Abstract: In an apparatus for collectively holding a plurality of packages aligned in a row to supply them to pegs of a creel bogie, an apparatus for supplying packages to a warper creel includes a package holding mechanism and an empty take-up tube holding mechanism.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette transport/accessor assembly for use in a system including magnetic tape cassette storage and magnetic tape cassette record/reproduce apparatus. The cassette transport/accessor assembly transports cassettes between locations in the system in a gentle and reliable manner. The magnetic tape cassette transport/accessor assembly includes upper and lower carriages having spring-biased, V-grooved wheels, which travel on spaced, parallel, upper and lower V-shaped horizontal rails located at the top and bottom of the cassette storage and record/reproduce apparatus. An accessor platform travels on two vertical rails rigidly mounted on the upper and lower carriages. The accessor platform supports two accessor assemblies which travel laterally on lead screws to effect insertion and extraction of magnetic tape cassettes. The transport/accessor assembly is lightweight since no actuating motors or motor supports are mounted on it.

Abstract: An automated magnetic tape cartridge library system includes a cabinet (24) having a door (26) removably and pivotally connected thereto. The cabinet (24) houses a plurality of tape drives (56A-56E) and a plurality of racks (70) wherein magnetic tape cartridges are stored. A cartridge transport assembly (100) serves to retrieve a cartridge from a rack (70) and to load the cartridge into a target tape drive (56), and vice versa. Movement of the cartridge transport assembly (100) along X, Y and Z rectangular coordinate axes is effected by X, Y, and Z displacement systems (104, 106, 108). The cartridge transport assembly (100) and the X, Y and Z displacement systems (104, 106, 108) are all mounted on the removable, pivotal door (26). The cartridge transport assembly (100) includes a pair of engagement fingers (402A, 402B) which engage a selected cartridge upon contact with the cartridge.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape cassette storage and magnetic tape cassette record/reproduce system, disclosed is an accessor which inserts or extracts a cassette from a storage location or a record/reproduce device. The accessor includes a cassette gripper assembly which handles different sizes of cassettes. Lateral motion of the accessor (a) actuates the gripper assembly to grip and ungrip a cassette and (b) effects locking and unlocking of the gripper assembly. A pair of accessors are mounted on an accessor platform so that one accessor can insert a cassette while the other accessor extracts a cassette, either at the same location (record/reproduce device) or at different locations (storage compartments).

Abstract: In a storage facility for heavy coils or the like, coils are transported to and from stationary rests by a first carriage which include a hydraulic lift. The first carriage is carried by a second carriage which moves perpendicularly to the path of the first carriage and which has its own heavy article-supporting rest. Transfer of heavy articles from rest to rest takes place by operation of the hydraulic lift in conjunction with lateral movement of the first carriage. The second carriage is self-propelled, and also carries a hydraulic pump unit for powering the lift through a flexible coupling which allows limited movement of the first carriage away from the second carriage. A third carriage, which is self-propelled and movable perpendicularly to the path of the second carriage, receives the second carriage to carry the second carriage, with a first carriage on it, to and away from the storage facility. The second and third carriages are movable independently of each other.

Abstract: The apparatus has a frame formed with vertical and horizontal supports to which are assembled a plurality of parallel spaced shelves. A horizontal load girder is vertically movable along vertical supports with load pickup oriented toward the shelf arrangement. The frame is movable toward and away from a storage shelf arrangement while the load pickup maintaining its vertical position; to this end, the frame has deflection wheels, substantially at its upper and lower corners, for a tensioning arrangement extended in a FIG. 8 in the vertical direction; with their upper and lower ends, the tension means are attached in stationary fashion, likewise in a FIG. 8, either to the shelf arrangement or to a point corresponding to the maximum distance of the frame from the shelf arrangement.

Abstract: An article transfer and storage system provided with a stationary stocker capable of storing a plural number of articles and a stock handler located movably on the front side of the stationary stocker. The travel drive mechanism for the stock handler is received in a lower portion of the stationary stocker. The stock handler includes an arm mechanism having a drive arm and a follower arm flexibly connected to each other by an intermediate shaft, and an article holder provided at an end of the follower arm. An operating mechanism translates rotation of a drive shaft into horizontal movement of the article holder. Each one of the arms has a hollow box-like shape to accommodate the operating mechanism.

