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US3618530A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Switch actuating apparatus for tow trucks

Assignee: FMC Corp
•
Filing: 1969-12-29
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Granted: 1971-11-09
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Expires: 1989-12-29
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Abstract

Abstract A switch actuating apparatus for use in a tow truck system includes two vertically slotted and horizontally notched probe mounting members disposed on either side of the tow pin of a conveyor truck to uniquely guide and position the probes. The probes cooperate with said slots and notches so as to swing forwardly when contacted from the rear, and are connected to a probe lifting device which is vertically movable between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position. The handle for the probe lifting device is located adjacent the tow pin handle and both are mounted in a handle housing whereby when the tow pin is raised the probes are necessarily raised, and when the probes are lowered the tow pin must also be lowered.

Inventors

  • 👤 Horace M Swartz

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 12:15
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/34; B65G47/46; B65G47/48; B65G47/485; B65G47/487

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim 120 words
A switch actuating apparatus for use on a conveyor truck having a vertically adJustable tow pin and at least one vertically adjustable probe and wherein said tow pin and probe are separately mounted on said truck for movement between a lowered operative position and a raised inoperative position, the improvement comprising first handle means operatively connected to and vertically movable with said tow pin, second handle means operatively connected to and vertically movable with said probe, a handle housing wherein each of the said handles are disposed and interrelated, and means including interengaging portions of said handles and handle-retaining means on said housing for locking said probes in a raised position when said tow pin is in a raised position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 120 words
A switch actuating apparatus for use on a conveyor truck having a vertically adJustable tow pin and at least one vertically adjustable probe and wherein said tow pin and probe are separately mounted on said truck for movement between a lowered operative position and a raised inoperative position, the improvement comprising first handle means operatively connected to and vertically movable with said tow pin, second handle means operatively connected to and vertically movable with said probe, a handle housing wherein each of the said handles are disposed and interrelated, and means including interengaging portions of said handles and handle-retaining means on said housing for locking said probes in a raised position when said tow pin is in a raised position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 120 words
A switch actuating apparatus for use on a conveyor truck having a vertically adjustable tow pin and at least one vertically adjustable probe and wherein said tow pin and probe are separately mounted on said truck for movement between a lowered operative position and a raised inoperative position, the improvement comprising first handle means operatively connected to and vertically movable with said tow pin, second handle means operatively connected to and vertically movable with said probe, a handle housing wherein each of the said handles are disposed and interrelated, and means including interengaging portions of said handles and handle-retaining means on said housing for locking said tow pin in a lowered position when said probe is in a lowered position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 120 words
A switch actuating apparatus for use on a conveyor truck having a vertically adjustable tow pin and at least one vertically adjustable probe and wherein said tow pin and probe are separately mounted on said truck for movement between a lowered operative position and a raised inoperative position, the improvement comprising first handle means operatively connected to and vertically movable with said tow pin, second handle means operatively connected to and vertically movable with said probe, a handle housing wherein each of the said handles are disposed and interrelated, and means including interengaging portions of said handles and handle-retaining means on said housing for locking said tow pin in a lowered position when said probe is in a lowered position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 140 words
A switch actuating apparatus for use on a conveyor truck comprising in combination, at least one mounting bracket secured to said truck, said bracket having a plurality of vertically elongated slots therein, at least one probe mounted in said bracket, said probe having a head at the upper end, a probe lifting device including a handle portion operatively connected to said probe and disposed for vertical movement to raise or lower said probe, said head cooperating with said slots to permit forwardly pivotal movement of said probe and to prevent passage of the upper end of said probe through said slots when said probe is in any position between the raised inoperative position and the lowered operative position whereby the pivotal movement of the probe will prevent accidental damage to the probe when struck from the rear of said truck.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 140 words
A switch actuating apparatus for use on a conveyor truck comprising in combination, at least one mounting bracket secured to said truck, said bracket having a plurality of vertically elongated slots therein, at least one probe mounted in said bracket, said probe having a head at the upper end, a probe lifting device including a handle portion operatively connected to said probe and disposed for vertical movement to raise or lower said probe, said head cooperating with said slots to permit forwardly pivotal movement of said probe and to prevent passage of the upper end of said probe through said slots when said probe is in any position between the raised inoperative position and the lowered operative position whereby the pivotal movement of the probe will prevent accidental damage to the probe when struck from the rear of said truck.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 137 words
A switch actuating apparatus for use on a conveyor truck comprising in combination, at least one mounting bracket secured to said truck, said bracket having a plurality of vertically elongated slots therein, at least one probe mounted in said bracket, said probe having a head at the upper end thereof, a probe lifting device including a handle portion to raise or lower the probe operatively connected to a vertically movable supporting member extending transversely of the truck, and flexible means slidably received on said supporting member for operably connecting the probe to said probe lifting device, said head cooperating with said slots to permit forwardly pivotal movement of said probe and to prevent passage of said probe through said slots when said probe is in any position between the lowered operative position and the raised inoperative position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 137 words
A switch actuating apparatus for use on a conveyor truck comprising in combination, at least one mounting bracket secured to said truck, said bracket having a plurality of vertically elongated slots therein, at least one probe mounted in said bracket, said probe having a head at the upper end thereof, a probe lifting device including a handle portion to raise or lower the probe operatively connected to a vertically movable supporting member extending transversely of the truck, and flexible means slidably received on said supporting member for operably connecting the probe to said probe lifting device, said head cooperating with said slots to permit forwardly pivotal movement of said probe and to prevent passage of said probe through said slots when said probe is in any position between the lowered operative position and the raised inoperative position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 160 words
A switch actuating apparatus including a floor type reader head for use on a conveyor truck comprising in combination, at least one mounting bracket secured to said truck, said mounting bracket having a forward upstanding vertical flange with a plurality of slots, a horizontal flange extending rearwardly with a plurality of notches open to said slots, and a spaced lower horizontal flange extending forwardly with a plurality of notches in alignment with said slots at least one rigid probe mounted on said bracket and movable between a lowered operative position and a raised inoperative position, and a cylindrical member attached to the upper end of said probe, said member preventing passage of the probe forwardly through said slots but permitting forwardly pivoting of said probe without allowing rearward pivoting movement whereby the pivotal movemenT will prevent accidental damage to the probe when the probe is struck from the rear of said truck, while permitting normal tripping of the reader head.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 160 words
A switch actuating apparatus including a floor type reader head for use on a conveyor truck comprising in combination, at least one mounting bracket secured to said truck, said mounting bracket having a forward upstanding vertical flange with a plurality of slots, a horizontal flange extending rearwardly with a plurality of notches open to said slots, and a spaced lower horizontal flange extending forwardly with a plurality of notches in alignment with said slots at least one rigid probe mounted on said bracket and movable between a lowered operative position and a raised inoperative position, and a cylindrical member attached to the upper end of said probe, said member preventing passage of the probe forwardly through said slots but permitting forwardly pivoting of said probe without allowing rearward pivoting movement whereby the pivotal movemenT will prevent accidental damage to the probe when the probe is struck from the rear of said truck, while permitting normal tripping of the reader head.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 159 words
A switch actuating apparatus for use on a conveyor truck having a vertically adjustable tow pin and at least one vertically adjustable probe and wherein said tow pin and probe are separately mounted on said truck for movement between a lowered operative position and a raised inoperative position, the improvement comprising first handle means operatively connected to and vertically movable with said tow pin, means to mount said probe for pivoting movement in a forwardly direction in a lowered operative position and a raised inoperative position, second handle means operatively connected to and vertically movable with said pivotable probe, and a handle housing having retainer means associated with each handle for retaining each handle in either a raised or lowered position, said retainer means for each handle being located in said housing relative to each other so that the pivotable probe can be moved between said raised and lowered positions while the tow pin remains in a lowered position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 159 words
A switch actuating apparatus for use on a conveyor truck having a vertically adjustable tow pin and at least one vertically adjustable probe and wherein said tow pin and probe are separately mounted on said truck for movement between a lowered operative position and a raised inoperative position, the improvement comprising first handle means operatively connected to and vertically movable with said tow pin, means to mount said probe for pivoting movement in a forwardly direction in a lowered operative position and a raised inoperative position, second handle means operatively connected to and vertically movable with said pivotable probe, and a handle housing having retainer means associated with each handle for retaining each handle in either a raised or lowered position, said retainer means for each handle being located in said housing relative to each other so that the pivotable probe can be moved between said raised and lowered positions while the tow pin remains in a lowered position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 155 words
A switch actuating apparatus for use on a conveyor truck having a vertically adjustable tow pin and at least one vertically adjustable probe and wherein said tow pin and probe are separately mounted on said truck for movement between a lowered operative position and a raised inoperative position, the improvement comprising first handle means operatively connected to and vertically movable with said tow pin, said probe being pivotable in a forwardly direction in a lowered operative position and a raised inoperative position, second handle means operatively connected to and vertically movable with said pivotable probe, and a handle housing having retainer means associated with each handle for retaining each handle in either a raised or lowered position, said retainer means for each handle being located in said housing relative to each other so that the tow pin can be moved between said raised and lowered positions while the pivotable probe remains in a raised position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 155 words
A switch actuating apparatus for use on a conveyor truck having a vertically adjustable tow pin and at least one vertically adjustable probe and wherein said tow pin and probe are separately mounted on said truck for movement between a lowered operative position and a raised inoperative position, the improvement comprising first handle means operatively connected to and vertically movable with said tow pin, said probe being pivotable in a forwardly direction in a lowered operative position and a raised inoperative position, second handle means operatively connected to and vertically movable with said pivotable probe, and a handle housing having retainer means associated with each handle for retaining each handle in either a raised or lowered position, said retainer means for each handle being located in said housing relative to each other so that the tow pin can be moved between said raised and lowered positions while the pivotable probe remains in a raised position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 116 words
A switch actuating apparatus for use on a conveyor truck comprising in combination, at least one mounting bracket secured to said truck, said mounting bracket having a plurality of vertical slots, at least one rigid probe mounted in said bracket, said probe movable between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position, said probe having a shank of smaller width than said slots and having a head of greater width than said slots, said shank pivotal through the slot about the head when contacted from one direction in either position of the probe, and means in the path of the shank of the probe to prevent pivotal movement thereof when contacted from the other direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 116 words
A switch actuating apparatus for use on a conveyor truck comprising in combination, at least one mounting bracket secured to said truck, said mounting bracket having a plurality of vertical slots, at least one rigid probe mounted in said bracket, said probe movable between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position, said probe having a shank of smaller width than said slots and having a head of greater width than said slots, said shank pivotal through the slot about the head when contacted from one direction in either position of the probe, and means in the path of the shank of the probe to prevent pivotal movement thereof when contacted from the other direction.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3262397A Cited
US3373698A Cited
US3522771A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1974-11-08 1975-05-10 1975-11-09 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1978-11-08 1979-05-10 1979-11-09 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1982-11-08 1983-05-10 1983-11-09 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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