Abstract: A storage and retrieval machine comprising a base adapted to move horizontally along a supporting surface, a generally vertical mast supported by the base, a carriage supported for generally vertical movement along the mast, and an extendable and retractable shuttle mechanism supported by the carriage, the shuttle mechanism including an upper plate fixed against horizontal movement relative to the carriage, an intermediate plate which is located below the upper plate and which is supported by the upper plate for horizontal movement relative thereto, a lower plate which is located below the intermediate plate and which is supported by the intermediate plate for horizontal movement relative thereto, and hoops on the lower plate for selectively engaging a load, the shuttle mechanism being operable between a retracted condition wherein the intermediate plate is located directly below the upper plate and the lower plate is located directly below the intermediate plate, and an extended condition wherein the interme

Abstract: A storage and retrieval machine comprising a generally horizontal rail including a rail member, a base, a linear slide supporting the base for movement along the rail member, a generally vertical mast supported by the base, a carriage supported for generally vertical movement along the mast, and an extendable and retractable shuttle mechanism supported by the carriage.

Abstract: A letter sorting apparatus comprising a letter sorting machine, and an automatic storage and retrieval system including a staging rack defining a plurality of staging locations, and a storage and retrieval machine which is positioned to receive letters from the sorting machine and to present letters for input to the sorting machine and which is operable to stage letters in and retrieve letters from the staging locations.

Abstract: An automatic storage and retrieval system comprising a main track having an end, a storage rack which is adapted to be fixed adjacent the track and which defines a plurality of storage locations, a storage and retrieval machine which moves along the track and which places objects in and removes objects from the storage locations, and a maintenance module fixed adjacent the end of the track so that the maintenance module serves as a maintenance area for the storage and retrieval machine, the module also providing a container for packaging the storage and retrieval machine for shipping.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval machine comprising a mast having a generally vertical outer surface, a carriage movable vertically along the mast, a bearing assembly including a wheel which is rotatably supported by the carriage, which rolls along the mast surface, and which is movable relative to the carriage in the direction perpendicular to the mast surface, a pad of low-friction material mounted on the carriage, and a spring biasing the wheel toward the mast surface such that the pad is normally spaced from the mast surface and such that the wheel moves relative to the carriage so that the pad engages the mast surface when the force exerted on the wheel by the mast surface exceeds a predetermined amount, and a shuttle supported by the carriage for horizontal movement relative thereto.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval machine having a base movable in opposite horizontal directions, a mast mounted on the base, and a carriage movable in opposite vertical directions on the mast. A drive is also provided for moving the base and carriage in their respective opposite horizontal directions or opposite vertical directions. A control is connected to the drive for transmitting to the drive for either the base or the carriage, a first signal for a fast acceleration rate in one of the opposite directions of movement, a second signal for a slow acceleration rate in the other of the opposite directions of movement, a third signal for a slow deceleration rate in one of the opposite directions of movement, a fourth signal for a fast deceleration rate in the other of the opposite directions of movement, and a direction signal to move in one of the opposite directions.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a storage and retrieval machine which is travelable on a rail along a path adjacent overhead storage locations which store objects delivered to and retrieved from the locations by the storage and retrieval machine. The storage and retrieval machine includes a base which is supported on the rail by the wheel assembly. The wheel assembly comprises a wheel engaging the rail and having a horizontal axis of rotation and an upwardly extending axis projecting through the wheel. A wheel support is affixed to the base and includes a bracket on which the wheel is mounted. The bracket has a plate member extending laterally of and around the upwardly extending axis of the wheel. A positioning mechanism is provided for angularly positioning the wheel about the upwardly extending axis and has a plurality of set screws spaced from and in a surrounding relationship to the upwardly extending axis and engaging the plate member of the bracket upon which the wheel is mounted.

Abstract: A brake for the carriage of a storage and retrieval machine having a mast on which the carriage is mounted and on which the carriage moves in vertical directions for carrying objects to and from storage locations adjacent to the mast. A carriage drive including a rope connected to the carriage is provided for raising and lowering the carriage to and from positions adjacent the storage locations. The rope is connected under tension to the carriage and the tension is released when the rope becomes slack. The brake is mounted on the carriage and includes an actuating member and a resilient member movable into engagement with the actuating member in response to release of tension of the rope to move the actuating member along a predetermined path. The brake further includes a brake cam having an actuating section in the path of the movement of the actuating member and a toothed braking section adjacent to and spaced from the mast.

Abstract: A shuttle control for a storage and retrieval machine has a supervisory control mounted on the base of the storage and retrieval machine and a shuttle control mounted on the carriage of the storage and retrieval machine. The supervisory control receives shuttle operating commands and information signals and provides operating instruction signals for the shuttle to the shuttle control. The shuttle control receives the operating instruction signals from the supervisory control, produces operating information signals to the supervisory control, and controls the operation of a shuttle motor drive. A circuit having sliding contactors moving with the carriage on vertical slide bars mounted on the mast transmits operating instruction signals and information signals between the supervisory control and the shuttle control at a maximum transmission rate limited by the problems of transmitting the signals through the sliding contactors.

Abstract: A mast connecting structure is disclosed in which the mast includes a lower end having upper plate connected to the lower end of a mast, and lower plate spaced from the upper plate and connected to a base on which the mast is to be mounted. Tensioned connecting device connect the upper plate and lower plate means together to thereby mount the mast on the base. The connecting may comprise bolts having threaded ends and nuts threaded on the bolts. The bolts have an elongated length sufficient to span the thickness of the upper and lower plate means through which the volts pass plus the distance of the space between the upper and lower plate. The long bolt length increases the volume of the bolt body which results in an increased stress distribution and thereby an increased ability to withstand stress due to impact loading of the connecting structure.

Abstract: A base for a storage and retrieval machine is disclosed in which the frame of the base comprises a pair of spaced apart frame members having a length generally parallel to the rail upon which the base travels and extending a portion of the length of the base. The frame members are positioned straddling the rail with the rail projecting upward into the space between the frame members. A mast is mounted on the base and supports a vertically movable carriage means for carrying objects to and from overhead locations. The pair of frame members may comprise a pair of L-shaped members each having a downwardly projecting upper wall spaced apart from the upper wall of the other L-shaped member and a lower wall projecting away from the lower wall of the other L-shaped member in a direction laterally of the length of the base. The base includes first and second trucks located at opposite ends of the pair of L-shaped members.

Abstract: A mast structure for a storage and retrieval machine is disclosed which includes first and second vertical members having lengths affixed to each other. The second vertical member includes a plate extending along the length of the second vertical member and spaced from the first vertical member in the direction of the path of travel of a base of the storage and retrieval machine. The first and second vertical members respectively have cross-section areas perpendicular to their lengths which are substantially equal to each other. The first and second vertical members together have a physical center and a centroidal axis both extending along the length of the members which may be adjacent to each other and preferably coincide with each other so that the two members together have a maximum section modulus in the direction of the path of movement of the base.

Abstract: A control system for a storage and retrieval machine is disclosed in which a supervisory control is responsive to operating commands from a remote source to provide operating instructions for the control of the base, carriage and shuttle of the storage and retrieval machine. Separate controls for the base, the carriage and the shuttle respectively contain base, carriage and shuttle operating parameters. The base, carriage and shuttle controls are responsive to operating instructions from the supervisory control to respectively control movement of the base, carriage and shuttle in accord with the associated base, carriage and shuttle operating instructions and parameters. A base drive, carriage drive and a shuttle drive are also provided and each include a drive control which produces drive control instructions.

Abstract: A rail securement clip is disclosed as having a base having an opening therethrough for receiving an anchor projecting from a foundation, a nose extending laterally of the base from the upper portion of the base and overlying the foot of the rail, and a pair of spaced apart fingers affixed to the nose and to an upper portion of the base. The through opening in the base has an orifice positioned in the space between the fingers. The base and fingers form a recess into which the anchor projects. Securement means may be fastened to the anchor and positioned within the recess to hold the apparatus against the rail and thereby secure the rail to the foundation. The nose may include a rubber pad means engaging the foot of the rail to provide an energy absorbing securement of the rail.

Abstract: A shuttle guide for a shuttle of a storage and retrieval machine having a mast and a carriage on which the shuttle is mounted. The shuttle includes first and second plates movable relative to each other in directions transverse to the mast for carrying and depositing in or retrieving a load from a storage space. The shuttle guide comprises a first guide member having a downward facing straight guide surface extending in the transverse directions of movement of the plates and a second guide member having an upward facing inclined guide surface. The inclined guide surface is inclined upwardly relative to one of the transverse directions. A first guide roller is positioned in engagement with the straight guide surface and a second guide roller is positioned such that it is engageable with the inclined guide surface and guides one of the moveable plates in an upwardly inclined direction toward a storage space.

Abstract: A control system for a storage and retrieval machine is disclosed in which a supervisory control is responsive to operating commands from a remote source to provide operating instructions for the control of the base, carriage and shuttle of the storage and retrieval machine. Control for the base contains base operating parameters and is responsive to base operating instructions from the supervisory control to control movement of the base in accord with the base operating instructions and the base parameters. Control for the carriage, which is movably mounted on a vertical mast of the storage and retrieval machine, contains carriage operating parameters and is responsive to the operating instructions to control movement of the carriage in accord with carriage operating instructions and the carriage operating parameters.

Abstract: An elevated track network guides self-propelled guided vehicles (with containers thereon) from an entry location where objects enter the system, to a storage zone defined by sets of compartmentalized storage racks wherein containers filled with objects are temporarily stored, and from thence to an exit location where retrieved objects leave the system. Each set of storage racks comprise four racks and two aisles, with two of the racks arranged back-to-back between the aisles and the other two racks on opposite sides of the aisles. Each storage rack comprises storage compartments arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns. A track in the track network extends through and along an intermediate row in one of the back-to-back racks (pre-empting the compartments in that row). Each aisle accommodates a self-propelled aisle crane which services the racks on both sides of the aisle.