US3656608A - Guide mechanism for vertical storage device - Google Patents

Guide mechanism for vertical storage device Download PDF

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US3656608A
US3656608A US47764A US3656608DA US3656608A US 3656608 A US3656608 A US 3656608A US 47764 A US47764 A US 47764A US 3656608D A US3656608D A US 3656608DA US 3656608 A US3656608 A US 3656608A
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tracks
frame
travelers
intersection
track
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Robert D Lichti
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G17/00—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface
    • B65G17/12—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface comprising a series of individual load-carriers fixed, or normally fixed, relative to traction element
    • B65G17/123—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface comprising a series of individual load-carriers fixed, or normally fixed, relative to traction element arranged to keep the load-carriers horizontally during at least a part of the conveyor run
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G1/00—Storing articles, individually or in orderly arrangement, in warehouses or magazines
    • B65G1/02—Storage devices
    • B65G1/04—Storage devices mechanical
    • B65G1/12—Storage devices mechanical with separate article supports or holders movable in a closed circuit to facilitate insertion or removal of articles the articles being books, documents, forms or the like
    • B65G1/127—Storage devices mechanical with separate article supports or holders movable in a closed circuit to facilitate insertion or removal of articles the articles being books, documents, forms or the like the circuit being confined in a vertical plane
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2201/00—Indexing codes relating to handling devices, e.g. conveyors, characterised by the type of product or load being conveyed or handled
    • B65G2201/02—Articles

Definitions

  • a vertical storage device has a number of storage platforms carried by a pair of endless chains which move the platforms from a lowermost loading and unloading station to various storage positions on one side or the other of the device.
  • On each end of each platform is a v-shaped yoke with a traveler at the free end of each leg of the yoke.
  • a pair of semi-circular tracks carried by a track guide serve the bottom and top of the device, at each end, one track being receptive of one of the travelers and the other track being receptive of the other traveler.
  • the tracks cross each other midway between opposite ends forming an open intersection so that a traveler which is on the inside of path crosses over upon a reversal of direction and becomes the outside traveler.
  • a pair of interconnected switch tongues at the intersection is moved to one position or another when pressed against by the first traveler to reach the intersection making certain that each traveler travels in the right track.
  • the tracks at each location are mounted on a guide and the guide has a limited floating attachment to the frame, held in a normal position by springs, in order to relieve the strain during operation and to minimize wear.
  • the apparatus under consideration is one of substantial capacity such for example that it is capable of storing simultaneously to 30 objects as big as automobiles, one above the other on separate platforms, the platforms in turn being mounted upon an endless chain power driven in a vertical direction, the arrangement being such as to be capable of placing one platform at ground level where it can be loaded and then moving it upwardly out of the way when another platfonn is to be moved to ground level for loading or, on the contrary, for unloading.
  • the device is adapted to move in either direction so as to bring any. selected platform to either a loading or unloading position irrespective of its initial location in storage position.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved guide mechanism for a vertically operating storage device wherein two separate switch tongues are provided and interconnected in such fashion that when the position of one of the switch tongues is shifted automatically, by action of one of the travelers, the position of the other switch tongue is simultaneously changed to a new position clearing the way for traveler movement.
  • Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved guide mechanism for a vertical storage device tireassembly having a floating attachment to the main or stationary frame whereby to promote a smoothness in operation which might not otherwise occur because of parts not being made all to exactly the correct size and which will automatically either minimize or compensate for wear due to continued operation over long periods of time.
  • Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved guide mechanism for a vertical storage device the operation of which appreciably reduces the cost of building such a piece of machinery in that by allowing for a certain limited motion in the guiding portions of the device, operating parts need not be built to extremely small tolerances in dimension while at the same time in no way impairing a continued smoothness in operation.
  • Also included in among the objects of the invention is to provide an automatic compensating means for wear which may be experienced by the guide mechanism during long continued use thereby to allow the same overall assembly of parts to operate over much longer periods of time.
  • the invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
  • FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of the device with vertical mid-portions cut away for convenience in illustration.
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevational view on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a fragmentary end elevational view on the line 3- 3 of FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2. 7
  • FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line 5-5 ofFlG. 2.
  • FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line 6-6 of FIG. 2. 7
  • FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line 7-7 of FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line 8-8 of FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view on the line 9-9 of FIG. 8.
  • FIG. 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line 10-10 ofFlG. 8.
  • FIG. 11 is'a fragmentary cross-sectional view on the line 11-11 ofFlG. 8.
  • FIG. 12 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line 12-12 ofFlG. 2. 7
  • FIG. 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional-view on the line 13-13 of FIG. 12.
  • FIG. 14 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view on the line 14-14 of FIG. 12.
  • FIG. 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line 15-15 of FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 16 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line 16-16 ofFlG. 15.
  • FIG. 17 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view on the line 17-17 ofFlG. 15.
  • FIG. 18 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view on the line 18-18 of Flg. 15.
  • FIG. 19 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line 19-19ofFIG.15.
  • FIG. 20 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line 20-20 of FIG. 15.
  • FIG. 21 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line 21-21 of FIG. 20.
  • FIG. 22 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view on the line 22-22 of FIG. 20.
  • FIG. 23 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view on the line 23-23 of FIG. 20.
  • FIG. 24 is a fragmentary side perspective view of the attachment of the yoke to the platform assembly.
  • FIG. 25 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line wherein the guide-tracks are mounted as assemblies, the en- 25-25 of FIG. 24.
  • FIG. 26 is a fragmentary side elevational view of cams operating with the switch tongues on the line 26-26 of FIG. 7
  • a vertical storage device which consists of a frame indicated generally by the reference character 10 made up of some of the vertically disposed members including legs 11, 11 at one end and similar legs 12 at the other end.
  • the legs support bottom girders 13 and 14 above which extend posts 15, 15 at one end and similar posts 16 at the other end. Extending between the posts 15, 15 is a lower track support 17 and a similar lower track support 18 extends between the posts 16.
  • a vertically extending chain housing 19 at one end accommodates an endless chain made up of links 20 interconnected by means of pivot pins 21.
  • a drive housing 22 containing a motor 23 stepped up to operate a drive mechanism indicated generally by the reference character 24, details of which are not described herein inasmuch as they are adequately disclosed and described in applicants prior patents numbers.
  • the chain housing is of such construction that it additionally serves as a main frame extending upwardly from the bottom girder 13 through a point adjacent the top of the device whereby to support the upper end of the endless chain at the point where it crosses over from one side to the other.
  • a series of platforms 25 is provided with diagonal struts 26 and 27 at each end which are joined together at upper ends and which engage the platform 25 at lower ends.
  • the strut 27 at a location above the junction is anchored to a stub shaft 28 on which is a bushing 29.
  • Arms 30 and 31 extend from the bushing to pivot pins 21 at opposite ends of selected links 20 providing in this way a triangular structure for hanging the platform on the chain.
  • the individual platforms are supported at opposite ends on the opposite endless chains, one platform equally spaced above and below the next adjacent platforms and extending entirely around both vertical sides of the chain housing in such fashion that the lowermost platform is adapted to be positioned on the ground surface 32 at a loading and unloading station 33.
  • a control 34 automatic in nature, is used for controlling operation of the device and is capable of delivering any selected platform to the loading and unloading station.
  • a lower track assembly indicated generally by the reference character and shown in some detail in FIG. 3 is located at one lower end of the device as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • a similar lower track assembly 40 is located at the opposite end.
  • the track assembly consists of a somewhat arcuate plate 41, enlarged at the upper ends 42 and 43 and having a narrow midsection 44 where the opposite sides join together.
  • the tracks 45 and 46 On the arcuate plate 41 are two tracks, namely the tracks 45 and 46. Of special consequence is that these tracks overlie each other so that what is the outside track 45 on the righthand side of the device as viewed in FIG. 3 becomes the inside track on the left-hand side, there being a crossover, one track with relation to the other, at an open intersection 47.
  • the track 46 On the right-hand side of the device as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3, the track 46 has an upwardly extending extension 48 while on the left-hand side, as viewed in the same figures, the track 45 has an upwardly extending extension 49.
  • Extending through the track 45 is a channel 50 and extending through the track 46 is a channel 51, the channels being adapted to receive respective travelers 52 and 53.
  • the travelers in the device chosen for the purpose of illustration, consist of rollers carried by one or another of the arms 54, 55 of the yoke 56.
  • switch tongues 62 and 63 which work together in order to block either the first and second openings 58 and 59 of the channel 50 or the first and second openings 60 and 61 of the channel 51.
  • the switch tongues are shown blocking the openings 58 and 59 and leaving clear the openings 60 and 61.
  • the switch tongue 62 is shown pivotally supported on the frame by means of a pin 64 and the switch tongue 63 is pivotally mounted on the frame by means of a pin 65.
  • the general location of the pins is shown in FIG. 3 and details of construction are shown in FIG. 7.
  • On the switch tongue 62 is a bracket 66 interconnected with a similar bracket 67 for the switch tongue 63 by means of a toggle arm 68. Interconnected in this fashion when one switch tongue rotates clockwise, the other switch tongue is forced to rotate simultaneously counter-clockwise, and vice versa. Accordingly when the parts are in the position shown in FIG.
  • Operation of the travelers in a reverse direction namely downwardly on the left side of FIG. 3 and upwardly on the right side of FIG. 3 merely operates the switch tongues in an opposite sequence, the net effect of which will be to clear the channel for the first traveler passing through the intersection and then to clear the opposite channel for the second traveler to pass through the intersection.
  • FIG. 7 wherein there is shown a jacket 69 enclosing a space 70 in which is located what has been previously described as the pin 65, the pin being surrounded by a sleeve 71.
  • the sleeve 71 is carried by a mounting plate 72 in turn anchored to the arcuate plate 41 which gives the sleeve 71 a fixed location above which the switch tongue 63 is adapted to rotate in the FIG. 7 view, supported by bearings 73, 73.
  • the switch tongue 62 is similarly mounted such that a description of the mounting for the switch tongue 63 will suffice for the mounting of the switch tongue 62.
  • cams are provided as shown in FIG. 26, the purpose of which is to gradually start movement of the switch tongues as one or another of the travelers 52, 53 approach so that there will not be an abrupt, rapid change in the switch tongue position.
  • One cam 63' and its operation is disclosed in FIG. 26.
  • the cam is pivotally secured to the switch tongue 63 by means of a pivot pin 64 the cam being additionally held in position by means of a pin 65' in the arcuate plate 41, the pin riding in an elongated slot 66' in the cam 163.
  • a camway 67 at the lower edge of the cam is adapted to be engaged by the traveler 53 as it rolls in the channel 51 of the track 46.
  • cam 63 The general location of the cam 63 is also shown in FIG. 7.
  • a similar cam (not shown) is mounted in a corresponding fashion for operation with the switch tongue 62, and comparable cams (not shown) cooperate with the switch tongues 127 and 128 at the top of the device.
  • the switch tongue 63 occupies the solid line position shown in FIG. 26 as the traveler 53 is approaching.
  • the traveler will commence shifting the cam upwardly and, since the cam is attached to the switch tongue at the pivot 64', the switch tongue will at the same time be started in its upward movement toward the broken line position of FIG. 26, the switch tongue 63 moving about its pivot pin 65.
  • the other switch tongue 62 by action of the toggle arm 68, will commence its movement away from the solid line position of FIG. 26 to a position closing the opening 58.
  • an adjustable link 84 in each instance one end of which is pivotally attached to the lower track support 17 by means of a pin 85, and the other end of which is pivotally secured to the extension 48 of the track '46 by means of a pivot pin 86.
  • the same attachments between the upper end of the extension 48 and the second lower track support 75 are given the same reference numbers on FIG. 3 and are built and operated in the same fashion.
  • the other end of the track 46 on the opposite side of the structure as shown in FIG. 3 is attached to a section 17 of the lower track support by a comparable attachment this being an auxiliary floating lateral connection 88, shown in some detail in FIG. 6.
  • a comparable attachment this being an auxiliary floating lateral connection 88, shown in some detail in FIG. 6.
  • Each of the legs 90,90 is attached to the left-hand end of the track 46 by means of a pivot pin 92.
  • FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11 At the bottom of the lower track assembly 40 there is also a bottom floating connection 97, details of which are shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11, the attachment being one between the lower track assembly 40 and, specifically, the bottom girder 13.
  • Extending upwardly from the bottom girder 13 is a lug 98 to which legs 99,99 are pivotally attached by means of a pivot pin 100.
  • a second pivot pin 101 pivotally secures the other end of the legs 99,99 to a bracket 102 mounted on the arcuate plate 41, thereby to permit a limited vertical motion of the arcuate plate 41 with respect to the bottom girder 13.
  • adjustable link 103 pivotally secured at one end by a pin 104 to a bracket 105 on the bottom girder 13. At the other end the adjustable link 103 is secured by means of a pivot pin 106 to the arcuate plate 41, as shown in FIG. 11.
  • a balanced condition in the arcuate plate 41 is achieved by means of two sets 108 and 109 of compression springs, action of the springs taking effect when the plate condition tends to become unbalanced.
  • These sets of springs are substantially identical except for their opposite action, set 108 consisting of individual coil springs 110 and 111.
  • An angle section 112 on the bottom girder 13 is employed to attach one end of the spring 110 and an angle section 1 13 on the arcuate plate 41 attaches the other end of the spring 110 to the arcuate plate 41.
  • Similar angle sections 112' and 113' are employed for similarly mounting the compression spring 111.
  • Comparable attachments are employed for the other set 109 of compres sion springs on the opposite or right-hand side of the device as shown in FIG. 3.
  • Upper track assemblies 120,120 are located at the top of the device as shown in FIG. 2. Additional details of the assembly are shown in FIG. 12.
  • the arcuate plate 41' is enlarged at lower ends 42', 43' and has a narrow mid-section 44'.
  • the upper track assembly 120' consists of tracks 45' and 46 mounted upon an arcuate plate 41', the track 45 at both of its ends being in substantial vertical alignment with the comparable ends of the track 45 on the lower track assembly 40 and the opposite ends of the track 46' being in substantial vertical alignment with corresponding opposite ends of the track 46 of the lower track assembly 40.
  • Extending through the track 45 is a channel 50 and extending through the track 46 is a channel 51.
  • Switch tongues 127 and 128 operate in unison, the switch tongue 127 being pivotally mounted upon the arcuate plate 41- by means of a pin 129 and the switch tongue 128 being pivotally mounted to the same arcuate plate 41 by means of a pin 130.
  • Anchored to the switch tongue 127 is a bracket 131 and a comparable bracket 132 is anchored to the switch tongue 128.
  • Free ends of the brackets are interconnected by means of a toggle arm 133, so that the switch tongues are interconnected in order that when one moves the other will move simultaneously.
  • Action of the switch tongues 127 and 128 is comparable in all substantial particulars to operation of the switch tongues 62 and 63 in the lower track assemblies 40 and 40'. Accordingly, a further detailed description of structure and operation is not repeated.
  • the upper arcuate plate 41 has attached to it a central rectangular plate section 135, the rectangular plate section being stiffened at the bottom by attachment of a channel 136 and stiffened intermediate the bottom and the top by attachment of a second channel 137 as shown in FIgS. l and 20.
  • a central rectangular plate section 1335 At opposite edges of the central rectangular plate section 135 are vertically extending channels 138 and 139 as shown in FIGS. 13,15, and 18.
  • the chain housing 19 previously described extends upwardly within the area of the arcuate plate 41 and includes a panel 140 adjacent the central rectangular plate section 135 and a similar panel 140 the combination of which provides a stiff rectangular section as shown in FIG. 13.
  • Transverse stiffeners 142, 143 are provided on the panel 140 extending from side to side as shown in FIG. 15.
  • Rigid side elements 147 and 148 extend upwardly from the chain housing 19 to locations adjacent the transverse channel 137.
  • a movable connection is provided between the stationary portions and the arcuate plate, details of which are shown in FIG. 13, 14, and 15.
  • a bracket 140" On the left upper end of the panel 140, as shown in FIG. 12, is a bracket 140" to which is pivotally attached a swivel connection 141.
  • a spring housed in a cylinder 145 attached to the swivel connection has at the other end a similar connection 146 which is attached the rectangular plate section 135.
  • a peg 155 is welded to a slide plate 156 on the central channel section 141, and the peg 155 is adapted to slide vertically in a slot 157 in the central rectangular plate section (FIG. 20 and FIG. 22) and to slide in a corresponding slot 158.
  • a vertically extending slot 160 in the central rectangular stiffening plate section 135 allows a bolt 161 to slide up and down under a controlled friction resistance a distance appreciably greater than the sliding of the pegs and by reasons of the fact that the slot is appreciably longer.
