A vehicle tilting device for tilting a delivery vehicle for increasing access to items from a storage container transported on the delivery vehicle includes a base structure and a tiltable platform connected to the base structure. The tiltable platform includes guiding features adapted to guide the delivery vehicle onto the tiltable platform, and a tilting actuator arranged for lifting the tiltable platform at a second platform side which is opposite to a first platform side, such that the tiltable platform is tilted towards the first platform side.

A method for handling malfunctioning vehicles (240,340) on a rail system (108,308) constituting part of a storage and retrieval system (1) configured to store a plurality of stacks (107) of storage containers (106), wherein the storage and retrieval system (1) comprisesa plurality of remotely operated vehicles (230,330,240,340,250,350) configured to move laterally on the rail system (108,308) anda control system (109) for monitoring and controlling wirelessly movements of the plurality of vehicles (230,330,240,340,250,350), the control system (109) forms by wireless data communication at least the following steps: A. registering an anomaly in an operational condition of a vehicle (this 240,340) on the rail system (108,308), B. registering the vehicle with the anomalous operational condition as a malfunctioning vehicle (240,340), C. bringing the malfunctioning vehicle (240,340) to a halt, D. registering a halt position of the malfunctioning vehicle (240,340) relative to the supporting rail system (108,308), E. setting up a two-dimensional shutdown zone (225) within the rail system (108,308) into which the malfunctioning vehicle (240,340) is halted and F. updating movement pattern of the plurality of remotely operated vehicles (230,330, 250,350) outside the two-dimensional shutdown zone (225) such that entrance into the two-dimensional shutdown zone (225) is avoided.

A lift system for an automated storage system of the type where storage containers are stacked in storage columns arranged in a grid, and where automated container handling vehicles retrieve and replace containers from a top level of the grid. The lift system has a platform vertically movable adjacent to a face of the grid, arranged for receiving and transporting one or more containers. A dedicated mechanical device is arranged for grabbing, lifting and moving the storage containers from a staging area at the top of the grid and placing containers on the platform and vice versa.

A high visibility push-pull handler configured to be mounted on a lift truck. The handler comprising a frame assembly, a pantograph mechanism coupled to the frame assembly, and a faceplate assembly coupled to the pantograph mechanism. The hander is configured with a view window extending through the handler, the view window not obstructed by parts of the handler when the handler is in any normal operating configuration, including a fully extended configuration, a fully retracted configuration, and any configuration in between the full extended and fully retracted positions.

Robotic systems can autonomously pick a particular desired item from a mixed inventory storage location that includes multiple differing types of items. The autonomous robotic system can thereby facilitate order fulfillment and inventory management processes in an efficient manner. In particular, the systems and methods described herein can greatly reduce the amount of time required for a human worker to pick orders. The systems described take over many of the tasks related to picking items. Accordingly, the efficiency of order picking processes, as measured by the number of line items picked per human labor hour for example, is greatly enhanced.

A mobility device lift system including an electric pallet jack having a handle, a pallet, a ramp, a vertical lifting mechanism, and a wheel assembly. The pallet is sized and functionally configured to support a mobility device thereon. The pallet is affixed to the vertical lifting mechanism, such that the pallet is able to move up and down vertically via hydraulics of the vertical lifting mechanism. The electric pallet jack is configured for transporting the mobility device from a loading bridge to a belt loader. The ramp of the device provides a connector between the loading bridge and the belt loader.

A mobility device lift system including an electric pallet jack having a handle, a pallet, a ramp, a vertical lifting mechanism, and a wheel assembly. The pallet is sized and functionally configured to support a mobility device thereon. The pallet is affixed to the vertical lifting mechanism, such that the pallet is able to move up and down vertically via hydraulics of the vertical lifting mechanism. The electric pallet jack is configured for transporting the mobility device from a loading bridge to a belt loader. The ramp of the device provides a connector between the loading bridge and the belt loader.

A high visibility push-pull handler configured to be mounted on a lift truck. The handler comprising a frame assembly, a pantograph mechanism coupled to the frame assembly, and a faceplate assembly coupled to the pantograph mechanism. The hander is configured with a view window extending through the handler, the view window not obstructed by parts of the handler when the handler is in any normal operating configuration, including a fully extended configuration, a fully retracted configuration, and any configuration in between the full extended and fully retracted positions.

The present invention teaches a method used in connection with a forklift truck for quickly and easily nesting and un-nesting bulk seed boxes. A lower surface of the first lower box unit is engaged with forks extending from a forklift truck. The stacked first and second box units are then elevated to a target height. Next, the forklift truck is advanced forward until the stacked first and second box units are in a predetermined horizontal position in a box inverter apparatus, wherein the stacked first and second box units are positioned between opposing box engaging surfaces of first and second rotary clamp pads associated with the box inverter apparatus. The rotary clamp pads are then moved toward the stacked first and second box units until the opposing box engaging surfaces engage opposing outer surfaces of the second, upper box unit at a clamping location below the center of mass of the second, upper box unit. The forks of the fork truck carrying the first, lower box unit are then lowered until the first lower box unit is separated from the second, upper box unit, thereby affecting rotation of the first, upper box unit and rotary clamp pads about first and second spindle and bearing assemblies associated with and extending radially outwardly from opposing rear surfaces of the first and second rotary clamp pads until the second, upper box unit rotates a full 180 degrees to an inverted position. The forks carrying the lower box unit are raised upwardly such that the lower box unit nests inside the now inverted upper box unit. The rotary clamp pads are released from engagement with the outer surfaces of the upper box unit. Lastly, the nested first and second box units are removed from the box inverter apparatus.

The present invention teaches a method used in connection with a forklift truck for quickly and easily nesting and un-nesting bulk seed boxes. A lower surface of the first lower box unit is engaged with forks extending from a forklift truck. The stacked first and second box units are then elevated to a target height. Next, the forklift truck is advanced forward until the stacked first and second box units are in a predetermined horizontal position in a box inverter apparatus, wherein the stacked first and second box units are positioned between opposing box engaging surfaces of first and second rotary clamp pads associated with the box inverter apparatus. The rotary clamp pads are then moved toward the stacked first and second box units until the opposing box engaging surfaces engage opposing outer surfaces of the second, upper box unit at a clamping location below the center of mass of the second, upper box unit. The forks of the fork truck carrying the first, lower box unit are then lowered until the first lower box unit is separated from the second, upper box unit, thereby affecting rotation of the first, upper box unit and rotary clamp pads about first and second spindle and bearing assemblies associated with and extending radially outwardly from opposing rear surfaces of the first and second rotary clamp pads until the second, upper box unit rotates a full 180 degrees to an inverted position. The forks carrying the lower box unit are raised upwardly such that the lower box unit nests inside the now inverted upper box unit. The rotary clamp pads are released from engagement with the outer surfaces of the upper box unit. Lastly, the nested first and second box units are removed from the box inverter apparatus.