US3647014A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transportation system
Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
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Filing: 1969-10-22
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Granted: 1972-03-07
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Expires: 1989-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A transportation system includes at least one transportable element, such as a pallet, platform or the like, on which loads may be supported and which has a lower face directed towards but upwardly spaced from any floor surface on which the transportable element rests. At least one self-propelled transporter element is provided and is so configurated as to be accommodatable beneath the lower face of the transportable element intermediate the lower face of the latter and a floor surface on which the transportable element rests. Releasable coupling means are provided for releasably coupling the elements to one another when the transporter element is accommodated beneath the lower face of the transportable element so that the the latter may be transported by the transporter element while being connected thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerhard Wilke
- 👤 Gerhard Schnell
- 👤 Karl Hoyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:37
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P1/00; B60P1/64; B60P1/6418; B60P1/6445; A; A61; A61G; A61G12/00; B62; B62B; B62B3/00; B62B3/04; B62B3/06; B62B3/0612; A61G2203/00; A61G2203/70; A61G2203/72; A61G2203/723
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A transportation system, comprising at least one transportable element arranged to carry loads and being provided with a lower face directed towards but upwardly spaced by a first distance from any floor surface on which said transportable element rests; contact portions on said transportable element extending downwardly therefrom into contact with the floor surface and being movable along the latter; at least one selfpropelled transporter element having an upper side spaced from the floor surface by a second distance which at most approaches said first distance, said transporter element being so dimensioned as to be accommodatable between said contact portions and beneath said lower face of said transportable element intermediate said lower face and the floor surface on which said transportable element rests; releasable coupling means for releasably coupling said elements to one another when said transporter element is accommodated beneath said lower face for enabliNg transportation of said transportable element by said transporter element; and control means for effecting extravehicular control of the movements of said transporter element, said control means comprising signal-receiving means operable for controlling movement of said transporter element in dependence upon signals received.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A transportation system, comprising at least one transportable element arranged to carry loads and being provided with a lower face directed towards but upwardly spaced by a first distance from any floor surface on which said transportable element rests; contact portions on said transportable element extending downwardly therefrom into contact with the floor surface and being movable along the latter; at least one selfpropelled transporter element having an upper side spaced from the floor surface by a second distance which at most approaches said first distance, said transporter element being so dimensioned as to be accommodatable between said contact portions and beneath said lower face of said transportable element intermediate said lower face and the floor surface on which said transportable element rests; releasable coupling means for releasably coupling said elements to one another when said transporter element is accommodated beneath said lower face for enabliNg transportation of said transportable element by said transporter element; and control means for effecting extravehicular control of the movements of said transporter element, said control means comprising signal-receiving means operable for controlling movement of said transporter element in dependence upon signals received.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A transportation system as defined in claim 1, said coupling means comprising interengageable coupling portions provided on said transportable element and transporter elements, respectively, and configurated for interengagement in response to movement of said transporter element to a position in which it is accommodated beneath said lower face.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A transportation system as defined in claim 1; and further comprising lifting means on said transporter element for lifting said transportable element out of contact with the floor surface on which it rests when said transporter element is accommodated beneath said lower face.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A transportation system as defined in claim 1; and further comprising guide means provided on at least one of said elements for guiding said elements to predetermined relative positions in response to movement of said transporter element relative to said transportable element in a sense effecting disposition of the former beneath said lower face of the latter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A transportation system as defined in claim 4, wherein said guide means comprise roller means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A transportation system as defined in claim 4, wherein said guide means comprise cam tracks.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A transportation system as defined in claim 4; and further comprising bumper means on said transporter element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A transportation system as defined in claim 7, wherein said bumper means and said guide means are combined.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A transportation system as defined in claim 4, wherein said signal-receiving means comprises electrically operable signal-receiving means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A transportation system as defined in claim 1, wherein said contact portions are wheels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A transportation system as defined in claim 1, wherein said contact portions are glides.
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) | 1975-03-07 | 1975-09-06 | 1976-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-07 | 1979-09-06 | 1980-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-07 | 1983-09-06 | 1984-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |