Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes an automated storage and retrieval grid, a container accessing station, a delivery rail system, and a delivery vehicle operating on the delivery rail system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of vertical automatic storage cabinets and provides a vertical automatic storage cabinet that comprises: a cabinet body; a storage rack provided on an inner wall of the cabinet body; a storage box, detachably provided on the storage rack; a manipulator assembly provided in the transportation space and being configured to grasp the storage box. In this vertical automatic storage cabinet, storage racks are arranged on both sides in the cabinet body, and the manipulator assembly is located in the area between the two storage racks, the storage boxes on both sides can be taken out of the cabinet body by the manipulator assembly in the middle.

Abstract: A stacking storage arrangement includes multiple container receiving spaces, a loading space arranged below the container receiving spaces, in which the container receiving spaces are held at a first height above the loading space; and a loading vehicle movable between the loading space and a transfer region. The loading vehicle includes a container seat with a container contact surface, and the container seat is movable in a lifting direction. In the container contact surface, the container seat further includes at least two notches opening to at least one side, and at least one transfer device includes transfer fingers configured to match the notches in the container contact surface.

Abstract: An object handling and retrieving system and method are described. A storage system is described suitable for storing multiple product lines in an automated warehouse environment. The storage system includes a plurality of load handling devices disposed above a frame and independently moveable to access different stacks. The load handling device can retrieve and transport a target container to a sequencing and temporary storage portion having a sorting frame for taking delivery of the target container and moving it to an output port of the sorting frame.

Abstract: The invention concerns an automated storage and retrieval system (1), a storage container handling vehicle (3) and a method for operating such a system. The system (1) comprises one or more vehicle (3) configured to lift and move storage containers (106) stacked in the system (1). Each vehicle (3) comprises a storage container lifting device (16), a drive system (18) with a wheel arrangement (19, 20) configured to drive and maneuver the vehicle (3) along the track system (108), abase (31) onto which the wheel arrangement (19, 20) is connected, a rotational part (30) rotationally connected via a swivel device (32) to the base (31) and a rotational drive system (34) for rotating the rotational part (30) relative to the base (31).

Abstract: A fleet for delivering packages comprising a first number of containers, each container comprising at least one compartment for receiving packages at a main distribution center. The container comprises a first attachment member on an outer surface and a second attachment member on an outer surface. The fleet comprises a second number of long-range transports, each long-range transport is configured to carry multiple containers from the main distribution center to an intermediate distribution center, each long-range transport comprising multiple first attachment receivers, whereby the multiple containers are attached to the long-range transports during transport from the main distribution center to the intermediate distribution center.

Abstract: A system and method for picking items is disclosed. The system includes a grid-based storage area and an order assembly area. The system includes an array of presentation positions, the presentation positions being configured and adapted so as to present storage containers delivered to the presentation positions so as to enable picking of items contained therein.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes a conveyor system arranged within its main cabin. The conveyor system includes attachment points for attaching transport bags to the conveyor system, and a motor to move the transport bags to different positions along the conveyor system. The AV includes a door that can open and close to provide access to the transport bags. The AV further includes a conveyor system controller that identifies a transport bag associated with a user and issues an instruction to the motor to move the transport bags along the conveyor system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a carriage lift assembly including a mast member, a top and bottom bearing assembly, one or more belt members, one or more belt tensioner assemblies, and one or more carriage assemblies. Each belt tensioner assembly defines a first clamping block and a second clamping block for securing a first and a second end, respectively, of a belt member to provide initial tension, and a pair of bolt members adjusted to move a slidable plate member upon which the second block is coupled to provide final tension. Each carriage assembly is removably attached to a corresponding belt tensioner assembly, and defines a center plate and two side plates. Each side plate defines at least a removable set of guiding wheels and a first set of guiding members.

Abstract: A grappling apparatus usable with a vehicle is provided. The grappling apparatus includes a connection assembly, a grappling assembly and a stabilizing assembly. The connection assembly connects the grappling apparatus to the vehicle. The grappling assembly has an upper claw assembly and a lower claw assembly. The upper claw assembly has a first plurality of manipulator arms and a walking gear. The lower claw assembly has a second plurality of manipulator arms and a stabilizer gear. The walking gear is meshable with the stabilizer gear and the first and second plurality of manipulator arms are operably connected to the walking gear and the stabilizer gear so as to be moveable between a closed position and an open position. The stabilizing assembly has a stabilizer bar operably connected to the second plurality of manipulator arms and the vehicle so as to stabilize the at least one stabilizer gear.

Abstract: Parcel deploying apparatus including package receiving and/or delivering apparatus defining an enclosure and any or all walls of the enclosure being releasably locked to the package receiving or deploying apparatus by an externally controllable locking mechanism and movable from a closed to an open orientation defining a package receiving flat surface. A robot including a body with controllably movable apparatus for aligning movements, the body including a wall releasably attached to the body for movement between a body closing orientation and a horizontal orientation defining a package receiving flat surface. One of the enclosure and the body including package relocating apparatus which moves a package between a stored and an extended orientation on one of the flat surfaces. The controllably movable apparatus controllable to move the robot into alignment with a delivery position. The package receiving and/or delivering apparatus and the robot can be integrated into a single robosafe.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a rail system including a first set of parallel tracks arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel tracks arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction. The first and second sets of tracks form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane including a plurality of adjacent grid cells. Each adjacent grid cell includes a grid opening defined by a pair of neighboring tracks of the first set of tracks and a pair of neighboring tracks of the second set of tracks; and a plurality of stacks of storage containers arranged in storage columns located beneath the rail system. Each storage column is located vertically below a grid opening.

Abstract: This device is intended to provide a quick and easy way for one person to load and transport a relatively large number and weight of tree leaves without a great amount of strain or strength. It's size and configuration allows leaves to be collected on the specially designed tarp which is then hooked to the top of the device, and then easily rolled away with one hand.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method of autonomous Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) comprising a fully autonomous growing environment. More specifically, disclosed herein is an apparatus and method in which a plurality of frame assembly may be stored and manipulated within a track assembly that is configured within a rack through the motivational input a carriage-mounted manipulators. Each frame assembly is configured to be coupled to an adjacent frame assembly supported by the track assembly by at least one coupler disposed on a forward end and a rearward end of each frame assembly. With the frame assembly including a low friction bearing surface to orient within a track assembly, it may be configured to satisfy various utilities necessary within the farm, such as but not limited to the housing grow media for the cultivation or the housing of electromechanical systems.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a plurality of storage container handling vehicles. Each vehicle includes a vehicle body, a thereto connected wheel assembly configured to guide the vehicle along the track system, a container picking device for releasably attaching to a storage container, which include one or more arms. The configuration of the container picking device is such that it is movable between a first lifting position enabling the container picking device to lift at least one storage container from a position outside the horizontal extent of the vehicle body and a second transport position enabling the container picking device to hold the at least one storage container at least partly inside the horizontal extent of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle for receiving and delivering granular material, such as agricultural seeds, includes a frame supporting a container defining an open top chamber having a bottom outlet. An elongated conveyor is supported by a system which includes a first support arm having one end pivotally connected to a side wall of the container for multiple directional movements and a second support arm pivotably connected to the opposite end of the first support arm. The opposite end of the second support arm supports an intermediate portion of the conveyor near its center of gravity and in suspended relation for tilting and rotating the conveyor. Power actuators are connected to rotate and pivot the first support arm to position the conveyor in many selected positions including the conveyor inlet under the outlet of the chamber, a storage position and a position between horizontal and substantially inclined for filling other containers.

Abstract: A workstation for a material handling system is provided. The system may include a plurality of vehicles for retrieving items from a plurality of storage locations located in one or more racks. The workstation is configured to accommodate the vehicles so that the vehicles drive into the workstation and drive upwardly along a track in the workstation. In one configuration, the track is configured to tilt the vehicle at a predetermined angle relative to the horizon as the vehicle is driven upwardly. After the vehicle is tilted to the predetermined angle the vehicle continues to drive upwardly while maintaining the predetermined angle.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a three-dimensional grid and a plurality of container handling vehicles. The three-dimensional grid includes multiple storage columns, in which containers may be stored on top of one another in vertical stacks. Each container handling vehicle includes a container lifting device having a lifting frame for releasably connecting to a container. Each container handling vehicle is operated on rails at a top level of the grid for retrieving containers from, and storing containers in, the storage columns, and for transporting the containers horizontally across the grid. The automated storage system includes multiple floor elements. Each floor element arrangeable at a top end of a storage column on top of a vertical stack of containers, such that an operator may stand on top of the storage column. Each of the floor elements includes rail-connecting elements at a horizontal periphery thereof.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a grid-based rail structure and a plurality of remotely operated vehicles arranged to operate on the grid-based rail structure. The automated storage and retrieval system includes a locking device arranged in a zone of the grid-based rail structure where a human and/or a robotic operator is permitted to interact with the remotely operated vehicle or contents of a storage container that the remotely operated vehicle is carrying. The locking device is arranged to lock the remotely operated vehicle against accidental displacement prior to interaction with the human and/or robotic operator, and wherein the locking device being arranged to unlock the remotely operated vehicle once interaction with the human and/or robotic operator is no longer required.

Abstract: A moving system and method of moving an item, for example a construction component. The moving system includes a first guide cable mounted between first and second mounting points, a first member arranged for movement along the first guide cable between a first position and a second position, the first member arranged for connection to an item to be craned into position, a second guide cable mounted between first and second mounting points, a second member arranged for movement along the second guide cable between a first position and a second position, the second member arranged for connection to the item to be craned into position, and a lifting support arranged for connection to a moving device and to provide support for the item during moving of the item.