US4262600A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Towcart conveyor system
Assignee: FKI Industries Inc
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Filing: 1979-10-31
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Granted: 1981-04-21
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Expires: 1999-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A towcart conveyor system comprising a conveyor movable below the floor surface and having a pusher, and a plurality of towcarts. Each towcart comprises a body movable along the floor surface and an upright member on the forward end of the body. A towpin support member is pivoted at its upper end adjacent the upper end of the upright member. A towpin is mounted on the support member and a combined spring and shock absorber assembly is interposed between the towpin support member and a portion of the body and is operable to absorb the shock of engagement of the pusher of the conveyor with the towpin and is operable to return the towpin support member and the towpin to its original position when the pusher becomes disengaged from the towpin.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward J. Carney
- 👤 Harbans L. Mediratta
- 👤 Donald G. Heximer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:11
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61B; B61B10/00; B61B10/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A towcart conveyor system comprising a conveyor movable below a floor surface and having a pusher, a plurality of towcarts, each towcart comprising a body having wheels for movement along said floor surface, a towpin support assembly, means for pivoting at its upper end said towpin support assembly at a point spaced vertically above said cart such that the normal pivotal movement subtends a very small angle having a cosine of substantially one, said towpin support assembly including a towpin, and a combined spring and shock absorber assembly interposed between said towpin support assembly and a portion of said body forwardly of said towpin support assembly and operable to absorb the shock of engagement of said pusher of said conveyor with said towpin and operable to return said towpin support assembly and said towpin to its original position when the pusher becomes disengaged from said towpin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A towcart conveyor system comprising a conveyor movable below a floor surface and having a pusher, a plurality of towcarts, each towcart comprising a body having wheels for movement along said floor surface, a towpin support assembly, means for pivoting at its upper end said towpin support assembly at a point spaced vertically above said cart such that the normal pivotal movement subtends a very small angle having a cosine of substantially one, said towpin support assembly including a towpin, and a combined spring and shock absorber assembly interposed between said towpin support assembly and a portion of said body forwardly of said towpin support assembly and operable to absorb the shock of engagement of said pusher of said conveyor with said towpin and operable to return said towpin support assembly and said towpin to its original position when the pusher becomes disengaged from said towpin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The conveyor system set forth in claim 1 wherein said towcart has an upright extending structural member, said towpin support assembly comprising a vertically extending structural member pivoted to said structural member on said towcart and having the towpin mounted thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The conveyor system set forth in claim 2 wherein said shock absorber is of the hydraulic linear deceleration type.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The conveyor system set forth in claim 3 wherein said towcart includes a bumper extending forwardly of said towcart, said shock absorber assembly being mounted on said body between said bumper and said towpin support assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The conveyor system set forth in claim 3 wherein said towcart includes a bumper, structural members extending longitudinally and forwardly of said body and mounting said bumper on said body, said towpin assembly extending between such structural members, said shock absorber assembly being mounted between said structural members and engaging said towpin support assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The conveyor system set forth in claim 1 wherein said spring and shock absorber assembly is of the type which can be adjusted while in position on the towcart.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
149 words
For use in a conveyor system comprising a conveyor movable below a floor surface and having a pusher, a towcart comprising a body having wheels for movement along a floor surface, an upright member on the forward end of said body, a towpin support assembly, means for pivoting said towpin support assembly at a point spaced vertically above said cart such that the normal pivotal movement subtends a very small angle having a cosine of substantially one, said towpin support assembly including a towpin, and a combined spring and shock absorber assembly interposed between said towpin support assembly and a portion of said body forwardly of said towpin assembly and operable to absorb the shock of engagement of said pusher of said conveyor with said towpin and operable to return said towpin support assembly and said towpin to its original position when the pusher becomes disengaged from said towpin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
149 words
For use in a conveyor system comprising a conveyor movable below a floor surface and having a pusher, a towcart comprising a body having wheels for movement along a floor surface, an upright member on the forward end of said body, a towpin support assembly, means for pivoting said towpin support assembly at a point spaced vertically above said cart such that the normal pivotal movement subtends a very small angle having a cosine of substantially one, said towpin support assembly including a towpin, and a combined spring and shock absorber assembly interposed between said towpin support assembly and a portion of said body forwardly of said towpin assembly and operable to absorb the shock of engagement of said pusher of said conveyor with said towpin and operable to return said towpin support assembly and said towpin to its original position when the pusher becomes disengaged from said towpin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The towcart set forth in claim 7 wherein said towcart has an upright extending structural member, said towpin support assembly comprising a vertically extending structural member pivoted to said structural member on said towcart and having the towpin mounted thereon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The towcart set forth in claim 8 wherein said shock absorber is of the hydraulic linear deceleration dashpot type.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The towcart set forth in claim 9 wherein said towcart includes a bumper extending forwardly of said towcart, said shock absorber assembly being mounted on said body between said bumper and said towpin support assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
The towcart set forth in claim 10 wherein said towcart includes a bumper, structural members extending longitudinally and forwardly of said body and mounting said bumper on said body, said towpin support assembly extending between such structural members, said shock absorber assembly being mounted between said structural members and engaging said towpin support assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The towcart set forth in claim 7 wherein said spring and shock absorber assembly is of the type which can be adjusted while in position on the owcart.
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) | 1984-04-20 | 1984-10-20 | 1985-04-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-04-20 | 1988-10-20 | 1989-04-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-04-20 | 1992-10-20 | 1993-04-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |