US3672307A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle with coordinated guiding and supporting mechanism
Assignee: Eaton Corp
•
Filing: 1970-04-06
•
Granted: 1972-06-27
•
Expires: 1990-04-06
Abstract
Abstract A load handling vehicle is equipped with a steering and traction wheel and an overhead guide assembly coacting with fixed overhead linear tracks. The steering and traction wheel and the guide assembly rotate together so as to guide the vehicle and support it in its movement in different paths. The overhead tracks are connected by a circular track to permit transfer of the guide assembly from one linear track to another.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth A Richins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:05
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66F; B66F9/00; B66F9/06; B66F9/07; B66F9/072; B60; B60V; B60V3/00; B60V3/02; B60V3/025; B65; B65G; B65G1/00; B65G1/02; B65G1/04; B65G1/0407; B65G1/0435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
In the combination of the class described, a vehicle having support means and traction means at its bottom, a support member extending vertically upwardly from said bottom toward the ceiling of a room in which the bottom of the vehicle is supported by said support means, a guide assembly rotatably mounted on said support member, guides on said guide assembly, linear guide means for said guides secured relatively to the said ceiling, said linear guide means comprising two or more linear tracks or the like lying in angular relation to one another so that rotation of said guide assembly aligns said guides with one or the other of said linear tracks or the like, and transfer means with which said guides coact while rotating with said guide assembly into coaction with one linear guide means from coaction with the other linear guide means, said transfer means comprising circular tracks or the like connecting said linear guide means, and said guides comprising rollers in contact with said circular tracks or the like.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
In the combination of the class described, a vehicle having support means and traction means at its bottom, a support member extending vertically upwardly from said bottom toward the ceiling of a room in which the bottom of the vehicle is supported by said support means, a guide assembly rotatably mounted on said support member, guides on said guide assembly, linear guide means for said guides secured relatively to the said ceiling, said linear guide means comprising two or more linear tracks or the like lying in angular relation to one another so that rotation of said guide assembly aligns said guides with one or the other of said linear tracks or the like, and transfer means with which said guides coact while rotating with said guide assembly into coaction with one linear guide means from coaction with the other linear guide means, said transfer means comprising circular tracks or the like connecting said linear guide means, and said guides comprising rollers in contact with said circular tracks or the like.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
In the combination of claim 1, the feature that said traction means includes a traction wheel rotatable in a steering axis to drive said vehicle in alignment with said guide means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
In the combination of claim 1, the feature that said support means comprise air pads.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
In the combination of claim 1, the feature that said support member is a mast, and that a load handling carriage is mounted for vertical movement on said mast.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
In the combination of claim 1, outriggers on said vehicle for stabilizing said vehicle during rotation of said guides relatively to said transfer means, said outriggers being positioned for swinging transversely of the vehicle parallel to one of said linear guide means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
In the combination of claim 1, the feature that a part of said traction means rotates in accordance with rotation of said guide assembly whereby to align both said traction means and guides with said linear guide means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
In the combination of claim 6, the feature that said part of said traction means and said guide assembly are rotated together into proper alignment with said linear guide means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
In the combination of claim 6, the feature that said part of said traction means is a steering wheel, and means for rotating said steering wheel in accordance with said guide assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
In the combination of claim 8, the feature that said support member is a mast on which a load handling carriage is mounted for vertical movement, and said means for rotating said steering wheel together with said guide assembly comprise a shaft rotatably mounted on said mast.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
In the combination of claim 1, the feature that said traction means is a steering and traction wheel mounted for steering rotation on said vehicle, and means interconnecting said steering and traction wheel and said guide assembly for rotating both said wheel and guide assembly simultaneously in predetermined relation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US582436A
Cited
CA751212A
Cited
US2068403A
Cited
US3059587A
Cited
US3202232A
Cited
US3156193A
Cited
US3353501A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |