US3998488A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connecting element for moving means
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1976-04-12
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Granted: 1976-12-21
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Expires: 1996-04-12
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for controllably connecting lifting means to an item for moving said item to and from relatively inaccessible locations.
Inventors
- 👤 Virgil R. C. Durgan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:13
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66C; B66C1/00; B66C1/10; B66C1/22; B66C1/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
Apparatus for controllably connecting lifting means to an item for moving said item to and from relatively inaccessible locations, comprising: first and spaced apart tubular frame members each having first and second end portions, a middle portion, and a chamber opening at the first end portion; first and second tubular movable members each having first and second end portions, and a connecting element positioned on the first end portion, said movable members each being slidably positioned in the chamber of a respective frame member for longitudinal movement therealong; first and second moving means each connected to a respective frame member and associated movable member for controllably moving the movable member; a first roller connected to the first end portion of the first frame member in rolling contact with the first movable member along an upper side thereof; a second roller connected to the first end portion of the second frame member in rolling contact with the second movable member along a lower side thereof; and a spacing element connected at one end to the first frame member and at the other end to the second frame member for maintaining the frame members spaced a preselected distance one from the other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
Apparatus for controllably connecting lifting means to an item for moving said item to and from relatively inaccessible locations, comprising: first and spaced apart tubular frame members each having first and second end portions, a middle portion, and a chamber opening at the first end portion; first and second tubular movable members each having first and second end portions, and a connecting element positioned on the first end portion, said movable members each being slidably positioned in the chamber of a respective frame member for longitudinal movement therealong; first and second moving means each connected to a respective frame member and associated movable member for controllably moving the movable member; a first roller connected to the first end portion of the first frame member in rolling contact with the first movable member along an upper side thereof; a second roller connected to the first end portion of the second frame member in rolling contact with the second movable member along a lower side thereof; and a spacing element connected at one end to the first frame member and at the other end to the second frame member for maintaining the frame members spaced a preselected distance one from the other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second moving means each comprises: a threaded shaft rotatably connected to the second end portions of a frame member and respective movable member; and means for connecting the shaft to the second end portions of said frame member and movable member for controllably moving the movable member toward and from the second end portion of the frame member in response to rotating the shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein each movable member has a longitudinally extending chamber, each second end of the frame members and movable members have adjacent openings extending therethrough, and each of said shafts extend through the openings and chambers of the respective frame and movable members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the connecting means each comprises: an actuating head fixedly connected to a second end of the shaft and being positioned on an outer surface of a respective frame member; means for maintaining the shaft against longitudinal movement relative to the respective frame member; and threaded means fixedly connected to the respective movable member and being mateable with the threads of the shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the spacing element is of a construction sufficient for controllably changing the distance between the first and second frame members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the spacing element comprises: a first element having a chamber and being connected at one end to the first frame member; a second element insertable in the first element and being connected to the second frame member; and means for releasably connecting the elements together.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
152 words
Apparatus for controllably connecting lifting means to an item for moving said item to and from relatively inaccessible locations, comprising: first and second spaced apart frame members each having first and second end portions and a middle portion; first and second movable members each having first and second end portions, said movable members each being slidably positioned in a respective frame member for longitudinal movement therealong; first and second moving means each connected to a respective frame member and associated movable member for controllably moving the movable member; a spacing element connected at one end to the first frame member and at the other end to the second frame member for maintaining the frame members spaced a preselected distance one from the other; a hook eye element connected to the first end portion of the first movable member; and a hook connected to the first end portion of the second movable member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
152 words
Apparatus for controllably connecting lifting means to an item for moving said item to and from relatively inaccessible locations, comprising: first and second spaced apart frame members each having first and second end portions and a middle portion; first and second movable members each having first and second end portions, said movable members each being slidably positioned in a respective frame member for longitudinal movement therealong; first and second moving means each connected to a respective frame member and associated movable member for controllably moving the movable member; a spacing element connected at one end to the first frame member and at the other end to the second frame member for maintaining the frame members spaced a preselected distance one from the other; a hook eye element connected to the first end portion of the first movable member; and a hook connected to the first end portion of the second movable member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
169 words
Apparatus for controllably connecting lifting means to an item for moving said item to and from relatively inaccessible locations, comprising: first and second spaced apart frame members each having first and second end portions and a middle portion; first and second movable members each having first and second end portions, said movable members each being slidably positioned in a respective frame member for longitudinal movement therealong; first and second moving means each connected to a respective frame member and associated movable member for controllably moving the movable member; a spacing element connected at one end to the first frame member and at the other end to the second frame member for maintaining the frame members spaced a preselected distance one from the other; a hook eye element connected to the first end portion of the first movable member; and a bracket having openings therethrough and being connected to the first end portion of the second movable member and of a preselected configuration mateable with an item to be moved.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
169 words
Apparatus for controllably connecting lifting means to an item for moving said item to and from relatively inaccessible locations, comprising: first and second spaced apart frame members each having first and second end portions and a middle portion; first and second movable members each having first and second end portions, said movable members each being slidably positioned in a respective frame member for longitudinal movement therealong; first and second moving means each connected to a respective frame member and associated movable member for controllably moving the movable member; a spacing element connected at one end to the first frame member and at the other end to the second frame member for maintaining the frame members spaced a preselected distance one from the other; a hook eye element connected to the first end portion of the first movable member; and a bracket having openings therethrough and being connected to the first end portion of the second movable member and of a preselected configuration mateable with an item to be moved.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1979-12-21 | 1980-06-21 | 1980-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-12-21 | 1984-06-21 | 1984-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-12-21 | 1988-06-21 | 1988-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |