US3621973A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Load-handling apparatus
Assignee: Columbia Machine Inc
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Filing: 1969-09-18
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Granted: 1971-11-23
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Expires: 1989-09-18
Abstract
Abstract Load-handling apparatus including a conveyor for transporting a load along a substantially horizontal path, and a power-operated shifter for shifting a load laterally on the conveyor. The conveyor includes plural spaced-apart power-driven rollers, and the shifter comprises plural spaced-apart rails which are movable upwardly between the spaces between such rollers and laterally of the path mentioned. Positioned adjacent a side of the conveyor is an upright plate against which a load may be shifted. The shifter also is reversible to accommodate shifting a load away from the upright plate. Control circuitry is provided which inhibits operation of the rollers in the conveyor during operation of the shifter.
Inventors
- 👤 Lloyd Carlson
- 👤 William E Herd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 02:05
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/22; B65G57/00; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02; B65G2203/00; B65G2203/04; B65G2203/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
In load handling equipment including an interruptibly operable power-driven conveyer for transporting a load along a substantially horizontal path, apparatus for laterally repositioning a load on said conveyer comprising load-position-sensing interrupting means positioned adjacent and operatively connected to said conveyer operable to interrupt the operation thereof on a load arriving at a predetermined location along said path, means defining an upright surface adjacent one side of the path, power-operated shifting means for picking up a load on said conveyer and moving it toward and against said surface, and control means operatively interconnecting said interrupting means and said shifting means permitting operation of the latter only with operation of the former and with said conveyer stopped.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
In load handling equipment including an interruptibly operable power-driven conveyer for transporting a load along a substantially horizontal path, apparatus for laterally repositioning a load on said conveyer comprising load-position-sensing interrupting means positioned adjacent and operatively connected to said conveyer operable to interrupt the operation thereof on a load arriving at a predetermined location along said path, means defining an upright surface adjacent one side of the path, power-operated shifting means for picking up a load on said conveyer and moving it toward and against said surface, and control means operatively interconnecting said interrupting means and said shifting means permitting operation of the latter only with operation of the former and with said conveyer stopped.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
127 words
Load-handling apparatus comprising interruptibly operable power-driven conveyer means for transporting a load along a substantially horizontal path, a load position sensor for sensing the presence of a load at a predetermined location along said path, interrupting means operatively connected to said sensor and said conveyer means operable to interrupt the operation of the conveyer means on a load arriving at said predetermined location along said path, means defining an upright surface adjacent one side of said path, power-operated shifting means for picking up a load from said conveyer means and moving it toward said surface to reposition such load laterally on the conveyer means, and control means operatively connecting said interrupting means and said shifting means permitting operation of the latter only with operation of the former.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
127 words
Load-handling apparatus comprising interruptibly operable power-driven conveyer means for transporting a load along a substantially horizontal path, a load position sensor for sensing the presence of a load at a predetermined location along said path, interrupting means operatively connected to said sensor and said conveyer means operable to interrupt the operation of the conveyer means on a load arriving at said predetermined location along said path, means defining an upright surface adjacent one side of said path, power-operated shifting means for picking up a load from said conveyer means and moving it toward said surface to reposition such load laterally on the conveyer means, and control means operatively connecting said interrupting means and said shifting means permitting operation of the latter only with operation of the former.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said shifting means comprises a movable shifter engageable with the base of a load, said shifter having a lowered position wherein it is disposed below the elevation of said path, and being mounted for movement upwardly and laterally of said path from its said lowered position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the means mounting said shifter comprises a swing arm accommodating movement of the shifter in a circular course, and which further comprises a shift motor drivingly connected to said swing arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 3, which further comprises a reversible motor operable in one direction to move said shifter in a manner effective to shift a load on said conveyer means toward said surface, and in the opposite direction to produce the reverse operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said conveyer means comprises a plurality of spaced, substantially horizontal, parallel elongated rollers, and said shifter comprises multiple elongated spaced rails having horizontal upper surfaces substantially paralleling said rollers and movable into the spaces therebetween, said rails being so mounted that their upper surfaces are maintained substantially horizontal throughout movement upwardly and laterally of said path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said conveyer means includes an interruptible motor, said interrupting means Comprises a motor control circuit placeable in one operating condition effecting operation of said motor and in another operating condition inhibiting such operation, and said load position sensor is operatively connected to said motor control circuit and is effective to place said motor control circuit in its said other operating condition on sensing a load in said predetermined position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said shifting means includes a shift motor, and said control means further comprises a second motor control circuit operatively connected to said shift motor and to said sensor, said second motor control circuit having one operating condition inhibiting operation of said shift motor, and being placeable in another operating condition with said sensor sensing a load in said certain position effecting operation of said shift motor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said sensor and said second motor control circuit are interconnected through timing means which inhibits placement of the second motor control circuit in its said other operating position until the elapse of a predetermined time interval after said sensor senses a load in said certain position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
144 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said shift motor is reversible, being operable in reverse to shift a load laterally on said conveyer means away from said surface, said second motor control circuit is placeable in a third operating condition wherein it effects operation of said shift motor in reverse, and said control means further comprises another load position sensor adjacent said conveyer means and operatively connected to said second motor control circuit, said other sensor being operable to sense the position on the conveyer means of the upright side of a load facing away from said surface with the load shifted toward said surface, and on sensing such a side lying within a certain distance from said surface, to cause said second motor control circuit to be placed in its said third operating condition after the load has been shifted toward said surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said upright surface is substantially planar and parallels said path.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
131 words
Load-handling apparatus comprising an interruptibly operable power-driven conveyer for transporting a load along a substantially horizontal path, a load position sensor for sensing the presence of a load at a predetermined location along said path, interrupting means operatively connected to said sensor and said conveyer operable to interrupt the operation of the conveyer on a load arriving at said predetermined location along said path, means defining an upright surface adjacent one side of the path, power-operated shifting means for shifting a load laterally of said path and against said upright surface with the load maintained in substantially the same orientation relative to the conveyer throughout such shifting operation, and control means operatively connecting said interrupting means and said shifting means permitting operation of the latter only with operation of the former.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
131 words
Load-handling apparatus comprising an interruptibly operable power-driven conveyer for transporting a load along a substantially horizontal path, a load position sensor for sensing the presence of a load at a predetermined location along said path, interrupting means operatively connected to said sensor and said conveyer operable to interrupt the operation of the conveyer on a load arriving at said predetermined location along said path, means defining an upright surface adjacent one side of the path, power-operated shifting means for shifting a load laterally of said path and against said upright surface with the load maintained in substantially the same orientation relative to the conveyer throughout such shifting operation, and control means operatively connecting said interrupting means and said shifting means permitting operation of the latter only with operation of the former.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said shifting means comprises a movable shifter engageable with the base of a load, said shifter having a lowered position wherein it is disposed below the elevation of said path, and being mounted for movement upwardly and laterally of said path from its said lowered position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the means mounting said shifter comprises a swing arm accommodating movement of the shifter in a circular course, and which further comprises a shift motor drivingly connected to said swing arm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said conveyer comprises a plurality of spaced substantially horizontal parallel rollers, and said shifter comprises multiple elongated spaced rails having substantially horizontal upper surfaces paralleling said rollers and movable into spaces therebetween, said rails being so mounted that their upper surfaces are maintaiNed substantially horizontal throughout movement upwardly and laterally of the path.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said upright surface is substantially planar and parallels said path.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said conveyer includes an interruptible motor, said interrupting means comprises a motor control circuit placeable in one operating condition effecting operation of said motor and in another operating condition inhibiting such operation, and said load position sensor is operatively connected to said motor control circuit and is effective to place said motor control circuit in its said other operating condition on sensing a load in said predetermined position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said shifting means includes a shift motor, and said control means further comprises a second motor control circuit operatively connected to said shift motor and to said sensor, said second motor control circuit having one operating condition inhibiting operation of said shift motor, and being placeable in another operating condition with said sensor sensing a load in said certain position effecting operation of said shift motor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said sensor and said second motor control circuit are interconnected through timing means which inhibits placement of the second motor control circuit in its said other operating position until the elapse of a predetermined time interval after said sensor senses a load in said certain position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
109 words
Load-handling apparatus comprising an interruptibly operable power-driven conveyer for transporting a load along a substantially horizontal path, a load position sensor for sensing the presence of a load at a predetermined location along said path, interrupting means operatively connected to said sensor and said conveyer operable to interrupt the operating of the conveyer on a load arriving at said predetermined location along said path, means defining an upright surface adjacent one side of said path, and reversible power-operated shifting means for shifting a load laterally of said path toward and against said surface and subsequently shifting such load laterally of said path a predetermined distance away from said surface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
109 words
Load-handling apparatus comprising an interruptibly operable power-driven conveyer for transporting a load along a substantially horizontal path, a load position sensor for sensing the presence of a load at a predetermined location along said path, interrupting means operatively connected to said sensor and said conveyer operable to interrupt the operating of the conveyer on a load arriving at said predetermined location along said path, means defining an upright surface adjacent one side of said path, and reversible power-operated shifting means for shifting a load laterally of said path toward and against said surface and subsequently shifting such load laterally of said path a predetermined distance away from said surface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said shifting means comprises a movable shifter engageable with the base of a load, said shifter having a lowered position wherein it is disposed below the elevation of said path and being mounted for movement upwardly and laterally of said path from its said lowered position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 21, which further comprises a reversible motor operable in one direction to move said shifter in a manner effective to shift the load on said conveyer toward said surface and in the opposite direction to produce the reverse operation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said conveyer includes an interruptible motor, said interrupting means comprises a motor control circuit placeable in one operating condition effecting operation of said motor and in another operating condition inhibiting such operation, and said load position sensor is operatively connected to said motor control circuit and is effective to place said motor control circuit in its said other operating condition on sensing a load in said predetermined position.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said shifting means includes a shift motor operable to effect shifting of a load toward said surface and a second motor control circuit operatively connected to said shift motor and to said sensor, said second motor control circuit having one operating condition inhibiting operation of said shift motor, and being placeable in another operating condition with said sensor sensing a load in said predetermined position effecting operation of said shift motor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said sensor and said second motor control circuit are interconnected through timing means which inhibits placement of the second motor cOntrol circuit in its said other operating position until the elapse of a predetermined time interval after said sensor senses a load in said certain position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
142 words
The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said shift motor is reversible, being operable in reverse to shift a load laterally on said conveyer means away from said surface, said second motor control circuit is placeable in a third operating condition wherein it effects operation of said shift motor in reverse, and said control means further comprises another load position sensor adjacent said conveyer and operatively connected to said second motor control circuit, said other sensor being operable to sense the position on the conveyer of an upright side of a load facing away from said surface with the load shifted toward said surface, and on sensing such a side lying within a certain distance from said surface, to cause said second motor control circuit to be placed in its said third operating condition after the load has been shifted toward said surface.
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) | 1974-11-22 | 1975-05-24 | 1975-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-22 | 1979-05-24 | 1979-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-22 | 1983-05-24 | 1983-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |