Communicating bins with electrically conductive members

Abstract

The invention is an apparatus comprising a suspendable box, especially a storage bin or appliance, with electrically conductive members mounted thereon that both suspend and supply electrical power to the box. The electrically conductive members comprise insulative housings with openings that attach to wall hooks. Both the members and the wall hooks comprise electrical conductors. When the wall hooks are fitted inside the members, the electrical conductors engage to provide electrical power to the box, simultaneously suspending the box from the wall to which the wall hooks are mounted. The power supplied to the box may power electrical features like outlets, lights, or, especially, a microcontroller with a data transceiver, which allows the box to communicate with other like boxes, robots, or central controllers. The box is ideally suited to function within an automated storage and retrieval system, and preferably has specific dimensions that allow it to do so.