Push-back storage rack

Abstract

A push-back storage rack comprises a frame defining at least one storage bay having a depth sufficient to accommodate a plurality of separate storage units; and a track-mounted carriage assembly mounted in the bay. The carriage assembly comprises at least two articulated carts connected together end-to-end for pivotal movement about a transverse horizontal axis. The carts ride on a track that has an upper track section, a lower track section, and an arcuate front section that joins the upper and lower track sections. The track guides the carts for movement between the front and the rear of the bay on the upper track section and directs the carts downwardly and then rearwardly on the lower track section in an inverted position as the carts move forwardly at the front end of the upper track section. The carts are thus stored underneath the upper track section and are brought upwardly to the upper track section as the carts are filled and moved rearwardly in the upper track section.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A push-back storage rack for storing individual storage units comprising: 
 a frame defining at least one storage bay having a depth sufficient to accommodate a plurality of separate storage units; and    a track-mounted carriage assembly mounted in the bay, the carriage assembly comprising at least two carts, each sized to hold separate storage units, the carts being connected together end-to-end for pivotal movement about a transverse horizontal axis, the carts being movably supported and guided by the track, the track being formed and mounted so as to guide the carts for movement between a front and a rear of the bay on an upper track section, and to direct at least a forwardmost cart downwardly and then rearwardly in the bay in an inverted position on a lower track section as the carts are moved forwardly at a front end of the upper track section, the forwardmost cart thereafter being pulled forwardly and then upwardly to the upper track section as rearmost cart is pushed rearwardly on the upper track section.    
     
     
         2 . A push-back storage rack according to  claim 1  wherein the track comprises opposed side sections on opposite sides of the bay and including a generally straight upper section and an arcuate front section that joins the upper and lower track sections.  
     
     
         3 . A push-back storage rack according to  claim 2  wherein the tracks comprise horizontal support surfaces that support track contact elements on the carts.  
     
     
         4 . A push-back rack according to  claim 3  wherein the track contact elements are wheels and the track section comprises inwardly facing C-shaped channel members in which the wheels fit.  
     
     
         5 . A push-back rack according to  claim 1  wherein at least the forwardmost cart comprises a plurality of separate cart sections connected together end-to-end for pivotal movement in a vertical plane with respect to each other, each cart section being supported by wheels at each end that ride on the track.  
     
     
         6 . A push-back rack according to  claim 1  wherein at least the forwardmost cart comprises at least two sections pivotally connected together for at least limited relative pivotal movement in a vertical plane.  
     
     
         7 . A push-back rack according to  claim 6  wherein the sections of said forwardmost cart are pivotal in one direction that facilitates movement of the cart around an arcuate section of the track but said sections are substantially not pivotal past a position of horizontal alignment in the opposite pivotal direction.  
     
     
         8 . A push-back rack according to  claim 1  wherein the upper section of track is inclined downwardly and forwardly toward the front of the bay, such that gravity urges the carts and storage units thereon to move toward the front of the bay on the upper track.  
     
     
         9 . A push-back rack according to  claim 1  wherein the carts comprise frame members mounted on wheels at front and rear ends of the frame, with the wheels riding on the tracks, adjacent carts being mounted on common wheels positioned at junctions between the carts.  
     
     
         10 . A push-back rack according to  claim 9  wherein the wheels are mounted on axles, adjacent carts having wheel support fixtures at corners of the carts, with the wheel support fixtures of adjacent carts having axle openings therein that are alignable and are connected together by insertion of the axles therethrough, the connection between the axles and the wheel support fixtures providing the means by which the carts are connected together.  
     
     
         11 . A push-back rack according to  claim 10  wherein at least one cart comprises a plurality of separate, longitudinally aligned cart sections, with the cart sections being connected together by wheels in substantially the same manner as the separate carts.  
     
     
         12 . A push-back rack according to  claim 1  wherein each cart comprises one or more transverse support beams having wheels mounted at opposite ends thereof, the wheels riding on sections of the track at each end of the beams, the beams being pivotally interconnected for movement in a vertical plane by longitudinal links that interconnect the beams.