US3779361A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article handling apparatus
Assignee: Columbia Machine Inc
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Filing: 1971-08-20
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Granted: 1973-12-18
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Expires: 1991-08-20
Abstract
Abstract Article handling apparatus including a lowerable platform adapted to receive an article at one elevation and to lower it. A puller is provided for shifting such an article laterally and into proper position on the platform when at its one elevation. The puller includes an elongated, rocking arm having opposed article-engaging and cam-engaging ends. The arm is shiftable along a horizontal path between an extended position where its article-engaging end is under the platform and a retracted position where such end is spaced to one side of the platform. The cam-engaging end of the arm rides on a track which controls rocking of the arm, whereby its article-engaging end is below the elevation of the platform when the arm is extended and is raised above such elevation when the arm is shifted from its extended toward its retracted position. When the arm raises and retracts it frictionally engages the base of an article on the platform and shifts the article laterally on the platform.
Inventors
- 👤 R Schmitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:10
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G17/00; B65G17/24; B65G17/002; B65G37/00; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02; B65G2812/00; B65G2812/01; B65G2812/016; B65G2812/019
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
452 words
Article-handling apparatus comprising means defining an article-receiving station in said apparatus, conveyor means disposed laterally to one side of said station operable to transport an article substantially horizontally into said station from said side of the station with the base of the article at a certain elevation, a vertically shiftable article-support platform mounted for movement between a raised position, with an upper articlesupport surface thereof at said certain elevation in said station, and a lowered position below said station, said platform being adapted when in its raised position to receive and support the underside of an article transported to said station with a portion of the underside of the article exposed, and on lowering to lower such article along a substantially vertical path, and article-shifting means adapted frictionally to engage the base of an article supported on said base when in its raised position and to shift the article horizontally in said station away from said conveyor means toward the opposite side of the station, said article-shifting means including an elongate arm having a friction surface thereon adjacent one of its ends and a cam-engaging portion adjacent its other end, mounting means mounting said arm for generally horizontal movement between an extended position with said friction surface in said station and a retracted position spaced laterally outwardly from said opposite side of said station and for pivoting about a substantially horizontal axis extending transversely of the arm intermediate its ends whereby the arm may be swung vertically between a raised position with said friction surface above said certain elevation and a lowered position with said friction surface below said elevation, said arm extending generally in the direction in which it is moved, power-operated means operatively connected to said arm for shifting the same between its said extended and retracted positions, and cam means including a track along which said cam-engaging portion travels as the arm is moved between its extended and retracted positions, said track having an elongated downwardly facing surface extending in the direction of travel for the arm, with said surface having a first portion disposed at a first elevation and a second portion spaced laterally outwardly from said first portion and at a lower elevation, operable to swing said arm to its said lowered position on shifting of the arm to its said extended position, and to swing the arm to its raised position with movement thereof away from its said extended position whereby said friction surface may engage the underside of an article and pull it toward said opposite side of the station, said power-operated means, cam means, arm and mounting means being disposed laterally outwardly of said vertical path for an article when said arm is retracted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
452 words
Article-handling apparatus comprising means defining an article-receiving station in said apparatus, conveyor means disposed laterally to one side of said station operable to transport an article substantially horizontally into said station from said side of the station with the base of the article at a certain elevation, a vertically shiftable article-support platform mounted for movement between a raised position, with an upper articlesupport surface thereof at said certain elevation in said station, and a lowered position below said station, said platform being adapted when in its raised position to receive and support the underside of an article transported to said station with a portion of the underside of the article exposed, and on lowering to lower such article along a substantially vertical path, and article-shifting means adapted frictionally to engage the base of an article supported on said base when in its raised position and to shift the article horizontally in said station away from said conveyor means toward the opposite side of the station, said article-shifting means including an elongate arm having a friction surface thereon adjacent one of its ends and a cam-engaging portion adjacent its other end, mounting means mounting said arm for generally horizontal movement between an extended position with said friction surface in said station and a retracted position spaced laterally outwardly from said opposite side of said station and for pivoting about a substantially horizontal axis extending transversely of the arm intermediate its ends whereby the arm may be swung vertically between a raised position with said friction surface above said certain elevation and a lowered position with said friction surface below said elevation, said arm extending generally in the direction in which it is moved, power-operated means operatively connected to said arm for shifting the same between its said extended and retracted positions, and cam means including a track along which said cam-engaging portion travels as the arm is moved between its extended and retracted positions, said track having an elongated downwardly facing surface extending in the direction of travel for the arm, with said surface having a first portion disposed at a first elevation and a second portion spaced laterally outwardly from said first portion and at a lower elevation, operable to swing said arm to its said lowered position on shifting of the arm to its said extended position, and to swing the arm to its raised position with movement thereof away from its said extended position whereby said friction surface may engage the underside of an article and pull it toward said opposite side of the station, said power-operated means, cam means, arm and mounting means being disposed laterally outwardly of said vertical path for an article when said arm is retracted.
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) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |