US3937337A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle mounted loader and unloader
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-05-14
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Granted: 1976-02-10
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Expires: 1994-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle mounted mechanism for manipulating long load units such as pipe lengths which extend over a substantial portion of the load carrying length of the vehicle. The mechanism is stored within the width limit of the vehicle beneath its bed for over the road travel. It includes articulated linkages, and operating means attached to the side of the vehicle bed operable between the ground and an elevation substantially above the bed and over a substantial range transverse of the bed. An inner and outer boom support a load engaging assembly such as a cradle. The unit can be moved along the length of the vehicle bed while carrying a load and can operate adjacent wheels and other elements beneath the bed within the vehicle width limits. A power unit can be integrated with the loader and arranged for movement between a stored position and a position free of the region beneath the vehicle bed.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph F. Irving
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P1/00; B60P1/64; B60P1/6418; B60P1/6472
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
272 words
Load transfer mechanism adapted for mounting on the side of a vehicle having a width limit and adapted for the transfer of load articles between the vehicle bed and a location adjacent the vehicle comprising: a base attached to the side of the vehicle; a sub-base; an inner boom having first and second ends; a first pivotal coupling between said inner boom first end and said sub-base; means mounting said sub-base for movement relative to said base over a range of motion which includes a first position in which said first pivotal coupling and said inner boom first end are within said vehicle width limit and beneath the vehicle bed and a second position in which said first pivotal coupling and said inner boom first end are located beyond the width limit of said vehicle; first operating means for driving said inner boom around said first pivotal coupling; an outer boom having first and second ends; a second pivotal coupling between said inner boom second end and said outer boom first end, said second pivotal coupling being spaced from said outer boom second end a distance within the width limit of the vehicle when said sub-base is in said first position and being spaced from said inner boom first end a distance less than the height of said first coupling above ground level when said sub-base is in said second position; means attached to said outer boom second end for engaging load articles to be transferred; and second operating means connected to said outer boom and adapted to drive said outer boom second end in an arc around said second pivotal coupling.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
272 words
Load transfer mechanism adapted for mounting on the side of a vehicle having a width limit and adapted for the transfer of load articles between the vehicle bed and a location adjacent the vehicle comprising: a base attached to the side of the vehicle; a sub-base; an inner boom having first and second ends; a first pivotal coupling between said inner boom first end and said sub-base; means mounting said sub-base for movement relative to said base over a range of motion which includes a first position in which said first pivotal coupling and said inner boom first end are within said vehicle width limit and beneath the vehicle bed and a second position in which said first pivotal coupling and said inner boom first end are located beyond the width limit of said vehicle; first operating means for driving said inner boom around said first pivotal coupling; an outer boom having first and second ends; a second pivotal coupling between said inner boom second end and said outer boom first end, said second pivotal coupling being spaced from said outer boom second end a distance within the width limit of the vehicle when said sub-base is in said first position and being spaced from said inner boom first end a distance less than the height of said first coupling above ground level when said sub-base is in said second position; means attached to said outer boom second end for engaging load articles to be transferred; and second operating means connected to said outer boom and adapted to drive said outer boom second end in an arc around said second pivotal coupling.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sub-base mounting means includes a third pivotal coupling between saidd base and said sub-base spaced on said sub-base from said first pivotal connection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including locking means to maintain a position of said sub-base with respect to said base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said locking means includes a rigid lock link; and at least a first fixed coupling means between said base and said lock link and at least a second fixed coupling means between said sub-base and said lock link when said sub-base is in said first position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said locking means includes a rigid lock link; and at least a third fixed coupling means between said base and said lock link and at least a fourth fixed coupling means between said sub-base and said lock link when said sub-base is in said second position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said first fixed connection is a shaft mounted on said base for supporting said lock link for reciprocation along the axis of said shaft with respect to said base whereby said lock link is adapted to be reciprocated toward said base to engage said second fixed coupling means and away from said base to release said second fixed coupling means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
147 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said first fixed coupling means is a shaft mounted on said base for supporting said lock link for reciprocation along the axis of said shaft with respect to said base and for rotation about said shaft whereby said lock link is adapted to be reciprocated toward said base to engage said second fixed coupling means and away from said base to release said second fixed coupling means when said sub-base is in said first position; a third fixed coupling means between said base and said lock link and a fourth fixed coupling means between said sub-base and said lock link, said lock link being adapted to engage said first and third fixed coupling means with said base and said second and fourth fixed coupling means with said sub-base when reciprocated toward said base while said sub-base is in said second position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said lock link has a first arm extending generally parallel to the bed of the vehicle and a second arm extending generally perpendicular to the bed of the vehicle when said sub-base is in said second position and said second, third and fourth fixed coupling means are engaged.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said base is movably attached to the vehicle for aligning said apparatus at selected positions along the side of the vehicle bed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
146 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 including a first rail proximate a first side of the vehicle bed having upper, lower and side surfaces extending parallel to the first side of said vehicle bed; a second rail located between said first side of said vehicle bed and a side of said vehicle bed opposite said first side and spaced from said first side, said second rail having an upper surface extending parallel to the first side of said vehicle bed; a first plurality of rollers for rolling engagement with said upper surface of said first rail and rotatably mounted on said base; a second plurality of rollers for rolling engagement with said lower surface of said first rail and rotatably mounted on said base; and a third plurality of rollers for rolling engagement with said upper surface of said second rail and rotatably mounted on said base.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said second rail has a downwardly facing surface extending parallel to the first side of said vehicle bed, parallel to said upper surface and spaced above said upper surface for rolling engagement with said third plurality of rollers under certain loading conditions of said load transfer mechanism.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 including a fourth plurality of rollers for rolling engagement with the side of said first rail adjacent said second rail and rotatably mounted on said base.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 including means for moving said base relative to the vehicle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 including an elongate, flexible member secured in tension at spaced locations on said vehicle bed parallel to the side of said vehicle bed; rotatable traction means mounted on said base and engaging at least a bight of said flexible member between said spaced locations; and drive means for said traction member mounted on said base.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said flexible member is a roller chain and said traction means is a drive sprocket; and including a pair of idler sprockets engaging said chain each adjacent said drive sprocket and intermediate said drive sprocket and a respective one of said spaced locations at which said roller chain is secured in tension to said vehicle bed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including a ground engageable support foot mounted on said sub-base and adapted to be engageable with ground when said sub-base is in said second position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 including a leg extending upward from said support foot when said sub-base is in said second position; and an adjustable coupling between said leg and said sub-base whereby the extension of said leg and support foot can be varied.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said outer boom includes a guide section and an extension section telescopically mounted on said guide section and supporting said means for engaging load articles said extension section being arranged for movement longitudinal of said guide section to extend the effective length of said boom by moving said means for engaging load articles outward from said second pivotal connection; and third operating means connected between said first end of said outer boom and said extension section for movement of said extension section longitudinal of said outer boom and relative to said second pivotal connection.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said guide section includes longitudinally spaced anti-friction rollers engaging said extension section on opposed portions to accommodate movement of said extension section and longitudinally of said guide section.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including a power unit for supplying power to at least one of said operating means; support means for said power unit; and mounting means for said support means secured to said base and shiftable thereon from beneath the bed of said vehicle and within the width limit thereof to a position generally beyond the width limit thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said support means comprises a frame having depth and length in dimensions generally parallel to the bed of said vehicle and wherein said mounting means comprises a pair of link arms pivotally mounted on said base at an end thereof beyond the range of motion of said inner and outer booms, said link arms and said support being beyond the range of motion of said inner and outer booms when said mounting means is within the width limit of said vehicle and when said mounting means is generally beyond the width limit of said vehicle.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said vehicle has wheel like elements for supporting it on the ground, the bed of said vehicle being spaced from the upper limits of said wheel like elements; and wherein said base is dimensioned to pass between the bed of said vehicle and the upper limits of said wheel like elements when positioned in alignment with said wheel like elements along the side of the vehicle bed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus according to claim 22 including a power unit for supplying power to at least one of said operating means; support means for said power unit comprising a frame having depth and length in dimensions generally parallel to the bed of said vehicle; a mounting for said support means comprising a pair of link arms pivotally mounted on said base to define arcs in planes generally parallel to the bed of said vehicle, said arms being dimensioned and positioned to pass between the bed of said vehicle and the upper limits of said wheel like elements when moved along the defined arcs.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
142 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including a rotatable coupling between said second end of said outer boom and said load engaging means, said rotatable coupling having an axis of rotation parallel to the side of the vehicle bed; an offset coupled to said load engaging means and extending radially from the axis of rotation of said rotatable coupling; reciprocating operating means for said load engaging means mounted on said outer boom; a turning arm; a fourth pivotal coupling from said arm to said outer boom; a fifth pivotal coupling between said reciprocating operating means and said turning arm at a location on said arm spaced from said fourth pivotal coupling; and a link pivotally coupled to said offset and said turning arm, the coupling between said link and said arm being spaced along said arm from said fourth and fifth pivotal couplings.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said pivotal couplings to said arm are spaced along said arm with said fifth coupling between said fourth coupling and the coupling between said link and said arm.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said link is convexly arcuate along its length relative to and in a plane normal to the axis of rotation of said rotatable coupling whereby the motion defined by said offset and said turning arm is free of the axis of rotation of said rotatable coupling over a greater range than a straight link.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
142 words
Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said sub-base has a leg which, when in said second position, extends generally perpendicular to the bed of the vehicle outside the width limits thereof; including a rigid lock link for maintaining said sub-base in said second position; means to secure said lock link to said base; and means to secure said lock link to said sub-base when in said second position; said lock link having a first leg extending generally parallel to the bed of said vehicle and dimensioned to pass between the bed of said vehicle and the upper limits of said wheel like elements when positioned in alignment with said wheel like elements along the side of the vehicle bed; and said lock link having a second leg extending generally perpendicular to the bed of the vehicle adjacent said leg of said sub-base.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said first, second, and third pivotal couplings have pivot axes parallel to the side of said vehicle bed and including a second inner boom, a second outer boom and a second sub-base spaced apart from said first mentioned inner and outer booms and a sub-base, said second inner and outer booms and said second sub-base having pivotal couplings corresponding to said first, second and third pivotal couplings and having pivot axes common with said respective pivotal couplings.
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) | 1979-02-09 | 1979-08-11 | 1980-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-09 | 1983-08-11 | 1984-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-09 | 1987-08-11 | 1988-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |