Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for lifting and moving containers comprising a plurality of elongated spaced-apart generally parallel rails extending in a generally horizontal plane and adapted to be raised and lowered, a plurality of slide means slidably mounted on each rail for longitudinal sliding movement therealong, connecting means between adjacent slide means on each rail for permitting limited longitudinal sliding movement of adjacent slide means between adjacent and separated positions, and power means connected to at least one slide means on each rail for sliding each of said one slide means longitudinally on the associated rail whereby containers may be supported between slide means on adjacent rails and movement of the power means in one direction will move the slide means on each rail together into the adjacent position and movement of the power means in the other direction will move the slide means on each rail into the separated position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for lifting and moving containers comprising a plurality of elongated spaced-apart generally parallel rails extending in a generally horizontal plane and adapted to be raised and lowered, a plurality of slide means slidably mounted on each rail for longitudinal sliding movement therealong, connecting means between adjacent slide means on each rail for permitting limited longitudinal sliding movement of adjacent slide means between adjacent and separated positions, and power means connected to at least one slide means on each rail for sliding each of said one slide means longitudinally on the associated rail whereby containers may be supported between slide means on adjacent rails and movement of the power means in one direction will move the slide means on each rail together into the adjacent position and movement of the power means in the other direction will move the slide means on each rail into the separated position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which each connecting means includes a connecting member secured to one slide means and extending along an adjacent slide means for sliding movement relative thereto and stop means on the connecting member and the adjacent slide means for preventing further sliding movement when said one slide means and the adjacent slide means reach the separated positions whereby further movement of said one slide means pulls the adjacent slide means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which each connecting member comprises a bar having an elongated slot therein extending parallel to the rails and having at least one end, the stop means comprising said one end of the slot and a pin on the adjacent sliding member, the pin being slidable within the slots and engageable with said one end of the slot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which each slide means includes a generally U-shaped sleeve slidably carried by one of the rails.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which each slide means includes a side wall extending laterally of the associated rail and inclined toward an adjacent rail to permit engagement of the side wall with the wall of a tapered container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including a frame supporting the rails, at least some of the rails being adjustably secured to the fRame whereby the horizontal spacing between at least some adjacent rails can be varied.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the power means includes an extendable hydraulic motor extending parallel to the rails and a connecting rod extending transversely to the rails, the connecting rod being attached to the hydraulic motor and to one of the slide means on each rail whereby extension and retraction of the hydraulic motor moves the slide means between the separated and the adjacent positions.