Automatic pick-up device for holding a carrier

Claim 2

A pick-up device, adapted for raising and lowering a carrier, which carrier includes an upwardly extending handle including an upper portion offset from the gravitational line of force passing through the center of gravity of the carrier which handle comprises first and second upwardly extending rods each having first and second ends and being joined proximate their second ends by a third rod at least a portion of which is in a horizontal position and by a fourth rod spaced from and below the third rod at least a portion of which fourth rod is in a horizontal position, which pick-up device comprises: a carrier arm including at least one slot for engaging the third rod of the carrier and at least one slot for engaging the fourth rod of the carrier said slots being defined by front and rear walls the front wall of each of said slots being the wall closest to the gravitational line of force passing through the center of gravity of the carrier, the front wall of the slot for contacting the third rod of the carrier having a vertically diRected lower portion for engaging the third rod and an upper portion directed upwardly and outwardly toward said gravitational line of force, which upper portion is adapted to guide the third rod into the vertically directed lower portion; and a horizontal bar secured to the carrier arm said horizontal bar being adapted to locate between the first and second rods of the handle and being substantially equal to the distance between the first and second rods of the handle at the vertical position of attachment of the horizontal bar when the third and fourth rods of the handle are engaged in the slots.

Claim 3

A combined carrier and pick-up device therefore said carrier comprising: a base for holding articles to be carried; an upwardly extending handle attached to the base said handle having an upper portion offset from the gravitational line of force passing through the center of gravity of said carrier, said handle comprising first and second upwardly extending rods each of said rods having first and second ends said rods being secured to the base proximate their first ends substantially equidistant from the center of gravity of the carrier, the first and second rods being joined proximate their second ends by a third rod at least a portion of which is in a horizontal position, the first and second rods being additionally joined by a fourth rod spaced from and below the third rod, at least a portion of said fourth rod being in a horizontal position; said pick-up device comprising: a carrier arm including at least one slot for engaging the third rod of the carrier and at least one slot for engaging the fourth rod of the carrier said slots being defined by front and rear walls, the front wall of each of said slots being the wall closest to said gravitational line of force, the front wall of the slot for engaging the third rod of the carrier having a vertically directed lower portion for contacting the third rod and an upper portion directed upwardly and outwardly toward said gravitational line of force for guiding the third rod into the vertically directed lower portion; a horizontal bar secured to the carrier arm, said horizontal bar being positioned between the first and second rods of the handle and being substantially equal to the distance between the first and second rods of the handle at the vertical position of attachment of the horizontal bar when the third and fourth rods are engaged in the slots; and a means for vertically raising and lowering the pick-up device.

Claim 4

A combined carrier and pick-up device therefore said carrier comprising: a base for holding articles to be carried; an upwardly extending handle attached to the base said handle having an upper portion offset from the gravitational line of force passing through the center of gravity of said carrier, said handle comprising first and second upwardly extending rods each of said rods having first and second ends said rods being secured to the base proximate their first ends substantially equidistant from the center of gravity of the carrier, the first and second rods being joined proximate their second ends by a third rod at least a portion of which is in a horizontal position, the first and second rods being additionally joined by a fourth rod spaced from and below the third rod, at least a portion of said fourth rod being in a horizontal position; said pick-up device comprising: a carrier arm including at least one slot for engaging the third rod of the carrier and at least one slot for engaging the fourth rod of the carrier said slots being defined by front and rear walls, the front wall of each of said slots being the wall closest to said gravitational line of force, the front wall of the slot for engaging the third rod of the carrier having a vertically directed lower portion for contacting the third rod and an upper portion directed upwardly and outwardly toward said gravitational line of force for guiding the third rod into the vertically directed lower portion; a horizontal bar secured to the carrier arm, said horizontal bar being positioned between the first and second rods of the handle and being substantially equal to the distance between the first and second rods of the handle at the vertical position of attachment of the horizontal bar when the third and fourth rods are engaged in the slots; and a means for vertically raising and lowering the pick-up device.

Claim 5

The combined carrier and pick-up device according to claim 2 wherein the upper portion of the handle is offset from a portion vertically above the base.