US3905495A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Frame handler with improved carriage assembly
Assignee: PLANET CORP
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Filing: 1974-09-05
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1994-09-05
Abstract
Abstract A frame handler adapted to tilt vehicle frames between a horizontal to a vertical position. The frame handler generally comprises a pair of spaced and parallel arms pivotally mounted on a base around a horizontal axis. The arms are adapted to receive a vehicle frame therebetween, whereupon the vehicle frame is clamped between the arms. Hydraulic power means are then utilized to tilt the frame from a horizontal to a vertical position, or vice versa. The above mentioned clamping means include a top guide on each arm which engages the side rails of the frame, and a bottom carriage assembly. The carriage assembly includes at least two carriage arms for each frame handler arm pivotally mounted around a vertical axis when the frame handler is in an upright position. The carriage assembly is in addition movable along a vertical axis so that when a frame is received between the arms, the carriage arms pivot into the interior of the frame and lift upward, thereby engaging a frame cross member or end of the side rail and clamping the frame between the top guides and the bottom carriage assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark Wayne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:55
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/52; B65G47/60; B65G47/61
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
A frame handler adapted to move a vehicle frame between a horizontal and a vertical position, said frame having at least two side rails and at least one cross member, said frame handler comprising: a base; a pair of spaced and parallel arms pivotally mounted around a horizontal axis to said base; means to move said arms between a substantially horizontal and a substantially vertical position; side guide means secured to said arms near the upper end of each of said arms when said arms are in a vertical position, said side guide means adapted to engage the side rails of said frame in a sliding engagement therewith; and a carriage assembly comprising: a first and a second carriage respectively secured to each of said arms at a position spaced from said guide means along said arms, wherein said carriages are slidably mounted towards said guide means; means to move said carriages along said frame handler arms; at least two carriage arms secured to each of said carriages, said carriage arms being rotatably mounted around a vertical axis when said frame handler arms are in a vertical position, wherein said carriage arms are adapted to swing into the interior of said frame to engage at least one of said cross members of said frames; and means to rotate said arms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
A frame handler adapted to move a vehicle frame between a horizontal and a vertical position, said frame having at least two side rails and at least one cross member, said frame handler comprising: a base; a pair of spaced and parallel arms pivotally mounted around a horizontal axis to said base; means to move said arms between a substantially horizontal and a substantially vertical position; side guide means secured to said arms near the upper end of each of said arms when said arms are in a vertical position, said side guide means adapted to engage the side rails of said frame in a sliding engagement therewith; and a carriage assembly comprising: a first and a second carriage respectively secured to each of said arms at a position spaced from said guide means along said arms, wherein said carriages are slidably mounted towards said guide means; means to move said carriages along said frame handler arms; at least two carriage arms secured to each of said carriages, said carriage arms being rotatably mounted around a vertical axis when said frame handler arms are in a vertical position, wherein said carriage arms are adapted to swing into the interior of said frame to engage at least one of said cross members of said frames; and means to rotate said arms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 and including means to synchronize said vertical movement of said carriage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said last mentioned means comprises a shaft rotatably mounted to said base between and generally perpendicular to said frame handler arms, a pinion fixed to each end of said last mentioned shaft and a rack secured to each carriage, wherein each of said racks meshes with one of said pinions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 in which said first mentioned means comprises at least one hydraulic cylinder secured at one end to said base and secured at its second end to one of said frame handler arms, wherein the longitudinal axis of said hydraulic cylinder is substantially perpendicular to the pivotal axis of said frame handler arms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 in which said side guide means comprises at least two side guide members on each of said frame handler arms and means to extend said side guide members towards the corresponding guide members on the opposing frame handler arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein the distance between corresponding side guide members when fully extended towards each other is less for one pair of corresponding side guide members than for the second corresponding pair of side guide members when said second corresponding pair of sidE guide members are fully extended.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 and including a hook conveyor, said hook conveyor having a plurality of spaced and downwardly extending hooks, wherein each of said hooks is adapted to support one of said frames by one of said frame cross members, and means to pivot said hook to a horizontal position and release said hook to a downwardly extending vertical position, when desired, to engage said frame cross member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said hook includes at least one laterally extending member and wherein said last mentioned means comprises a ramp adapted to receive said laterally extending member to raise said hook to said horizontal position, and a selectively operable door in said track adapted to drop said hook to said downwardly extending vertical position when said door is open.
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) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |