US 11,794,950 B2
Structure for automated pallet storage and retrieval
Christopher Brumm, Ripon, CA (US); Rodney Tipton, Acampo, CA (US); Mohan Ramankutty, Mountain House, CA (US); and Pat Mitchell, Lathrop, CA (US)
Assigned to Swisslog Logistics, Inc., Newport News, VA (US)
Filed by Swisslog Logistics, Inc., Newport News, VA (US)
Filed on Jul. 21, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/381,516.
Application 17/381,516 is a division of application No. 15/534,913, granted, now 11,084,622, previously published as PCT/US2015/060905, filed on Nov. 16, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/089,738, filed on Dec. 9, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2021/0347527 A1, Nov. 11, 2021
Int. Cl. B65D 19/00 (2006.01); B65G 1/02 (2006.01); A47B 47/00 (2006.01)
CPC B65D 19/0004 (2013.01) [B65G 1/02 (2013.01); A47B 47/00 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A multi-level rail for a storage structure, the rail comprising:
an upper horizontal portion configured to support a load, wherein the upper horizontal portion comprises an inner edge and an outer edge;
a lower horizontal portion configured to support a row vehicle, wherein the lower horizontal portion comprises an inner edge and an outer edge;
an upper support extending directly vertically downward from the inner edge of the upper horizontal portion to the outer edge of the lower horizontal portion;
a lower support extending directly vertically downward from the inner edge of the lower horizontal portion;
an angled support portion extending upward from the upper horizontal portion; and
a vertical portion extending upward from the angled support portion for connecting the multi-level rail to at least one vertical post of the storage structure,
wherein the upper and lower horizontal portions are non-cantilever members such that:
the inner edge of said upper horizontal portion is outward of the inner edge of said lower horizontal portion and wherein the upper horizontal portion, the upper support, the lower horizontal portion, and the lower support combine to define a generally stepped shape.