Adjustable stroke retractor mechanism

Claim 2

In a retractor mechanism for a load handling device, a longitudinal track structure having a shuttle unit mounted thereon for reciprocating movement therealong; fluid motor means supported on said track structure and connected to the shuttle unit; a shock absorber adapted to absorb the kinetic energy of said shuttle unit at the end of a power stroke prior to reversal of movement; a longitudinal slideway disposed internally of said track structure; a reciprocal slide assembly mounted on said slideway for movement therealong and supporting said shock absorber; said slide assembly having a portion provided with an internally threaded aperture; screw means extending through said threaded aperture of said slide member; said screw means being longitudinally stationarily retained within said track structure and extending outwardly thereof; actuator means attached to the outwardly extending portion of said screw means for rotation of said screw means; said shock absorber assembly being attached to and supported by said slide assembly such that upon rotation of said screw means by said actuator means said slide assembly will be moved along said slideway to cause longitudinal displacement of said shock absorber assembly along said track structure to thereby aDjustably limit the travel of said shuttle unit along said track structure under the control of said fluid motor and absorb the kinetic energy of said shuttle unit upon ceasing of power actuation of said fluid motor at a selected point along said track structure.

Claim 3

In combination with a retractor mechanism of a load handling device comprised of a longitudinal track structure having a shuttle unit mounted thereon for reciprocating movement therealong; said shuttle unit being power actuated for movement by fluid motor means supported on said track structure; and a shock absorber adapted to absorb the kenetic energy of said shuttle unit at the end of a power stroke prior to reversal of movement, the improvement comprising: a longitudinal slideway disposed internally of said track structure; a reciprocable slide assembly mounted on said slideway for movement therealong and supporting said shock absorber; said slide assembly having a portion provided with an internally threaded aperture; screw means extending through said threaded aperture of said slide member; said screw means being longitudinally stationarily retained within said track structure and extending outwardly thereof; actuator means attached to the outwardly extending portion of said screw means for rotation of said screw means; said shock absorber assembly being attached to and supported by said slide assembly such that upon rotation of said screw means by said actuator means said slide assembly will be moved along said slideway to cause longitudinal displacement of said shock absorber assembly along said track structure to thereby adjustably limit the travel of said shuttle unit along said track structure and absorb the kinetic energy of said shuttle unit upon ceasing of power actuation at a selected point along said track structure; and a releasable lock nut on the screw means and operably engagable with said track structure for locking said screw means in rotatably adjusted position.

Claim 4

In combination with a retractor mechanism of a load handling device comprised of a longitudinal track structure having a shuttle unit mounted thereon for reciprocating movement therealong; said shuttle unit being power actuated for movement by fluid motor means supported on said track structure; and a shock absorber adapted to absorb the kenetic energy of said shuttle unit at the end of a power stroke prior to reversal of movement, the improvement comprising: a longitudinal slideway disposed internally of said track structure; a reciprocable slide assembly mounted on said slideway for movement therealong and supporting said shock absorber; said slide assembly having a portion provided with an internally threaded aperture; screw means extending through said threaded aperture of said slide member; said screw means being longitudinally stationarily retained within said track structure and extending outwardly thereof; actuator means attached to the outwardly extending portion of said screw means for rotation of said screw means; said shock absorber assembly being attached to and supported by said slide assembly such that upon rotation of said screw means by said actuator means said slide assembly will be moved along said slideway to cause longitudinal displacement of said shock absorber assembly along said track structure to thereby adjustably limit the travel of said shuttle unit along said track structure and absorb the kinetic energy of said shuttle unit upon ceasing of power actuation at a selected point along said track structure; and a releasable lock nut on the screw means and operably engagable with said track structure for locking said screw means in rotatably adjusted position.

Claim 5

In the combination as defined in claim 2, in which said track structure comprises a longitudinal, normally open housing having a cover at one end; a bulk head disposed internally of said housing at a spaced distance from said cover; said screw means comprising an externally threaded rod rotatably supported in and between said cover and said bulk head; said releasable lock means comprising a nut and a lock washer associated therewith and threadedly engaging the outer end portion of said screw means; and a lever integral with said nut for rotation of said nut to release said lock washer.

Claim 6

In combination with a retractor mechanism of a load hadling device comprised of a longitudinal track structure having a shuttle unit mounted thereon for reciprocating movement therealong; said shuttle unit being power actuated for movement by fluid motor means supported on said track structure; and a shock absorber adapted to absorb the kinetic energy of said shuttle unit at the end of a power stroke prior to reversal of movement, the improvement comprising: a longitudinal slideway disposed internally of said track structure; a reciprocable slide assembly mounted on said slideway for movement therealong and supporting said shock absorber; said slide assembly having a portion provided with an internally threaded aperture; screw means extending through said threaded aperture of said slide member; said screw means being longitudinally stationarily retained within said track structure and extending outwardly thereof; actuator means attached to the outwardly extending portion of said screw means for rotation of said screw means; said shock absorber assembly being attached to and supported by said slide assembly such that upon rotation of said screw means by said actuator means said slide assembly will be moved along said slideway to cause longitudinal displacement of said shock absorber assembly along said track structure to thereby adjustably limit the travel of said Shuttle unit along said track structure and absorb the kinetic energy of said shuttle unit upon ceasing of power actuation at a selected point along said track structure; and an adjusting screw on said slide assembly and operably connected to said shock absorber for axial longitudinal adjustment of said shock absorber relative to said supporting slide assembly.

Claim 7

In combination with a retractor mechanism of a load hadling device comprised of a longitudinal track structure having a shuttle unit mounted thereon for reciprocating movement therealong; said shuttle unit being power actuated for movement by fluid motor means supported on said track structure; and a shock absorber adapted to absorb the kinetic energy of said shuttle unit at the end of a power stroke prior to reversal of movement, the improvement comprising: a longitudinal slideway disposed internally of said track structure; a reciprocable slide assembly mounted on said slideway for movement therealong and supporting said shock absorber; said slide assembly having a portion provided with an internally threaded aperture; screw means extending through said threaded aperture of said slide member; said screw means being longitudinally stationarily retained within said track structure and extending outwardly thereof; actuator means attached to the outwardly extending portion of said screw means for rotation of said screw means; said shock absorber assembly being attached to and supported by said slide assembly such that upon rotation of said screw means by said actuator means said slide assembly will be moved along said slideway to cause longitudinal displacement of said shock absorber assembly along said track structure to thereby adjustably limit the travel of said Shuttle unit along said track structure and absorb the kinetic energy of said shuttle unit upon ceasing of power actuation at a selected point along said track structure; and an adjusting screw on said slide assembly and operably connected to said shock absorber for axial longitudinal adjustment of said shock absorber relative to said supporting slide assembly.