GB1504366A - Storage of unit loads - Google Patents

Abstract

1504366 Storage systems L ANDERSON 27 May 1975 23150/75 Heading B8W A storage system for unit loads comprises a plurality of storage compartments each comprising support beams 1, a lift truck 5 which moves on tracks 4 relative to the compartments and which includes a lift platform 12 which is elevatable along towers 9 to a selected compartment, the platform 12 being provided with a pair of means 14 for transferring a unit load 26 to and from a compartment. Each said means 14 comprises a frame 18, Fig. 10, tiltably mounted on the platform 12, a member 19 movable on rollers 28 relative to the frame 18, a power cylinder 20 having an extendible and retractable pin 21 mounted on the member 19, and a pair of roller conveyers 15 in association with a chain 16 on which two dogs 17 are mounted. When the platform 12 (carrying a load) is opposite the selected storage compartment the pins 21 are extended into a respective hole 27 at the lower front region of the unit load 26, Fig. 3, the frames 18 are then tilted to raise the front end of the load 26 by means of a ram 24 and the members 19, and thus the pins 21 and the load 26, are driven towards the selected compartment relative to the frames 18 by a screw drive 23 connected with each member 19, and when the front of the load is positioned over two carriages 7 (only one shown in Fig. 3) located at the front of the storage compartment the frames 18 are tilted to lower the front of the load on to the carriages 7, a pin 8 on each carriage 7 engaging in a hole (not shown) on the bottom of the load 26. The pins 21 are then withdrawn, and continued movement of the load into the compartment takes place under the action of the chains 16, one of whose dogs 17 respectively engages with the rear edge of the load. When the said rear edge is opposite the pins 21 the latter are extended into holes 27 at the rear edge and the members 19 and pins 21 continue the final movement of the load 26 into the storage compartment. Withdrawal of a load 26 from a compartment is the reverse of the above procedure. The truck 5 may be replaced by a travelling crane with a wire suspended platform (not shown).