Patent US3897971A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3897971A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trailer installation
Assignee: DDT Inc
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Filing: 1974-06-17
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1994-06-17
Abstract
Abstract A trailer installation including a multiple member load carrying deck adapted to be pivoted from a first position of storage within the trailer along one sidewall into a load carrying position wherein the members extend across the trailer between the sidewalls thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 John J Evans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:17
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P7/00; B60P7/06; B60P7/135; B60P7/14; B62; B62D; B62D33/00; B62D33/04; B62D33/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
A freight carrying installation comprising a body having a height greater than its width, a positionable deck for supporting merchandise between the sidewalls of said body about midway the body height and including a plurality of elongated deck members arranged in side-by-side relation along the body length, each of said members being adapted in a first position to extend upwardly along one body sidewall and in a second position to extend across the width of said body, each of said members having two longitudinally extending grooves in the surface thereof facing upwardly when said member is in said second position, said grooves extending to the one end of said member adjacent said one sidewall when said member is in said second position, a first pivot means in each groove spaced from said one end of said member, a second pivot means on said one sidewall aligned with each first pivot means, a rigid link interconnected between each first and second pivot means, said link retracting to an unobstructing position within each said groove and being parallel with the deck in a horizontal load carrying position, and, a support rail on the other sidewall of said body for the other end of each member whereby each member is pivotal from a vertical storage position to said horizontal load carrying position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
A freight carrying installation comprising a body having a height greater than its width, a positionable deck for supporting merchandise between the sidewalls of said body about midway the body height and including a plurality of elongated deck members arranged in side-by-side relation along the body length, each of said members being adapted in a first position to extend upwardly along one body sidewall and in a second position to extend across the width of said body, each of said members having two longitudinally extending grooves in the surface thereof facing upwardly when said member is in said second position, said grooves extending to the one end of said member adjacent said one sidewall when said member is in said second position, a first pivot means in each groove spaced from said one end of said member, a second pivot means on said one sidewall aligned with each first pivot means, a rigid link interconnected between each first and second pivot means, said link retracting to an unobstructing position within each said groove and being parallel with the deck in a horizontal load carrying position, and, a support rail on the other sidewall of said body for the other end of each member whereby each member is pivotal from a vertical storage position to said horizontal load carrying position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
The structure of claim 1 in which said one sidewall is also equipped with a supporting rail horizontally aligned with the other sidewall support rail, said second pivot means being mounted on said one sidewall support rail, said one sidewall support rail also being equipped with latch means for securing each member in said storage and load carrying positions whereby said deck is latchable in alternative positions without the need for substantial penetration of said one sidewall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The structure of claim 2 in which each panel is equipped with a spring loaded first latch means movable lengthwise of the member, said one sidewall support rail being equipped with a first keeper means vertically aligned with said first latch means and engageable therewith when said member is in storage position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The structure of claim 2 in which each member at said one end thereof is equipped with a spring loaded second latch means movable widthwise of said member, said one sidewall support rail being equipped with a second keeper means horizontally aligned with said second latch means and engageable therewith when said member is in load carrying position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The structure of claim 4 in which said second keeper means is integral with said second pivot means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
The structure of claim 4 in which said second latch means includes a pair of latches, one adjacent each side of said member, cable means interconnecting said latches, said latches being arraNged to automatically engage said second keeper means when said member is moved into horizontal load carrying position and said cable means being operative upon tensioning of the same to retract said latches from said second keeper means to disengage the same and permit movement of said member out of said horizontal load carrying position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The structure of claim 1 in which each of said members is equipped with a third longitudinally extending groove, a cable system operatively associated with said groove and arranged and constructed to have a portion of said system project out of said third groove only when said member is intermediate said vertical storage position and said horizontal load carrying position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The structure of claim 1 in which said member at said one end thereof is equipped with roller means adapted to engage said one sidewall as said member is pivoted toward the horizontal load carrying position and said rigid length being equipped with slot means permitting limited movement thereof relative to said first pivot means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The structure of claim 8 in which said member is equipped with latch means for securing the same in load carrying position said latch means including a pair of latches, one adjacent each side of said member with cable means interconnecting said latches, said cable means extending axially through said roller means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
The structure of claim 1 in which said one sidewall is also equipped with a supporting rail horizontally aligned with the other sidewall support rail, said second pivot means being mounted on said one sidewall support rail, said one sidewall support rail also being equipped with latch means for securing each member in a load carrying position, said other sidewall support rail being equipped with lug means for stabilizing the other end of each member in load carrying position.
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) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |