Abstract:
A multilevel modular storage system composed of a plurality of modules arranged side by side and stacked on a plurality of levels which can slide horizontally and transversely in both directions. Each module has a substantially rectangular elongated supporting base. A first end of each one of the modules can slide on sliders which are rigidly coupled to a wall, while the other end is supported by vertical uprights which are substantially shaped like an inverted L and rest on a floor rail. The entire storage system has a motor drive which allows the translatory motion of the modules of each level so as to provide top and/or front access to the item of interested, both for loading and unloading the products to be stored or removed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a multilevel modular storage system with modules which can slide horizontally in both directions and is adapted to store goods and/or items of different kinds, ranging from bundles of tubes, profiles, drawn parts made of metal rod (elongated products) to any loose or packaged object of compact dimensions, alone or grouped in multiple packages. 
     The problems of storage systems for raw materials, semifinished parts or even finished parts are well-known. 
     One of the main problems suffered by these structures is their considerable bulk, with scarcely efficient utilization of the space available. 
     This situation is more evident when it is necessary to store tubes or profiles which have a highly elongated shape. 
     Usually, this material is stored in vertical or slightly inclined racks or in vertical structures having horizontal shelves (cantilevers), but this makes it difficult to have multiple rows of different products, since both movements for loading incoming product and for removing the product to be used is not easy. 
     Moreover, a storage system of this type is not suited for storing rods or pipes which are long but have a small cross-section and tend to sag under their own weight when they are arranged vertically even if they are tied in bundles. 
     It is preferable to arrange such products horizontally so that they rest on a surface. 
     This storage system, however, requires very large spaces owing to the need to have access corridors between the racks and is not versatile, i.e., it is not adapted to contain products of a different type. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aim of the present invention is to provide a multiple modular storage system which solves the above-described problems. 
     Within the scope of this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage system which allows to store highly elongated products. 
     Another object is to provide a storage system which is capable of containing the products in a plurality of modules which are arranged side by side and stacked so as to optimize utilization of the space available, eliminating the corridors. 
     Another object is to provide a storage system whose structure is simple and easy to manage. 
     These and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a multilevel modular storage system with modules which can slide horizontally in both directions, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of stacked levels of independent modules arranged side by side, each module having a substantially rectangular elongated shape, said modules being supported, at a first end, by carriages slideable on sliders which are rigidly coupled to a wall and, at the other end, by vertical uprights which are shaped like an inverted L and rest movably on a ground rail, movement means for the translatory motion of said modules being further provided. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of some embodiments thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multilevel modular storage system according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the storage system of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of the storage system of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a multilevel modular storage system having a different but equivalent structure; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the storage system of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view of the storage system of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the means for the translatory motion of the modules; 
     FIG. 8 is a front view of the means for the translatory motion of the modules; 
     FIG. 9 is a detail view of the means for the translatory motion of the modules; 
     FIG. 10 is a partially sectional side view of the means for the translatory motion of the modules; 
     FIG. 11 is a detail view of the means for the translatory motion of the modules; 
     FIG. 12 is a detail view of the safety systems provided in the ends on the wall side; 
     FIG. 13 is a view of the means for supporting and moving the ground supports of the modules. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the figures, the storage system according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral  10  in FIG.  1 . 
     Such figure illustrates the storage system that expresses the basic concept, while embodiments thereof are illustrated further on. 
     In this case, the storage system  10  is composed of five stacked levels, whose planes of arrangement are designated by the reference numerals  11  to respectively. 
     Each one of the levels is composed of a plurality of modules arranged side by side, designated by the reference numerals  11   a,    11   b,    11   c,    11   d  and  11   e  for the level  11 , while as regards the underlying levels the figure shows the modules  12   a,    13   a,    14   a  and, as regards the level  15 , the module  15   a  and an additional external module  15   f.    
     The modules of the level  15  are fixed and rest on the ground, while the modules of all the other levels are supported and perform translatory motions. 
     In particular with reference to the modules of the level  11 , such modules are supported at their ends, so that they can slide as explained hereinafter, by a rail  16  which is fixed to a wall, not shown in the drawing. 
     With reference to the module  11   e,  which is in any case identical to all the other ones of the same level  11 , said module has, on the opposite side with respect to the rail  16 , an inverted L-shaped support  17  having protrusions  18  which constitute the upper wing of the inverted L and an upright  19  which is rigidly coupled to the protrusions  18  and has, on the ground, sliding and supporting means acting on a rail  20  which is fixed to the ground. 
     The modules of the underlying levels also have an inverted L-shaped supporting element, which is similar to the one already described and is designated by the reference numeral  21  for the level  12 ,  22  for the level  13 , and  23  for the level  14 . 
     The inverted L-shaped supports have such dimensions that each one lies, without interference, below the ones that support the modules of the overlying levels. 
     In the illustrated case, the supports  21  are mounted on the ground on a rail  24 , the supports  22  are mounted on a rail  25 , and the supports  23  rest on a rail  26 , all said rails being parallel one another and fixed to the ground. 
     The products to be stored are arranged on the modules, which can have lateral containment elements  27 ; the products can be elongated, such as the ones shown by the outline  29 , or in crates, such as ones shown by the outline  30 ; it is in any case evident that products of any kind can be introduced in the modules, provided that their dimensions do not protrude. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of a storage system of the type designated by the reference numeral  10  in FIG. 1, the only difference being that each module, designated by the same reference numerals in the figure, has lateral containment elements, designated by the reference numeral  27 . This figure shows that the rail  16  and the rails that by analogy are designated by the reference numerals  16   a,    16   b  and  16   c  are supported by vertical uprights  28  which can be self-supporting or are preferably rigidly coupled to a wall, not shown. 
     FIG. 3 is a diagram of the translatory motion of the modules, which allows to highlight the module, now designated by the reference numeral  29 , to which access from above is allowed after performing the translatory motion of the modules  30 ,  31  and  32  that were normally arranged above it. 
     The possibility of independent movement by way of devices described hereinafter allows to provide access from above, or even frontally in the version of FIG. 1, for example by means of a bridge crane, to any one of the modules and therefore to the materials stored therein. 
     FIGS. 4,  5  and  6  are views of a storage system which applies the same inventive concept and in which each module, one of which is designated by the reference numeral  33  by way of example, has both ends supported by sliding rails, now designated by the reference numerals  34  and  35 . 
     The rails are, in this case, supported by two supporting structures  36  and  37  which allow to have a storage system which does not require a supporting wall or a floor. 
     In any case, the concept of the modules and of their movement for accessing each one remains unchanged. 
     FIGS. 7 and 8 are respectively a general side view and a general front view of the module movement means. 
     The assembly consists of a frame composed of vertical uprights  38  and horizontal cross-members  39  providing a grid which corresponds to the set of levels on which the movable modules are arranged. 
     The set is supported and guided, in an upward region and in a downward region, by two main rails  41  and  42 , on each of which a longitudinal rack, designated by the reference numerals  43  and  44  respectively, is mounted. 
     A motor assembly  45  is fitted in the upper part of the upright  39  and has a gearmotor  46  which drives an upper pinion  47  which meshes on the rack  43 . 
     A second pinion  49  is keyed on the same shaft  48  of the pinion  47  that protrudes from the gearmotor  46 , and a chain  50  meshes thereon and reaches the lower part of the upright  39 . 
     In the lower part of the upright  39  a second pinion  51  is provided on which the chain  50  meshes; its shaft  52  actuates an additional pinion  53  which acts on the rack  44 . 
     This type of kinematic system allows the synchronous movement of the pinions  47  and  53 , so that the translatory motion of the upright  39  always occurs so that its vertical position remains unchanged. 
     The horizontal cross-members  39  support a plurality of pistons  54 , one for each module, of the pneumatic and hydraulic type. 
     Depending on whether the stem  55  of the piston is retracted or extended, in which case, as shown in FIG. 11, it engages a bush  56  supported by a protrusion  57  rigidly coupled to a module now designated by the reference numeral  58  in FIG. 11, said stem determines its translatory motion or lack thereof. 
     The movement of the modules must not cause oscillations of the modules and FIG. 10 illustrates the devices that show how this occurs. 
     Taking as reference the module that is now designated by the reference numeral  59 , said module is provided with a longitudinal shaft  60  having, at its end, a pinion  61  which engages one of the racks, now designated by the reference numeral  62 , which as mentioned is rigidly coupled to one of the cross-members, now designated by the reference numeral  63 . 
     The shaft  60  extends longitudinally through the entire module  59  and also through the horizontal part of the L-shaped protrusion, now designated by the reference numeral  64 . 
     The shaft ends with a pinion  65  on which a chain  66  meshes; the chain meshes, in a downward region, with a second pinion  67  which supports a pinion  68  which meshes with a rack  69  rigidly coupled to the ground rail, now designated by the reference numeral  70 . 
     In this manner, the movement of the module  59  is synchronous, and uncoordinated movements, which might lead to oscillations and tipping of the module and of the load deposited on it, are not possible. 
     In the upper part, each one of the cross-members supports, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 10,  11  and  12 , C-shaped longitudinal profiles, designated by the reference numeral  71  in FIG. 11, inside which a wheel  72  slides; the wheel is supported by a protrusion  73  which is rigidly coupled to the module  58  (again with reference to FIG.  11 ). 
     The wheels  72  are the ones that support the load of the module  58 ; since they are contained in a C-shaped profile, and since there are at least two for each module, they prevent off-plane movements of the module  58 . 
     In order to further avoid unintended movements, a tipping prevention tooth  74  is welded in the already described protrusion  57  and is laterally adjacent to the rack, designated by the reference numeral  43  by analogy with FIG.  9 . 
     This device prevents the translatory motion of the module  58  which might cause the wheel  72  to escape from the profile  71 . 
     A similar tipping prevention system is illustrated in FIG. 12, showing a bearing  75  which provides the same function as the element  74 . 
     On the ground, as shown in particular in FIG. 13, each inverted Lshaped support, now designated by the reference numeral  75 , is provided with a carriage  76  whose wheels  77  slide within a C-shaped horizontal profile  78  which prevents the tipping of the supported module. 
     The assembly of the mechanical elements and devices of the illustrated storage system allows to obtain, by means of a single motor, the translatory motion of sets of modules simply by acting on the pistons for engagement with the translatory system. 
     By appropriately actuating the pistons, it is possible to allow top and/or front access to any one of the modules that compose the entire storage system. 
     This allows to have access for loading and unloading the products. 
     It can be noted that utilization of the space occupied by the storage system is highly efficient, since the intermediate lateral spaces (corridors) between the modules have been eliminated, and it is likewise evident that it is easy to access any point where a certain product has been arranged or is to be arranged. 
     By appropriately actuating the pistons, the modules are rigidly coupled to the translatory motion system or released therefrom. 
     This allows to move laterally by one step, i.e., by a space equal to the width of a module, all the modules that lie above the module to which access is sought. 
     The storage system is served by a computerized system which allows to automate searches for the module of interest and accordingly actuates both the leftward and rightward translatory motion and the activation of the pistons that couple the modules. 
     Moreover, the storage system is provided with safety devices against possible injury to the operator. 
     As equivalent variations of the devices of the storage system, it can be convenient, in case of storage of very heavy materials, to provide a plurality of motor drives or motor drive points, without altering the same concepts of synchronization of the movement of the ends of the individual modules. 
     The motor drive system disclosed in the description is an example and instead of a motor with a gearmotor it is possible to adopt any other type of motor drive, such as fluid-actuated or pneumatic pistons which actuate kinematic systems of different kinds, such as chains, cams, et cetera. 
     A storage system thus conceived allows efficient and orderly storage of materials of different kinds. 
     In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, or with elongated rectangular modules, the storage system is ideally suited for storing long and bundled products such as tubes, profiles, rods, and bars made of metal or any other material. 
     The embodiments that may be assumed in particular by the modules, their supports, the motor drives may be different, without abandoning the scope of the protection of the appended claims, while starting from the same inventive concept. 
     The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. PD99A000239 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.