Latching system

Claim 2

A latching system for pallets and the like including: at least one latch assembly, said latch assembly having a base, linkage means connected to said base, bias means, and a star wheel member connected for rotation about an axis to said linkage means, said star wheel being biased upwardly to a predetermined position by said bias means, said star wheel having spokes which extend radially outward from the axis at 90* intervals thereabout for engaging and latching pallets to said assembly and said linkage means being comprised of first and second pairs of links, said links having first and second end portions and being connected together and to said star wheel at said first ends thereof, said pairs of links extending away from said star wheel in generally opposite directions, said base including means to connect said link second ends for rotation and restricted translation to said base.

Claim 3

The latching system defined in claim 1 including: means to support the pallets at a predetermined distance from said base, said predetermined support distance being related to said star wheel predetermined position so the centerline of the pallet edges is held further from said base than the axis of rotation of said star wheel.

Claim 4

The latching system defined in claim 2 wherein said star wheel is mounted for rotation substantially 90* from the loading and unloading direction of the pallets.

Claim 5

A latching system for pallets and the like including at least one latch assembly, said latch assembly having: a base; linkage means connected to said base; bias means; a star wheel member connected for rotation about an axis to said linkage means, said star wheel being biased upwardly to a predetermined position by said bias means, said star wheel having outwardly extending spokes for engaging and latching pallets to said assembly which extend radially outward from the axis of rotation of said star wheel at substantially 90* intervals thereabout; means to support the pallets at a predetermined distance from said base, said predetermined support distance being related to said star wheel predetermined position so the centerline of the pallet edge is held further from said base than the axis of rotation of said star wheel, said star wheel being mounted for rotation substantially 90* from the loading and unloading direction of the pallets; and a locking member movable along said base and including an upwardly facing abutment surface, said abut-ment surface being a predetermined Distance above said base and being engagable with two of said spokes when said star wheel is in its predetermined position, said spokes are about 45* to said base and said locking member is moved between said base and said star wheel, to prevent substantial rotation and depression of said star wheel.

Claim 6

A latching system for pallets and the like including at least one latch assembly, said latch assembly having: a base; linkage means connected to said base; bias means; a star wheel member connected for rotation about an axis to said linkage means, said star wheel being biased upwardly to a predetermined position by said bias means, said star wheel having outwardly extending spokes for engaging and latching pallets to said assembly which extend radially outward from the axis of rotation of said star wheel at substantially 90* intervals thereabout; means to support the pallets at a predetermined distance from said base, said predetermined support distance being related to said star wheel predetermined position so the centerline of the pallet edge is held further from said base than the axis of rotation of said star wheel, said star wheel being mounted for rotation substantially 90* from the loading and unloading direction of the pallets; and a locking member movable along said base and including an upwardly facing abutment surface, said abut-ment surface being a predetermined Distance above said base and being engagable with two of said spokes when said star wheel is in its predetermined position, said spokes are about 45* to said base and said locking member is moved between said base and said star wheel, to prevent substantial rotation and depression of said star wheel.

Claim 7

The latching system defined in claim 4 wherein said locking member includes an upward facing roller for engaging a pallet thereover to assure the pallet thereover is no closer than a predetermined distance to said base.

Claim 8

The latching system defined in claim 4 including: means to positively connect locking members of selected latch assemblies so said locking members move in unison.

Claim 9

The latching system defined in claim 6 wherein said selected latch assemblies have the axes of rotation of said star wheels thereof in substantial alignment.

Claim 10

The latching system defined in claim 6 wherein said selected latch assemblies are substantially aligned in the direction of movement of the pallets.