GB2286578A

GB2286578A - Storage system

Info

Publication number: GB2286578A
Application number: GB9502628A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jorge Speich; Peter Muhmenthaler; Juergen Baeumle
Original assignee: OWL AG LOGISTIK SYSTEME
Current assignee: OWL AG LOGISTIK SYSTEME
Priority date: 1994-02-11
Filing date: 1995-02-10
Publication date: 1995-08-23
Also published as: GB9502628D0; DE19502003A1

Description

2286578 Method and device for handlincr rincr-shalped obiects The

invention relates to a method for the handling, in particular the storage and collection, of ring-shaped objects and a device necessary for the implementation of the method.

Generally, ringshaped objects are stored in conjunction with auxiliary loading units or appliances. For commissioning purposes, the complete loading unit is brought to a fixed location where the object to be removed is removed manually. A second variant involves an operator moving over to the loading unit and there removing the object which is to be removed. If ringshaped objects are stored without a loading unit, they are, in general, hung on horizontal cantilever arms and can, of course, be hung up or taken down by machine. It is not possible, however, to collect different objects which have different internal and external diameters.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a method and a device necessary for this method, wherein the ring- shaped objects are not stored in conjunction with loading units, but are instead stored directly in a store in such a way that they can be automatically collected or stored, by means of a loading device.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method for the storage and collection of ring-shaped objects, characterised in that the objects are stored in at least one row, repeatedly one behind the other, on at least one rod-shaped arm, and, by lifting and moving with a device which can be pushed into the ring-shaped objects, one or more objects are removed, or conversely stored.

The invention is also directed to a corresponding device, in which a storage rack is provided with several rod-shaped arms which are fixed on one side and arranged preferably above one another and/or side by side, and a conveying device is provided which can be moved parallel to the arms and also lifted and lowered.

For a better understanding of the invention, embodiments of it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows part of a store, having arranged therein ring-shaped objects which are represented in section; Figure 2 shows a side view of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a variant of the store shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a side view of Figure 3; Figures SA to 5D show a storage part, which has a device for removing and loading shown in various working positions; Figures 6A to 6C show side views of Figures SA to SC; Figure 7 shows a variant of the loading device shown in Figure SA; and Figure 8 shows a side view of Figure 7.

As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, a storage rack 1 of a store has rodshaped arms 2 which are fixed to one side of the rack and arranged side by side in rows one above the other on the storage rack 1.

The ring-shaped objects 3, which are represented in section, are stored by hanging them in a row or stack on the arms; only one arm is needed for each stack of rings.

Figures 3 and 4 show a slightly different storage rack 1 with two rod-shaped arms 2a and 2b, fixed on one side of the rack, for every row of ring-shaped objects 3. The ring-shaped objects 3 are stored by standing them on the arms 2a, 2b. The arms are therefore at more or less the same height and spaced by a major fraction of the diameter of the rings.

Figures SA and 6A illustrate how the rack of Figures 1 and 2 is used, though the operation is essentially identical for the alternative rack. A loading device 4 is arranged in front of the arm 2 of the storage rack 1, for removing the ring-shaped objects 3 from or loading them on to the arm 2.

The device 4 has a conveying device 6 arranged, for example, on a platform 5 of a shelf access unit (not further represented), which conveying device can be moved by means of the shelf access unit in the vertical (y-)direction between an upper and a lower position, and moves together with the shelf control unit in the x-direction horizontally along the storage rack 1. The conveying device 6 can be moved horizontally in the direction of the arm 2 (zdirection) and has a fork 7. The fork 7 has two fork prongs 7a and 7b, which extend in the z-direction parallel to the arm 2.

To retrieve one or more annular objects from the arm 2 the conveying device 6 is moved, in its lowered configuration, a predetermined distance in the zdirection into the ring-shaped objects 3, the prongs 7a, 7b coming to rest on both sides of and slightly below the arm 2. Between the prongs 7a and 7b is arranged a transporter 8, which can be moved vertically (direction yl) relative to these prongs, and is formed in the embodiment shown as a continuous conveyor belt 9 which can be driven in both directions. The transporter can also be a chain-conveyor, a plateconveyor or a band-conveyor.

once the fork 7 has been inserted (i.e. moved a predetermined distance in the z-direction), in its lowered position, into the ring-shaped objects 3, the fork 7 is then raised so as to lift a pre-determined number of objects 3 from the arm 2 or, in the version of Figures 3 and 4, from the arms 2a and 2b. The objects 3 are then transported in the z-direction out of the storage rack 1 by moving the conveying device 6 back (see Figures SA and 6A).

As shown in Figures 5B and 6B, the conveyor belt 9 is then raised in the yi-direction to lift the objects off the prongs 7, and the objects 3 are then conveyed backwards by an amount dz, so that appropriate space is made for the next objects to be collected. This can take place before, during or after the retraction of the prongs 7 (and conversely for deposition of the rings).

once space has been created at the front of the fork 7, the next object 3 can be collected, for instance from another of the arms 2, on to the fork 7, as can be seen in Figures SC, SD and 6C.

A stack of ring-shaped objects 3 collected in this way can then be transported by means of the shelf control unit to the dispatch area for dispatching. The same device 4 can be used to load the individual arms 2, or 2a and 2b, of the storage rack 1 with ring-shaped objects 3 in a simple manner and without manual work.

Figures 7 and 8 show a constructional variant of the device 4, wherein instead of having a fixed fork 7 two continuous conveyors 10, arranged in the shape of a fork, are arranged on the conveying device 6, which can again be moved horizontally. Lifting the objects 3 off from the arms 2 or 2a and 2b occurs with the vertical movement in the y-direction directly with the continuous conveyors 10, so that the additional vertical movement in the yi-direction is not necessary in this variant.

It is clear that the invention can be used for any objects which can be held by inserting a rod: almost any object with a central aperture can be handled, or even solid objects if they have a hook or similar partannular means for hanging them on the loading device, i provided they can be stably suspended. The expression "ring-shaped" is intended to include all these possibilities.

In summary, a storage rack has arms for storing ring-shaped objects. An automatic conveying device, which is capable of lifting and lowering as well as horizontal movement, for instance by means of a fork and a conveyor belt, retrieves and deposits the objects. By inserting the fork into the stacked row of objects, and lifting and retracting it, a desired number of objects can be lifted off from the arm and can be collected in stacks in a certain sequence from selected arms by means of the conveying device. Since the device does not grasp the objects but only lifts them following insertion it can cope with any inner or outer diameter of the objects.

Claims

1. A method for the storage and collection of generally ring-shaped objects stored in a generally horizontal row, one behind the other, on at least one rod-shaped arm, in which for storage and/or collection a device is inserted into the row of ring-shaped objects, and is raised or lowered and displaced so as to remove or store one or more objects.

2. A method according to claim 1, in which the ring-shaped objects of one row are stored hanging from one arm.

3. A method according to claim 1, in which the ring-shaped objects of one row are stored standing on two arms.

is

4. A method according to any preceding claim, in which the objects are displaced by a different part from the part which performs the raising or lowering.

5. A device for the storage and collection of generally ring-shaped objects on a storage rack (1) provided with at least one rod-shaped arm (2, 2a and 2b) fixed on one side, including a loading device (4) with a conveying device (6) which is adapted to move parallel to the arm (2) to penetrate the objects, and also to lift and lower them. 25

6. A device according to claim 5, in which the conveying device (6) has a fork (7) which has prongs (7a, 7b) which in use can be moved parallel to and on both sides of the arm (2), and can be raised to lift the objects from the arm.

7. A device according to claim 6, in which the conveying device (6) has a transporter (8) which can be lifted and lowered relative to the fork (7) so as to lift objects from or lower them on to the fork.

8. A device according to claim 7, in which the transporter (8) is a continuous conveyor belt (9) which can be driven in both directions, a chain-conveyor, a plate-conveyor or a band-conveyor.

9. A device according to claim 7, in which the transporter (8) is a conveyor rod which can be driven and is hung off-centre. 5

10. A device according to claim 5, in which the conveying device (6) has two continuous conveyors (10), which are arranged in the shape of a fork, for both lifting and displacing the objects.

11. A device according to any of claims 5 to 10, in which the conveying device (6) is arranged on the platform (5) of a shelf access unit or vehicle, and can be moved together with the shelf access unit in the vertical and/or horizontal direction.

12. A device according to any of claims 5 to 11 is and including a storage rack with one or more substantially horizontal rod-shaped arms.

13. A device for handling generally ring-shaped objects, substantially as described herein with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.