A method and a system for transporting inventory in a storage facility is provided. The system includes an inventory storage unit (ISU) and a transport vehicle. The ISU includes a base shelf, and a plurality of support plates mounted below the base shelf. The transport vehicle includes a top plate and a control device that controls movement of the top plate. Upon actuation of an interlocking mechanism of the transport vehicle that is aligned beneath the ISU, the top plate is lifted to a first height and then rotated for engaging the top plate with the support plates of the ISU. The engaged top plate is further lifted to a second height to lift the ISU off the work floor of a storage facility. Upon lifting the ISU, the transport vehicle transports the ISU to another location in the storage facility.

Conveyor systems and assemblies for use in conveyor systems are provided. In some embodiments, a conveyor system comprises a mechanical chain and a chain adjustment assembly. In other embodiments, a conveyor system comprises a panel mount assembly, and in still other embodiments, a conveyor system comprises a support structure and a leveling assembly. In yet other embodiments, a conveyor system comprises a conveyor track assembly and a conveyor top protection assembly. Any embodiment of the conveyor system may also comprise a blocking bar configured to be positioned under a lower conveyor track assembly and/or a cap positioned between an end of a conveyor track assembly and a sprocket. Further, a cover assembly for a conveyor system may comprise a shield positioned over a sprocket assembly and/or an idler assembly of the conveyor system. A guard for positioning at an end of the conveyor system also may be provided.

Systems and methods capable of selecting and positively grasping objects of interest within a cluttered environment are described. Some aspects of the present disclosure provide for real-time control of a robot that uses various sensors and reacts to sensor input in real time to adjust the robots path. In some embodiments, a robotic item picker includes an end effector having a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end, a carriage configured to rotate about and translate along an intermediate portion of the shaft between a proximal position and a distal position, a suction device coupled to the distal end of the shaft, and a plurality of fingers spaced radially about the carriage. The robot may be a t-bot including a longitudinal member rotatable about a lengthwise axis of the longitudinal member, a carriage translatable along the lengthwise axis, and a radial member slidably mounted to the carriage. The end effector may be rotatably coupled at a distal end of the radial member.

An exemplary robotic parking device of the present disclosure includes a number of stacks of containers. The stacks being positioned within a frame structure including uprights and a horizontal grid disposed above the stacks. The grid having substantially perpendicular rails on which load handling devices can run. Cars or vehicles are positioned in containers and are moved into and out of the stacks by the robotic handling devices running on the grid. The cars are put into the grid at entry points that may be positioned at points under the stacks.

A vehicle for use with an object handling system, the object handling system including two substantially perpendicular sets of rails forming a first grid, a plurality of first uprights supporting the first grid, a plurality of containers arranged in stacks, each stack being located underneath the first grid, one or more robotic load handling devices configured to drive on top of the rails of the first grid, the one or more load handling devices including means for removing or replacing at least one container from the stacks. The vehicle includes two substantially perpendicular sets of rails forming a second grid substantially at the top of the vehicle above a storage space for carrying containers. The second grid interfaces with the first grid to allow the one or more load handling devices to drive from the rails of the first grid onto the rails of the second grid.

A conveyor for transporting and elevating articles and a method and system for conveying articles up inclines is provided. The conveyor has a conveyor belt and a plurality of support elements extending outward from the article-conveying surface of the conveyor belt advancing upward along the incline. The conveyor may be positioned at an inclined angle relative to the horizontal ground, i.e., between about 5° and 85° or the conveyor can be substantially vertical, i.e., about 90° relative to the horizontal ground. The support elements prevent conveyed articles from sliding down the conveyor belt on the inclined conveyor and carry and hold articles on substantially vertical conveyors. The article-conveying surface of the conveyor belt may provide a low-friction retention surface to articles leaning away from the conveyor belt on the incline.

Various embodiments are directed to conveyor apparatuses and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, a conveyor apparatus comprises a conveyor frame including a plurality of opposing sidewalls extending in a length direction and a bottom panel comprising a hinged configuration relative to the opposing sidewalls such that the bottom panel is configured for movement throughout a range of rotational motion between a closed position and an open position; and a bottom panel positioning assembly comprising: a mounting bracket secured to one of the opposing sidewalls; a positioning element slidably engaged relative to the mounting bracket and configurable between a nominal position and an engaged position; and a retention element configured to bias the positioning element towards the nominal position; wherein the bottom panel positioning assembly is configured to facilitate selective arrangement of the bottom panel based at least in part on an arrangement of the positioning element.

Various embodiments are directed to a finger guard apparatus comprising a mounting bracket configured to be secured to a conveyor assembly such that the mounting bracket defines a first lateral side of the finger guard apparatus; a finger guard plate detachably secured to the mounting bracket; and a lock assembly that secures the finger guard plate in a locked position relative to the mounting bracket and is configured to facilitate selective detachment of the finger guard plate from the mounting bracket, the lock assembly comprising: a lock arm connected to the mounting bracket such that the lock arm is configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the lock arm is configured to engage the finger guard plate in the locked position; and a retention element engaged with the lock arm and configured to bias the lock arm towards the locked position.

A storage system is described where goods are stored in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. Above the stacks runs a grid network of tracks on which load handling devices run. The load handling devices take containers from the stacks and deposit then at alternative locations in the stacks or deposit then at stations where goods may be picked out. Each container may be provided with connectors having a push fit male connector located at a top edge of the container and a female connector at a bottom edge of the container. Adjacent containers in a stack can be linked by routing means, which form moldings on each container. The connectors can also have spring-loaded contacts. The provision of these services within individual containers rather than across the system as a whole, allows for flexibility in storage whilst reducing cost and inefficiency.

An adjustable rear mounting bracket may include a planar main body, a channel extending from the planar main body, at least one forward slot, at least one rear slot, a rear pair of tabs, and a forward pair of tabs. The channel is configured to couple to at the rear panel. One of the rear or forward pairs of tabs may be configured to engage a rear leg of the pallet rack for laterally aligning the at least one rear slot or the at least one forward slot with at least one hole of the rear leg. The at least one rear or forward slot may then be vertically adjusted. The at least one rear slot when coupled to the pallet rack may define a close mounting position and, alternatively, the at least one forward slot when coupled to the pallet rack may define an offset mounting position.