Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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AUTOMATIC STORAGE AND RETRIEVAI~APPARF,TUB
BACRGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a structure containing
apparatus to provide the automatic storage and retrieval of
pallets which hold items to be stored. The invention is
directed here particularly to automobile storage and
retrieval, however the same structure and apparatus can be
used to store any pallet-held items.
A number of structures with automatic storage and
retrieval apparatuses utilizing pallets to hold the stored
items are shown in the art. In Hurch et al, U.S. Patent No.
3,746,189, a structure utilizes a transfer cart to move a
pallet to one of a number of vertical storage spaces where
a vertical lift elevates the pallet to a storage area.
In Buttironi, U.S. Patent No. 4,337,013, a service
track is provided with a motored traveling wagon to move a
number of pallets along the service track. In Alfred et al,
U.S. Patent No. 4,074,120, a storage retrieval machine is
utilized to store or retrieve loads of materials from
predetermined locations under computer control with computer
identification of each load and location.
In Van Stokes et al, U.S. Patent No. 4,674,938, a frame
supported by a base has a nested upper and lower platform
adapted to be moved upward to provide vertically oriented
storage locations. In Bright, U.S. Patent No. 3,927,773, a
load handling storage and retrieval installation has storage
positions extending between service aisles with driven
carriages in the service aisles and a captive pallet for
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each load storage position with lineal and transverse drive
means mounted on the driven carriages with control means to
load and unload the storage positions.
In Byrd, U.S. Patent No. 4,738,579, an automated
parking garage system with a plurality of modules in a grid
pattern uses a number of hydraulic powered lifts to position
modules vertically.
None of these inventions utilize a completely passive
storage structure combined with the use of machinery on a
pair of lifts to provide all necessary machinery to load and
unload pallets from any floor. The positioning of two lifts
at opposite ends of a storage level to permit machinery on
one lift moving a pallet on a storage level to eject a
pallet on the opposite lift, allowing the use of a passive
storage structure is not taught.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An automatic storage and retrieval system for
palletized loads has been adapted particularly for
automobiles. Identical pallets have a set of four recesses
in the upper surface with spacing and dimensions to
accommodate the four wheel footprint of all conventional
automobiles and pickup trucks. The pallets are stored
automatically within a vertical storage structure consisting
primarily of structural steel I-beams organized into a
number of identical levels. A pair of lifts are located
adjacent to opposite ends of the storage area with all of
the necessary equipment to carry the pallets between levels
and to move the pallets from the lifts onto any level. The
lift movements are coordinated, such that when one lift is
stopped adjacent to one end of a level the other lift is
topped adjacent to the opposite end.
The pallets are off loaded from either lift by a
transfer mechanism, which simply pushes a pallet
horizontally a distance equal to the pallet width from the
lift onto the adjacent storage level. The storage structure
is sized such that an integral number of pallets will
3
exactly fill the storage space between the two lifts. The
pallets are mounted upon wheels or skids which are aligned
to permit moving the pallets perpendicular to the lifts and
which ride upon a pair of steel members extending from lift
to lift on each level. The lifts are suspended from cables
which are used to position the lifts. The lifts are
suspended a slight distance away from the storage area of
each level. Before the pallets are offloaded a bridging
mechanism moves both lifts horizontally toward the
respective adjacent storage space, until the pallets abut
the adjacent level and close the gap between them. The gaps
between the storage space and both lifts are closed at the
same time.
In use, all pallet spaces on all storage levels are
occupied by pallets whether they contain an automobile or
not. When a pallet is offloaded from a first lift each
successive pallet from the first lift to a second opposed
lift is moved horizontally by the action of the transfer
mechanism pushing the pallet off the first lift. This
arrangement permits the storage structure itself to be
completely passive. This greatly reduces the complexity of
the overall system with a corresponding improvement in
reliability. This results in the pallet on the opposite end
of the storage space adjacent the second lift being
transferred to the second lift. After a pallet is
transferred to the second lift both lifts are moved away
from the adjoining storage space by the bridging mechanism
to permit moving the lifts to a different level. This is
the basic storage and retrieval operation for the pallets
which allows using a passive storage structure.
