Patent ID: 8998554
Filing Date: 2015-04-07
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A multilevel vertical conveyor system for transporting uncontained case units to and from a multilevel storage structure having an array of vertically stacked storage levels, the multilevel vertical conveyor system comprises: a frame having discontinuous platform guide members; a drive member connected to the frame; and support platforms coupled to the drive member, each of the support platforms having support members and at least two follower members configured to engage the discontinuous platform guide members; where the drive member is configured to move the support platforms relative to the frame in a substantially continuous vertical loop, each of the support platforms being configured to support multiple uncontained case units substantially throughout the substantially continuous vertical loop where each of the multiple uncontained case units is disposed at a respective predetermined area of a respective support platform, the support members are guided by the discontinuous platform guide members substantially throughout a path of the substantially continuous vertical loop, where the support members are guided in three point contact substantially throughout the path through engagement of the at least two follower members with the discontinuous platform guide members where three point contact is effected by one of the at least two follower members engaging a respective discontinuous platform guide member when another of the at least two follower members passes a discontinuity in the respective guide member.