US3754516A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Parallel motion mechanism
Assignee: American Capital Financial Services Inc
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Filing: 1970-12-23
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Granted: 1973-08-28
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Expires: 1990-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A parallel motion mechanism particularly suited for use as an adjustable retainer for blocking and bracing loads in cargocarrying vehicles, such as railroad cars, semi-trailers, ships, airplanes and containers. The mechanism in its basic form comprises a pair of elongated, rigid members which are relatively laterally movable between a collapsed position and an extended position, and a connecting linkage which at all times maintains the members in parallel relationship. The connecting linkage comprises a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart toggle linkages each comprising four equal-length links having their ends pivotally connected to form a parallelogram, two opposite pivot points of the parallelogram being respectively pivotally connected to the two members. A guiding linkage is provided comprising a pair of elongated guide elements respectively extending between and pivotally connected to corresponding ones of the remaining pivot points of the two toggle linkages and being guided for relative collinear extension and retraction in response to movement of the toggle linkages between collapsed and the extended positions thereby maintaining the two members in parallel relationship. In one embodiment, the two guide elements may be clamped together in any position of the mechanism between fully collapsed and fully expanded thereby locking the mechanism so as rigidly to block and brace a load within a vehicle. In another embodiment, the two members may be resiliently urged toward their expanded position thereby resiliently to brace a load within a vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Gompel J Van
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:49
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61D; B61D45/00; B61D45/001; B60; B60P; B60P7/00; B60P7/06; B60P7/135; B60P7/14; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20582; Y10T74/20588; Y10T74/20594
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A parallel motion mechanism comprising a pair of spaced toggle linkages, each of said linkages comprising four link elements of equal lengths pivotally connected together at first and second opposite pivot points and at third and fourth opposite pivot points to form a parallelogram, a first elongated rigid element interconnecting said first pivot points of said linkages for movement in unison, a second elongated rigid element equal in length to said first element interconnecting said second pivot points of said linkages for movement in unison, means for connecting said third pivot points to a first rigid structure, and means for connecting said fourth pivot points to a second rigid structure, said first and second pivot points being located on a first imaginary straight line and said rigid elements extending in parallel, overlapping relationship on said first line and colinearly moving therealong between retracted and extended positions in response to extension and collapse of said linkages, respectively, whereby said third and fourth pivot points are respectively located on second and third imaginary straight lines spaced on opposite sides of said first line and parallel therewith in all positions of said linkages.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A parallel motion mechanism comprising a pair of spaced toggle linkages, each of said linkages comprising four link elements of equal lengths pivotally connected together at first and second opposite pivot points and at third and fourth opposite pivot points to form a parallelogram, a first elongated rigid element interconnecting said first pivot points of said linkages for movement in unison, a second elongated rigid element equal in length to said first element interconnecting said second pivot points of said linkages for movement in unison, means for connecting said third pivot points to a first rigid structure, and means for connecting said fourth pivot points to a second rigid structure, said first and second pivot points being located on a first imaginary straight line and said rigid elements extending in parallel, overlapping relationship on said first line and colinearly moving therealong between retracted and extended positions in response to extension and collapse of said linkages, respectively, whereby said third and fourth pivot points are respectively located on second and third imaginary straight lines spaced on opposite sides of said first line and parallel therewith in all positions of said linkages.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said first and second structures include rigid elements, and further comprising means for releasably securing any two adjacent ones of said elements against movement thereby selectively to lock said linkages in any one of an infinite number of angular positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mechanism of claim 1 further comprising resilient means acting upon said linkages for biasing said linkages toward their fully extended positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The mechanism of claim 1 wherein each of said rigid structures includes an elongated flange having an edge, said edges abutting and said flanges covering said linkages when said linkages are collapsed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mechanism of claim 1 further comprising means for releasably clamping said rigid elements thereby to restrain said extension and retraction thereof wherEby said linkages may be locked in any of an infinite number of angular positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
The mechanism of claim 1 further comprising ratchet means cooperating with said rigid elements for restraining collapse from a selected extended position, said ratchet means permitting said retraction of said rigid elements and extension of said linkages, and means for selectively disengaging said ratchet means thereby permitting free extension of said elements and collapse of said linkages.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
The mechanism of claim 1 wherein each of said rigid elements has an elongated slots therein,; a first pivot member connected to one a said rigid elements, extending through said slot in the other of said rigid elements, and forming one of said first pivot points; and a second pivot member connected to said other rigid element, extending through said slot in said one rigid element, and forming another one of said second pivot points.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
The mechanism of claim 7 wherein each of said rigid elements has opposite ends, said first and second pivot members being respectively connected to said one and other rigid elements adjacent one end thereof, and further comprising third and fourth pivot members respectively connected to said one and other elements adjacent the other ends thereof and respectively forming the remaining ones of said first and second pivot points.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
The mechanism of claim 8 wherein each of said rigid elements comprises a channel member having a web portion and opposite side flanges, said web portions being in spaced, parallel relationship with said flanges respectively facing outwardly in opposite directions, said link elements which are pivotally connected by said first and second pivot members having ends positioned between said web portions, said slots being formed in said web portions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The mechanism of claim 7 wherein said pivot members respectively comprise threaded fasteners for releasably clamping said rigid elements thereby to restrain said extension and retraction thereof whereby said linkages may be locked in any one of an infinite number of angular positions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
