Abstract: A system and method for automated materials handling is disclosed wherein palletized goods are stored and retrieved with maximum through-put. This system is particularly applicable for pallets of comparatively large size. In accordance with this system and method, input loads are queued prior to displacement onto a continuous conveyor serviced by a plurality of S/R machines. The queued loads are metered onto the conveyor on a far to near aisle correspondence basis and are simultaneously exchanged for output loads at each of the aisle locations. The method includes compensation for circumstances where outputs exceed inputs and where inputs exceed outputs by empty pallet management.

Abstract: An automobile transportation and storage pallet used in automated storage and retrieval systems. The pallet is provided with steel tire channels connected and supported by a plurality of steel support members. Safety grip strips applied to the tire channels provide tire traction thereon. A corrugated drip pan interposed between the tire channels collects any drippings from the automobile. Tire blocks adjustably mounted to the tire channels secure the tires of the automobile resulting in proper alignment of the automobile with respect to the pallet and preventing movement of the automobile thereon. The tire blocks can be adjusted to conform to any size of tire and wheel base.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically storing and retrieving loads of materials from a high-rise storage warehouse including providing for electronic identification of materials at a remote storage operator station and thereafter activating a CPU to (a) electronically verify the acceptability of the materials, (b) assign a transaction code to the data bit representation of the identification of the load, and (c) select an address in the high-rise storage warehouse for the load. The load is accompanied by the transaction code in machine-readable form and then moved to a pickup station adjacent the high-rise storage warehouse. Proper alignment of the load is then electronically verified and the transaction code is communicated to the CPU to identify which materials are on the pickup station. A storage-retrieval (S/R) machine is dispatched at the command of the CPU to move the load to its CPU-assigned address in the high-rise storage warehouse.