GB1257223A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,257,223. Selective retrieval storage systems. ELECOMPACK CO. Ltd. 11 March, 1969 [22 March, 1968; 13 June, 1968; 5 Oct., 1968; 7 Dec., 1968], No. 12724/69. Heading B8E. [Also in Divisions E2 and G4] A stationary stack assembly for storing articles comprises a number of equally spaced stacks forming aisles, the positions of the aisles and of the stacks along the aisles being represented by numerical code signals, a set of numerical keys from 0-9, means for converting a series of key signals with signals indicating the aisle and stack positions and storage position indicating means for indicating a desired storage position. In the form of Fig. 1 the stacks are arranged in a warehouse 11 on either side of a central corridor 12. The aisles are 1A-10A on one side and 1B- 10B on the other. Each stack has 24 compartments arranged in four columns of six, and each compartment has an indicating lamp and a restoring button. The end wall of each stack facing the corridor 12 has a lamp to indicate the aisle and the side of the aisle containing the desired compartment. Each compartment has a closure member 29, Fig. 3, pivoted at its bottom edge and secured by a magnetically releasable latch at the upper edge. The control panel comprises a keyboard having keys 0-9, Fig. 7 (not shown, but see Divisions G4-G6), and a clear key (C). An indicator panel associated with the keyboard has forty lamps one for each side of each of the twenty aisles. A compartment is selected by successive signals representing the unit (i.e. which side of the central corridor 12) the aisle, right or left side of the aisle, the bay (i.e. the column) and the stage (i.e. the row). The keys are connected to a series of relays in a control circuit (not shown) by which retrieval selection is controlled. In a modification (Fig. 13, not shown) the compartments do not have individual doors but a pair of cupboard type doors is provided for each vertical group of six compartments. The control and indicating circuits are modified correspondingly. In another form, Fig. 19 (not shown), the keyboard is replaced by a record card reader. The card may be a punched card a magnetic card or a mask card. It is placed in slot and the reader sets up all the corresponding relays simultaneously. A qualification card may be required to be inserted before the circuit is freed. This card has means for providing two signals to initiate and complete the selection and certain ones of four signals which in combination define the area of the store to which the card gives access. In another embodiment a printer is provided for printing the date, the storage position, an article number, a qualification number and its card number whenever an article is taken from or put into a storage compartment. In another embodiment the qualification card is required as before but a keyboard is provided for selecting the compartment.