Patent US3797408A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3797408A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lift truck stabilizing apparatus
Assignee: AC MATERIAL HANDLING Corp 777 MANOR PARK DRIVE COLUMBUS OHIO 43228 A CORP OHIO
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Filing: 1973-03-12
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Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1993-03-12
Abstract
Abstract A lift truck is stabilized in the aisle of a material storage facility by a pair of trolleys which travel on parallel horizontal guide rails on opposite sides of the aisle. Releasable connecting means engage the lift truck as it enters the aisle to latch the trolleys to the lift truck as it operates within the aisle. On movement of the truck from the aisle the latch means automatically operate to disconnect the trolleys from the lift truck, the trolleys staying on the guide rails in the material storage facility.
Inventors
- 👤 J Barber
- 👤 T Finlayson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:58
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66F; B66F9/00; B66F9/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for guiding and stabilizing a lift truck in the aisle of a material storage facility, comprising: cooperative latching parts on opposite lateral sides of said lift truck, support structures at opposite sides of said aisle, a pair of parallel and horizontally disposed guide rails secured to said support structures, respectively, and a pair of laterally spaced trolleys including a pair of longitudinally extending members disposed alongside said rails, front and rear longitudinally spaced roller means on each of said members adapted for cooperative engagement wiTh said guide rails for longitudinal movement therealong and whereby upward movement of said members is restrained, and releasable connecting means on each of said members operable to engage said cooperative latching parts of said lift truck in response to said latter being driven between said trolleys whereby said trolleys move with said lift truck as the latter moves in said aisle, said apparatus being operative to restrain said lift truck against lateral and forward tilting.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for guiding and stabilizing a lift truck in the aisle of a material storage facility, comprising: cooperative latching parts on opposite lateral sides of said lift truck, support structures at opposite sides of said aisle, a pair of parallel and horizontally disposed guide rails secured to said support structures, respectively, and a pair of laterally spaced trolleys including a pair of longitudinally extending members disposed alongside said rails, front and rear longitudinally spaced roller means on each of said members adapted for cooperative engagement wiTh said guide rails for longitudinal movement therealong and whereby upward movement of said members is restrained, and releasable connecting means on each of said members operable to engage said cooperative latching parts of said lift truck in response to said latter being driven between said trolleys whereby said trolleys move with said lift truck as the latter moves in said aisle, said apparatus being operative to restrain said lift truck against lateral and forward tilting.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said releasable connecting means includes a releasable latch shiftable between latching and nonlatching positions which automatically moves to its latching position for cooperative engagement with said lift truck when the latter is driven between said trolleys.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said releasable latch automatically moves to its nonlatching position for disengagement from said lift truck when the latter is moved from between said rails.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said latch is moved to its latching position by camming engagement with said rail.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 4 comprising retaining means preventing withdrawal of said trolleys from said rails.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said retaining means comprises abutments on said latches and rails which engage when the truck is backed from between said rails.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said latches are pivotally mounted on said members and further comprising biasing means urging each of said latches toward its nonlatching position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said latches include fingers adapted to cooperatively engage pockets in transversely opposite sides of said lift truck when said latches are in their latching position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said latches are adjacent said rear rollers, respectively, and wherein said fingers and pockets cooperate to prevent tilting of said truck.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 9 and further comprising a transverse beam rigidly secured to and extending between the front ends of said members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 10 and further comprising a pair of transversely spaced brackets secured to the front ends of said trolleys having downwardly facing abutment surfaces adapted for cooperative engagement, respectively, with upward facing abutment surfaces on opposite lateral sides of the front of said truck.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for guiding and stabilizing a lift truck in a material handling facility of the type having support structures on opposite sides of an aisle, comprising: cooperative latching parts on opposite lateral sides of said lift truck a pair of parallel and horizontally disposed guide rails fixedly secured to said support structure at opposite sides, respectively, of said aisle, and a pair of laterally spaced stabilizing trolleys reciprocably mounted on said rails, respectively, each including front and rear rollers cooperatively engaging the associated rail and latch means mounted on said trolleys and operable to connect said trolleys to said lift truck by engagement with said cooperative latching parts in response to said truck being driven between said trolleys and rails, and means in said guide rails operable to disconnect said trolley from said lift truck in response to said truck being driven from said aisle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for guiding and stabilizing a lift truck in a material handling facility of the type having support structures on opposite sides of an aisle, comprising: cooperative latching parts on opposite lateral sides of said lift truck a pair of parallel and horizontally disposed guide rails fixedly secured to said support structure at opposite sides, respectively, of said aisle, and a pair of laterally spaced stabilizing trolleys reciprocably mounted on said rails, respectively, each including front and rear rollers cooperatively engaging the associated rail and latch means mounted on said trolleys and operable to connect said trolleys to said lift truck by engagement with said cooperative latching parts in response to said truck being driven between said trolleys and rails, and means in said guide rails operable to disconnect said trolley from said lift truck in response to said truck being driven from said aisle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said trolleys each includes a frame member and wherein said rollers and latches are pivotally mounted on said frame members and further comprising means automatically operating said latches on movement of said truck into said aisle between said trolleys to releasably connect said trolleys to said truck and automatically operating said latches on subsequent movement of said truck from said aisle to release said truck from said trolleys.
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 |