Patent ID: 6435099
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: B61B,B61J,B65G

Abstract:
A powered pushing unit for use in transferring loads that are no greater than a predetermined magnitude along a predetermined path and for bypassing loads that are greater than the predetermined magnitude, said powered pushing unit comprising:a pushing unit frame and a source of power for moving said pushing unit frame in a first direction and a second direction, a dog for engaging the loads that are greater than the predetermined magnitude and for engaging the loads that are no greater than predetermined magnitude, said dog being pivotally mounted with respect to said pushing unit frame, and a restricting mechanism applying a load engaging force to hold said dog at a load engaging position as long as said dog is engaging the loads that are no greater than the predetermined magnitude; a toggle joint connected between said dog and said pushing unit frame, said toggle joint angularly configured in a first angular direction to lock said dog in the load engaging position during engagement of the loads that are no greater than the predetermined magnitude, said toggle joint further configured to shift to a second angular direction upon engagement of the loads that are greater than the predetermined magnitude, the shift to the second angular direction of said toggle joint allowing said dog to pivot away from the loads that are greater than the predetermined magnitude; a toggle biasing mechanism interconnected between said pushing unit frame and said toggle joint to apply a toggle force to bias said toggle joint in the first angular direction and, when said dog pivots away from the loads that are greater than the predetermined magnitude, to exert a force substantially less than the predetermined magnitude on said dog and from said dog to the loads that are greater than the predetermined magnitude.