Load-handling apparatus

Claim 2

A shuttle assembly operable between a retracted condition and an extended condition to move a load, said shuttle assembly comprising a base section, an intermediate section operatively connected with the mounted for movement relative to said base section, a load supporting section operatively connected with and mounted for movement relative to said intermediate section, and drive means for moving said intermediate section through a first distance relative to said base section upon operatIon of said shuttle assembly between the retracted and extended conditions and for moving said load supporting section through a second distance relative to said intermediate section upon operation of such shuttle assembly between the retracted and extended conditions, said second distance being larger than said first distance so that said load supporting section projects further from said intermediate section than said intermediate section projects from said base section when said shuttle assembly is in the extended condition; the improvement comprising drive means including a first drive chain having a portion fixedly secured to said base section, first sprocket means which is operatively connected to said intermediate section and cooperates with said first drive chain, a second drive chain having a portion fixedly secured to said load supporting section, and second sprocket means which cooperates with said second drive chain and is rotated in response to rotation of said first sprocket means to thereby effect the aforesaid movement of said load supporting section, said first sprocket means being rotated in response to the aforesaid movement of said intermediate section relative to said base section.

Claim 3

A shuttle assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second sprocket means has a larger effective diameter than said first sprocket means to enable said drive means to move said load supporting section relative to said intermediate section at greater speed than the speed at which said intermediate section is moved relative to said base section upon operation of said shuttle assembly between the retracted and extended conditions.

Claim 4

A shuttle assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including shock absorber means for retarding movement of said load supporting and intermediate sections when said shuttle assembly approaches either one of said extended and retracted conditions.

Claim 5

A shuttle assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive means is operable to extend and shuttle assembly in either of two opposite direction from said retracted condition to either of two extended conditions, said shuttle assembly further including a shock absorber assembly operatively connected with said base and load-supporting sections, first stop means for operating said shock absorber assembly when said shuttle assembly approaches one of said extended conditions, second stop means for operating said shock absorber assembly when said shuttle assembly approaches the other extended condition, and third means for operating said shock absorber assembly when said shuttle assembly approaches said retracted condition from either of said operated conditions.

Claim 6

A shuttle assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first, second and third means are all mounted for movement with said intermediate section and are all aligned along a plane extending parallel to the path of movement of said shuttle assembly between said retracted and extended conditions.

Claim 7

A shuttle assembly operable between a retracted condition and either of two extended conditions to move a load, said shuttle assembly comprising a base section, a load supporting section movable relative to said base section, drive means for moving said load-supporting section in one direction to operate said shuttle assembly from the retracted condition to one of the extended conditions and for moving said load supporting section in a direction opposite to said one direction to operate said shuttle assembly to the other extended condition, operatively connected with said base section, first stop means operatively connected with said load supporting section for operating said shock absorber assembly when said shuttle assembly is approaching the one extended condition, second stop means spaced from said first stop means and operatively connected with said load supporting section for operating said shock absorber assembly when said shuttle assembly is approaching the other extended condition, and third means located between saId first and second stop means and operatively connected with said load-supporting section for operating said shock absorber assembly when said shuttle assembly is approaching the retracted condition from either of the extended conditions.

Claim 8

A shuttle assembly operable between a retracted condition and either of two extended conditions to move a load, said shuttle assembly comprising a base section, a load supporting section movable relative to said base section, drive means for moving said load-supporting section in one direction to operate said shuttle assembly from the retracted condition to one of the extended conditions and for moving said load supporting section in a direction opposite to said one direction to operate said shuttle assembly to the other extended condition, operatively connected with said base section, first stop means operatively connected with said load supporting section for operating said shock absorber assembly when said shuttle assembly is approaching the one extended condition, second stop means spaced from said first stop means and operatively connected with said load supporting section for operating said shock absorber assembly when said shuttle assembly is approaching the other extended condition, and third means located between saId first and second stop means and operatively connected with said load-supporting section for operating said shock absorber assembly when said shuttle assembly is approaching the retracted condition from either of the extended conditions.

Claim 9

A shuttle assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said third means includes a first surface for effecting operation of said shock absorber assembly when said shuttle assembly is approaching the retracted condition from the one extended condition and a second surface for effecting operation of said shock absorber assembly when said shuttle assembly is approaching the retracted condition from the other extended condition.

Claim 10

A shuttle assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first, second and third means are all positioned along a plane extending parallel to the path of movement of said load supporting section when said shuttle assembly is operated between the retracted condition and the extended condition.

