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US 6,655,893 B2Granted
Extensible conveyor and frame for vehicle load transfer
AssigneeMulti-Craft Contractors, Inc.
InventorsDennis L. Kelly, Richard L. Glines
Life of this patent
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AssigneeMulti-Craft Contractors, Inc.
InventorsDennis L. Kelly, Richard L. Glines
Estimating the term…
An apparatus and method for rapidly loading vehicles or other load carrying compartments has an extensible conveyor attached to a base frame by means of a wheel and track design. The load may be applied to the extensible conveyor from any direction by a variety of means. Items are applied to the extensible conveyor until the load is substantially equivalent to the maximum load capacity of the load carrying compartment. The conveyor is then extended into the compartment and retracted. As it retracts, the load remains within the compartment. The device preferably has a number of safety features to avoid accidents. The invention also preferably has a means of properly aligning itself
A load transfer device comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Term ended 23 Apr 2022 (estimated)
Loading land vehicles: using endless conveyors
Loading land vehicles: loading covered vehicles
Transport or storage devices
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
FIG. 1 shows a top plan schematic diagram of the invention.
FIG. 2 shows a side plan view of a schematic diagram of the invention.
FIG. 3 shows a rear plan view of the base frame of the invention, having some components omitted for clarification.
The present invention is an apparatus and method for rapidly transferring a load equal to the entire volume of a load carrying compartment at one time. A base frame is designed to be attached to the floor inside a loading dock. On top of the fixed frame, rests an extensible conveyor.
FIGS. 1-10 illustrate the extensible conveyor and frame.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show top and side views of a schematic diagram of the load transfer device. Extensible conveyor 12 rests on top of base frame 14. Base frame 14 rests on the floor of a docking bay or other vehicle loading area. It is supported by support wheels 78 and track wheels 34. Support wheels 78 and track wheels 34 rest on axis that are parallel to the length of the base frame and therefore allow movement perpendicular to the telescoping motion of the extensible conveyor. Pistons 18 and 20 are attached to the floor of the loading area and also to the base frame. By actuating these pistons, the position of the base frame may be adjusted. In FIG. 2, support rollers 126 may be seen. These support rollers 126 lie underneath and support the conveyor belt. Conveyor motor 104 and extension motor 100 may also be seen.