Abstract: A film carriage assembly for supporting a film platter in a secured manner including a housing, a surface supported by the housing and adapted to support a film platter thereon with the surface being rotatable to any position between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position and with the film platter being disposed securely on the surface such that it is prevented from movement relative to the surface when the surface is rotated to any position between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position.

Abstract: An elevated garage which includes a vertical framework structure having an entrance, through which cars are introduced; a plurality of parking spaces for accommodating the cars, wherein the packing spaces are piled in vertical one or more rows; an elevator including a lift movable up and down in the framework structure, the lift being adapted to receive a pallet on which the car is placed; an expander provided on the lift, the expander being expandable toward the parking space; a shelf provided in each parking space in such a manner as to be free from the expander, the shelf being adapted to support the pallet; and a rotor for turning the car into an appropriate posture for riding on the pallet.

Abstract: A telescopic mast system has a base tube, a plurality of axially movable coaxial inner tubes nestable successively within each other and within the base tube, and a winch supported at the lower end of the base tube with a pair of preferably wire ropes driven thereby for extending and retracting the inner tubes. The base and inner tubes have collars at their respective ends, the collars of adjacent tubes engaging each other to limit extension thereof and to provide additional structural support during application of bending loads on the mast system. The ropes are connected to pulleys mounted near or within tube collars so that the ropes and pulleys are totally enclosed within the mast system. As the winch is rotated in one direction, the ropes axially move the inner tubes from a nested or stowed position within the base tube to a fully vertically extended operational position.

Abstract: A crematory loader apparatus is provided for loading objects to be incinerated into a preheated crematory. The loader has a frame along with a slidable support surface attached to the frame for supporting an object thereon which slides in a track supporting the slidable top surface during sliding of the top surface between a first position for loading the object onto the slidable support surface and a second position canterlevering the slidable support surface into the crematory. A plurality of legs are attached to the frame and support the frame and the slidable support surface.

Abstract: The installation comprises an endless circulating shelf plant which is divided into a plurality of individual endless bucket belts having run returning stations with horizontal run returning axis in a common plane. A shelf serving apparatus is located in front of this plane and can access every location of the shelves of the individual endless bucket belts which arrive in the mentioned plane. Due to the combination of the endless circulating shelves and the shelf serving apparatus the access time is substantially optimized by the installation which also utilizes the available space to its best.

Abstract: An automatic article feeding apparatus which includes a stocker for housing pallets for containing articles such as parts for assembly, interchangeable tools or the like, a first pallet operating device for transferring the pallets from the stocker to an automatic assembling machine and vice versa, a second pallet operating device for feeding the loaded pallets containing the articles to said stocker and discharging the empty pallets to the outside, and control means for controlling the operations of the pallet operating devices in accordance with the actuation of said automatic assembling machine and the signals indicating the position of the loaded pallet housed in said stocker and the empty portion in said stocker.

Abstract: A storage assembly or facility comprises a shelving block having compartments, a lifting jack and a tie bar. The lifting jack is operatively connected to the tie bar for vertically shifting the tie bar in front of a vertical array of storage compartments. The tie bar is provided with a plurality of telescoping receiver members for inserting into the compartments and subsequently removing therefrom items to be stored. For storing goods of different sizes, the compartments have a modular length equal to the common width of a plurality of columns of the compartment array.

Abstract: A bidirectional transfer mechanism is provided for independent or simultaneous X-axis and Y-axis precision displacement of a mobile component, such as a video cassette pick-up unit for retrieving or returning video cassettes from a cassette library. The transfer mechanism comprises an upright column assembly supported on a machine frame for X-axis displacement and carrying the pick-up unit for Y-axis displacement. A first drive cable is connected to the upper and lower ends of the column assembly and threaded over a first set of pulleys on the machine frame, with a portion of the first cable being wrapped about a motor-driven winding drum for displacing the column assembly in the X-axis direction. A second drive cable has a portion thereof wrapped about another motor-driven winding drum and is threaded about a second set of pulleys on the column assembly and the pick-up unit, whereby drum rotation displaces the pick-up unit along the column assembly in the Y-axis direction.

Abstract: A high precision automated wafer inspection station provides a base table area on which an X-Y stage is movable in mutually orthogonal directions relative to an inspection axis in alignment with a microscope or measuring instrument which is mounted on a bridge support above the table. The stage mechanism includes a wafer-supporting vacuum chuck having a top engagement surface for receiving and retaining the wafer, the chuck being rotatable about a central axis to provide angular positioning of the wafer, and focusable along the inspection axis. The wafer is moved on a dual probe mechanism in a horizontal plane from a first cassette controlled by an elevator at one side back to the first cassette, or to a second cassette controlled by an elevator at the opposite side of the table area.

Abstract: A machine for transporting tote pans to and from storage compartments arranged longitudinally in vertical rows along an aisle includes a vertically movable carriage provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending tote pan supporting guides which are transversely shiftable between centered and tote pan transfer positions. Associated with the guides is a pair of endless chains, each arranged in a horizontal orbit extending below one of the guides around the sides and ends thereof and carrying a pair of equidistantly spaced pins projecting above the support level of the guide, the pins on one chain being aligned longitudinally with the pins on the other chain. The chains are driven simultaneously in opposite directions on a storage or retrieval cycle synchronously with a cam which shifts the support assembly transversely.

Abstract: A full automatic storehouse having a storeroom composed of one or more boxes of a transportable size provided with racks for storing articles. The storeroom further comprises at least one traveling crane which is capable of reaching any desired position of the racks and an operating station for controlling the operation of the traveling crane. The storehouse may further has a lift which is moved vertically to receive the articles or discharge at the upper extremity of the storehouse and to transfer the articles to or from the crane at a lower position. This storehouse can be prefabricated in a factory or composed of several units which are prefabricated in the factory, and it can be easily set up at the site where it is installed. This storehouse can be installed under the ground to save a space on the ground.

Abstract: Vending machine for vending re-usable articles, in response to patron's entering an identification code number, and depositing money. The articles are individually identified (films and video tapes) and of a value greater than the amount required for vending, and upon return by the patron, they are placed, by the machine, in pre-assigned cubicles. Sensing elements on the articles and in the machines assure that only authorized articles are put therein, and that the article is placed in properly oriented position. Credit is given the patron in response to his depositing money whether an article is delivered or not.

Abstract: A shelf service apparatus in the form of a crane for storage of rod-shaped material that is accommodated in self-supporting pallet boxes, it being possible for the pallet boxes to be lifted by supports on their end faces by carrying devices which can be moved vertically and horizontally by a crane bridge that can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the storeroom. Furthermore, at least one load cross-piece is arranged in the crane bridge parallel to the pallet boxes in such a manner that it can be removed by the carrying devices, which load cross-piece is of the same length as the pallet boxes and is provided on its end faces with supports in a manner corresponding to the pallet boxes.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for handling sheets or the like. The apparatus comprises a bridge structure displacable on rails, an upper carriage displaceable on the bridge structure in a direction perpendicular to the rails, vertical beams attached to the upper carriage, and a carriage displaceable on the vertical beams in the direction thereof. The carriage is provided with lifting forks for removing a sheet pack or the like from a shelf place. The carriage is further provided with a gripper frame for picking up a sheet or the like from the shelf place or the like. In order to provide a simple and reliable apparatus, the carriage is provided with arms pivotable around a horizontal axis from a first position above the lifting forks and essentially in parallel therewith to a second position, and vice versa.

