Adjustable lift bar system
11767161 · 2023-09-26
Inventors
Cpc classification
B65D90/0033
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
An Adjustable Lift Bar System for roll off containers and other applications used to enable a roll off to be compatible with a lift bar hoist system set at various heights; the system includes a lift bar having a crown; a pair of lift bar flanges and mounting flanges with a set of holes to receive removable fasteners and mounting flanges; a long spreader tube between the mounting flanges; a pair of short spreader tubes, bolt plates with a series of holes, the pair of vertical supports, and fasteners to adjustably secure the pair of the mounting flanges of the lift bar assembly to the pair of the bolt plates.
Claims
1. An Adjustable Lift Bar System (30) for a roll off container (90) with an existing pair of vertical supports (60) which are rigidly secured to the roll off container, the adjustable lift bar system (30) is made of rigid, durable, and machinable materials and is comprised of: (a) a lift bar assembly (40) including: (1) a lift bar (40A) having a crown (41); (2) a left- and right-handed pair of lift bar flanges (43); (3) a pair of mounting flanges (44) with a set of apertures (44A) to receive a group of removable means for fastening (70), the mounting flanges (44) for being placed contiguous to each of the existing pair of vertical supports (60) of the roll off container (90); (4) a long spreader tube (46) placed at a top of the lift bar assembly (40), between the mounting flanges (44), and secured to each flange (44) at each end by a means for fastening (49); (5) a left- and right-hand pair of short spreader tubes (47) whereby each of the pair of short spreader tubes is placed at a bottom of the lift bar assembly (40) between a respective one of the mounting flanges (44) and a respective one of the lift bar flanges (43) and secured at each end to the respective one of the mounting flanges (44) and the respective one of the lift bar flanges (43) by a means for fastening (49); (b) a left- and right-hand pair of bolt plates (50) each with a series of apertures (52) and each for being fixedly secured contiguously to the existing pair of the vertical supports (60) by a means for fastening (49); and (c) the removable means for fastening (70), used to removably fasten each of the pair of the mounting flanges (44) of the lift bar assembly (40) to each of the pair of the bolt plates (50), the removable means for fastening (70) being placed through the apertures (52) of the bolt plate (50) and the apertures (44A) of the mounting flanges (44) wherein the lift bar assembly (40) is adjustably and removably secured to the bolt plates (50) which have been previously fixedly secured to the roll off container (90).
2. The Adjustable Lift Bar System (30) in claim 1 wherein the rigid, dura ble, and machinable material is selected from the group consisting of steel, steel alloys, stainless steel, and high strength composite materials.
3. The Adjustable Lift Bar System (30) in claim 1 wherein the means for fastening (49) the bolt plate (50) to be fastened to the vertical supports (60) is selected from the group consisting of welding, a threaded bolt, nut and washer, and a removable heavy-duty rivet with washer and heavy cotter pin.
4. The Adjustable Lift Bar System (30) in claim 1 wherein the means for fastening (70) is selected from the group consisting of a minimum of three bolts, nuts, and washers sized approximately 1.00-inch diameter and larger and a minimum of three heavy duty rivets sized approximately 1.00-inch diameter and larger with a cotter pin.
5. The Adjustable Lift Bar System (30) in claim 1 wherein the long spreader tube (46) is selected from a cross section configuration consisting of round, oval, and square.
6. The Adjustable Lift Bar System (30) in claim 1 wherein each of the short spreader tubes (47) is selected from a cross section configuration consisting of round, oval, and square.
7. The Adjustable Lift Bar System (30) in claim 1 wherein the means for fastening (49) is selected from the group consisting of welding, integrally forming and machining.
8. An Adjustable Lift Bar System (30) for a roll off container (90) that is made of rigid, durable, and machinable materials and is comprised of: (a) a pair of the vertical supports (60) for being fixedly secured to an end surface of the roll off container by a means for fastening (49); (b) a lift bar assembly (40) including: (1) a lift bar (40A) having a crown (41); (2) a left- and right-handed pair of lift bar flanges (43); (3) a pair of mounting flanges (44) with a set of apertures (44A) to receive a group of removable means for fastening (70), the mounting flanges (44) placed contiguous to each of the pair of vertical supports (60); (4) a long spreader tube (46) placed at a top of the lift bar assembly (40), between the mounting flanges (44), and secured to each flange (44) at each end by a means for fastening (49); (5) a left- and right-hand pair of short spreader tubes (47) whereby each of the pair of short spreader tubes is placed at a bottom of the lift bar assembly (40) between a respective one of the mounting flanges (44) and a respective one of the lift bar flanges (43) and secured at each end to the respective one of the mounting flanges (44) and the respective one of the lift bar flanges (43) by a means for fastening (49); (c) a left- and right-hand pair of bolt plates (50) each with a series of apertures (52) and each fixedly secured contiguously to the pair of the vertical supports (60) by a means for fastening (49); and (d) the removable means for fastening (70), used to removably fasten each of the pair of the mounting flanges (44) of the lift bar assembly (40) to each of the pair of the bolt plates (50), the removable means for fastening (70) being placed through the apertures (52) of the bolt plate (50) and the apertures (44A) of the mounting flanges (44) wherein the lift bar assembly (40) is adjustably and removably secured to the bolt plates (50) which are configured to have been previously fixedly secured to the roll off container (90).
9. The Adjustable Lift Bar System (30) in claim 8 wherein the rigid, durable, and machinable material is selected from the group consisting of steel, steel alloys, stainless steel, and high strength composite materials.
10. The Adjustable Lift Bar System (30) in claim 8 wherein the means for fastening (49) the bolt plate (50) to be fastened to the vertical supports (60) is selected from the group consisting of welding, a threaded bolt, nut and washer, and a removable heavy-duty rivet with washer and heavy cotter pin.
11. The Adjustable Lift Bar System (30) in claim 8 wherein the means for fastening (70) is selected from the group consisting of a minimum of three bolts, nuts, and washers sized approximately 1.00-inch diameter and larger and a minimum of three heavy duty rivets sized approximately 1.00-inch diameter and larger with a cotter pin.
12. The Adjustable Lift Bar System (30) in claim 8 wherein the long spreader tube (46) is selected from the group consisting of a cross section configuration of round, oval, and square.
13. The Adjustable Lift Bar System (30) in claim 8 wherein each of the short spreader tubes (47) is selected from the group consisting of a cross section configuration of round, oval, and square.
14. The Adjustable Lift Bar System (30) in claim 8 wherein the means for fastening (49) is selected from the group consisting of welding, integrally forming and machining.
15. The Adjustable Lift Bar System (30) in claim 8 wherein the vertical support (60) for being secured to the roll off (90) is selected from the group consisting of a cross section configuration of a square tube, a channel, an “I” beam, an “H” beam, an angle iron and a “tee”.
16. A Short Adjustable Lift Bar System (33) for a roll off container (90) with an existing pair of vertical supports (60) which are rigidly secured to the roll off container, the adjustable lift bar system (33) is made of rigid, durable, and machinable materials and is comprised of: (a) a left- and right-hand pair of bolt plates (50) each with a series of apertures (52) fixedly welded to a first pair of gusset plates that are in turn configured to be fixedly welded to a top tube structure (95) of the roll off container (90) and an end surface (92) of the roll off container (90) and each of the two left- and right-hand pair of bolt plates further configured to be fixedly welded along a side contiguous to the end surface (92) of the roll off container (90) and further fixedly welded to an end of two sets, an upper set and a lower set, of a left- and right-hand pair of short spreader tubes (47), that end being configured to be closest to a center of the end of a roll off container; (b) the two sets of a left- and right-hand pair of short spreader tubes (47) whereby the upper set is configured to be placed midway between the top tube structure (95) and the lower set and whereby the lower set has a second pair of gusset plates that are in turn configured to be fixedly welded to the pair of existing vertical structures and an end surface (92) of the roll off container (90) and whereby each set is configured to be fixedly welded at the end opposite with that opposite end being farthest from the center of the end of a roll off container and that opposite end being contiguous and fixedly welded to each of the pair of existing vertical support structures and whereby the lower set is placed; and (c) a lift bar assembly (40) consisting of: (1) a lift bar (40A) having a crown (41); (2) a left- and right-handed pair of lift bar flanges (43); (3) the left- and right-hand pair of mounting flanges (44) with a set of apertures (44A) to receive a group of removable means for fastening (70), the mounting flanges (44) placed contiguous to the left- and right-hand pair of bolt plates (50) each with a series of apertures (52) aligned with the set of apertures (44A) wherein the lift bar assembly (40) is adjustably and removably secured to the bolt plates (50) which are configured to have been previously fixedly secured to the roll off container (90).
17. The Short Adjustable Lift Bar System (33) in claim 16 wherein the rigid, durable, and machinable material is selected from the group consisting of steel, steel alloys, stainless steel, and high strength composite materials.
18. The Short Adjustable Lift Bar System (33) in claim 16 wherein the means for fastening (70) is selected from the group consisting of a minimum of three bolts, nuts, and washers sized approximately 1.00-inch diameter and larger and a minimum of three heavy duty rivets sized approximately 1.00-inch diameter and larger with a cotter pin.
19. The Short Adjustable Lift Bar System (33) in claim 16 wherein each of the short spreader tubes (47) is selected from the group consisting of a cross section configuration of round, oval, and square.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS—FIGURES
(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the Adjustable Lift Bar System for various applications device that is preferred. The drawings together with the summary description given above and a detailed description given below explain the principles of the Adjustable Lift Bar System. It is understood, however, that the Adjustable Lift Bar System is not limited to only the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS
(11) The following list refers to the drawings:
(12) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE B Reference numbers Ref # Description 30 adjustable lift bar system 30 for roll off containers 90 31 Prototype 31 of the adjustable lift bar system 30 33 alternative short adjustable lift bar system 33 for roll off containers 90 35 prototype 35 of the alternative short adjustable lift bar system 33 for roll off containers 90 37 lift bar drawing 37 38 adjustable lift bar system drawing 38 39 adjustable side bar bolt plate drawing 39 40 lift bar assembly 40 40A lift bar 40A (approximately 1.5-to-2.5-inch diameter) with crown 41 to center hook of lifting arm 110 41 crown 41 to center hook of lifting arm 110 43 pair of lift bar flanges 43 44 pair of mounting flanges 44 (left and right) placed contiguous to the bolt plate 50 44A aperture 44A to receive the removable means 70 46 long spreader tube 46 (round, oval, square) 47 short spreader tube 47 (round, oval, square) 49 means for fastening 49 (weld, integrally formed, machined, or the like) 50 bolt plate 50 fastened or welded to vertical support 60 52 aperture 52 for bolt 50 53 length 53 of bolt plate 50 54 width 54 of bolt plate 50 60 vertical support 60 on roll off 90 (existing or added depending on roll off manufacturer) square tube, channel, I or H beam, angle, Tee or the like 65 gussets 65 all welded between the vertical supports 60, short spreader tube 47, bolt plate 50, end surface 92 of the roll off container 90, and the top tube structure 95 of the roll off container 90, and the bolt plate 50 70 means for fastening 70 threaded bolt, nut and washer sized approximately 1.00-inch diameter and larger (minimum 3 each side); removable heavy-duty rivet with washer and heavy cotter pin; 90 roll off container 90 92 end surface 92 of the roll off container 90 95 top tube structure 95 of the roll off container 90 100 tractor 100 105 roll off system 105 on tractor 100 110 lifting arm 110 120 prior Art 120 U.S Pat. No. 3,971,486 121 prior Art 121 U.S Pat. No. 3,987,918 122 prior Art 122 U.S Pat. No. 7,883,310 123 prior Art 123 U.S Pat. No. 10,131,264 124 prior Art 124 U.S Patent Publication 2007/0237617
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
(13) This invention relates to an Adjustable Lift Bar System. It is an improvement to a roll off system which is an apparatus for handling, loading, unloading and transporting containers, load supporting bodies, pallets and like bulky and heavy objects. The Adjustable Lift Bar System is available for new or refurbished devices that provide a dumpster and lifting arm of the type for lifting the dumpster and dumping the contents of the dumpster into a storage box or, in the waste disposal industry, for disposal of waste material to a landfill or farm field. The present invention deals with the field of vehicles designed for the purpose of transporting containers such as refuse containers which includes a hook lift jib apparatus along with a powered cylinder member for the purpose of placement and removal of such a container relative to a position of rest upon the rear of the vehicle such as a transport truck or the like. The improvement—an Adjustable Lift Bar System—permits the ability to use one roll off container with truck and arm systems of various sizes. This can be original equipment or refurbished units that allow for the various sized trucks and roll off containers to be used together as well as switched to other trucks in the future. This invention offers a uniquely universal construction because it is can be used for handling and transporting containers of various sizes and configurations while maintaining the same hook lift jib apparatus and the same powering system.