The ground level of the structure contains no storage
space but instead normally contains a pallet in each of two
loading stations. Each loading station has a pair of steel
rails which extend to the respective adjacent lift to permit
loading the pallet upon the lift. Loading mechanisms are
arranged which can move a pallet from the respective loading
station onto the adjacent lift. The lift is moved adjacent
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to the steel rails by the bridging mechanism prior to moving
a pallet to or from the lift. A guard fence extending
upward alongside each lift provides passenger protection.
The guard fence is lowered below the steel rails when
loading or off-loading a pallet on or from the lift. After
the pallet is moved the fence is moved to the original
location.
Automobiles to be stored are driven onto a pallet
located at either of the two loading stations. The pallet
and automobile are transferred from the loading station to
the adjacent lift by the loading mechanisms after the
bridging mechanism has closed the gap. Automobiles
retrieved from the storage level are transferred in the same
way by the loading mechanism to the loading station where
they can be driven away through the opposite side of the
structure.
When an automobile is driven onto a pallet at a loading
station and transferred to the first space on a storage
level, the pallet displaced on the opposite end of that
level is transferred by the lift to another level to
displace a second pallet back onto the first lift, so a
pallet can be returned to the original loading station to
receive another automobile. When automobiles are already
located within storage locations it may be necessary to make
several similar transfers of pallets across and between
levels to obtain an empty pallet nor the loading station.
The entire system is under computer control with each
stored automobile being associated with identifier codes
kept in a running inventory. The automobile identifier is
inserted by a credit card reader or a number code inserted
by the user after the automobile is driven onto the loading
station pallet. Programs in the computer determine the
optimum rearrangement of pallets to return either a
requested automobile or an unoccupied pallet to a loading
station.
An automobile is requested from its storage location by
the automobile identifier. In this case a pallet from a
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loading station is used to displace the pallet containing
the automobile requested from the appropriate storage level
to the opposite lift. If the automobile requested is not
adjacent the opposite lift the pallet and automobile must
5 then be shifted across and then moved to a different level
to be returned to the empty loading station by a series of
transfers between floors.
The operation of the entire system is monitored by a
computer using a number of sensors as to the position of
each lift, loading mechanisms and transfer mechanism. This
information is used to control the operation of the system.
No human intervention is required unless a failure occurs in
which case the operation is halted, and an on site
supervisor is summoned by the computer system using
appropriate indicators.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA~PINGs
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic storage
and retrieval structure.
Fig. 2 is a front view of an automatic storage and
retrieval structure with a cut-away section over one lift.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a lift and pallet.
Fig. 4 is a cross-section of Fig. 3 taken along 4-4.
Fig. 5 is a cross-section fragment of Fig. 4 taken
along 5-5.
Fig. 6 is a front view of a lift, pallets, automobile
in phantom outline and adjacent structure.
Fig. 6A is a detail of a pallet with skids instead of
wheels.
Fig. 7 is a top view of the lift mechanism.
Fig. 8 is a front view of the bridging mechanism with
the gap between the storage area closed.
Fig. 9 is the same view as Fig. 8 with the gap open.
Fig. 10 is a front view of a portion of the framework
and lift.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a loading station.
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Figs. 1231 are schematic representations of the
systems operations.
Fig. 32 is an electrical block diagram of the system.
DESCRTPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In Fig. 1 an overview of the automobile storage
structure 10 is shown. A number of storage locations 12 are
shown. Ground level loading stations S1 and S2 are also
shown. Station S2 has a pallet 20 in place oriented to
l0 permit driving a car onto the pallet. Ramps 30 provide a
path from outside driveways 40 to loading stations S1 and
S2.
Automobiles are driven along driveways 40 and up ramps
30 to loading stations Sl or S2. Loading stations S1 or S2
must contain a pallet 20 to accommodate the automobile and
either barriers or light signals will direct the motorist to
wait if no pallet is present.
In Fig. 2 the relationship of loading station S1 to
lift L1 and to the storage levels can be seen with storage
spaces located on the three levels. A lift L2, not shown in
this figure, which is identical to lift L1 except being
loaded from the opposite side, is located on the opposite
side of the storage area.
Lift L1 is raised and lowered by lift mechanism 46
acting through cables 48, one being attached to each corner
of lift L1. Lift L1 is raised and lowered within shaft 50.
Lift L2 with identical associated equipment is located in an
identical shaft located adjacent the opposite end of the
storage locations, not shown in this figure. With this
arrangement lifts L1 and L2 can be positioned opposite any
storage level opposite the ground level loading stations.
In Fig. 7 lift mechanism 46 consisting of an electric motor
52 driving a drive shaft 54 through reduction gearing 56 to
rotate four drums 58 can be seen. Bearings about shaft 54
are supported by stands 60. Each cable 48 is attached to a
drum 58 keyed to shaft 54. Rotating shaft 54 in one
direction will elevate lift Ll by winding up cables 48 and
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in an opposite direction will lower the lift by unwinding
the cables. Since all four drums 58 are the same size, the
four corners of lift L1 will be moved identical amounts and
the lift will remain horizontal. Pulleys 62 guide cables 48
from drums 58 through adjacent holes to lift L1. The
control of electrical motor 52 is by a computer which will
be described later. Fig. 3 shows the attachment means for
cables 48 to lift L1 with the cable bight secured by a clamp
64 through a hole in line 66, and having a hole in the
opposite end which fits over a stud 68 extending from each
corner of the lift. Links 66 are secured in place over
studs 68 by cotter pins 70 mounted through a hole in the
respective stud. This arrangement permits a certain amount
of lateral movement in lift L1 and is necessary to abut the
lift against the storage area.
In Figs. 8, 9, 10 the operation of bridging mechanism
72 is shown. At least one vertical steel guide rail 74
extends up shaft 50 as shown in Figs. 2, 6, 8, 9, and 10.
Preferably two such guide rails are utilized, one adjacent
to each corner of lift Ll opposite the storage area. Lifts
L1 and L2 both have the same arrangement, except they are
oriented opposite to each other with the storage area
between. A rotary pinion (not shown) driven by a motor 78
engages a horizontal rack 76 to move the lift horizontally.
A pair of rollers 80 engage opposite sides of the edge of
guide rail ?4 to provide a purchase for rack 76. An arm 82
extending from bridging mechanism 72, terminating in roller
84 mounted perpendicular to rollers 80 bears against the web
of guide rail 74, to insure that rack 76 clears the guide
rail and rollers 80 engage the edge of the guide rail. In
Fig. 8 lift L1 is shown in a leftwardly moved position on
rack 76 with a beveled edge extending from the top edge of
lift L1 touching a mating beveled edge along the top surface
of a horizontal I-beam 87. A proximity switch, not shown,
detects this touching and is used to control rotary motor
78.
8
In Fig. 9 lift L1 has been retracted by the pinion on
rotary motor 78 to move lift L1 rightward until a gap is
present between I-beam 87 and the lift which permits moving
the lift vertically. Fig. 10 illustrates how links 66 can
permit this lateral movement by pivoting about their
respective studs 68. Rotary motor 78 is powered by
electrical wires, not shown, extending downward from the top
of shaft 50, and is controlled by a computer system to be
described. Motor 78 could also be a fluid motor, driven
hydraulically or pneumatically.
In Figs. 4 and 5 the means of supporting pallet 20 is
shown. Pallet 20 has four wheels 86 with two mounted on a
corner of a pallet edge perpendicular to the adjacent
storage space. Wheels 86 utilize conventional low speed
bearings and are attached to the under side of pallet 20 by
conventional U-shaped brackets mounting axles for each
wheel. Two channels for the opposed pairs of wheels 86 are
defined by two pairs of guides 88 which are attached to the
upper side of lift L1. Guides 88 guide pallet 20 along a
path which is perpendicular to the edge of the storage space
immediately adjacent the lift. Wheels 86 can be replaced by
projections to form parallel skid surfaces 85, as shown in
Fig. 6A, and the operation would be identical.
The outward edge of pallet 20 provides a purchase to
permit a transfer mechanism 92 to transfer the pallet from
the lift L1. In Fig. 3 transfer mechanism 92 consisting of
an electric motor 94, a worm gear assembly 96, a shaft 98,
sprockets 100, chains 102, and pusher projections 104 are
shown. In Fig. 4 sprockets 100 are shown at each end of
chains 102. Wires extending downward from the top of the
shaft, power electric motor 94 which is also under computer
control. When motor 94 is operated, pusher projections 104
bear against the edge of pallet 20 opposite the storage
space and force the pallet leftward, as shown in Fig. 6. An
automobile 106 shown in phantom outline is mounted upon
pallet 20 to be transferred to the storage area. The
adjacent pallet 20 containing no automobile is forced
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leftward at the same time by the loaded pallet being forced
against it. Wheels 86, shown in Fig. 4, are located in line
with one of two I-beams 87 which are aligned with opposite
sets of wheels to provide a supporting surface between lifts
L1 and L2, and as first pallet 20 is moved leftward all the
other pallets are moved the same amount along these I-beams.
Wheels 86 can be replaced by skids 85 as shown in Fig. 6A.
Transfer mechanism 92 is duplicated by a mirror image on
lift L2.
1o In Fags. 12 through 31 a schematic representation is
used to illustrate the sequence of operations used to store
or retrieve an automobile. Individual storage locations are
designated by a column and a level location: with the four
columns being designated A, B, C, or D and the levels being
ground, not indicated on the diagram, and numbered levels 1,
2, and 3. A horizontal line within a shaft location is used
to indicate the location of lifts L1 and L2. A pallet is
indicated by a horizontally oriented rectangle. Numbers are
used as an identifier for each individual pallet. A number
enclosed by a box is used to indicate that an automobile is
located upon that particular pallet. An arrow is used to
indicate bath an operation and the direction of the
operation. An arrow directed at a lift indicates that the
lift has been moved in that direction. An arrow directed
toward the storage area from a lift indicates that a pallet
was transferred from the lift to the adjacent storage area
by the transfer mechanism on the lift.
Whenever a pallet is transferred from a lift a pallet
is forced onto the opposite lift by the intermediate pallets
between the two lifts acting as a ram. In all cases where
a pallet is moved on or off a lift it is assumed, for an
accurate description, that the bridging mechanisms have
previously closed the gaps between the storage areas and the
lifts prior to the operation. Likewise, when a lift is
moved to a different level after a pallet was transferred to
or from the lift, it is assumed that the bridging mechanism
has reestablished the gap to make that operation possible.
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In Fig. 12 pallets are located in all storage areas,
loading stations S2 and lift L1, with lifts Ll and L2 at
ground level. Only pallet 4 contains an automobile. In
Figs. 12 through 23 a typical sequence of operations used to
5 retrieve the automobile stored on pallet 4 is shown. In
this illustration the pallet identifier and automobile
identifier are treated as one. In the actual system each
pallet will have an identifier but each identifier will be
further associated with the automobile identifier for all
10 stared vehicles.
Prior to the operation shown in Fig. 12, the quiescent
state of the system existed which is the normal state
between storage or retrieval cycles with a pallet located at
both loading stations S1 and S2, lifts L1 and L2 at the
ground level containing no pallets, and with all of the
storage locations containing a pallet. Fig. 12 illustrates
the first step of retrieving an automobile from pallet 4 at
locations column C level 3, which for simplicity will be
called C-3. The presence of an automobile is indicated by
the box about the number 4. A pallet 13 was transferred
from loading station S1 to lift Ll. In Fig. 13, the second
step, shows both lifts L1 and L2 moved from the ground level
to level 2. In Fig. 14, the third step, shows pallet 13
transferred from lift Ll to storage location D-2 which
shifts all of the other pallets on this level leftward and
moves pallet 8 onto lift L2.
In Fig. 15, the fourth step, shows both lifts L1 and L2
moved from level 2 to level 3. In Figs. 16, the fifth step,
shows pallet B transferred from lift L2 to storage location
A-3, which shifts all of the other pallets on this level
rightward and moves pallet 2 onto lift Ll.
In Fig. 17, the sixth step, shows both lifts L1 and L2
moved from level 3 to level 2. In Fig. 18, the seventh
step, shows pallet 2 transferred from lift L1 to storage
location D-2 which shifts all of the other pallets on this
level leftward and moves pallet .10 onto lift L2.
11
In Fig. 19, the eighth step, shows both lifts L1 and L2
moved from level 2 to level 3. In Fig. 20, the ninth step,
shows pallet 10 transferred from lift L2 to storage location
A-3 which shifts all of the other pallets on this level
rightward and moves pallet 4 onto lift L1.
In Fig. 21, the tenth step, shows both lifts L1 and L2
moved from level 3 to ground level. In Fig. 22, the
eleventh step, shows pallet 4 moved from left L1 to loading
station Sl by the loading mechanism. This completes the
retrieval or call process and the automobile on pallet 4 can
now be driven away which will again restore the system to
the quiescent condition as shown in Fig. 23.
In Fig. 24 an automobile is shown driven onto pallet 4
at loading station S1 for storage. In Fig. 25, the first
step, pallet 4 is transferred onto lift L1 by the loading
mechanism. In Fig. 26, the second step, shows both lifts L1
and L2 moved from ground level to level 1.
In Fig. 27, the third step, shows pallet 4 transferred
to storage location D-1 to complete the storage process of
the automobile located on pallet 4. This transfer also
shifts all of the other pallets on this level leftward and
moves pallet 7 onto lift L2. In Fig. 28, the fourth step,
shows both lifts moved from level 1 to level 2.
In Fig. 29, the fifth step, shows pallet 7 transferred
from lift L2 to storage location A-2 which shifts all of the
other pallets rightward and shifts pallet 2 onto lift L1.
In Fig. 30, the sixth step, shows both lifts L1 and L2 moved
from level 2 to ground level.
Fig. 31, the seventh step, shows pallet 2 loaded from
lift L1 to loading station S1. This completes the storage
process with pallet 4 and automobile in storage location D-1
and with pallet 2 in loading station S1 which returns the
system to the quiescent state in a condition where an
automobile can be called or stored.
These sequences of operations are representative of the
actual storage and retrieval process. While automobiles
were only retrieved and stored to and from loading station
12
S1 the sequence of operations is essentially identical from
loading station S2, being the mirror image of operations.
If other automobiles are already present in various
locations in the storage facility a different strategy is
required. A program with the requisite complexity able to
deal with the various situations which may arise is a part
of this system. The program must not only deal with the
remaining inventory and location of all pallets and
associated automobiles and a storage/retrieval strategy but
must also deal with the status of the physical movements of
the lifts, the pallets, the bridging mechanism, and the
transfer and lading mechanisms. This will be described
further later.
In Figs. 10 and 11 a loading station 108 is shown far
lift L1. A loading station for lift L2 is essentially
identical to loading station 108 but is oriented in the .
opposite direction to load automobiles on the opposite side
of the structure. The operation of loading station 108 is
similar to the operation of transfer mechanism 92. An
electric motor 110 drives reduction gears 112 which in turn
drive a shaft 114 mounted in bearings on one end of loading
station 108. A shaft 116 mounted on the opposite end of
loading station 108 is also mounted within bearings. Shaft
114 has a pair of sprockets 118 mounted in each end and
shaft 116 has a pair of sprockets 120 mounted on each end.
