WEDGE STOP FOR AN AUTOMATED STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM

1 . An automated storage and retrieval system comprising:

racking comprising a plurality of rails;

a shuttle comprising a wheel that is configured to roll along at least one of the plurality of rails along a linear rolling path; and

a wedge stop coupled, directly or indirectly, to the racking and proximate to the linear rolling path, wherein the wedge stop comprises a sloped surface that is configured to receive the wheel as the wheel is rolling along the linear rolling path.

2 . The automated storage and retrieval system of claim 1 , wherein the wedge stop is configured to progressively slow and stop the rolling of the wheel along the linear rolling path.

3 . The automated storage and retrieval system of claim 1 , wherein the sloped surface of the wedge stop defines a slope angle relative to the linear rolling path, wherein the slope angle is at least one degree and up to three degrees.

4 . The automated storage and retrieval system of claim 1 , wherein the wedge stop comprises a depression.

5 . The automated storage and retrieval system of claim 4 , wherein the depression of the wedge stop defines a first radius of curvature and the wheel defines a second radius of curvature, wherein the first radius of curvature is within five percent of the second radius of curvature.

6 . The automated storage and retrieval system of claim 5 , wherein the wedge stop comprises a first end and a second end, wherein a first thickness of the wedge stop at the first end is less than a second thickness of the wedge stop at the second end, and wherein the depression is positioned within one inch of the second end.

7 . The automated storage and retrieval system of claim 6 , wherein the wedge stop has a longitudinal length and the depression defines a longitudinal distance, where a ratio between the longitudinal length and the longitudinal distance is at least 4:1 and up to 7:1.

8 . The automated storage and retrieval system of claim 5 , wherein the wedge stop has a longitudinal length and the depression defines a longitudinal distance, where a ratio between the longitudinal length and the longitudinal distance is at least 4:1 and up to 7:1.

9 . The automated storage and retrieval system of claim 1 , wherein the sloped surface of the wedge stop comprises a channel, wherein a width of the channel is within five percent of a width of a rolling surface of the wheel.

10 . The automated storage and retrieval system of claim 1 , wherein:

the wedge stop is configured to progressively slow and stop the rolling of the wheel along the linear rolling path,

the sloped surface of the wedge stop defines a slope angle relative to the linear rolling path, wherein the slope angle is at least one degree and up to three degrees,

the wedge stop comprises a depression,

the depression of the wedge stop defines a first radius of curvature and the wheel defines a second radius of curvature, wherein the first radius of curvature is within five percent of the second radius of curvature,

the wedge stop comprises a first end and a second end, wherein a first thickness of the wedge stop at the first end is less than a second thickness of the wedge stop at the second end,

the depression is positioned within one inch of the second end,

the wedge stop has a longitudinal length and the depression defines a longitudinal distance, where a ratio between the longitudinal length and the longitudinal distance is at least 4:1 and up to 7:1, and

the sloped surface of the wedge stop comprises a channel, wherein a width of the channel is within five percent of a width of a rolling surface of the wheel.

11 . A wedge stop for an automated storage and retrieval system, the wedge stop comprising a sloped surface that is configured to receive a wheel of the automated storage and retrieval system.

12 . The wedge stop of claim 11 , wherein the wedge stop is configured to progressively slow and stop the rolling of the wheel.

13 . The wedge stop of claim 11 , wherein the sloped surface of the wedge stop defines a slope angle, wherein the slope angle is at least one degree and up to three degrees.

14 . The wedge stop of claim 11 , wherein the wedge stop comprises a depression.

15 . The wedge stop of claim 14 , wherein the depression of the wedge stop defines a first radius of curvature and the wheel defines a second radius of curvature, wherein the first radius of curvature is within five percent of the second radius of curvature.

16 . The wedge stop of claim 15 , wherein the wedge stop comprises a first end and a second end, wherein a first thickness of the wedge stop at the first end is less than a second thickness of the wedge stop at the second end, and wherein the depression is positioned within one inch of the second end.

17 . The wedge stop of claim 16 , wherein the wedge stop has a longitudinal length and the depression defines a longitudinal distance, where a ratio between the longitudinal length and the longitudinal distance is at least 4:1 and up to 7:1.

18 . The wedge stop of claim 15 , wherein the wedge stop has a longitudinal length and the depression defines a longitudinal distance, where a ratio between the longitudinal length and the longitudinal distance is at least 4:1 and up to 7:1.

19 . The wedge stop of claim 11 , wherein the sloped surface of the wedge stop comprises a channel, wherein a width of the channel is within five percent of a width of a rolling surface of the wheel.

20 . The wedge stop of claim 11 , wherein:

the wedge stop is configured to progressively slow and stop the rolling of the wheel,

the sloped surface of the wedge stop defines a slope angle,

the slope angle is at least one degree and up to three degrees,

the wedge stop comprises a depression,

the depression of the wedge stop defines a first radius of curvature and the wheel defines a second radius of curvature, wherein the first radius of curvature is within five percent of the second radius of curvature,

the wedge stop comprises a first end and a second end, wherein a first thickness of the wedge stop at the first end is less than a second thickness of the wedge stop at the second end,

the depression is positioned within one inch of the second end,

the wedge stop has a longitudinal length and the depression defines a longitudinal distance, where a ratio between the longitudinal length and the longitudinal distance is at least 4-1 and up to 4-1, and

the sloped surface of the wedge stop comprises a channel, wherein the width of the channel is within five percent of a width of a rolling surface of the wheel.