Grid framework structure
A grid framework structure for supporting a load handling device operative to move one or more containers in a stack. The grid framework structure includes plural upright columns arranged to form plurality of vertical storage locations for containers to be stacked between upright columns. The columns are interconnected at their top ends by a first set of grid members and a second set of grid members, the second set running transversely to the first set to form a grid structure. A sub-group of upright columns rigidly joined together by at least one bracing assembly of diagonal braces form a braced tower. The sub-group of upright columns includes three upright columns with two of the three upright columns being laterally disposed either side of a middle upright column, and being rigidly connected to the middle upright column by the diagonal braces.
1. A grid framework structure for supporting a load handling device operative to move one or more containers in a stack, said grid framework structure comprising:
a plurality of upright columns lying in a vertical plane and arranged to form a plurality of vertical storage locations for containers to be stacked between the upright columns and be guided by the upright columns in a vertical direction;
the plurality of upright columns are interconnected at their top ends by a first set of grid members extending in a first direction and a second set of grid members extending in a second direction, the second set of grid members running transversely to the first set of grid members in a substantially horizontal plane to form a grid having a grid structure that includes a plurality of grid cells or grid spaces;
the first and the second sets of grid members include a first set of tracks and a second set of tracks arranged respectively for a load handling device to move one or more containers on the grid framework structure;
a sub-group of upright columns rigidly joined together by at least one bracing assembly having a plurality of diagonal braces to form a braced tower; and wherein:
the sub-group of upright columns includes three upright columns lying in a same plane such that two of the three upright columns are laterally disposed either side of a middle upright column, the two laterally disposed upright columns being rigidly connected to the middle upright column by the plurality of diagonal braces;
the middle upright column includes a plurality of joining plates spaced apart along a longitudinal length of the middle upright column, each joining plate occupying a respective slot extending through the middle upright column in a horizontal direction parallel to a plane in which the three upright columns lie; and
the plurality of diagonal braces are connected to the middle upright column via the plurality of joining plates.
2. The grid framework structure of claim 1 , wherein the grid framework structure is supported in both the first direction and the second direction by bracing a sub-group of upright columns in the first direction and in the second direction such that the braced tower comprises:
a first braced tower lying in a plane extending in the first direction; and
a second braced tower lying in a plane extending in the second direction.
3. The grid framework structure of claim 1 , wherein each of the three upright columns of the braced tower is connected to an adjacent upright column within the grid framework structure by at least one spacer extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the three upright columns lie.
4. The grid framework structure of claim 3 , wherein the braced tower lies in a first vertical plane and the at least one spacer lies in a second vertical plane, the second vertical plane being substantially perpendicular to the first vertical plane.
5. The grid framework structure of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of upright columns has a cross section comprising:
a hollow center section and four corner sections, wherein each corner section includes a guide.
6. The grid framework structure of claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of diagonal braces are connected between each of the two laterally disposed upright columns and the middle upright column to form a series of triangular braces either side of the middle upright column.
7. The grid framework structure of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of diagonal braces either side of the middle upright column cooperate with each other to form one or more cross braces.
8. The grid framework structure of claim 5 , wherein each of the two laterally disposed upright columns is arranged to be anchored at its lower end to a concrete foundation by an anchor foot comprising:
a plurality of discrete fingers extending from an upright portion, said upright portion being configured for connecting to a lower end of the upright column and at least one of the plurality of diagonal braces, each of the discrete fingers including means for anchoring the anchor foot to the concrete foundation by one or more anchor bolts.
9. The grid framework structure of claim 8 , wherein the anchor foot comprises:
at least five discrete fingers extending from the upright portion, said upright portion having a plate for connecting to the lower end of the upright column and at least one of the diagonal braces, said plate being orientated within the grid framework structure such that a surface of the plate with a greatest surface area lies in a same plane as the three upright columns.
10. The grid framework structure of claim 8 , wherein at least one of a portion of remaining upright columns not anchored to the concrete foundation by the anchor foot comprises:
an adjustable foot at its lower end for adjusting a height of the at least one upright column.
11. The grid framework structure of claim 10 , wherein the adjustable foot comprises:
a base plate and a threaded spindle that threadingly engages with a push fit cap at the lower end of the upright column to adjust a height of the upright column;
optionally wherein the push fit cap comprises:
an insert portion sized to be inserted into a hollow center section of each of the remaining upright columns;
optionally wherein the insert portion comprises:
at least two walls, each of the at least two walls having a retainer clip or a compression clip receivable in a cut out in the at least two walls such that the insert portion forms a tight fit when the insert portion is inserted into the hollow center section of each of the remaining upright columns.
12. The grid framework structure of claim 11 , wherein the portion of the remaining upright columns are held in spaced apart relation with each other by a predetermined distance by at least one strut or spacer connecting two adjacent upright columns.
13. The grid framework structure claim 1 , comprising:
a plurality of braced towers distributed throughout the grid framework structure.
14. The grid framework structure of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of braced towers occupy a portion of the plurality of upright columns of the grid framework structure in a range from 2% to 50%.
15. A storage system comprising:
i) a grid framework structure as recited in claim 1 ;
ii) a plurality of stacks of containers arranged in storage columns located below the grid, wherein each storage column is located vertically below a grid cell;
iii) a plurality of load handling devices for lifting and moving containers stacked in the stacks, the plurality of load handling devices being configured to be remotely operated to move laterally on the grid above the storage columns to access the containers through substantially rectangular frames formed by the first and second sets of the grid members, each of said plurality of load handling devices comprising:
a) a wheel assembly for guiding the load handling device on the grid;
b) a container-receiving space located above the grid; and
c) a lifting device arranged to lift a single container from a stack into the container-receiving space.