Claim 11

A shuttle assembly as set forth in claim 6 further including an intermediate section mounted between said base section and said load supporting section, said drive means being operable to move said intermediate section at a first speed relative to said base section upon operation of said shuttle assembly between the retracted and extended conditions and to simultaneously therewith move said load supporting section relative to said intermediate section at a second speed which is greater than said first speed.

Claim 12

A shuttle assembly operable between a retracted condition and an extended condition to move a load, said shuttle assembly comprising a base section, an intermediate section operatively connected with and mounted for movement relative to said base section, a load-supporting section operatively connected with and mounted for movement relative to said intermediate section, and drive means for moving said intermediate section relative to said base section upon operation of said shuttle assembly between the retracted and extended conditions and for moving said load supporting section relative to said intermediate section upon operation of said shuttle assembly between the retracted and extended conditions, said drive means including a first rack means mounted on said intermediate section, a first pinion means operatively connected with said base means and mounted in meshing engagement with said first rack means whereby rotation of said first pinion means moves said first rack means and said intermediate section relative to said base section, first sprocket means rotatably mounted at one end portion of said intermediate section, second sprocket means rotatably mounted at another end portion of said intermediate section, a chain loop extending between and meshingly engaging said first and second sprocket means, said chain loop being operatively connected to said base section so that the movement of said intermediate section relative to said base section under the influence of said first rack means and said first pinion means causes said chain loop to move relative to said base section to rotate said first and second sprocket means relative to said intermediate section, second rack means mounted on said load supporting section, second pinion means mounted on said one end portion of said intermediate section for driving engagement with said second rack means, said second pinion means being operatively connected with said first sprocket means whereby rotation of said first sprocket means under the influence of said chain loop rotates said second pinion means, and third pinion means mounted on said other end portion of said intermediate section for driving engagement with said second rack means, said third pinion means being operatively connected with said second sprocket means whereby rotation of said second sprocket means under the influence of said chain loop rotates said third pinion means, said first pinion means being rotatable in one direction to drive said first rack means and said intermediate section in a fiRst direction and to thereby move said chain loop relative to said base section to rotate said first and second sprocket means, said second pinion means being driven by rotation of said first sprocket means to drive said second rack means and load supporting section in said first direction, said first pinion means being rotatable in another direction opposite from said one direction to drive said first rack means and said intermediate section in a second direction and to thereby move said chain loop relative to said base section to rotate said first and second sprocket means, said third pinion means being driven by rotation of said second sprocket means to drive said second rack means and said load-supporting section in said second direction.

Claim 13

A shuttle assembly operable between a retracted condition and an extended condition to move a load, said shuttle assembly comprising a base section, an intermediate section operatively connected with and mounted for movement relative to said base section, a load-supporting section operatively connected with and mounted for movement relative to said intermediate section, and drive means for moving said intermediate section relative to said base section upon operation of said shuttle assembly between the retracted and extended conditions and for moving said load supporting section relative to said intermediate section upon operation of said shuttle assembly between the retracted and extended conditions, said drive means including a first rack means mounted on said intermediate section, a first pinion means operatively connected with said base means and mounted in meshing engagement with said first rack means whereby rotation of said first pinion means moves said first rack means and said intermediate section relative to said base section, first sprocket means rotatably mounted at one end portion of said intermediate section, second sprocket means rotatably mounted at another end portion of said intermediate section, a chain loop extending between and meshingly engaging said first and second sprocket means, said chain loop being operatively connected to said base section so that the movement of said intermediate section relative to said base section under the influence of said first rack means and said first pinion means causes said chain loop to move relative to said base section to rotate said first and second sprocket means relative to said intermediate section, second rack means mounted on said load supporting section, second pinion means mounted on said one end portion of said intermediate section for driving engagement with said second rack means, said second pinion means being operatively connected with said first sprocket means whereby rotation of said first sprocket means under the influence of said chain loop rotates said second pinion means, and third pinion means mounted on said other end portion of said intermediate section for driving engagement with said second rack means, said third pinion means being operatively connected with said second sprocket means whereby rotation of said second sprocket means under the influence of said chain loop rotates said third pinion means, said first pinion means being rotatable in one direction to drive said first rack means and said intermediate section in a fiRst direction and to thereby move said chain loop relative to said base section to rotate said first and second sprocket means, said second pinion means being driven by rotation of said first sprocket means to drive said second rack means and load supporting section in said first direction, said first pinion means being rotatable in another direction opposite from said one direction to drive said first rack means and said intermediate section in a second direction and to thereby move said chain loop relative to said base section to rotate said first and second sprocket means, said third pinion means being driven by rotation of said second sprocket means to drive said second rack means and said load-supporting section in said second direction.