Patent US1589229A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3861535A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3861535A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Straddle fork vehicle
Assignee: AG AUTOMATION
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Filing: 1973-06-29
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Granted: 1975-01-21
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Expires: 1993-06-29
Abstract
Abstract A straddle fork vehicle includes a four wheel frame structure and fork lift assembly positioned between the front and rear wheels. The design is such that the vehicle wheels can straddle pallet bins designed to hold produce during harvesting operations. Because of the straddling feature, bins may be picked up, transported, and deposited along box rows between trees in a grove or orchard in an efficient and rapid manner.
Inventors
- 👤 Iii Thomas C Huxley
- 👤 Duane L Garber
- 👤 Iv Thomas C Huxley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:48
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66F; B66F9/00; B66F9/06; A; A01; A01D; A01D46/00; A01D46/24; A01D46/243; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/10; Y10S414/102
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
349 words
A straddle fork vehicle vehicle for picking up, transporting, and depositing pallet bins designed to hold produce during harvesting operations, comprising, in combination: a. a frame structure of generally rectangular shape when viewed in plan including first and second horizontally forwardly extending rail structures spaced in parallel relationship to define a front opening of width sufficient to receive a pallet pin; b. a fork lift assembly mounted on the rear portions of the rail structures with fork prongs extending forwardly and movable vertically up and down to pass between said rail structures; c. front and rear vehicle wheels mounted to the lower front end portIons of the rail structures and to the rear corners of the frame structure respectively, and spaced relative to the frame structure and each other to provide a vertical clearance between the underside of the frame structure and the ground of greater height than the height of a pallet bin such that the vehicle can ride over a pallet bin, the wheels passing on either side of the bin in a straddling configuration whereby a pallet bin may be straddled by the vehicle and lifted up by said fork lift assembly, the center of gravity of the pallet load being between the front and rear wheels so that the vehicle is stable without the use of counterweights the mounting of each of the rear wheels including swivel means permitting swiveling of the wheel about a vertical axis; pivot means interconnecting the swivel means for each wheel, said pivot means being pivoted to a rear central portion of said frame for movement about an axis extending in a forward and rearward direction whereby the frame may remain in a substantially level position should one of the rear wheels encounter a rut; and, d. means on said frame coupled to said fork lift assembly to move it horizontally forwardly and rearwardly along said rail structures such that the fork prongs may extend beyond the front ends of the rail structures to permit the fork lift assembly to operate in the same manner as a conventional fork lift.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
349 words
A straddle fork vehicle vehicle for picking up, transporting, and depositing pallet bins designed to hold produce during harvesting operations, comprising, in combination: a. a frame structure of generally rectangular shape when viewed in plan including first and second horizontally forwardly extending rail structures spaced in parallel relationship to define a front opening of width sufficient to receive a pallet pin; b. a fork lift assembly mounted on the rear portions of the rail structures with fork prongs extending forwardly and movable vertically up and down to pass between said rail structures; c. front and rear vehicle wheels mounted to the lower front end portIons of the rail structures and to the rear corners of the frame structure respectively, and spaced relative to the frame structure and each other to provide a vertical clearance between the underside of the frame structure and the ground of greater height than the height of a pallet bin such that the vehicle can ride over a pallet bin, the wheels passing on either side of the bin in a straddling configuration whereby a pallet bin may be straddled by the vehicle and lifted up by said fork lift assembly, the center of gravity of the pallet load being between the front and rear wheels so that the vehicle is stable without the use of counterweights the mounting of each of the rear wheels including swivel means permitting swiveling of the wheel about a vertical axis; pivot means interconnecting the swivel means for each wheel, said pivot means being pivoted to a rear central portion of said frame for movement about an axis extending in a forward and rearward direction whereby the frame may remain in a substantially level position should one of the rear wheels encounter a rut; and, d. means on said frame coupled to said fork lift assembly to move it horizontally forwardly and rearwardly along said rail structures such that the fork prongs may extend beyond the front ends of the rail structures to permit the fork lift assembly to operate in the same manner as a conventional fork lift.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
A vehicle according to claim 1, including a single internal combustion engine; a hydraulic pump coupled to said engine for operation thereby; and a closed hydraulic line control system connected to said pump and including first hydraulic drive means for driving the front wheels and second hydraulic drive means for driving the rear wheels to provide a four wheel drive, said first and second hydraulic drive means being independently operable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
A vehicle according to claim 2, in which said closed hydraulic line control system includes individual piston and cylinder controls for said fork assembly enabling the assembly to be moved forwardly and rearwardly along said rail structures, tilted about a horizontal axis, translated in sidewise directions between said rail structures, and enabling said fork prongs to be raised and lowered relative to the ground.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A vehicle according to claim 1, including extension means attachable to the fork prongs of said fork lift assembly to enable two pallet boxes at the same level, one ahead of the other, to be engaged and lifted simultaneously by said fork lift assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
336 words
A straddle fork vehicle for picking up, transporting, and depositing pallet bins designed to hold produce during harvesting operations, comprising, in combination: a. a frame structure of generally rectangular shape when viewed in plan including first and second horizontally forwardly extending rail structures spaced in parallel relationship to define a front opening of width sufficient to receive a pallet bin; b. a fork lift assembly mounted on the rear portions of the rail structures with fork prongs extending forwardly and movable vertically up and down to pass between said rail structures; c. front and rear vehicle wheels mounted to the lower front end portions of the rail structures and to the rear corners of the frame structure respectively, and spaced relative to the frame structure and each other to provide a vertical clearance between the underside of the frame structure and the ground of greater height than the height of a pallet bin such that the vehicle can ride over a pallet bin, the wheels passing on either side of the bin in a straddling configuration whereby a pallet bin may be straddled by the vehicle and lifted up by said fork lift assembly, the center of gravity of the pallet load being between the front and rear wheels so that the vehicle is stable without the use of counterweights; and, stacking bar means coupled to the inside portion of said rail structures, each of said means including a plate member pivoted for swinging movement between a horizontAl and vertical position, and dimensioned such as to permit a pallet box to be raised past the member when in a vertical position and to engage under a side edge of the pallet box when in a horizontal position to support the pallet box between the rail structures so that the prongs of the lift fork can be lowered to pick up another pallet box; and actuating means under control of the operator of the vehicle to positively move the plate members between their horizontal and vertical positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
336 words
A straddle fork vehicle for picking up, transporting, and depositing pallet bins designed to hold produce during harvesting operations, comprising, in combination: a. a frame structure of generally rectangular shape when viewed in plan including first and second horizontally forwardly extending rail structures spaced in parallel relationship to define a front opening of width sufficient to receive a pallet bin; b. a fork lift assembly mounted on the rear portions of the rail structures with fork prongs extending forwardly and movable vertically up and down to pass between said rail structures; c. front and rear vehicle wheels mounted to the lower front end portions of the rail structures and to the rear corners of the frame structure respectively, and spaced relative to the frame structure and each other to provide a vertical clearance between the underside of the frame structure and the ground of greater height than the height of a pallet bin such that the vehicle can ride over a pallet bin, the wheels passing on either side of the bin in a straddling configuration whereby a pallet bin may be straddled by the vehicle and lifted up by said fork lift assembly, the center of gravity of the pallet load being between the front and rear wheels so that the vehicle is stable without the use of counterweights; and, stacking bar means coupled to the inside portion of said rail structures, each of said means including a plate member pivoted for swinging movement between a horizontAl and vertical position, and dimensioned such as to permit a pallet box to be raised past the member when in a vertical position and to engage under a side edge of the pallet box when in a horizontal position to support the pallet box between the rail structures so that the prongs of the lift fork can be lowered to pick up another pallet box; and actuating means under control of the operator of the vehicle to positively move the plate members between their horizontal and vertical positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A vehicle according to claim 5, in which each of said plate members includes an inclined surface portion to guide a pallet bin to a centered position between the rail structures when the bin is held by the bar means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
A vehicle according to claim 5, in which each of said rail structures includes a vertical extensible means terminating in an engaging hook, said extensible means being biased to a retracted position, whereby the hook may engage over the upper side edge of a pallet bin to aid in supporting a stack of bins carried by the vehicle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-20 | 1978-07-22 | 1979-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-20 | 1982-07-22 | 1983-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-20 | 1986-07-22 | 1987-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |