US4089098A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Prying machine for dismantling pallets and the like
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-03-11
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Granted: 1978-05-16
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Expires: 1997-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A machine for prying cross-members loose from their supporting stringers in damaged wooden pallets. A horizontal bed is provided with a plurality of rollers for ease in handling pallets of varied sizes. A superstructure mounted over the bed carries an elongated horizontally disposed rotatably mounted torque bar. A pair of spaced support arms are secured at one of their ends to the torque bar and at their other ends support a rotatably attached pry plate carrier to which are slidably mounted a plurality of curved pry plates. Locking screws secure the pry plates to the carrier at spaced intervals determined by the dimensions of the pallet being dismantled. A first pneumatic or hydraulic ram is connected between the superstructure and a lever bar secured to the torque bar and serves to raise and lower the pry plate carrier. A second ram is connected between the superstructure and a lever arm secured to the pry plate carrier and serves to rotate the carrier and its attached pry plates after they have been inserted through the spaces between the cross-members nailed to the pallet stringers. A plurality of hold-down beams running the width of the bed restrain the pallet against the upward force exerted by the pry plates. These hold-down beams may be fixed or movable vertically.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles C. DeMarco
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:29
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23P; B23P19/00; B23P19/04; B23P19/041; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53683
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A machine for dismantling wooden pallets having spaced cross-members fastened to a plurality of stringers, comprising: an unyielding bed; a rigid superstructure mounted to said bed; laterally spaced pry plates mounted to said superstructure transversely of said bed for insertion between adjacent pairs of said cross-members in a pallet positioned on said bed, said pry plates being moveable normally of said bed and rotatable about an imaginery axis spaced from and substantially parallel with said bed; at least one rigid hold-down beam secured to said bed and spaced therefrom for passage of said pallet between said beam and said bed; and controllable powered means operatively connected between said superstructure and said pry plates for so moving and rotating said plates, and thereby sequentially inserting said pry plates between said adjacent pairs of cross-members and urging said pry plates against one of said pair of cross-members in a direction away from said bed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A machine for dismantling wooden pallets having spaced cross-members fastened to a plurality of stringers, comprising: an unyielding bed; a rigid superstructure mounted to said bed; laterally spaced pry plates mounted to said superstructure transversely of said bed for insertion between adjacent pairs of said cross-members in a pallet positioned on said bed, said pry plates being moveable normally of said bed and rotatable about an imaginery axis spaced from and substantially parallel with said bed; at least one rigid hold-down beam secured to said bed and spaced therefrom for passage of said pallet between said beam and said bed; and controllable powered means operatively connected between said superstructure and said pry plates for so moving and rotating said plates, and thereby sequentially inserting said pry plates between said adjacent pairs of cross-members and urging said pry plates against one of said pair of cross-members in a direction away from said bed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A machine as defined by claim 1 wherein said hold-down beam is selectively moveable in a direction normal to said bed to vary the spacing between said beam and said bed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
113 words
A machine for dismantling wooden pallets having spaced cross-members fastened to a plurality of stringers, comprising: an unyielding bed; a rigid superstructure mounted to said bed; a pair rigid support arms hingedly mounted to said superstructure at one of their respective ends; an elongated pry plate carrier rotatably mounted to the other ends of said support arms; at least two pry plates laterally spaced on said pry plate carrier; powered means connected between said superstructure and said pry plate carrier controllably moving and rotating said pry plate carrier; and a least one rigid hold-down beam secured to said bed and spaced therefrom for passage of said pallets between said beam and said bed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
113 words
A machine for dismantling wooden pallets having spaced cross-members fastened to a plurality of stringers, comprising: an unyielding bed; a rigid superstructure mounted to said bed; a pair rigid support arms hingedly mounted to said superstructure at one of their respective ends; an elongated pry plate carrier rotatably mounted to the other ends of said support arms; at least two pry plates laterally spaced on said pry plate carrier; powered means connected between said superstructure and said pry plate carrier controllably moving and rotating said pry plate carrier; and a least one rigid hold-down beam secured to said bed and spaced therefrom for passage of said pallets between said beam and said bed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A machine as defined by claim 3, wherein said bed includes a plurality of rollers for supporting said pallet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A machine as defined by claim 3, wherein said pry plates are selectively moveable transversely of said pry plate carrier to vary their lateral spacing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A machine as defined by claim 3, wherein said hold-down beam is selectively moveable in a direction normal to said bed to vary the spacing between said beam and said bed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
A machine as defined by claim 3, wherein: an elongated torque bar is rotatably mounted to said superstructure transversely of said bed; said support arms are rigidly attached to said torque bar; said first powered means is connected to said torque bar through a rigid lever bar secured to said torque bar; and said second powered means is connected to said pry plate carrier through a rigid lever arm secured to said carrier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A machine as defined by claim 7, wherein said first and second powered means include a pair of hydraulic or pneumatic rams.
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) | 1981-05-15 | 1981-11-14 | 1982-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-15 | 1985-11-14 | 1986-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-15 | 1989-11-14 | 1990-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |