Frame rack

Details Frame rack Frame rack

1999-04-07

2001-05-01

Stodola, Daniel P. (Department: 3634)

Supports: racks

Special article

Platelike

C211S150000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06223911

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a support rack and more particularly to a rack for holding multiple objects, such as automobile frames, which is especially adapted for securing such objects for transportation or storage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Frames for vehicles such as automobiles and the like are typically fabricated from steel at one location and are shipped to another location for assembly of the vehicle. A plurality of frames are transported on pallets received on the bed of a truck or a railroad car. The frames are typically stacked one on top of another with individual spacers manually placed between adjacent frames to protect them during shipping. One or more chains are needed to secure the frames to the pallet and undesirably, each frame bears the weight of each frame stacked on top of it. Further, a stack of frames loaded in this manner is unstable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A support rack is provided for releasably and securely holding and separately supporting a plurality of objects. The rack has a plurality of arms each of which is constructed to support a separate object such as an automobile frame. The arms of the rack are linked together such that when an object is placed on a first arm, a second arm is moved into position to receive the next object to be loaded onto the rack. When the next object is loaded onto the second arm, a third arm is moved into position to receive the next object to be loaded onto the rack, and so on. In addition to moving the succeeding arm into position to receive an object, when an object is loaded onto an arm a lock adjacent to the preceding arm is preferably also moved into a locking position securing the object on the preceding arm. For example, when an object is placed onto the second arm of the rack, the third arm is moved into position to receive an object as described above and a lock adjacent the first arm is simultaneously moved to its locking position to secure an object on the first arm.
Similarly, the rack is constructed such that when unloading objects from the rack the arms rotate out of the way to avoid interference with the unloading of subsequent objects and the locks of preceding arms are automatically disengaged as the object from the adjacent arm is removed. Thus, the rack facilitates automated loading and unloading of the objects to eliminate manual labor and eliminate the need for individual spacers between adjacent objects.
Objects, features and advantages of this invention include providing a rack for multiple objects which securely and releasably holds the objects, individually supports multiple objects, facilitates automated loading and unloading of multiple objects, automatically locks and securely holds objects onto the rack during loading, automatically unlocks objects from the rack during unloading, increases the stability of a stack of objects, facilitates securing multiple objects to a pallet, is rugged, durable, reliable and of relative simple design and economical manufacture and assembly.


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patent: 494357 (1953-07-01), None
patent: 49210 (1992-11-01), None

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