Automated warehousing system and method

A method for automatic storage and retrieval in an automated warehouse, the method comprising the steps of:

• accepting a palleted item to-be-stored by reaching out with a forklift-like attachment from a first elevator to draw in a palleted item;
• transporting said palleted item in a first elevator to an assigned level in a multi-story warehouse;
• rotating said palleted item within said first elevator for presentation inside a storage module;
• depositing said palleted item on said assigned level;
• carrying said palleted item down an aisleway on a row cart docked on an aisle cart to any one of a member of rows that intersect said aisleway;
• off-loading a row cart that carries said palleted item off said aisle cart down one of said number of rows;
• depositing said palleted item at a designated position in said one row;
• returning said row cart to a position on top of said aisle cart;
• picking up a second palletized item with said row cart from a place it was deposited along any row, off any aisle, on the same level in said multi-story warehouse;
• returning said row cart with said second palleted item to a position on top of said aisle cart;
• running said aisle cart and row cart with said second palleted item down said aisleway to a second elevator;
• dropping-off said second item proximate to said second elevator;
• retrieving said second pallet item with said second elevator by reaching out with a forklift-like attachment to draw in said second palleted item;
• rotating said second palleted item within said second elevator for presentation outside a storage module;
• outputting said second palletized item from said multi-story warehouse by reaching out with a forklift-like attachment from said second elevator to outplace said second palleted item;
• moving said second palleted item between a truck-dock door and a walking conveyer;
• and
• shuffling said second palleted item on a carousel system between said walking conveyor and said first elevator, wherein said carousel system includes two sets of parallel adjacent tracks and transfer track at each pair of ends, and said palleted items circulate around, and at least one conveyor cart rides said carousel system on said parallel adjacent tracks and said transfer track, and wherein said conveyor carts include an unloading and loading device.

An automated warehouse, comprising:

• means for accepting a palleted item to-be-stored by reaching out with a forklift-like attachment from a first elevator to draw in a palleted item;
• means for transporting said palleted item in a first elevator to an assigned level in a multi-story warehouse;
• means for pivoting said palleted item within said first elevator for presentation inside a storage module;
• means for depositing said palleted item on said assigned level;
• means for carrying said palleted item down an aisleway on a row cart docked on an aisle cart to any one of a number of rows that intersect said aisleway;
• means for off-loading a row cart that carries said palleted item off said aisle cart down one of said number of rows;
• means for depositing said palleted item at a designated position in said one row;
• means for returning said row cart to a position on top of said aisle cart;
• means for picking up a second palletized item with said row cart from a place it was deposited along any row, off any aisle, on the same level in said multi-story warehouse;
• means for returning said aisle cart and row cart with said second palleted item to a position on top of said aisle cart;
• means for returning said row cart with said second palleted item down said aisleway to a second elevator;
• means for dropping-off said second item proximate to said second elevator;
• means for retrieving said second pallet item with said second elevator by reaching out with a forklift-like attachment to draw in said second palleted item;
• means for rotating said second palleted item within said second elevator for presentation outside a storage module;
• means for outputting said second palletized item from said multi-story warehouse by reaching out with a forklift-like attachment from said second elevator to outplace said second palleted item;
• means for moving said second palleted item between a truck-dock door and a walking conveyer;
• and
• means for shuffling said second palleted item on a carousel system between said walking conveyor and said first elevator, wherein said carousel system includes two sets of parallel adjacent tracks and a transfer track at each pair of ends, and said palleted items circulate around, and at least one conveyor cart rides said carousel system on said parallel adjacent tracks and said transfer track, and wherein said conveyor carts include an unloading and loading device.