Patent Publication Number: US-2012027558-A1

Title: Tire storage system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of earlier filed Provisional Application No. 61/368,286 (Confirmation No. 8916) filed Jul. 28, 2010, for Modular Storage Rack With Sliding Shelves. The benefit of the earlier filing date of the aforementioned provisional application is hereby claimed. The disclosure in the aforementioned provisional application is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference thereto. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a new and improved method and apparatus for use in storing tires. 
     Tires have previously been stored by being placed in stacks on a floor with sidewalls of the tires generally parallel to the floor on which the tires are stacked. In addition, it has been suggested that various rack arrangements may be utilized to store tires at locations above a floor or other support surface. Systems using a rack to store tires above a floor are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,438,729; 3,557,966; and 7,413,091. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a new and improved method and apparatus for use in storing tires. When a tire is to be stored, it is placed on a carriage while the carriage is at a transfer location. The carriage is moved from the transfer location to a storage location with the tire disposed on the carriage. 
     As the carriage is moved from a transfer location to a storage location, the carriage may be moved along a path which extends along a central axis of the tire disposed on the carriage. It is contemplated that the carriage may advantageously be suspended above a floor during movement of the carriage between a transfer location and a storage location. 
     If desired, a first array of tire transfer locations may be disposed along one side of a first array of storage locations. A second array of storage locations may advantageously be disposed above the first array of storage locations. A second array of transfer locations may be disposed along one side of the second array of storage locations and disposed above the first array of transfer locations. 
     It should be understood that the present invention includes a number of features. These features may be utilized together as disclosed herein. Alternatively, the features may be utilized separately and/or in combination with features from the prior art. For example, carriages may be moved between transfer and storage locations without being suspended above a floor. As another example, upper and lower arrays of storage and transfer locations may be provided without suspending the carriages. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon a consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic pictorial illustration of a tire storage apparatus and depicting the manner in which a plurality of tires are disposed on carriages located at a plurality of tire storage locations; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged schematic front elevational view, taken generally along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , depicting a relationship between carriages disposed at tire storage locations on opposite sides of tire transfer locations, some of the tires illustrated in  FIG. 1  having been removed from the carriages to facilitate understanding of the construction of the carriages; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged schematic side elevational view, taken generally along the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 , further illustrating the manner in which tires are stored on a plurality of carriages; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged schematic pictorial illustration, generally similar to  FIG. 1 , with some of the tires of  FIG. 1  removed from the carriages, one of the carriages being illustrated in  FIG. 4  as having been moved part way from a tire storage location toward a tire transfer location; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged schematic top plan view, taken generally along the line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 , illustrating the relationship between carriages and tire transfer locations when one carriage has been moved part way from a tire storage location to a tire transfer location; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic pictorial illustration, generally similar to  FIG. 4 , illustrating the relationship between carriages when one carriage has been moved from a tire storage location to a tire transfer location, additional tires having been removed to better illustrate the construction of the carriages; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged schematic top plan view, taken generally along the line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 , illustrating the relationship between carriages and tire transfer locations when one of the carriages is disposed at a tire transfer location; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged schematic pictorial illustration depicting the manner in which wheels connected with a carriage engage a guide track in the tire storage apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged schematic illustration depicting a connector assembly utilized to releasably connect a tire support rack with a carriage support member extending downwardly from the guide track and wheels of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic pictorial illustration further illustrating the construction of the connector assembly of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic pictorial illustration depicting the manner in which a plurality of tire storage units, each of which has the construction illustrated in  FIG. 1 , may be disposed in upper and lower levels; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged schematic side elevational view, taken generally along the line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 11 , illustrating the manner in which tires and carriages at upper storage locations are disposed above tires and carriages at lower storage locations in the apparatus of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a fragmentary schematic pictorial illustration depicting a second embodiment of the tire storage apparatus; and 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged schematic pictorial illustration of a portion of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     General Description 
     A tire storage apparatus or unit  20  constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated schematically in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . The tire storage unit  20  includes a left array  22  of tire storage locations and a right array  24  of tire storage locations. An array  26  of tire transfer locations is disposed between the left and right arrays  22  and  24  of storage locations. 
     A first plurality  32  of carriages is disposed at the left array  22  of tire storage locations. A second plurality  34  of carriages is disposed at the right array of storage locations. The first plurality  32  of carriages includes carriages  38 ,  40 ,  42 , and  44  ( FIG. 1 ). The second plurality  34  of carriages includes carriages  46 ,  48 ,  50  and  52  ( FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 ). All of the carriages  38 - 52  have the same construction. However, if desired, some of the carriages  38 - 52  may have a construction which is different than the construction of other carriages. 
     The array  26  of tire transfer locations ( FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 ) includes a plurality of transfer locations which have been indicated schematically at  58 ,  60 ,  62  and  64  in  FIG. 5 . The tire transfer locations  58 - 64  form an aisle disposed between the left array  22  of tire storage locations and the right array  24  of tire storage locations. A carriage in the first plurality  32  of carriages and a carriage in the second plurality  34  of carriages are aligned with each tire transfer location in the array  26  transfer locations. 
     When tires  70  are to be positioned on or removed from a carriage, the carriage is moved from its storage location to an associated one of the transfer locations  26 . For example, when a tire  70  is to be removed from the carriage  48  ( FIG. 1 ) in the second plurality  34  of carriages, the carriage  48  is moved from its storage location to a position in which the carriage  48  is disposed at one of the tire transfer locations, that is, the tire transfer location  60  ( FIGS. 5-7 ), in the array  26  of tire transfer locations. 
     When the carriage  48  is to be moved from its storage location ( FIG. 1 ) to its transfer location  60  ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ), the carriage and/or a tire  70  on the carriage is manually grasped. The carriage  48  is then manually pulled away from the right array  24  of tire storage location toward the left array  22  of tire storage locations. As this occurs, the carriage  48  is moved partway toward the aligned carriage  40  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) in the left array  22  of tire storage locations. As the carriage  48  is pulled into the tire transfer location  60  ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ), the carriage moves into engagement with the aligned carriage  40 . This limits leftward (as viewed in  FIGS. 4-7 ) movement of the carriage  48 . 
     When the carriage  48  is at the tire transfer location  60  ( FIG. 7 ), tires  70  may be positioned on and/or removed from the carriage  48 . The carriage  48  remains stationary at the transfer location  60  while one or more tires  70  are manually removed from and/or placed on the carriage. The carriage  48  is then moved rightward (as viewed in  FIG. 7 ) through the position illustrated in  FIG. 5  back to the tire storage location opposite from and aligned with the carriage  40  ( FIG. 1 ). During this movement of the carriage  48 , the carriages  38 - 46 ,  50  and  52  remain stationary at their storage locations. Thus, the carriages  38 - 52  are sequentially moved one at a time from their storage locations in the arrays  22  or  24  of storage locations to the associated one of the transfer locations. However, two or more carriages  38 - 52  may be moved at the same to transfer locations  26  as long as the carriages are not being moved to the same transfer locations. For example, the carriage  38  ( FIG. 7 ) may be moved to the tire transfer location  58  while the carriage  48  is disposed at the tire transfer location  60 . 
     In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 1-7 , the carriages  38 - 52  are manually moved between the arrays  22  and  24  of storage locations and the array  26  of tire transfer locations. However, it is contemplated that a suitable drive arrangement may be provided to move the carriages between the storage and transfer locations. For example, a screw drive or a rack and pinion drive may be connected with a suitable motor to move a carriage. 
     Tire Orientation 
     In accordance with one of the features of the present invention, the tires  70  are disposed on the carriages  38 - 52  with central axes  76  ( FIG. 2 ) of the tires aligned with paths of movement of the carriages between the tire storage locations and the tire transfer locations. The central axes  76  of the tires  70  on the carriages  38 - 52  extend longitudinally through the transfer locations  58 - 64  and are parallel to longitudinal central axes of the transfer locations  58 - 64  ( FIG. 5 ). Although only the central axes  76  of the tires  70  disposed on the carriages  38  and  46  are illustrated in  FIG. 2 , it should be understood that the central axes of all of the tires disposed on the carriages  38 - 52  extend parallel to the paths of movement of carriages between the arrays  22  and  24  of tire storage locations and the array  26  of tire transfer locations. 
     The tires  70  are disposed in a side-by-side relationship with each other on the carriages  38 - 52 , in the manner illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Annular side surfaces  80  ( FIG. 3 ) of the tires on the carriages  38 - 52  are disposed in engagement with each other and extend perpendicular to the central axes  76  of the tires. The side surfaces  80  of the tires  70  are disposed in abutting engagement with each other to maximize the number of tires which may be positioned on the carriages  38 - 52 . The carriages  38 - 52  may be made larger, vertically and/or horizontally, so that the carriages can hold a greater number of tires. Alternatively, the carriages  38 - 52  may be made smaller. 
     The annular side surfaces  80  of the tires  70  on the carriages  38 - 52  extend perpendicular to the central axes  76  of the tires and perpendicular to the paths of movement of the carriages  38 - 52  between the tire storage locations  22  and  24  and the tire transfer locations  26 . The central axes  76  of the tires  70  are horizontal and extend parallel to a support surface, that is, a floor  84  ( FIG. 2 ), of a building in which the tire storage unit  20  is disposed. The annular side surfaces  80  of the tires  70  are disposed in a perpendicular relationship with the floor  84  of the building. 
     If the tires  70  are of the same size, the central axes  76  of tires on a first carriage will be coincident with the central axes  76  of tires on a second carriage which is aligned with the first carriage. For example, the carriage  38  is aligned with the carriage  46  ( FIGS. 1 , and  5 ). If the tires  70  on the carriage  38  are the same size as the tires on the carriage  46 , the horizontal central axes  76  of the tires on the carriage  38  will be coincident with the horizontal central axes of the tires on the carriage  46  ( FIG. 2 ). If the tires  70  on the carriages  38  and  46  are of different sizes, the central axes of the larger diameter tires may be offset upwardly from the central axes of the smaller diameter tires. Although the central axes of the larger diameter tires may be offset upwardly from the central axes of the smaller diameter tires, the central axes of the large and small diameter tires will all be horizontal and parallel to the floor  84 . 
     The carriages  38 - 52  are movable between the tire storage locations  22  and  24  and the tire transfer locations  26  along paths which extend along and are parallel to the central axes  76  of the tires  70 . Although the tires  70  are disposed in an upright orientation on the carriages  38 - 52  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ), it is contemplated that the tires  70  may be positioned in a different orientation on the carriages if desired. For example, the tires may be positioned on the carriages  38 - 52  with their annular side surfaces  80  horizontal. 
     Tire Storage 
     Unit Structure 
     The tire storage unit  20  ( FIGS. 1-7 ) includes a main frame  90 . The main frame  90  has a rectangular configuration which encloses the left and right arrays  22  and  24  of tire storage locations and the array  26  of tire transfer locations. The carriages  38 - 52  are also enclosed by the main frame  90 . The tires  70  on the carriages  38 - 52  are disposed within a spatial envelope defined by the main frame  90  ( FIGS. 3 and 5 ). 
     The main frame  90  includes upstanding posts  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  ( FIG. 1 ). The vertical posts  92 - 98  extend perpendicular to the floor  84  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). Horizontal support members  104 ,  106 ,  108  and  110  are disposed in a rectangular array and are fixedly connected to upper ends of the posts  92 - 98 . Horizontal cross members  112  and  114  ( FIGS. 1 and 5 ) extend between and are perpendicular to the support members  106  and  110 . The vertical posts  92 - 98  ( FIG. 1 ) are fixedly connected with the floor  84  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The support members  104 - 110  and cross members  112  and  114  are fixedly connected to the upper ends of the posts  92 - 98  and extend parallel to the floor  84 . The carriages  38 - 52  are disposed within space defined by the perimeter of the main frame  90 . 
     Guide tracks  120 ,  122 ,  124  and  126  ( FIG. 1 ) are connected with the carriages  38 - 52 . The horizontal tracks  120 - 126  guide movement of the carriages  38 - 52  between the storage locations  22  and  24  and the transfer locations  26 . The parallel guide tracks  120 - 126  are fixedly connected to and extend perpendicular to the support members  104  and  108 . The guide tracks  120 - 126  are also fixedly connected to the cross members  112  and  114 . The guide tracks  120 - 126  guide movement of the carriages  38 - 52  along parallel paths which extend across the left and right arrays  22  and  24  of tire storage locations and the array  26  of tire transfer locations. 
     The guide tracks  120 - 126  extend parallel to each other and to the floor  84 . The guide tracks  120 - 126  extend perpendicular to the support members  104  and  108  and extend perpendicular to the cross members  112  and  114 . One end portion of each of the guide tracks  120 - 126  is fixedly connected to the support member  104 . The opposite ends of the guide tracks  120 - 126  are fixedly connected to the support member  108 . In addition, the guide tracks  120 - 126  are fixedly connected to the cross members  112  and  114 . 
     The guide tracks  120 - 126  ( FIG. 5 ) have parallel longitudinal central axes which extend parallel to the paths of movement of the carriages  38 - 52 . Thus, the guide track  120  is disposed directly above the longitudinal central axes of the coincident paths of movement of the carriages  38  and  46  and extends parallel to the longitudinal central axes of the paths of movement of the carriages  38  and  46 . Similarly, the guide track  122  is disposed directly above and extends parallel to the longitudinal central axes of the coincident paths of movement of the carriages  40  and  48 . The guide track  124  is disposed directly above and extends parallel to the longitudinal central axes of the coincident paths of movement of the carriages  42  and  50 . Similarly, the guide track  126  is disposed directly above and extends parallel to the longitudinal central axes of the coincident paths of movement of the carriages  44  and  52 . Although the guide tracks  120 - 126  are disposed above and extend parallel to the floor  84  ( FIG. 2 ), it is contemplated that the guide tracks may be disposed on the floor  84  or beneath an upper surface of the floor  84  if desired. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of the tire storage unit  20  ( FIG. 1 ), a single guide track  120 ,  122 ,  124 , or  126  is connected with each of the carriages  38 - 52 . If desired a plurality of guide tracks may be connected with each of the carriages  38 - 52 . For example, the carriage  46  may be connected with a pair of parallel guide tracks instead of the single guide track  120 . The parallel guide tracks may be spaced apart by a distance which is approximately the same as the width of the carriage  46 . Of course, in the foregoing example, the carriage  38  would be connected with the same pair of guide tracks as the carriage  46 . 
     Carriage Construction 
     The carriages  38 - 52  all have the same construction. The carriage  46  is illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4 . Carriage  46  includes a pair of parallel vertical support members  132  and  134  ( FIG. 4 ). The vertical support members  132  and  134  ( FIG. 4 ) extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the guide track  120  with which they are connected. 
     A plurality of identical tire support racks  138  are connected with the support members  132  and  134  for the carriage  46 . The tire support racks  138  extend parallel to the floor  84  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) and extend perpendicular to the carriage support members  132  and  134 . Each of the tire support racks  138  has an elongated rectangular configuration and has a longitudinal central axis which extends parallel to a longitudinal central axis of the guide track  120 . The longitudinal central axis of the tire support rack  138  also extends parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the path of movement of the carriage  46  between one of the storage locations  24  and the transfer location  58  ( FIG. 5 ). 
     Each of the tire support racks  138  includes a pair of horizontal tire support members  150  and  152  which extend parallel to each other and to the guide track  120  ( FIG. 7 ). The horizontal tire support members  150  and  152  are fixedly connected to horizontal cross members  154  and  156  ( FIG. 7 ). The cross members  154  and  156  extend perpendicular to the tire support members  150  and  152  and are connected to the upright carriage support members  132  and  134  ( FIG. 6 ). 
     The cross members  154  and  156  extend perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the guide track  120  ( FIG. 7 ) and to the longitudinal central axes of the carriage support members  132  and  134  ( FIG. 6 ). The horizontal cross members  154  and  156  ( FIG. 7 ) are releasably connected to the vertical carriage support members  132  and  134  ( FIG. 6 ) to enable the spacing between the tire support racks  138  on the carriage  46  to be varied to accommodate tires  70  of different diameters. Tires of the same size or of different sizes may be positioned on any one of the tire support racks  138 . If desired, tires of one size may be positioned on one of the tire support racks  138  and tires of a different size may be positioned on other tire support racks  138  of the carriage  46 . 
     The tires  70  are positioned on a tire support rack  138  ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ) with a circular tread portion  158  ( FIG. 3 ) of the tires in engagement with the tire support members  150  and  152  ( FIG. 7 ). The tire support members  150  and  152  cooperate with the tread portions  158  of the tires  70  disposed on the tire support rack  138  to position the tires with their central axes  76  ( FIG. 2 ) extending parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the guide track  120  and parallel to the path of movement of the carriage  46  between tire storage location  24  and a tire transfer location  58  ( FIG. 7 ). The central axes  76  of the tires  70  on the carriage  46  extend through and are perpendicular to the carriage support members  132  and  134 . Although only the carriage  46  has been described in detail herein, it should be understood that the other carriages  38 - 44  and  48 - 52  have the same construction and cooperate with the tires  70  in the same manner as does the carriage  46 . 
     The central axes  76  of tires  70  on a first carriage extend through support members  132  and  134  for the first carriage on which the tires are disposed. In addition, the central axes  76  of the tires  70  on the first carriage extend through support members  132  and  134  for a second carriage suspended from the same track as the first carriage. For example, the central axes  76  of all of the tires  70  on the carriage  48  ( FIG. 4 ) extend through the support members  132  and  134  for the carriage  48  and the support members  132  and  134  for the carriage  40 . The central axes  76  of all the tires  70  on the carriage  48  also extend parallel to the guide track  122  from which the carriages  48  and  40  are suspended. In addition, the central axes  76  of all the tires  70  on the carriage  48  extend along and are parallel to the path of movement of the carriages  48  and  40  between a tire storage location  24  and the tire transfer location  60 . It should be understood that the central axes  76  of all the tires  70  on the carriage  40  extend through the support members  132  and  134  for the carriages  40  and  48  and are parallel to the guide track  122 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, there are three tire support racks  138  on each of the carriages  38 - 52 . However, it is contemplated that a greater or lesser number of tire support racks  138  may be provided on any one or all of the carriages  38 - 52 . For example, four tire support racks  138  may be provided on some of the carriages  38 - 52  while two tire support racks are provided on other carriages. 
     In accordance with one of the features of the present invention, the carriages  38 - 52  are suspended from the guide tracks  120 - 126  by the carriage support members  132  and  134  ( FIGS. 2-4 ). Space is provided between the lower ends of the carriages  38 - 52  and the floor  84 . By having the carriages  38 - 52  hang from the guide tracks  120 - 126  and spaced from the floor  84 , movement of the carriages  38 - 52  is not interfered with by debris which may be disposed on the floor  84 . In addition, cleaning of the floor  84  beneath the carriages  38 - 52  is facilitated. 
     If desired, each of the carriages  38 - 52  may be provided with one or more support wheels which engage the floor  84  and support the carriage for movement along the floor. For example, a support wheel may be connected with the carriage support member  132  and another support wheel may be connected with a carriage support member  134  for the carriage  46  ( FIG. 6 ). If this is done, the two support wheels would roll on the floor  84  and, to some extent at least, support the carriage  46  ( FIG. 4 ) by transmitting force from the carriage to the floor. If desired, a support wheel may be provided at each of the four corners of the lower most tire support rack  138  on the carriage  46 . Of course, support wheels may be provided in association with the other carriages  38 - 44  and  48 - 52 . If wheels are provided on the carriages  38 - 52 , the wheels may roll on the floor or engage guide tracks which are parallel to the guide tracks  120 - 126 . If wheels are provided on the carriages  38 - 52 , the wheels would transmit force from the carriages to the floor  84  while force is also transmitted from the carriages to the guide tracks  120 - 126 . 
     A was previously mentioned, a pair of guide tracks may be provided in association with any one of the carriages  38 - 52 . If this is done, the lower end portion of each carriage  38 - 52  may be provided with four wheels. Two of the wheels being disposed in vertical alignment with each guide track of the pair of guide tracks. For example, the guide track  120  ( FIG. 1 ) may be replaced by a pair of parallel guide tracks which are spaced apart by a distance equal to the length of the cross members  154  and  156  ( FIG. 6 ). A wheel may then be placed at each of the corners of the lower support rack  138  of the carriage  46 . The wheels would engage the floor  84  and be disposed in vertical alignment with the two guide tracks with which the carriage  46  is connected. 
     Carriage Connection Features 
     The upright carriage support member  132  ( FIGS. 4 and 8 ) is connected with the guide track  120  ( FIGS. 5 and 8 ) by a connector assembly  164  ( FIG. 8 ). The connector assembly  164  ( FIG. 8 ) includes a hanger bracket  168  which is connected with wheels  170  and  172  disposed within the track  120 . The wheels  170  and  172  roll along the interior of the track  120  as the carriage  46  is moved along the track between one of the tire storage locations  24  and the tire transfer location  58  ( FIG. 7 ). 
     The hanger bracket  168  ( FIG. 8 ) is connected to the upright carriage support member  132  by a suitable fastener  178 . Although only the connector assembly  164  associated with the carriage support member  132  have been described herein, it should be understood that a connector assembly  164  interconnects the guide track  120  and the carriage support member  134  at the opposite end of the carriage  46 . Although the hanger brackets  168  in the connector assemblies  164  which connect the carriage support members  132  and  134  with the track  120  are effective to transmit the weight of the tires  70  carried on the carriage  46  to the guide track  120 , it is contemplated that it may be desired to have a portion of the weight of the tires transmitted to the floor  84  through wheels connected with a lower end portion of the carriage. 
     It is contemplated that it may be desired to change the distance between the tire support racks  138  of the carriage  46  to enable tires  70  of different sizes to be positioned on the support racks. To enable the distance between the tire support racks  138  to be adjusted, manually releasable connector assemblies  182  ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ) interconnect the carriage support member  132  and tire support rack  138  of the carriage  46 . 
     The connector assembly  182  is of the pin type and includes a housing  186  which encloses a pin member  188 . A biasing spring  192  ( FIG. 10 ) urges the pin member  188  toward an engaged position in which it extends through aligned openings in the carriage support member  132  and cross member  154 . When a ring type handle  196  connected with the pin member  188  is manually pulled, the biasing spring  192  is compressed and the pin member is pulled out of the opening in the carriage support member  132 . This enables the cross member  154  of the tire support rack  138  to be moved either upwardly or downwardly relative to the carriage support member  132 . 
     When the pin member  188  has been moved into alignment with a circular opening at a desired level in the carriage support member  132 , the handle  196  on the pin member  188  is released. The spring  192  then moves the pin member  188  axially toward the left (as viewed in  FIG. 10 ). This causes the pin member  188  to engage the desired opening in the carriage support member  132 . 
     The connector assemblies  182  enable the spacing between the tire support racks  138  for any one of the carriages  38 - 52  to be adjusted to accommodate tires of different sizes. For example, if relatively large diameter tires  70  are to be placed on the lowermost tire support rack  138  on the carriage  46  ( FIG. 6 ), the tire support rack about the lowermost tire support rack would be moved upwardly along the carriage support members  132  and  134 . This would be accomplished by releasing the connector assemblies  182  for the tire support rack which is to be moved upwardly. Once the tire support rack  138  has been moved upward to the desired level, the connector assemblies  182  would be actuated to lock the tire support rack in place at the desired level. Relatively small tires  70  would be positioned on the tire support rack  138  which was moved upward. 
     Although only the connector assemblies  164  and  182  for one end portion of the carriage  46  have been illustrated in  FIGS. 8-10 , it should be understood that similar connector assemblies are provided in association with the carriage support member  134  at the opposite end of the carriage  46 . It should also be understood that connector assemblies having the same construction and mode of operation as the connector assemblies  164  and  182  are provided in association with the carriage support members  132  and  134  at opposite ends of each of the carriages  38 - 52 . Connector assemblies having a construction which is different than the construction illustrated in  FIGS. 8-10  may be utilized if desired. 
     Operation 
     When tires are to be stored in or removed from the tire storage unit  20  ( FIGS. 1-7 ), the selected one of the carriages  38 - 52  is moved from a tire storage location to tire transfer location. This may be accomplished by manually grasping and pulling on the carriage support member  132  and/or a tire  70  at a selected one of the carriages  38 - 52 . The selected one of the carriages  38 - 52  moves from one of the tire storage locations  22  or  24  to one of the tire transfer locations  26 . Movement of the selected carriage to its associated transfer location is interrupted when the selected carriage reaches the transfer location. This may be accomplished by engaging the selected carriage with the carriage which is supported on the same track as the selected carriage. 
     For example, if the carriage  48  is the selected carriage, the carriage  48  is moved from the storage location in the right array  24  ( FIG. 1 ) of storage locations toward the associated tire transfer location  60  ( FIG. 5 ). The carriage  48  moves along the guide track  122  and the central axes  76  ( FIG. 2 ) of the tires  70  on the carriage  48  as the carriage moves toward the tire transfer location  60 . Since the tire support members  150  and  152  ( FIG. 7 ) on the carriage  48  ( FIG. 4 ) extend parallel to the guide track  122 , the carriage also moves along the central axes of the tire support members as the carriage moves toward the tire transfer location  60  ( FIG. 5 ). 
     At this time, the individual who manually pulls the carriage  48  from its storage location toward its tire transfer location  60  may be standing between the stationary carriages  38  and  46 . This individual may apply force to the carriage  48  by manually pulling on the carriage support member  132  for the carriage  48 . If desired, a handle may be connected with the carriage support member  132  to facilitate a manual application of force to the carriage. 
     The carriage  48  moves from its storage location ( FIG. 1 ) through an intermediate position ( FIG. 5 ) to the tire transfer location  60  ( FIG. 7 ). Force may be manually applied to tires  70  on the carriage  48  to urge the carriage into the tire transfer location. The other carriages  38 - 46 ,  50  and  52  remain stationary in their respective tire storage locations while the carriage  48  is being moved. Alternatively, one or more of the carriages  38 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  50  and  52  may be moved as the carriage  48  is moved. 
     As the carriage  48  moves into the transfer location  60  ( FIG. 7 ), the carriage  48  engages the stationary carriage  40  which is axially aligned with the carriage  48 . Both of the carriages  40  and  48  are suspended from the guide track  122 . Bumper blocks formed of a suitable resilient polymeric material are provided on the carriages  40  and  48 , as well as the other carriages. The bumper blocks absorb impact force which occurs when one carriage engages another carriage. Stop bolts are provided at opposite ends of each of the guide tracks  120 - 126  to prevent a carriage from being pushed off of its associated guide track. Resilient bumpers may be held in place at the ends of the guide tracks  120 - 126  by the stop bolts. 
     After the carriage  48  has been moved to the tire transfer location  60 , in the manner illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , one or more tires  70  may be either removed from the carriage or positioned on the carriage. If a tire  70  is to be moved onto the carriage  48 , the tread portion  158  of the tire is positioned in engagement with a tire support member  150  of a tire support rack  138  on the carriage  48 . The tire is then rolled onto the rack with the tread portion  158  of the tire engaging the parallel tire support members  150  and  152  of the tire support rack  138 . Similarly, if a tire  70  is to be removed from the carriage  48 , the tire is manually grasped and rolled off of a tire support rack  138  onto the floor  84 . 
     The space between carriages disposed at their storage locations, that is, the carriages  38 - 46  and  50 - 52  in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , is sufficient to enable a person to easily roll several tires  70  at a time along the floor in the aisle between the carriages. The aisle extends across the transfer locations  58 - 64  in a direction perpendicular to longitudinal central axes of the guide tracks  120 - 126 . Card holders  204  ( FIG. 6 ) are provided on the carriages  38 - 52  to enable a person moving down the aisle between carriages disposed at their storage locations, to read indicia which identifies tires disposed on the carriages. 
     Once a tire  70  has been removed from or positioned on a carriage, such as the carriage  48 , while the carriage is at its transfer location  60  ( FIG. 7 ), the carriage is pushed back to its storage location. This is accomplished by manually applying force to the carriage support member  132  and/or to a tire  70  disposed on the carriage  48 . This force is effective to shove the carriage  48  back to its storage location. Once this has been done, the aisle formed between the carriages and extending across the transfer locations  58 - 64  is more than large enough to allow an individual to roll two tires  70  down the aisle. The tires  70  are moved along the aisle in a direction transverse to the paths of movement of the carriages  38 - 52 . 
     It is contemplated that the size of the tire storage unit  20  will vary as a function of variations in the size of the tires  70  being stored. In one specific embodiment of the invention, the tire storage unit  20  had an overall width, as viewed in  FIG. 2 , of approximately fourteen feet and a vertical height of approximately eight and a half feet. The aisle formed between the left and right arrays  22  and  24  of tire storage locations, that is, the array  26  of tire transfer locations, had a width (as viewed in  FIG. 2 ) of approximately four feet. The lower end portions of the carriages  38 - 52  were approximately three to six inches above the floor  84 . The tire storage unit  20  had a width (as viewed in  FIG. 3 ) of approximately twenty feet. The guide tracks  120 - 126  were spaced apart from each other by a distance of approximately two and a half feet. 
     It should be understood that the foregoing dimensions for the tire storage unit  20  have been set forth herein for purposes of clarity of description and not for purposes of limitation of the invention. It is contemplated that the tire storage unit  20  may be built with any one of many different dimensions depending, in part at least, in the space available in a building and the size of the tires. For example, it is contemplated that the tire storage unit  20  may be constructed with each of the carriages  38 - 52  having tire support racks  138  for storing four levels or tiers of tires. Such a tire storage unit may have a height which is higher than the height of the illustrated tire storage unit  20 . 
     In the illustrated tire storage unit  20 , there are six tires  70  on each of the tire support racks  138  of any one of the carriages  38 - 52 . It is contemplated that the carriages  38 - 52  may be constructed to have either a greater or lesser number of tires on each of the tire storage racks  138 . Of course, this would result in the change of the dimensions of the carriages and of the tire storage unit  20 . 
     Multiple Level 
     Tire Storage System 
     A multiple level tire storage system  210  is formed by interconnecting tire storage limits  20  in the manner illustrated schematically in  FIG. 11 . The multiple level tire storage system  210  includes a lower or ground level  212  and an upper or second level  214 . The lower or ground level  212  is supported on the floor  84  of a building. The upper or second level  214  is supported on the lower or ground level  212 . It is contemplated that the multiple level tire storage system  210  may be utilized in a relatively large building, such as a warehouse, and may have more than two levels. The multiple level tire storage system  210  is capable of storing a relatively large number of tires in a minimum of space. 
     To provide access to the tires on the lower or ground level  212 , entryways  220  and  222  are provided at opposite ends of the multiple level tire storage system  210 . In addition, an entryway  224  is provided in a central portion of the lower or ground level  212 . Additional entryways may be provided if desired. The entryways  220 ,  222  and  224  are formed by omitting some of the carriages from a plurality of the interconnected tire storage units  20 . 
     Access to the upper or second level  214  is obtained by way of stairs  230  and  232  disposed at opposite ends of the multiple level tire storage system  210 . A deck or grating  236  is disposed between the upper level  214  and lower level  212  and provides a floor upon which an individual can walk along aisles  238  formed between tire storage locations of the upper level  214 . The lower level  212  and the upper or second level  214  ( FIG. 11 ) are formed by interconnecting a plurality of tire storage units  20 . 
     The main frames  90  of tire storage units  20  disposed in the lower or ground level  212  are interconnected to form a unitary lower or ground level of the multiple level tire storage system  210 . The tire storage units  20  on the lower level  212  have vertical posts  92 - 98  ( FIGS. 1 and 11 ) which are connected to the floor  84 . The posts  92 - 98  of each tire storage unit  20  in the lower level  212  are connected to posts of adjacent units. The guide tracks  120 ,  122 ,  124  and  126  ( FIG. 12 ) of the lower or ground level  212  are disposed beneath the deck or grating  236  which forms the floor of the upper level  214 . 
     The main frames  90  of the tire storage units  20  disposed in the upper or second level  214  are interconnected to form a unitary upper or second level of the multiple level storage system  210 . The tire storage units  20  in the upper level  214  have vertical posts  92 - 98  ( FIGS. 1 and 11 ) which are connected to the mainframes  90  of the tire storage units  20  in the lower level  212 . The posts  92 - 98  of each tire storage unit  20  in the upper level  214  are connected to posts of adjacent units. The guide tracks  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126  ( FIG. 12 ) of the tire storage units  20  forming the upper or second level  214  extend parallel to and are disposed directly above the guide tracks of the tire storage units  20  which form part of the lower or ground level  212 . 
     When a carriage, for example the carriage  38 , in the lower level  212  ( FIG. 12 ), is to be moved from a storage location to a transfer location  58  ( FIG. 5 ), the carriage is moved along a portion of the lower guide track  120  ( FIG. 12 ) disposed between storage locations in the lower and upper levels  212  and  214 . A first portion of the lower guide track  120  is disposed between tire storage locations  22  ( FIG. 1 ) located in the lower level  212  ( FIG. 12 ) and tire storage locations  22  located in the upper level  214 . A second portion of the lower guide track  120  is disposed between tire storage locations  24  ( FIG. 1 ) located in the lower level  212  and the storage locations  24  located in the upper level  214 . An intermediate portion of the lower guide track  120  is disposed between tire transfer locations  26  ( FIG. 1 ) located in the lower level  212  and tire transfer locations  26  located in the upper level  214 . 
     The guide tracks  120 - 126  in the upper level  214  are disposed directly above and extend parallel to the guide tracks  120 - 126  in the lower level  212  ( FIG. 12 ). A first portion of the upper guide track  120  is disposed above the tire storage locations  22  ( FIG. 1 ) located in the upper level  214  ( FIG. 12 ). A second portion of the upper guide track  120  is disposed above tire storage locations  24  ( FIG. 1 ) located in the upper level  214 . An intermediate portion of the upper guide track is disposed above the tire transfer locations  26  ( FIG. 1 ) located in the upper level  214 . 
     Carriages  38 - 52  ( FIG. 4 ) in the lower and upper levels  212  and  214  ( FIG. 12 ) are independently movable along the lower and upper tracks  120 - 126  between tire storage locations  22  and  24  ( FIG. 1 ) and tire transfer locations  26 . In the foregoing example, the carriage  38  in the lower level  212  ( FIG. 12 ) is movable along the lower guide track  120  between one of the lower tire storage locations  22  ( FIG. 1 ) and a lower tire transfer location  58  ( FIG. 5 ). The carriage  46  in the lower level  212  is also movable along the lower guide track  120  between one of the tire storage locations  24  ( FIG. 1 ) and the lower tire transfer location  58  ( FIG. 5 ). The carriage  38  in the upper level  214  (FIG.  12 ) is movable along the upper guide track  120  between one of the upper tire storage locations  22  and an upper tire transfer location  58  ( FIG. 5 ). The carriage  46  in the upper level  214  is also movable along the upper guide track  120  between one of the tire storage locations  24  ( FIG. 1 ) and the upper tire transfer location  58  ( FIG. 5 ). Although only the carriages  38  and  46  in the lower and upper levels  212  and  214  have been mentioned in the foregoing examples, it should be understood that carriages  40 - 44  and  48 - 52  are movable between tire storage locations  22  or  24  in the lower and upper levels  212  and  214  in the same manner as previously described herein in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-10 . 
     The carriages  38 - 52  in the lower and upper levels  212  and  214  are movable between the lower and upper tire storage locations  22  and  24  and the lower and upper tire transfer locations  26  independently of each other. For example, the carriage  52  ( FIG. 5 ) in the upper level  214  can be moved between a tire storage location  24  and the tire transfer location  64  without moving any other carriages in either the lower or upper level  212  or  214 . The carriage  52  disposed in the lower level  212  can remain stationary while the carriage  52  directly above it is moved. 
     Tires  70  are positioned on or removed from the carriages  38 - 52  in the lower and upper levels  212  and  214 , in the same manner as previously discussed in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-7 , when the carriages are at tire transfer locations  26 . The tire storage units  20  which form the lower and upper levels  212  and  214  have the construction illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10 . Each tire storage unit  20  in the lower and upper levels  212  and  214  ( FIG. 1 ) is used to facilitate storing and retrieving of tires in the same manner as previously described in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-7 . 
     Although the multi-level tire storage system  210  has only two levels, that is, the lower level  212  and an upper level  214 , it is contemplated that the multiple level tire storage system  210  could have three or more levels if desired. The multi-level tire storage system  210  is formed of interconnected tire storage units  20  ( FIGS. 1-10 ). However, it is contemplated that the multiple level storage system  210  could be formed by building a unitary framework which extends between both the upper and lower levels and extends throughout the extent of the multiple level storage system. If this was done, relatively long longitudinally extending tracks could be substituted for the guide tracks  120 - 126  in each of the tire storage units  20 . 
     Alternative Embodiment 
     In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 1-12 , the carriages  38 - 52  are suspended by carriage support members  132  and  134  ( FIG. 4 ) at opposite ends of the carriages. It is contemplated that the carriages may be constructed in a different manner if desired. It is also contemplated that the carriages  38 - 52  may not be suspended from the guide tracks  120 - 126 . 
     In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , a multiple level tire storage system, similar to the tire storage system  210  of  FIG. 11 , is illustrated. The carriages used in the storage system of  FIGS. 13 and 14  have a different construction than the carriages used in the storage system of  FIGS. 1-11 . In addition, the guide tracks for the carriages of  FIGS. 13 and 14  have a construction which is different than the construction illustrated in  FIGS. 1-11 . Since components of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14  are generally similar to components of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 1-12 , similar numerals will be utilized to designate similar components, the suffix letter “a” being associated with the numerals of  FIGS. 13 and 14  to avoid confusion. 
     A multiple level tire storage system  210   a  is illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . The multiple level tire storage system  210   a  includes a lower carriage  44   a  and an upper carriage  44   a.  Since the carriages  44   a  are used in a multiple level tire storage system, the upper carriage  44   a  is disposed directly above the carriage  44   a  for the lower level of the system. 
     The carriages  44   a  have rectangular frames  244 . The rectangular frames  244  replace the single carriage support members  132  and  134  utilized in the carriages  38 - 52  of  FIGS. 1-12 . The lower (as viewed in  FIG. 13 ) carriage  44   a  has a rectangular frame  244  which is suspended from a guide track  126   a  by engagement of a wheel  248  with the guide track. A second wheel  250  is connected with the frame  244  and engages a guide track  124   a.  The frame  244  has vertically extending support members  254  and  256  which extend downward from a horizontal cross member  258 . The wheels  248  and  250  are mounted at opposite ends of the cross member  258 . The support members  254  and  256  extend downward to a tire support rack having the same construction as the tire support rack  138  of  FIGS. 4 and 6 . 
     The upper carriage  44   a  has a frame  244  of the same general construction as the frame  244  of the lower carriage. However, in the upper frame, the tire support rack  138   a  is disposed adjacent to a cross member  258  connected with wheels  248  and  250  which roll along an upper side of guide tracks  124   a  and  126   a.  The manner in which the wheels  248  and  250  on adjacent carriages engage the guide track  124   a  is illustrated in  FIG. 14 . The guide track  124   a  is formed as an extrusion and has a lower flange  264  which is engaged by the wheels  248  and  250  on the lower carriages  42   a  and  44   a.  In addition, the guide track  124   a  has an upper flange  268  which is engaged by wheels  248  and  250  on the upper level carriages  42   a  and  44   a.    
     CONCLUSION 
     The present invention relates to a new and improved method and apparatus  20  for use in storing tires  70 . When a tire  70  is to be stored, it is placed on a carriage  38 - 52  while the carriage is at a transfer location  26 . The carriage is moved from the transfer location  26  to a storage location  22  or  24  with the tire  70  disposed on the carriage. 
     As the carriage is moved from a transfer location  26  to a storage location  22  or  24 , the carriage may be moved along a path which extends along a central axis  76  of the tire  70  disposed on the carriage. It is contemplated that the carriage may advantageously be suspended above a floor during movement of the carriage between a transfer location  26  and a storage location  22  or  24 . 
     If desired, a first array of tire transfer locations  26  may be disposed along one side of a first array of storage locations  22 . A second array of storage locations  22  may advantageously be disposed above the first array of storage locations. A second array of transfer locations  26  may be disposed along one side of the second array of storage locations  22  and disposed above the first array of transfer locations. 
     It should be understood that the present invention includes a number of features. These features may be utilized together as disclosed herein. Alternatively, the features may be utilized separately and/or in combination with features from the prior art. For example, carriages may be moved between transfer and storage locations without being suspended above a floor. As another example, upper and lower arrays of storage and transfer locations may be provided without suspending the carriages.