ARTICLE STORAGE APPARATUS Russian patent published in 2001 - IPC

FIELD: mechanical engineering. SUBSTANCE: apparatus has casing with row of containers, holders, electromagnet and position sensors. Casing has cells equipped with guides for inserting-withdrawing of containers, container detectors, flexible members arranged opposite containers and tenons arranged at different levels. Container has slot to be mated with respective tenon, and groove adapted for biasing container with flexible member to holder and for sliding along holder end. Holder is formed as beaded pin. Other end of pin is adapted for engagement with position sensor, and pin bead is adapted for engagement with spring-loaded blocking plank connected to electromagnet. Construction of apparatus allows articles to be automatically retrieved with following delivery and returning of article for storage after usage, with only one electromagnetic drive being used for article retrieval. Articles are placed correctly without keying identification code into specific cells in storage apparatus. EFFECT: simplified construction, convenient usage and maintenance, minimum costs for repair in case of failure of electromagnet. 4 cl, 9 dwg