Cantilever Carousel System

Abstract

A cantilever carousel system for efficiently storing multiple print cylinders while providing a common access point for loading and unloading the print cylinders. The cantilever carousel system generally includes an external frame structure defining an internal cavity and a shell connected to the external frame structure to surround the cavity, wherein the shell includes at least one access opening extending therethrough. An internal frame structure is positioned within the cavity and a vertically oriented carousel is supported by the internal frame structure. A drive assembly is mechanically connected to the carousel, wherein the drive assembly circulates the carousel and a plurality of cantilever mandrels are supported by the carousel and circulate with the carousel. A plurality of print cylinders are removably received by the plurality of cantilever mandrels through the access opening.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cantilever carousel system for storing print cylinders, comprising:
 a frame structure;   a carousel supported by said frame structure, wherein said carousel is vertically oriented;   a drive assembly mechanically connected to said carousel, wherein said drive assembly circulates said carousel about said frame structure; and   a plurality of cantilever mandrels supported by said carousel, wherein said plurality of cantilever mandrels circulate with said carousel;   wherein said plurality of cantilever mandrels each removably receive a print cylinder thereon.   
     
     
         2 . The cantilever carousel system of  claim 1 , including an external frame structure to surround said plurality of cantilever mandrels and said carousel. 
     
     
         3 . The cantilever carousel system of  claim 2 , wherein said external frame structure includes a shell. 
     
     
         4 . The cantilever carousel system of  claim 3 , wherein said shell includes at least one access opening for accessing a lowermost cantilever mandrel of said plurality of cantilever mandrels. 
     
     
         5 . The cantilever carousel system of  claim 4 , including a sensor unit positioned proximate said at least one access opening to detect movement through said at least one access opening. 
     
     
         6 . The cantilever carousel system of  claim 1 , including a controller for activating said drive assembly to circulate said carousel. 
     
     
         7 . The cantilever carousel system of  claim 1 , wherein said carousel includes a first carrier assembly and a second carrier assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The cantilever carousel system of  claim 7 , wherein said first carrier assembly and said second carrier assembly circulate simultaneously. 
     
     
         9 . The cantilever carousel system of  claim 8 , wherein said first carrier assembly and said second carrier assembly are both comprised of a sprocket and chain structure. 
     
     
         10 . The cantilever carousel system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of cantilever mandrels includes at least one retaining bracket extending from an outer end. 
     
     
         11 . The cantilever carousel system of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one retaining bracket extends transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of a corresponding cantilever mandrel. 
     
     
         12 . The cantilever carousel system of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one retaining bracket extends horizontally when a corresponding cantilever mandrel is moving vertically and wherein said at least one retaining bracket extends vertically when a corresponding cantilever mandrel is moving horizontally. 
     
     
         13 . The cantilever carousel system of  claim 1 , wherein said carousel includes a first vertical run and a second vertical run. 
     
     
         14 . The cantilever carousel system of  claim 13 , wherein said first vertical run moves downwardly when said second vertical run moves upwardly. 
     
     
         15 . The cantilever carousel system of  claim 13 , wherein said first vertical run and said second vertical run are parallel with respect to one another. 
     
     
         16 . The cantilever carousel system of  claim 15 , wherein said first vertical run extends along a first vertically orientated plane and wherein said second vertical run extends along a second vertically orientated plane. 
     
     
         17 . The cantilever carousel system of  claim 13 , wherein said carousel travels substantially further in length in a vertical direction than in a horizontal direction.