Method and apparatus for linearly conveying wheeled vehicles
First Claim
1. A method for longitudinally advancing a vehicle through a predetermined distance, said vehicle being carried by at least a first pair and a second pair of independently rotatable wheels, said method comprising the steps of:
- supporting one wheel in said first pair of independently rotatable wheels on a movable elongated plated while supporting the other wheel in said first pair of independently rotatable wheels on a stationary surface;
longitudinally reciprocating said plate between a forward position and a rearward position, the length of said reciprocation being substantially less than said predetermined length;
blocking the one wheel in said first pair of wheels to prevent both rotation of the one wheel and relative longitudinal movement between the one wheel and said plate as said plate moves toward its forward position;
maintaining the forward advancement of the one wheel in said first pair of wheels while permitting the one wheel to both rotate and move longitudinally relative to said plate as said plate moves toward its rearward position; and
repeating the foregoing steps to incrementally advance said vehicle through said predetermined distance.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and an apparatus for linearly conveying wheeled vehicles are disclosed wherein at least one wheel of the vehicle is supported by a plate which reciprocates longitudinally through a forward stroke and a reverse stroke. The supported wheel is engaged and blocked to prevent its rotation during the forward stroke, thereby pushing the wheel, and thus the vehicle, to a forward position with the plate. During the reverse stroke, the wheel is free to rotate, permitting the plate to return to its rearmost position while the wheel remains at the forward position. During subsequent forward strokes, the wheel is similarly engaged and blocked and the vehicle is sequentially advanced the length of the forward stroke during each reciprocation of the plate.
21 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for longitudinally advancing a vehicle through a predetermined distance, said vehicle being carried by at least a first pair and a second pair of independently rotatable wheels, said method comprising the steps of:
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supporting one wheel in said first pair of independently rotatable wheels on a movable elongated plated while supporting the other wheel in said first pair of independently rotatable wheels on a stationary surface; longitudinally reciprocating said plate between a forward position and a rearward position, the length of said reciprocation being substantially less than said predetermined length; blocking the one wheel in said first pair of wheels to prevent both rotation of the one wheel and relative longitudinal movement between the one wheel and said plate as said plate moves toward its forward position; maintaining the forward advancement of the one wheel in said first pair of wheels while permitting the one wheel to both rotate and move longitudinally relative to said plate as said plate moves toward its rearward position; and repeating the foregoing steps to incrementally advance said vehicle through said predetermined distance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. In combination an apparatus for longitudinally conveying a vehicle through a predetermined distance, and a vehicle carried by at least a first pair and a second pair of independently rotatable wheels, the improvement comprising in combination:
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a. a movable elongated plate for supporting one wheel in said first pair of independently rotatable wheels; b. a stationary surface for supporting the other wheel in said first pair of independently rotatable wheels; c. power means for longitudinally reciprocating said plate between a forward position and a rearward position, the length of said reciprocation being substantially less than said predetermined distance; d. means for blocking the one wheel in said first pair of wheels to prevent both rotation of the one wheel and relative longitudinal movement between the one wheel and said plate as said plate moves toward its forward position; and
,e. means for maintaining the forward advancement of the one wheel in said first pair of wheels while permitting the one wheel to both rotate and move longitudinally relative to said plate as said plate moves towards its rearward position; whereby said vehicle is incrementally advanced through said predetermined distance. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification