US 12,269,679 B2
Modular storage systems and methods
Lars Sverker Ture Lindbo, Hatfield (GB); Paul Clarke, Hatfield (GB); and Andrew John Ingram-Tedd, Hatfield (GB)
Assigned to OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED, Hatfield (GB)
Filed by Ocado Innovation Limited, Hatfield (GB)
Filed on Jan. 24, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/421,521.
Application 18/421,521 is a continuation of application No. 17/749,718, filed on May 20, 2022, granted, now 11,912,497.
Application 17/749,718 is a continuation of application No. 16/614,026, granted, now 11,370,578, issued on Jun. 28, 2022, previously published as PCT/EP2018/062785, filed on May 16, 2018.
Claims priority of application No. 1707922 (GB), filed on May 17, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2024/0158166 A1, May 16, 2024
Int. Cl. B65G 1/04 (2006.01); B61B 3/00 (2006.01); B65D 19/38 (2006.01); B65G 1/02 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 1/0464 (2013.01) [B61B 3/00 (2013.01); B65D 19/385 (2013.01); B65G 1/02 (2013.01); B65G 1/0478 (2013.01); B65D 2501/24554 (2013.01); B65D 2501/2456 (2013.01); B65D 2501/24573 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A track structure for supporting movement of a load handling device on top of a grid storage structure, the track structure comprising:
a plurality of track support sections arranged in a grid pattern; and
a plurality of track sections mounted on top of the track support sections, said plurality of track sections being arranged in the grid pattern of the plurality of track support sections;
wherein the plurality of track sections are arranged such that first joints at which any two track sections abut in the grid pattern are between second joints where two sections of the track support sections abut.
 
18. A grid storage structure comprising:
a plurality of towers arranged in a grid pattern for receiving stacks of storage bins; and
a track structure for supporting movement of a load handling device on top of the grid storage structure, the track structure including,
a plurality of track support sections arranged in a grid pattern; and
a plurality of track sections mounted on top of the track support sections, said plurality of track sections being arranged in the grid pattern of the plurality of track support sections;
wherein the plurality of track sections is arranged such that first joints at which any two track sections abut in the grid pattern are between second joints where two sections of the track support sections abut, and
wherein the track structure is configured to be mounted on top of the plurality of towers.