Material or article handling – Plural – static structures for supporting discrete loads and... – Load-underlying members
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-25
2001-01-30
Werner, Frank E. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Plural, static structures for supporting discrete loads and...
Load-underlying members
C414S607000, C414S281000, C414S278000, C414S663000, C414S401000, C187S222000, C198S861100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179541
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a transfer device transferring a load from a forklift to any selected cell of a multiple cell rack. The load may be a pack of elongated articles such as lumber.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 4,541,766 dated Sep. 17, 1985, inventor Dahl, entitled “Device for Handling Packs of Elongated Articles, Especially Lumber Packs” describes a transfer device for transferring loads such as lumber packs into cells of multiple cell racks; the cells being provided with an anchor bar at their cell openings. The device of this patent consists of a jig or elongated frame which tine receivers fixed underneath the same to be supported by a forklift transversely of the same. Long arms are telescopically carried by the frame and have hooks at their ends to engage the anchor bars. The patent states that the transverse rollers supporting the load can be motorized to transfer the load from the jig to the rack cell.
It is obvious that the forklift must travel along the rack with the jig and load at a certain distance from the rack in order to prevent accidental collision of the load with the rack. It is therefore necessary that the telescopic arms can be extended a certain distance to hook onto the anchor bar at the rack opening. The arms must be extended and retracted by hand; this is an awkward and often dangerous operation especially when an operator must stand on a high platform to load the top cells of a rack several stories high.
Also since the arms are extended during the transfer of the load from the forklift to the rack, even if the main frame rollers are motorized, it is clear that the transfer roller closest to the rack cannot push the load entirely within the rack and therefore the load will protrude a certain extent at the front of the rack if the load is not manually further pushed into the rack and the protruding load will obstruct the transfer of additional loads into the rack.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore general object of the present invention to provide a transfer device of the character described which obviates the above noted drawbacks in that the load can be fully transferred of from the forklift into a selected rack cell and entirely by motorized means, by simple operation of electric switches by an operator standing at the level of the rack cell to be loaded.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a transfer device of the character described which is safe to operate since the load remains centered with respect to the forklift carrying the same during lateral shifting and hooking of the mainframe directly to the anchor bar of the cell opening into which the load is to be transferred.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a transfer device of the character described which is of simple and inexpensive construction and which can be fitted to all types of forklifts especially elevator forklifts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a transfer device for transferring a load to a cell of a rack which has a transverse anchor bar at its cell opening, said device comprising an underframe including forklift tine receivers, an elongated mainframe overlying said underframe and transverse to said tine receivers, said mainframe having opposite ends, transverse mainframe rollers carried by said mainframe for supporting a load on said mainframe, hooks secured to at least one end of said mainframe to hook said mainframe to said anchor bar, said mainframe overlying and supported by said underframe for guided shifting movement transversely of said tine receivers from a centered position to an off-centered position relative to said tine receivers and a motorized transmission to shift said mainframe from said centered position to said off-centered position while rotating said mainframe rollers in a first direction to maintain said load in a centered position relative to said tine receivers so as to enable hooking of said mainframe to said anchor bar and then to rotate said mainframe rollers in an opposite direction to transfer said load from said mainframe into said rack cell.
Preferably, said hooks are secured to both ends of said mainframe, said mainframe, when in centered position equally protrudes from opposite ends of said underframe and is guided for shifting movement by said transmission to a selected one of two opposite off centered positions relative to said tine receivers.
Preferably, the device further includes abutments secured to said mainframe and abutting against said underframe to limit the extent of said shifting movement.
Preferably, there are mainframe supporting idle rollers carried by said underframe and on which said mainframe is supported and guided.
Preferably, the transmission includes a first reversible motor, a first chain and sprocket gear system carried by said mainframe and driven by said first motor, the chain of said first system being attached to said underframe, and a second chain and sprocket gear system both carried by said mainframe, said second system driven by said second motor and driving said mainframe rollers and, wherein said first and second reversible motors when operating simultaneously always cause said mainframe rollers to rotate in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said idle rollers and at peripheral speed equal to the speed of the shifting movement of said mainframe.
Preferably, the device further includes proximity switches secured to said mainframe and electrically connected to said first motor, said proximity switches being provided to stop said shifting movement of said mainframe on either side of said underframe just prior to said abutments coming into actual contact with said underframe.
Preferably said motors are electric motors and further including batteries carried by said mainframe and electrically connected to said first and second motors.
Preferably said tine receivers are sleeve members forming part of said underframe.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2538747 (1951-01-01), Drew
patent: 3292804 (1966-12-01), Veneman
patent: 3854616 (1974-12-01), Willis et al.
patent: 4109805 (1978-08-01), Wagner
patent: 4541766 (1985-09-01), Dahl
patent: 4993905 (1991-02-01), Potocnjak
patent: 5033928 (1991-07-01), Suominen
patent: 5429469 (1995-07-01), Zimek
patent: 5487635 (1996-01-01), Hellkuhl et al.
patent: 5630692 (1997-05-01), Hanaya
patent: 5688098 (1997-11-01), Theno
Benayoun Thierry
Rioux Sylvain
Holland & Knight LLP
Werner Frank E.
LandOfFree
Transfer device for lumber packs and other loads does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Transfer device for lumber packs and other loads, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Transfer device for lumber packs and other loads will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2438426