Modular storage system for logistical management of operational units

A modular storage system comprising:

• a plurality of carts, at least one of the plurality of carts including:
• a chassis generally having a length mat separates opposed ends of the base;
• a storage structure operably attached to and carried by the base;
• at least three wheel assemblies, each wheel assembly operably attached to and extending below the base to provide a rolling surface adapted to roll on the floor, wherein the wheels on at least one cart are pivotable;
• and
• at least one rail follower mechanism having a height and a vertical axis along the height, the at least one rail follower mechanism operably attached to one end of the base and having at least a portion of which is axially movable upwardly and downwardly along the vertical axis;
• a rail operably positioned on the floor and extending along a rail axis,
• such that the cans are operably retained by and movable along the rail axis when the at least one rail follower mechanism is selectively engaged with the rail by movement of the rail follower mechanism from a position out of the rail downwards axially along the vertical axis and into the rail to permit the cart to be selectively positioned in a storage position that is generally side-by-side with an adjacent cart along the rail axis and in an accessible position that is generally spaced apart with an adjacent can along the rail axis, and
• such that the cart comprising pivotable wheels is removable from the rail and movable in a direction generally transverse to the rail axis when the at least one rail follower mechanism is selectively disengaged with the rail by movement of the rail follower mechanism from a position in the rail upwards axially along the vertical axis and out of the rail.

A method of using a modular storage system comprising:

• providing a plurality of carts, at least one of the plurality of carts including:
• a base generally having a length that separates opposed ends of the base;
• a storage structure operably attached to and carried by the base;
• at least three pivotable wheel assemblies, each wheel assembly operably attached to and extending below the base to provide a rolling surface adapted to roll on the floor;
• and
• at least one track follower mechanism having a height and a vertical axis along the height, the at least one rail follower mechanism operably attached to one end of the base and having at least a portion of which is axially movable upwardly and downwardly along the vertical axis;
• and
• providing a track operably positioned on the floor and extending along a track axis;
• selectively engaging the at least one track follower mechanism with the track by movement of the track follower mechanism from a position out of the track downwards axially along the vertical axis and into the track so that the cart is operably retained by and movable only in a direction generally parallel to the track axis in a storage position;
• and
• selectively disengaging the at least one track follower mechanism from the track by movement of the track follower mechanism from a position in the track upwards axially along the vertical axis and out of the track, such that the cart is removable from the track and movable in a direction transverse to the track axis.