US3924544A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for locking a container on a base member, preferably a carriage
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-03-13
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Granted: 1975-12-09
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Expires: 1994-03-13
Abstract
Abstract Tension rods are mounted on a base member such as a carriage and are positioned for engagement with corresponding fittings mounted on a container. Each of the tension rods is provided with a locking head, is coupled to a plunger guided within a fluid cylinder, is guided for pivotal movement between release and locking positions, and is spring loaded to the locking position by a compression spring. The tension rods are moved to the release position against the compression springs by the application of fluid pressure to the fluid cylinders. In the release position the locking heads are oriented so that they may be inserted into the fittings of the container. The fluid cylinders are then vented so that the tension rods are pivotally moved to the locking position by the compression springs thereby fixedly engaging the locking heads with the fittings of the container to hold the container in place on the base member.
Inventors
- 👤 Dietrich Grau
- 👤 Franz Beigel
- 👤 Roland Blanz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:07
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P7/00; B60P7/06; B60P7/13; B60P7/132
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for locking a container on a base member, said apparatus including one or more spring-loaded tension rods mounted at the base member to engage by force and form one or more fittings provided at the container, where each tension rod has a locking head and can be moved from a locking position into a release position by means of a guide, wherein the improvement comprises a drive means for lifting and pivoting each tension rod into the release position, said drive means comprising a fluid pressurized plunger guided in a working cylinder, the working cylinder being adapted for communication with a source of fluid pressure via a control device, and further comprises a compression spring for the automatic self-locking and continuous retensioning of each tension rod.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for locking a container on a base member, said apparatus including one or more spring-loaded tension rods mounted at the base member to engage by force and form one or more fittings provided at the container, where each tension rod has a locking head and can be moved from a locking position into a release position by means of a guide, wherein the improvement comprises a drive means for lifting and pivoting each tension rod into the release position, said drive means comprising a fluid pressurized plunger guided in a working cylinder, the working cylinder being adapted for communication with a source of fluid pressure via a control device, and further comprises a compression spring for the automatic self-locking and continuous retensioning of each tension rod.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein each tension rod together with its plunger and its working cylinder form an upright unitary structure mounted at the carriage, the tension rod being pivotally mounted in that structure and being located in the plunger with axial clearance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein each tension rod is partially hollow and its guide comprises a stationary guiding rod with guiding surfaces which allow at least a lifting movement and both a lifting and a pivoting movement of the tension rod relative to the guiding rod, wherein each tension rod comprises a collar matched to the guiding rod, and wherein the guiding rod is of a cross section such that the collar is constrained to follow the guiding rod.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein a locking structure is provided to limit the lifting and the pivoting of each tension rod in its unpressurized condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein the locking structure includes a fluid pressurized operating plunger.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein the locking structure includes notch balls.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein the shank of each tension rod forms a cylindric guiDe in which the operating plunger of the locking structure is closely guided, wherein pressurized fluid is applied to one side of that operating plunger while its other side is biased by a retracting spring supported in the tension rod, and wherein the cylindric guide comprises a cage for the notch balls.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as in claim 7 wherein a spacing sleeve surrounds each tension rod and is provided in a region of translatory movement of the notch balls in order to control radial movement of the notch balls.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as in claim 8 wherein the operating plunger of the locking structure comprises a shank having a superficies, the diameter of which varies in the longitudinal direction of the shank.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in claim 9 wherein the spacing sleeve has an internal surface facing the notch balls and being of a diamater that varies in the longitudinal direction of the spacing sleeve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein the operating plunger of the locking structure is located in a tension rod with limited displacement capability.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the guiding rod sealingly penetrates the bottom of the working cylinder, is pivotally located therein, and can be arrested therein.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein at one end of the guiding rod which penetrates the bottom of the working cylinder a radially extending lever is provided and is nonrotatably connected to the guiding rod, and wherein at the bottom of the working cylinder a detachable bearing is provided for fixing the lever.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein each tension rod is sealingly and rotatably located in its plunger.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the working cylinder and the plunger are disposed in a horizontal arrangement with each tension rod coupled to its plunger via a pivot arm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as in claim 15 wherein the horizontally located working cylinder is floatingly located between opposing arms which can be turned in opposite directions.
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) | 1978-12-08 | 1979-06-09 | 1979-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-08 | 1983-06-09 | 1983-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-08 | 1987-06-09 | 1987-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |