A maintenance access system for a storage and retrieval system having a storage and retrieval space and automated transport vehicles disposed in the space. The system includes at least one maintenance access control unit associated with a portion of the space, at least one barrier in the space and defining a boundary of the portion of the space and configured to substantially prevent the passage of the vehicles past the at least one barrier, and a controller connected to the control unit, the controller being configured to receive a signal from the at least one control unit for isolating the portion of the space associated with the at least one control unit, where the controller in response to the signal closes the at least one barrier isolating the portion of the space and effects the removal from or shutting down of vehicles within the portion of the space.

A maintenance access system for a storage and retrieval system having a storage and retrieval space and automated transport vehicles disposed in the space. The system includes at least one maintenance access control unit associated with a portion of the space, at least one barrier in the space and defining a boundary of the portion of the space and configured to substantially prevent the passage of the vehicles past the at least one barrier, and a controller connected to the control unit, the controller being configured to receive a signal from the at least one control unit for isolating the portion of the space associated with the at least one control unit, where the controller in response to the signal closes the at least one barrier isolating the portion of the space and effects the removal from or shutting down of vehicles within the portion of the space.

An object redirection mechanism for a conveying system is provided. The object redirection mechanism is configured to redirect an object moved by the conveying system from a first direction to a second direction. The object redirection mechanism includes an arm tunnel positioned proximate an end of a conveyor configured for moving an object in the first direction. The arm tunnel includes an object stop having an object stopping portion defining at least a first side of the arm tunnel at least substantially parallel with the second direction and configured to engage an object moving in the first direction. The object stopping portion defines at least one finger aperture to enable at least one of the rotationally-retractable fingers to, when aligned with the at least one finger aperture, rotate between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. A corresponding object conveying system and method of assembling an object stop are provided.

Examples provide a hangar stop for diverting items having a hangar hook away from dividers on a sloped surface of a sorting machine as the hooked items move through a channel defined by one or more of the dividers. The hangar stop includes a diameter greater than the diameter of a hook on the hooked items preventing the hook from catching on the hangar stop. The hangar stop substantially covers a leading edge of a divider on which the hangar stop is attached preventing a hook from catching on any uncovered portion of the leading edge. The hangar stop is removably attached to the divider via one or more fasteners. When a hook comes into contact with the hangar stop, the hook slides off the hangar stop and proceeds through the channel to the end of the sloped surface unimpeded.

A maintenance access system for a storage and retrieval system having a storage and retrieval space and automated transport vehicles disposed in the space. The system includes at least one maintenance access control unit associated with a portion of the space, at least one barrier in the space and defining a boundary of the portion of the space and configured to substantially prevent the passage of the vehicles past the at least one barrier, and a controller connected to the control unit, the controller being configured to receive a signal from the at least one control unit for isolating the portion of the space associated with the at least one control unit, where the controller in response to the signal closes the at least one barrier isolating the portion of the space and effects the removal from or shutting down of vehicles within the portion of the space.

An object redirection mechanism for a conveying system is provided. The object redirection mechanism is configured to redirect an object moved by the conveying system from a first direction to a second direction. The object redirection mechanism includes an arm tunnel positioned proximate an end of a conveyor configured for moving an object in the first direction. The arm tunnel includes an object stop having an object stopping portion defining at least a first side of the arm tunnel at least substantially parallel with the second direction and configured to engage an object moving in the first direction. The object stopping portion defines at least one finger aperture to enable at least one of the rotationally-retractable fingers to, when aligned with the at least one finger aperture, rotate between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. A corresponding object conveying system and method of assembling an object stop are provided.

A maintenance access system for a storage and retrieval system having a storage and retrieval space and automated transport vehicles disposed in the space. The system includes at least one maintenance access control unit associated with a portion of the space, at least one barrier in the space and defining a boundary of the portion of the space and configured to substantially prevent the passage of the vehicles past the at least one barrier, and a controller connected to the control unit, the controller being configured to receive a signal from the at least one control unit for isolating the portion of the space associated with the at least one control unit, where the controller in response to the signal closes the at least one barrier isolating the portion of the space and effects the removal from or shutting down of vehicles within the portion of the space.

An apparatus for transporting a plurality of bars having an axial direction is disclosed. The apparatus includes a storage device and a conveying device. The storage device includes an accommodating area configured to accommodate the plurality of bars side by side along a first direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction; a first ramp having a front end and a rear end, wherein the front end is adjacent to the accommodating area and receives the plurality of bars sequentially, and the received plurality of bars roll from the front end to the rear end on the first ramp in a second direction; and a counting device adjacent to the rear end and operable to allow a predetermined quantity of the plurality of bars to exit the storage device in the second direction. The conveying device includes a receiving end, an output end and a second ramp.

An end plate for a conveyor system is described. In one embodiment, a conveyor system includes an endless conveyor belt turned about rollers between an entrance end and an exit end, and an end plate disposed at one end of the belt facing towards a direction of motion of the belt. The end plate includes a plate body including a plurality of projecting members extending from one end of the plate body. The end plate also includes a plurality of finger elements disposed over the plurality of projecting members. Each finger element of the plurality of finger elements includes a slot on a back side of the finger element that is configured to receive a projecting member of the plurality of projecting members. The plurality of projecting members and the plurality of finger elements are configured to face towards the belt.

A maintenance access system for a storage and retrieval system having a storage and retrieval space and automated transport vehicles disposed in the space. The system includes at least one maintenance access control unit associated with a portion of the space, at least one barrier in the space and defining a boundary of the portion of the space and configured to substantially prevent the passage of the vehicles past the at least one barrier, and a controller connected to the control unit, the controller being configured to receive a signal from the at least one control unit for isolating the portion of the space associated with the at least one control unit, where the controller in response to the signal closes the at least one barrier isolating the portion of the space and effects the removal from or shutting down of vehicles within the portion of the space.