Storage and conveyor apparatus

Abstract

A storage and conveyor system is provided that can store tools, parts and other miscellaneous items of interest. The storage system includes a carousel that is mounted to a base so as to have at least one degree of freedom with respect to the base. The carousel further includes a plurality of carriers for holding the items of interest and is arranged to selectively and recirculatively rotate the carriers about a closed loop track system such that the carriers may be selectively transitioned to advance a select one of the carriers to a desired location. Rotation of the carriers may occur independently of the movement of the carousel relative to the base.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A storage device comprising: 
 a base;    a conveyor system mounted to said base adapted for at least one degree of freedom of movement relative to said base, said conveyor system defining a closed loop track;    a plurality of carriers, each carrier coupled to said closed loop track of said conveyor system;    a drive system operatively coupled to said conveyor system arranged to cause said plurality of carriers to rotate about said track; and    a controller coupled to said drive system arranged to allow an operator to selectively cause said plurality of carriers to rotate about said track.    
     
     
         2 . The storage device according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said base further comprises a support structure; and    said conveyor system further comprises a carousel pivotally mounted to said support structure defining a first degree of freedom of movement of said conveyor system relative to said base.    
     
     
         3 . The storage device according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said base further comprises a support structure; and    said conveyor system further comprises a carousel extensibly mounted to said support structure such that said carousel may transition generally normal to said base defining a first degree of freedom of movement of said conveyor system relative to said base.    
     
     
         4 . The storage device according to  claim 3 , wherein said support structure is hydraulically actuatable to extend and retract said carousel.  
     
     
         5 . The storage device according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said base further comprises a support structure;    said conveyor system further comprises a carousel pivotally mounted to said support structure defining a first degree of freedom of movement of said conveyor system relative to said base; and    said carousel is further extensibly mounted to said support structure such that said carousel may transition generally normal to said base defining a second degree of freedom of movement of said conveyor system relative to said base.    
     
     
         6 . The storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of carriers comprises a plurality of storage trays.  
     
     
         7 . The storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of carriers comprises a plurality of generally flat plates arranged to store items thereon.  
     
     
         8 . The storage device according to  claim 6 , wherein said plurality of plates comprise magnetic plates.  
     
     
         9 . The storage device according to  claim 6 , wherein said plurality of plates comprise clips arranged thereon to store items of interest thereon.  
     
     
         10 . The storage device according to  claim 6 , wherein said plurality of plates comprise form fitting cutouts arranged to temporarily holding items therein.  
     
     
         11 . The storage device according to  claim 6 , wherein said plurality of plates are individually axially rotatable and further provide storage on both sides thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The storage device according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a shaft coupling generally horizontally adjacent and axially spaced drivers of said conveyor system together such that said carriers rotate about said closed loop track, and wherein said drive system further comprises a motor coupled to said shaft.    
     
     
         13 . The storage device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cabinet removably and lockably securable to said base.  
     
     
         14 . The storage device according to  claim 1 , wherein said closed loop track of said conveyor system comprises a belt and pulley system.  
     
     
         15 . The storage device according to  claim 1 , wherein said closed loop track of said conveyor system comprises a chain and gear system.  
     
     
         16 . The storage device according to  claim 1 , wherein said conveyor system comprises a synchronizer to ensure that said plurality of carriers rotate about said closed loop track.  
     
     
         17 . The storage device according to  claim 1 , wherein said controller comprises a push button remote control.  
     
     
         18 . A storage device comprising: 
 a base;    a support structure extending from said base;    a conveyor system mounted to said support structure adapted for pivotal motion about said support structure, said conveyor system defining a closed loop track;    a plurality of carriers, each carrier coupled to said closed loop track of said conveyor system;    a shaft coupling generally horizontally adjacent and axially spaced drivers of said conveyor system together such that said carriers rotate about said closed loop track;    a drive system operatively coupled to said conveyor system arranged to cause said plurality of carriers to rotate about said closed loop track; and    a controller coupled to said drive system arranged to allow an operator to selectively cause said plurality of carriers to rotate about said closed loop track.    
     
     
         19 . The storage device according to  claim 18 , further comprising a cabinet removably and lockably securable to said base.  
     
     
         20 . A storage device comprising: 
 a base;    a support structure extending from said base;    a carousel providing a closed loop track, said carousel pivotally mounted to said support structure defining a first degree of freedom of movement of said carousel relative to said base, said carousel further extensibly mounted to said support structure such that said carousel may transition generally normal to said base defining a second degree of freedom of movement of said carousel relative to said base.    a plurality of carriers, each carrier coupled to said closed loop track of said carousel;    a shaft coupling generally horizontally adjacent and axially spaced drivers of said carousel together such that said carriers rotate about said closed loop track;    a drive system operatively coupled to said carousel arranged to cause said plurality of carriers to rotate about said closed loop track;    a push button remote controller coupled to said drive system arranged to allow an operator to selectively cause said plurality of carriers to rotate about said closed loop track; and    a cabinet removably and lockably securable to said base.