Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
In combination: a hollow rectangular housing having a top opening; a plate covering said top opening, said plate having a plurality of parallel slots extending from one longitudinal edge and terminating adjacent the opposite edge; spaced brackets welded to the bottom surface of said plate, a shaft rotatably supported by said brackets; gear means having a housing secured to the bottom surface of said plate, said gear means being operatively coupled to said shaft at one end thereof; a bar of substantially the length of said shaft; rigid connecting members securing said bar and said shaft in fixed spaced relation with said bar parallel to said shaft; a plurality of sleeves slidably positioned on and rotatable on said shaft, a respective tooth integral with each sleeve, and a respective finger integral with each sleeve, and a respective tension spring connected at one end to each finger, the remaining ends of all said springs being connected to said bar.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
In combination: a hollow rectangular housing having a top opening; a plate covering said top opening, said plate having a plurality of parallel slots extending from one longitudinal edge and terminating adjacent the opposite edge; spaced brackets welded to the bottom surface of said plate, a shaft rotatably supported by said brackets; gear means having a housing secured to the bottom surface of said plate, said gear means being operatively coupled to said shaft at one end thereof; a bar of substantially the length of said shaft; rigid connecting members securing said bar and said shaft in fixed spaced relation with said bar parallel to said shaft; a plurality of sleeves slidably positioned on and rotatable on said shaft, a respective tooth integral with each sleeve, and a respective finger integral with each sleeve, and a respective tension spring connected at one end to each finger, the remaining ends of all said springs being connected to said bar.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said plate has an opening to receive crank means for operating said gear means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said housing has spaced tabs integral with the longitudinal side walls thereof adjacent the top opening; and means releasably fastening said plate to said tabs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said rigid connecting members are releasable secured to both said shaft and said bar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The combination of claim 3, including a strip of compressible material, and means supporting said strip so that a portion thereof spans each slot adjacent the closed end thereof, including an extruded support element having a ledge supporting said strip and being fastened to the tabs adjacent said one longitudinal edge of said plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 1, including means for operating said gear means from a location remote therefrom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
The combination of claim 1, including gate means having a gate to be raised and lowered, and gate operating means for raising and lowering said gate; and means operable with said gear means to condition said gate operating means for placing said gate in one position when said shaft is rotated to a position wherein all said teeth extend through the slots in said plate, and for placing said gate in its other position when said shaft is rotated to a position wherein said bar causes all said teeth to be positioned below the top surface of said plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
119 words
The combination of claim 1, including a shock absorbing strip spanning each slot adjacent its closed end, said shaft and bar being rotatable in unison via said gear means, said sleeves, teeth and fingers being movable with said springs during movement of said bar, said teeth having one extreme position wherein they engage said strip, said shaft and bar being further rotatable relative to said sleeves after operation of said gear means to cause said teeth to reach said one extreme position, said springs being stretched in accordance with the extent to which said shaft and bar are further rotated, and said teeth having another extreme position wherein they do not extend above the top surface of said plate.