Patent GB-576627-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to storage systems and apparatus
IPC: E04H6/24
Filed: 1943-06-26
Abstract: 576,627. Storage systems for handling goods. FOULKES, T. E., and NUTTALL, G. R. F. June 26, 1943, No. 10385. [Class 78 (iv)] Relates to storage systems of the kind described in Specifications 470,516, 484,542, 499,198, 499,233, 528,379, [Group XVIII], and 554,517, [Group XIV], in which a number of carrier members or platforms are arranged sideby-side in parallel rows, the rows being close together, and in which there is a space in each row, except possibly the back row, to allow the carriers to be moved to-and-fro sideways along the respective rows and thus make access to any carrier in a rear row possible from the front of the rows. The present invention comprises power means for imparting the desired lateral movement to the side-by-side carriers, selecting means at a central 'control station for determining which of the carriers shall be moved by the power means, and means to ensure the regrouping of the carriers in their normal positions between consecutive operations of the power means. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, there are three rows A, B, C of carriers or platforms 1 having loads 2, which may be vehicles, thereon. The back row C contains one more load than either of the other platforms. The platforms in rows A and B can be moved laterally by means of reversible motors 4 which can move rods 3 axially in either direction, each of the platforms being provided with a selecting device, which may be a solenoidoperated clutch, by which it can be locked to the corresponding rod 3. If access is needed to, say, the second load from the left in row B, the selector in row A is operated, whereupon the second platform from the left in row A and all the eight platforms to the right of it are clutched to the corresponding rod 3, the motor 4 is started and the nine platforms selected in row A are moved to the right through the width of a platform, thus leaving the required load in row B exposed. Similarly, if access is required to, say, the sixth load from the left in row C, the sixth selectors from the left in rows A and B are operated, and when both motors 4 are started up a block of five platforms in each row is moved to the right leaving the required load in row C exposed. The operation is concluded by reversing the motors and returning the platforms to the normal position shown in Fig. 1. Each platform may be clutched to its operating rod 3 by means of a solenoid 14, Fig. 6, which, when energized, slides a plunger 12 into a corresponding recess in the rod. When the solenoid is de-energized the plunger is returned by a spring 15 and may lock the platform against any movement by engaging a stationary recess. A control panel 7, Fig. 9, is provided with push buttons 8, one for each of the platforms in rows A and B, and the arrangement is such that when button 2A, say, is pressed, all the requisite solenoids in row A are energized, and when, say, button 6B is pressed, all the requisite solenoids in row B and all the corresponding solenoids in row A are energized. This is effected by means of circuits, Fig. 7 (not shown), in which the solenoid circuits are energized in cascade or succession when any single press-button is operated. The building housing the system is preferably provided with doors, one in front of each platform in row A, and the control circuit is so arranged that the motors 4 cannot be started unless all the doors are closed. The control panel 7 has a signal lamp 17 showing when the system is " live," and a signal lamp 18 showing when all the doors are closed. The motors 4 are controlled by a switch 19 which is not effective unless both signal lamps are lit, and are stopped automatically when the platforms have moved laterally through the width of one platform. Modifications are described in which (1) alternate platforms only can be clutched to the rods 3 the platforms in the back row C being also movable laterally, (2) only the platform selected at any given time is clutched to its rod 3, this platform then pushing all the others before it, (3) all the platforms in rows A and B may be moved to the right before any selection is made, and be there held by brakes against the effort of a permanent restoring force, such as gravity, the platforms being mounted on inclined tracks ; selection having been made, the non-selected platforms are released and return to their original positions leaving a gap where desired, and (4) some of the platforms are a multiple in size of the normal platforms, but one dimension is common to all platforms. In all cases hand-operated means may also be provided for moving the platforms, each platform having a hand-lever carrying a pinion provided with a one-way clutch and adapted to engage a stationary rack. The selecting device may be electric, fluid-pressure, or mechanical.