Abstract: A storage facility for units, such as boats, consists of a multi-story rotatable tower having radial storage region opening to exterior of the tower, and an elevator tower fixed adjacent the exterior of the tower. The elevator tower includes a lift car having fingers movable beneath a unit to be lifted and also movable substantially radially from a retracted position to an extended position enabling units to be inverted into or removed from the storage regions and lowered to or raised from a loading/unloading station at the base of the lift tower.

Abstract: A cart spot player having a tape library or bin structure, a series of tape transports in stacked alignment, and a cassette loading/unloading station as part of the bin structure; at one side of the player, input/output ports are provided for the bin structure, the tape transports and the cassette loading/unloading station for operator access; at the opposite side of the player, input/output ports are provided for the bin structure, the tape transports, and the cassette loading/unloading station for access thereto by a cassette transfer assembly moveable to access the player for the transport of a cassette from a first location to a second location remote from the first location and capable of mechanically loading the bin structure with the cassette input from the cassette loading/unloading station. Cassette sensing and cassette positioning means associated with the cassette loading/unloading station facilitate the cassette transfer process.

Abstract: A conveyor system for warehouses and the like incorporates a movable gantry (13) which carries a first conveyor boom (22). Similarly, a second conveyor boom assembly (20, 57) is carried by the gantry (13) for rotation relative to the gantry (13) and the first conveyor boom (22). A gantry turntable (33) is interposed between the first conveyor boom (22) and the second conveyor boom assembly (20, 57), and is rotatably positionable relative thereto.

Abstract: A system for the storage and retrieval of motor vehicle keys wherein the keys are mounted in a container to which is affixed a printed bar code label identifying the vehicle stock number, its color and model. The system includes a bar code reader and a plurality of vertically rotatable circular plates having a plurality of key storage locations around the periphery of each. A pick and place arm is driven by a central processing unit in response to either the bar code read upon insertion of a key to be stored or upon entry of data from a key pad by a user to either store a key in an assigned location or to retrieve a key from that storage location and deliver it to the user. The system also includes routines whereby reports may be prepared for management indicating the individuals who currently have keys outstanding and the number of times each individual has removed the keys for each particular vehicle over a period of time.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for transferring one or more workpieces from a first location to a second location in an automated fashion. The apparatus includes a wafer transfer arm having a vacuum means at one end thereof for removable attachment to the underside of a workpiece to cause the workpiece to be moved from a first location to a second location. The transfer arm is coupled at the opposite end thereof to a post which is coupled to drive means for moving the arm in three degrees of freedom, namely along an X direction, along a Z direction and in a rotative direction. A reversible drive motor is provided for each degree of freedom and the motors are mounted on a carriage in a manner such that the motors can be simultaneously actuated under the control of a computerized control means. Thus, with a program coupled to the control means, the transfer arm can be made to perform a series of steps sequentially to move one or more workpieces from a first location, such as a wafer cassette, to a processing station.

Abstract: A system for moving objects such as boats to be stored between the water and a storage stall. The system includes a tower assembly, a support assembly and a transport assembly. The tower assembly includes a fork adapted to support and to raise and lower the boat to be moved. The support assembly has an upper base member for supporting the tower assembly, a lower base member, and a motor to cause rotational motion of the upper base member and tower assembly with respect to the lower base member about a vertical axis. The transport assembly includes rails for guiding the support assembly and tower assembly for movement in the horizontal plane.

Abstract: A radiation image read-out apparatus comprises a sheet receiving section for receiving a stimulable phosphor sheet carrying a radiation image stored thereon, a sheet storing section for storing a plurality of stimulable phosphor sheets, and an image read-out section provided with a stimulating ray source for emitting stimulating rays for scanning the stimulable phosphor sheet carrying the radiation image stored thereon, and a photodetector for detecting light emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet scanned with stimulating rays to obtain an electric image signal. The apparatus also comprises an erasing section for having the stimulable phosphor sheet release radiation energy remaining thereon after image read-out is conducted, and a sheet conveyance system provided with a sheet holding mechanism for holding the stimulable phosphor sheet transferably with respect to the sheet receiving section, the sheet storing section, the image read-out section, and the erasing section.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for supporting a load on the forks of a forklift while such load is being moved, wherein the relationship of the direction the load is moved to the direction the forklift moves is an oblique angle, the apparatus comprising:(A) a bottom member adapted with a means for attaching the apparatus to a forklift; and(B) a top member adapted for supporting a load, the top member pivotally attached to the bottom member, said top member adapted to pivot so as to support a load to be moved which must be moved in a direction which is at an oblique angle to the direction the forklift will move wherein the pivot point of the apparatus is located beyond the pivot point of a forklift when the apparatus is mounted on a forklift.

Abstract: A transport assembly for use with a storage conveyor is provided. Generally, the transport assembly is for use in a warehousing system including a plurality of storage conveyors each having a surface thereon for storage of objects. The storage conveyors do not, independently, include a drive motor. Rather, the transport assembly is provided with means for engagement with a selected storage conveyor, to drive same. In particular, the transport assembly includes a pivotable arm having a powered drive wheel thereon, capable of selectively engaging a conveyor drive wheel. In the preferred embodiment, the arm comprises a yoke having first and second side members. Preferably, the side members include notches therein facilitating proper alignment and secure engagement between the arm and the storage conveyor. Two transport assemblies are disclosed, one for use with a charging end of a storage conveyor and the other for use with a discharge end.

Abstract: A warehouse stacker crane for inserting and removing a load in a storage station of a storage rack including a chassis movable horizontally along an aisle adjacent the storage rack, a carriage on the chassis which is movable vertically to a position aligned with the storage station, and load-grasping apparatus on the carriage for releasably grasping the load and for inserting and removing it from the storage station. The load grasping apparatus comprises a horizontally disposed rotatable splined shaft on which a pair of arms is mounted. The arms have load-engaging devices at their distal ends. The arms are swingable in horizontally spaced apart parallel vertical planes 15 as the shaft is selectively rotated. The arms are also slidably movable axially on the shaft toward and away from each other to grasp and release the load by a selectively operable actuator connected therebetween. Prior to load insertion and removal the arms are drawn toward each other to engage the load.

Abstract: In apparatus for transporting and storing bobbins, especially for removing them from automatic spinning machines, the bobbins are received and collected in an inclined collecting chute from a conveyor belt, are then brought into a horizontal arrangement as a result of the pivoting of the collecting chute, and are pushed in groups from the collecting chute into a transfer chute. A conveyor carrier belonging to a suspension conveyor and provided with at least one chute portion for receiving a group of bobbins is brought into a position adjacent to the transfer chute. The transfer chute is moved into a position located next to the chute portion of the conveyor carrier, and the bobbins are transferred into the chute portion of the conveyor carrier. The bobbins are subsequently moved into a desired target position by means of the conveyor carrier.

Abstract: A radiation image recording and read-out apparatus comprises a sheet storing section for storing many stimulable phosphor sheets, a section for recording a radiation image on stimulable phosphor sheets, a section for reading out the radiation image by exposing the stimulable phosphor sheets to stimulating rays, and an erasing section for releasing residual radiation energy from the stimulable phosphor sheets. The apparatus also comprises a sheet conveyance system provided with a sheet holding mechanism for holding stimulable phosphor sheets transferably with respect to the sheet storing section, the image recording section, the image read-out section, and the erasing section. The sheet conveyance system moves the sheet holding mechanism in a arbitrary sequence among these sections.

Abstract: A stack conveyor and handler in the form of a crane for stacking rod-like material in a warehouse or storage system or the like, in which the load-bearing beam is vertically movable on guides of the crane and has load pickup devices in the form of prongs or the like. Prongs identical to these prongs and located opposite them are firmly connected to the beam, and clamping mandrels for gripping the material are movable substantially vertically between opposed prongs. The load-bearing beam is supported such that it is rotatable, about an axis that is horizontal as well as parallel to the corridors between stacks, between at least two operating positions, in which the prongs extend in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A system for machine assembly of component kits for electronic printed circuit boards is disclosed. Components for assembling the kits are stored in a plurality of standardized machine recoverable trays, more specifically a multi-level carousel. An elevator transports trays between storage and an automated work station where components are removed to construct the component kits.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a base frame or chassis (1) mounted on wheels (20) effective to slide on guides (7), the base frame (1) supporting a floor (2) rotatable about a substantially vertical axis thereon a fork (12) bearing carriage (4) is effective to independently move, the forks (12) being provided, at the bottom thereof, with variable position supporting sliding wheels (13) for allowing for the raising and lowering of the fork engaged pallets.

Abstract: A mounting system for stacker cranes designed for handling materials in warehouse storage racks which system includes a depending cylindrical crane supporting post member carried by a suitable overhead track and carriage support structure for permitting the supporting post member to be moved transversely and longitudinally with respect to the warehouse storage racks. The mounting system on the supporting post member includes a radial/thrust bearing mounted on the post which provides vertical and lateral support for the load, and roller means spaced axially along the post from the bearing to engage the outer cylindrical surface of the post to provide lateral support for the crane mounted on the post while permitting the crane to be rotated through an arc of 360.degree. about the axis of the post, the system also including an electrical connection between the post and the crane to permit power to be provided to an electric power source mounted on the crane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stacker crane comprising an upright rigid mast rotatably connected at its upper end to a horizontally movable trolley, an intermediate mast that is vertically movable relative to the rigid mast, and a load supporting carriage guided for vertical motion by both masts and raised and lowered by a winch on the trolley. The intermediate mast has an upwardly projecting pilot portion that is telescopingly received within the rigid mast to guide the intermediate mast for motion between a lowered position near floor level and a raised position wherein the top of the intermediate mast is contiguous to the bottom of the rigid mast. The carriage is guided by a pair of vertical rails on each mast, at its opposite sides, the rails on the intermediate mast being aligned with respective rails on the rigid mast. The intermediate mast is biased upward by a force that can be overcome by the weight of the carriage.

Abstract: A system for the vertical and horizontal transportation of loads, particularly stored goods to be arranged in storage shelves, is formed with a carrier having preferably a pair of brackets arranged thereon and spaced a horizontal distance from each other, with each of the brackets formed of two rotatably connected arms. One of the arms is a support arm rotatably mounted on the carrier with the second arm being freely cantilevered therefrom. The cantilevered arm is formed at its free end with recesses or the like for engaging the goods to be transported and rotation of the cantilevered arm is determined in dependence upon rotary motion of the support arm. The arrangement makes it possible to lift a load in a simple manner and to shift the load through an approximately horizontal path by relative rotation of the arms of the brackets as a result of which spacing between adjacent storage shelves may be maintained very narrow while enabling goods to be transported therebetween.

Abstract: A service mechanism for a shipboard missile vertical launch system has a base assembly which rides on a set of parallel tracks spanning a missile housing array. A carriage assembly is mounted for movement along the base assembly in a direction normal to the tracks. A portion of the carriage assembly is disposed for 360.degree. rotation about a vertical axis. A cradle elevator is mounted for movement on vertically running tracks on the rotatable portion of the carriage assembly. A cradle is adapted to engage and hold a missile cannister and is rotatably mounted on the cradle elevator to dispose the missile cannister with its long axis in either a vertical or a horizontal position. The cradle includes a hoist pawl which is adapted to engage one end of the missile cannister to raise or lower the cannister in the cradle when the long axis is disposed vertically.

Abstract: A storage structure is provided with a plurality of vertically, horizontally and longitudinally spaced support pads which form a plurality of vertically and horizontally spaced, elongated floors for supporting a plurality of cargo container trailers. The longitudinal passageway between adjacent horizontally separated floors freely receives a pair of vertically telescoping stabilizer masts mounted upon a powered vehicle, the front and rear wheels of one side of which are receivable in a longitudinal vehicle guide at the bottom of the storage structure. The upper ends of the masts are receivable in a longitudinal mast guide at the top of the storage structure, whereby the masts are supported in vertical position. An elevator, movable vertically between the masts and horizontally through the longitudinal passageway, is arranged to pick up a cargo container trailer and elevate it to and lower from a desired one of the floors of the storage structure.

Abstract: In a warehouse setup, individual items of goods are moved onto and off of storage shelves on a rack by a vibrating action. A movable carriage supporting a vibrator is positionable at the ends of a storage shelf so that the vibrator can be placed in engagement with a particular shelf. The shelves are movably supported relative to the rack whereby the vibrating action is directed to the shelf but not to the rack.

Abstract: A three-dimensional storage apparatus consists of a stacker truck movable along an aisle formed between opposing sets of cantilever arms at different levels projecting from a plurality of pillars disposed on each side of the aisle. The stacker truck has a vertically movable loader upon which transfer forks are pivotally mounted for displacement between an article support position and a stowed position. With the transfer forks in the stowed position the width of the stacker truck is significantly reduced thus allowing a reduction in aisle width and an increase in storage efficiency.

Abstract: A method of loading a cell of a vertical launching system missile launcher n a combatant ship with a canistered missile from a supply ship wherein the canistered missile is transferred from the supply ship to a fixed guide on the deck of the combatant ship, upended in the guide, moved away to a position over the cell of the missile launcher, and then lowered into the cell.