US 12,129,121 B2
Systems and methods for managing inventory
Alex Stevens, Moorestown, NJ (US); and Joseph Valinsky, Moorestown, NJ (US)
Assigned to OPEX Corporation, Moorestown, NJ (US)
Filed by OPEX Corporation, Moorestown, NJ (US)
Filed on Sep. 5, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/460,752.
Application 18/460,752 is a continuation of application No. 16/992,703, filed on Aug. 13, 2020, granted, now 11,780,676.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/886,602, filed on Aug. 14, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0415999 A1, Dec. 28, 2023
Int. Cl. B65G 1/137 (2006.01); B25J 9/16 (2006.01); B65G 1/04 (2006.01); B65G 1/06 (2006.01); B65G 1/10 (2006.01); G05D 1/00 (2006.01); G05D 1/69 (2024.01); G05D 1/692 (2024.01); G06Q 10/087 (2023.01)
CPC B65G 1/1375 (2013.01) [B25J 9/1687 (2013.01); B65G 1/0471 (2013.01); B65G 1/0492 (2013.01); B65G 1/065 (2013.01); B65G 1/10 (2013.01); B65G 1/1371 (2013.01); B65G 1/1373 (2013.01); B65G 1/1376 (2013.01); B65G 1/1378 (2013.01); G05D 1/0027 (2013.01); G05D 1/69 (2024.01); G05D 1/692 (2024.01); G06Q 10/087 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
7. A material handling system storing or retrieving a plurality of items, comprising:
a vehicle for delivering or retrieving items, comprising:
a horizontal drive for driving the vehicle in a horizontal direction; and
a vertical drive cooperable with a vertical guide to drive the vehicle vertically up the vertical guide;
a power source for powering the horizontal drive and the vertical drive;
a material handling module having an opening configured to receive a portion of the vehicle wherein the module comprises a drive surface cooperable with the vertical drive;
wherein the vehicle is configured to extend into the module so that the vertical drive engages the drive surface of the module and: (a) the vertical drive is driveable in a first direction to raise the module off the horizontal surface and (b) the horizontal drive is operable to drive the vehicle along the horizontal surface while the module is raised off the horizontal surface.