US3743116A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Central conveying system
Assignee: Translift Gesellschaft fuer Hebe und Foerderanlagen mbH
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Filing: 1972-01-07
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Granted: 1973-07-03
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Expires: 1992-01-07
Abstract
Abstract A system with loading and unloading stations particularly useful for supplying hospitals, laundries, large kitchens, warehouses and the like, having movable carts capable of receiving containers to transport various supplies. The carts are transported either vertically or horizontally depending upon the building structure. Loading and unloading stations have suspension systems for the cars for loading and unloading goods of different types. Elevator cabins are provided having guide rails which are flush with additional guide rails on the floor of each cabin and each landing for moving the carts in and out of the elevator cabins. Lifting and lowering means are provided at places which the movable carts are transferred from the suspension system to the conveyor system on the floor.
Inventors
- 👤 H Giessler
- 👤 K Lorenz
- 👤 G Brutschin
- 👤 M Walti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:33
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66B; B66B11/00; B66B11/006; B65; B65G; B65G37/00; B65G37/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
279 words
A multi-floor building containing facilities such as those located in hospitals, warehouses, laundries and kitchens, the improvement comprising: a supply and removal system having loading and unloading stations located on each floor of the building, movable carts having removably mounted containers located thereon for transporting articles to selected horizontal and vertical locations within said building, a plurality of suspension means, a cart lifting and lowering station adjacent each end of a respective one of said suspension means, means mounting one end of said suspension means adjacent one of said loading and unloading station, said mounting means for said suspension means being located vertically above a floor of said building, movable cart handling means having liFting and lowering means thereon, means mounting said movable cart handling means on said suspension means, elevator means located adjacent each of said suspension means and loading and unloading stations, said elevator means including floor means, hoist means for selectively placing the floor of said elevator means in substantial coplanar alignment with the floors of said building, first cart guiding and moving means mounted on said floor means of said elevator means for moving said carts onto and off said elevator means, second cart guiding and moving means mounted on each floor of said building adjacent said elevator means, one of said second cart guiding and moving means being located between said lifting and lowering station and said elevator means and being operative for moving said movable carts from a location below said suspension means to a cooperative position with said first cart guiding and moving means and vice versa, said first and second cart guiding and moving means being of substantially the same construction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
279 words
A multi-floor building containing facilities such as those located in hospitals, warehouses, laundries and kitchens, the improvement comprising: a supply and removal system having loading and unloading stations located on each floor of the building, movable carts having removably mounted containers located thereon for transporting articles to selected horizontal and vertical locations within said building, a plurality of suspension means, a cart lifting and lowering station adjacent each end of a respective one of said suspension means, means mounting one end of said suspension means adjacent one of said loading and unloading station, said mounting means for said suspension means being located vertically above a floor of said building, movable cart handling means having liFting and lowering means thereon, means mounting said movable cart handling means on said suspension means, elevator means located adjacent each of said suspension means and loading and unloading stations, said elevator means including floor means, hoist means for selectively placing the floor of said elevator means in substantial coplanar alignment with the floors of said building, first cart guiding and moving means mounted on said floor means of said elevator means for moving said carts onto and off said elevator means, second cart guiding and moving means mounted on each floor of said building adjacent said elevator means, one of said second cart guiding and moving means being located between said lifting and lowering station and said elevator means and being operative for moving said movable carts from a location below said suspension means to a cooperative position with said first cart guiding and moving means and vice versa, said first and second cart guiding and moving means being of substantially the same construction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
114 words
The building according to claim 1, wherein said cart handling means having lifting and lowering means comprises a trolley mounted on said suspension system, a housing having a movable portion for supporting said lifting and lowering means, a frame structure depending the lower part of said housing, at least two lateral rods mounted on said frame structure and equally spaced from each other, hooks mounted on said lateral rods, hook control means mounted on said frame structure for actuating said hooks during the lowering of the movable portion of said housing, said hooks having a retracted position, and a gripping position for engaging the carts so that the carts can be raised and lowered.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The building according to claim 2, wherein said hook control means for moving said hooks into a cart engaging position, and into a disengaging position comprises a toothed gear drive, mounted on said housing for raising and lowering the movable portion of said housing, a guide mounted on said housing, and a cam coupled to said hooks and engaging said guide within said housing for actuating said hooks.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The building according to claim 3, additionally comprising an electric motor mounted on said housing for lifting and lowering said frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The building according to claim 3, comprising a stationary electric motor mounted at each lifting and lowering station, a U-shaped guide rail mounted on said housing, a pair of rollers mounted on said motor shaft and engaging the inside of said U-shaped guide rail, said U-shaped rail being further connected with said lowering means within said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
The building according to claim 1, wherein said cart guiding and moving means comprising endless conveyor belts disposed in front and in back of said elevator means, an electric motor driving said belts, a U-shaped belt guide containing said belts, a plurality of rollers mounted on the lower portion of said carts and engaging said belts for moving the carts in a horizontal direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
The building according to claim 1, wherein said cart guiding and moving means comprise a plurality of U-shaped guide rails, a plurality of rollers pivotably mounted in said U-shaped rails, a second guide rail mounted on the lower part of the cart for engaging said rollers, a third guide rail on the opposite side of said cart, a contact roller urged against said third rail, and a motor driving said contact roller for moving the carts in a horizontal direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The building according to claim 7, wherein said U-shaped guide rails are mounted in series with respect to each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The building according to claim 1, comprising turning discs mounted in front of the lifting and lowering stations adjacent said elevator means.
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) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |