US3889585A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Load-bundling and strapping apparatus
Assignee: Mac Fab Manufacturing Inc
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Filing: 1974-05-08
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1994-05-08
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for bundling and strapping a pile of logs or similar objects includes a protective operator''s compartment attached to the load-handling mechanism of a materials handling vehicle. Single fixed upper and lower jaws extend forwardly from the upper and lower ends of the operator''s compartment. A tusk pivoted to the forward end of the upper jaw moves from an open position for positioning the upper and lower jaws above and below the objects to be bundled to a closed position wherein the upper and lower arms, operator''s compartment and tusk encircle and contain the objects to be bundled and strapped. A power strap feeder in the operator''s compartment shoots a length of steel strap from a supply reel around the bundled objects along a strap track which extends about the inner circumference of the jaws and tusk. The strap is released from its track to engage the bundle when tensioned, after which it is crimped and sealed. Controls within the compartment enable operation of the tusk, vehicle and strapping tools from within the compartment where the operator is fully protected from the load.
Inventors
- 👤 A Elmo Morrow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 01:37
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B13/00; B65B13/02; B65B13/04; B65B13/06; B65B27/00; B65B27/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
An elongate load-bundling and -strapping attachment for a materials handling vehicle, said attachment comprising: vertically extending frame means adapted for attachment to the load-handling mechanism of said vehicle rearwardly of the load, a lower jaw means projecting forwardly from a lower portion of said frame means and adapted to extend beneath the load, an upper jaw means projecting forwardly from an upper portion of said frame means in vertically spaced relation to said lower jaw means and adapted to extend over the load, movable jaw means pivoted at one end thereof to a forward end portion of said upper jaw means for generally vertical pivoting movement, said movable jaw means being pivotable between a raised open position enabling positioning of said upper and lower jaw means above and below the load and a lowered closed position wherein said movable jaw means extends downwardly from said upper jaw means to said lower jaw means to contain the load, and track means along the inner circumference of said upper, lower and movable jaw means for guiding a binding strap about the load, said track means being continuous from one said jaw means to the others when said movable jaw means is closed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
An elongate load-bundling and -strapping attachment for a materials handling vehicle, said attachment comprising: vertically extending frame means adapted for attachment to the load-handling mechanism of said vehicle rearwardly of the load, a lower jaw means projecting forwardly from a lower portion of said frame means and adapted to extend beneath the load, an upper jaw means projecting forwardly from an upper portion of said frame means in vertically spaced relation to said lower jaw means and adapted to extend over the load, movable jaw means pivoted at one end thereof to a forward end portion of said upper jaw means for generally vertical pivoting movement, said movable jaw means being pivotable between a raised open position enabling positioning of said upper and lower jaw means above and below the load and a lowered closed position wherein said movable jaw means extends downwardly from said upper jaw means to said lower jaw means to contain the load, and track means along the inner circumference of said upper, lower and movable jaw means for guiding a binding strap about the load, said track means being continuous from one said jaw means to the others when said movable jaw means is closed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said frame means defines an operator''s compartment for controlling the operation of said movable jaw means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said frame means defines an operators''s compartment including control means for operating said jaw means and strapping means for feeding a metal binding strap along said track means to encircle a load within said jaw means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said frame means defines an operator''s compartment including structural means for protecting an operator within said compartment from a load within said jaw means and control means for operating said movable jaw means, strapping means for feeding a strap along said track means to encircle a load within said jaw means, and remote control means for operating an attached vehicle from said operator''s compartment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each of said jaw means comprises a single elongate jaw member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said lower jaw means comprises a single straight jaw member fixed to and extending horizontally from a lower end of said operator''s compartment, said upper jaw means comprises a single elongate jaw member fixed to an upper end of said operator''s compartment and including a generally horizontally extending outer portion, said movable jaw means comprising a single elongate curved jaw member curviNg outwardly and downwardly from said upper jaw member and curving inwardly toward said lower jaw member when said movable jaw member is in its closed position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 including means for pivoting said movable jaw means between its open and its closed positions comprising an extensible fluid motor means carried by said upper jaw means and connected to said movable jaw means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said operator''s compartment includes a protective roof and protective load-restraining structural members extending from said roof to a platform portion of said compartment rearwardly of a load space defined by said upper, lower and movable jaw means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 including a strap supply retention means and a power-operated strap feed means carried by said compartment for feeding said strap from said supply means into said track means at said upper jaw means and then in succession about said upper, movable and lower jaw means and back to said compartment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said track means along said upper jaw means includes a strap-retaining means for retaining said strap in said track means against the force of gravity, said strap-retaining means being releasable under a pulling force on said strap to release said strap from said track means to engage a load within said jaw means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said strap-retaining means is provided along substantially the full length of said upper jaw means and along an upper portion of said movable jaw means, said track means along the remaining length of said movable jaw means and along said lower jaw means comprising a channel-shaped open track extending inwardly of said movable and lower jaw means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said strap-retaining means comprises a series of longitudinally adjacent retainer segments, each including a pair of laterally opposed retainer arm sections with inwardly extending lower strap-retaining portions, said arm sections being spring-biased inwardly to strap-retaining positions and being laterally separable from one another to release a retained strap when said strap is caused to exert a positive pressure against said arm sections.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said jaw means comprises a single elongate jaw member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said lower jaw means comprises a single straight jaw member fixed to and extending horizontally from said frame means, said upper jaw means comprises a single elongate jaw member fixed to said frame means and including a generally horizontally extending outer portion, said movable jaw means comprising a single elongate curved jaw member curving outwardly from said upper jaw member, and inwardly toward said lower jaw member when said movable jaw member is in its closed position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including a strap supply retention means and power-operated strap feed means carried by said frame means for feeding said strap from said supply means into said track means and about said upper, movable and lower jaw means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said track means along said upper jaw means includes a strap-retaining means for retaining said strap in said track means against the force of gravity, said strap-retaining means being releasable under a pulling force on said strap to release said strap from said track means to engage a load within said jaw means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said strap-retaining means is provided along substantially the full length of said upper jaw means and along an upper portion of said movable jaw means, said track means along the remaining length of said movable jaw means and along said lower jaw means comprising a channel-shaped open track extending inwardly of said movable and lower jaw means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said strap-retaining means comprises a series of loNgitudinally adjacent retainer segments, each including a pair of laterally opposed retainer arm sections with inwardly extending lower strapretaining portions, said arm sections being spring-biased inwardly to strap-retaining positions and being laterally separable from one another to release a retained strap when said strap is caused to exert a positive pressure against said arm sections.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
192 words
An elongate load-bundling and -strapping attachment for a vehicle, said attachment comprising: vertically extending frame means adapted for attachment to said vehicle rearwardly of the load, lower jaw means projecting forwardly from a lower portion of said frame means and adapted to extend beneath the load, upper jaw means projecting forwardly from an upper portion of said frame means in vertically spaced relation to said lower jaw means and adapted to extend over the load, movable jaw means pivoted at one end thereof to a forward end portion of said upper jaw means for generally vertical pivoting movement, said movable jaw means being pivotable between a raised open position enabling positioning of said upper and lower jaw means above and below the load and a lowered closed position wherein said movable jaw means extends downwardly from said upper jaw means to said lower jaw means to contain the load, and track means along the inner circumference of said upper, lower and movable jaw means for guiding a binding strap about the load, said track means being continuous from one said jaw means to the others when said movable jaw means is closed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
192 words
An elongate load-bundling and -strapping attachment for a vehicle, said attachment comprising: vertically extending frame means adapted for attachment to said vehicle rearwardly of the load, lower jaw means projecting forwardly from a lower portion of said frame means and adapted to extend beneath the load, upper jaw means projecting forwardly from an upper portion of said frame means in vertically spaced relation to said lower jaw means and adapted to extend over the load, movable jaw means pivoted at one end thereof to a forward end portion of said upper jaw means for generally vertical pivoting movement, said movable jaw means being pivotable between a raised open position enabling positioning of said upper and lower jaw means above and below the load and a lowered closed position wherein said movable jaw means extends downwardly from said upper jaw means to said lower jaw means to contain the load, and track means along the inner circumference of said upper, lower and movable jaw means for guiding a binding strap about the load, said track means being continuous from one said jaw means to the others when said movable jaw means is closed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said frame means defines an operatod''s compartment including control means for operating said jaw means and strapping means for feeding a metal binding strap along said track means to encircle a load within said jaw means.
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) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |