US4347792A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Driveless vehicle with speed control cam
Assignee: SI Handling Systems Inc
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Filing: 1980-12-18
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Granted: 1982-09-07
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Expires: 2000-12-18
Abstract
Abstract A driverless vehicle has at least one drive wheel mounted on a base and oscillatable about the axis of its support between a drive position and an accumulation position. A cam is supported on the base by a horizontal parallelogram linkage with one leg of the linkage connected to the drive wheel support for moving the drive wheel support between said positions. A ground supported cam follower is provided for actuating the cam.
Inventors
- 👤 Katsuhiro Nagahori
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:04
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61B; B61B13/00; B61B13/12; B61B13/125; B61L; B61L23/00; B61L23/002; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/24; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18568
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A driverless vehicle comprising a base mounted on support wheels, at least one drive wheel having a support and oscillatable therewith about the axis of its support between a drive position and an accumulation position, a cam supported on the base by a horizontal parallelogram linkage, one leg of which is connected to said support for moving said drive wheel support and said drive wheel between said positions, said cam having a generally longitudinally extending acceleration and deceleration surface positioned so that said surfaces may contact a cam follower and as a result of such contact move transversely of the base.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A driverless vehicle comprising a base mounted on support wheels, at least one drive wheel having a support and oscillatable therewith about the axis of its support between a drive position and an accumulation position, a cam supported on the base by a horizontal parallelogram linkage, one leg of which is connected to said support for moving said drive wheel support and said drive wheel between said positions, said cam having a generally longitudinally extending acceleration and deceleration surface positioned so that said surfaces may contact a cam follower and as a result of such contact move transversely of the base.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A vehicle in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cam has a shape so that its width in a transverse direction is gradually increased and then gradually decreased.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A vehicle in accordance with claim 1 including a pair of said drive wheels each pivotably connected to said cam, the length of said cam being greater than the distance between said drive wheels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
85 words
A conveyor system including a driverless vehicle in accordance with claim 1, a pair of tracks on which said support wheels are guided, a drive shaft between said tracks in contact with said drive wheel, a cam follower supported between said drive shaft and one of said tracks, means for moving said cam follower between operative and inoperative positions, said cam follower being in a position for contact with one of said surfaces on said cam when the cam follower is in its operative position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3972293A
Cited
US4036148A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-09-06 | 1986-03-08 | 1986-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-09-06 | 1990-03-08 | 1990-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-09-06 | 1994-03-08 | 1994-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |