Patent ID: 6763742
Filing Date: 2004-07-20
Classification: A47B,F16D,G06T,H04N,Y10T

Abstract:
In a mobile storage system including one or more movable storage units and a drive arrangement associated with each storage unit for moving the storage unit in response to manual operation of an actuator, the improvement comprising:a torque limiting mechanism interposed between the actuator and the drive arrangement, wherein the torque limiting mechanism is operable to prevent application of an actuating force to the drive arrangement exceeding a predetermined threshold; wherein the actuator includes a manually operable handle interconnected with the drive arrangement by means of an input shaft, and wherein the torque limiting mechanism includes an input member interconnected with the input shaft and a force-transferring arrangement interposed between the handle and the input member for transferring an actuating force below the predetermined threshold from the handle to the drive arrangement through the input member, and for preventing transfer of an actuating force exceeding the predetermined threshold from the handle to the drive arrangement through the input member; wherein the force-transferring arrangement comprises one or more selective engagement members engaged with the handle and with the input member, and wherein the one or more selective engagement members comprise one or more spherical engagement members engaged with the handle and with the input member by means of engagement structure associated with the input member and with the handle, wherein each engagement member is normally in an engaged position in which the engagement member is engaged with the engagement structure of the input member and the handle.