Method and apparatus for transferring loads
AssigneeColumbia Machine, Inc.
InventorWalter Neth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for transferring loads between selected stations includes a transfer car operable for selective shifting along a predetermined path interposed between first and second stations and a load carrier mounted on the transfer car operable for reciprocative shifting relative to the transfer car from a pre-spot position to load receiving and depositing positions. An orienting device such as a turntable is positioned adjacent the predetermined path and is operable for selectively rotating the transfer car and the load carrier through a predetermined angular displacement.
Claims20
Apparatus for transferring a load between selected stations comprising:
- transfer car means operable for selective shifting along a first predetermined path interposed between first and second stations;
- orienting means positioned adjacent and fixed relative to said first predetermined path operable for selective rotation through a predetermined angular displacement, said orienting means including turntable means and power-driven means coupled thereto, said power-driven means being operable for angularly displacing said turntable means about a substantially vertical axis of rotation, said turntable means also including track means selectively alignable with said first predetermined path upon suitable positioning of said turntable means for receiving said transfer car means thereon;
- and
- load carrier means operable for picking up and depositing a load, said load carrier means being mounted on and powered from said transfer car means and operable for reciprocative shifting thereon from a pre-spot position to load receiving and depositing positions, said load carrier means also being shiftable to positions remote from said transfer car means for selective positioning along a second predetermined path.
Apparatus for transferring selected loads between selected stations comprising:
- transfer car means operable for selective shifting along a first predetermined path interposed between stations;
- load carrier means including a forklift vehicle having a mast assembly, said load carrier means being mounted on and powered from said transfer car means and operable for reciprocative shifting relative to said transfer car means and from a pre-spot position to load receiving and depositing positions;
- and
- a pair of spaced-apart turntable means having power-driven means coupled thereto positioned adjacent and fixed relative to said first predetermined path, each turntable means being operable for selective rotation through a predetermined angular displacement about a substantially vertical axis of rotation and each including a pair of laterally opposed track means selectively alignable with said first predetermined path upon suitable positioning of said turntable means, said transfer car means being operable for transfer from one of said turntable means to the other along said first predetermined path, said load carrier means also being shiftable to positions remote from said transfer car means for selective positioning along a second predetermined path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.