such that said individual item may be pushed off of said rack member into said open space;
• compacting any library-like items on said selected shelf toward said first cart end member;
• and
• pushing said individual item off of said rack member and onto said selected shelf.

A method of loading library-like items onto a cart, wherein said cart includes a plurality of shelves between first and second cart end members, said method comprising the steps of:

• positioning said cart upon a tilting means;
• tilting said cart, by way of said tilting means, so as to raise said second cart end member relative to a ground plane and relative to said first cart end member such that said shelves are at a selected angle relative to said ground plane;
• positioning an individual library-like item on a rack member, wherein said rack member is capable of supporting said individual item;
• transporting said rack member so as to be,
• (i) in proximity to a selected shelf of said plurality of shelves, and
• (ii) in proximity to an open space on said selected shelf away from said first cart end member, such that said individual item may be pushed off of said rack member into said open space;
• and
• pushing said individual item off of said rack member and onto said selected shelf.

A method of loading library-like items onto a selected shelf of first and second carts positioned on opposite sides of an item placer system, with said item placer system including a first cart tilting means, a second cart tilting means, and a rack member, wherein each of said first and second carts includes a plurality of shelves between first and second cart end members, said method comprising the steps of:

• positioning said first cart upon said first tilting means, and positioning said second cart upon said second tilting means;
• tilting said first and second carts, by way of said first and second tilting means, so as to raise said second cart end member of each cart relative to a ground plane and relative to its respective said first cart end member such that said shelves are at a selected angle relative to said ground plane;
• positioning an individual library-like item on said rack member, wherein said rack member is capable of supporting said individual item;
• transporting said rack member so as to be,
• (i) in proximity to a selected shelf of said plurality of shelves of one of said first and second carts, and
• (ii) in proximity to an open space on said selected shelf away from said first cart end member, such that said individual item may be pushed off of said rack member into said open space;
• compacting any library-like items on said selected shelf toward its corresponding said first cart end member;
• and
• pushing said individual item off of said rack member and onto said selected shelf.