US4073386A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Powered material handling apparatus
Assignee: Chapin and Bangs Co
•
Filing: 1977-01-24
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Granted: 1978-02-14
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Expires: 1997-01-24
Abstract
Abstract Powered material handling apparatus comprising an elongate carriage having two trucks which are located respectively at its ends, said trucks having wheels which are arranged to enable the carriage to travel laterally of its length along a pair of spaced-apart tracks on the floor surface. The trucks are constituted as upright structures, having vertically-movable cross-heads which are connected with each other by a pair of heavy cross beams. Power means, carried by the trucks, actuate the cross-heads to raise and lower the same and also the cross beams connected thereto. On the cross beams there are fork structures having tines which extend laterally away from the beams and are adapted to support sheared plate sections as well as other stock material. The fork structures have heavy-duty, anti-friction roller means which engage the beams and enable the fork structures to be readily moved along the latter by moderate manual power when no load is being supported. The fork structures are reinforced, and the anti-friction roller means are strongly constructed to enable these parts to withstand heavy metal loads.
Inventors
- 👤 George L. DeNomme
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:30
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D43/00; B21D43/28; B21D43/287; B66; B66F; B66F9/00; B66F9/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
Powered material handling apparatus comprising, in combination: (a) a carriage constituted as a frame construction having a pair of spaced-apart trucks provided with wheels to enable the trucks to travel in parallel directions while secured to the frame construction, (b) said frame construction including cross members rigidly connecting the trucks together, (c) a pair of cross beams extending between the trucks, (d) each truck having a cross-head to which the ends of the cross beams are secured, (e) vertical guides on the trucks, engaged by the cross-heads and enabling the latter to have raising and lowering movement on the trucks,
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
Powered material handling apparatus comprising, in combination: (a) a carriage constituted as a frame construction having a pair of spaced-apart trucks provided with wheels to enable the trucks to travel in parallel directions while secured to the frame construction, (b) said frame construction including cross members rigidly connecting the trucks together, (c) a pair of cross beams extending between the trucks, (d) each truck having a cross-head to which the ends of the cross beams are secured, (e) vertical guides on the trucks, engaged by the cross-heads and enabling the latter to have raising and lowering movement on the trucks,
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
(f) power means carried by the trucks, connected to said cross-heads for effecting the raising and lowering movement thereof, (g) fork structures carried by said cross beams, including tines extending laterally away from the beams for supporting sheared plate sections, and (h) anti-friction means carried by the fork structures, enabling the same to be moved along the lengths of the beams under manual power.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
(f) power means carried by the trucks, connected to said cross-heads for effecting the raising and lowering movement thereof, (g) fork structures carried by said cross beams, including tines extending laterally away from the beams for supporting sheared plate sections, and (h) anti-friction means carried by the fork structures, enabling the same to be moved along the lengths of the beams under manual power.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein: (a) each fork structure comprises a bearing portion which carries the said anti-friction means, and a hanger portion depending from said bearing portion and mounting a tine of the fork structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
An apparatus as in claim 2, wherein: (a) said cross-heads comprise vertically and horizontally extending structures each having a horizontal width in excess of its vertical depth, (b) said cross beams being secured at locations of the cross-heads which are both horizontally and vertically spaced apart, (c) that cross beam which is closest to said hanger portions of the fork structures being secured at the lowest of said locations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus as in claim 3, wherein: (a) said anti-friction means comprising rollers carried by the said bearing portions of the fork structures and engaged with bottom and top surfaces of the cross beam disposed at the higher location, and comprising rollers carried by said bearing portions and engaged with the top and the two opposite side surfaces of the cross beam disposed at the said lower location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as in claim 4, wherein: (a) said bearing portions of the fork structures each have three rollers engaged with the bottom surface of the cross beam disposed at the higher location.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as in claim 4, wherein: (a) said bearing portions of the fork structures each have three rollers engaged with a side surface of the cross beam disposed at the said lower location.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
105 words
An apparatus as in claim 2, and further including: (a) arms projecting from the hanger portions of the fork structures, (b) said arms being disposed above and extending in spaced parallel relation to the tines of the fork structures, and (c) powered grippers carried on the extremities of the arms, (d) said grippers being adapted to clamp onto edge portions of a metal plate disposed on a conveyor and in a plane above the tines, for positioning the plate in readiness for performing an operation thereon, (e) said plate being shifted on the conveyor when the frame construction and trucks are moved with respect thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus as in claim 2, wherein: (a) a cross-member of said frame construction extending closely adjacent the lower parts of said hangers and being adapted to constitute a reinforcing backing therefor when the tines of the fork structures are carrying heavy loads.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as in claim 2, wherein: (a) said cross beams have a rectangular cross-section and are disposed with their opposite narrow exposed surfaces lying in horizontal planes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein: (a) the cross-heads comprise pairs of heavy metal side plates and spacer blocks extending between and securing the plates in spaced relation, (b) said spacer blocks having exposed runner portions cooperable with the vertical guides on the trucks.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein: (a) the power means comprise hydraulic cylinders and plungers mounted on the trucks, (b) said plungers extending between the said side plates, and
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
(c) wrist pins connecting the extremities of the plungers with the said side plates.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
(c) wrist pins connecting the extremities of the plungers with the said side plates.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
103 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein: (a) each truck has an upstanding housing portion comprising a pair of upright parallel, frame channels which are spaced apart and disposed with their flanges respectively facing each other, comprising spaced, back-to-back base channels secured to the bottoms of the upright channels, and comprising cross members attached to and disposed between the base channels, (b) said vertical guides comprising upright slide channels nested within said frame channels, (c) said cross heads comprising spaced-apart, parallel side plates and spacer blocks interposed between the side plates and having projecting runner portions disposed and slidable in said slide channels.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as in claim 12, wherein: (a) each truck comprises an additional pair of spaced, back-to-back channels disposed respectively below and secured to said base channels, (b) said additional channels having journal bearings, and (c) said wheels being disposed between the base and additional channels of said pairs, and being carried by means of said journal bearings.
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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) | 1981-02-13 | 1981-08-15 | 1982-02-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-13 | 1985-08-15 | 1986-02-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-13 | 1989-08-15 | 1990-02-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |