US3695462A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Baggage handling system
Assignee: Rapistan Inc
•
Filing: 1970-08-28
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Granted: 1972-10-03
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Expires: 1990-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A baggage handling system utilizing four-sided open top containers each carrying only one owner''s set of baggage from the check-in to the enplaning dispensing station, and from the deplaning loading station to a baggage claim area. The system contemplates, in one form, that delivery of the baggage to the baggage claim area will occur only at the initiation of the baggage owner. A coded signal comprising a baggage identification number or in the case of a dispensing station, a flight number, is fed to a computer which compares the information in the signal with the contents of the container, pulls the appropriate container out of the container system, and causes it to discharge at the point where the coded signal was generated. The containers are located by the computer by means of a memory system which has been supplied the identity of each individual container and which at all times can determine the precise location of each individual container in the system. When the system is used for returning baggage to its claimant, the claimant provides a reader at the baggage claim station with a code identifying his particular baggage which enables the computer to direct the container having his baggage to the claimant and to discharge it to him.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman M Sullivan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:40
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/34; B65G47/46; B65G47/50; B64; B64F; B64F1/00; B64F1/36; B64F1/366; B64F1/368; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02; B65G2201/0235; B65G2201/0258
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
In a conveyor system for baggage having a plurality of baggage containers and conveying means for transporting said containers, said conveyor system having at least one discharge station, the improvement comprising: receiving means at said discharge station for receiving a coded signal; means in said system for identifying automatically the contents of each individual container; means operatively connected to said receiving means for comparing the signal with the information obtained by said identifying means; and at least one actuator element associated with said conveyor for selectively causing said container to discharge its contents at said station in response to a finding by said comparing means of compatability between the signal and the identifying information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a conveyor system for baggage having a plurality of baggage containers and conveying means for transporting said containers, said conveyor system having at least one discharge station, the improvement comprising: receiving means at said discharge station for receiving a coded signal; means in said system for identifying automatically the contents of each individual container; means operatively connected to said receiving means for comparing the signal with the information obtained by said identifying means; and at least one actuator element associated with said conveyor for selectively causing said container to discharge its contents at said station in response to a finding by said comparing means of compatability between the signal and the identifying information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The improved baggage conveyor system as defined in claim 1, and further including means for coding said container as containing new contents, said coding means being operatively associated with a loading station wherein baggage is first inserted into empty containers; and means for transporting said containers from said discharge station to said loading station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improved baggage conveyor system as defined in claim 2, wherein said identifying means and said coding means include a computer-like information storage bank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
The improved baggage conveyor system as defined in claim 2, wherein said discharge station and said loading station each comprise a cabinet designed to accommodate a single container at a time, a portion of said conveying means passing through the inside of said cabinet, said cabinet having a retractable door thereon, and said actuator element is operatively connected to said door to open the same upon the finding of said compatability of said information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The improved baggage conveyor system as defined in claim 4, wherein said actuator element is attached to said cabinet, and said door includes means for holding it open in the event the cabinet is functioning as a loading station.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improved baggage conveyor as defined in claim 1, wherein said identifying means includes a computer-like information storage bank.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improved baggage conveyor system as defined in claim 1, and further including means for locating the container bearing the contents identified in said signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improved baggage conveyor system as defined in claim 7, wherein said locating means includes a computer-like information storage bank.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The improved baggage conveyor system as defined in claim 7, and further including means for storing said containers with their contents therein, said locating means being directed at least to said storing means in order to locate the pertinent container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improved baggage conveyor system as defined in claim 9, and further including means for retrieving said containers from said storage means upon the finding by said comparing means of said compatability.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improved baggage conveyor system as defined in claim 10, and further including means for indexing the remaining of said containers one position at a time through said storing means as said retrieved containers are withdrawn.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improved baggage conveyor system as defined in claim 1, wherein said comparing means is a computer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improved baggage conveyor system as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said containers is a five-sided open-topped tray with a door at at least one end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The improved baggage conveyor system as defined in claim 13, wherein said five sides include two generally vertical sides, a floor and said door, the latter being hinged to one of said two sides.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
67 words
The improved baggage conveyor system as defined in claim 13, wherein said five sides include two generally vertical sides, a floor, and said door, and further including means hingedly mounting said door to said floor in a manner permitting vertical reciprocation of said door with respect to said floor, and means for opening said door Only when said door is raised vertically with respect to said floor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
71 words
The improved baggage conveyor system defined in claim 1 wherein said hinge means has two spaced hinges one secured to the floor and the other to said door; a lever element pivotally mounted to said one hinge and extending beneath said other hinge; said means for opening said door being an actuator cam for engaging and lifting said lever element, the lever element when raised lifting said door to release position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
57 words
The improved baggage conveyor system defined in claim 15 wherein said hinge means has two spaced hinges and a downwardly projecting wedge member connected to and between said hinges; said means for opening said door being an actuator cam for engaging and lifting said wedge member, the wedge member when raised lifting said door to release position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
112 words
The improved baggage conveyor system defined in claim 1 wherein said hinge means has two spaced hinges one secured to the floor and the other to said door; a rocker cam and means rotatably mounting said rocker cam on said container beneath said other of said hinges; said rocker cam having a pair of oppositely projecting wings one on each mounting means and a depending finger; said mounting means being adjacent the upper edge of said rocker cam; said means for opening said door being an actuator cam for engaging said finger and rotating said cam about its mounting means urging one of said ears to lift said door to release position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
66 words
The improved baggage conveyor system as defined in claim 13, wherein said actuator element is positioned to open said door on command by raising the same with respect to said floor, and further including means causing said actuator element to open said each container at a location spaced from adjacent positions at said discharge station to which are delivered the contents of other of said containers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improved baggage conveyor system as defined in claim 19, and further including means for closing said door when said container leaves this discharge station.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improved baggage conveyor system as defined in claim 19, wherein said causing means includes means for indexing said actuator along the length of said discharge station.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
118 words
The improved baggage conveyor as defined in claim 1, and further including at least a second additional actuator element at said discharge station adjacent to said one element, each of said actuator elements being positioned to discharge any of said containers into a selected area of said station, said receiving means including means for assigning the contents of each container to only a specific one of said areas of said station, and means associated with said identifying means for activating only one of said actuator elements which corresponds to said specific one of said areas to which said container contents have been assigned, whereby only said corresponding actuator element discharges the container contents assigned to said one area.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
The improved baggage conveyor system as defined in claim 22, wherein said indexing means includes a chain on which said actuator is mounted, a prime mover for driving said chain and means associated therewith for limiting the movement of the same.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improved baggage conveyor system as defined in claim 23, wherein said limiting means includes a stop mounted on said chain and two limit switches spaced apart at the limits of the desired movement of said actuator.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a system for delivering baggage to its claimant at a discharge station, a conveyor and a plurality of individual baggage transport trays each having only the baggage of a single claimant, the improvement in said system comprising: memory means associated with said conveyor for receiving and storing signals identifying the contents of each individual tray; a reader at said discharge station for receiving a coded identification and actuation means at said discharge station for causing the discharge of baggage from a tray; said memory means Associated with both said reader and said actuation means for translating the coded identification received by said reader into identification of the tray having the claimant''s baggage.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
172 words
In a system for transporting and identifying checked articles, a receiving station and a discharge station, a conveyor connecting the same having a plurality of article transport trays, each trays being permanent identified; memory means associated with said conveyor maintaining as information at all times the identity and location on the conveyor of each individual tray; an information receiver at said receiving station for receiving the coded identity of the contents of each tray and storage means associated with said system for retrievably storing such information; an information receiver at said discharge station for receiving coded information and means for comparing the coded information so received with the coded identity in said storage means; signal generating and transmitting means activated by said comparing means upon finding compatibility of the coded information from the discharge station with the coded identity in said storage means for transmitting a signal to said memory means; discharge means at said discharge station activated by said memory means to cause the article to be discharge from its tray.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
172 words
In a system for transporting and identifying checked articles, a receiving station and a discharge station, a conveyor connecting the same having a plurality of article transport trays, each trays being permanent identified; memory means associated with said conveyor maintaining as information at all times the identity and location on the conveyor of each individual tray; an information receiver at said receiving station for receiving the coded identity of the contents of each tray and storage means associated with said system for retrievably storing such information; an information receiver at said discharge station for receiving coded information and means for comparing the coded information so received with the coded identity in said storage means; signal generating and transmitting means activated by said comparing means upon finding compatibility of the coded information from the discharge station with the coded identity in said storage means for transmitting a signal to said memory means; discharge means at said discharge station activated by said memory means to cause the article to be discharge from its tray.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a system for airports for receiving baggage as it is checked in by passengers and delivering it to a designated flight loading station having a conveyor for transporting the baggage between the check-in and flight loading stations, said conveyor having individual baggage transporting containers movable therealong, the improvement comprising: means for identifying each container on the basis of its contents; said conveyor passing through said flight loading station and at said flight loading station being inclined; means dividing said flight loading station into a plurality of sections, a trigger element at each of said sections shiftable between retracted and actuated attitude, said trigger element when actuated engaging a container to cause it to discharge its contents through one end into the section with which said trigger element is associated; a control member connected to each of said trigger elements having means for selecting said trigger elements in response to the identity given each of said containers.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a system for airports for receiving baggage as it is checked in by passengers and delivering it to a designated flight loading station having a conveyor for transporting the baggage between the check-in and flight loading stations, said conveyor having individual baggage transporting containers movable therealong, the improvement comprising: means for identifying each container on the basis of its contents; said conveyor passing through said flight loading station and at said flight loading station being inclined; means dividing said flight loading station into a plurality of sections, a trigger element at each of said sections shiftable between retracted and actuated attitude, said trigger element when actuated engaging a container to cause it to discharge its contents through one end into the section with which said trigger element is associated; a control member connected to each of said trigger elements having means for selecting said trigger elements in response to the identity given each of said containers.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
46 words
In the system described in claim 27 wherein said selecting means of said control member has a discrimination unit for simultaneously activating the trigger elements of a plurality of said sections in response to the identity given each individual one of a plurality of said containers.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
124 words
In the system described in claim 27 wherein said conveyor has a container storage between said check-in and flight loading stations; a selector at said container storage for determining whether the contents of each container entering the container storage is then receivable by one of said sections of said flight loading station; a plurality of container receiving elements in said container storage and shunt means for transferring individual containers to and from said receiving elements, said shunt means being connected responsive to said selector and shunting those containers into said receiving elements which are not currently receivable at said flight loading station and returning them to the conveyor upon said selector receiving a signal that the containers are receivable at the flight loading station.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system described in claim 29 in which the selector has means for discriminating between containers based upon the identification of their contents.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
88 words
The system described in claim 29 in which said receiving elements are arranged in a side-by-side pattern and transfer means for shifting all of the containers in said receiving elements toward one end of the container storage in response to the withdrawal of a container from a receiving element from among a group of container occupied receiving elements; said selector having a memory element fOr recording the position of each of the containers in said receiving elements as they progress from one receiving element to an adjacent one.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system described in claim 27 wherein said system has a computer-like member and both said control member and said container identifying means are connected thereto and controlled thereby; said computer-like member being the memory component of said system.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system described in claim 27 wherein said means for identifying containers is a code carrying member mounted on each individual container; a reader at flight loading station for reading said code carrying member, said reader being connected to said control member and said control member being responsive thereto.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
75 words
The system described in claim 29 wherein said means for identifying containers is a code carrying member mounted on each individual container; a reader at said container storage and flight loading station for reading said code carrying member, said reader at said container storage being connected to said selector and said selector being responsive thereto; said reader at said flight loading station being connected to said control member and said control member being responsive thereto.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3260349A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-03 | 1976-04-03 | 1976-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-03 | 1980-04-03 | 1980-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-03 | 1984-04-03 | 1984-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |