Abstract: A rack and conveyor shuttle system for placing and retrieving articles of various sizes including a rack system having a shelving framework of at least two tubes spaced apart from one another at a distance, wherein the distance between the tubes is sufficient to support the article in a single stack and a motorized, conveyor shuttle system having at least two finger-like conveyors spaced apart from one another at a distance, wherein the distance between the finger-like conveyors is sufficient to move in between the two tubes so as to engage the article wherein the conveyor shuttle system is adapted to interlace in between the rack system for both placing and retrieving the article.

Abstract: An overspeed brake mechanism for a storage and retrieval vehicle (SRV). The brake mechanism includes wedges acting between a brake block attached to the load carriage of the SRV and a rail fixed to the mast of the SRV. The wedges are biased into braking engagement with the mast and are held out of braking engagement under normal operating conditions by a solenoid acting through a linkage system, the solenoid being de-energized by a control system responsive to an overspeed signal from a tachometer generator on the load carriage and having its input member in engagement with the mast. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, permanent magnets embedded in the wedges bias the wedges away from contact with the rail to prevent inadvertent engagement of the brake system while maintaining the wedges in position for rapid engagement.