The pair of sprockets 120 drive a pair of chains 122
connected between the two aligned opposing pairs of
sprockets. A pair of projections 124 are attached to each
respective chain 122 and provide a means to move pallet 20
across a pair of I-beams 123, one of which is shown in Fig.
10. The propulsion is similar to that of the transfer
mechanism except that the distance moved is greater from the
loading station location to the adjacent lift Ll. Before a
pallet is transferred to the lift by the loading mechanism,
or froxri the lift by the transfer mechanism, the bridging
mechanism is used to close the gap between the lift and the
end I-beams 123.
13
A pair of pulleys 126 attached to the end of shaft 127
outside of sprockets 120 each have a cable 128 attached
which lead around a second pulley 130 which are suspended
with conventional brackets from I~beam 132 which extends
across the lift opening. Cables 128 are attached to a gate
134 by clamps. Gate 134 rides in a pair of guides 136. A
motor 140 acting through reduction gears 142 drives shaft
127. The combination of cables and pulleys are controlled
by the computer system such that before pallet 20 is moved
rightward gate 134 is lowered below the level of the pallet
to permit the pallet to be loaded. At all times except when
a pallet is being loaded onto or transferred from the lift
the gate is positioned in the upper position to act as a
guard.
Projections 124 are moved rightward until pallet 20 is
moved onto the adjacent lift. The gap between the lift and
the loading station is closed by the bridging mechanism to
permit this transfer.
When a pallet is to be transferred from the lift to
loading station 108 projections 124 are positioned on the
underside of the mechanism. After a pallet is moved off the
lift then motor 110 is energized with the rotation direction
reversed to push an empty pallet 20 leftward by projections
124 to the location shown in Fig. 11 ready to load or unload
an automobile.
Motor 110 is also controlled by the computer to
coordinate the operation of the gate, the loading mechanism,
the transfer mechanism and the bridging mechanism for the
adjacent lift. Both loading stations L1 and L2 are
coordinated in this manner.
In Fig. 32 a block diagram of the comguter system and
associated components is shown. A card reader C10 and
keypad provides input means for computer C16. Card reader
C10 is a conventional card reader of the type used to read
the magnetic stripe on a credit card. This permits using
the credit card number as an automobile identifier and can
14
be used to communicate to other systems to verify credit
worthiness, stolen card information or other data.
Number keypad C12 permits using a keyed-in identifier
if desired. This can be used as an economy measure to
eliminate caxd reader CIO or solely as at an apartment
complex. Sensors C14 are located at each extreme range of
motion of each operating mechanism and the floor level
location of both lifts. Tmage sensors C17 are located on
both loading areas. This device utilizes existing
l0 technology to scan an area to determine background
information. As items are introduced into the field of view
the image sensor can determine the difference. This permits
the determination of the presence of automobiles and people
in the loading area to provide safe operation of the
equipment.
Readouts C18, displays and indicators C22 provide
status and control information from the computer C16.
Output commands are sent from computer C16 to motor and
solenoid controller C20 which provides the proper level
signals to control motors C-23, solenoids and other
actuators C24.
The loop is closed when the operations caused by the
outputs results in motions which feed back through sensors
C14 to computer C16 as input signals. This permits control
of all parameters and observation of the results of the
control signals. Out of limit sensors are also provided to
indicate unsafe conditions which are used to shut down the
system and summon supervisory assistance.
The computer C16 is a conventional micro-processor with
appropriate memory devices, which has a stared program
developed expressly to perform the functions described. All
prescribed operations along with optimized storage and
retrieval strategies are incorporated here.
The following numbered listing of operations is
representative of the sequence of operations activated when
an automobile is to be driven into an empty loading station
and the automobile identifier entered into the system.
15
1. Is there a pallet on the loading system?
2. If 1 is no, the program to retrieve a pallet from the
appropriate storage location previously described is not
initiated and an automobile is prohibited from entering the
loading station by appropriate display.
3. If the answer to 1 is yes; is there an automobile on
the pallet?
