APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING AN ARTICLE DURING TRANSPORT
First Claim
1. An apparatus for supporting an article during transport, the apparatus comprising:
- a support surface oriented to support an underside of an article to be transported;
a plurality of pins distributed over at least a portion of the support surface and movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the plurality of pins being urged into the extended position such that a lateral retaining portion of each pin protrudes above the support surface; and
wherein the underside of the article, when received on the support surface, causes a portion of the plurality of pins underlying the article to be depressed into the retracted position while an extended plurality of pins remain in the extended position such that the lateral retaining portions of the extended plurality of pins disposed adjacent to the article constrain the article to prevent movement of the article on the support surface while being transported.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for supporting an article during transport is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support surface oriented to support an underside of an article to be transported. The apparatus also includes a plurality of pins distributed over at least a portion of the support surface and movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the plurality of pins being urged into the extended position such that a lateral retaining portion of each pin protrudes above the support surface. The underside of the article, when received on the support surface, causes a first portion of the plurality of pins underlying the article to be depressed into the retracted position while a second portion of the plurality of pins remain in the extended position such that the lateral retaining portions of pins disposed adjacent to the article constrain the article to prevent movement of the article on the support surface while being transported.
5 Citations
30 Claims
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1. An apparatus for supporting an article during transport, the apparatus comprising:
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a support surface oriented to support an underside of an article to be transported; a plurality of pins distributed over at least a portion of the support surface and movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the plurality of pins being urged into the extended position such that a lateral retaining portion of each pin protrudes above the support surface; and wherein the underside of the article, when received on the support surface, causes a portion of the plurality of pins underlying the article to be depressed into the retracted position while an extended plurality of pins remain in the extended position such that the lateral retaining portions of the extended plurality of pins disposed adjacent to the article constrain the article to prevent movement of the article on the support surface while being transported. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for transporting an article, the method comprising:
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causing a plurality of pins distributed over at least a portion of a support surface and movable between an extended position and a retracted position to be urged into the extended position such that a lateral retaining portion of each pin protrudes above the support surface; and receiving the article such that an underside of the article is supported on the support surface, the underside of the article causing a first portion of the plurality of pins underlying the article to be depressed into the retracted position while an extended plurality of pins remain in the extended position such that the lateral retaining portions of the extended plurality of pins disposed adjacent to the article constrain the article to prevent movement of the article on the support surface while being transported.
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Specification