Method and apparatus for linearly conveying wheeled vehicles

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 including the steps of: supporting one wheel in said second pair of independently rotatable wheels on said reciprocating plate, while supporting the other wheel in said second pair of independently rotatable wheels on said stationary surface; blocking the one wheel in said second set of wheels to prevent both rotation of the one wheel and relative longitudinal movement between the one wheel and said plate as said plate moves toward its forward position; and maintaining the forward advancement of the one wheel in said second set of wheels while permitting the one wheel to both rotate and move longitudinally relative to said plate as said plate moves toward its rearward position.

Claim 4

The method of claim 2 wherein the step of blocking the one wheel in said first pair of wheels is intermittently performed as said vehicle is advanced through said predetermined distance.

Claim 5

The method of claim 3 wherein the step of blocking the one wheel in said second pair of wheels is intermittently performed as said vehicle is advanced through said predetermined distance.

Claim 6

The method of claim 1 including the step of: advancing the one wheel in said first pair of independently rotatable wheels off said elongated plate.

Claim 7

The method of claim 2, including the steps of: advancing the one wheel in said first pair of independently rotatable wheels off said elongated plate; and advancing the one wheel in said second pair of independently rotatable wheels off said elongated plate.

Claim 8

The method of claim 1 wherein said plate is reciprocated at a first rate in the forward direction and at a second rate in the rearward direction.

Claim 9

The method of claim 7 wherein said second rate exceeds said first rate.

Claim 10

The method of claim 4 wherein said plate is reciprocated at a first rate in the forward direction and at a second rate in the rearward direction, said second rate being greater than said first rate.

Claim 11

The method of claim 9 including the steps of: advancing the one wheel in said first pair of independently rotatable wheels off said elongated plate; and advancing the one wheel in said second pair of independently rotatable wheels of said elongated plate.

Claim 12

In combination an apparatus for longitudinally conveying a vehicle through a predetermined distance, and a vehicle carried by at least a first pair and a second pair of independently rotatable wheels, the improvement comprising in combination: a. a movable elongated plate for supporting one wheel in said first pair of independently rotatable wheels; b. a stationary surface for supporting the other wheel in said first pair of independently rotatable wheels; c. power means for longitudinally reciprocating said plate between a forward position and a rearward position, the length of said reciprocation being substantially less than said predetermined distance; d. means for blocking the one wheel in said first pair of wheels to prevent both rotation of the one wheel and relative longitudinal movement between the one wheel and said plate as said plate moves toward its forward position; and, e. means for maintaining the forward advancement of the one wheel in said first pair of wheels while permitting the one wheel to both rotate and move longitudinally relative to said plate as said plate moves towards its rearward position; whereby said vehicle is incrementally advanced through said predetermined distance.

Claim 13

In combination an apparatus for longitudinally conveying a vehicle through a predetermined distance, and a vehicle carried by at least a first pair and a second pair of independently rotatable wheels, the improvement comprising in combination: a. a movable elongated plate for supporting one wheel in said first pair of independently rotatable wheels; b. a stationary surface for supporting the other wheel in said first pair of independently rotatable wheels; c. power means for longitudinally reciprocating said plate between a forward position and a rearward position, the length of said reciprocation being substantially less than said predetermined distance; d. means for blocking the one wheel in said first pair of wheels to prevent both rotation of the one wheel and relative longitudinal movement between the one wheel and said plate as said plate moves toward its forward position; and, e. means for maintaining the forward advancement of the one wheel in said first pair of wheels while permitting the one wheel to both rotate and move longitudinally relative to said plate as said plate moves towards its rearward position; whereby said vehicle is incrementally advanced through said predetermined distance.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said power means drives said plate from the rearward position to the forward position at a first rate and drives said plate from the forward position to the rearward position at a second rate, said second rate being greater than said first rate.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said means for blocking comprises a plurality of gravity biased pawls pivotally mounted in serial arrangement along the length of said elongated plate.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said means for blocking comprises a plurality of spring biased elements pivotally mounted in serial arrangement along the length of said elongated plate.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said means for blocking comprises a plurality of fixed elements mounted in spaced, serial arrangement along the length of said elongated plate, each of said fixed elements having an upper surface which tapers away from said elongated plate in the direction of forward reciprocation.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said means for blocking comprises a plurality of gravity biased pawls pivotally mounted in serial arrangement along the length of said elongated plate.