Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
292 words
A lift loader comprising, in combination, a supporting frame; four endless chains arranged in two sets each including two laterally spaced endless chains, each set of chains being trained around a respective set of pairs of sprockets rotatably mounted on said frame; at least one substantially rectangular platform constituting a goods carrier; respective ball joints connecting each end of said platform to a respective set of said endless chains; said sets of paired sprockets being positioned on said frame to define, for said endless chains, an endless path including a platform lifting and lowering run, a platform return run and a pair of vertically spaced horizontal runs; means driving all four endless chains in synchronism with each other along said endless path; a goods loading station at one end of one horizontal run, and a goods discharge station at the opposite end of the other horizontal run; each platform including a pair of laterally spaced link chains having support links articulatedly interconnected by intermediate links, a plurality of transversely extending juxtaposed support plates each secured on a respective pair of support links, and retaining means insertable between adjacent support links to prevent relative pivoting of said support plates; means operable, as each platform leaves the return run and enters a horizontal run adjacent said goods loading station, to insert said retaining means between adjacent support links to maintain a horizontal planar orientation of the platform while the latter passes along said lifting and lowering run; and means operable, as each platform leaves the horizontal run adjacent said goods discharge station and enters the return run, to retract said retaining means from between adjacent support links to provide for relative pivoting of said support plates while the platform passes along said return run.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
292 words
A lift loader comprising, in combination, a supporting frame; four endless chains arranged in two sets each including two laterally spaced endless chains, each set of chains being trained around a respective set of pairs of sprockets rotatably mounted on said frame; at least one substantially rectangular platform constituting a goods carrier; respective ball joints connecting each end of said platform to a respective set of said endless chains; said sets of paired sprockets being positioned on said frame to define, for said endless chains, an endless path including a platform lifting and lowering run, a platform return run and a pair of vertically spaced horizontal runs; means driving all four endless chains in synchronism with each other along said endless path; a goods loading station at one end of one horizontal run, and a goods discharge station at the opposite end of the other horizontal run; each platform including a pair of laterally spaced link chains having support links articulatedly interconnected by intermediate links, a plurality of transversely extending juxtaposed support plates each secured on a respective pair of support links, and retaining means insertable between adjacent support links to prevent relative pivoting of said support plates; means operable, as each platform leaves the return run and enters a horizontal run adjacent said goods loading station, to insert said retaining means between adjacent support links to maintain a horizontal planar orientation of the platform while the latter passes along said lifting and lowering run; and means operable, as each platform leaves the horizontal run adjacent said goods discharge station and enters the return run, to retract said retaining means from between adjacent support links to provide for relative pivoting of said support plates while the platform passes along said return run.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
A lift loader, as claimed in claim 1, in whIch adjacent support links have facing end surfaces which are spaced longitudinally from each other; said retaining means comprising keeper plates insertable between said facing end surfaces when said platform has a convex orientation; said keeper plates having widths substantially equal to the distance between said facing end surfaces when said platform has a planar orientation with said support plates having their surfaces lying in a common plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
A lift loader, as claimed in claim 1, in which said keeper plates are slidably supported by said intermediate links for movement transversely of said platform; said means operable to retract said retaining means comprising springs biasing each keeper plate to a retracted position; said means operable to insert said retaining means comprising guide rails engageable with said keeper plates to project the same outwardly against the bias of the associated springs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
A lift loader, as claimed in claim 3, including projecting lips on each keeper plate engageable with the outer surfaces of the associated adjacent support links to retain the keeper plates in position against the bias of the associated springs; said support links, as the platform assumes a convex curvature when entering said return run, spreading apart sufficiently to release said keeper plates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
96 words
A lift loader, as claimed in claim 1, in which said supporting frame includes an upper section and a lower section capable of relative vertical displacement to adjust the effective height of the lift loader; said sets of chains, in said platform return run, extending through a compensation loop; said sets of paired sprockets including paired sprockets engaged with said endless chains in said compensation loop; and mean selectively operable to adjust the last named paired sprockets to adjust the size of said compensation loop to compensate for changes in the height of said lift loader.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
A lift loader, as claimed in claim 5, in which said lower frame section comprises a substantially horizontal base having a pair of longitudinally extending laterally spaced members; said members, adjacent one end thereof, being formed with laterally aligned longitudinally extending slots; said sprocket pair engaged with said compensation loop being mounted on a common axle extending through said slots; and means operable to adjust the position of said common axle longitudinally of said slots.