  • a slot 162 in the slide plate 156 prevents any interference between the sliding of the bolt 161 and the rectangular plate section 135.
  • a nut 163 welded to the central channel section 141 accommodates the threaded end of the bolt 161 so that it can be tightened or loosened relative to spring washers 164 retained beneath a washer 165 (FIG. 23), the spring washers bearing against a wear-resistant slide washer 166.
  • a sleeve 167 surrounding the shank of the bolt 161 provides a snug sliding fit for the shank of the bolt 161 in the slots 160 and 162.
  • a bracket 172 attached to the central rectangular plate section 135 by means of the channel 136 serves as an attachment for the upper ends of the springs 170, 170' and 171. More specifically, a shaft 173 for the spring 170 is attached to the bracket 172 by means of a pin 174 in a manner such that a collar 175 bears against the uppermost end of the spring 170.
  • the shaft 173 extends through an appropriate hole in a flange 177 of a supporting bracket 178, the lower end of the spring also bearing against the flange 177.
  • the collar 175 is threadedly adjustable along the shaft 173 to set the tension in the spring 170.
  • a similar attachment is provided for the springs 170' and 171.
  • the supporting bracket 178 is anchored to the stationary panel 140. Supported in this fashion by springs, the rectangular plate section 135 is yieldably urged to a central position subject to displacement laterally adjacent the bottom or to displacement vertically against tension exerted by one or another of the diagonally mounted sets of springs 170, 171.
  • a square peg 180 shown near the bottom of FIG. 20, this square peg being welded to the inside face of the channel 136 and also welded to the rectangular plate section 135 where the peg passes through the section, there being additionally provided a diagonal plate 181 for bracing.
  • the square peg extends through slots 182 and 183, the slot 182 being in the panel 140 and the slot 183 being substantially coincident with it in a reinforcing strip 184.
  • channels 138 and 139 at side edges of the rectangular plate section 135 extend downwardly as shown in FIGS. 15, 17, and 18.
  • a box section 186 attached to the chain housing 19 carries an angle section 187 against which one of the flanges of the channel 138 is adapted to slide, confined there against by the assistance of another stationary angle section 188.
  • the channel 138 is attached by an angle bracket 189 to a transverse channel section 190.
  • the transverse channel section 190 previously referred to as being secured to the bottoms of the channels 138, 139, extends laterally through an opening in the adjacent side of the chain housing 19 wherein it is confined by angle brackets 196 and 197.
  • the opening 195 is appreciably larger than the cross-sectional shape and size of the channel section 190 thereby permitting the channel section to shift in the opening by a corresponding amount.
  • the central rectangular plate section 135 together with the upper track assembly in each instance is so constructed that it can move up and down somewhat freely to a degree determined by the capabilities of the springs 170, 171.
  • the peg 150 fastened to the rectangular plate section can move up and down in the slots 151 and 152.
  • the rectangular plate section can move relative to the peg 155 which is stationary, a distance limited by the length of the slot 157 in which the peg is located.
  • the square peg 180 is free to slide up and down within the slots 182 and 183.
  • the rectangular plate section possessed of a relatively long slot 162 extending around the shank of the bolt 161 is free to move relative to the bolt but throughout an appreciably long distance limited only by the length of the slot 160.
  • the resistance to such movement is offered by the spring washers 164 which are confined by the head of the bolt 161 to a small space between the head of the bolt and adjacent washer 165 and ultimately the central channel section 141 acting through the washer 198 and the reinforcing plate 156, as shown in FIG. 23.
  • the sleeve 199 around the shank of the bolt 161 centers the bolt with respect tothe spring washers 164, the washer 198 and the slide plate 156.
  • the device moreover, is provided with an abundance of flexibility which assists in smoothly delivering any one platform to the loading and unloading station whenever it may be needed.
