Automated vertical store

Abstract: An automated vertical store (1) having a number of posts (3)(4), and a number of cross members (7) which define a number of seats (8) for respective containers (2) and are connected to the posts (3)(4) by a releasable fast-fit connecting assembly (10); the connecting assembly (10) having, for each cross member (7), at least a first (13) and at least a second (15) anchoring bracket, which are carried by the cross member (7) and have respective elongated anchoring portions (18) extending in respective directions crosswise to each other, and cooperating with and resting against relative retaining surfaces (19) of the posts (3)(4).

Description: The present invention relates to an automated vertical store. More specifically, the present invention relates to an automated vertical store of the type comprising a number of containers or drawers; vertical shelving having a seat for each container; a consultation or inspection station where the containers can be inspected; and an automated lift assembly for moving each container between the respective seat and the inspection station. The shelving of known vertical stores of the above type comprises a number of posts; and a number of cross members or shelves having respective opposite end portions connected integrally to the posts in various ways. In one method, the end portions are screwed and bolted to the posts, which is fairly awkward on account of the cross members having to be first positioned and held in position along the posts until at least some of the screws are inserted and tightened. Assembling the shelving is therefore relatively time-consuming and expensive by calling for considerable labour and the use of specific tools. Moreover, assembled as described above, certain parts of the shelving may be stronger than others, by the assembly work also depending on the sensitivity of the fitter. Some of these drawbacks are eliminated by welding or riveting the cross members to the posts, though this method is not widely used, mainly on account of the structure, once assembled, allowing of no variation, e.g. in the size of the seats, to adapt the structure to containers other than the original ones. An example of a vertical store comprising posts, cross members and releasable connecting means for connecting each cross member to each of said posts is represented by document DE-A-3908568. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automated vertical store designed to provide a straightforward, low-cost solution to the above problems. According to the present invention, there is provided an automated vertical store comprising a number of containers; a number of posts; a number of cross members; releasable connecting means for connecting each cross member to a relative said post and for defining a relative seat for each said container; and a lift assembly for moving each container to and from the relative seat; characterized in that said connecting means comprise, for each said cross member, at least a first and at least a second anchoring bracket, which are carried by the relative said cross member and comprise respective elongated anchoring portions; the elongated anchoring portions extending in respective directions crosswise to each other, and each cooperating with and resting against a respective anchoring portion of a respective said post. A non-limiting embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a partial side view of a preferred embodiment of the vertical store according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a section along line II-II in Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 show larger-scale sections of a first and second detail of Figure 2; Figure 5 shows the same view as in Figure 2, of a detail of Figure 2 being assembled. Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole an automated vertical store for storing a number of containers 2, each containing one or more items (not shown) for storage. More specifically, store 1 comprises a number of posts 3 and 4, only two of which are shown in Figures 1 and 2, and each of which is substantially C-shaped and has a relative column 5 of quadrangular through holes 6 extending along at least part of the height of post 3, 4. Store 1 also comprises a number of shelves or cross members 7, only two of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, and which define, together with posts 3 and 4, a number of identical or different seats 8, each for housing a relative container 2, which is moved to and from the relative seat 8 by a known automated lift assembly 9 (Figure 1) not described in detail. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, and particularly in Figures 3 and 4, each cross member 7 is connected to posts 3 and 4 by a releasable fast-fit connecting assembly 10, which comprises a first pair 12 of brackets 13 for connecting cross member 7 to post 3, and a second pair 14 of brackets 15 for connecting cross member 7 to post 4. Brackets 13 and 15 are formed in one piece with relative cross member 7, preferably by cutting and bending respective intermediate portions of cross member 7. Alternatively, in a variation not shown, brackets 13 and 15 are welded or riveted to cross member 7. With reference to Figures 1, 3 and 4, brackets 13 and 15 are all substantially L-shaped, and each comprises a supporting portion 16, which is integral with cross member 7, projects perpendicularly from cross member 7, and loosely engages one of quadrangular holes 6 in post 3, 4 so as to be positioned contacting a surface of post 3, 4 defining the bottom of relative hole 6. Each bracket 13, 15 also comprises an elongated anchoring portion 18, which extends in contact with a retaining or supporting surface 19 of relative post 3, 4 on the opposite side to the surface against which cross member 7 rests. More specifically, portions 18 of brackets 15 extend from respective portions 16 in directions parallel to each other and to a longitudinal direction A of relative cross member 7, and are spaced transversely apart. Portions 18 of brackets 13, on the other hand, extend from respective portions 16 in directions parallel to each other and perpendicular to direction A, i.e. parallel to relative post 3, towards a bottom portion or foot of post 3. Like portions 18 of brackets 15, portions 18 of brackets 13 are also spaced transversely apart. Cross member 7 is connected to posts 3, 4 by positioning cross member 7 horizontally and tilted with respect to the plane of posts 3, 4, and by inserting anchoring portions 18 of brackets 15 through respective holes 6 in post 4, as shown in Figure 5. At this point, cross member 7 is rotated with respect to posts 3, 4 about a hinge axis defined by brackets 15, so that portions 16 and 18 engage holes 6 in post 3, cross member 7 is brought into contact with post 3, and portions 18 of brackets 15 partly contact surface 19 of post 4. At which point, cross member 7 is slid in contact with post 3 towards the foot of post 3, so that portions 18 of brackets 13 come to rest against surface 19 of post 3, thus locking cross member 7 firmly and releasably with respect to posts 3 and 4. Unlike known solutions, connecting assembly 10 described therefore provides for connecting each cross member 7 firmly, extremely easily, and quickly to a pair of posts with no need for tools and/or items other than the cross members themselves. This is mainly due to anchoring brackets 13 and 15 being carried directly by cross members 7, and to the particular geometry of brackets 13 and 15. Brackets 13, 15, the particular geometry of the brackets, and the presence of holes 6 in posts 3, 4, also provide for obtaining a releasable fast-fit connecting assembly enabling the structural configuration of store 1 to be changed quickly to adapt store 1, for example, to different containers. Clearly, changes may be made to store 1 as described herein without, however, departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the geometry of brackets 13, 15 and posts 3, 4 may be other than as described by way of example, providing the cross members can be anchored firmly to and removed easily from the posts. Moreover, portions 18 of brackets 13 and 15 may extend in directions forming angles other than 90° and such as to permit the connection of elongated members, e.g. ties, extending diagonally with respect to posts 3 and 4. Finally, each cross member may comprise a number of brackets other than that shown, and in particular one bracket 13 and one bracket 15; and brackets 13 and 15 may be located otherwise than as shown with respect to the end portions of the cross member, so as to obtain, with the posts, seats of different sizes.

