This invention relates to a storage system, and more particularly a storage system of the type in which a series of movable storage units are selectively moved together and apart to form an aisle between adjacent storage units.
A mobile storage system typically consists of a number of storage units that are selectively movable relative to each other to form an aisle between an adjacent pair of storage units. The storage units are typically mounted to a pair of spaced apart rails, and each storage unit includes a carriage having wheels that are movable on the rails. Each storage unit includes a drive motor that is responsive to commands input from an operator, so as to provide movement of the storage unit on the rails. In the prior art, the number and spacing of the storage units are selected relative to the length of the rail such that a single aisle having a predetermined width can be created between any selected adjacent pair of storage units.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile storage system that is configured and arranged to enable the storage units to be positioned such that a pair of aisles can be formed between two spaced apart sets of adjacent mobile storage units, in order to provide access to two different sets of storage units at any one time. It is a further object of the invention to provide a mobile storage system that enables the storage units to be positioned so as to provide a single, relatively wide aisle between an adjacent pair of storage units, so as to enable a relatively wide object to be positioned between the storage units, such as a wheelchair, a filing cart, etc. Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a storage system which is operable in response to certain criteria to maintain a certain aisle or aisles open when an operator wishes to create an aisle between a different pair of storage units.
In accordance with the present invention, a mobile storage system includes a number of mobile storage units that are movable toward and away from each other to selectively form an aisle between adjacent storage units. The storage units are arranged to define a maximum aisle space within the mobile storage system, which is capable of forming a single aisle between an adjacent pair of storage units or a number of aisles between several adjacent pairs of storage units. A control arrangement is operable to control the position of the storage units relative to each other, and is operable to position the storage units in response to user commands so as to form one or more aisles between the storage units. The control arrangement is operable to form either a single aisle between an adjacent pair of storage units using the maximum aisle space, or a number of aisles between a several adjacent pairs of storage units system by distributing the maximum aisle space between at least two aisles located between at least two adjacent pairs of mobile storage units.
The control arrangement may include a surveillance unit configured to monitor the presence of an object within the aisles, and is responsive to the surveillance unit to prevent movement of the storage units between which an aisle is located when an object is present in the aisle. In addition, each storage unit includes an actuator that is selectively operated by a user to cause relative movement between the storage unit and an adjacent storage unit to form an aisle therebetween. The actuators and the control arrangement may be configured such that, when each actuator is initially actuated, an aisle having a width less than the maximum aisle space is formed between the storage unit and an adjacent storage unit. When each actuator is subsequently actuated after the initial actuation, an aisle having a width equal to the maximum aisle space is formed between the storage unit and an adjacent storage unit.
The control arrangement may be configured such that, when creating an aisle between an adjacent pair of storage units when a pair of aisles are present between two other adjacent pairs of storage units, one of the aisles between the two other adjacent pairs of storage units is closed based on one or more predetermined criteria. The predetermined criteria may be a user defined designation, or may be a characteristic such as the frequency of use of the aisles such that the more frequently used aisle remains open and the less frequently used aisle is closed.
The invention also contemplates a method of operating a mobile storage system including a number of movable storage units, substantially in accordance with the foregoing summary.
Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawings.
The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention. In the drawings:
Each of the storage units 22a-g is arranged to move alternately and selectively to the left and right as depicted to establish at least one access aisle between the storage units 22a-g at the command of an operator. As shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, storage units 22b-22f are generally identical in construction and operation. A typical storage unit 22c has an operator input controller, represented by the rectangle marked 26, which may be mounted on an end of the storage unit 26 or in any other satisfactory location. An open aisle push button switch 28 is included in the controller 26. Controller 26 may also include other features such as an emergency stop button (not shown), as well as indicia or lights indicating operation status. The open aisle push button switch 28 is actuated by an operator to initiate the aisle opening procedures discussed in greater detail below.
A variety of known safety mechanisms can be utilized with the mobile storage system. For example, the safety mechanism may be in the form of a sweep or safety switch bar for notifying the control system associated with the drive arrangement of each storage unit to stop motion of the storage unit if an obstacle or impediment to movement is encountered. Examples of safety mechanisms are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,743,078 and 4,733,923, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Alternatively, a photoelectric sweep disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,975, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, could be utilized. Another alternative includes a system as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,444, also incorporated by reference, which illustrates a directional detector that detects entry of an obstacle into the aisle and prevents movement until the obstacle is detected to have left the aisle. Still another alternative includes a system as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,707,028, also incorporated by reference, which illustrates an object detection system for use in detecting the presence of an object within a space that includes a pair of pivotable light emitter/receiver units located outwardly of each side of the space and a series of reflectors located outwardly of each side of the space.
In accordance with the present invention, the controller of mobile storage system 20 is programmed to maintain a maximum aisle space (MAS). In one embodiment, the MAS is sixty inches, however, a variety of MAS widths may be maintained depending on the requirements of the system. The MAS may be divided in a variety of ways within the mobile storage system 20. For example, as illustrated in
A variety of representative operational sequences will be described in reference to
When aisle 36 is empty, it can be closed in a subsequent action, such as shown in
Turning now to
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
While this feature of the present invention has been shown and described with respect to certain predetermined criteria, e.g. user designation or frequency of use, it is understood that any other criteria may be employed and that the criteria may be altered or changed by the user if desired. For example, the predetermined criteria may be based on the contents of the storage units, the locations of the storage units within the floor plan of the space within which mobile storage system 20 is located, etc. When a frequency of use criteria is employed, the logic system 58 functions to compare the relative frequency of use of the two open aisles when a user wishes to create an aisle between another pair of adjacent storage units. It should also be understood that various criteria may be used in combination in order for the logic system 58 to determine which of a pair of open aisles to close when a user wishes to create an aisle between a pair of closed storage units.
It can thus be appreciated that the mobile storage system 20 provides for a mobile storage system capable of providing simultaneous access to multiple aisles within the storage system as well as generating a single widened aisle. The maximum aisle space can be divided between a single widened wheelchair accessible aisle, or two narrower aisles. The system monitors the presence of individuals or objects located within an aisle, the distance between aisles and the most frequently used aisles, in order to make “intelligent,” safe decisions when opening or closing a particular aisle. As a result, system productivity and safety are increased. This is in contrast to mobile storage systems of the prior art, wherein the mobile storage units adjacent an open aisle are moved to close an aisle regardless of the frequency of use of the particular aisle.
While the system has been shown and described with respect to a specific embodiment, it is contemplated that certain details may vary from the specific construction as disclosed, while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the reference to “positions” throughout the application is for illustrative purposes and in no way limiting. Further, while the invention has been shown and described as having seven mobile storage units, it is understood that this number of mobile storage units is illustrative and that any other number of mobile storage units may be employed. Likewise, while the invention has been shown and described as having two narrower or one wide aisle any number of aisles could be generated within the system depending on the overall needs and use of the system.
Various alternatives and modifications are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as the invention.
This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/761,936 filed Jan. 25, 2006.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3186355 | Stoll et al. | Jun 1965 | A |
3615122 | Naito et al. | Oct 1971 | A |
3923354 | Young | Dec 1975 | A |
4119376 | Moyer | Oct 1978 | A |
4412772 | Naito et al. | Nov 1983 | A |
4422816 | Naito et al. | Dec 1983 | A |
4783618 | Artrip | Nov 1988 | A |
5069513 | Farrell et al. | Dec 1991 | A |
5160189 | Johnston et al. | Nov 1992 | A |
5160190 | Farrell et al. | Nov 1992 | A |
5408089 | Bruno et al. | Apr 1995 | A |
5427444 | Griesemer | Jun 1995 | A |
5636750 | Heyl | Jun 1997 | A |
5842585 | Hollander | Dec 1998 | A |
5850082 | Eaton et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
6112917 | Baker et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
7032762 | Miyazaki et al. | Apr 2006 | B2 |
20040226256 | Miyazaki | Nov 2004 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
1348279 | Mar 1974 | GB |
03212209 | Sep 1991 | JP |
04090711 | Jul 1995 | JP |
2003128211 | May 2003 | JP |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20070170824 A1 | Jul 2007 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60761936 | Jan 2006 | US |