GB1079471A - A mechanical storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

1,079,471. Mechanical storage devices. S. CAPPELLI, and R. FARUSI. Aug. 4, 1964 [July 22, 1963], No. 30767/64. Heading B8E. A storage device comprises a plurality of trolleys 10, Figs. 1 and 2, which are disposed in a row and are movable longitudinally of the row to provide a passage between any two adjacent trolleys. The trolleys may carry shelves and have wheels 12 which run on rails 13; the wheels 12 on at least one side of each trolley may be mounted in pairs having their axes disposed at an angle, the associated rail or rails having a cross-section of inverted V- shape. The trolleys are moved by two rods 19, 20 attached to internally-threaded members 16, 17 which are engaged with threaded spindles 21, 22 driven by a motor 18, the rods being moved in opposite directions and the trolleys having frictional means thereon for selectively engaging one or other of the rods depending upon the required direction of movement. The frictional means on each trolley comprises members 36, 37, Fig. 3, which are selectively moved into frictional engagement with the rods 19, 20 by rotation of eccentrics 33, 34, the latter being mounted on a rod 32 which is rotated by a hand lever 35. The motor 18 may be started by movement of the lever 35 to engage the members 36 or 37 with the rod 19 or 20. In a alternative construction, Fig. 4 (not shown), the rods 19, 20 are secured to members which run on guide rods and are moved by a rope. The members 16, 17 may be returned to their start position shown in Fig. 1, by them operating limit switches at the end of their travel, to reverse the motor 18. The frictional means of engaging the rods 19, 20 may be replaced by electromagnetic means the selective use of which may also determine the direction of rotation of the motor 18 thereby rendering unnecessary the return of the members 16, 17 to their start position. In further alternative construction the trolleys are moved by an hydraulic or pneumatic system.