Abstract: An article storage rack apparatus for storing and dispensing articles in first-in, first-out order comprises side-by-side columns of slant racks, in which alternate slant racks in each column are inclined downwardly in opposite direction. Articles are introduced onto the topmost slant rack and slide downward by gravity to successively lower slant racks. The articles are transferred from a slant rack to the next lower slant rack by a transfer mechanism comprising tables which are movable vertically and tiltable. The articles are maintained in the same orientation as they slide down the array of slant racks. At the lower end of the bottom slant rack, the articles are dispensed, by a tilting table dispenser, in the same order in which they were introduced onto the top slant rack.

Abstract: In a speed control system for a carriage movable along a predetermined path, light beams originating at the ends of the path are deflected by light conductors aboard the carriage so that they are interrupted, as the carriage moves, by a slotted plate extending along the path. The light beams are then deflected by light conductors so that they are directed along the carriage path to light receivers situated at the ends of the path. Electrical pulses from the light receivers are ORed together and converted by a transducer to a signal representative of the actual carriage speed, and by a counter to a signal representative of the carriage position. The carriage position signal is converted, in accordance with a predetermined functional relationship, to a speed set signal which is compared with the actual carriage speed. A signal, representative of the difference between the actual speed and the set speed is used to control the driving motor for the carriage.