US3908831A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular storage system
Assignee: American Sterilizer Co
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Filing: 1972-08-07
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1992-08-07
Abstract
Abstract Modular concept and system for receiving, handling, storing, transferring and distributing materials more efficiently in establishments concerned with careful control of numerous manually handled small items. Basic structural components include an interconnecting unit which coacts with a slotted upright support to provide self-seating, self-stabilizing suspension of material carrying modules without manipulation of component parts. These components coordinate all functions of material distribution such as receipt, static storage and transfer; all apparatus used such as storage/retrieval apparatus, transfer and storage vehicles, and individual selector vehicles; and, all procedures at work station, dispensing station, and other end use areas.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Brendgord
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:45
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47F; A47F5/00; A47F5/0018; A47F5/0025; B; B62; B62B; B62B3/00; B62B3/04; B62B2202/00; B62B2202/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
262 words
In combination, support structure means and interconnecting unit means, the support structure means comprising elongated vertically-oriented support means presenting a substantially vertical frontal interface with a substantially vertical sidewall extending rearwardly from each lateral edge of the frontal interface, the frontal interface defining a plurality of elongated slots extending in a direction across such interface between its lateral edges and predeterminedly spaced longitudinally along such support means, horizontally-oriented load support means located at each such slot, and means for maintaining such elongated support means in an upright position, the interconnecting unit means comprising rigid base means with elongated hanger means and stabilizing means projecting in the same direction from the rigid base means, the elongated hanger means and stabilizing means being positioned in predetermined fixed relationship on such base means with the hanger means horizontally-oriented at a location upwardly spaced from the stabilizing means when the base means is in an upright position, the elongated hanger means having a longitudinal dimension at a location contiguous to the rigid base means approximately equal to the longitudinal dimension of the elongated slot means, and the elements of the interconnecting unit, when in an upright position, coacting with such support structure means to removably position and stabilize the interconnecting unit on the upright support structure with the elongaTed hanger means inserted into the elongated slot means and suspended cantilever fashion on the horizontally extending load support ledge means with lateral contact surfaces of the stabilizing means contacting lateral surfaces in angled relationship to the frontal interface of the support structure means to provide lateral stability.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
262 words
In combination, support structure means and interconnecting unit means, the support structure means comprising elongated vertically-oriented support means presenting a substantially vertical frontal interface with a substantially vertical sidewall extending rearwardly from each lateral edge of the frontal interface, the frontal interface defining a plurality of elongated slots extending in a direction across such interface between its lateral edges and predeterminedly spaced longitudinally along such support means, horizontally-oriented load support means located at each such slot, and means for maintaining such elongated support means in an upright position, the interconnecting unit means comprising rigid base means with elongated hanger means and stabilizing means projecting in the same direction from the rigid base means, the elongated hanger means and stabilizing means being positioned in predetermined fixed relationship on such base means with the hanger means horizontally-oriented at a location upwardly spaced from the stabilizing means when the base means is in an upright position, the elongated hanger means having a longitudinal dimension at a location contiguous to the rigid base means approximately equal to the longitudinal dimension of the elongated slot means, and the elements of the interconnecting unit, when in an upright position, coacting with such support structure means to removably position and stabilize the interconnecting unit on the upright support structure with the elongaTed hanger means inserted into the elongated slot means and suspended cantilever fashion on the horizontally extending load support ledge means with lateral contact surfaces of the stabilizing means contacting lateral surfaces in angled relationship to the frontal interface of the support structure means to provide lateral stability.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
The combination of claim 1 in which the stabilizing means comprises a pair of stabilizers, with each of the stabilizers being positioned along a horizontal plane and symmetrically disposed with relation to the elongated hanger means, the width dimension between exterior surfaces of the lateral sidewalls of the elongated support means being substantially equal to the distance along the horizontal plane between the lateral contact surfaces of the pair of stabilizers at a location contiguous to the rigid base means with each of the stabilizers contacting a lateral sidewall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The structure of claim 1 in which the elongated hanger means comprises a continuous hanger bar including a flange means spaced from the base means by a horizontally-oriented load carrying surface, such flange means depending in the direction of the stabilizing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The structure of claim 3 in which continuous hanger bar flange means includes a surface confronting the base means, which surface is in angled relation to the horizontally-oriented load carrying surface and slopes downwardly from the load carrying surface in a direction away from the base means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
The structure of claim 4 in which the continuous hanger bar has lateral end faces of substantially planar configuration, such lateral end faces converging toward each other in extending rearwardly from the base means to provide a shorter longitudinal dimension for the continuous hanger bar at a location spaced from the rigid base means than the longitudinal dimension of the continuous hanger bar at the location continguous to the rigid base means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The structure of claim 2 in which the lateral contact surfaces of the pair of stabilizers projecting from the rigid base means comprise confronting faces which diverge from each other in projecting outwardly away from the rigid base means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The structure of claim 1 in which the means for maintaining such elongated support means in an upright position comprises hanger means located contiguous to one longitudinal end of the elongated support means, such hanger means being unitary with the elongated support means and depending from a rear wall of the elongated support means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The structure of claim 1 in combination with pole mounting means, and bracket means for securing the elongated support means to the pole mounting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The structure of claim 1 in which the support means further includes cover means extending between rearward edges of the lateral side walls.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure of claim 1 including a plurality of support means positioned in back-to-back relationship presenting horizontally-oriented slots on opposed external surfaces of such combined support means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |