Patent US4538503A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4355940A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4355940A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic loading platform and method of using same
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1980-05-21
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Granted: 1982-10-26
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Expires: 2000-05-21
Abstract
Abstract An automatic loading platform for facilitating the loading and unloading of palletized loads is provided. The platform comprises an upper surface and an inclined ramp. A plurality of rotatable drive rollers extend above the upper surface to support a load, and the upper surface includes a plurality of air exit ports to provide a fluid bearing surface for the load. The drive rollers rotate in response to the rotation of carrier rollers and wheels, such response occuring only after air is supplied to the frame, and after the carrier rollers rotate in response to translational movement of the platform. A method for unloading a load from the platform by creating relative motion between the platform and load is thereby provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward E. Derickson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 18:17
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G67/00; B65G67/02; B65G67/04; B65G67/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
An automatic loading platform adapted for translational movement and for loading and unloading a vehicle, said platform comprising: (a) a frame having an upper surface; (b) first means on said frame movable in response to translational movement of said platform, said first means comprising at least one carrier roller and at least one rotatable wheel, each carrier roller comprising a drive shaft having a central air passageway and radially extending air passages connecting said central passageway to at least one air chamber defined by an expansible diaphragm and the periphery of said drive shaft; and (c) second means movable in response to movement of said first means, said second means adapted to support a load such that relative movement between said platform and said load occurs upon movement of said platform.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
An automatic loading platform adapted for translational movement and for loading and unloading a vehicle, said platform comprising: (a) a frame having an upper surface; (b) first means on said frame movable in response to translational movement of said platform, said first means comprising at least one carrier roller and at least one rotatable wheel, each carrier roller comprising a drive shaft having a central air passageway and radially extending air passages connecting said central passageway to at least one air chamber defined by an expansible diaphragm and the periphery of said drive shaft; and (c) second means movable in response to movement of said first means, said second means adapted to support a load such that relative movement between said platform and said load occurs upon movement of said platform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
An automatic loading platform adapted for translational movement and for loading and unloading a vehicle, said platform comprising: (a) a frame having an upper surface; (b) first means on said frame movable in response to translational movement of said platform; (c) second means movable in response to movement of said first means, said second means extending above said upper surface and being adapted to support a load such that relative movement between said platform and said load occurs upon movement of said platform; and (d) means forming an air bearing surface for said load.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
94 words
An automatic loading platform adapted for translational movement and for loading and unloading a vehicle, said platform comprising: (a) a frame having an upper surface; (b) first means on said frame movable in response to translational movement of said platform; (c) second means movable in response to movement of said first means, said second means extending above said upper surface and being adapted to support a load such that relative movement between said platform and said load occurs upon movement of said platform; and (d) means forming an air bearing surface for said load.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An automatic loading platform in accordance with claim 2, said frame comprising a reinforcing bottom portion, a rear wall, two side walls and an inclined ramp portion at one end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
An automatic loading platform in accordance with claim 3, said frame further comprising a plurality of air ports in said upper surface and a plurality of air passages extending longitudinally beneath said ports, said air ports comprising said means for forming said air bearing surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
An automatic loading platform in accordance with claim 4, further comprising means for supplying air to said frame, said air supply means comprising an air line rotatably supported by a carrier spool, an air manifold on said frame, and means for connecting said air line to said manifold.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
An automatic loading platform in accordance with claim 5 wherein a tube extends from an air hole provided on one of said passages, said tube being connected to an air inlet port of said first means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An automatic loading platform in accordance with claim 2 further comprising a drive motor and a pull chain for imparting translational motion to said frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An automatic loading platform in accordance with claim 2 wherein said first means comprises at least one carrier roller and at least one rotatable wheel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
An automatic loading platform in accordance with claim 8 wherein said second means comprises at least one drive roller.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
An automatic loading platform in accordance with claim 9 wherein said at least one drive roller.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
An automatic loading platform in accordance with claim 10 wherein said second means comprises two aligned rows of drive rollers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
An automatic loading platform in accordance with claim 8 wherein said carrier roller comprises a drive shaft having a central air passageway and radially extending air passages connecting said central passageway to at least one air chamber defined by an expansible diaphragm and the periphery of said drive shaft.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
An automatic loading platform in accordance with either of claims 12 or 1 wherein said roller and said wheel are positioned on said drive shaft such that when said diaphragm is in expanded condition it engages said carrier roller and rotation of said wheel in a predetermined direction rotates said roller in the same direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
An automatic loading platform in accordance with claim 13 wherein said second means comprises at least one drive roller engaging said carrier roller such that rotation of said carrier roller in said predetermined direction rotates said drive roller in an opposite direction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
An automatic loading platform in accordance with either of claims 12 or 1 wherein said carrier roller further comprises an inner and an outer sleeve engaging each of said diaphragms and maintaining each of said diaphragms upon said drive shaft.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of unloading a load from a platform comprising a frame having an upper surface, first means on said frame movable in response to translational movement of said platform, and second means on said frame movable in response to movement of said first means, said second means extending above the upper surface of said frame and being adapted to support a load, said method comprising: (a) imparting translational movement to said platform in a predetermined direction; (b) supporting said load with an air bearing surface; and (c) maintaining said load in a predetermined position while said movement is being imparted by moving a first means in response to said movement and by moving said second, load supporting means in response to said first means, so that said load can be unloaded from said frame by the relative motion between said frame and said load.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of unloading a load from a platform comprising a frame having an upper surface, first means on said frame movable in response to translational movement of said platform, and second means on said frame movable in response to movement of said first means, said second means extending above the upper surface of said frame and being adapted to support a load, said method comprising: (a) imparting translational movement to said platform in a predetermined direction; (b) supporting said load with an air bearing surface; and (c) maintaining said load in a predetermined position while said movement is being imparted by moving a first means in response to said movement and by moving said second, load supporting means in response to said first means, so that said load can be unloaded from said frame by the relative motion between said frame and said load.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method of unloading a load from a platform in accordance with claim 16, wherein said first means comprises carrier rollers and said second means comprises drive rollers, said method comprising rotating said carrier rollers in one direction such that said drive rollers are rotated in an opposite direction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of unloading a load from a platform in accordance with claim 17 further comprising supplying air to said frame.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of unloading a load from a platform in accordance with claim 16 wherein said translational movement is imparted to said frame by a motor driven pulling chain.
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) | 1985-10-25 | 1986-04-26 | 1986-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-10-25 | 1990-04-26 | 1990-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-10-25 | 1994-04-26 | 1994-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |