# US 9,435,412 B2 · Adjusting device for synchronized adjustment of extendable members > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,435,412 B2 - Document ID: US9435412B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/942,032 - Filed: 2015-11-16 - Published: 2016-03-10 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-09-20 - Assignees: Morrison Container Handling Solutions, Inc. - Applicants: Morrison Container Handling Solutions, Inc. - Inventors: Nick Wilson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9435412B2 ## CPC - F16H 25/20: Screw mechanisms (with automatic reversal F16H25/12) - B65G 33/24: Details - F16M 13/02: for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle - F16M 13/022: {repositionable} - B65G 47/28: during transit by a single conveyor - F16H 2025/2053: {Screws in parallel arrangement driven simultaneously with an output member moved by the screws} - F16H 2025/2096: {using endless flexible members} - F16H: GEARING - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS ## Abstract An adjusting device having first and second extendable members includes a synchronizing mechanism for making adjustments of the first and second extendable members. Each of the first and second extendable members defines an extension axis and includes an extendable portion adjustable along the extension axis to an extended length. The synchronizing mechanism is connected to the first and second extendable members and is operable to simultaneously adjust an extended length of the first and second extendable portions such that the extended length of the first extendable portion and the extended length of the second extendable portion are substantially equal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An adjusting device comprising: first and second extendable members; wherein each of the first and second extendable members defines an extension axis and includes an extendable portion adjustable along the extension axis to an extended length; and a synchronizing mechanism connected to the first and second extendable members and operable to simultaneously adjust an extended length of the first and second extendable portions such that the extended length of the first extendable portion and the extended length of the second extendable portion are substantially equal; wherein: each extendable member includes an extension rod; each extendable portion is moveably attached to the respective extension rod such that the extendable portion is adjustable to the extended length by movement of the extendable portion along the extension axis and relative to the extension rod; each extendable portion is rotatably attached to the respective extension rod such that the extendable portion is adjustable to the extended length by rotation of the extension rod relative to the extendable portion; the synchronizing mechanism is operable to simultaneously rotate the extension rods of the first and second extendable members; each of the extension rods includes a sprocket; and the synchronizing mechanism includes a chain operatively attached to each of the sprockets to simultaneously rotate the extension rods of the first and second extendable members. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The adjusting device of claim 1, wherein: each extension rod includes a threaded portion; each extendable portion includes a threaded element; and the threaded element is rotatably attached to the threaded portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The adjusting device of claim 2, wherein the threaded portion and threaded element comprise an Acme screw. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The adjusting device of claim 1, further comprising: a clamping member attached to each extendable portion; wherein each clamping member includes a split collar assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The adjusting device of claim 1, wherein the first and second extendable members are operatively attached such that the extension axes of the first and second extendable members are parallel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The adjusting device of claim 1, wherein each extendable portion includes a clamping member configured to receive a longitudinal member; wherein the clamping members define a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the extension axes of the first and second extendable members. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The adjusting device of claim 1, wherein each extendable portion includes a clamping member configured to receive a rotatable member; and wherein the clamping member is lockable to prevent rotation of the rotatable member relative to the clamping member. ### Claim 8 An adjusting device comprising: first and second extendable members; wherein each of the first and second extendable members defines an extension axis and includes an extendable portion adjustable along the extension axis to an extended length; a synchronizing mechanism connected to the first and second extendable members and operable to simultaneously adjust an extended length of the first and second extendable portions such that the extended length of the first extendable portion and the extended length of the second extendable portion are substantially equal; a mounting bracket including a first adjustable attachment feature for attachment of the mounting bracket to a mounting surface; wherein the position of the adjusting device relative to the mounting surface is adjustable by adjustment of the first adjustable attachment feature; the mounting bracket including a second adjustable attachment feature for attachment of the mounting bracket to the adjusting device; wherein the position of the adjusting device relative to the mounting surface is adjustable by adjustment of the second adjustable attachment feature; and wherein the position of the adjusting device relative to the mounting surface is adjustable in a first direction by adjustment of the first adjustable attachment feature and adjustable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction by adjustment of the second adjustable attachment feature. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The adjusting device of claim 1, wherein the extendable portion is configured to receive a rotatable member; the adjusting device further comprising: at least one attachment element having a first end and a second end; wherein: the first end is operatively attached to the rotatable member; the second end is configured to receive a repositionable member; and at least one of rotation of the rotatable member and adjustment of the extended length of the first and second extendable members repositions the repositionable member received by the second end. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The adjusting device of claim 1, further comprising: an alignment bracket connecting the first and second extendable members such that the first and second extendable members are parallel to each other. ### Claim 11 An adjusting device comprising: first and second extendable members; wherein each of the first and second extendable members defines an extension axis and includes: a first extendable portion adjustable along the extension axis to an extended length; an extension rod; wherein the extendable portion is rotatably attached to the extension rod; a synchronizing mechanism connected to the extension rods of the first and second extendable members and operable to simultaneously rotate the extension rods of the first and second extendable members to adjust an extended length of the first and second extendable portions such that the extended length of the first extendable portion and the extended length of the second extendable portion are equal; a rotatable member including at least one attachment element; wherein: each extendable portion receives the rotatable member; a first end of the at least one attachment element is operatively attached to the rotatable member; and a second end of the at least one attachment element is configured to receive a repositionable member such that the repositionable member is repositionable by at least one of rotation of the rotatable member and adjustment of the extended length of the first and second extendable members. ### Claim 12 An adjusting device comprising: first and second extendable members; wherein each of the first and second extendable members defines an extension axis and includes an extendable portion adjustable along the extension axis to an extended length; wherein each of the extendable members includes a sprocket; and a synchronizing mechanism operatively attached to each of the sprockets; wherein the synchronizing mechanism is actuable to concurrently rotate the sprockets to simultaneously adjust an extended length of the first and second extendable portions such that the extended length of the first extendable portion and the extended length of the second extendable portion are substantially equal. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The adjusting device of claim 12, wherein the synchronizing mechanism includes a chain operatively attached to each of the sprockets to simultaneously rotate the extension rods of the first and second extendable members. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The adjusting device of claim 12, further comprising: a mounting bracket operatively attached to the adjusting device; the mounting bracket including a first adjustable attachment feature for attachment of the mounting bracket to a mounting surface; wherein the position of the adjusting device relative to the mounting surface is adjustable in a first direction by adjustment of the first adjustable attachment feature; the mounting bracket including a second adjustable attachment feature for attachment of the mounting bracket to the adjusting device; and wherein the position of the adjusting device relative to the mounting surface is adjustable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction by adjustment of the second adjustable attachment feature.