US3139187A - Stock storage device - Google Patents

Description

J1me 1964 s. L. WOLFSON ETAL 3,139,187

STOCK STORAGE DEVICE Filed May 23, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J H02. w

FIG. I.

FIG. 4.

IN VEN TOR.

SHERMAN 1.. WOLFSOA/ y J,4(0B GPOSJMAA J1m 1964. s. L. WOLFSON ETAL 3,139,187

s'rocx STORAGE DEVICE Filed May 25, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,139,187 STGCK STORAGE DEVKCE Sherman L. Woifson, Great City, and Jacob Grossman, West Hempstead, N.Y., asslgnors to pace Master Steel Sales, Inc, Hempstead, N.Y., a corporation of New York Substituted for abandoned application Ser. No. 78,427, Dec. 211MB. This application May 23, 1962, Ser. No.

acacia 6 Claims. (Cl. 211-40 The present invention relates generally to storage devices and specifically to a top loading storage device adapted to receive elongated lengths of stock and store the same in a plurality of vertically oriented storage bays.

The storage of supplies of elongated lengths of stock presents problems which heretofore have not been adequately solved. In storage situations wherein a large variety of lengths of stock of differing sizes and configurations must be kept on hand, and normal problems of space utilization and ease of accessibility are multiplied. In these situations, it has been the usual practice either to store the individual types of stock on suitable mounts all on one level spread out on a relatively large storage area or to place the types of stock within a framework providing a multitude of elongated stock storing bays. These storage frameworks are generally constructed by utilizing cross members providing vertical support for the stock and are accessible either from the ends of the bays such that the lengths of stock must be manually longitudinally moved into and out of the bays, or, inv those situations where the horizontal members are cantilevered, from the sides of the bays such that a fork truck or the like may be used to place stock into and remove stock from each storage bay. It will be readily appreciated that important disadvantages are involved in each of these two storage framework systems. In one it is necessary to load and unload from an open end thus requiring hand labor. In the other there is a great sacrifice of space since aisles must be maintained along the length of each set of bays and in addition, such a system requires the availability of a fork truck. Neither of these systems are adapted to utilize the overhead cranes which are virtually universally available in the normal warehouse situtation. Although the overhead crane devices may be utilized when stock is stored on only one level, such a system is extremely inefficient in its utilization of space.

In the storage of supplies wherein one, or a small number of individual lengths of stock must be available for immediate removal, it is necessary that the stock be organized in a system such that each of the differing types of stock are available for easy removal, and further that replacement of a depleted type of stock may be readily and conveniently completed. An advantageous stock storage device would provide these two features in a unit characterized by relative low original cost, low maintenance cost, small space utilization, adaptability for use with stock of a variety of differing configurations and sizes, expandibility and which may be used in conjunction with existing power equipment.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a storage device providing one or more ofthe aforementioned desirable advantages. Specifically, it an object of the present invention to provide a storage device for elongated lengths of stock wherein individual lengths of stock may be easily removed from the storage device and replacement of lengths of stock in said device may be easily and conveniently accomplished.

It is further within the contemplation of the present invention to provide a stock storage device wherein groups of lengths of elongated stock may be placed within the device by overhead loading.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a multiple bay storage mechanism wherein existing overhead cranes may be utilized to place stock within any selected bay of such device and to move batches of stock from one of said bays to another.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a device for the storage of a plurality of individual groups of lengths of stock which may be easily loaded from above, where individual lengths of stock may be removed by hand, where groups of stock may be transferred from one storage bay to another, which is adaptable for expansion and for the storage of items of differing sizes and shapes, which occupies a minimal area and which is relatively low in capital expense.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention there is provided a top loading storage device comprising means defining an elongated storage space having two parallel sides including at least two uprights at spaced intervals along each of the storage space sides. Barrier means are provided at vertical intervals defining a plurality of individual storage bays one positioned above the other and are mounted for movement from an inoperative position removed from the storage space to an operative position extending into the storage space. The barrier means includes support arms mounted on the uprights for rotation from the operative position to the inoperative position. When the support arms are rotated into the storage space and are perpendicular to the storage space sides, they provide the barrier means defining the individual storage bays and provide supports upon which lengths of stock may rest within each individual storage bay. When the support arms are moved into their inoperative position, direct communication is afforded between one storage bay and the storage bay immediately below, such that stock contained in one storage bay will fall downwardly into the next lower storage bay. interconnecting movement means are provided between the support arms at one level for a simultaneous movement of such support arms between their operative and inoperative positions thereby to bring one storage bay into direct communication with the storage bay located immediately therebelow and to transfer lengths of stock from said one storage bay to the second of such storage bays.

The above brief description as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be best appreciated by the reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational end view of a representative portion of a storage device according to the present invention; I

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2--2 0 FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows illustrating the barrier means in both their operative and inoperative positions;

PEG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the lines 33 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows illustrating the interconnecting movement means of the individual support element and illustrating the method by which the support elements are moved; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevational view of a portion of an upright mount and support arm shown partially in section for the sake of clarity.

Referring now specifically to the drawnigs, there is shown a storage device generally labeled by the numeral 10 for storing elongated lengths of stock such as the stock S illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. The storage device is mounted on a support 12 which includes a plurality of parallel base members 14, the details of which are best seen in the sectional view of FIG. 3. Extending upwardly of the base members 14 are a plurality of uprights 16 which are spaced at corresponding intervals along the length of each base members 14. In the present illustrative embodiment, three base members 14 are provided and three uprights 16 are secured to the portion of the base members 14 which are illustrated. As may be best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, two adjacent but spaced uprights 16 on one base member 14, in conjunction with the complementary pair of uprights 16 on the other base members 14, define a storage space generally designated by the numeral 18 of the stock storage device 10.

Referring specifically to FIG. 2 and to the lower portion thereof, one side of the stock storage space 18 is defined by the uprights 16 closest to the edges of the base members 14. The other side of the storage space 18 is defined by the second set of uprights 16 on the base member 14. Further groups of storage spaces may be defined by further sets of uprights 16 on the base member 14 as is illustrated by the storage space 20 defined by the second and third sets of uprights 16 on the space members 14. It will be further appreciated that the width of the storage spaces 18, 20 are defined by the arbitrary positioning of the upright 16 on the base members 14 and the length of the storage spaces 18. 20 may vary with the number of individual uprights 16 utilized to form particular storage space and the distance between the parallel base members 14.

Barrier means, generally designated by the numeral 22, are provided at spaced vertical intervals within the storage spaces 18, 20 and define a plurality of individual storage bays B1, B2, B3, etc. (hereinafter referred to generally as B). For each barrier means 22 on one pair of opposed uprights 16, corresponding barrier means 22 are provided at the same height on the corresponding uprights 16 along the length of the storage spaces 18, 21). As may be seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the barrier means 22 are adapted to move from an operative stock-supporting position, as shown by the barrier means defining the bottom of storage bay B9, to an inoperative position, as shown by the barrier means defining the bottom of bin B8 thereby to allow stock S to fall or pass from an upper bin to the bin therebelow.

The base members 14 are constructed of a pair of channel members 24, 26 which are interconnected at their lower edges by the base plate 28 and at their upper edges by the top plate 30. Support tubes 32 are positioned at selected spaced intervals along the length of each base member 14 in vertical orientation and held in place by the bracket 34 at their lower ends and within a suitable opening formed at the top plate at their upper ends. The inner diameters of the support tube 32 are sized to intimately receive the uprights 16 which are placed therein and thus held in a rigid vertical orientation. As may be best seen in FIG. 3, longitudinal spacing assemblies 36 are provided to space the respective base members 14 evenly and rigidly along the length of the individual storage spaces 18, 20. The spacing assemblies 36 include a spacing rod 38 which has welded to each of its ends a securement spacer ring 40 which is of an inner and outer diameter equal to that of the support tube 32. The individual rings 40 of the spacer assembly 36 are placed about the corresponding uprights 16 on the parallel base members 14 thereby to rigidly ensure the spaced parallel relationship between the base members 14. As seen on the right hand side of FIG. 3 a second spacer ring 40 is provided between the spacing assembly 36 and the base member 14 to serve as a filler such that the right hand end of the spacing assembly 36 corresponds with the height of the left hand end which is engaged about its respective uprights 16 and is positioned above its respective base member 14 by the next successive spacer assembly 36a which is similar to the spacer assembly 36 in both construction and effect. A number of spacing assemblies 36 are positioned along the lengths of the parallel base members 14 thereby providing an overall rigid support 12. It will be appreciated that the support 12 is constructed of a series of basic building members which may be easily assembled and disassembled such as to provide a variety of base structures which are suited to the individual requirements of any given storage situation.

The uprights 16 and the barrier means 22 supported thereon are similar such that description of only one upright 16 is necessary for a complete understanding of the presently described embodiment of my invention.

As may be best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, a plurality of locating discs 42 are spaced at intervals along the length of the upright 16 and are secured thereto such as by the Weld shown at 44. Supported on each of the locating discs 42 are the individual support arms 46 which includes the upright-engaging ring 48 and the rigid support mem ber 50. The support member 50 is rigidly secured to the upright-engaging ring 48 in perpendicular relationship thereto as by welding as shown 52. It will be appreciated that the ring 48, being of an internal diameter slightly greater than the external diameter of the upright 16, allows the support arm assembly 46 to be rotated about the central axis of the upright 16. A stop 54 on the disc 42 and a mating complementary stop 56 on the upright-engaging ring 48 are effective to define an operative position for the support arm 46 wherein the support member 50 extends transversely into the adjacent storage space.

The support members 50 of the support arms 46 are of a length substantially equal to one-half the width of their respective storage spaces such that when oppositely positioned support arms 46 are directed transversely into their respective support spaces a barrier member 22 is provided completely bridging the distance between opposed uprights 16 thus defining the lower level of the individual storage bays B. As seen in FIG. 1, there is provided on the left hand upright 16 five individual support arms 46 resting on five individual locating discs 42. The adjacent upright 16 is provided with a complementary number of support arms 46 at corresponding heights above the base member 14 to define storage bays B1 through B6. In addition this first group of support arms 46, there are a further group of five support arms 46 on the second upright 16 which correspond with a group of five support arms 46 on the third upright 16 which define storage bays B7 through B12 in the storage space 20. Similarly, a still further group of support arms 46 are shown on the third upright 16 and a fourth upright (not shown) is provided with a corresponding group of support arms 46. It will be appreciated that a structure may be constructed according to the instant embodiment of the present invention wherein any number of uprights greater than two may be placed along the length of parallelly oriented base members 14 to provide any number of desired storage spaces such as 18, 20 and that any desired number of support arms 46 may be mounted on adjacent uprights 16 to provide the barrier members 22 defining any desired number of individual storage bays B.

Interconnecting means are provided on the support arms 46 such that movement of one given support arm 46 on one upright 16 will produce a simultaneous movement of the corresponding support arm on the longitudinally corresponding upright 16 of each individual storage bay B. In the present illustrative embodiment, these interconnecting means include a connecting rod 58 which is pivotally secured to the innermost end of the support member 50 by the nut and bolt assembly 60 engaged within an appropriate hole provided on the lower side of the support member 50. In the present illustrative embodiment, wherein three pairs of longitudinally oriented uprights 16 are utilized to form each storage space, each connecting rod 15 is secured to each of the three longitudinally corresponding support arms 46 along the length of each individual storage bay B.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that when a supply of stock S is located in one storage bay, such as storage bay B8 seen in FIG. 1, and when the barrier means 22 comprising a pair of opposed support arms 46 are swung outwardly from their operative stock supporting positions, that stock S will be dropped into the next successive lower storage bin B9. This result is easily accomplished with the aid of a pair of cables or chains 62 secured to the ends of the connecting rod 53. For use in installations where overhead hoist cranes are available, there is provided a transfer rack 64 which may be secured to one end of the storage device In in front of a vertically oriented group of individual bays B such that the overhead crane may be attached to a pair of chains 62 to swing the support arms 46 from their operative to their inoperative position. As may be seen in FIG. 3, the transfer rack 64 is constructed of a pair of uprights 66 with a plurality of cross members 68 in a ladder-like fashion therebetween at heights corresponding to the locations of the support arms 46. The transfer rack 64 further includes an upper bracing member 7% which is provided with an abutment piece 72 adapted to fit against the upper portion of the upright 16 and a lower support 74 which may be pinned to an extension of the base plate 28 by a pin as shown at 76. The individual cables or chains 62 are looped underneath the cross members 68 and are connected to the crane by any suitable securement means. When the overhead crane is activated, the chain 62 will be pulled upwardly around the cross member 68 such that a horizontal pull results upon the connecting rod 58 which is effective to swing the support arms 46 from their operative to their inoperative position. A mating pair of chains 62 are secured to the overhead crane through the transfer rack 64 such that opposed pairs of support arms 46 are comprising the barrier means 22 are moved simultaneously to transfer a supply of stock S located at one bay B to the next successive lower bay. FIGS. 1 and 3 show the storage device 10 at the completion of a transfer operation wherein a supply of stock S has been dropped from bay B8 to bay B9.

For a complete understanding of the present invention, a description of the storage device 16 in use will now be given. When it is desired to remove a single length of stock S from any one of the bays B of the storage device 10, the stock man merely longitudinally pulls the desired length of stock S outwardly from the bay B. In the ordinary practice where large numbers of individual bays B are provided to store a relatively large number of types of stock S, each of the individual bays B contain a different type of stock S. The stock S is loaded into the bays B by a top loading procedure utilizing existing overhead cranes. It will be appreciated that when the storage device it is completely unloaded, the support arms 46 may all be moved by hand into their inoperative positions thus removing any barrier 22 between adjacent bays B. This will enable stock to be placed from above downwardly into the lowermost bays, such as bays B6 and B12 seen in FIG. 1. However, in the normal situation, where some bays have a supply of stock, the stock may be transferred from one bay to the bay vertically therebelow by the simple expedient of moving the barrier means 22 to their inoperative position by taking advantage of the rotational mounts for the support arms 46. For example, in situations where it is desired to move a supply of stock 3 located in bay B8 to bay E9,

the operator places the transfer rack 64 against one end.

of the storage device It with the abutment piece '72 against the upper end of the upright 16 and the lower brace 74 pinned to the base plate 28 by means of the pin 76. The chains 62a and 6211 are then placed under the appropriate cross member 68 and secured to the hook of the overhead crane (no-t shown). As the crane 6 is moved upwardly, the chains 62a, 62b will be moved horizontally pulling against the connecting rods 58 thereby swinging the support arms 46 from their operative stocksupporting position to their inoperative position, as seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. With this movement of the barrier 22, stock S contained in bay B8 is dropped downwardly into the next lower bay B9. If it is then further desired to move stock S from B9 to bay B19, a similar procedure is followed. When the support arms 46 are returned to their operative stock-supporting position, stock may be dropped from the next higher bay or may be lowered into any given bay B by the means of the overhead crane.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that there is provided in accordance with the present invention a stock storage device of great versatility and adaptability for the storage of a large number of lengths of stock of differing sizes and configurations. Stock may be moved from one storage bay of the device to another without the necessity of bodily lifting the stock out of the first bay and placing it into the second bay. Further, the device according to the present invention provides a storage means whereby a large number of different types of stock may be stored in a relatively small area and may be placed into the storage device by the use of a simple overhead crane. There is no necessity for the use of fork trucks or for the provision of longitudinal access aisles along the sides of the bays to provide loading and unloading room for a storage device according to the present invention.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

What we claim is:

1. A top-loading storage device for storing elongated lengths of stock comprising means defining an elongated storage space having two sides, barrier means, means operatively connected to and mounting said barrier means for movement from an inoperative position removed from said storage space to an operative position extending from said sides into said storage space at vertically spaced intervals and dividing said space into a plurality of stockstorage bays, one above the other, adjacent storage bays being in direct communication with each other when said barrier means is in said inoperative position allowing lengths of stock contained in one of said bays to fall downwardly into the next lower one of said bays, and means interconnecting the individual barrier means dividing two successive storage bays for simultaneous movement of said barrier means between said operative and inoperative positions to bring said storage bays into direct communication and to transfer said lengths of stock from an upper one of said bays to the next lower one of said bays.

2. A top-loading storage device for storing elongated lengths of stock comprising means defining two sides of an elongated storage space having two parallel sides, barrier means, means operatively connected to and mounting said barrier means for movement between an inoperative position removed from said storage space to an operative position extending from said sides into said storage space at vertically spaced intervals and dividing said space into a plurality of stock storage bays, one above another, said barrier means including support arms mounted on said mounting means for rotation from an operative position extending into said storage space substantially perpendicular to said sides to an inoperative position wherein said arms are removed from said storage space, adjacent storage bays being in direct communication with each other when said support arms are moved into said inoperative position allowing lengths of stock contained in an upper one of said bays to pass downwardly into the next lower one of said bays, and means interconnecting the individual support arms dividing two successive storage bays for simultaneous movement of said support arms between said operative and inoperative positions to bring said storage bays into direct communication and to transfer said lengths of stock from an upper one of said bays to the next lower one of said bays.

3. A top-loading storage device for storing elongated lengths of stock comprising means defining a plurality of elongated storage spaces having two parallel sides, at least two uprights at spaced points along each of said storage space sides, barrier means, means mounting said barrier means on said upright for movement between an inoperative position removed from said storage space to an operative position extending from said sides into said storage space at vertically spaced intervals and di viding said space into a plurality of stock storage bays, one above the other, said barrier means including support arms extendible into said storage space substantially perpendicular to said sides in said operative position of said barrier means and removable from said storage space when said barrier means is in said inoperative position, adjacent storage bays being in direct communication with each other when said barrier is in said inoperative position allowing lengths of stock contained in one of said bays to pass downwardly into the next lower one of said bays, and means interconnecting the individual barrier means dividing two successive storage bays for simultaneous movement between said operative and inoperative positions to bring said storage bays into direct communication and to transfer said lengths of stock from an upper of said bays to the next lower one of said bays.

4. A top-loading storage device for storing elongated lengths of stock comprising means defining an elongated storage space having two parallel sides, said means including at least two uprights at spaced points along each of said storage space sides, barrier means, means operatively interconnecting said uprights and said barrier means mounting the latter for movement from an inoperative position removed from said storage space to an operative position extending from said sides into said storage space at vertically spaced intervals and dividing said space into a plurality of stock storage bays, one above the other, said barrier means including support arms mounted on said upright for rotation from an operative position extending into said storage space substantially perpendicular to said sides to an inoperative position wherein said arms are removed from said storage space, adjacent storage bays being in direct communication with each other when said support arms are moved into said inoperative positions allowing lengths of stock contained in one of said bays to fall downwardly into the next lower one of said bays, and means interconnecting the individual support arms dividing two successive storage bays for simultaneous movement of said support arms between said operative and inoperative positions to bring said storage bays into direct communication and to transfer said lengths of stock from an upper one of said bays to the next lower one of said bays.

5. A storage device for storing elongated lengths of stock in a plurality of vertically aligned individual bays comprising a support including at least one base member, at least two pairs of spaced apart uprights secured to said base, the individual uprights of said pairs being in a right rectangular relationship defining a stock-storage space Within the individual uprights of said pairs of uprights, a plurality of pairs of support arms respectively mounted on said pairs of uprights at corresponding heights from said base for rotation in planes perpendicular to said uprights between an operative stock-supporting position wherein the individual support arms of said pairs of support arms extend inwardly into said stockstorage space and an inoperative position wherein said arms are rotated out of said stock-storage space, corresponding pairs of said support arms on said pairs of uprights defining individual stock-storage bays adapted to receive and store lengths of stock, and means interconnecting the individual arms of corresponding pairs of said support arms to maintain said corresponding arms in parallel relation as they are rotated, rotation of the corresponding pairs of support arms at one level of said uprights from their operative to their inoperative position, being effective to drop the stock contained within the bay above said arms to the next successive lower bay.

6. A top-loading storage device for storing elongated lengths of stock comprising means defining an elongated storage space, barrier means, means operatively connected to and mounting said barrier means for movement between an inoperative position removed from said storage space to an operative position extending into said storage space at vertically spaced intervals and dividing said space into a plurality of stock storage bays, one above another, said barrier means including support arms mounted on said mounting means for movement from an operative position extending into said storage space to an inoperative position wherein said arms are removed from said storage space, vertically adjacent storage bays being in direct communication with each other when said support arms are moved into said inoperative position allowing lengths of stock contained in an upper one of said bays to pass downwardly into the next lower one of said bays, and means interconnecting the individual support arms dividing two successive storage bays for simultaneous movement of said support arms between said operative and inoperative positions to bring said storage bays into direct communication and to transfer said lengths of stock from an upper one of said bays to the next lower one of said bays.

References @ited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

Claims (1)

1. A TOP-LOADING STORAGE DEVICE FOR STORING ELONGATED LENGTHS OF STOCK COMPRISING MEANS DEFINING AN ELONGATED STORAGE SPACE HAVING TWO SIDES, BARRIER MEANS, MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO AND MOUNTING SAID BARRIER MEANS FOR MOVEMENT FROM AN INOPERATIVE POSITION REMOVED FROM SAID STORAGE SPACE TO AN OPERATIVE POSITION EXTENDING FROM SAID SIDES INTO SAID STORAGE SPACE AT VERTICALLY SPACED INTERVALS AND DIVIDING SAID SPACE INTO A PLURALITY OF STOCKSTORAGE BAYS, ONE ABOVE THE OTHER, ADJACENT STORAGE BAYS BEING IN DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH EACH OTHER WHEN SAID BARRIER MEANS IS IN SAID INOPERATIVE POSITION ALLOWING LENGTHS OF STOCK CONTAINED IN ONE OF SAID BAYS TO FALL DOWNWARDLY INTO THE NEXT LOWER ONE OF SAID BAYS, AND MEANS INTERCONNECTING THE INDIVIDUAL BARRIER MEANS DIVIDING TWO SUCCESSIVE STORAGE BAYS FOR SIMULTANEOUS MOVEMENT OF SAID BARRIER MEANS BETWEEN SAID OPERATIVE AND INOPERATIVE POSITIONS TO BRING SAID STORAGE BAYS INTO DIRECT COMMUNICATION AND TO TRANSFER SAID LENGTHS OF STOCK FROM AN UPPER ONE OF SAID BAYS TO THE NEXT LOWER ONE OF SAID BAYS.

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