Patent · US Expired

Rapid deploy roller transfer device

US6729460B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
24References
26Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 29, 2001
Grant dateMay 4, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 29, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65G13/12
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A portable rapidly deploying roller transfer device is disclosed, which is adapted to receive and convey objects. The transfer device may be rapidly manipulated between an elongated open configuration and a collapsed compact configuration. The framework of the transfer device includes rods, hubs, and a canopy. Each rod pivotally joins to another rod by a scissors-type connection intermediate the rod ends. In addition, the end portion of each rod pivotally joins to a hub, where each hub may receive a plurality of rods. As configured, each rod enjoys pivotal movement in relation to the hub along a single axis of revolution. The rods rotate about this single axis of revolution from the collapsed compact configuration, where the rods are substantially parallel to one another, to the erect open configuration, where the rods radiate outwardly from one another and the framework of the transfer device assumes a rectangular prism shape. In this erect configuration, the transfer device receives ball transfers disposed on the hubs positioned along the upper external portion. To transport objects, they are simply received and conveyed along the ball transfers.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.