US3797678A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Load carrier and transfer car control
Assignee: Acme Steel Co
•
Filing: 1973-02-28
•
Granted: 1974-03-19
•
Expires: 1993-02-28
Abstract
Abstract In a storage installation, an electrical connector couples the controller of the load carrier to the transfer car drive means and the controller on the load carrier operates the load carrier drive motor and also the transfer car drive motor, the latter being operated when the load carrier is positioned for transport by the transfer car and the connectors are coupled. The load carrier is elevated above the storage installation floor during transport by way of a downwardly inclined ramp which minimizes the elevation power requirements.
Inventors
- 👤 R Richardson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:35
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G1/00; B65G1/02; B65G1/04; B65G1/0407; B65G1/0428
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
In a multivehicle arrangement including a first vehicle and a second vehicle adapted to transport the first vehicle, comprising first and second drive means for propelling said first and second vehicles respectively, extending from said power source to said second vehicle and connecting power transmission means a source of power spaced from said vehicles, said first drive means to said source of power to propel said first vehicle relative to said second vehicle, power coupling means mounted on said vehicles coupling said first and second vehicles together automatically when said first vehicle is positioned for transport by said second vehicle, and switching means cooperating with said power coupling means for transferring power from said first drive means through said coupling means to said second drive means for propelling said second vehicle when said first vehicle is positioned for transport on said second vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a multivehicle arrangement including a first vehicle and a second vehicle adapted to transport the first vehicle, comprising first and second drive means for propelling said first and second vehicles respectively, extending from said power source to said second vehicle and connecting power transmission means a source of power spaced from said vehicles, said first drive means to said source of power to propel said first vehicle relative to said second vehicle, power coupling means mounted on said vehicles coupling said first and second vehicles together automatically when said first vehicle is positioned for transport by said second vehicle, and switching means cooperating with said power coupling means for transferring power from said first drive means through said coupling means to said second drive means for propelling said second vehicle when said first vehicle is positioned for transport on said second vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
In the arrangement of claim 1 wherein said power transmission means is electrical and said coupling means comprises an electrical connector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
In the arrangement of claim 1 wherein said power transmission means is electrical and said switching means is on said first vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
In the arrangement of claiM 3 wherein said switching means transfer the power from the power transmission means on said first vehicle to said second drive means through said coupling means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
In the arrangement of claim 1 wherein said coupling means comprises a fixed receptacle on said second vehicle and a movable connector on said first vehicle, said connector being automatically inserted in said receptacle as said first vehicle is being positioned for transport on said second vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
In the arrangement of claim 1 wherein said power transmission means is electrical, said coupling means comprises an electrical connector and said switching means is on said first vehicle, said switching means transferring the power from said transmission means on said first vehicle to said second drive means through said coupling means when said first vehicle is positioned for transport by said second vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
In the arrangement of claim 1 wherein said first vehicle is an article handling load carrier of a mechanized storage system and said second vehicle is a transfer car for transferring said load carrier between the aisles of the storage system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
95 words
In the arrangement of claim 7 wherein said first drive means propels said load carrier longitudinally in the aisles of the storage system, and wherein said load carrier includes hoist drive means for hoisting the articles, and transverse drive means for moving the articles transversely of the load carrier, and controller means on said load carrier for controlling said first, hoist and transverse drive means and for shifting power to said second drive means through said coupling means when said load carrier is positioned for transport by said transfer car to propel said transfer car.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
In the arrangement of claim 8 wherein said power transmission means is electrical and said coupling means is an electrical connector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
In the arrangement of claim 8 wherein said controller means deactivates said first drive means when said second drive means is activated and vice versa.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US537720A
Cited
FR409864A
Cited
FR414386A
Cited
US1879713A
Cited
DE869496C
Cited
US2964876A
Cited
US2997048A
Cited
CH466139A
Cited
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 |