US4402541A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Movable load bar with automatic hooks
Assignee: Butler Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1982-02-26
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Granted: 1983-09-06
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Expires: 2002-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A load bar is movably supported from overhead support equipment and has grabbing hooks thereon which are adaptable to support loads having a wide variety of shapes and/or sizes.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur L. Bomberger
- 👤 Claris E. Johnson, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:48
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66C; B66C1/00; B66C1/10; B66C1/62; B66C1/64; B66C1/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
362 words
A device for supporting the moving elements using an overhead carrying means comprising: a load beam having means for movably attaching said load beam to an overhead structure and moving that load beam along a load beam path; a hollow housing mounted on said load beam; a rod element movably mounted within said hollow housing and including a shaft and a wedge-shaped head on one end of said rod element; rod element moving means located outside of said housing and extending into said hollow housing and coupled to said rod element for moving said rod element within said housing; an actuating means for actuating said rod element moving means, said actuating means including a hydraulic cylinder supported and maintained at a specific spatial location adjacent to and spaced from said load beam path so that said load beam and housing move past said spatially fixed cylinder as said load beam traverses said load beam path, an operating bar attached to said hydraulic cylinder and maintained at said specific spatial location, operating bar coupling means coupling said operating bar to said hydraulic cylinder so that said operating bar is moved toward or away from said load beam by said cylinder upon actuation of said cylinder, receiving means on said operating bar for releasably coupling said rod element moving means to said operating bar when said load bar is located adjacent to said spatially fixed hydraulic cylinder so that movement of said operating bar toward or away from said load beam causes corresponding movement of said rod element moving means coupled thereto toward or away from said load bar whereby said rod element is moved within said housing upon actuation of said hydraulic cylinder; and a plurality of load grabbing arms located externally of said housing and pivotally supported on said housing, said arms each having a portion thereof located within said housing to be contacted by said rod element head, said arms being located to be pivoted away from said housing by said rod element head when said rod element is moved by said rod element moving means, said grabbing arms having load contacting means thereon which contact a load to be supported.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
362 words
A device for supporting the moving elements using an overhead carrying means comprising: a load beam having means for movably attaching said load beam to an overhead structure and moving that load beam along a load beam path; a hollow housing mounted on said load beam; a rod element movably mounted within said hollow housing and including a shaft and a wedge-shaped head on one end of said rod element; rod element moving means located outside of said housing and extending into said hollow housing and coupled to said rod element for moving said rod element within said housing; an actuating means for actuating said rod element moving means, said actuating means including a hydraulic cylinder supported and maintained at a specific spatial location adjacent to and spaced from said load beam path so that said load beam and housing move past said spatially fixed cylinder as said load beam traverses said load beam path, an operating bar attached to said hydraulic cylinder and maintained at said specific spatial location, operating bar coupling means coupling said operating bar to said hydraulic cylinder so that said operating bar is moved toward or away from said load beam by said cylinder upon actuation of said cylinder, receiving means on said operating bar for releasably coupling said rod element moving means to said operating bar when said load bar is located adjacent to said spatially fixed hydraulic cylinder so that movement of said operating bar toward or away from said load beam causes corresponding movement of said rod element moving means coupled thereto toward or away from said load bar whereby said rod element is moved within said housing upon actuation of said hydraulic cylinder; and a plurality of load grabbing arms located externally of said housing and pivotally supported on said housing, said arms each having a portion thereof located within said housing to be contacted by said rod element head, said arms being located to be pivoted away from said housing by said rod element head when said rod element is moved by said rod element moving means, said grabbing arms having load contacting means thereon which contact a load to be supported.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein each of said load grabbing arms includes a body having a first portion on one end thereof which is bent with respect to said body and which is contacted by said rod element head and a hook portion which contacts a load to be supported.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device defined in claim 2 further including biasing means connected to said arms for biasing a pair of said arms toward each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes a plurality of fluid power cylinders.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device defined in claim 3 wherein said biasing means includes a spring connected to each of said pair of arms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said piston head is wedge shaped.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device defined in claim 1 further including a pair of hollow housings mounted on said load beam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device defined in claim 1 further including guide means on said hollow housing guiding movement of said rod element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device defined in claim 1 further including a means to guide said load beam into load and unload stations as well as hold said load beam steady.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device defined in claim 9 further including lead-in means on said actuating bar adjacent to said load and unload stations for guiding said rod element moving means into engagement with said actuating bar.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device defined in claim 1 further including linkage means movably attaching said actuating bar to a support means, and means attaching said hydraulic cylinder to said support means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device defined in claim 9 further including an abutting means located adjacent to said load and unload stations for abutting said hollow housing during a load or unload operation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device defined in claim 12 wherein said abutting means are movable toward and away from said load beam path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said actuating bar is U-shaped and has a gap oriented toward said load beam path.
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) | 1986-09-05 | 1987-03-07 | 1987-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-05 | 1991-03-07 | 1991-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-05 | 1995-03-07 | 1995-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |