Storage system and article retrieving method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10993531-B2
Application number	US-202016993912-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 14, 2020
Priority date	Oct 19, 2015
Publication date	May 4, 2021
Grant date	May 4, 2021

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed that provides a storage system designed to allow pickers to easily and efficiently pull products from all portions of the storage system from a single side of the storage system. The storage system includes a first storage rack that has a first plurality of columns and a first platform extending from one of the first plurality of columns. An outer edge of the first platform forms an end of the first storage rack. Positioned adjacent to the first storage rack is a second storage rack with a second plurality of columns and a second platform that extends from one of the second plurality of columns, where an outer edge of the second platform forms an end of the second storage rack. An aisle is formed by a predetermined distance between the outer edges of the first and second platforms.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A storage system, comprising:
a raised platform ( 102 ) above and not in contact with a base surface ( 160 );
only a single, aligned row of vertical columns ( 106 , 150 , 154 ) directly or indirectly attached to the base surface ( 160 );
a support bar ( 120 ) located a distance away on either side from the row of columns ( 106 , 150 , 154 ) to define a support surface for pallets on the raised platform ( 102 ) which is configured to completely support a pallet on either side of the row of vertical columns ( 106 , 150 , 154 ); and
horizontal bars ( 140 , 152 , 156 ) extending between and directly connecting the support bar ( 120 ) and a respective column ( 106 , 150 , 154 ) for supporting pallets thereon,
wherein the support bar ( 120 ) and horizontal bars ( 140 , 152 , 156 ) are configured to completely support a pallet thereon between the support bar ( 120 ) and horizontal bars ( 140 , 152 , 156 ),
a distance between the base surface and the support bar ( 120 ) forms a space configured to extend a reach of a worker,
the horizontal bars ( 140 , 152 , 156 ) have a longitudinal axis extending in a direction directly from the support bar ( 120 ) to the respective column ( 106 , 150 , 154 ), and
clearance between the base surface ( 160 ) and the support bar ( 120 ) is 1-15 inches where the horizontal bars ( 140 , 152 , 156 ) meet the support bar ( 120 ) at a horizontal distance away from the vertical columns.

2. The storage system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a horizontal beam ( 184 ) extending from and above the vertical columns ( 106 , 150 , 154 ), wherein the horizontal beam ( 184 ) is positioned above the storage system and provides support to a second base surface.

3. A storage system, comprising:
a raised platform ( 102 ) above and not in contact with a base surface ( 160 );
a plurality of vertical columns ( 106 , 150 , 154 ) directly or indirectly attached to the base surface ( 160 );
a continuous uninterrupted support bar ( 120 ) located a distance away from the columns ( 106 , 150 , 154 ) to define a support surface for pallets on the raised platform ( 102 ); and
horizontal bars ( 140 , 152 , 156 ) extending between and directly connecting the support bar ( 120 ) and a respective column ( 106 , 150 , 154 ) for supporting pallets thereon,
wherein the support bar ( 120 ) and horizontal bars ( 140 , 152 , 156 ) are configured to completely support a pallet thereon between the support bar ( 120 ) and horizontal bars ( 140 , 152 , 156 ),
a distance between the base surface and the support bar ( 120 ) forms a space configured to extend a reach of a worker,
the horizontal bars ( 140 , 152 , 156 ) have a longitudinal axis extending in a direction directly from the support bar ( 120 ) to the respective column ( 106 , 150 , 154 ),
wherein said support bar ( 120 ) comprises parallel and perpendicular portions, with corners wherein said parallel and perpendicular portions meet being curved, and
clearance between the base surface ( 160 ) and the support bar ( 120 ) is 1-15 inches where the horizontal bars ( 140 , 152 , 156 ) meet the support bar ( 120 ).

4. The storage system of claim 3 , comprising a single, aligned row of said vertical columns ( 106 , 150 , 154 ), with said support bar ( 120 ) arranged on one side of said row.

Assignees

• Frazier Ind Co

Inventors

• Iellimo Domenick

Classifications

• B65G1/02 Primary

  Storage devices (furniture A47B; shop fittings A47F) · CPC title

• A47B47/028

  with crossbars · CPC title

• A47B47/021 Primary

  Racks or shelf units (A47B47/03 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A47F5/0018

  Display racks with shelves or receptables (racks per se A47B; storage devices for warehouses B65G1/02) · CPC title

• B65C1/02

  Affixing labels to one flat surface of articles, e.g. of packages, of flat bands · CPC title