A container lifting assembly 102 for raising and/or lowering containers (9, Fig 4) stacked in a grid storage structure (1, Fig 3). Lifting assembly 102 comprising a gripping device 100 which may releasably grip an associated container (9) and a raising / lowering mechanism 39 which raises / lowers gripping device 100. Raising / lowering mechanism comprising a gearing mechanism configured to wind and/or unwind at least one tether 114a-d. A motor (106, Fig 7) actuates the gearing mechanism to wind and/or unwind at least one of tethers 114a-d, which are connected to gripping device 100 to allow for it to be raised / lowered. Support plate 104 supports motor (106), spools 118a-b are connected via lifting shaft 116 and tethers 114a-d extend between spools 118a-b and gripping device 100 via pulleys 110a-d and those on the upper surface of device 100 (unidentified). The gear mechanism may be planetary or worm gear sets. An associated method of raising / lowering a container, and a system utilised in a storage structure is also disclosed.
Lifting assembly
2022-03-09
Patent
Electronic Resource
English