Convertible roller assembly for loading cargo in vehicle
US5609240A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 23, 1995 |
| Grant date | Mar 11, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 23, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64C1/20
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A roller assembly is removably mounted on the floor of a vehicle. This assembly has a retracted configuration adapted for moving cargo therelong in a first direction and an erected configuration for moving cargo in a second direction normal to the first direction. A first set of rollers is mounted in the assembly for universal movement. A second set of rollers is mounted for rotational movement about a first axis while a third set of rollers is mounted for rotational movement about a second axis normal to said first axis. In the retracted configuration, the first and second set of rollers facilitate the movement of the cargo in the first direction, the third set of rollers being below the support surface of the assembly so as not to interfere with such movement. A sub-assembly on which the third set of rollers is rotatably mounted is spring urged to the erected position by manual release of a latch. In this erected position, the third set of rollers cooperatively operate with the first set of rollers to facilitate movement of the cargo in the second direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.