US 5,664,933 AGranted

Method and apparatus for transferring a load

AssigneeMima Incorporated

InventorsPhilip G. Scherer, Werner K. Diehl

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for transferring a load to and from a load supporting platform having a first end pivotally coupled at a first end of a main frame having a support surface for supporting the platform in a substantially level position. The platform is pivotally raisable, from the support surface of the main frame to a raised position for discharging and accepting a load, either manually or by an actuatable member. A damping member interconnects the platform and the main frame wherein the damping member progressively increases resistance on the load bearing platform as the platform moves from the raised position toward the support surface of the main frame to reduce any impact on the load. The platform includes a lower frame and a cover biased away from the lower frame by a plurality of spring members wherein the cover is movable toward the lower frame by a load disposed on a support surface of the cover to actuate a load sensor, which indicates the presence of the load. A first pair of motor driven wheels is coupled to the first end of the main frame to drive the apparatus along an operating surface, and a second pair of wheels is coupled to opposite sides of a pivoting member to compensate for unevenness in the operating surface.

Claims18

Dependent claims

Apparatus for transferring a load, comprising:

a main frame;
a load supporting platform pivotally coupled at one end thereof to said main frame so as to be movable between a first lowered position at which said load supporting platform is supportable by a support surface of said main frame, and a second position at which said load supporting platform is disposed at a raised and inclined position with respect to said support surface of said main frame;
an actuating member, having a first end connected to said main frame at a first connection point of said main frame, and a second end connected to said load supporting platform at a first connection point of said load supporting platform, for raising said load supporting platform with respect to said main frame from said first lowered position to said second raised and inclined position;
and
a damping member having a first end connected to said main frame at a second connection point of said main frame, and a second end connected to said load supporting platform at a second connection point of said load supporting platform such that when said load supporting platform is pivotally lowered from said second raised and inclined position and toward said first lowered position so as to be supported upon said support surface of said main frame, said damping member increasingly dampens the movement of said load supporting platform as said load supporting platform moves from said second raised and inclined position and toward said first lowered position at which said load supporting platform is supported upon said support surface of said main frame so as to reduce any impact attendant contact of said load supporting platform upon said support surface of said main frame, when said load supporting platform is moved from said second raised and inclined position to said first lowered position, and as may be transmitted to said load supported upon said load supporting platform.

2 more elements

A method for transferring a load onto a load supporting platform and moving said load supporting platform relative to a main frame upon which said load supporting platform is pivotally mounted, comprising the steps of:

activating an actuating member, having a first end connected to said main frame at a first connection point of said main frame, and a second end connected to said load supporting platform at a first connection point of said load supporting platform, so as to pivotally move said load supporting platform with respect to said main frame from a first lowered position, at which said load supporting platform is supported by a support surface of said main frame, to a second position at which said load supporting platform is disposed at a raised and inclined position with respect to said support surface of said main frame;
mounting a load upon said load supporting platform while said load supporting platform is disposed at said second raised and inclined position with respect to said support surface of said main frame;
activating a damping member, having a first end connected to said main frame at a second connection point of said main frame and a second end connected to said load supporting platform at a second connection point of said load supporting platform, so as to dampen the movement of said load supporting platform as said load supporting platform moves from said second raised and inclined position with respect to said support surface of said main frame and toward said first lowered position at which said load supporting platform will be supported up on said support surface of said main frame;
and
progressively increasing the damping resistance of said damping member as said load supporting platform moves from said second raised and inclined position with respect to said support surface of said main frame and toward said first lowered position with respect to said support surface of said main frame so as to reduce any impact attendant contact of said load supporting platform upon said support surface of said main frame, when said load support platform is moved from said second raised and inclined position to said first lowered position, and as may be transmitted to said load supported upon said load supporting platform.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.