Patent US3785678A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3785678A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Coupler device for a cart
Assignee: LEYMAN Manufacturing CORP
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Filing: 1972-09-29
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Granted: 1974-01-15
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Expires: 1992-09-29
Abstract
Abstract The coupler device includes a hitch bar that is movable between an extended position where same is aligned with the centerline of the cart, and a retracted position where same is skewed relative to the centerline of the cart. A hitch pin is mounted to and depends from each end of the bar. When in the extended position the front hitch pin is adapted to interconnect with a forward cart in a coupling attitude, and the rear hitch pin locks the hitch bar to the cart. When in the retracted position the front hitch pin locks the hitch bar in a storage attitude where the coupler is totally recessed beyond the leading edge of the cart. The coupler device also includes a pivot arm fixed to the hitch bar at one end and pivotally connected to the cart''s frame at the other end, the pivot point being substantially removed from the cart''s centerline but closely adjacent the cart''s leading edge. Thus, the hitch bar may be pivoted between the extended and retracted positions about the pivot point while remaining attached to the cart at all times.
Inventors
- 👤 J Shearer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 22:57
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/48; B60D1/54
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A coupler device for a cart comprising a hitch bar that is movable between an extended position where same is substantially aligned with the centerline of said cart and a retracted position where same is skewed relative to the centerline of said cart, said hitch bar being totally recessed beyond the leading edge of said cart when in the retracted position, hitch means in the form of a downwardly depending hitch pin mounted to each end of said bar, that hitch pin mounted to the hitch bar''s front end being adapted to interconnect with a forward cart in a coupling attitude, and said hitch bar being rigidly held in the extended position by said rear hitch pin received in a first pin hole defined in the cart''s frame and said hitch bar being held in the retracted position by one of said front and rear hitch pins received in a second pin hole defined in the cart''s frame, and structural means pivotally connected to the cart''s frame and also fixed to said hitch bar, said pivotal connection being removed from the cart''s centerline and permitting said hitch bar to swing between the extended and retracted positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A coupler device for a cart comprising a hitch bar that is movable between an extended position where same is substantially aligned with the centerline of said cart and a retracted position where same is skewed relative to the centerline of said cart, said hitch bar being totally recessed beyond the leading edge of said cart when in the retracted position, hitch means in the form of a downwardly depending hitch pin mounted to each end of said bar, that hitch pin mounted to the hitch bar''s front end being adapted to interconnect with a forward cart in a coupling attitude, and said hitch bar being rigidly held in the extended position by said rear hitch pin received in a first pin hole defined in the cart''s frame and said hitch bar being held in the retracted position by one of said front and rear hitch pins received in a second pin hole defined in the cart''s frame, and structural means pivotally connected to the cart''s frame and also fixed to said hitch bar, said pivotal connection being removed from the cart''s centerline and permitting said hitch bar to swing between the extended and retracted positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
97 words
A coupler device for a cart as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pivotal connection provides a pivot point closely adjacent the cart''s leading edge, wherein said structural means is in the form of a pivot arm fixed at the one end to said hitch bar and at the other end to a pivot post slidingly and pivotally received in the cart''s frame, wherein said pivot post is of a length substantially greater than the length of either hitch pin, and wherein the axis of said pivot post is vertically oriented relative to the cart''s bed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
161 words
A coupler device for a cart comprising a hitch bar that is movable between an extended position where same is substantially aligned with the centerline of said cart, and a retracted position where same is skewed relative to the centerline of said cart, hitch means mounted to each end of said bar, that hitch means mounted to the hitch bar''s front end being adapted to interconnect with a forward cart in a coupling attitude, and that hitch means mounted to the hitch bar''s rear end being adapted to hold said hitch bar to said cart when said hitch bar is in the extended position, and a pivot arm fixed at the one end to said hitch bar and at the other end to a pivot post pivotally received in the cart''s frame, said pivotal connection being closely adjacent the cart''s leading edge, being removed from the cart''s centerline, and permitting said hitch bar to swing between the extended and retracted positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
161 words
A coupler device for a cart comprising a hitch bar that is movable between an extended position where same is substantially aligned with the centerline of said cart, and a retracted position where same is skewed relative to the centerline of said cart, hitch means mounted to each end of said bar, that hitch means mounted to the hitch bar''s front end being adapted to interconnect with a forward cart in a coupling attitude, and that hitch means mounted to the hitch bar''s rear end being adapted to hold said hitch bar to said cart when said hitch bar is in the extended position, and a pivot arm fixed at the one end to said hitch bar and at the other end to a pivot post pivotally received in the cart''s frame, said pivotal connection being closely adjacent the cart''s leading edge, being removed from the cart''s centerline, and permitting said hitch bar to swing between the extended and retracted positions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2513258A
Cited
US2527155A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-14 | 1977-07-16 | 1978-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-14 | 1981-07-16 | 1982-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-14 | 1985-07-16 | 1986-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |