Patent ID: 6074156
Filing Date: 2000-06-13
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A library cart loading system for placing library materials onto a selected shelf of a library cart, where each of the library materials is dimensionally described by a first cover side and opposing second cover side, an up-side and an opposing down-side, and a spine side and an opposing page side, said library cart loading system comprising:a library cart, including a plurality of shelves each having first and second parallel widthwise end members, wherein associated with each of said shelves are (i) a lengthwise reference axis passing through a top surface plane of said shelf and extending perpendicularly through said first and second widthwise end members thereof, (ii) a widthwise reference axis passing through said top surface plane, parallel with a ground plane and perpendicular to said lengthwise reference axis, and (iii) a vertical axis perpendicular to said lengthwise and widthwise reference axes;a library cart tilting means for receiving said library cart, said library cart tilting means including means for tilting said cart so as to raise said second widthwise end member relative to said first widthwise end member of each of said shelves, such that said lengthwise axis associated with said top surface plane of each of said shelves is at a selected angle relative to said ground plane, and said widthwise reference axis associated with each of said shelves is parallel to said ground plane;a library material placer means including,a rack member having a planar-like supporting surface and a ledge member, said library material placer means adapted for supporting an individual item of library materials with a selected one of said up-side and down-side of said individual item resting on a ledge surface of said ledge member, and wherein said ledge surface is, itself lengthwise, parallel with said widthwise axis of said shelf and said planar surface thereof; andpusher means coupled to said rack member for slidably pushing said individual item off of said ledge member in response to a push command signal; andcontrol means for positioning said rack member (i) in proximity to a selected one of said plurality of shelves, and (ii) at a selected position along the lengthwise reference axis away from said shelf first widthwise end member associated with said selected one of said shelves, so that said individual library material may be pushed off of said rack onto said selected one of said plurality of shelves at a first unoccupied shelf space away from said first shelf end member associated therewith, such that said library materials may be stacked on each other, cover-side onto cover-side, with their respective spine sides perpendicular to said shelf top surface beginning from said first widthwise end member and continuing through to said second widthwise end member thereof.