US3826196A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Load-handling gantries
Assignee: BE Wallace Products Corp
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Filing: 1972-05-11
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Granted: 1974-07-30
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Expires: 1992-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A load-handling gantry, having a beam, from which loads may be suspended, is supported by divergent legs, a pair of which are disposed on opposite sides of the beam, each leg having its upper end pivoted to the beam on an axis slightly offset laterally from the center line of the beam, so that the gantry structure is laterally somewhat flexible but is stabilized by the load, and a stabilizing spring is also employed; the legs being adjustably cross-tied at the bottom. In the preferred form the legs are each longitudinally adjustable, and are pivotally connected to an adjustable cross-tie assembly serving also as a mobile mount, so that the height and the spread of the gantry are independently variable, while at the same time stability and mobility are achieved. Advantages as to space, weight, cost and versatility are among the objects.
Inventors
- 👤 B Wallace
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:25
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66C; B66C19/00; B66C19/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
296 words
A flexible and adjustable gantry comprising an elevated loadcarrying beam, individually adjustable supports therefor at stations spaced-apart lengthwise of the beam, at least one such support comprising a pair of variably-downwardly-divergent legs, each separately adjustable as to length, equally or differentially, under normal operating conditions, and respectively disposed at opposite sides of the vertical mid-plane of the beam in such positions that said legs are normally free of contact with said beam throughout a substantial range of variably-divergent operating angles, connections between the upper ends of said legs and said beam including for each leg a pivot whose axis is above the level of, and substantially parallel with, the longitudinal axis of the beam but laterally offset from said vertical mid-plane, whereby said beam may bodily rock laterally from a position of symmetry relative to said legs, tie means between said legs, adjustable independently of leg length adjustment, adapted to variably adjust the angularity between said legs, with or without change of length of either or both of said legs, the lateral offset of said pivot axes being so limited that, with the legs of said pair disposed on said pivots in any of a variety of variably-divergent positions within their normal operating range of angles, and with their foot-ends fixed relative to each other in any normal operating position of said adjustable tie means, a load carried on said beam in suspension from a point below said longitudinal axis will tend to stabilize said beam and said gantry legs on said pivots with free clearance between beam and legs, and a mobile mounting for the foot-ends of the divergent gantry legs so constructed and arranged as to provide a stable and substantially constant level of support therefor throughout a large range of divergent angles thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
296 words
A flexible and adjustable gantry comprising an elevated loadcarrying beam, individually adjustable supports therefor at stations spaced-apart lengthwise of the beam, at least one such support comprising a pair of variably-downwardly-divergent legs, each separately adjustable as to length, equally or differentially, under normal operating conditions, and respectively disposed at opposite sides of the vertical mid-plane of the beam in such positions that said legs are normally free of contact with said beam throughout a substantial range of variably-divergent operating angles, connections between the upper ends of said legs and said beam including for each leg a pivot whose axis is above the level of, and substantially parallel with, the longitudinal axis of the beam but laterally offset from said vertical mid-plane, whereby said beam may bodily rock laterally from a position of symmetry relative to said legs, tie means between said legs, adjustable independently of leg length adjustment, adapted to variably adjust the angularity between said legs, with or without change of length of either or both of said legs, the lateral offset of said pivot axes being so limited that, with the legs of said pair disposed on said pivots in any of a variety of variably-divergent positions within their normal operating range of angles, and with their foot-ends fixed relative to each other in any normal operating position of said adjustable tie means, a load carried on said beam in suspension from a point below said longitudinal axis will tend to stabilize said beam and said gantry legs on said pivots with free clearance between beam and legs, and a mobile mounting for the foot-ends of the divergent gantry legs so constructed and arranged as to provide a stable and substantially constant level of support therefor throughout a large range of divergent angles thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The gantry of claim 1, wherein said mobile mounting includes a caster for each of said diveRgent legs, said casters being mounted to swivel, respectively, about spaced apart parallel upright axes which are at right angles to the tie means between said legs in all positions of adjustment of said tie means, regardless of the variable angles between said legs and between each leg and said tie means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The ganry of claim 2 wherein said casters are each lockable selectively in at least two positions of swivelling, one of which positons is parallel with the length of said tie means and the other at right angles thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The gangry of claim 1 having lateral stabilizing means effective when there is little or no load suspended from the beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The gantry of claim 4 wherein said lateral stabilizing means is of a resilient nature and acts to urge a centering of the beam relative to the angle between the legs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The gantry of claim 1 having rigid tie means pivoted to each of said legs on an axis paralleling the pivot axes at the upper ends of the legs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The gantry of claim 1 having a supplemental flexible connection between said legs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The gantry of claim 1 wherein said pivot axes, although above the longitudinal axis of the beam, are below the top of the beam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The gantry of claim 1 having means to restrict the lateral rocking of the beam.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The gantry of claim 9 wherein said means comprises a yielding resistance device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
174 words
An adjustable gantry comprising a beam, adjustable supports therefor at stations spaced-apart lengthwise of the beam, at least one such support comprising a pair of legs, each adjustable as to length, and respectively disposed at opposite sides of the beam, and connections between the upper ends of said legs and the beam including for each leg a pivot whose axis is above the level of, and substantially parallel with, the longitudinal axis of the beam but laterally offset from the vertical longitudinal mid-plane of the beam, the lateral offset of said pivot axes being so limited that, with the legs of said pair disposed on said pivots in downwardly diverging positions and the lower ends thereof held at fixed points, a load on said beam will stabilize the gantry laterally, together with lateral stabilizing means effective when there is little or no load on the gantry, said means comprising a yielding resistance device which includes spring means actuable by change in angular relation between a leg and the vertical longitudinal mid-plane of the beam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
174 words
An adjustable gantry comprising a beam, adjustable supports therefor at stations spaced-apart lengthwise of the beam, at least one such support comprising a pair of legs, each adjustable as to length, and respectively disposed at opposite sides of the beam, and connections between the upper ends of said legs and the beam including for each leg a pivot whose axis is above the level of, and substantially parallel with, the longitudinal axis of the beam but laterally offset from the vertical longitudinal mid-plane of the beam, the lateral offset of said pivot axes being so limited that, with the legs of said pair disposed on said pivots in downwardly diverging positions and the lower ends thereof held at fixed points, a load on said beam will stabilize the gantry laterally, together with lateral stabilizing means effective when there is little or no load on the gantry, said means comprising a yielding resistance device which includes spring means actuable by change in angular relation between a leg and the vertical longitudinal mid-plane of the beam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
182 words
An adjustable gantry comprising a beam, adjustable supports therefor at stations spaced-apart lengthwise of the beam, at least one such support comprising a pair of legs, each adjustable as to length, and respectively disposed at opposite sides of the beam, and connections between the upper ends of said legs and the beam including for each leg a pivot whose axis is above the level of, and substantially parallel with, the longitudinal axis of the beam but laterally offset from the vertical longitudinal mid-plane of the beam, the lateral offset of said pivot axes being so limited that, with the legs of said pair disposed on said pivots in downwardly diverging positions and the lower ends thereof held at fixed points, a load on said beam will stabilize the gantry laterally, each leg having a brace extending therefrom to a point along the beam spaced from the pivot of said leg and there having a brace pivot whose axis is substantially coaxial with the axis of the pivot of said leg, together with a stabilizing spring reacting between the beam and said brace.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
182 words
An adjustable gantry comprising a beam, adjustable supports therefor at stations spaced-apart lengthwise of the beam, at least one such support comprising a pair of legs, each adjustable as to length, and respectively disposed at opposite sides of the beam, and connections between the upper ends of said legs and the beam including for each leg a pivot whose axis is above the level of, and substantially parallel with, the longitudinal axis of the beam but laterally offset from the vertical longitudinal mid-plane of the beam, the lateral offset of said pivot axes being so limited that, with the legs of said pair disposed on said pivots in downwardly diverging positions and the lower ends thereof held at fixed points, a load on said beam will stabilize the gantry laterally, each leg having a brace extending therefrom to a point along the beam spaced from the pivot of said leg and there having a brace pivot whose axis is substantially coaxial with the axis of the pivot of said leg, together with a stabilizing spring reacting between the beam and said brace.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
295 words
A flexible and adjustable gantry comprising an elevated load-carrying beam, individually adjustable supports therefor at stations spaced-apart lengthwise of the beam, at least one such support comprising a pair of variably-downwardly-divergent legs, each separately adjustable as to length, equally or differentially, under normal operating conditions, and respectively disposed at opposite sides of the vertical mid-plane of the beam in such positions that said legs are normally free of contact with said beam Throughout a substantial range of variably-divergent operating angles, connections between the upper ends of said legs and said beam including for each leg a pivot whose axis is above the level of, and substantially parallel with, the longitudinal axis of the beam but laterally offset from said vertical mid-plane, whereby said beam may bodily rock laterally from a position of symmetry relative to said legs, tie means between said legs, adjustable independently of leg length adjustment, adapted to variably adjust the angularity between said legs, with or without change of length of either or both of said legs, the lateral offset of said pivot axes being so limited that, with the legs of said pair disposed on said pivots in any of a variety of variably-divergent positions within their normal operating range of angles, and with their foot-ends fixed relative to each other in any normal operating position of said adjustable tie means, a load carried on said beam in suspension from a point below said longitudinal axis will tend to stabilize said beam and said gantry legs on said pivots with free clearance between beam and legs, and a mounting for the foot-ends of the divergent gantry legs so constructed and arranged as to provide a stable and substantially constant level of support therefor throughout a large range of divergent angles thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
295 words
A flexible and adjustable gantry comprising an elevated load-carrying beam, individually adjustable supports therefor at stations spaced-apart lengthwise of the beam, at least one such support comprising a pair of variably-downwardly-divergent legs, each separately adjustable as to length, equally or differentially, under normal operating conditions, and respectively disposed at opposite sides of the vertical mid-plane of the beam in such positions that said legs are normally free of contact with said beam Throughout a substantial range of variably-divergent operating angles, connections between the upper ends of said legs and said beam including for each leg a pivot whose axis is above the level of, and substantially parallel with, the longitudinal axis of the beam but laterally offset from said vertical mid-plane, whereby said beam may bodily rock laterally from a position of symmetry relative to said legs, tie means between said legs, adjustable independently of leg length adjustment, adapted to variably adjust the angularity between said legs, with or without change of length of either or both of said legs, the lateral offset of said pivot axes being so limited that, with the legs of said pair disposed on said pivots in any of a variety of variably-divergent positions within their normal operating range of angles, and with their foot-ends fixed relative to each other in any normal operating position of said adjustable tie means, a load carried on said beam in suspension from a point below said longitudinal axis will tend to stabilize said beam and said gantry legs on said pivots with free clearance between beam and legs, and a mounting for the foot-ends of the divergent gantry legs so constructed and arranged as to provide a stable and substantially constant level of support therefor throughout a large range of divergent angles thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2990788A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-29 | 1978-01-28 | 1978-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-29 | 1982-01-28 | 1982-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-29 | 1986-01-28 | 1986-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |