U.S. patent application number 12/464745 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-17 for high density storage facility.
Invention is credited to John F. CORCORAN.
Application Number | 20090308000 12/464745 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41318976 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090308000 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CORCORAN; John F. |
December 17, 2009 |
HIGH DENSITY STORAGE FACILITY
Abstract
A high density storage facility including a storage area is
described. Storage racks may be provided in the storage facility,
and may be divided from top to bottom into slots. The slots may
extend the width of the racks and be accessible for inserting and
removing objects into and from the racks. The racks may be disposed
in rows within the storage area and include a mechanism for rolling
the racks along the storage area. The storage area may include a
wall disposed substantially parallel to a widthwise side of the
storage area. Doors may be disposed along the length of the wall,
for providing access to the width ends of the racks. The racks may
be installed upon rollably movable carriages along the width of the
storage area for providing access to the width ends of the carriage
racks from the doors.
Inventors: |
CORCORAN; John F.; (Hyannis,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCCARTER & ENGLISH, LLP BOSTON
265 Franklin Street
Boston
MA
02110
US
|
Family ID: |
41318976 |
Appl. No.: |
12/464745 |
Filed: |
May 12, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61127346 |
May 12, 2008 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/173.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 1/10 20130101; B65G
1/0478 20130101; B63C 15/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/173.1 |
International
Class: |
E04H 6/00 20060101
E04H006/00; B63C 15/00 20060101 B63C015/00; A47B 53/00 20060101
A47B053/00 |
Claims
1. A high density storage facility comprising: a floor area of a
certain length and width; a plurality of rollably movable storage
racks of certain height divided from top to bottom into storage
slots, the slots extending the length of the carriage racks and
being open and accessible for inserting and removing objects into
and from the width ends of the carriage racks, the carriage racks
being disposed within the floor area and including means for moving
the carriage racks along the floor in a direction consistent with
the width of the floor area, said carriage racks arranged in rows
within the floor area with the lengthwise sides of the carriage
racks being arranged substantially parallel to the lengthwise sides
of the floor area, said rows comprising a plurality of side by side
carriage racks which collectively fit within and across the width
of the floor area.
2. The facility of claim 1 further comprising motor means for
drivably moving the carriage racks across the width of the floor
area.
3. The facility of claim 1 wherein the floor area is enclosed.
4. The facility of claim 1 further comprising a wall disposed
substantially parallel to a widthwise side of the floor area, the
wall including door means selectively disposed along the length of
the wall for providing access to the width ends of all of the
carriage racks, the carriage racks being moveable along the width
of the enclosed floor area for providing access to the width ends
of the racks from the door means.
5. The facility of claim 1 further comprising a row of stationary
racks arranged along the widthwise side of the floor area, the
stationary racks having a certain length, width and height and
being divided from top to bottom into storage slots, the slots
extending the length of the racks and being open and accessible
from one width end for inserting and removing objects into and from
the width ends of the stationary racks, the width ends of the racks
facing the floor area.
6. The facility of claim 1, wherein the carriage racks are
uncoupably coupled along the width of the floor area for providing
access to the width ends of the carriage racks.
7. The facility of claim 5 wherein at least two rows of carriage
racks are disposed within the floor area and wherein as many rows
of carriage racks are disposed within the floor area as will fit
along the width of the floor area and leave a portion of the floor
area unoccupied which is of a size at least sufficient to provide
access to the width ends of the carriage racks upon selective
movement of carriage racks in the rows of carriage racks along the
width of the floor.
8. The facility of claim 7 wherein door means are selectively
disposed along a widthwise wall of the facility so as to provide
access to the unoccupied floor area upon selective movement of one
or more of the carriage racks in the rows of carriage racks along
the length of the floor area
9. The facility of claim 7 wherein the unoccupied floor area is
further selected to be of such a size as to accommodate
manipulation of the objects within the unoccupied floor area for
insertion into the slots.
10. The facility of claim 1 wherein the carriage racks are mounted
on tracks for widthwise movement within the floor area, the tracks
extending the width of the floor area in a direction substantially
parallel to the widthwise side of the floor area.
11. The facility of claim 5 further comprising motor means for
drivably moving the carriage racks across the width of the floor
area.
12. The facility of claim 5 wherein at least two rows of carriage
racks are disposed within the floor area and wherein as many rows
of carriage racks are disposed within the floor area as will fit
along the width of the floor area and leave a portion of the floor
area unoccupied which is of a size at least sufficient to provide
access to the width ends of the carriage racks upon selective
movement of the carriage racks in the rows of carriage racks along
the width of the floor.
13. The facility of claim 9 wherein door means are selectively
disposed along the widthwise wall of the building so as to provide
access to the unoccupied floor area upon selective movement of one
or more of the carriage racks in the rows of carriage racks along
the width of the floor.
14. The facility of claim 9 wherein the unoccupied floor area is
further selected to be of such a size as to be accessible upon
movement of one or more of the carriage racks in the rows of
carriage racks along the width of the floor area.
15. The facility of claim 1 wherein the carriage racks comprising a
row are connected electromagnetically along their lengthwise sides
forming rows which are movable and selectively disconnected or
uncoupled in a widthwise direction along the floor area
16. The facility of claim 4 further comprising motor means for
drivably moving the carriage racks in the rows of carriage racks
across the width of the floor area.
17. The facility of claim 4 further comprising a row of stationary
racks arranged along the widthwise side of the floor area, the
stationary racks having a certain length, width and height and
being divided from top to bottom into storage slots, the slots
extending the length of the racks and being open and accessible
from one width end for inserting and removing objects into and from
the width ends of the stationary racks, the width ends of the racks
facing the floor area.
18. The facility of claim 4 wherein a rack in a row of racks
comprises a series of spaced vertical supports interconnected by a
series of spaced horizontal supports.
19. The facility of claim 15 wherein the carriage racks in a row of
carriage racks are mounted on tracks for widthwise movement within
the floor area, the tracks extending the width of the floor area in
a direction substantially parallel to the widthwise side of the
floor area.
20. The facility of claim 6 wherein a carriage rack in a row of
carriage racks comprises a series of spaced vertical supports
interconnected by a series of horizontal supports.
21. The facility of claim 4 wherein at least two rows of carriage
racks are disposed within the floor area and wherein as many rows
of carriage racks are disposed within the floor area as will fit
along the width of the floor area and leave a portion of the floor
area unoccupied which is of a size at least sufficient to provide
access from the door means to the width ends of the carriage racks
upon selective movement of the carriage racks in the rows of
carriage racks along the width of the floor.
22. The facility of claim 8 wherein door means are selectively
disposed along the wall of the building so as to provide access to
the unoccupied floor area upon selective movement of one or more
carriage racks in the rows of carriage racks along the length of
the floor area.
23. The facility of claim 8 wherein the carriage racks in a row of
carriage racks comprises a series of spaced vertical supports
interconnected by a series of spaced horizontal supports.
24. The facility of claim 8 wherein the unoccupied floor area is
further selected to be of such a size as to be accessible upon
movement of one or more of the carriage racks in the rows of
carriage racks along the width of the floor area.
25. The facility of claim 14 further comprising motor means for
drivably moving the carriage racks across the width of the floor
area.
26. The facility of claim 14 wherein a carriage rack in a row of
carriage racks comprises a series of spaced vertical supports
interconnected by a series of spaced horizontal supports.
27. The facility of claim 14 further comprising a row of stationary
racks arranged along one or both of the lengthwise sides of the
floor area, the stationary racks having a certain length, wherein
objects can be placed into and taken from the width ends of the
stationary racks, the width ends of the racks facing the floor
area.
28. The facility of claim 24 wherein a carriage rack in a row of
carriage racks comprises a series of spaced vertical supports
interconnected by a series of spaced horizontal supports.
29. A high density boat storage facility comprising: a floor area
of certain length and width; a plurality of rollable movable
storage racks of certain height divided from top to bottom into
storage slots, the slots extending the length of the racks and
being open and accessible for inserting and removing boats into and
from the width ends of the carriage racks, the carriage racks being
disposed in rows within the enclosed floor area and including means
for rolling the carriage racks along the widthwise direction of the
floor area.
30. The facility of claim 29, wherein the floor area is
enclosed.
31. The facility of claim 29, further comprising a wall disposed
substantially parallel to a widthwise side of the floor area, the
wall including door means selectively disposed along a widthwise
wall for providing access to the width ends of the carriage racks,
the carriage racks being rollably moveable along the width of the
enclosed floor area for providing access to the width ends of the
carriage racks from the door means.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application claims priority to Provisional Application
No. 61/127,346, filed on May 12, 2008, the contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present application relates to high density storage
facilities, and more particularly to high density storage
facilities for storing intermodal containers, boats and other large
items.
[0003] Despite advances in building materials, material handling
vehicles, and techniques, there is still a need for storage
facilities for large sized objects such as intermodal containers,
boats, cars, furniture and the like. Such facilities should provide
mechanisms for obtaining ready and efficient access to the stored
objects.
[0004] For example, conventional boat storage facilities include a
large building with racks aligned along the walls and a large
unoccupied floor space. This results in a large amount of unused
space, as depicted in FIG. 1.
[0005] Container terminals for storing and retrieving intermodal
containers exhibit similar problems. Conventional facilities
consume large areas of valuable seaport acreage. Because
conventional facilities may use numerous aisles and provide wide
spaces between intermodal containers, and because such containers
are generally randomly placed and widely spaced, many terminal
operators have difficulty in controlling the storage, retrieval and
delivery of the containers. This often results in time consuming
and costly repositioning and searching operations for displaced
containers.
[0006] Therefore, a need exists for a high density storage facility
which provides ready and efficient access to the space within the
facility where objects may be stored.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0007] In one embodiment, a high density storage facility is
disclosed, including a storage area. Storage racks, divided from
top to bottom into storage slots, may be provided in the storage
area. Optionally, the storage area may be in a building including a
wall, with doors disposed along the length of the wall for
providing access to the ends of the racks.
[0008] The storage racks may be open and accessible for inserting
and removing objects. The racks may be riding on movable carriages,
which may be coupled and disposed in rows within the storage area,
and the carriages may include a mechanism for moving the racks. The
carriage racks may further be coupled and uncoupled along the width
of the enclosed storage area for providing access to the width ends
of the racks from the doors. The carriage racks may be connected
and disconnected along their lengthwise sides, forming rows which
are rollably movable in a widthwise direction along the storage
area. Tracks for rolling the carriage racks may extend along the
width of the storage area. According to one embodiment, the
carriages include motor mechanisms for moving the racks across a
portion of the storage area.
[0009] According to one embodiment, rows of carriage racks are
disposed within the storage area. For some applications, it may be
useful to include as many rows of carriage racks as will fit along
the width of the storage area.
[0010] The number of carriage racks may be chosen such as to leave
a portion of the floor area unoccupied, of a size sufficient to
provide access from optional doors to the width ends of the
carriage racks upon selective movement of the rows along the width
of the storage area. According to one embodiment, the doors are
selectively disposed along the wall of the building so as to
provide access to the unoccupied floor area upon selective movement
of one or more of the carriage racks in the rows of carriage racks
along the width of the storage area. The unoccupied floor area may
be selected to be of such size as to accommodate manipulation of
the objects within the unoccupied floor area for insertion into the
slots. The unoccupied floor area may further be selected to be of
such a size as to be accessible to the doors upon movement of one
or more of the carriage racks in the rows of carriage racks along
the width of the floor area.
[0011] The facility may include a row of stationary racks arranged
along the doorless widthwise side of the storage area, the
stationary racks having a certain length, width and height and
being divided from top to bottom into storage slots. The slots may
extend the length of the racks, and may be open and accessible from
a width end for inserting and removing objects. The width ends of
the racks may face the storage area.
[0012] A row of racks may include a series of spaced vertical
supports interconnected by a series of spaced horizontal supports.
The horizontal supports may be adjustable in position along the
height of the vertical supports.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] In the accompanying drawings:
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts a conventional boat or other large object
storage facility
[0015] FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a floor plan
suitable for practicing the illustrative embodiments taught
herein.
[0016] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a floor plan
suitable for practicing the illustrative embodiments taught
herein.
[0017] FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a floor plan
suitable for practicing the illustrative embodiments taught
herein.
[0018] FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a floor plan
suitable for practicing the illustrative embodiments taught
herein.
[0019] FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a floor plan
suitable for practicing the illustrative embodiments taught
herein.
[0020] FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a floor plan
suitable for practicing the illustrative embodiments taught
herein.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the vertical and horizontal
supports, the slots, the wheels, and the means for rolling the
carriage rack along the floor.
[0022] FIG. 10A depicts an electromagnetic coupling system suitable
for use with illustrative embodiments of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 10B depicts an exemplary rack, mounted on an
electromagnetic carriage suitable for use with a maglev system
according to exemplary embodiments.
[0024] FIG. 10C depicts an exemplary rack, mounted on a wheeled
carriage suitable for use with a maglev system according to
exemplary embodiments.
[0025] FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary carriage rack, mounted on a
wheeled carriage suitable for use with an intermodal container
according to exemplary embodiments.
[0026] FIG. 12 depicts an exemplary overhead view of fixed racks
and carriage racks configured for use with an intermodal container
according to exemplary embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The following description sets forth illustrative
embodiments of the present invention, it being understood that
other embodiments not specifically described herein are encompassed
by the present invention.
[0028] FIGS. 2-7 show the overall floor plan of an illustrative
storage 10. In one embodiment, a floor area 110 which is defined by
lines connecting points 30, 40, 50, 60 is provided. The floor area
may be in the shape of a polygon, for example, a rectangle or a
square. The floor area includes a width, designated "W" in FIG. 3,
and a length, designated "L" in FIG. 3. The direction indicated by
the double-arrows associated with the width W in FIG. 3 is referred
to herein as the "widthwise direction," and the direction indicated
by the double arrows associated with the length L in FIG. 3 is
referred to herein as the "lengthwise direction.
[0029] As depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, an exemplary embodiment has a
floor area of 275 feet by 425 feet, which allows a number of
suitably placed carriage racks to be accessed. One having ordinary
skill in the art will understand that the floor area may be greater
or smaller than that shown, depending on the application. More or
fewer carriage racks may be employed as needed. The carriage racks
and the fixed racks each have a length and a width, as indicated by
length "Y" 246 and width "X" 245 of fixed rack 205 in at least FIG.
3. While the length and width have been described with relation to
fixed rack 205, each carriage rack as discussed below has a length
"Y" 246 and width "X" 245. Each fixed rack has a length and a width
along the same axes defined in relation to fixed rack 205.
Likewise, each carriage rack has a length and a width along the
same axes defined in relation to other carriage racks in the same
row and adjacent rows. The lengthwise direction of the fixed racks
and the carriage racks may correspond to the lengthwise direction
of the floor area, and the widthwise direction of the rack may
correspond to the widthwise direction of the floor area.
[0030] A carriage rack is a movable rack, which may include means
for locomotion integrated into the frame of the carriage, or may be
mounted on a movable carriage. A plurality of movable carriage
racks 70-84, 85-99, 100-114, 115-129, 130-144, 145-159, 160-174,
175-189, and 190-204 are arranged as shown in rows within floor
area 110, each row including a number of individual racks.
Depending on the application, as many or as few carriage racks as
needed may be selected. In the illustrative embodiment depicted in
FIG. 4, each row includes 15 carriage racks. In this illustrative
embodiment, a selected width of the area 110 is filled with
carriage racks, for purposes of maximum space utilization. In other
embodiments, concerns other than space utilization may call for a
different configuration or a different number of racks.
[0031] In the illustrative embodiment, each row of carriage racks
70-84, 84-99, 100-114, 115-129, 130-144, 145-159, 160-174, 175-189,
and 190-204 is movable widthwise along the area 110. The rows may
be mounted on wheels 11 (FIG. 8) which are in turn mounted in
tracks 12 which extend a selected width of area 110. Alternatively,
the rows may be mounted using any other system that facilitates the
movement of the carriage racks, such as a magnetic levitation
system, an air levitation system that allows movement of the rows
of racks, or a system of wheels without a track, the system of
wheels can include one or more tires. In the illustrative
embodiment, wheels 11 are mounted at the bottom of both widthwise
sides of each carriage rack and a series of spaced parallel tracks
12 are provided along the width of the area 110 to coincide with
the direction of displacement. In some embodiments each carriage
rack in each row is movable independent of other carriage racks in
the row. For example, in some embodiments carriage rack 70 moves
independently of carriage racks 71-84. In some embodiments two or
more racks are coupled or formed together to move in unison. For
example, in some embodiments carriage racks 70 and 71 move in
unison.
[0032] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-7, all of the carriage
racks in each row have the same length and width, although the
lengths and widths of individual rows of carriage racks may vary.
In that case, the widthwise disposition of wheels and complementary
tracks 12 should coincide with the lengths of each individual
carriage rack. The tracks may extend the width of area 110, i.e.
between the line connecting points (30, 60) and points (40, 50).
Alternatively, the tracks may extend a different distance,
depending on the particular application. In some embodiments the
widths 245 of individual carriage racks may vary from row to row or
in a row. In some embodiments the lengths 246 of carriage racks may
vary from row to row or in a row.
[0033] Each carriage rack may be divided into slots 14 from top to
bottom. In applications such as boat storage, one having ordinary
skill in the art will appreciate that the total height of the slots
may be determined by the facility. However, the size of the
carriage racks may vary depending on the application.
[0034] In one embodiment, the carriages and racks are a unitary
structure including a series of parallel vertically oriented
supports 18 connected from top to bottom by a series of parallel
horizontal 19 supports. Conventional mechanisms may be provided for
adjusting a horizontal support up and down along the vertical
supports 18 (FIG. 8). For example, the mechanisms may adjust the
horizontal support in increments of, for example, inches, or may
adjust the horizontal support in larger or smaller increments,
depending on the application. In one embodiment, the vertical
distance between successive horizontal supports defines the slot
height and the horizontal distance between successive vertical
supports 18 defines slot width.
[0035] According to one embodiment, a series of doors 240 are
disposed along one widthwise wall of the facility. An unoccupied
and changeable service and loading area 20 may be provided, the
size of which may be selected based on a number of factors. Such
factors may include where doors 240 are disposed along the outer
wall.
[0036] When carriage racks in a row 70-84,
85-99,100-114,115-129,130-144,145-159,160-174,175-189, and 190-204
are appropriately moved along the floor area 110, enough floor area
20 may be left unoccupied so as to enable the user to gain access
to the width ends 245 of each row. As shown in FIGS. 3-8, the
unoccupied floor area 20 may be large enough relative to the
displacement of doors 240 so as to enable a user of the facility to
gain access to the width ends 245 of the carriage racks. This can
be accomplished by moving one or more carriage racks sufficiently
to enable a user to gain access to the width ends 245 of racks in a
row through a door 240. Objects to be stored in the slots may be
inserted via the width ends 245 of the carriage racks. In some
embodiments, objects to be stored in the slots may be inserted via
the length wise opening 246 of the carriage racks.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 2-7, a stationary row of racks 205-220
along the doorless widthwise wall may be provided. This may allow
for greater storage utilization in the facility. The width ends 245
of racks 205-220 may also be accessible through at least one door
240 by appropriate movement of carriage racks in rows 70-84,
85-99,100-114,115-129,130-144,145-159,160-174,175-189, and 190-204
of carriage racks along the width of area 10.