  • a vertical storage device comprising a vertical frame, endless chain means in vertically mounted position on the frame, a plurality of storage platforms mounted on and moved by said chain, and a drive on said frame for said chain adapted to drive said platforms between a lowermost position and an uppermost position
  • a guide mechanism operable between said frame and said platforms and operative at an end of said endless chain means for steadying the motion of said platfomis
  • said guide mechanism comprising a yoke anchored in fixed relation to each platform, said yoke having a pair of arms of substantially equal length, a traveler on each arm, and a track assembly unit on each end of the frame comprising a pair of tracks and a support therefor, one track of each pair being adapted to receive one of said travelers and the other track being adapted to receive the other of said travelers, said tracks being arcuate in shape and equal in radius of curvature and being at the same horizontal level, the tracks being laterally offset from each other at respective free ends of said tracks a distance substantially equal to the horizontal
  • a vertical storage device comprising a vertical frame, endless chain means in vertically mounted position on the frame, a plurality of storage platforms mounted on and moved by said chain, and a drive on said frame for said chain adapted to drive said platforms between a lowermost position and an uppermost position
  • a guide mechanism operable between said frame and said platforms and operative at an end of said endless chain means for steadying the motion of said platforms
  • said guide mechanism comprising a yoke secured to each platform, said yoke having a pair of arms, a traveler on each arm, and a forward and reverse acting track assembly on the frame comprising a pair of tracks, one track of each pair being adapted to receive one of said travelers and the other track being adapted to receive the other of said travelers, said tracks being arcuate in shape and laterally offset from each'other at respective free ends of said tracks a distance substantially equal to the distance between the respective travelers on each of said yokes, whereby said tracks cross each other adjacent a point between opposite ends forming an intersection having two openings
  • a storage device as in claim 2, wherein there is a pivotal mounting on said track assembly for each of said switch tongues at a location intermediate adjacent respective opposite sections of the two tracks, an arm anchored to each switch tongue and a toggle interconnecting said arms whereby when one switch arm is moved in one direction, the other switch arm is moved in the opposite direction.
  • switch tongues have unrestrained positions in one or another of said tracks, one of said switch tongues being subject to movement from one position to another by action of the traveler when moved into engagement therewith.
  • a storage device as in claim 2, including cam means in said tracks in operable engagement with respective switch tongues, said cam means having cam tracks responsive to engagement by said travelers in advance of arrival of the travelers at the respective switch tongue location, whereby the switch tongues are shifted gradually from one position to another.
  • a vertical storage device comprising a vertical frame, endless chain means in vertically mounted position on the frame, a plurality of storage platforms mounted on and moved by said chain, and a drive on said frame for said chain adapted to drive said platforms between a lowermost position and an uppermost position
  • a guide mechanism operable between said frame and said platfonns and operative at an end of said endless chain means for steadying the motion of said platforms
  • said guide mechanism comprising a yoke anchored in fixed relation to each platform, said yoke having a pair of arms of substantially equal length, a traveler on each arm, and a track assembly unit on each end of the frame comprising a pair of tracks and a support therefor, one track of each pair being adapted to receive one of said travelers and the other track being adapted to receive the other of said travelers, said tracks being arcuate in shape and equal in radius of curvature and being at the same horizontal level, the tracks being laterally offset from each other at respective free ends of said tracks a distance substantially equal to the horizontal
  • a vertical storage device as in claim 6 wherein the track assembly unit which has a vertically slideable mounting includes yieldable means acting upwardly between the frame and the track assembly unit in amount greater than the weight of the track assembly unit and that of a yoke and platform acting therewith when in engagement with the respective track assembly unit.
  • a vertical storage device as in claim 7 wherein said vertically slideable mounting comprises vertically sliding retainers between the frame and the track assembly and longitudinally yieldable pivotally acting ties in oblique counterbalanced rela tionship between the frame and the track assembly.
  • a vertical storage device as in claim 7 wherein said yieldable means comprises sets of springs acting diagonally between opposite sides of one of said track assembly units and the frame and longitudinally yieldable resilient means acting between the frame and the other of said track assembly units.
