Patent ID: 6409451
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A remote vehicle for handling items to be stored to and retrieved from a flow through storage facility comprising:a) an upright chassis having an upper and lower portion and having a carriage supported thereby and an elevation mechanism for said carriage operatively connected to said chassis; b) a mechanical arm operatively connected to said carriage and adapted to extend substantially horizontal from said carriage over an item stored in a flow through bin and retract; c) a finger member operatively connected to said arm and adapted to selectively extend substantially vertical down from said arm, wherein retraction of the arm that is extended over the item having the finger extended downward and adjacent the item pulls the item onto the carriage; d) an over head traction mechanism attached to the upper portion of said upright chassis and said traction mechanism is adapted to operatively translate along and suspend from an over head guidance structure where said lower portion is freely suspended; and e) an on-board controller in operative communication with the elevation mechanism and the mechanical arm and adapted to receive a control signal from a central controller and adapted to selectively control the elevation mechanism and arm.