66 words
The mechanism of claim 7 wherein said rigid elements have portions extending in overlapping relationship between said first and second pivot members, and further comprising spring means surrounding said overlapping portions, said spring means extending between said linkages and engaging the link elements thereof which are pivotally connected by said first and second pivot members, respectively, for resiliently urging said linkages toward their fully extending positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
69 words
The mechanism of claim 11 further comprising a tubular sleeve surrounding said rigid elements and spring means and having opposite ends respectively extending outwardly beyond said linkages, said sleeve having openings formed therein wtih said link elements respectively extending therethrough, and second and third spring means in said sleeve respectively extending between said ends thereof and said linkages for further resiliently urging said linkages toward said extended positions thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The mechanism of claim 11 further comprising means for selectively comprising said spring means thereby to disengage the same from one of said linkages, and means for restraining said spring in a compressed position thereby permitting free collapse and extension of said linkages.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The mechanism of claim 13 wherein said compressing means includes a manually actuated lever member carried by said rigid elements.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
143 words
The mechanism of claim 7 further comprising a first ratchet member carried by one of said rigid elements and positioned in said slot thereof, said first ratchet member having a first plurality of longitudinally extending ratchet teeth thereon, a second ratchet member carried by the other of said rigid elements and having a second plurality of longitudinally extending ratchet teeth thereon adapted to cooperate with said first teeth to restrain said extension and permit said retraction of said rigid elements, one of said rAtchet members being moveable with respect to the other between teeth engaging and disengaged positions, means for normally resiliently urging said one member to said teeth engaging position thereby locking said linkages against collapse from a selected extended position, and manually actuated means for selectively moving said one member to said disengaged position thereby permitting free collapse of said linkages.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
The mechanism of claim 1 wherein one of said structures comprises an elongated tubular member, and further comprising means for mounting said tubular member on another element for pivotal movement about the axis of said tubular member whereby the assembly of said linkages and interconnecting means is pivotally movable about said axis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
74 words
The mechanism of claim 16 wherein said mounting means comprises a sleeve surrounding a portion of said tubular member, said sleeve being rotatably mounted on said tubular member thereby providing said pivotal movement, a mounting member adapted to be secured to said other element, means for pivotally connecting said sleeve to said mounting member, and means for selectively locking said tubular member in a plurality of selected pivotal positions with respect to said sleeve.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
74 words
The mechanism of claim 1 wherein one of said structures comprises an elongated rigid member, a supporting element having a surface with an elongated recess formed therein, and means for connecting said member to said supporting element for pivotal movement of the assembly of said linkages, interconnecting means, other structure and rigid member between a first position with said assembly received in said recess and a second position with said assembly engaging said surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mechanism of claim 18 wherein said surface is generally horizontal and said assembly is supported thereon in said second position, said recess being proportioned to receive said assembly only when said linkages are substantially fully collapsed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The mechanism of claim 1 wherein one of said structures comprises a rigid, vertical wall, the respective connecting means being vertically aligned so that all of said lines extend vertically.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The mechanism of claim 20 wherein the other of said structures comprises a movable, vertical wall, said movable wall being moved with resepct to said rigid wall by extension and collapse of said linkages, respectively.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The mechanism of claim 21 wherein said connecting means respectively connect said third and fourth pivot points to said walls for pivotal movemment of the assembly of said linkages and interconnecting means about said second and third lines, respectively.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mechanism of claim 22 wherein said walls are generally parallel, said assembly forming acute angles with said walls when said linkages are extended and being generally parallel with said walls when said linkages are substantially collapsed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
83 words
The mechanism of claim 20 wherein the other of said structures comprises a vertical bulkhead movable between a first position generally at right angles to said wall and a second position in closely spaced parallel relationship with said wall, said connecting means respectively connecting said third and fourth pivot points to said wall and bulkhead for pivotal movement of the assembly of said linkages and interconnecting means about said second and third lines, respectively thereby to move said bulkhead between said positions thereof.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
119 words
The mechanism of claim 24 wherein said bulkhead has inner and outer ends, said fourth pivot points being connected to said outer end of said bulkhead, and further comprising releasable means for hingedly connecting said inner end of said bulkhead to said wall at a plurality of selected points thereon thereby to provide a plurality of said first positions, said third pivot points being connected to said wall at a location spaced from said selected points whereby said assembly forms acute angles with said wall and bulkhead in said first positions thereof, release of said releasable means permitting movement of said bulkhead to said second position, said assembly being generally aligned with said bulkhead in said second position thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
40 words
The mechanism of claim 1 further comprising manually actuated means for releasably holding said linkages in extended positions, one of said structures comprising a wall, said wall having at least one opening therein for providing access to said holding means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-27 | 1977-02-26 | 1977-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-27 | 1981-02-26 | 1981-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-27 | 1985-02-26 | 1985-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |