Materials handling apparatus

Claim 2

A materials handling apparatus comprising in combination: a structure including first support means comprising an elongated beam, second support means comprising an elongated beam, second support means comprising a plurality of fingers mounted on said beam and extending transversely in opposite directions therefrom, said fingers being positioned in a substantially horizontal plane and adapted to support individual loads separately such that the individual loads separately such that the individual loads can be raised as a unit upon elevation of said structure, and a cradle adapted to support said structure for movement of said structure across a surface, said cradle comprising a pair of crossbeams jointed by a pair of longerons and having means to receive and hold said structure in place.

Claim 3

The materials handling apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of fingers are tapered from A relatively heavy root section adjacent said beam to a thinner section at their outermost tips and being adapted to handle individual palletized loads.

Claim 4

The materials handling apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means to receive and hold said support in place on said cradle comprises a cutout portion in each of said crossbeams of said cradle.

Claim 5

A materials handling apparatus comprising in combination: a structure including a beam having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of fingers mounted on said beam and extending substantially perpendicular thereto in opposite directions at spaced locations therealong, said fingers being positioned in a substantially horizontal plane, a plurality of individual pallets engageably received for support on said fingers on both sides of said beam so that moments about said longitudinal axis are substantially zero, enabling said individual pallets to be raised as a unit upon elevation of said structure, and a cradle adapted to support said structure for movement across a surface and comprising a pair of crossbeams joined by a pair of longerons, each cross beam having a cutout portion to receive said beam and hold it in place.

Claim 6

A materials handling apparatus comprising in combination: a structure including a beam having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of fingers mounted on said beam and extending substantially perpendicular thereto in opposite directions at spaced locations therealong, said fingers being positioned in a substantially horizontal plane, a plurality of individual pallets engageably received for support on said fingers on both sides of said beam so that moments about said longitudinal axis are substantially zero, enabling said individual pallets to be raised as a unit upon elevation of said structure, and a cradle adapted to support said structure for movement across a surface and comprising a pair of crossbeams joined by a pair of longerons, each cross beam having a cutout portion to receive said beam and hold it in place.

Claim 7

The materials handling system of claim 4, wherein said fingers are tapered from a relatively heavy root section adjacent said beam to a thinner section at their outermost tips.

Claim 8

A materials handling apparatus for integrating a plurality of individual loads into a single payload comprising a supporting structure including a pair of spaced beams and a plurality of fingers mounted on each of said beams and extending transversely in opposite directions at spaced locations thereon, said fingers being positioned in a substantially horizontal plane and adapted to support the individual loads separately, means for removably interconnecting said beams and holding said beams a predetermined distance apart such that one of said beams is an upper beam and the other is a lower beam, and suspension means mounted on said supporting structure such that the individual loads in a stacked relationship can be raised as a unit upon elevation of said supporting structure.

Claim 9

A materials handling apparatus for integrating a plurality of individual loads into a single payload comprising a supporting structure including a pair of spaced beams and a plurality of fingers mounted on each of said beams and extending transversely in opposite directions at spaced locations thereon, said fingers being positioned in a substantially horizontal plane and adapted to support the individual loads separately, means for removably interconnecting said beams and holding said beams a predetermined distance apart such that one of said beams is an upper beam and the other is a lower beam, and suspension means mounted on said supporting structure such that the individual loads in a stacked relationship can be raised as a unit upon elevation of said supporting structure.

Claim 10

The materials handling apparatus of claim 6, wherein said fingers are tapered from a relatively heavy root section adjacent their respective beam to a thinner section at their outermost tips and being adapted to support individual palletized loads.

Claim 11

Materials handling apparatus of claim 6, including a cradle adapted to support said stacked beams and comprising a pair of crossbeams joined by a pair of longerons wherein each crossbeam has a cutout portion to receive said lower beam and hold it in place on said cradle.