[0038] The size of the unoccupied floor area 20 may be selected
such that it is large enough to allow the objects to be stored in
the carriage racks and to be manipulated into the width ends 245 of
the carriage racks. For example, the length and width of the
unoccupied floor space 20 may be selected to be long enough and
wide enough to enable a forklift to align itself parallel to the
length of the carriage racks for insertion and removal of the
boat(s) into and from the width ends 245 of the carriage racks.
Likewise, the size of the unoccupied floor area 20 may be selected
such that it is large enough to allow the objects to be stored in
the carriage racks and to be manipulated into the length wise
opening 246 of the carriage racks. For example, the length and
width of the unoccupied floor space 20 may be selected to be long
enough and wide enough to enable a forklift to align itself
perpendicular to the length of the carriage racks for insertion and
removal of an intermodal container from the length wise opening 246
of the carriage racks.
[0039] FIG. 4 depicts unoccupied floor space 20 at the far left of
the floor area 110. This configuration may facilitate, for example,
access to the width end 245 of rack 220. However, with reference to
FIG. 5, a user may desire to gain access to the width end 245 of
carriage rack 104 to remove an object from the rack. According to
one embodiment of the present invention, appropriate carriage racks
may be shifted in a widthwise direction with respect to the floor
area 110, as depicted in FIGS. 5-6. In FIG. 6, the appropriate
carriage racks have been shifted such that unoccupied floor space
20 provides a passage to the width end 245 of carriage rack 104,
allowing access to carriage rack 104, for example, by a forklift.
In FIG. 7, the carriage racks have been further shifted to provide
a passage via unoccupied floor space 20 to the width end 245 of
carriage rack 136. Similarly, in FIG. 8, appropriate carriage racks
have been shifted in order to provide access via unoccupied floor
space 20 from the door to the width end of carriage rack 167.
[0040] In one embodiment, the lengths and widths of movable
carriage racks 70-84,
85-99,100-114,115-129,130-144,145-159,160-174,175-189 and 190-204
may vary among different movable rows provided within a facility
110. The facility 110 may be provided with an unoccupied area 20 of
at least a size sufficient to obtain access through an appropriate
door 240 to all of the width ends 245 of the carriage racks. This
may be accomplished, for example, upon appropriate widthwise
movement of successive rows of carriage racks within a floor area
defined by lines between points 30, 40, 50, and 60. The facility 10
may be provided with a stationary row of racks 205-220. These
stationary racks may also have varying widths, or may be of the
same width, and may be located along a doorless wall. The movable
carriage racks 70-84,
85-99,100-114,115-129,130-144,145-159,160-174, 175-189, and 190-204
may be aligned such that their lengthwise dimensions are
substantially parallel to the lengthwise dimension of area 110.
[0041] In some embodiments, it may be necessary or desirable to
access the length ends of the carriage racks. For example,
intermodal containers may be stored in the racks which must be
lifted, for example by a forklift, from the length ends.
Accordingly, the racks may be oriented so as to afford access to
the length ends from the doors.
[0042] FIG. 9 depicts a schematic front view of illustrative
coupled racks. The racks may be divided into slots 14 by vertical
supports 18 and by horizontal supports 19. A row of carriage racks
may extend across the width of a selected defined floor space (e.g.
between points 30, 60 and 40, 50), or may extend across any width
that is appropriate to the particular application. The movable
coupled racks may be mounted on rollable wheels 11 which, in turn,
may be mounted within complementary tracks 12 provided on the floor
surface.
[0043] The racks may alternatively be mounted on carriages. For
example, FIG. 10B depicts an exemplary rack, mounted on an
electromagnetic carriage suitable for use with a maglev system
according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIG.
10C depicts an exemplary rack, mounted on a wheeled carriage
suitable for use with a maglev system according to exemplary
embodiments of the present invention.
[0044] The carriage racks may be coupled along the lengthwise side,
the widthwise side, or both. The carriage racks may be coupled
using any suitable coupling method, such as by an electromagnetic
coupling system, an electromotive coupling system, or a mechanical
coupling system such as a system of hooks. For example, FIG. 10A
depicts an electromagnetic coupling system suitable for use with
illustrative embodiments of the present invention.
[0045] In one embodiment, the rows of fixed racks 205-220 may be
aligned such that their width ends 245 face the widthwise side of
area 110 and are substantially parallel thereto. The stationary
racks may be smaller, lengthwise or widthwise or both, than the
movable racks for purposes of ease of loading, unloading and
storage of smaller objects. Alternatively, the stationary racks may
be of the same size as the movable carriage racks, or larger,
depending on the application.
[0046] In one embodiment, motor means may be provided to drive the
movable carriage racks in the rows of carriage racks along the
lengths of area 110. Remote control means for the motor means may
be provided for access to the user outside of area 110. These
remote control means may be outside, such as on the outside
surfaces of the walls in which access doors 240 are disposed. The
user can thus drivably move the carriage racks remotely from
outside areas 20, 110. Alternatively, the remote control means may
be located inside, as appropriate to the application. The motor
means may also be controlled locally.
[0047] FIG. 11 depicts exemplary carriage rack 1100, mounted on a
wheeled carriage 1110 suitable for use with an intermodal container
1112 according to exemplary embodiments. The carriage rack 1100
includes four slots 1114-1118. Each slot is accessible from the
length wise opening 246. In this embodiment the carriage racks
1100-1104 move in a length wise direction with respect to the
length "L" of floor area 110. In this embodiment, the tracks 12
extend in a length wise direction parallel to the length "L" of
floor area 110. Placement of an intermodal container into one of
the slots of the carriage rack 1100 occurs from the length wise
opening 246. Likewise, removal of an intermodal container into one
of the slots of the carriage rack 1100 occurs from the length wise
opening 246.
[0048] FIG. 12 depicts exemplary overhead view of a plurality of
carriage racks 1100, mounted on a wheeled carriages 1110 suitable
for use with an intermodal container 1112 according to exemplary
embodiments. As exemplary depicted the carriage racks 1100 move in
a length wise direction "L" to define area 20, which, in turn
provides access and egress to a selected one of the carriage racks
1100. The carriage racks 1100 may move individually. In some
embodiments, two or more of the carriage racks 1100 are coupled to
move in unison, but can be decoupled to move an individual one of
the carriage racks 1100.
[0049] As discussed above in relation to other embodiments, the
carriage racks depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12, may be
electromagnetically coupled and decoupled along a width wise
dimension 245 or mechanically coupled and decoupled along a width
wise dimension 245.
[0050] The individual carriage racks in a row of carriage racks may
be separately drivable, and the remote motor control may be
provided with means for separately driving carriage racks in each
row independent of carriage racks in another row. When the user
wants to gain access to any particular movable row or stationary
rack, the user can separately drive individual carriage racks and
rows to move them to appropriate positions within area 110, whereby
access to desired racks can be obtained. In one embodiment, the
user can gain such access by remote control.
[0051] In embodiments where a facility according to the invention
is to be used for boat storage, area 20 may serve multiple
purposes, such as loading/unloading, servicing a boat or other
object, cleaning, and repair.
[0052] In some embodiments, the storage facility may be fully or
partially enclosed. The facility may or may not include a roof.
[0053] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other
embodiments, improvements details and uses can be made consistent
with the letter and spirit of the foregoing disclosure and within
the scope of this patent.
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