Patent US3570695A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3570695A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle for carrying and stacking containers
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-01-21
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Granted: 1971-03-16
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Expires: 1989-01-21
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle having a main frame of inverted substantially U-shaped configuration adapted to straddle a container, legs which are extendable and retractable, and a lifting frame which moves generally along with the extension and retraction of the legs. The container may be locked to the lifting frame when the legs are retracted, and may be lifted to a height at least as great as the height of another container on the ground when the legs are extended, so that one container may be stacked on another.
Inventors
- 👤 William H Schwartz
- 👤 John B Shaw
- 👤 Graham SLATER
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:05
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66C; B66C19/00; B66C19/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
296 words
A vehicle for straddling and carrying substantially similarly configured containers comprising: a. first and second suspension frames each including a plurality of wheels and having a height less than the height of said containers; b. a first pair of legs disposed upwardly from the first suspension frame, each of the first pair of legs comprising an inner tube fixed to the first suspension frame, and an outer tube disposed about that inner tube and slidable therealong; c. a second pair of legs disposed upwardly from the second suspension frame, each of the second pair of legs comprising an inner tube fixed to the second suspension frame, and an outer tube disposed about that inner tube and slidable therealong; d. an upper frame portion fixed relative to the outer tubes of the legs, the first and second suspension frames, legs, and upper frame portion forming a main frame of inverted, substantially U-shaped cross section adapted to straddle a container; e. means associated with each leg for simultaneously extending the legs by sliding the outer tubes upwardly along the inner tubes and simultaneously retracting the legs by sliding the outer tubes downwardly along the inner tubes, whereby the upper frame portion may be raised and lowered; f. a lifting frame supported by the upper frame portion having portions extending below said height of the upper surface of the straddled container only when the upper frame portion is fully lowered and movable generally along with the upper frame portion, whereby the lifting frame may be raised and lowered with the upper frame portion as the legs are extended and retracted; and g. means for selectively locking the lifting frame to the top of the container so that the container may be raised and lowered with the upper frame portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
296 words
A vehicle for straddling and carrying substantially similarly configured containers comprising: a. first and second suspension frames each including a plurality of wheels and having a height less than the height of said containers; b. a first pair of legs disposed upwardly from the first suspension frame, each of the first pair of legs comprising an inner tube fixed to the first suspension frame, and an outer tube disposed about that inner tube and slidable therealong; c. a second pair of legs disposed upwardly from the second suspension frame, each of the second pair of legs comprising an inner tube fixed to the second suspension frame, and an outer tube disposed about that inner tube and slidable therealong; d. an upper frame portion fixed relative to the outer tubes of the legs, the first and second suspension frames, legs, and upper frame portion forming a main frame of inverted, substantially U-shaped cross section adapted to straddle a container; e. means associated with each leg for simultaneously extending the legs by sliding the outer tubes upwardly along the inner tubes and simultaneously retracting the legs by sliding the outer tubes downwardly along the inner tubes, whereby the upper frame portion may be raised and lowered; f. a lifting frame supported by the upper frame portion having portions extending below said height of the upper surface of the straddled container only when the upper frame portion is fully lowered and movable generally along with the upper frame portion, whereby the lifting frame may be raised and lowered with the upper frame portion as the legs are extended and retracted; and g. means for selectively locking the lifting frame to the top of the container so that the container may be raised and lowered with the upper frame portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the means for simultAneously extending the legs and simultaneously retracting the legs comprises a motor and chain drive means associated with each leg and driven by the motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A vehicle according to claim 2 wherein the legs are sufficiently retractable to allow locking of the lifting frame to the top of a container resting on the ground and sufficiently extendable to raise the container to a height greater than the height of another substantially similarly configured container resting on the ground.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
188 words
A vehicle for straddling and carrying a container comprising: a. a frame of inverted, substantially U-shaped cross section adapted to straddle the container, including suspension frames having wheels, extendable and retractable legs disposed upwards from the suspension frames, and an upper frame portion fixed relative to the upper portions of the legs; b. a lifting frame disposed under the upper frame portion above the straddled container and adapted to selectively lock to the container; and c. linkage means interconnecting the upper frame portion and the lifting frame for supporting the lifting frame, the linkage means being mounted for pivotal movement about a first axis extending longitudinally of said frame to allow relatively free movement of the lifting frame sidewardly of said longitudinal first axis, the linkage means being mounted for pivotal movement about a pair of spaced axes perpendicular to said first axis, thereby allowing movement of the lifting frame forwardly or rearwardly of the vehicle only when a substantial force is applied to the lifting frame in a forward or rearward direction relative to the vehicle to cause pivotal movement about one of said pair of axes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
188 words
A vehicle for straddling and carrying a container comprising: a. a frame of inverted, substantially U-shaped cross section adapted to straddle the container, including suspension frames having wheels, extendable and retractable legs disposed upwards from the suspension frames, and an upper frame portion fixed relative to the upper portions of the legs; b. a lifting frame disposed under the upper frame portion above the straddled container and adapted to selectively lock to the container; and c. linkage means interconnecting the upper frame portion and the lifting frame for supporting the lifting frame, the linkage means being mounted for pivotal movement about a first axis extending longitudinally of said frame to allow relatively free movement of the lifting frame sidewardly of said longitudinal first axis, the linkage means being mounted for pivotal movement about a pair of spaced axes perpendicular to said first axis, thereby allowing movement of the lifting frame forwardly or rearwardly of the vehicle only when a substantial force is applied to the lifting frame in a forward or rearward direction relative to the vehicle to cause pivotal movement about one of said pair of axes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
164 words
A vehicle according to claim 4 wherein the linkage means comprises a plurality of linkages each interconnecting the upper frame portion and the lifting frame, each linkage comprising: a. an arm; b. a shaft disposed through one end of the arm and fixed thereto, the longitudinal axis of the shaft being disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and supported at its opposite ends by the upper frame portion, the arm being freely pivotable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft relative to the upper frame portion, the arm being pivotable forwardly of the vehicle only about the rearward point of support of the shaft, the arm being pivotable rearwardly of the vehicle only about the forward point of support of the shaft, the arm having socket means formed on its other end; and c. ball means fixed to the lifting frame and adapted to fit in the socket, whereby the arm supports the lifting frame and is omnidirectionally pivotable relative thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A vehicle according to claim 5 and further including means for selectively limiting the movement of the lifting frame sidewardly of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
208 words
In a vehicle for straddling and carrying a container comprising a frame of inverted, substantially U-shaped cross section adapted to straddle the container, said frame including a pair of wheel suspension frames one on each side of the container, extendable and retractable legs disposed upwards from the suspension frames, and an upper frame portion fixed relative to the upper portion of the legs, the improvement wherein each extendable and retractable leg comprises: a. an inner cylinder extending upwardly from the suspension frame associated therewith; b. an outer cylinder telescoped over said inner cylinder and slidable therealong; and c. chain drive means comprising a drive gear mounted on a drive shaft adapted to be driven by a drive motor, said drive shaft being fixed relative to the outer tube of that leg, a first gear mounted on a first shaft which is fixed relative to the outer tube of that leg, a second gear mounted on a second shaft above said first gear, said second shaft being fixed relative to the inner tube of that leg, and a chain reeved around said drive gear, around said first gear, around said second gear and thEn anchored relative to said outer tube of that leg between said first said second gears.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
208 words
In a vehicle for straddling and carrying a container comprising a frame of inverted, substantially U-shaped cross section adapted to straddle the container, said frame including a pair of wheel suspension frames one on each side of the container, extendable and retractable legs disposed upwards from the suspension frames, and an upper frame portion fixed relative to the upper portion of the legs, the improvement wherein each extendable and retractable leg comprises: a. an inner cylinder extending upwardly from the suspension frame associated therewith; b. an outer cylinder telescoped over said inner cylinder and slidable therealong; and c. chain drive means comprising a drive gear mounted on a drive shaft adapted to be driven by a drive motor, said drive shaft being fixed relative to the outer tube of that leg, a first gear mounted on a first shaft which is fixed relative to the outer tube of that leg, a second gear mounted on a second shaft above said first gear, said second shaft being fixed relative to the inner tube of that leg, and a chain reeved around said drive gear, around said first gear, around said second gear and thEn anchored relative to said outer tube of that leg between said first said second gears.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-15 | 1974-09-14 | 1975-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-15 | 1978-09-14 | 1979-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-15 | 1982-09-14 | 1983-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |