Spacesaver Corporation

Brian Patrick Bourke

Matthew A Tourdot

Eric James Wipperfurth

Brian R Nemec

Steven Mark Lehmann

James C Muth

William Breckenridge McHenry

Mark P Haubenschild

Matthew O Servant

Tim Wawrzynczak

William W Lynt, Iii

William B Mchenry

Iii Lynt William W

A mobile storage system including a plurality of movable storage units that can be positioned to selectively form an aisle between adjacent storage units. The mobile storage system includes a master controller in communication with a local control unit and a local control panel on each storage unit. The master controller communicates through a wireless communication path with a user device having a visual display. The visual display presents a current image of the mobile storage system and allows a user to enter commands to create aisles between adjacent storage units. When the user device is in wireless communication with the master controller, the master controller prevents operation of the storage units from the local control panels. The master controller allows a wireless communication path to be created with only a single user device at any time such that only one user device is able to operate the mobile storage system.

Mobile storage system with direct wireless connectivity

A mobile storage system that includes a guidance system controlling the movement of each of a plurality of movable carriages along a support surface. The mobile storage system includes a guidance system having a magnetic strip positioned on the support surface. One or more magnetic sensors are positioned on each of the mobile carriages and generally aligned with the magnetic strip positioned on the floor. The magnetic sensors detect the magnetic strip and a control unit controls the operation of a pair of drive motors to move the carriages along, the mobile strip while maintaining proper alignment. The guidance system thus eliminates the need for any floor mounted rails to guide the movement of the individual mobile carriages along the support surface.

Mobile carriage system with no rails for guidance system

A mobile industrial rack system which includes a flue spacer, a carriage spacer, and a synchronous motor control that individually and collectively allows the rack system to be used on unleveled surfaces. The industrial rack system is therefore well suited for storage facilities in which it is not possible or not desired to level an otherwise unleveled floor.

Mobile industrial rack system

A control device for a mobile storage system includes a data entry device, such as a numeric keypad. The user enters an access code on the keypad, and the access code is compared against a data table including a list of security levels associated with access codes. If the access code entered is included in the data table, the user is permitted to control the mobile storage system according to the access rights granted by the security level associated with the access code. Each of the access codes and attempted commands entered in the numeric keypad are recorded in an activity log. The activity log is downloadable to a computer for later review.

Keypad with audit trail for high density mobile systems

A mobile storage unit system includes a vehicle guide arrangement that navigates a forklift or other vehicle along aisles formed between mobile storage units. The vehicle guide arrangement allows an operator to identify the aisle containing a desired loading or unloading point and the guide arrangement defines a path of travel for the vehicle along that aisle to ensure that the vehicle has sufficient room to perform the loading and unloading functions. The mobile storage unit system may also include one or more perceptible indicators, such as lamps, that provide the operator a signal when an aisle is fully open and ready to receive the vehicle. A corresponding signal may also be provided to the vehicle guide arrangement so that the vehicle is not navigated along an aisle until the aisle is fully open. This ensures that the vehicle has the space needed to maneuver during the loading and unloading process.

Mobile high bay storage system having vehicle guidance system

A mobile storage system includes a number of storage units supported by a supporting surface, including first and second storage units that are movable toward and away from each other to create an aisle. A sensing system detects the presence of persons or objects in the aisle and the direction of movement of persons or objects into or out of the aisle. The sensing system includes exit zone sensors located adjacent an end area of the storage units that defines the end area of the aisle, and inner sensors located along an inner area of the storage units inwardly of the end area. The exit zone and inner sensors are located at generally the same elevation above the supporting surface. Each of the storage units includes a carriage that is movable relative to the supporting surface, and the sensors are mounted to the carriage via a sensor housing interconnected with the carriage.

Passive safety system with a direction sensing exit zone for use in a mobile storage system

The present invention is a mobile storage unit including an electric motor operably connected to wheels movably supporting the unit, and a motor brake operably connected to the electric motor. A shaft is rotatably mounted to the unit and supports the wheels on which the unit moves, and is engaged with an electric motor. The electric motor operates to rotate the shaft and the wheels to move the unit in the desired direction. Upon deactivation of the motor, the motor brake, which is also engaged with the shaft, operates to prevent any further rotation of the shaft to maintain the mobile storage unit in a specified location regardless of deflection of the surface on which the storage unit is positioned.

Mobile storage unit with holding brake and single status line for load and drive detection

A mobile storage system includes movable storage units that can be positioned to selectively form an aisle between adjacent storage units. The storage units define a maximum aisle space that forms a single aisle between an adjacent pair of storage units, or a number of aisles between several adjacent pairs of storage units by distributing the maximum aisle space between at least two aisles. A control arrangement controls the position of the storage units, in response to user commands, so as to form the aisles. The control arrangement may be configured such that, when a pair of aisles are present between two pairs of storage units, one of the aisles is closed based on certain criteria when a command to open a different aisle is initiated. The criteria may be user defined, or may be a characteristic such as the frequency of use of the aisles such that the more frequently used aisle remains open and the less frequently used aisle is closed.

Growing community of inventors

Jefferson, WI, United States of America

Brian Patrick Bourke