US3734312A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steel bar storage rack unit and cooperating lifting device
Assignee: Hickinbotham Bros Ltd
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Filing: 1972-01-31
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1992-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A pigeon-hole type rack unit having individual racks in vertical stacks, and a cooperating, transitionally suspended lifting device; the racks being adapted for the reception and storage-for wholesale-of relatively small gauge, elongated steel bars in heavy, standard mill bundles of predetermined length; and said rack unit and lifting device being of a construction such that the racks-successively upward from the lowermost one in a given stack thereof-can each be loaded by said device with a bundle of such bars, and thereafter-when desired-any bundle in a rack of such stack, and again by said device, can be lowered to a rack (when empty) therebelow and without removing such bundle, or any others, from the rack unit.
Inventors
- 👤 D Hickinbotham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:43
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G1/00; B65G1/02; B65G1/04; B65G1/0442
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
In combination, a steel bar storage rack unit and a cooperating transitionally suspended lifting device for such bars; the rack unit, which embodies a plurality of longitudinal pigeon-hole racks in a stack, including a pair of upstanding transversely spaced longitudinal structures which define the sides of the racks, a plurality of rack arms normally extending transversely between said structures and defining the steel-bar supporting bottoms of the racks, means mounting the rack arms on one structure for movement between said transverse position and a lengthwise out-of-the-way position clear of the space between said structures, and means to so move the rack arms corresponding to each rack; the lifting device including a longitudinal frame adapted to be suspended from an overhead traveling-type crane, the frame having a plurality of depending legs spaced apart lengthwise of the frame, forks corresponding to the legs, means mounting the forks on the lower ends of the legs for movement between a lateral steel-bar carrying position and a lengthwise out-of-the-way position, and means to so move the forks; the other structure being formed to receive the legs and forks therein, with the forks in either said lateral position or lengthwise position and movable to the other position without obstruction, upon lowering of the lifting device from a selected point above the rack unit; the forks in said lateral position, and when the legs are in said one structure, extending into the space between said structures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
239 words
In combination, a steel bar storage rack unit and a cooperating transitionally suspended lifting device for such bars; the rack unit, which embodies a plurality of longitudinal pigeon-hole racks in a stack, including a pair of upstanding transversely spaced longitudinal structures which define the sides of the racks, a plurality of rack arms normally extending transversely between said structures and defining the steel-bar supporting bottoms of the racks, means mounting the rack arms on one structure for movement between said transverse position and a lengthwise out-of-the-way position clear of the space between said structures, and means to so move the rack arms corresponding to each rack; the lifting device including a longitudinal frame adapted to be suspended from an overhead traveling-type crane, the frame having a plurality of depending legs spaced apart lengthwise of the frame, forks corresponding to the legs, means mounting the forks on the lower ends of the legs for movement between a lateral steel-bar carrying position and a lengthwise out-of-the-way position, and means to so move the forks; the other structure being formed to receive the legs and forks therein, with the forks in either said lateral position or lengthwise position and movable to the other position without obstruction, upon lowering of the lifting device from a selected point above the rack unit; the forks in said lateral position, and when the legs are in said one structure, extending into the space between said structures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A combination, as in claim 1, in which said one structure is a longitudinal row of spaced posts; the mounting means for the rack arms being hinges secured to the posts of said row.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A combination, as in claim 2, in which the hinges are disposed so that the rack arms, when in lengthwise position, lie within the longitudinal vertical plane of said row of posts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A combination, as in claim 2, in which said other structure includes rests upon which the hingedly-mounted rack arms bear at their free ends when in said transverse position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
98 words
A combination, as in claim 1, in which said means to move the rack arms corresponding to each rack comprises a push-pull rod assembly extending longitudinally of said one structure, a pivotal connection between the adjacent end of the push-pull rod assembly and an outermost one of said rack arms intermediate the ends of the latter, and lever connections between the push-pull rod assembly and the other of said rack arms whereby upon manual movement of said outermost rack arm between transverse position and lengthwise position, such other of the rack arms are simultaneously moved between corresponding positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A combination, as in claim 5, in which the lever connections are directed so that when said outermost rack arm is moved in one direction, between transverse position and lengthwise position, said other rack arms are moved between corresponding positions but in the opposite direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination, as in claim 6, in which said outermost rack arm is mounted for outward swinging motion between said transverse position and lengthwise position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A combination, as in claim 1, in which said other structure is a Row of spaced, free-standing posts having unobstructed space therebetween; the legs and the forks thereon being received between such posts upon said lowering of the lifting device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
118 words
A combination, as in claim 1, in which said means mounting the forks on the legs comprises vertical shafts journaled on the legs, the forks being secured to the lower ends of such shafts; and said means to move the forks including, with such shafts, a vertical operating shaft journaled in connection with the frame adjacent one end thereof, a push-pull rod assembly extending lengthwise of the frame, a lever connection between the rod assembly and the operating shaft, and other lever connections between the rod assembly and the leg-mounted shafts; such lever connections being directed so that upon rotation of the operating shaft in one direction, the leg-mounted shafts are moved between lateral position and lengthwise position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
A combination, as in claim 1, in which said one structure is a longitudinal row of upstanding posts; the means to move the rack arms of each rack including a push-pull rod assembly extending lengthwise of such row of posts; the latter being ported in longitudinal alinement, and the push-pull rod assembly passing through such alined ports.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A combination, as in claim 10, in which said means to move the rack arms includes lever connections between the hinged ends thereof and said push-pull rod assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
228 words
In combination, a steel bar storage rack unit and a cooperating transitionally suspended lifting device for such bars; the rack unit, which embodies a plurality of longitudinal pigeon-hole racks in a stack, including a pair of upstanding transversely spaced longitudinal structures which define the sides of the racks, a plurality of rack arms normally extending transversely between said structures and defining the steel-bar supporting bottoms of the racks, means mounting the rack arms on one structure for movement between said transverse position and a lengthwise out-of-the-way position clear of the space between said structures, and means to so move the rack arms corresponding to each rack; the lifting device being adapted to be suspended from an overhead, traveling-type crane and including a frame, longitudinally spaced forks on the frame, the forks being movable between a lateral steel-bar carrying position and a lengthwise out-of-the-way position, and means to so move the forks; the other structure being formed for the reception therein of the forks and a related portion of the frame, with the forks in either said lateral position or lengthwise position and movable to the other position without obstruction, upon lowering of the lifting device from a selected point above the rack unit; the forks in said lateral position, and when said portion of the frame is in said one structure, extending into the space between said structures.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
228 words
In combination, a steel bar storage rack unit and a cooperating transitionally suspended lifting device for such bars; the rack unit, which embodies a plurality of longitudinal pigeon-hole racks in a stack, including a pair of upstanding transversely spaced longitudinal structures which define the sides of the racks, a plurality of rack arms normally extending transversely between said structures and defining the steel-bar supporting bottoms of the racks, means mounting the rack arms on one structure for movement between said transverse position and a lengthwise out-of-the-way position clear of the space between said structures, and means to so move the rack arms corresponding to each rack; the lifting device being adapted to be suspended from an overhead, traveling-type crane and including a frame, longitudinally spaced forks on the frame, the forks being movable between a lateral steel-bar carrying position and a lengthwise out-of-the-way position, and means to so move the forks; the other structure being formed for the reception therein of the forks and a related portion of the frame, with the forks in either said lateral position or lengthwise position and movable to the other position without obstruction, upon lowering of the lifting device from a selected point above the rack unit; the forks in said lateral position, and when said portion of the frame is in said one structure, extending into the space between said structures.
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) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |