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US3861519A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Display cabinet, track and controls

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-09-20
•
Granted: 1975-01-21
•
Expires: 1992-09-20
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Abstract

Abstract A display cabinet is shown in which a drive mechanism comprising a pair of opposed endless link chains are coupled to a plurality of trays which move in a generally closed vertical path around a plurality of lights selected for their growth characteristics. A single column is provided at the two opposed ends which, in combination with a plurality of brackets, outside panels, and inside panels, provide a track for the chain, a guide for the brackets which support the trays, and support for the lights which illuminate the plants. Reversely bent end portions on the column as well as the outside panels add rigidity to the unit, and support to the track for the chain which, in turn, is tightly confined within the track and yet is sufficiently limber to rotate without excessive binding friction. The brackets are formed of a single piece of wire to nestingly receive a pivot pin in a partially closed circular end of the bracket, the pivot pin being proportioned to receive a keyhole in the hanger arm which supports the trays. An irrigation control comprising a pin selectively positioned through one of the roller holes in the link chain cooperates with a switch which in turn is coupled to the irrigation system thereby permitting preselection of those trays which are to be irrigated, and those which are not to be irrigated. Means are also provided to tension the entire drive assembly to the end that play and binding effects in the chain can be minimized, and in addition tray height adjustment means are provided on the various sprocket mounts to permit accurate level alignment of the trays. Alternative tray constructions are shown, one of which permits containerization of potted plants to be transported through the entire chain of distribution in a single nesting rack which ultimately fits within the framework of a tray carried by the subject display cabinet.

Inventors

  • 👤 Richard Louis Ware

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-22 22:29
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B63/00; A47B63/06; A47B63/067; A47F; A47F3/00; A47F3/08

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 189 words
A display cabinet and track assembly comprising, a pair of opposed end columns, each column having a U-shaped column member with side walls and a base, said side walls terminating in an outwardly turned end forming one wall of a bracket guide, brackets of U-shaped configuration formed for mounting to the column side walls to cover the open portion opposed from the base and an offset portion at the intersection of the side mount and base, outside panels for mounting to the bracket bases and having a track base secured thereto and in perpendicular relationship to said panels and offset from the outer edge to define a bracket guide flange, a drive member in the form of a chain, said track base, offset end, and column guide wall defining a track channel, brackets secured to the chain for holding a plurality of trays, said bracket guide flange and said outwardly turned column edges defining a bracket guide, whereby the column serves to support the end of the display cabinet and in combination with the outside panels provides a track guide for the chain and bracket guide for the brackets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 189 words
A display cabinet and track assembly comprising, a pair of opposed end columns, each column having a U-shaped column member with side walls and a base, said side walls terminating in an outwardly turned end forming one wall of a bracket guide, brackets of U-shaped configuration formed for mounting to the column side walls to cover the open portion opposed from the base and an offset portion at the intersection of the side mount and base, outside panels for mounting to the bracket bases and having a track base secured thereto and in perpendicular relationship to said panels and offset from the outer edge to define a bracket guide flange, a drive member in the form of a chain, said track base, offset end, and column guide wall defining a track channel, brackets secured to the chain for holding a plurality of trays, said bracket guide flange and said outwardly turned column edges defining a bracket guide, whereby the column serves to support the end of the display cabinet and in combination with the outside panels provides a track guide for the chain and bracket guide for the brackets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 64 words
In the display cabinet and track assembly of cLaim 1, opposed sprockets for driving said chain, means for mounting said sprockets on a slidable member, and yieldable tension means secured to each column for adjustably preselecting the tension to be placed upon a remote sliding means for mounting said sprockets, whereby said sprockets and their associated chains may be selectively tensioned for field usage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 65 words
A display cabinet and track assembly of the character defined in claim 1 above wherein, the column ends are reversely folded to define the offset portions thereof, and the bracket guard flange and track base are reversely folded portions of the outside panels, whereby additional double thickness members are provided opposed portions of the bracket guide, and at the inner portion of the track guide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 61 words
In the display cabinet and track assembly of claim 1, an inside panel mounted to said U-shaped bracket and beneath the internal marginal edges of said outside panels, and a plurality of light sockets positioned in said center panels for physically and electrically connecting a plurality of growth lights intermediate the path of the plurality of trays held by the brackets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 74 words
In the display cabinet and track assembly of claim 1 wherein, said brackets are a single bent formed wire member having offset legs which penetrate holes in said link chain, and a pivot pin secured in the arcuate portion defined by the bent intersection of two legs of said bracket, and wherein arcuate form is in excess of 180*, and means on said pivot pin for securing a hanger to the plurality of trays.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 53 words
In the display cabinet of claim 5 above, a hanger fixed to said tray at each end thereof, a keyhole slot in the end of each hanger, and a keyhole slot receiving undercuts on each pivot pin, whereby said trays and said hangers may be removably secured without additional parts to said pins.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 38 words
In the display cabinet of claim 1, said outside panels being curved centrally at their end portions to provide relief for the brackets as the same pass around sprockets at the upper and lower portion of the column.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1587896A Cited
US1578983A Cited
US2912118A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1978-01-20 1978-07-22 1979-01-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1982-01-20 1982-07-22 1983-01-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1986-01-20 1986-07-22 1987-01-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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