Claims: An automated vertical store (1) comprising a number of posts (3) (4); a number of cross members (7); releasable connecting means (10) for connecting each cross member (7) to said posts (3) (4), whereby said connecting means (10) comprise, for each said cross member (7), at least a first (13) and at least a second (15) anchoring bracket, which are carried by the relative said cross member (7) and comprise respective elongated anchoring portions, each of said auchoring portions (18) cooperates with and rests against a respective retaining surface (19) of a respective said post (3), (4) characterized in that said vertical store comprises a number of containers (2) and a lift assembly (9) for moving each containers (2) to and from its relative seat (8), which is defined by cross members (7) and posts (3), (4); (18); and said elongated anchoring portions (18) extend in respective directions crosswise to each other. A store as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that said elongated anchoring portions (18) extend in directions perpendicular to each other; at least one of said directions being parallel to one of said posts (3) (4). A store as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each said cross member (7) carries two pairs (12) (14) of said brackets (13) (15). A store as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that the elongated anchoring portions (18) of each pair (12)(14) of brackets (13)(15) extend parallel to each other and are spaced transversely apart. A store as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that said elongated anchoring portions (18) are integral with the respective said cross member (7). A store as claimed in Claim 5, characterized in that said elongated anchoring portions (18) are formed in one piece with said cross member (7). A store as claimed in Claim 6, characterized in that said elongated anchoring portions (18) are defined by respective cut and bent portions of the relative said cross member (7). A store as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that each said bracket (13)(15) is substantially L-shaped. A store as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that each said post (3)(4) comprises at least one column (5) of through holes (6); each of said brackets (13)(15) extending through a relative said hole (6).

Inventors: FRANCO RENATO, GHIBAUDO GIUSEPPE, PONTINI MASSIMO, FRANCO, RENATO, GHIBAUDO, GIUSEPPE, PONTINI, MASSIMO
Applicants: BERTELLO SPA, BERTELLO S.P.A.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B65G1
IPC codes: A47B96, A47B57