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 stacker-retriever lift carriage is disposed to be raised, lowered and positioned, in selected positions with respect to a pair of spaced support masts, by a flexible wire cable one end of which is connected to a lift carriage drive and the other end of which is connected to the lift carriage through a pair of four bar linkages pivotally connected together in spaced parallel relationship to form a safety brake operating mechanism. The upward pull by the cable upon the brake operating mechanism retracts a pair of opposed brake arms, pivotally carried by the brake operating mechanism, to a brake deactivated position with the back ends of each brake arm abutting each other. Loss of the pull of the cable on the lift carriage, as would occur if the cable severed or if the lift carriage hung up, permits a spring housed between the brake arms to move the brake operating mechanism and the brake arms to a braking position with brake pads carried by the brake arms in friction engagement with the support masts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic storage and retrieval system for extracting individual storage elements from locations in a two dimensional array and replacing each extracted element into any other vacant location in that array or in some other location, possibly a second two dimensional array opposed to the first array and spaced from it by a distance only slightly greater than the length of the element. The present invention specifically relates to a system in which the bins are engaged by the extractor element along their sides.

Abstract: An automated handling system intended notably for storehouses in which miscellaneous articles are kept, for allowing either the restocking of the storehouse, or the regrouping of articles picked up in the storehouse for constituting lots or articles which correspond to a customer's order. The system comprises a central control and management computer and one or a plurality of self-powered trucks adapted to handle stock bins and order receiving bins in the storehouse, and to pick up articles from the bins to constitute lots of articles and gather the various customers' orders.

Abstract: A stacker-retriever lift carriage is disposed to be raised, lowered and positioned, in selected positions with respect to a pair of spaced support masts, by a flexible wire cable connected between a lift drive and the lift carriage. The lift carriage carries a telescoping shuttle which includes a shuttle base, middle table and top table disposed one atop the other and for movement with respect to each either in a bi-directional manner. A pair of sheaves are rotatably mounted on the middle table at an acute angle to the surface of the middle table. A pair of cable connect the sheaves to the shuttle base and top table so that drive of the middle table, by a table drive mechanism, in a particular direction effects a movement of the top table in a corresponding direction but at twice the relative distance of the middle table.

Abstract: A device for transferring article storage pans between a selected storage compartment and shuttle which moves along the aisles of storage racks in a warehouse. The accumulator pan transfer device is vertically, movably mounted on the shuttle. An extractor carriage has a plurality of spaced cogged rollers and moves horizontally and upwardly on wheels located in V-shaped guides mounted on a horizontal base for engagement with a pan which is to be transferred between the device and a storage compartment. Certain of the cogged rollers are power driven and engage a series of projections formed on the bottom wall of the pan to remove the pan from the compartment and onto other of the supporting rollers for supporting the pan as it is transferred to the center of the base. Return of the extractor carriage to the center of the base deposits the removed pan onto a pair of transversely extending accumulator belts. The belts are power driven and remove the pan from the extractor.

Abstract: A shed for storing containers in a three-dimensional system essentially including rails laid on the floor, a crane movably supported on the rails, an elevating member on the crane for vertical elevatory movement, a spreader frame mounted on the elevating member for movement in a horizontal direction, brackets on the spreader frame capable of moving vertically, twist lock pins each twistably attached to one of the brackets, three-dimensional shelves arranged on the floor along the rails, and guides located horizontally on each of the shelves. The spreader frame is thrust from the elevating member toward one of the shelves, and the brackets are moved downwardly on to a container on the shelf while supporting the spreader frame by guides mounted on the shelf, to bring the twist lock pins into engagement with the container.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a materials flow system for an automatic warehouse, which is intended to eliminate any loss in the standby time of a worker during a machining process and to unman the machining process itself. The materials flow system includes a first stacker crane which is interposed between two automatic warehouses arranged in parallel for transferring materials to either of the warehouses. Further inclusive is a second stacker crane which is disposed in front of either of the automatic warehouses and which are equipped with two sets of slide forks for simultaneously transferring two materials between the warehouses.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a slide fork provided on a stacker crane is provided wherein the slide fork is movable on the crane and can be positioned relative to a load rack, independently of the crane, and also fixed to a definite position on the crane. According to the apparatus, since the slide fork is directly positioned, the precision of the positioning is improved, substantially.

Abstract: The lane loading apparatus includes a wheeled frame reciprocal along the loading end of shelves. The frame supports a main carriage for vertical movement with respect to the shelves. The main carriage supports an auxiliary carriage for reciprocation toward and away from the loading end of the shelves. A lane actuator is supported by the auxiliary carriage for retracting an endless member and associated pusher in a lane to a reloading position.

Abstract: An improved material handling and storage system for receiving articles in the form of long rolls or boxes and for storing them in predetermined bin areas. The system includes novel support and transfer assemblies for moving the articles and also transfer loading and packaging stations for respectively initially receiving the articles and loading them on the transfer assemblies prior to storage and for packaging the articles following their removal from their storage bin area.

Abstract: A facility for maintaining and servicing multiple units of equipment such as jet engines, after removal from an aircraft by conventional procedures, makes use of a multiple number of service bays serving as maintenance stations disposed on opposite sides of a central delivery way. An under hung bridge crane travels back and forth throughout the length of the central delivery way. Screw jacks at four corners of the crane are attached to and operate to elevate and lower a twin rail lifting bridge on which a jet engine unit is slung. The unit is supported by fixtures attached to trolleys which roll on the twin bridge rails. There is a mating twin rail lifting bridge in each bay with which the lifting bridge of the crane can temporarily interlock, so that the engine unit can be pushed on its trolleys from one lifting bridge to the other. Four corner located screw jacks also lift and lower the lifting bridge in each bay.

Abstract: A multiple-element load handling shuttle assembly (10) which includes means to compensate for the downward deflection of the load carrying element of the shuttle under load. Each shuttle element (12, 14, 16, 20) is supported by a plurality of rollers (35, 43, 51, 57) which engage guide channels (36, 43, 52, 58) in an adjacent element. The end rollers (43c, 43d) on one of the elements are offset upwardly from the remaining rollers (43a, 43b) on that element and the corresponding guide channel (44) is flared upwardly at its outer ends to accommodate the offset rollers. The offset rollers and flared guide channel cause the shuttle assembly to tilt upwardly in its unloaded condition to at least partially compensate for the downward deflection of the shuttle assembly under load.

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 warehouse crane comprises an elevationally positionable carriage, a shuttle guidably mounted on the carriage for transverse movement, and apparatus for moving a tote pan out of storage racks alongside either side of the crane and onto the carriage, the crane further being able to replace the tote pan in its original compartment or to place the tote pan in any other compartment in either of the storage racks. The apparatus for moving the tote pan out of a storage rack includes a pair of reversibly driven endless chain mechanisms mounted on the shuttle and a tote pan puller attached to those chain mechanisms. The puller travels in a horizontal and flat orbital path, but changes from a vertical position to a transversely outwardly inclined position as it approaches the ends of that path so that the puller may engage a tote pan handle as it moves upwardly in an inclined position.

Abstract: An automatic code reading device, which is adaptable to use in object storage and retrieval apparatus, can read out the code mark affixed on an axial end surface of an object having a circular section. The device includes a housing defining a chamber in which the object should be loaded. In the housing, a read head unit for reading out the code mark and a holder for holding the drawn object are mounted. The read head unit or the holder is rotated by motor drive to scan the code mark affixed on the drawn object by the read head unit. The rotational angular extent is controlled (360.degree.+.alpha..degree.), where .alpha..degree. is at least an angular extent over which the code mark extends.The reading device is provided with a pick-up device for drawing object into the chamber and pushing out the object therefrom.

Abstract: An operator's carriage on one mast of a two-masted warehouse crane and which carriage can be raised independently of the motion, position, or operability of a load carriage mounted on the second mast. The crane comprises, in addition to the two carriages on two masts, a separate drive for vertically positioning each carriage on its respective mast, upper and lower trucks to which the ends of the masts are attached for longitudinal movement of the carriages and masts attached thereto along an upper and lower rails, and a shuttle mechanism and drive means therefor for moving loads from the load carriages onto storage racks, in a path transverse to the longitudinal path of the masts and carriages. Both carriages may be located between the masts but will be connected to only one, and in such a configuration may move vertically to their high and low limits of travel without contacting or physically interfering with each other.

Abstract: In a document storage and retrieval system of the type including at least one storage rack having a plurality of individual storage compartments, each of the compartments normally having positioned therein a cartridge holding a plurality of cards or the like, at least a first one of the compartments being empty and functioning as an access port for feeding cartridges into and removing cartridges from the storage rack, and a carriage assembly which travels on one side of the rack for transferring cartridges between the access port and the other storage compartments, the carriage assembly including a transport mechanism for moving cartridges thereon to and thereoff of, there is disclosed an improved transport and gate assembly positionable in a single empty storage compartment immediately below the access port which acts as a stop and cartridge presence sensor for blocking movement of a cartridge through the access port on to or off of the carriage assembly and which selectively retracts and allows movement of

Abstract: A conveying method for conveying green tires from storing devices, disposed near building machines, to curing machines and attaching them to the curing machines is disclosed wherein a green tire delivery demand signal is emitted, from a specific curing machine among a plurality of curing machines, to a control system which stores the corresponding relationships between the respective storing devices and the respective curing machines and the quantities and kinds of green tires stored in the storing devices. The control system which receives this demand signal sends a signal, indicating the curing machine which has emitted the demand signal and the corresponding specific storing device, to an automatic truck supporting and carrying thereon a mechanism which is capable of withdrawing a green tire from the storing device, having it suspended thereon, and loading it onto the curing machine.

Abstract: A system for transferring tubes or bars or like elongated elements between a processing line and associated storage structures or intermediate delivery locations is disclosed. The system includes spacing stations for intermittently spacing groups of tubes or bars, apparatus for transporting the groups from one spacing station onto one of several storage cantilever supports adapted to support the tubes or bars with their axes parallel to that of the processing line, apparatus for intermittently laterally removing groups of spaced elongate elements from the storage supports via an intermediate supporting station, and apparatus for rotating the elements through 90.degree. in order to deposit them on supports at the inlet end of the processing line with their axes at right angles to that of the processing line, or after removal from such supports onto an intermediate supporting station at the outlet end of the processing line.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing and retrieving individual file folders including a pair of symmetrical shelf units, positioned face to face and having a moveable column designed to move horizontally between the shelf units. A carriage is attached to the moveable column and is designed to move vertically between the shelf units. Store or retrieve commands are placed into the system via an operations table and in response to the commands individual file folders are stored and retrieved. Individual storage and retrieval is accomplished by apparatus designed to push aside adjoining file folders to gain access to a storage position and by code marks included on the shelf units to identify individual storage positions.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for racking sheet materials characterized by an open-sided generally box-like rack having opposed sets of horizontally-disposed guiderails arranged in stacked relation one above the other to define tray tracks along the inside of the front and rear walls thereof. Slat-bottomed double-ended trays are mounted on the tracks for independent movement from a retracted position essentially centered within the rack to either one of two extended positions overhanging a side of the latter. Tray transfer means are provided for each tray accessible in the center of one end of the rack operative upon actuation, to drive a particular tray in either direction between its retracted and extended positions. A tool carriage is mounted on vertically-disposed tracks on the end of the rack with access to the tray transfer means for movement therealong into alignment with any of the tray transfer means.

Abstract: Apparatus for the storage of commodities which includes a plurality of shelves arranged to provide storage positions in the vertical and horizontal direction and a commodity carriage, containing a commodity to be stored, designed to move up and down and left and right along a front face of the shelves. The commodity carriage is positioned at a point facing a predetermined storage location in the shelves and apparatus "pushes-aside" the commodities contained in adjacent storage location so that thecommodity contained on the carriage can be stored without interference.

Abstract: An apparatus for stowing and conveying articles comprises at least one plurality of supporting and conveying units mutually interconnected at predetermined intervals, movable in continuously horizontal positions on an endless runway formed by fixed tracks for guiding the supporting members of said units, continuity of support by said tracks and by auxiliary fixed means associated therewith being provided for the supporting or conveying units through the whole runway, the means for interconnecting the units also serving to produce the control movements.

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.