US4209280A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lift truck load clamp having nonresilient contact pad surfaces textured for directionally variable resistance to slippage
Assignee: Cascade Corp
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Filing: 1978-12-18
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Granted: 1980-06-24
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Expires: 1998-12-18
Abstract
Abstract A load-handling clamp for lift trucks having load-engaging, nonresilient contact pad surfaces specially textured for resisting slippage of the load variably depending on direction of slip. Each load-engaging surface of the contact pads is constructed of a nonresilient material, preferably metal, in which is formed a series of spaced parallel grooves, each having beveled longitudinal edges and lands therebetween, extending generally parallel to the direction of travel of the lift truck. The provision of the grooves and their orientation with respect to the lift truck provide a load-engaging surface having minimal resistance to slippage between pad and load in the direction of travel of the lift truck during engagement of the load by the clamp, but much greater resistance to slippage perpendicular to the grooves for holding the load. In addition, the surface is exceptionally resistant to wear and to clogging with bits of paper or cardboard from the loads handled.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward D. Bittner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:11
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66F; B66F9/00; B66F9/06; B66F9/075; B66F9/12; B66F9/18; B66F9/184; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S294/00; Y10S294/902; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/124
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
In a lift truck adapted to move longitudinally in a direction of travel having a lifting apparatus at its forward end for raising and lowering a load vertically, a load-handling attachment mounted on said lifting apparatus comprising: (a) a frame mounted on a portion of said lifting apparatus so as to be selectively raised and lowered vertically by said lifting apparatus; (b) a pair of forwardly-projecting, selectively openable and closeable opposing clamp arms mounted upon said frame; (c) power means mounted upon said frame for selectively opening and closing said clamp arms; (d) a pair of contact pads, each connected to a forward end of a respective one of said pair of clamp arms, said contact pads having opposing load-engaging nonresilient surfaces; (e) means defining an array of elongate, generally parallel, spaced grooves formed in each of said load-engaging nonresilient surfaces separated by elongate nonresilient lands between said grooves, said grooves and lands being directionally oriented so as to extend along their lengths in a direction generally longitudinal of said lift truck in the direction of travel thereof for sliding longitudinally with respect to a load as said lift truck moves forwardly along said direction of travel to engage said load.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
In a lift truck adapted to move longitudinally in a direction of travel having a lifting apparatus at its forward end for raising and lowering a load vertically, a load-handling attachment mounted on said lifting apparatus comprising: (a) a frame mounted on a portion of said lifting apparatus so as to be selectively raised and lowered vertically by said lifting apparatus; (b) a pair of forwardly-projecting, selectively openable and closeable opposing clamp arms mounted upon said frame; (c) power means mounted upon said frame for selectively opening and closing said clamp arms; (d) a pair of contact pads, each connected to a forward end of a respective one of said pair of clamp arms, said contact pads having opposing load-engaging nonresilient surfaces; (e) means defining an array of elongate, generally parallel, spaced grooves formed in each of said load-engaging nonresilient surfaces separated by elongate nonresilient lands between said grooves, said grooves and lands being directionally oriented so as to extend along their lengths in a direction generally longitudinal of said lift truck in the direction of travel thereof for sliding longitudinally with respect to a load as said lift truck moves forwardly along said direction of travel to engage said load.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said load-engaging nonresilient surfaces and nonresilient lands are metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said grooves has beveled edges formed along the longitudinal sides thereof such that the cross section of each groove decreases in width toward the bottom of said groove.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the width of said grooves at the top thereof is substantially the same as the width of said lands at the top thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said load-engaging surfaces are substantially free of any other grooves or lands, having sides extending in a direction other than the direction of said grooves and lands, which effectively resist said longitudinal sliding movement of said grooves and lands with respect to a load.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a lift truck adapted to move longitudinally in a direction of travel having a lifting apparatus at its forward end, a load-handling attachment mounted on said lifting apparatus for handling a load having a deformable surface of paper or the like, said attachment comprising: (a) a frame mounted on a portion of said lifting apparatus so as to be selectively raised and lowered vertically by said lifting apparatus; (b) a pair of forwardly-projecting, selectively openable and closeable opposing clamp arms mounted upon said frame; (c) power means mounted upon said frame for selectively opening and closing said clamp arms; (d) a pair of contact pads, each connected to a forward end of a respective one of said pair of clamp arms, said contact pads having opposing nonresilient load-engaging surfaces; and (e) directionally-oriented texturing means formed in each of said nonresilient load-engaging surfaces for providing resistance to sliding movement, between said deformable surface of said load and the respective load-engaging surface, which is less in a direction generally longitudinal of said lift truck than in a direction transverse thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a lift truck adapted to move longitudinally in a direction of travel having a lifting apparatus at its forward end, a load-handling attachment mounted on said lifting apparatus for handling a load having a deformable surface of paper or the like, said attachment comprising: (a) a frame mounted on a portion of said lifting apparatus so as to be selectively raised and lowered vertically by said lifting apparatus; (b) a pair of forwardly-projecting, selectively openable and closeable opposing clamp arms mounted upon said frame; (c) power means mounted upon said frame for selectively opening and closing said clamp arms; (d) a pair of contact pads, each connected to a forward end of a respective one of said pair of clamp arms, said contact pads having opposing nonresilient load-engaging surfaces; and (e) directionally-oriented texturing means formed in each of said nonresilient load-engaging surfaces for providing resistance to sliding movement, between said deformable surface of said load and the respective load-engaging surface, which is less in a direction generally longitudinal of said lift truck than in a direction transverse thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said nonresilient load-engaging surfaces are metal.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
217 words
A method of handling a load, having a deformable surface of paper or the like, by means of a load-handling clamp having a pair of forwardly-projecting, selectively openable and closeable opposing clamp arms mounted upon a lift truck adapted to move forwardly in a direction of travel, said method comprising: (a) supporting upon said pair of clamp arms a pair of contact pads having opposing nonresilient load-engaging surfaces with an array of elongate, generally parallel, spaced grooves formed in each of said nonresilient surfaces separated by elongate nonresilient lands between said grooves; (b) orienting said elongate grooves and lands to extend generally longitudinally along the direction of travel of said lift truck; (c) engaging said load by advancing said lift truck forwardly toward said load along said direction of travel and longitudinally of said grooves and lands until said contact pads are on opposite sides of said load; (d) grasping said load by closing said clamp arms and thereby pressing said nonresilient lands of said contact pads against said deformable surface of said load forming elongate indentations in said deformable surface which extend generally along the direction of travel of said lift truck; and (e) lifting said load by means of said clamp arms in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of said lift truck.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
217 words
A method of handling a load, having a deformable surface of paper or the like, by means of a load-handling clamp having a pair of forwardly-projecting, selectively openable and closeable opposing clamp arms mounted upon a lift truck adapted to move forwardly in a direction of travel, said method comprising: (a) supporting upon said pair of clamp arms a pair of contact pads having opposing nonresilient load-engaging surfaces with an array of elongate, generally parallel, spaced grooves formed in each of said nonresilient surfaces separated by elongate nonresilient lands between said grooves; (b) orienting said elongate grooves and lands to extend generally longitudinally along the direction of travel of said lift truck; (c) engaging said load by advancing said lift truck forwardly toward said load along said direction of travel and longitudinally of said grooves and lands until said contact pads are on opposite sides of said load; (d) grasping said load by closing said clamp arms and thereby pressing said nonresilient lands of said contact pads against said deformable surface of said load forming elongate indentations in said deformable surface which extend generally along the direction of travel of said lift truck; and (e) lifting said load by means of said clamp arms in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of said lift truck.
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) | 1983-06-24 | 1983-12-24 | 1984-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-06-24 | 1987-12-24 | 1988-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-06-24 | 1991-12-24 | 1992-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |