Patent ID: 8596946

Claim:
A storage system for storing items comprising: a plurality of storage areas designed for receiving and supporting at least one item in association therewith, the plurality of storage areas including at least one upper storage area, at least one carrier system comprising a plurality of support members used to engage and support the at least one item during movement of the item to or from a storage area and while in a storage position, at least one positioning system for moving the carrier system and associated item to a position in a storage area for storage of the item or from a predetermined position in a storage area, at least one travelling elevator system for supporting and moving the at least one positioning system and at least one carrier system and item, and including a drive system for providing lateral movement thereof and a lift system for providing upward movement thereof; and a control system for controlling the at least one positioning system to move the at least one carrier system to and from a storage area while supporting the item.