Patent US3593672A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3593672A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apertured panel with tine-gripping means
Assignee: Railcar Specialties Inc
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Filing: 1968-04-08
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1988-04-08
Abstract
Abstract A panel for separating lading is provided with spaced ports in its face adapted to receive therein the tips of a forklift truck''s tines, and means are provided in the ports for gripping said tines to prevent the panel from falling when the tines lift the panel. The gripping device is mechanically actuated into a positive gripping relationship with tines of a forklift truck when the tines are inserted in the ports and when the panel is lifted in a vertical position by the tines and supported thereby. When the panel is no longer supported by the tines, the gripping devices may be moved or move out of gripping relationship with the tines and the tines then may be easily removed from the ports.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry D Breen
- 👤 Russell M Loomis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:15
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66F; B66F9/00; B66F9/06; B66F9/075; B66F9/12; B66F9/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
In a generally planar panel of the typE for aiding in freight lading, and having on a generally planar face thereof at least one port adapted to receive therein the tine of a typical forklift loading truck that is used for lifting and carrying the panel, the improvement comprising, gripping means carried by said panel adjacent the port, said gripping means including a movable gripping part positioned to engage the tine, for effecting a frictional pressure grip against a portion of the tine, and means responsive to upward movement of the tine within the port, during lifting of the panel, for exerting a force upon and through said movable gripping part to effect a frictional gripping force by said gripping part against a portion of the tine to secure the panel on the tine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a generally planar panel of the typE for aiding in freight lading, and having on a generally planar face thereof at least one port adapted to receive therein the tine of a typical forklift loading truck that is used for lifting and carrying the panel, the improvement comprising, gripping means carried by said panel adjacent the port, said gripping means including a movable gripping part positioned to engage the tine, for effecting a frictional pressure grip against a portion of the tine, and means responsive to upward movement of the tine within the port, during lifting of the panel, for exerting a force upon and through said movable gripping part to effect a frictional gripping force by said gripping part against a portion of the tine to secure the panel on the tine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
A panel as in claim 1 wherein the means responsive to upward movement of the tine for exerting a gripping force through the movable gripping part includes a trigger part operatively connected to and movable with the movable gripping part, the trigger part being positioned to be engaged by a time moving upwardly within the port during lifting of the panel, and the effect of gravity being operative to restore the trigger and the movable gripping part when the forklift tine is lowered within the port.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
A panel as in claim 1 wherein the means responsive to upward movement of the tine for exerting a gripping force through the movable gripping part includes a spring arranged to bias the movable part toward an upper portion of the port so that, when the tine abuts an upper portion of the port during lifting of the panel, the spring operates to clamp the movable member against the tine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A panel as in claim 1 wherein the movable gripping part is arranged to pivot about an axis that lies transverse to the face of the panel in which the port is located.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A panel as in claim 1 wherein the movable gripping part is arranged to pivot about an axis that lies substantially parallel to the face of the panel in which the port is located.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A panel as in claim 1 wherein the trigger part and movable gripping part are portions of a bellcrank arranged to pivot about an axis located adjacent the port in the panel face.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A panel as in claim 1 wherein the movable gripping part is positioned and arranged to engage the underside of a forklift tine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
A panel as in claim 1 wherein the movable gripping part is positioned to engage one surface of the forklift tine and to urge the opposite surface of the tine against a portion of the panel surrounding the port to effect frictional clamping of the tine between the gripping part and the panel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
A panel as in claim 3 wherein the movable gripping part has a nonlinear tine-engaging surface, and the movable part is mounted to pivot about an axis that lies substantially parallel to the face of the panel, said pivot axis being eccentric to the nonlinear tine-engaging surface to accommodate tine portions of different thickness.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
A panel as in claim 1 wherein the gripping means includes two spaced movable gripping parts that are normally spaced apart a distance to permit entry of a forklift tine therebetween, said gripping parts being movable toward each other to grip opposite edges of the tine when the tine moves upwardly during lifting of the panel by the tine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A panel as in claim 10 wherein the two spaced movable gripping parts are each part of a bellcrank that is mounted to pivot about an axis that lies transverse to the face of the panel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A panel as in claim 10 wherein the two spaced movable gripping parts are normally biased apart by gravity force.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
75 words
A panel as in claim 10 wherein the two spaced movable gripping parts are upright elements, upwardly converging cam means operatively associated with the gripping parts to cause the upright elements to move toward each other as they are raised, and the means responsive to upward movement of the tine being at least one laterally extending member operatively associated with the upright elements to raise them to cause them tO cam inwardly toward each other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A panel as in claim 13 wherein the upright elements have inclined slots thereon slidably cooperating with pins mounted on the panel and extending into the slots.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
A panel as in claim 13 wherein the upright elements have elongated rail followers defined thereon, and inclined guide rail means mounted on the panel and cooperating with the rail followers for controlling movement of the upright elements.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
A panel as in claim 1 wherein the gripping means are located wholly within the plane of the panel so as to protect the gripping means from loads abutting the face of the panel and to provide no interference thereof with loading against the panel face.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A panel as in claim 6 wherein the bellcrank is shaped and arranged to simultaneously engage the upper and lower surfaces of a tine when the tine is lifting the panel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |