Patent ID: 6112917
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: A47B

Abstract:
A large capacity movable storage supporting apparatus for movably supporting a storage system, the storage system including at least one storage unit, the storage supporting apparatus comprising:a plurality of generally rectangular flat tracks secured to a floor generally parallel to one another;a plurality of corresponding support assemblies for directly supporting said storage system at spaced apart points along said storage system;each of said support assemblies including a pair of rotationally supported support wheels for supporting said storage system for rolling movement in accordance with one of said flat tracks, each of said support wheels having a spherical surface for engaging its associated flat track;a pair of rotationally supported guide rollers in association with only one of said support assemblies for maintaining rolling movement of said support wheels in a generally linear path on said flat track;an elongated drive track fixedly disposed to said floor adjacent to the flat track secured farthest from a user engageable drive mechanism;a drive shaft operably interconnected with all of said support assemblies;a drive element fixedly coupled to said drive shaft and engaged with said drive track; andsaid user engageable drive mechanism operably associated with said drive shaft to enable rotation of said drive shaft, to thereby cause said drive element to drive said support assemblies simultaneously along said flat tracks with low rolling resistance, wherein said support assemblies which do not incorporate said guide rollers move independently of each other in a non-linear path.