Patent ID: 8104368
Filing Date: 2012-01-31
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A load bearing rack and sprocket system for laterally transporting a load, the system comprising: a sprocket having spaced teeth, wherein each space between the teeth having a first lower most trough that is substantially rounded; and an integrally formed rack associated with the sprocket and adapted for bearing the load, the rack having a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of spaced teeth formed in the bottom surface, each tooth having a crown substantially rounded so as to correspond to the first lower most troughs and each space between the teeth having a second lower most trough that is substantially rounded, wherein the teeth of the sprocket mesh with the teeth of the rack such that the crowns of the teeth of the rack are completely seated in a center of the first lower most troughs of the sprocket while the teeth of the sprocket do not contact the second lower most troughs of the rack, whereby the system is configured to support a normal load while the sprocket is rotated so as to move the load laterally; and wherein the bottom surface of the rack includes a substantially arcuate section of spaced teeth that is arcuate in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rack, the longitudinal axis being parallel with the direction of lateral movement.