Dampened spring-operated vertically accumulating container storage and retrieval system
View Patent ↗A vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus has a first and second plurality of substantially vertically spaced shelf assemblies supported by support structure. Each of the shelf assemblies includes a shelf tray for receiving, storing, and discharging containers. Spring biasing structure is provided for urging the shelf to the receiving position. Dampening structure dampens the movement of the shelf between the upwardly tilted receiving position and the downwardly tilted discharge position. A transfer control and transfer control linkage are provided for retaining the shelf when a shelf of a next lower shelf assembly is not prepared to receive a container, and allowing the shelf to move to the discharge position under the weight of a container disposed on the shelf when the shelf of the next lower shelf assembly is prepared to receive a container. A method for storing and retrieving containers is also disclosed.
1. A vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus, comprising a first plurality of substantially vertically spaced shelf assemblies supported by support structure and a second plurality of substantially vertically spaced shelf assemblies supported by support structure; each of said shelf assemblies comprising:
a shelf tray for receiving, storing, and discharging containers, the shelves of the first plurality of shelf assemblies being substantially staggered vertically relative to the shelves of the second plurality of shelf assemblies, with the free ends of each plurality of shelf assemblies facing the free ends of the other plurality of shelf assemblies, each shelf being mounted to its respective vertical support for pivotal movement between an upwardly tilted receiving position and a downwardly tilted discharge position;
spring biasing structure for urging the shelf to the receiving position;
a transfer control operatively connected to the shelf and having a lock position retaining the shelf when a shelf of a next lower shelf assembly is not prepared to receive a container, and a release position allowing the shelf to move to the discharge position under the weight of a container disposed on said shelf when the shelf of the next lower shelf assembly is prepared to receive a container.
2. The vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising dampening structure for dampening the movement of said shelf tray.
3. The vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said dampening structure dampens the movement of said tray to said upwardly tilted receiving position.
4. The vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said dampening structure dampens the movement of said tray to said downwardly tilted discharge position.
5. The vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said dampening structure is bi directional.
6. The vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a transfer control linkage operatively connected between the transfer control and the next lower shelf assembly for transitioning the transfer control to the release position when the next lower shelf is prepared to receive a container.
7. The vertically accumulating storage and retrieval device of claim 2 , wherein said dampening structure is a fluid cylinder.
8. The vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said spring is a metal coil spring.
9. The vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said spring is an elastic polymeric spring.
10. The vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a tray return cam, said tray return cam being pivotally mounted to said support structure, and a cam follower, said cam follower being operatively connected to said shelf tray.
11. The vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising dampening structure, wherein said dampening structure is connected to said tray return cam, and extends from a bottom portion of said tray return cam to said support structure.
12. The vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said dampening structure is connected to said shelf tray and to said support structure.
13. A method for storing and retrieving containers, comprising the steps of:
providing a vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus, comprising a first plurality of substantially vertically spaced shelf assemblies supported by support structure and a second plurality of substantially vertically spaced shelf assemblies supported by support structure, each of said shelf assemblies comprising a shelf tray for receiving, storing, and discharging containers, the shelves of the first plurality of shelf assemblies being substantially staggered vertically relative to the shelves of the second plurality of shelf assemblies, with the free ends of each plurality of shelf assemblies facing the free ends of the other plurality of shelf assemblies, each shelf being mounted to its respective vertical support for pivotal movement between an upwardly tilted receiving position and a downwardly tilted discharge position;
moving a shelf to the receiving position with spring biasing;
dampening the movement of said shelf between said upwardly tilted receiving position and said downwardly tilted discharge position;
retaining the shelf when a shelf of a next lower shelf assembly is not prepared to receive a container, and allowing the shelf to move to the discharge position under the weight of a container disposed on said shelf when the shelf of the next lower shelf assembly is prepared to receive a container.