Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

Abstract: A material handling system includes storage locations disposed in racks and a track having a vertical section adjacent one of the racks. A plurality of material handling vehicles are provided, each including a horizontal drive for driving the vehicle horizontally, a vertical drive for driving the vehicle vertically, and a mechanism for transferring items onto or off the vehicle. A vehicle accessory has an opening configured to cooperate with the vehicles. A central controller may be programmed to provide control signals to determine whether a mode of operation to perform an inventory management task is a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation. The central controller may then control the operation of one of the vehicles to operate without the vehicle accessory in a first mode or with the accessory in the second mode.

Abstract: A system may include a vehicle for delivering items and a plurality of racks having a plurality of storage locations. The racks may be arranged to form one or more aisles. The vehicles are configured to drive horizontally along a path that may extend along a path under the racks that is parallel to the aisles. Additionally, the vehicles may be operated to turn while the vehicle is positioned under one of the racks. The vehicles may travel under the racks and cross one or more aisles to reach a particular column in one of the aisles. The vehicle climbs upwardly within the particular column to retrieve an item from a storage location in the column.

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: A system may include a vehicle for delivering items and a moveable track that cooperates with the vehicle. The moveable track may cooperate with a storage system having storage locations for storing items. The vehicle may drive into the moveable track and lift the track using a vertical drive mechanism. The vehicle may include a horizontal drive system operable to drive the vehicle horizontally along the ground to carry the moveable track to a position adjacent the storage location. The vehicle may operate the vertical drive system to drop the moveable track adjacent the storage system. Additionally, the vehicle may operate the vertical drive to drive up the moveable track to an elevated position adjacent one of the storage locations in the storage system. The vehicle may include a transfer mechanism for transferring items between the vehicle and the storage location while the vehicle is in the elevated position.

Abstract: A vehicle configured to perform inventory management tasks comprises first and second drive systems respectively actuated by a controller. In a first mode of operation, the first drive system is operable to drive the vehicle along a horizontal surface. In a second mode of operation, the second drive system is operable to drive the vehicle vertically. In a third mode of operation, the second drive system is operable to lift a module vertically to lift the module off the horizontal surface so that actuating the first drive system drives the vehicle and the module along the horizontal surface.

Abstract: An inventory management system includes pick stations, automated vehicles having an onboard power source, a first drive system configured to horizontally displace the vehicle, a second drive system configured to vertically displace the vehicle along a guide system, and a platform for supporting an item during displacement of the vehicle. A first plurality of storage locations store inventory items at a first zone of vehicle operation and a second plurality of storage areas store inventory items at a second zone of vehicle operation. A first pick station is closer to the first storage locations than to the second storage locations, Vehicles are configured to transfer a selected item from one of the second plurality of storage locations to the first pick station or to transfer the selected item from the second plurality of storage locations to the first plurality of storage locations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

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: A method and apparatus are provided for storing or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a path to/from the destination areas that are positioned along the path. The destination areas are configured such that the destination areas have a depth to accommodate a plurality of containers in a horizontal line one behind another. The containers may be releasable interconnected so that retrieving one of the interconnected containers displaces one or more connected containers.

Abstract: A vehicle configured to perform inventory management tasks comprises first and second drive systems respectively actuated by a controller. In a first mode of operation, the controller is configured to control rotation of drive elements of the second drive system to align drive elements of the first drive system with a guide system and to control rotation of the drive elements of the first drive system to displace the vehicle vertically, relative to an underlying support surface, to reach a storage location. In a second mode of operation, the controller is configured to control rotation of the drive elements of the second drive system to cause the vehicle to enter an accessory module and to displace the accessory module horizontally and to control rotation of the first plurality of drive elements of the first drive system to displace the accessory module vertically.

Abstract: A system may include a vehicle for delivering items and a moveable track that cooperates with the vehicle. The moveable track may cooperate with a storage system having storage locations for storing items. The vehicle may drive into the moveable track and lift the track using a vertical drive mechanism. The vehicle may include a horizontal drive system operable to drive the vehicle horizontally along the ground to carry the moveable track to a position adjacent the storage location. The vehicle may operate the vertical drive system to drop the moveable track adjacent the storage system. Additionally, the vehicle may operate the vertical drive to drive up the moveable track to an elevated position adjacent one of the storage locations in the storage system. The vehicle may include a transfer mechanism for transferring items between the vehicle and the storage location while the vehicle is in the elevated position.

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: A system may include a vehicle for delivering items and a moveable track that cooperates with the vehicle. The moveable track may cooperate with a storage system having storage locations for storing items. The vehicle may drive into the moveable track and lift the track using a vertical drive mechanism. The vehicle may include a horizontal drive system operable to drive the vehicle horizontally along the ground to carry the moveable track to a position adjacent the storage location. The vehicle may operate the vertical drive system to drop the moveable track adjacent the storage system. Additionally, the vehicle may operate the vertical drive to drive up the moveable track to an elevated position adjacent one of the storage locations in the storage system. The vehicle may include a transfer mechanism for transferring items between the vehicle and the storage location while the vehicle is in the elevated position.

Abstract: A vehicle for use in an inventory management system having a plurality of destination areas and a guide system includes a platform for receiving and transporting items to and from the destination areas, a plurality of motors, a first drive system, a second drive system, a transfer mechanism, and a clutch mechanism. The transfer system is configured to transfer and retrieve items to and from the destination areas, and the clutch mechanism is configured to engage and disengage the transfer mechanism from at least one of the motors, whereby the second drive system drives movement of the vehicle independently of the transfer mechanism.

Abstract: An inventory management system includes pick stations, automated vehicles having an onboard power source, a first drive system configured to horizontally displace the vehicle, a second drive system configured to vertically displace the vehicle along a guide system, and a platform for supporting an item during displacement of the vehicle. A first plurality of storage locations store inventory items at a first zone of vehicle operation and a second plurality of storage areas store inventory items at a second zone of vehicle operation. A first pick station is closer to the first storage locations than to the second storage locations, Vehicles are configured to transfer a selected item from one of the second plurality of storage locations to the first pick station or to transfer the selected item from the second plurality of storage locations to the first plurality of storage locations.

Abstract: An inventory management system includes pick stations, automated vehicles having an onboard power source, a first drive system configured to horizontally displace the vehicle, a second drive system configured to vertically displace the vehicle along a guide system, and a platform for supporting an item during displacement of the vehicle. A first plurality of storage locations store inventory items at a first zone of vehicle operation and a second plurality of storage areas store inventory items at a second zone of vehicle operation. A first pick station is closer to the first storage locations than to the second storage locations, Vehicles are configured to transfer a selected item from one of the second plurality of storage locations to the first pick station or to transfer the selected item from the second plurality of storage locations to the first plurality of storage locations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

Abstract: A system may include a vehicle for delivering items and a plurality of racks having a plurality of storage locations. The racks may be arranged to form one or more aisles. The vehicles are configured to drive horizontally along a path that may extend along a path under the racks that is parallel to the aisles. Additionally, the vehicles may be operated to turn while the vehicle is positioned under one of the racks. The vehicles may travel under the racks and cross one or more aisles to reach a particular column in one of the aisles. The vehicle climbs upwardly within the particular column to retrieve an item from a storage location in the column.