  • a vertical storage device comprising a vertical frame, endless chain means in vertically mounted position on the frame, a plurality of storage platforms mounted on and moved by said chain, and a drive on said frame for said chain adapted to drive said platforms between a lowermost position and uppermost position
  • a guide mechanism operable between said frame and said platfonns and operative at an end of said endless chain means for steadying the motion of said platforms
  • said guide mechanism comprising a yoke anchored in fixed relation to each platform, said yoke having a pair of arms of substantially equal length, a traveler on each arm, and a track assembly unit on each end of the frame comprising a pair of tracks and a support therefor, one track of each pair being adapted to receive one of said travelers and the other track being adapted to receive the other of said travelers, said tracks being arcuate in shape and equal in radius of curvature and being at the same horizontal level, the tracks being laterally offset from each other at respective free ends of said tracks a distance substantially equal to the horizontal distance

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Branching, Merging, And Special Transfer Between Conveyors (AREA)
  • Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)
US47764A 1970-06-19 1970-06-19 Guide mechanism for vertical storage device Expired - Lifetime US3656608A (en)

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US (1) US3656608A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS492747B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA943877A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2063232A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1295234A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
IL (1) IL35953A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (22)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4224624A (en) * 1978-10-26 1980-09-23 Park Mobile, Inc. Detection of properly positioned movable objects
US4274226A (en) * 1979-08-06 1981-06-23 Park Mobile, Inc. Detection of object in path of moving gate
US4290724A (en) * 1978-01-30 1981-09-22 Park Mobile, Inc. Conveyor pan immobilizing assembly
US4422554A (en) * 1981-07-01 1983-12-27 Lichti Robert D Mechanized retrievable horizontal storage rack
US4752175A (en) * 1986-01-22 1988-06-21 Computer Aided Systems, Inc. Gravity motivated vertical lift conveyor
US5161929A (en) * 1986-01-02 1992-11-10 Lichti Sr Robert Automated work center
US5171120A (en) * 1985-05-13 1992-12-15 Bernard Ii Clay System for delivery
US5197844A (en) * 1986-01-22 1993-03-30 Computer Aided Systems, Inc. Organizer system for a rotatable storage structure
US5209626A (en) * 1986-01-22 1993-05-11 Computer Aided Systems, Inc. Organizer system for a rotatable storage structure
US5222855A (en) * 1986-01-02 1993-06-29 Computer Aided Systems, Inc. Automated work center
US5238351A (en) * 1985-05-13 1993-08-24 Computer Aided Systems, Inc. Organizer system and method for a rotatable storage structure
US5246332A (en) * 1985-05-13 1993-09-21 Computer Aided Systems, Inc. System for delivery
US5273392A (en) * 1986-01-02 1993-12-28 Computer Aided Systems, Inc. Automated work center and method
US5282712A (en) * 1985-05-13 1994-02-01 Computer Aided Systems, Inc. Organizer system and method for a rotatable storage structure
US5374149A (en) * 1993-01-13 1994-12-20 Computower Technologies, Corp. Vertical storage conveyor with symmetrical motor drive system
US5425442A (en) * 1993-01-13 1995-06-20 Howard M. Lawn Drive system for a vertical storage conveyor
WO1995023266A1 (en) * 1994-02-25 1995-08-31 Wei Sheng Development Co., Ltd. Vertical storage conveyor with improved load support and drive system
US5472309A (en) * 1985-05-13 1995-12-05 Computer Aided Systems, Inc. System for delivery
US5588790A (en) * 1993-11-01 1996-12-31 Lichti Robert D High speed storage system
US20130011227A1 (en) * 2011-07-04 2013-01-10 Siltronic Ag Device and Method For Buffer-Storing A Multiplicity of Wafer-Type Workpieces
WO2017048260A1 (en) * 2015-09-17 2017-03-23 Cummins Emission Solutions Inc. Aftertreatment system mounting assembly
CN114772147A (zh) * 2022-05-07 2022-07-22 程苏丹 一种小型核磁共振装卸设备

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3437720A1 (de) * 1984-10-15 1986-04-17 Herbert M. 8175 Greiling Jochum Vertikale speichervorrichtung, insbesondere fuer kraftfahrzeuge

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US592662A (en) * 1897-10-26 Automatic switch
US1680035A (en) * 1924-02-28 1928-08-07 Milton M Mayer Display apparatus
GB415567A (en) * 1933-07-22 1934-08-30 Ewart Chainbelt Company Ltd Improvements in and relating to elevators, conveyors and hoists
US3248076A (en) * 1964-08-24 1966-04-26 Hunt Foodsd And Ind Inc Radiator mounting system
US3298536A (en) * 1963-08-23 1967-01-17 Zippel Georg Alfred File with endless carriers and double guiding track

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US592662A (en) * 1897-10-26 Automatic switch
US1680035A (en) * 1924-02-28 1928-08-07 Milton M Mayer Display apparatus
GB415567A (en) * 1933-07-22 1934-08-30 Ewart Chainbelt Company Ltd Improvements in and relating to elevators, conveyors and hoists
US3298536A (en) * 1963-08-23 1967-01-17 Zippel Georg Alfred File with endless carriers and double guiding track
US3248076A (en) * 1964-08-24 1966-04-26 Hunt Foodsd And Ind Inc Radiator mounting system

Cited By (27)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4290724A (en) * 1978-01-30 1981-09-22 Park Mobile, Inc. Conveyor pan immobilizing assembly
US4224624A (en) * 1978-10-26 1980-09-23 Park Mobile, Inc. Detection of properly positioned movable objects
US4274226A (en) * 1979-08-06 1981-06-23 Park Mobile, Inc. Detection of object in path of moving gate
US4422554A (en) * 1981-07-01 1983-12-27 Lichti Robert D Mechanized retrievable horizontal storage rack
US5556247A (en) * 1985-05-13 1996-09-17 Computer Aided Systems, Inc. Organizer system and method for a rotatable storage structure
US5246332A (en) * 1985-05-13 1993-09-21 Computer Aided Systems, Inc. System for delivery
US5171120A (en) * 1985-05-13 1992-12-15 Bernard Ii Clay System for delivery
US5601395A (en) * 1985-05-13 1997-02-11 Computer Aided Systems, Inc. Organizer system and method for a rotatable storage structure
US5472309A (en) * 1985-05-13 1995-12-05 Computer Aided Systems, Inc. System for delivery
US5282712A (en) * 1985-05-13 1994-02-01 Computer Aided Systems, Inc. Organizer system and method for a rotatable storage structure
US5238351A (en) * 1985-05-13 1993-08-24 Computer Aided Systems, Inc. Organizer system and method for a rotatable storage structure
US5593269A (en) * 1986-01-02 1997-01-14 Computer Aided Systems, Inc. Automated work center
US5161929A (en) * 1986-01-02 1992-11-10 Lichti Sr Robert Automated work center
US5222855A (en) * 1986-01-02 1993-06-29 Computer Aided Systems, Inc. Automated work center
US5273392A (en) * 1986-01-02 1993-12-28 Computer Aided Systems, Inc. Automated work center and method
US5197844A (en) * 1986-01-22 1993-03-30 Computer Aided Systems, Inc. Organizer system for a rotatable storage structure
US5209626A (en) * 1986-01-22 1993-05-11 Computer Aided Systems, Inc. Organizer system for a rotatable storage structure
US4752175A (en) * 1986-01-22 1988-06-21 Computer Aided Systems, Inc. Gravity motivated vertical lift conveyor
US5425442A (en) * 1993-01-13 1995-06-20 Howard M. Lawn Drive system for a vertical storage conveyor
US5374149A (en) * 1993-01-13 1994-12-20 Computower Technologies, Corp. Vertical storage conveyor with symmetrical motor drive system
US5588790A (en) * 1993-11-01 1996-12-31 Lichti Robert D High speed storage system
WO1995023266A1 (en) * 1994-02-25 1995-08-31 Wei Sheng Development Co., Ltd. Vertical storage conveyor with improved load support and drive system
US20130011227A1 (en) * 2011-07-04 2013-01-10 Siltronic Ag Device and Method For Buffer-Storing A Multiplicity of Wafer-Type Workpieces
US9199791B2 (en) * 2011-07-04 2015-12-01 Siltronic Ag Device and method for buffer-storing a multiplicity of wafer-type workpieces
WO2017048260A1 (en) * 2015-09-17 2017-03-23 Cummins Emission Solutions Inc. Aftertreatment system mounting assembly
US10465591B2 (en) 2015-09-17 2019-11-05 Cummins Emission Solutions Inc. Aftertreatment system mounting assembly
CN114772147A (zh) * 2022-05-07 2022-07-22 程苏丹 一种小型核磁共振装卸设备

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IL35953A0 (en) 1971-03-24
GB1295234A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-11-08
DE2063232A1 (de) 1972-06-15
CA943877A (en) 1974-03-19
JPS492747B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-01-22
IL35953A (en) 1973-07-30

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