US3797407A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for hauling vehicles with retractable wheels holding down the traction cable
Assignee: POMA 2000 SA
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Filing: 1972-12-08
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Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1992-12-08
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a device for the hauling of vehicles by a traction cable extended along the track. The cable supporting and guiding wheels in the way of vehicles path, are fixed to mobile supports, the movement of which into a retracted position being imparted by the vehicle itself.
Inventors
- 👤 R Laurent
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 02:48
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01B; E01B25/00; E01B25/14; B; B61; B61B; B61B10/00; B61B10/04; B61B12/00; B61B9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
277 words
A device for hauling passive individual vehicles for a transport or materials handling installation, comprising: a track on which the said vehicles run, an endless traction cable, having an outer surface and extending over the length of the said track, an operable gripping device with a part capable of clamping on to the said outer surface and associated and secured to each vehicle for the purpose of coupling the latter to the traction cable, components for operating and securing the said gripping device extending laterally on one side of the said outer surface of the cable in clamped position of the gripping device, grooved wheels spaced apart along the track and mounted laterally for restraining the said traction cable, the relative positions of the said gripping device, imposed by the track on which the vehicle runs and of the said wheels with grooves for the cable, being offset so as to bring about, on the passing of a vehicle over the wheels, the extraction of the said traction cable, clamped by the said gripping device, from the groove in the wheel, at least one of the said restraining wheels mounted laterally on the same side as the said gripping device operating and securing compoNents, a mobile support for said one restraining wheel capable of taking up a working position in which the said one wheel can guide the cable and a retracted position in which the support and said one wheel do not hinder the free passage of the vehicle and the associated gripping device, coupled to the cable, and a device for actuating the movement of the said mobile support on the passing of the vehicle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
277 words
A device for hauling passive individual vehicles for a transport or materials handling installation, comprising: a track on which the said vehicles run, an endless traction cable, having an outer surface and extending over the length of the said track, an operable gripping device with a part capable of clamping on to the said outer surface and associated and secured to each vehicle for the purpose of coupling the latter to the traction cable, components for operating and securing the said gripping device extending laterally on one side of the said outer surface of the cable in clamped position of the gripping device, grooved wheels spaced apart along the track and mounted laterally for restraining the said traction cable, the relative positions of the said gripping device, imposed by the track on which the vehicle runs and of the said wheels with grooves for the cable, being offset so as to bring about, on the passing of a vehicle over the wheels, the extraction of the said traction cable, clamped by the said gripping device, from the groove in the wheel, at least one of the said restraining wheels mounted laterally on the same side as the said gripping device operating and securing compoNents, a mobile support for said one restraining wheel capable of taking up a working position in which the said one wheel can guide the cable and a retracted position in which the support and said one wheel do not hinder the free passage of the vehicle and the associated gripping device, coupled to the cable, and a device for actuating the movement of the said mobile support on the passing of the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
132 words
A device according to claim 1, comprising: support and hold-down wheels for the said traction cable, the said wheels having a working surface in contact with the traction cable arranged respectively below and above the trajectory followed by the said gripping device clamped on to the cable, a gripping device operating and securing components fitted above the traction cable, a mobile support associated with each hold-down wheel and a device bringing about the movement of the said mobile support upon the passage of a vehicle, in such a manner as to leave a free passage for the vehicle and the gripping device clamped on to the traction cable, the latter being maintained by the gripping device in a lowered position in which it is disengaged from the groove in the hold-down wheel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said device for actuating the movement of the said mobile support comprises follower means fixed to the said mobile support and a cam surface fixed to the said vehicle, which extends in the direction of said track and acts on the passing of a vehicle in conjunction with the said follower means, so as to move the said mobile support into the said retracted position before the gripping device passes by the said wheel and to replace the said mobile support in its working position after the gripping device has passed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
A haulage device according to claim 3, in which the said mobile support has a lever fitted so as to pivot in a plane appreciably perpendicular to the cable direction and follower means carried by the said lever to bring about the pivoting of the latter, and move the said mobile support into the said retracted position and thereafter into the said working position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A haulage device according to claim 4, provided with an elastic means of pulling the said lever into the working position, and a fixed stop means on which rests the lever when in the working position which is thus defined.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A haulage device according to claim 5, in which said lever extends in the working position in the direction of the reaction exerted on the wheel by the traction cable so as to be locked in the working position by said reaction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A haulage device according to claim 4, with a double cam surface operating a positive pivoting of the said lever in the two directions of pivoting.
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) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |