Apparatus for turning articles in storage structures

摘要

A storage structure has an entry chamber for receiving articles, a storage area for storing the articles, a lift passage for connecting the entry chamber and the storage area, and a lift for conveying the articles through the lift passage between the entry chamber and the storage area. The storage structure includes a turning chamber provided separately from the entry chamber and connected to the lift passage for changing the orientation of an article. A turntable device is supported in the turning chamber to receive an article from the lift within the lift passage and to transfer an article to the lift. The turntable device includes a rotatable carrying surface and two auxiliary supports. One auxiliary support is located on each of two opposite sides of the turntable device for supporting the carrying surface when the carrying surface rotates. The carrying surface is movable between a position within the lift passage and a position outside of the lift passage.