Abstract: A modular flow through or push back storage rack system has a transfer assembly with a plurality of modular carriage units located in a warehouse storage bay. The carriage units are arranged in side-by-side pairs. Each side-by-side pair of carriages defines a space between the carriages. Further, the side-by-side pairs of carriages are arranged in end-to-end alignment. Each carriage is preferably provided as an endless loop link track. An inter-carriage transport unit extends between a space between one side-by-side pair of carriage units and another space between an adjacent pair of side-by-side carriage units. Each of the carriage units and the transport unit may be supported by a cross beam. The transport unit preferably extends between adjacent cross beams of adjacent pairs of carriages. The transfer assembly maintains the storage units at a substantially level plane and may modulate a transfer speed of the storage units between adjacent carriages.

Abstract: A battery charging system includes a highrise storage rack system for holding a plurality of battery chargers and defining a plurality of battery locations. Each battery to be charged is placed on a pallet which has a connection block with a cable connectable to the battery and a male connector. A load carrier carries the pallet and the battery to a selected battery location in the rack and deposits it thereat in a charging position, thereby connecting the male connector to a female connector on the rack connected to one of the chargers. The load carrier also retrieves charged batteries on their pallets from the rack, the retrieval motion effecting disconnection of the pallet from the charger. Each pallet has a fluid receiving trough provided with a drain which cooperates with fluid inlets of a fluid collection system on the rack for collecting fluids emitted during the charging process.