US3986601A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aerial transport system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-12-23
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Granted: 1976-10-19
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Expires: 1994-12-23
Abstract
Abstract An aerial transport system for continuously loading, conveying, and unloading of materials. The system includes a plurality of interconnected transport containers which may be moved by one or more traction cables in an endless path along pairs of suspended support cables. Guide rails are provided at the opposite terminal ends of the system for reliably reversing direction of travel of the containers. An auxiliary loop of track is provided adjacent one of the terminal ends for accommodating selected containers for servicing and repair without interfering with the normal conveyance of other containers about the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Udo Ulrich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 23:17
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G35/00; B65G35/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
An aerial transport system for continuously loading, conveying, and unloading material comprising pairs of parallel vertically arranged support cables, means for supporting said cables in suspension, a plurality of transport containers releasably coupled in end to end relation to form a chain, said containers having rollers for supporting said containers on said support cables for rolling movement along said cables, means at opposite terminal ends of said transport system for successively guiding movement of said containers from one pair of said support cables to the other pair of support cables and reversing their direction of movement, at least two endless traction cables which each form an elongated loop, means releasably connecting said traction cables to said containers, drive means for moving said traction cables and causing said containers to travel along said support cables, said traction cables being positioned in end to end relation so that an upper pass line of each loop moves in a common direction, means for guiding movement of said containers along said pass line from one said traction cable to the other, means for successively disconnecting said containers from said one traction cable and reconnecting said containers to the other traction cables as they pass from one to the other, and rigid guide means for tipping said containers at a predetermined unloading station to discharge their contents.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
An aerial transport system for continuously loading, conveying, and unloading material comprising pairs of parallel vertically arranged support cables, means for supporting said cables in suspension, a plurality of transport containers releasably coupled in end to end relation to form a chain, said containers having rollers for supporting said containers on said support cables for rolling movement along said cables, means at opposite terminal ends of said transport system for successively guiding movement of said containers from one pair of said support cables to the other pair of support cables and reversing their direction of movement, at least two endless traction cables which each form an elongated loop, means releasably connecting said traction cables to said containers, drive means for moving said traction cables and causing said containers to travel along said support cables, said traction cables being positioned in end to end relation so that an upper pass line of each loop moves in a common direction, means for guiding movement of said containers along said pass line from one said traction cable to the other, means for successively disconnecting said containers from said one traction cable and reconnecting said containers to the other traction cables as they pass from one to the other, and rigid guide means for tipping said containers at a predetermined unloading station to discharge their contents.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The aerial transport system of claim 1 in which said guide means includes pairs of radially spaced U-shaped rails that define tracks for receiving said container rollers and positively guiding movement of said containers through a vertical loop in which their direction of movement is reversed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The aerial transport system of claim 2 including means for depositing materials into said containers as they proceed along said upper support cables, and a discharge chute adjacent the guide rails at one terminal end of said system for receiving materials tipped from said containers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The aerial transport system of claim 3 including means for disconnecting said containers from said traction cables as they are moved onto said guide rails, and means for reconnecting said containers to said traction cables after having completed travel about said guide rails.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
The aerial transport system of claim 4 in which said means for releasably connecting said containers to said traction cables includes a normally closed spring biased clamp mounted on the underside of each container, said means for disconnecting said traction cable includes a stationary actuating member disposed in the line of travel of said containers at the entrance to said guide rails for biasing said coupling means to an open cable releasing position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The aerial transport system of claim 3 in which each said traction cable is an endless cable trained about at least two rolls, and at least one of said rolls for each traction cable is power driven.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
85 words
The aerial transport system of claim 6 in which said drive means includes an intermediate drive located between the terminal ends of said transport system, said intermediate drive comprising an endless power driven chain disposed about rolls to define a pass line adjacent a substantially straight section of one of said traction cables, and means on said chain for releasably engaging said one traction cable as it comes into adjacent relation with said traction cable whereby said chain imparts forward movement to said traction cable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The aerial transport system of claim 3 wherein each said container includes a cover plate extending from the forward end of said container to the immediately adjacent container whereby space between said container is abridged.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
192 words
An aerial transport system for continuously loading, conveying, and unloading material comprising pairs of parallel vertically arranged support cables, means for supporting said cables in suspension, a plurality of transport containers releasably coupled in end to end relation to form a chain, said containers having rollers for supporting said containers on said support cables for rolling movement along said cables, a traction cable and means releasably connecting said traction cable to each of said containers, drive means for moving said traction cable and causing said containers to travel along said support cables, means at opposite terminal ends of said transport system for successively guiding movement of said containers from one pair of said support cables to the other pair of support cables and reversing their direction of movement, rigid guide means for tipping said containers at a predetermined unloading station to discharge their contents, and an auxiliary loop of track having one end which is open and in close surrounding relation to a terminal end of said system for selectively receiving some of said containers for servicing without interfering with the normal conveyance of other of said containers in said endless path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
192 words
An aerial transport system for continuously loading, conveying, and unloading material comprising pairs of parallel vertically arranged support cables, means for supporting said cables in suspension, a plurality of transport containers releasably coupled in end to end relation to form a chain, said containers having rollers for supporting said containers on said support cables for rolling movement along said cables, a traction cable and means releasably connecting said traction cable to each of said containers, drive means for moving said traction cable and causing said containers to travel along said support cables, means at opposite terminal ends of said transport system for successively guiding movement of said containers from one pair of said support cables to the other pair of support cables and reversing their direction of movement, rigid guide means for tipping said containers at a predetermined unloading station to discharge their contents, and an auxiliary loop of track having one end which is open and in close surrounding relation to a terminal end of said system for selectively receiving some of said containers for servicing without interfering with the normal conveyance of other of said containers in said endless path.
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) | 1979-10-19 | 1980-04-19 | 1980-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-19 | 1984-04-19 | 1984-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-19 | 1988-04-19 | 1988-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |