US3884366A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Palletising or depalletising magazine
Assignee: Crown Cork and Seal Co Inc
•
Filing: 1973-01-02
•
Granted: 1975-05-20
•
Expires: 1993-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A palletising or depalletising magazine comprising substantially horizontal fork members for supporting a stack of pallets above a conveyor. The support means are introduced under and withdrawn from the lower pallets in a stack and raised and lowered above the conveyor as the conveyors are intermittently operated. Cams mounted on a control shaft driven by a motor control the movement of the forks.
Inventors
- 👤 Antoine Joseph Leenaards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 09:53
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G59/00; B65G59/06; B65G59/061; B65G59/062; B65G59/063; B65G57/00; B65G57/30; B65G57/301; B65G57/303; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/10; Y10S414/106; Y10S414/108; Y10S414/112
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
288 words
A palletising or depalletising magazine serving to contain a stack of superimposed pallets whereof the lower pallet is carried by retractable co-planar substantially horizontally disposed support means and can be placed on a conveyor so as to be individually removable; a displaceable carriage having first guide means to confine the displacement thereof to a first direction, and having second guide means for receiving said retractable support means; said retractable support means having extending therefrom a plurality of elongate forks adapted to extend under the final lower pallet a distance greater than half the dimension of the pallets as measured in a direction parallel to the elongate dimension of the forks; a first rigid member coupled to said carriage to periodically effect the displacement thereof in said first direction; a second rigid member coupled to said support means for periodically effecting the displacement thereof in a second direction; and common drive means coupled to said first and said second members for operating said members in a predetermined sequential relationship whereby said forks are successively; lowered into the palletising or depalletising magazine to bring the stack of pallets onto the conveyor which is then stationary; removed from the final lower pallet resting on the conveyor at only one side of the stacks; and reintroduced into the palletising or depalletising magazine at the one side of the stack at the level of the penultimate lower pallet and raised in the palletising or depalletising magazine to then carry the penultimate Lower pallet and to raise it as well as the remaining pallets; the said final lower pallet remaining alone on the conveyor which can then be operated, whereby the forks can again be displaced in the same manner to perform identical cycles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
288 words
A palletising or depalletising magazine serving to contain a stack of superimposed pallets whereof the lower pallet is carried by retractable co-planar substantially horizontally disposed support means and can be placed on a conveyor so as to be individually removable; a displaceable carriage having first guide means to confine the displacement thereof to a first direction, and having second guide means for receiving said retractable support means; said retractable support means having extending therefrom a plurality of elongate forks adapted to extend under the final lower pallet a distance greater than half the dimension of the pallets as measured in a direction parallel to the elongate dimension of the forks; a first rigid member coupled to said carriage to periodically effect the displacement thereof in said first direction; a second rigid member coupled to said support means for periodically effecting the displacement thereof in a second direction; and common drive means coupled to said first and said second members for operating said members in a predetermined sequential relationship whereby said forks are successively; lowered into the palletising or depalletising magazine to bring the stack of pallets onto the conveyor which is then stationary; removed from the final lower pallet resting on the conveyor at only one side of the stacks; and reintroduced into the palletising or depalletising magazine at the one side of the stack at the level of the penultimate lower pallet and raised in the palletising or depalletising magazine to then carry the penultimate Lower pallet and to raise it as well as the remaining pallets; the said final lower pallet remaining alone on the conveyor which can then be operated, whereby the forks can again be displaced in the same manner to perform identical cycles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
207 words
Palletising or depalletising magazine according to claim 1 wherein the forks are successively displaceable in the following manner: vertically from an upper advanced position wherein they carry the stack of pallets in the palletising or depalletising magazine to a lower advanced position wherein they place the stack of pallets in the palletising or depalletising magazine on the conveyor which is then stationary and release the final lower pallet; horizontally said distance greater than half the dimension of the pallet from the lower advanced position to a lower withdrawn position wherein they are removed from the palletising or depalletising magazine; vertically from the lower withdrawn position to an intermediate withdrawn position wherein they are located outside the palletising or depalletising magazine at the level of the penultimate pallet of the stack resting on the conveyor; horizontally said distance greater than half the dimension of the pallet from the intermediate withdrawn position to an intermediate advanced position wherein they are engaged in the palletising or depalletising magazine below the upper members of the lower penultimate pallet of the stack resting on the conveyor; and vertically from the intermediate advanced position to the upper advanced position up to which they raise the remaining pallets in the palletising or depalletising magazine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Palletising or depalletising magazine according to claim 1, wherein the forks are rigidly interconnected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
Palletising or depalletising magazine according to claim 1, wherein the drive means are controlled electromechanically.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Palletising or depalletising magazine according to claim 1, wherein the drive means are controlled pneumatically.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
Palletising or depalletising magazine according to claim 1, wherein the drive means are controlled hydraulically.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
Palletising or depalletising magazine according to claim 1, wherein the drive means are controlled by a single motor member during their displacements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
211 words
A palletising or depalletising magazine serving to contain a stack of superimposed pallets where the lower pallet is carried by retractable supports, can be placed on a conveyor so as to be individually removable, the retractable supports comprising a plurality of substantially co-planar horizontal forks which are successively: lowered into the palletising or depalletising magazine to bring the stack of pallets onto the conveyor which is then stationary; removed from the final lower pallet resting on the conveyor; and reintroduced into the palletising or depalletising magazine at the level of the penultimate lower pallet and raised in the palletising or depalletising magazine to then carry the penultimate lower pallet and to raise it as well as the remaining pallets; the said final lower pallet remaining alone on the conveyor which can then be operated, whereby the forks can again be displaced in the same manner to perform identical cycles; the magazine further comprising a single motor member and a control shaft driven by the single motor member, a pivoting lever articulated to the forks and selectively acted upon by the control shaft ensuring the horizontal displacement of the forks, and at least one crank articulated to a connecting rod connected to the forks and ensuring the vertical displacement of the forks.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
211 words
A palletising or depalletising magazine serving to contain a stack of superimposed pallets where the lower pallet is carried by retractable supports, can be placed on a conveyor so as to be individually removable, the retractable supports comprising a plurality of substantially co-planar horizontal forks which are successively: lowered into the palletising or depalletising magazine to bring the stack of pallets onto the conveyor which is then stationary; removed from the final lower pallet resting on the conveyor; and reintroduced into the palletising or depalletising magazine at the level of the penultimate lower pallet and raised in the palletising or depalletising magazine to then carry the penultimate lower pallet and to raise it as well as the remaining pallets; the said final lower pallet remaining alone on the conveyor which can then be operated, whereby the forks can again be displaced in the same manner to perform identical cycles; the magazine further comprising a single motor member and a control shaft driven by the single motor member, a pivoting lever articulated to the forks and selectively acted upon by the control shaft ensuring the horizontal displacement of the forks, and at least one crank articulated to a connecting rod connected to the forks and ensuring the vertical displacement of the forks.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
Palletising or depalletising magazine according to claim 8, wherein the control shaft acts via cams on the pivoting lever and on the crank.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
117 words
Palletising or depalletising magazine according to claim 9 wherein the contact point between the pivoting lever and the corresponding cam is located substantially level with the control shaft and on the opposiTe side to the palletising or depalletising magazine relative to said control shaft, the pivoting lever being moreover influenced elastically by a spring so as to be applied against said cam whilst the contact point between the crank and the corresponding cam is located slightly above the level of said control shaft and on the same side as the palletising or depalletising magazine, the crank being moreover influenced so as to be supported against the cam substantially under the weight of the loads which it carries.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
215 words
A palletising or depalletising magazine serving to contain a stack of superimposed pallets where the lower pallet is carried by retractable supports, can be placed on a conveyor so as to be individually removable, the retractable supports comprising a plurality of substantially co-planar horizontal forks which are successively: lowered into the palletising or depalletising magazine to bring the stack of pallets onto the conveyor which is then stationary; removed from the final lower pallet resting on the conveyor; and reintroduced into the palletising or depalletising magazine at the level of the penultimate lower pallet and raised in the palletising or depalletising magazine to then carry the penultimate lower pallet and to raise it as well as the remaining pallets; the said final lower pallet remaining alone on the conveyor which can be operated, whereby the forks can again be displaced in the same manner to perform identical cycles; the magazine further comprising a single motor member, a control shaft driven by said single motor member, at least one pivoting lever articulated to the forks so as to ensure the horizontal displacement thereof, at least one crank articulated to a connecting rod connected to the forks so as to ensure the vertical displacement thereof and guidance means including rollers for guiding the forks horizontally and/or vertically.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
215 words
A palletising or depalletising magazine serving to contain a stack of superimposed pallets where the lower pallet is carried by retractable supports, can be placed on a conveyor so as to be individually removable, the retractable supports comprising a plurality of substantially co-planar horizontal forks which are successively: lowered into the palletising or depalletising magazine to bring the stack of pallets onto the conveyor which is then stationary; removed from the final lower pallet resting on the conveyor; and reintroduced into the palletising or depalletising magazine at the level of the penultimate lower pallet and raised in the palletising or depalletising magazine to then carry the penultimate lower pallet and to raise it as well as the remaining pallets; the said final lower pallet remaining alone on the conveyor which can be operated, whereby the forks can again be displaced in the same manner to perform identical cycles; the magazine further comprising a single motor member, a control shaft driven by said single motor member, at least one pivoting lever articulated to the forks so as to ensure the horizontal displacement thereof, at least one crank articulated to a connecting rod connected to the forks so as to ensure the vertical displacement thereof and guidance means including rollers for guiding the forks horizontally and/or vertically.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
190 words
A palletising or depalletising magazine serving to contain a stack of superimposed pallets where the lower pallet is carried by retractable supports, can be placed on a conveyor so as to be individually removable, the retractable supports comprising a plurality of substantially co-planar horizontal forks which are successively: lowered into the palletising or depalletising magazine to bring the stack of pallets onto the conveyor which is then stationary; removed from the final lower pallet resting on the conveyor; and reintroduced into the palletising or depalletising magazine at the level of the penultimate lower pallet and raised in the palletising or depalletising magazine to then carry the penultimate lower pallet and to raise it as well as the remaining pallets; the said final lower pallet remaining alone on the conveyor which can then be operated, whereby the forks can again be displaced in the same manner to perform identical cycles; the magazine further comprising a single motor member and control shaft coupled to the forks for controlling the displacement thereof, the single motor member being reversible to transmit selectively to the control shaft a rotation in one or the other direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
190 words
A palletising or depalletising magazine serving to contain a stack of superimposed pallets where the lower pallet is carried by retractable supports, can be placed on a conveyor so as to be individually removable, the retractable supports comprising a plurality of substantially co-planar horizontal forks which are successively: lowered into the palletising or depalletising magazine to bring the stack of pallets onto the conveyor which is then stationary; removed from the final lower pallet resting on the conveyor; and reintroduced into the palletising or depalletising magazine at the level of the penultimate lower pallet and raised in the palletising or depalletising magazine to then carry the penultimate lower pallet and to raise it as well as the remaining pallets; the said final lower pallet remaining alone on the conveyor which can then be operated, whereby the forks can again be displaced in the same manner to perform identical cycles; the magazine further comprising a single motor member and control shaft coupled to the forks for controlling the displacement thereof, the single motor member being reversible to transmit selectively to the control shaft a rotation in one or the other direction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
202 words
A palletising or depalletising magazine serving to contain a stack of superimposed pallets where the lower pallet is carried by retractable supports, can be placed on a conveyor so as to be individually removable, the retractable supports comprising a plurality of substantially co-planar horizontal forks which are successively: lowered into the palletising or depalletising magazine to bring the stack of pallets onto the conveyor which is then stationary; removed from the final lower pallet resting on the conveyor; and reintroduced into the palletising or depalletising magazine at the level of the penultimate lower pallet and raised in the palletising or depalletising magazine to then carry the penultimate lower pallet and to raise it as well as the remaining pallets; the said final lower pallet remaining alone on the conveyor whiCh can then be operated, whereby the forks can again be displaced in the same manner to perform identical cycles; the magazine further comprising a single motor, a control shaft and transmission means connecting the single motor to the control shaft comprising a direction reverser for transmitting selectively to the control shaft a rotation in one direction or the other, the control shaft being coupled to the forks for controlling the displacement thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
202 words
A palletising or depalletising magazine serving to contain a stack of superimposed pallets where the lower pallet is carried by retractable supports, can be placed on a conveyor so as to be individually removable, the retractable supports comprising a plurality of substantially co-planar horizontal forks which are successively: lowered into the palletising or depalletising magazine to bring the stack of pallets onto the conveyor which is then stationary; removed from the final lower pallet resting on the conveyor; and reintroduced into the palletising or depalletising magazine at the level of the penultimate lower pallet and raised in the palletising or depalletising magazine to then carry the penultimate lower pallet and to raise it as well as the remaining pallets; the said final lower pallet remaining alone on the conveyor whiCh can then be operated, whereby the forks can again be displaced in the same manner to perform identical cycles; the magazine further comprising a single motor, a control shaft and transmission means connecting the single motor to the control shaft comprising a direction reverser for transmitting selectively to the control shaft a rotation in one direction or the other, the control shaft being coupled to the forks for controlling the displacement thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3523617A
Cited
US3428192A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |