Automatic Storage Apparatus

Abstract

Automatic storage apparatus particularly adapted for storage retrieval of information-bearing documents is described. The apparatus is particularly adapted to enable precision high-speed storage and retrieval operations in extensible storage systems. An outer frame securely supports an extremely rigid inner frame via shock mounts and an equalizing apparatus. The equalizing apparatus permits slight movements of the inner frame for facilitating precise colinear interconnections of a plurality of modular cabinets comprising the storage apparatus. A traveling elevator is precisely mounted on the inner frame for movements through a plurality of the connectable cabinets. Several embodiments are shown.

Description

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Burke et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,941,738 and 2,941,739.

Beach et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,584,284.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to article storage and retrieval apparatus, particularly that apparatus having a performance suitable for use in storage and retrieval of information-bearing documents.

Document-containing article storage and retrieval apparatus to be most viable should be connectable to a data processing system. Because such data processing systems operate at electronic speeds, it is most important that the article storage and retrieval apparatus operate as quickly as possible in storing and retrieving articles. Using the techniques described by Burke et al supra, a large number of document-containing articles can be stored and retrieved in a relatively small volumetric space. Because the data base requirements of data processing systems have been constantly growing, the number of documents to be stored has correspondingly increased. Additionally, to enable successful marketing of such a system, it is highly desirable that such storage and retrieval apparatus be modular; that is, the apparatus should be extensible in order to accommodate different data base requirements in different data processing systems.

When high-speed transport apparatus employed in such storage and retrieval apparatus is required to travel in close tolerance travelways, severe problems arise in making such apparatus extensible; that is, minute offsets between cabinets connected together for making an extensible set of storage walls can cause difficulty in operation, failure, or excessive wear. For example, a pair of facing storage walls 6 feet high are spaced apart less than 12 inches, with a traveling elevator carriage therebetween permitting an out-of-squareness of less than one-sixteenth of an inch. That is, a greater out-of-squareness may result in the carriage crashing into one of the storage walls. It is seen that to maintain such tolerances over an extremely long distance, such as 100 feet, special precautions have to be taken. The above objectives are to be achieved at minimum cost and yet provide ready attachment of cabinets for facilitating modular extension of storage and retrieval apparatus to afford salutory effects in a data processing operation.

Additionally, document processing stations attached to such apparatus for effecting information data signal exchanges usually require air flow and cooling. The travelways and storage apparatus should be designed to accommodate sealing of the travelway for facilitating control of air flow in the total system.

One of the problems of installing such extensible storage apparatus is that the floors on which such apparatus is mounted may vary from flatness. For example, if the apparatus is installed in the basement, the concrete floor will have undulations. As stated above, any minute undulations can cause severe problems in a high-performance storage and retrieval apparatus to which the present invention is directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, low-cost, easily assemblable storage and retrieval module which is attachable to other such modules for constructing an elongated and extensible article storage and retrieval apparatus for facilitating precision rapid storage and retrieval operations.

A storage module constructed in accordance with the present invention may include an outer frame having a bottom wall and a pair of upstanding side walls or supports, or a single upstanding side wall. An inner frame consisting of an axially elongated rectangular hollow cylinder has planar rigid bottom, top, and side walls with first and second cylindrical end portions. It is preferred that the inner frame consists of honeycomb sandwich material for maximum rigidity. The two frames are interconnected by first and second pairs of shock mount means at the upper and lower end portions of the side walls. Such shock mount means provide for resiliency in the vertical direction and provide anchors in the horizontal directions. The shock absorbing axes are preferably vertical.

Additionally, equalizing means are interposed between the two bottom walls for facilitating automatic self-adjustments between the two frames for enabling the inner frame to assume a precise horizontal position of its bottom wall irrespective of variations of the outer frame adjustments. Plural interconnecting means are provided at each end of the modules for connection to an adjacent module. The connections provide connecting forces parallel to the elongation of the two cylinders being connected together. Additionally, a tight seal is provided between the abutting ends of the elongated rectangular hollow cylinders. The above arrangement enables a large plurality of modules to be interconnected with all of the inner frames being in a precise colinear relationship.

It is preferred that the travelways between the facing open storage walls supported by the inner frame have lengths equal to the elongation of the rectangular hollow cylinders. Junctions between rails of adjacent cabinets are made in the center of the modules. These connections add rigidity to the entire structure resulting in a truss-like inner frame extending along a plurality of such storage modules. It is also preferred that an upper rail be provided for guiding the traveling elevator-carriage system of the storage apparatus, which also adds rigidity to the trussed inner frame. Such adjustable yet rigid apparatus enables the above-referred-to colinearity of several interconnected modules.

The storage walls supported by the inner frame are secured to the honeycomb-type side walls at a large plurality of positions for further adding rigidity to the inner frame.

It is desired that the outer frame be constructed such that document-handling apparatus may be cantilevered from either of the inner frame side walls without disturbing the equilibrium of the trussed support system.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following more particular description of the preferred embodiment as shown in the accompanying drawing.

THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagrammatic perspective view of a plurality of modules interconnected together to form an elongated document-containing article storage and retrieval apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic and simplified end view of a first embodiment of the invention showing the interrelationships of an inner frame structure with an outer frame structure.

FIG. 3 is a simplified diagrammatic side elevational view of the FIG. 2 illustrated apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a simplified diagrammatic end view of a module constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a simplified diagrammatic side elevational view of the FIG. 4 illustrated apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a simplified diagrammatic exploded view of equalizing apparatus usable with the FIG. 4 illustrating embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a simplified diagrammatic end elevational view of yet a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of an intercabinet seal taken along lines 8--8 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic partial sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows along line 9--9 of FIG. 5 showing a rail support apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now more particularly to the appended drawings, like numerals indicate like parts and structural features in the various diagrammatic views. The article storage and retrieval apparatus consists of a plurality of storage modules 10 connected in a tandem manner as best seen in FIG. 1. After being securely attached to each other, modules 10 form a single continuous colinear storage and retrieval apparatus.

Each module 10 consists of an outer frame 11 shown as consisting of a plurality of welded channels of generally rectangular cubical shape. Each outer frame 11 has at least four depending support pods 12 at the respective corners. These pods are preferably adjustable for accommodating undulations in the floor on which the apparatus is to be installed. Precise leveling of the outer frame during installation of the apparatus is highly desirable. In a given installation, outer frame 11 would be covered with suitable paneling for improving the aesthetic qualities of the apparatus. Inside each outer frame 11 is accurately disposed inner frame 13 consisting of an axially elongated rectangular hollow cylinder with walls formed of rigid honeycomb material of known design. The sandwich honeycomb sheets forming the walls of inner frame 13 are preferably reinforced at the corners by angled reinforcing members 15 which extend the length of the frame at each corner.

To enable a precise colinear interconnection, each inner frame 13 is supported through shock mounts and equalizer means to the respective outer frames. At the upper ends of the side walls 16 and 17 are a pair of shock mounts 18 and 19 connecting the inner frame side walls to the outer frame. These shock mounts, of known design, are rigid in the horizontal plane but provide limited flexibility along the vertical axis. Accordingly, shock mounts 18 and 19 provide horizontal stability for the inner frame at the upper end portions while permitting limited vertical adjustments which facilitate module interconnections as will become apparent. Shock mounts 18 and 19 are respectively at both end portions of the modules as best seen in the side elevational views.

The bottom connections between the inner frame 13 and outer frame 11 include equalizing means permitting limited horizontal movement of inner frame 13 with respect to outer frame 11. Details of such equalizing will be described in detail with respect to the various embodiments.

Adjacent modules are firmly secured together at a plurality of points on the periphery of the inner frames. Each inner frame has a set of securing brackets 22-25. A bolt extends through apertures in the respective brackets and a nut is tightened on each bolt for drawing modules into sealing engagement and for adjusting and locking and inner frames at the correct spacing. A suitable sealing material, such as foam rubber in the form of gasket 26, may be suitably disposed between the abutting ends of two adjacent inner frames as best in FIG. 8. When the bolts in the respective brackets are tightened with the sealing gasket, an air-tight seal is provided between the adjacent inner frames. The number of sealing brackets 22-25 may be varied from that shown in the figures in accordance with known design choices.

A pair of storage compartment walls 28 and 29 is secured at a plurality of points to side walls 16 and 17. Preferably, storage walls 28 and 29 are substantially coextensive with the axial length of walls 16 and 17. Walls 28 and 29 can be secured to walls 16 and 17, respectively, by a plurality of bolts, or may be adhesively secured thereto.

The lower ends of the walls 28 and 29 are several inches above bottom wall 30 of the inner frame. This space is used to accommodate support rail 31 on which carriage 32 is movably disposed. Carriage 32 includes an elevator system consisting of an elevator post 33 and elevator unit 34. Cable support arm 36 extends outwardly from carriage 32 under storage wall 28 to support flexible belt signal and power cable 37 which rides in upwardly opening U-channel 38. Rail 31 is supported at spaced-apart points to side walls 17 by a plurality of brackets 39. The upper end of elevator post 33 is movably supported by depending guide rail 40.

Guide rail 40 and main rail 31 add to the rigidity and precision of connections between adjacent storage modules 10. Each rail 31 and 40 has a length equal to the axial length of each inner frame 13. The connection between adjacent rails is made midway in each of the inner frames; that is, each of the rails 31 and 40 extends between two adjacent modules. As seen in the side views, an elongated bracket 43 securely bolted to the respective abutting end portions of two rails completes the rail support assembly. Each bracket 43 for main rail 31 has a pair of support brackets 39 extending to wall 17. From the above description and inspection of the figures, it should be seen that the pair of rails and their attachment, resectively to side wall 17 and upper wall 44, adds to the rigidity of the inner frames in such a manner that they are effectively a truss connection along the length of the article storage and retrieval apparatus. This adjustable rigidity ensures all connected inner frames 13 are truly colinear.

It is preferred that each inner frame 13 and the mounting of storage walls 28 and 29 thereon be manufactured in a very precise manner such that positioning control for carriage 32 is greatly simplified. For example, carriae 32 has a light-emitting source and a light-sensing source respectively in sensing portion 46, which operates with position indicating strips 47 suitably supported on storage wall 29. The addressing strips 47, when accurately positioned with respect to storage wall 29, provide positioning information for that wall and also for storage wall 28; hence, only one positioning, sensing, and control system need be provided for both facing storage walls. This reduces cost and simplifies control circuits. When a small document-containing article, such as one that is two inches square, is provided over a distance of 100 feet with a height of over six feet of storage walls 28 and 29, the described rigidizing structure, together with precision manufacturing, enables the use of but one position sensing system. Such system may be that described by Beach et al, supra.

Equalizing means connect the bottom portions of inner frame 13 with the corresponding bottom portion of outer frame 11. Three different embodiments are shown. Referring firstly to FIGS. 2 and 3, a first embodiment is described. A pair of shock mounts 50 and 51 are disposed at each axial end portion of modules 10. Joining the shock mounts is a flexible cable 52 which extends under inner frame 13 via a pair of sheaves 53 and 54 rigidly secured to bottom wall 30. A pair of facing rubber restraining bumpers 55 at each end portion completes the assembly. Because of the weight in inner frame 13, with sheaves 53 and 54 on flexible cable 52, it will seek its own horizontal level by minute movements of the inner frame. Therefore, during installation, i.e., during leveling of outer frames 11, inner frame 13 will move from side to side as the outer frame is leveled. Shocks 18 and 19 in the upper end portions accommodate such movement along the vertical axis causing a pivoting motion about a horizontal axis along the length of the elongated inner frame during installation. Accordingly, as the apparatus is installed, bottom wall 30 of inner frame 13 will seek to become parallel, in a perfect horizontal position, with respect to bottom wall 56 of outer frame 11.

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 illustrate the preferred equalizing apparatus of the present invention. A rigid tubular bar 60 is pivotally secured to bottom wall 56 of outer frame 11. The pivot axis is preferably centrally disposed with respect to bottom wall 30 of inner frame 13. A rigid support plate 61 extends transverse to the length of each module at the respective end portions as best seen in FIG. 5. Each plate has two depending fastener bolts 62 (FIG. 6) extending through a pair of resilient grommets 63 into apertured bosses 64 at opposite ends of equalizing bar 60. A pair of nuts 65 secures pivot bar 60 to the assembly. During installation, bar 60 is allowed to pivot as outer frame 11 is leveled. Inner frame 13 pivots as above described for the first embodiment. It is to be appreciated that the pivoting is quite limited. As best seen in FIG. 4, one pair of the upper shock mounts 19 (such as shown in FIG. 2) is dispensed with, with only one upper shock mount 18 being used at each end portion or in the center. Because of the support provided by the equalizing apparatus 60 et seg, the additional shock mounts could be dispensed with. Also, note that outer frame 11 is L-shaped, the equalizing apparatus supplying a sufficiently stable support that but one side walled outer frame with one shock mount is required. It is seen in FIG. 5 that the equalizing bars 60 are disposed at opposite end portions of the module 10. FIGS. 5 and 9 also illustrate the interconnection of the elongated plate 43 with two rails 31. The FIG. 9 detail, none of which forms a part of the present invention, shows details of the mount at one end of a rail 31. One bolt secures the respective end of a rail 31 to elongated plate or bracket 43. Support brackets 39 are webs in the L-shaped bracket 43. A pair of shock mounts secures bracket 43 to bottom wall 30.

Referring next to FIG. 7, a third embodiment of the equalizing apparatus is described. A pair of bell cranks 70 are disposed at each corner of inner frame 13 and at both ends. The bell cranks are pivoted outwardly of the side walls 16 and 17. Tie rod 72 extends between one arm of each of the bell cranks. The other arm of the bell cranks engage shock mounts 73. During installation, shock mounts 73 absorb small changes as outer frame 11 is leveled to the desired accuracy.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A storage module connectable with other such storage modules in an extensible storage apparatus,

the improved storage module including in combination:

an outer frame having a bottom wall and a side wall and a longitudinal axis;

an inner frame on said outer frame and consisting of a rectangular hollow cylinder elongated along said longitudinal axis with planar rigid bottom, top, and side walls and with first and second cylindrical end portions at opposite ends of said longitudinal axis of said module;

first and second pairs of shock mount means respectively connecting said inner frame to said outer frame respectively at said first and second cylindrical end portions and adjacent said top wall, and each shock mount means having a shock absorbing axis transverse to said top wall;

equalizing means including a pivot member partially supporting said inner frame and yielding limited horizontal and vertical motions to said inner frame with respect to said outer frame along a plane transverse to said longitudinal axis and being interposed between said bottom wall and said outer frame for adjustments of said inner frame to make all connected ones of said inner frames parallel along said longitudinal axis irrespective of misalignments of corresponding ones of said outer frames,

portable support means on one of said frames for mounting said pivot member for pivoting; and

plural interconnecting means on each said cylindrical end portions and each including a bracket secured on the outside of said inner frame having a laterally extending portion to longitudinally receive a connecting member for providing a connecting force along an axis substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis for connection to an inner frame of another of said modules.

2. The storage module set forth in claim 1 wherein said equalizing means includes first and second equalizing portions respectively adjacent said cylindrical end portions of said inner frame, each said equalizing portion including one pivot member including a rigid bar extending transverse to said longitudinal axis and said pivotable support means being on said outer frame whereby the bar can pivot transversely to said longitudinal axis with respect to said outer frame; and

connecting means at the extremities of said transversely extending bar, a pair of depending fasteners on said bottom wall of said inner frame vertically adjustably connected to said means at the extremities whereby, as said transversely extending bar pivots about its axis, forces are introduced into said inner frame and are transmitted thereby to said shock mount means to respectively adjust same along said shock absorbing axes, respectively.

3. The storage module set forth in claim 1 wherein said equalizing means includes first and second portions respectively disposed at said cylindrical end portions of said inner frame, respectively; and

a separate movable member in each said first and second cylindrical end portions extending between one of said frames and a one said pivot member in each of said first and second portions, respectively, interconnecting said movable member with one of said frames for allowing limited vertical and horizontal movements of said inner frame along a plane transverse to said longitudinal axis within a given shock absorbing capability and along the respective shock absorbing axes of said shock mount means.

4. The storage module set forth in claim 3 wherein each said movable member comprises an elongated flexible cable;

means on said outer frame adjacent each said cylindrical end portion fixedly securing the extremities of said flexible cable intermediate said bottom and top walls of said outer frame; and

said pivotable support means comprising a pair of rotatable sheaves secured to said inner frame adjacent its bottom wall at the respective cylindrical end portions and movably supported on said flexible cable for movement transverse to said longitudinal axis.

5. The storage module set forth in claim 4 further including inwardly extending means on each of said mounting means on said outer frame for limiting the transverse movement of said inner frame along said cable.

6. The storage module set forth in claim 3 wherein said movable member comprises a rigid tie rod extending transverse to said longitudinal axes at the respective cylindrical end portions;

first and second bell cranks pivotably secured to the bottom wall portion of said inner frame at each cylindrical end portion and disposed between said inner and outer frames;

one arm of each said bell cranks being secured to said elongated rigid rod; and

a pair of depending shock mounts on said outer frame operatively engaging a second arm on each of said bell cranks for limiting motion thereof.

7. The storage module set forth in claim 1 and further including in combination:

first and second facing and open sided storage compartments respectively rigidly secured to said side walls of said inner frame establishing a longitudinal travel space therebetween;

one of said storage compartments adapted to support a set of address strips;

support rail means extending in a fixed relationship parallel to said longitudinal axis in a predetermined spacial relationship to said one storage compartment;

second rail support means on said top wall intermediate said storage compartments; and

a separate rail support bracket respectively secured to said guide rail supports at the approximate longitudinal center of said inner frame.

8. The storage module set forth in claim 7 wherein said walls of said inner frame consist of honey-comb sandwiches with each cylindrical end portion having an longitudinally outwardly opening recess for receiving sealing material and said plural interconnecting means being disposed longitudinally adjacent said outwardly opening grooves.

9. An extensible storage apparatus consisting of a plurality of longitudinally elongated, substantially identical, storage modules interconnected together to form an inner trussed apparatus along a longitudinal axis;

the improvement including in combination:

each module having an inner and outer frame, means within each module interconnecting said frames independent of each and every other module and permitting limited adjustments transverse to said longitudinal axis therebetween and including equalizing means for facilitating colinearity of the frames along the longitudinal axis thereof, said equalizing means having first and second longitudinally spaced-apart pivot members pivotally secured to one of said frames for pivoting in a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction of said modules, means connecting said pivot member to another one of said frames;

each inner frame including two spaced-apart longitudinally extending rigid side walls;

each module having rail support means for supporting a movable apparatus within said inner frame, said movable apparatus movable into any of said interconnected storage modules;

a plurality of rail sections having end portions respectively at a central longitudinal portion of each of said modules for adding rigidity between adjacent ones of said inner frames;

means interposed between the longitudinal ends of each adjacent ones of said inner frames for providing an air-tight seal;

storage compartment means in each module inner frame mounted on said side walls and having open facing compartments which are spaced apart to leave a longitudinally extending travel space therebetween;

said rails being disposed adjacent said travel space for movably supporting a carriage;

one of said storage compartments in each of said modules having a fixed geometric relationship with all storage compartments within said module and adapted to support an address strip usable to identify locations in all compartments in such module;

interconnection means on each longitudinal end portion of each of said inner frames for exerting a connecting force therebetween along an axis parallel to said longitudinal axis; and

means in each storage module tieing together the respective rails at said central longitudinal portions of the respective modules.