4. If the answer to 3 is yes an automobile is prohibited
from entering the loading station by appropriate display.
l0 5. If the answer to 3 is no, an automobile is allowed to
enter the loading station. This condition is indicated by
appropriate signal and the system is conditioned to accept
an automobile code.
6. Is there an automobile on the pallet?
7. If the answer to 6 is no, condition 5 continues.
8. If the answer to 6 is yes, an indicator to enter credit
card is lit.
9. Is credit code entered?
10. If answer to 9 is no, 9 continues.
2o 11. If answer to 9 is yes, loading station is scanned by
image sensor for people to answer questions, are people
present?
12. If answer to 11 is yes, load station is deactivated.
13. If answer to 11 is no, adjacent lift is summoned to
ground level by actuation of lift motor, and lift sensors
are used to determine whether adjacent lift is on ground
floor. The lift will not change levels if the bridging
mechanism has gap closed. Whenever a lift is summoned, the
response is delayed until a gap is established between the
lift and structure.
1~. If answer to 13 is yes, bridging mechanism is used to
close gap between loading station and lift, guard fence is
lowered, and pallet with automobile is loaded upon lift.
The gate is then raised and the gap is reestablished.
15. Routine to store automobile previously described is
imitated.
16
This sequence of operations is representative of the
coordination. Since the system is computer controlled, the
program can be modified at any time to incorporate a
different strategy. The essence of a program is the fact
that it can be changed. This permits adapting the system to
a number of conditions and environments. As examples, some
of the storage levels could be below ground level which can
easily be handled by a different program. The number of
levels or the number of storage locations per level may also
change and the program modified to accommodate the changes.
Certain physical constraints will always apply, such as
closing the gap between the lift and storage or loading area
before transferring a pallet, and the necessity of always
having the lifts opposite one another when making a transfer
on all except the loading level.
The motors for the lifts, transfer mechanisms and
loading mechanisms can readily be sized such that a lift can
move from level to level in approximately seven seconds or
a pallet move from one pallet location to the adjacent one
in approximately the same length of time. Using these
figures as typical values in the previous example shown in
Figs. 12 and 23, eleven steps were required to retrieve an
automobile which is 77 seconds and in Figs. 24 through 31,
seven steps were required to store a car which is 49
seconds. While these figures will change depending upon the
locations available for storage and the location of the
automobile to be retrieved, they are still indicative of the
general speed of this system. This compares very favorably
with the usual length of time required at a conventional
parking ramp.
The illustration of the storage structure shown in Fig.
2 has a steel structure enclosed by a brick skin and roof.
In warm climates, or for underground storage levels, this
outer skin is unnecessary. One advantage of this storage
system is the inaccessibility of the storage levels to the
public which protects the automobile from vandalism and
theft. A further advantage, since the public never leaves
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17
the main level, is the minimized exposure to crime of the
user. If desired, manned or televised surveillance of the
loading area can readily be included as a part of the
system.
The heart of this system is the opposed pair of lifts
and intermediate storage structure with all the machinery
necessary to lift or lower, to store or retrieve the
automobiles being on or associated with the lifts. This
results in a very cost efficient system. The use of a
similar system on the main level to move the automobiles at
the loading station results in a duplication of the majority
of the system. While the system illustrated indicates
loading only from the ground level, loading can be provided
at any desired level. This would probably be more
applicable for storing items other thar, automobiles.
This invention solves a very read problem in today~s
society in both providing very compact vehicle storage with
the minimum of complexity, and in minimizing the vehicle and
user s exposure to crime.
While this invention has been described with reference
to an illustrative embodiment, this description is not
intended to be construed in a limiting sense. The loading
station, fox example, can be located on any level if roadway
is elevated, or if items other than vehicles are stored from
a level of another structure other than ground level.
Various other modifications of the illustrative embodiment,
as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be
apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to
this description. It is therefore contemplated that the
appended claims will cover any such modifications or
embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention.
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
