TRANSPORT DEVICE

• US 3,684,079 A
• Filed: 04/22/1970
• Issued: 08/15/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Guenther L. Kuehl
• Original Assignee: Guenther L. Kuehl
• Inventors: Kuehl, Guenther L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blunk, Evon C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lane, Hadd S.
• Application Number:
  US05/038,640
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 214/390,89 198/153,154,139,208,117,110
• US Class Current: 198/799
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 17/123 arranged to keep the load-carriers horizontally during at least a part of the conveyor run
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2201/02 Articles

Abstract

In the several embodiments of the invention described herein, an adjustable transport device is provided which includes a multiple chain drive system for transporting unit loads of material between a number of vertically and laterally displaced locations. In one embodiment, the device is provided as a truck attachment, and in a second embodiment, the vertical lift is permanently installed in a truck dock. In the third embodiment, a transport device for aircraft and the like carriers is provided with selfadjusting features and a unique platform construction. In a fourth embodiment, a transport device provides perpetual motion bridging for transporting people or material across obstacles and in the fifth and sixth embodiments, telescoping transport devices are provided. In a seventh embodiment, an inverted transport system is provided for transporting unit loads of material between at least three locations.

Claims

1. A transport device comprising:

a frame member, the frame member comprising at least a first housing member adapted for rectilinear movement and a second housing member having an opening formed in one end thereof for receiving telescopically the first housing member;

at least two pairs of offset and movable endless flexible supPort members supported in their travel by the frame member, a first plurality of guide members for maintaining the flexible support members coextensive and for guiding the members in a first direction;

a second plurality of guide members for guiding one pair of the support members to the first plurality of guide members in a second direction; and

at least third and fourth pluralities of laterally spaced guide members responsive respectively to one of the two pairs of flexible support members for guiding the members to the first plurality of guide members and to the second plurality of guide members, respectively, in a third direction; and

drive means operatively coupled to predetermined guide members for moving the guide members in either of two directions to implement the movement of the support members in either of the two directions.

2. A transport device according to claim 1 wherein the frame member further comprises a third housing member adapted for rectilinear horizontal movement and wherein the first housing member is adapted for rectilinear vertical movement and the second housing member has formed therein an opening in its upper end for receiving telescopically the first housing member and an opening formed in its lower end for receiving telescopically the third housing member.

3. A transport device according to claim 2 wherein the first plurality of guide members comprise two pairs of offset sprockets mounted in the first housing member and adapted to guide the offset endless flexible support members in their travel, another two pairs of sprockets vertically displaced from the two pairs of offset sprockets and mounted in the second housing member and still another two pairs of sprockets laterally displaced from said another two pairs of sprockets, located in the same vertical plane therewith and mounted in the third housing member.

4. A transport device according to claim 1 wherein the first housing member is adapted for rectilinear vertical movement, wherein the second housing member has formed therein an opening in its upper end for receiving telescopically the first housing member and wherein the first plurality of guide members further comprise means mounted in the second housing member for varying the distance travelled by the flexible support members as the first housing member is moved into and out of telescoping engagement with the second housing member.