An earthquake restraint grid framework structure includes a grid framework structure for supporting a load handling device operative to move one or more containers in a stack. The grid framework structure includes intersecting grid members arranged to form a grid having plural f substantially rectangular frames in a horizontal plane, each of the substantially rectangular frames constituting a grid cell. The grid is supported by plural upright columns at each of the intersections of grid members to form a plurality of vertical storage locations for containers to be stacked between the upright columns and be guided in a vertical direction through the substantially rectangular frames. An exoskeleton includes plural vertical frame columns braced by at least one bracing member, the grid being further supported by the exoskeleton to form a seismic restraint system (SFRS).

A grid framework structure for supporting a load handling device operative to move one or more containers in a stack. The grid framework structure includes plural upright columns arranged to form plurality of vertical storage locations for containers to be stacked between upright columns. The columns are interconnected at their top ends by a first set of grid members and a second set of grid members, the second set running transversely to the first set to form a grid structure. A sub-group of upright columns rigidly joined together by at least one bracing assembly of diagonal braces form a braced tower. The sub-group of upright columns includes three upright columns with two of the three upright columns being laterally disposed either side of a middle upright column, and being rigidly connected to the middle upright column by the diagonal braces.

Anti-seismic isolator for isolating of a structure provided with support feet with respect to a ground subject to vibrations induced for example by an earthquake, said isolator comprising an oscillating element that can be associated with at least one of the supporting feet of said structure and a supporting framework provided with a supporting base adapted to support the isolator with respect to the ground, in which said oscillating element and said supporting framework are associated with each other by means of connecting elements sliding in pairs of substantially parallel arched guides, arranged in at least one out of said oscillating element and said supporting framework, whereby said oscillating element and said supporting framework are mutually oscillating and the mutual oscillation of the oscillating element and of the supporting framework causes the simultaneous mutual sliding thereof along two directions perpendicular to each other.

A support system supports the two ends of a passenger-transportation device in a built structure. The support system 6 has a swiveling support-point at a first end with a vertical swivel-axis. The second end contains a floating support-point for absorbing horizontal movements perpendicular to the swivel-axis. The floating support-point has at least one rolling element by means of which a sliding friction caused by the occurrence of horizontal movements in the floating support-point can be transformed into combined sliding-and-rolling friction or rolling friction.

An anti-seismic device (1) for load-bearing structures or machines for example automated warehouses, comprises at least one supporting foot (3) suitable for being fixed to a load-bearing structure of the automated warehouse. The supporting foot (3) is configured for resting and sliding on a support and sliding surface (5), so as to allow relative movement of the automated warehouse with respect to the support and sliding surface (5). At least one abutment element (10) is suitable for being solidly constrained with the support and sliding surface (5). At least a spring device (12) is suitable for being interposed between the abutment element (10) and the automated warehouse. The spring device (12) is configured to generate a return action (force and/or torque) of the automated warehouse as a result of the relative movement of the automated warehouse with respect to the support and sliding surface (5). The spring device (12) has a non-linear, preferably progressive elastic characteristic.

An automated storage and retrieval system including a storage structure with storage racks having a seating surface configured to support case units where a position of each case unit is nondeterministic for each storage location on the storage racks, each case unit has a predetermined storage position and a controller is configured to determine the predetermined storage position, a picking aisle configured to provide access to the case units within the storage structure, and a seismic disturbance restorative system including seismic disturbance motions sensors disposed on the storage racks, a seismic disturbance control module in communication with the seismic disturbance sensors and configured to identify a seismic disturbance, and an automated case mapper configured to traverse the picking aisle, the automated case mapper being in communication with and initialized by the seismic disturbance control module to identify a seated position of at least one case unit within the storage structure.

An anti-seismic grid framework system including a grid framework structure configured for supporting a load handling device operative to move one or more containers in a stack. The anti-seismic grid framework system includes a seismic isolation system for reducing seismic forces acting on the grid framework structure, wherein the grid framework structure is supported by the seismic isolation system, the seismic isolation system including a superstructure and a substructure, and at least one base isolation device disposed between the superstructure and the substructure such that the at least one base isolation device suppresses movement of the superstructure relative to the substructure in a seismic event.

An automated storage and retrieval system including a storage structure with storage racks having a seating surface configured to support case units where a position of each case unit is nondeterministic for each storage location on the storage racks, each case unit has a predetermined storage position and a controller is configured to determine the predetermined storage position, a picking aisle configured to provide access to the case units within the storage structure, and a seismic disturbance restorative system including seismic disturbance motions sensors disposed on the storage racks, a seismic disturbance control module in communication with the seismic disturbance sensors and configured to identify a seismic disturbance, and an automated case mapper configured to traverse the picking aisle, the automated case mapper being in communication with and initialized by the seismic disturbance control module to identify a seated position of at least one case unit within the storage structure.

A product inspection apparatus includes a conveyor system for transporting items. The conveyor system includes a weigh conveyor with a load detector for detecting the weight of items transported on the conveyor system and a transport conveyor adjacent the weigh conveyor. The apparatus also includes a support structure with a support beam. The transport conveyor is mounted to the support beam by at least one support column externally mounted to the support beam such that vibrations are suppressed by the at least one externally mounted support column.

A seismic isolation system includes at least one adjustable foot attached to a container. The at least one adjustable foot has a height at least sufficient to support the container such that the container does not touch a surface on which the container rests. The seismic isolation system further includes a sliding pad affixed to a portion of the at least one adjustable foot facing the surface. The sliding pad is configured to provide a coefficient of static and kinetic friction between the sliding pad and the surface that prevents relative movement of the sliding pad and the surface in normal operation and allows the sliding pad to move relative to the surface during a seismic event.