Patent GB-981571-A (GB)
Title: Mechanical load handling, transfer and storage equipment
IPC: B65G1/04
Filed: 1961-10-23
Abstract: 981,571. Storage systems with selective access. TRIAX CO. Oct. 23, 1961 [Nov. 2, 1960], No. 37859/61. Heading B8E. A control system for a load carrier K (Fig. 1) serving storage bays in a storage system can be programmed with two commands so that the carrier services two storage bays, one after the other. This permits a load to be carried to one storage bay, and a load to be delivered to the access point from a second storage bay, as the result of a single programme, and without the carrier returning intermediately to the access point. The storage bays are arranged in rows and columns, designated digitally, one digit corresponding to the row, and the other to the column. The carrier includes a platform J (Fig. 7) capable of a small vertical movement for depositing or taking up loads, and the position of the platform J, i.e. whether it is raised or lowered, when it is moved into a storage bay, determines whether it is lowered to deposit a load or raised to pick one up. The bays in the storage system illustrated are provided in two facing frameworks FAL, FAR (Fig. 7) and the carrier K (Fig. 1) automatically returns to a reference position P1 after servicing each bay specified in a two-bay programme. The carrier can also be controlled by a programme specifying one bay only, and conveys the stored articles to and from an access point P3. The carrier consists of a framework H guided by rails F-16, F-17 to run between the frameworks FAL, FAR and carrying guides B-1A (Fig. 6), H-1B for a vertically moving frame V (Fig. 7). The frame V carries a laterally moving carriage E on which is mounted the platform J. The frame H is driven by pinions such as HM-8 (Fig. 9) engaging racks such as F-15 integral with the guides F-17 for rollers HM-9, HM-10 on the frame H. Each rack F-15 is preferably integral with the corresponding guide F-17 so that these can be renewed together. The pinions HM-8 are driven through gearing and belting from a two-speed reversible electric motor HM (Fig. 9) carried by the frame H and equipped with an electrically released brake. The frame V carries pinions such as VM-8 (Fig. 8) which engage racks H-1A, H-1B on the frame H and are driven by a two-speed reversible motor VM with an electrically released brake. The frame V is guided by rollers VM-9, VM-10, VM-11 (Fig. 9) engaging vertical guide masts H-3A, H-3B. The carriage E is driven laterally from a single-speed reversible motor mounted on the frame V and driving sprockets EM-5 (Fig. 12, plan) which engage a chain EM-7 anchored at EM-7A and EM-7B to the frame E and running also around sprockets EM-6 on the frame V. The frame E is guided by rollers EM-8, EM-9 engaging members V3 on the frame V and, when extended into a storage bay, engaging also members F-3 in the storage bay (see also Fig. 14). Rollers V-6 (Fig. 12) engaging members on the frame ensure alignment of the carriage E with the storage bays. The carriage J is raised and lowered by four jacks JM-9 (Fig. 12) at the corners of the platform J. The jacks JM-9 are single acting, and retraction is assisted by springs. Pressure to extend the jacks is derived from a cylinder JM-7 (Fig. 19) in which works a piston JM-6 moved by a screw JM-4 held against rotation by a key JM-5 engaging a slot JM-7B, and carrying a nut JM-3 rotated through belting and gearing from a single-speed reversible motor JM (Figs. 8 and 9). The bay or bays to be serviced by the carrier are selected by push-buttons which select each digit in the designation of a storage bay. A further button indicates which of the facing frameworks FAL, FAR contains the bay to be serviced. Safety devices include an arrangement which reverses the carrier should it pass limit stops at the ends of the storage system or should it be programmed to deliver a load to an occupied storage bay, or should the carrier be inaccurately aligned with a storage bay. Safeguards are also provided against thermal overload of the motors and against jamming of the mechanism, and the individual driving mechanisms can be controlled manually for servicing. The control circuits employ counters counting the number of columns or bays passed by the carrier, and comparing it with the programme to determine when the creep-speed of the motors is to be engaged. Limit switches control the final movement of the carrier into alignment with a column or bay. The horizontal movement of the frame H and the vertical movement of the frame B may be replaced by movement in other directions. The loads, which may be motor cars, are preferably carried on pallets supported by ledges in the frameworks. Specifications 955,593 and 969,022 are referred to.