Automatic pallet lock

Claim 2

Apparatus for securing cargo against movement comprising a frame, cargo holding means mounted on said frame foR movement between a first, cargo released, position and a second, cargo secured position, and means for moving said cargo holding means from said first to said second position in response to cargo contact therewith comprising a trigger attached to said cargo holding means for movement of said cargo holding means from said first position to a position intermediate said first and second positions and a locking lever attached to said cargo holding means for movement of said cargo holding means from said position intermediate said first and second positions to said second position.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said trigger includes biasing means for urging said cargo holding means toward said intermediate position while allowing said cargo holding means to remain in said first position when cargo obstructs movement of said cargo holding means to said intermediate position.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cargo holding means comprises a first locking dog pivotally mounted in said frame at a fixed point, a second locking dog pivotally mounted in said frame at a movable point and pivotally attached to said first locking dog at an end thereof distal from said fixed point.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 including means flexibly connecting said trigger and said first locking dog and means connecting said locking lever and said second locking dog.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means connecting said locking lever and said second locking dog includes shoe means movably mounted in said frame, said frame including slot means for guiding said shoe means in longitudinal motion along said frame and having a first section wherein when shoe means is positioned therein it is so positioned relative to said frame as to cause said locking lever to extend into a cargo movement path relative to said frame.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said slot means further includes a second section wherein when said shoe means is positioned in said second section it is so positioned relative to said frame as to cause said locking lever to be withdrawn from said cargo movement path.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for flexibly connecting said trigger and said first locking dog includes means for urging said shoe means into said first section of said track when it is in said second section thereof.

Claim 9

Apparatus for securing cargo against movement comprising a frame having a cargo-receiving surface thereon, cargo holding means mounted on said frame for longitudinal movement thereon between a first, cargo-released, position in which said cargo holding means is positioned entirely below said cargo-receiving surface and a second, cargo secured, position in which the main portion of said cargo holding means is positioned substantially perpendicular to and extends above said cargo-receiving surface, and means for moving said cargo holding means from said first position to said second position comprising trigger means for moving said cargo holding means to a position intermediate said first and second positions upon contact of cargo with said trigger means and actuating means for moving said cargo holding means to said second position upon contact of cargo with said actuating means when said trigger means is simultaneously in contact with cargo.

Claim 10

Apparatus for securing cargo against movement comprising a frame having a cargo-receiving surface thereon, cargo holding means mounted on said frame for longitudinal movement thereon between a first, cargo-released, position in which said cargo holding means is positioned entirely below said cargo-receiving surface and a second, cargo secured, position in which the main portion of said cargo holding means is positioned substantially perpendicular to and extends above said cargo-receiving surface, and means for moving said cargo holding means from said first position to said second position comprising trigger means for moving said cargo holding means to a position intermediate said first and second positions upon contact of cargo with said trigger means and actuating means for moving said cargo holding means to said second position upon contact of cargo with said actuating means when said trigger means is simultaneously in contact with cargo.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said cargo holding means comprises a first locking dog pivotally mounted in said frame at a fixed pivot and a second locking dog pivotally mounted in said frame at a movable pivot, and means pivotally securing said first locking dog to said second locking dog.

Claim 12

Apparatus for securing cargo comprising a frame having a cargo receiving surface thereon, a first locking dog pivotally mounted at a fixed position in said frame, a second locking dog pivotally attached to said first locking dog, a movable pivot point mounted in said frame to which said second locking dog is also pivotally fastened, trigger means operatively attached to said first locking dog and tending to bias said first locking dog to a position above said cargo-receiving surface when cargo contacts said trigger means, and actuating means operatively connected to said second locking dog for moving said second locking dog toward said first locking dog and both said locking dogs to a position substantially above said cargo-receiving surface when cargo contacts both said trigger means and said actuating means simultaneously.

Claim 13

Apparatus for securing cargo comprising a frame having a cargo receiving surface thereon, a first locking dog pivotally mounted at a fixed position in said frame, a second locking dog pivotally attached to said first locking dog, a movable pivot point mounted in said frame to which said second locking dog is also pivotally fastened, trigger means operatively attached to said first locking dog and tending to bias said first locking dog to a position above said cargo-receiving surface when cargo contacts said trigger means, and actuating means operatively connected to said second locking dog for moving said second locking dog toward said first locking dog and both said locking dogs to a position substantially above said cargo-receiving surface when cargo contacts both said trigger means and said actuating means simultaneously.

Claim 14

Apparatus for securing cargo against movement comprising a frame, cargo holding means mounted on said frame for movement between a first, cargo released, position and a second, cargo secured position, and means for moving said cargo holding means from said first to said second position in response to cargo contact therewith and comprising a first locking dog pivotally mounted in said frame at a fixed pivot and a second locking dog pivotally mounted in said frame at a movable pivot, and means pivotally securing said first locking dog to said second locking dog.

Claim 15

Apparatus for securing cargo against movement comprising a frame, cargo holding means mounted on said frame for movement between a first, cargo released, position and a second, cargo secured position, and means for moving said cargo holding means from said first to said second position in response to cargo contact therewith and comprising a first locking dog pivotally mounted in said frame at a fixed pivot and a second locking dog pivotally mounted in said frame at a movable pivot, and means pivotally securing said first locking dog to said second locking dog.

Claim 16

An automatic pallet locking device for retaining at least two pallets comprising: a. base frame means; b. actuator and locking means slideably supported in said base frame means and including an actuator lever; c. sensing and drive means providing a mechanical actuation to said actuator and locking means in response to the weight of one of said pallets for bringing said actuator lever to a cocked position above said frame means in the path of the other of said pallets; d. pallet engaging means pivotally supported in said base frame means for movement from a retracted position within said base frame means to an erect pallet engaging position; and e. means for interconnecting said pallet engaging means and said actuator and locking means; f. said actuator lever being adapted to be driven from the cocked position to a locked position by the other of said pallets while said one of said pallets is resting on said sensing and drive means, said actuator and locking means thereby driving said pallet engaging means to the erect pallet engaging position.

Claim 17

An automatic pallet locking device for retaining at least two pallets comprising: a. base frame means; b. actuator and locking means slideably supported in said base frame means and including an actuator lever; c. sensing and drive means providing a mechanical actuation to said actuator and locking means in response to the weight of one of said pallets for bringing said actuator lever to a cocked position above said frame means in the path of the other of said pallets; d. pallet engaging means pivotally supported in said base frame means for movement from a retracted position within said base frame means to an erect pallet engaging position; and e. means for interconnecting said pallet engaging means and said actuator and locking means; f. said actuator lever being adapted to be driven from the cocked position to a locked position by the other of said pallets while said one of said pallets is resting on said sensing and drive means, said actuator and locking means thereby driving said pallet engaging means to the erect pallet engaging position.