(14) The advantages for the Adjustable Lift Bar System 30 are listed above in the introduction. Succinctly the benefits are that the device: Adjustable for various height roll offs; Useful for short, medium, and long roll off containers; Can be fitted for new roll off containers; Can be fitted for existing/aftermarket container; Versatile for various truck systems; Mountable/adjustable with simple wrench and lift;
(15) The preferred embodiment of the Adjustable Lift Bar System is comprised of: (a) a lift bar assembly 40 consisting of: (1) a lift bar 40A having a crown 41; (2) a pair (left and right) of lift bar flanges 43; (3) a pair of mounting flanges 44 with a set of apertures 44A to receive a group of removable means for fastening 70, the mounting flanges placed contiguous to a vertical support 60 when assembled to a roll off container 90; (4) a long spreader tube 46 placed between the mounting flanges 44 and secured to each flange 44 at each end by a means for fastening 49 (weld, integrally formed, machined, or the like); (5) a pair (left and right) of short spreader tubes 47 whereby each of the pair is placed between a mounting flange 44 and a lift bar flange 43 and secured at each end to mounting flange 44 and lift bar flange 43 by a means for fastening 49 (weld, integrally formed, machined, or the like); (b) a pair (left and right) of bolt plates 50 each with a series of apertures 52 and each secured contiguously to a pair of vertical supports 60 by a means for fastening 49 (weld, integrally formed, machined, or the like); (c) the pair of vertical supports 60 [existing on the roll off container 90 or added as part of the adjustable lift system—square tube, channel, I or H beam, angle, Tee or the like] secured to the roll off container by a means for fastening 49 (weld, integrally formed, machined, or the like); (d) the means for fastening 70 threaded bolt, nut and washer sized approximately 1.00 inch diameter and larger (minimum 3 each side); removable heavy duty rivet with washer and heavy cotter pin, to removably fasten each of the pair of the mounting flanges 44 of the lift bar assembly 40 to each of the pair (left and right) of the bolt plates 50, the means for fastening 70 being placed through the apertures 52 of the bolt plate 50 and the apertures 44A of the mounting flanges 44 wherein the lift bar assembly 40 is adjustably and removably secured to the bolt plates 50 which have been fixedly secured to the roll off container 90.
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(17) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the Adjustable Lift Bar System 30 that is preferred. The drawings together with the summary description given above and a detailed description given below explain the principles of the Adjustable Lift Bar System 30. It is understood, however, that the Adjustable Lift Bar System 30 is not limited to only the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. Other examples of improvements to roll off carriers and uses are still understood by one skilled in the art of roll off and machine deck devices and improvements thereof to be within the scope and spirit shown here.
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(26) The details mentioned here are exemplary and not limiting. Other specific components and manners specific to describing an Adjustable Lift Bar System 30 may be added as a person having ordinary skill in the field of the art of roll off and machine deck devices and improvements thereof and their uses well appreciates.
Operation of the Preferred Embodiment
(27) The Adjustable Lift Bar System 30 has been described in the above embodiment. The manner of how the device operates is described below. One notes well that the description above and the operation described here must be taken together to fully illustrate the concept of the Adjustable Lift Bar System 30. The preferred embodiment of the Adjustable Lift Bar System is comprised of: (a) a lift bar assembly 40 consisting of: (1) a lift bar 40A having a crown 41; (2) a pair (left and right) of lift bar flanges 43; (3) a pair of mounting flanges 44 with a set of apertures 44A to receive a group of removable means for fastening 70, the mounting flanges placed contiguous to a vertical support 60 when assembled to a roll off container 90; (4) a long spreader tube 46 placed between the mounting flanges 44 and secured to each flange 44 at each end by a means for fastening 49 (weld, integrally formed, machined, or the like); (5) a pair (left and right) of short spreader tubes 47 whereby each of the pair is placed between a mounting flange 44 and a lift bar flange 43 and secured at each end to mounting flange 44 and lift bar flange 43 by a means for fastening 49 (weld, integrally formed, machined, or the like); (b) a pair (left and right) of bolt plates 50 each with a series of apertures 52 and each secured contiguously to a pair of vertical supports 60 by a means for fastening 49 (weld, integrally formed, machined, or the like); (c) the pair of vertical supports 60 [existing on the roll off container or added as part of the adjustable lift system] secured to the roll off container by a means for fastening 49 (weld, integrally formed, machined, or the like); (d) the means for fastening 70, such as a set of threaded bolts, nuts and washers or equal, to removably fasten each of the pair of the mounting flanges 44 of the lift bar assembly 40 to each of the pair (left and right) of the bolt plates 50, the means for fastening 70 being placed through the apertures 52 of the bolt plate 50 and the apertures 44A of the mounting flanges 44 wherein the lift bar assembly is adjustably and removably secured to the bolt plates 50 which have been fixedly secured to the roll off container 90. An alternative embodiment is a Short Adjustable Lift Bar System 33 for a roll off container 90 with an existing pair of vertical supports 60 which are rigidly secured to the roll off container, the adjustable lift bar system 33 is made of rigid, durable, and machinable materials and is comprised of: (a) a left- and right-hand pair of bolt plates 50 each with a series of apertures 52 fixedly welded to a first pair of gusset plates that are in turn fixedly welded to a top tube structure (95) of the roll off container 90 and an end surface 92 of the roll off container 90 and each of the two left- and right-hand pair of bolt plates further fixedly welded along a side contiguous to the end surface 92 of the roll off container 90 and further fixedly welded to an end of two sets, an upper set and a lower set, of a left- and right-hand pair of short spreader tubes 47, that end being closest to the center of the end of a roll off container; (b) the two sets of a left- and right-hand pair of short spreader tubes 47 whereby the upper set is placed midway between the top tube structure 95 and the lower set and whereby the lower set has a second pair of gusset plates that are in turn fixedly welded to the pair of existing vertical structure and an end surface 92 of the roll off container (90) and whereby each set is fixedly welded at the end opposite with that opposite end being farthest from the center of the end of a roll off container and that opposite end being contiguous and fixedly welded to each of the pair of existing vertical support structures and whereby the lower set is placed; and (c) a lift bar assembly 40 consisting of: (1) a lift bar 40A having a crown 41; (3) the left- and right-hand pair of mounting flanges 44 with a set of apertures 44A to receive a group of removable means for fastening 70, the mounting flanges 44 placed contiguous to a left- and right-hand pair of bolt plates 50 each with a series of apertures 52 aligned with the set of apertures 44A wherein the lift bar assembly 40 is adjustably and removably secured to the bolt plates 50 which have been previously fixedly secured to the roll off container 90.
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(29) The Adjustable Lift Bar System 30 is typically assembled as follows: A. The lift bar assembly 40 is built as a weldment (see
(30) Many uses are anticipated for Adjustable Lift Bar System 30. Some examples, and not limitations, are shown in the following Table C:
(31) TABLE-US-00003 Item Uses 1 Roll-off container systems 2 Standard size hopper container systems 3 Machine base/platform system 4 Miscellaneous pick-up systems
(32) With this description it is to be understood that the Adjustable Lift Bar System 30 is not to be limited to only the disclosed embodiment of product. The features of the Adjustable Lift Bar System 30 are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the description.
(33) While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and, in its operation, can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.
(34) Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which these inventions belong. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present inventions, the preferred methods and materials are now described above in the foregoing paragraphs.
(35) Other embodiments of the invention are possible. Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the inventions. Various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particularly disclosed embodiments described above.
(36) The terms recited in the claims should be given their ordinary and customary meaning as determined by reference to relevant entries (e.g., definition of “plane” as a carpenter's tool would not be relevant to the use of the term “plane” when used to refer to an airplane, etc.) in dictionaries (e.g., widely used general reference dictionaries and/or relevant technical dictionaries), commonly understood meanings by those in the art, etc., with the understanding that the broadest meaning imparted by any one or combination of these sources should be given to the claim terms (e.g., two or more relevant dictionary entries should be combined to provide the broadest meaning of the combination of entries, etc.) subject only to the following exceptions: (a) if a term is used herein in a manner more expansive than its ordinary and customary meaning, the term should be given its ordinary and customary meaning plus the additional expansive meaning, or (b) if a term has been explicitly defined to have a different meaning by reciting the term followed by the phrase “as used herein shall mean” or similar language (e.g., “herein this term means,” “as defined herein,” “for the purposes of this disclosure [the term] shall mean,” etc.). References to specific examples, use of “i.e.,” use of the word “invention,” etc., are not meant to invoke exception (b) or otherwise restrict the scope of the recited claim terms. Other than situations where exception (b) applies, nothing contained herein should be considered a disclaimer or disavowal of claim scope. Accordingly, the subject matter recited in the claims is not coextensive with and should not be interpreted to be coextensive with any particular embodiment, feature, or combination of features shown herein. This is true even if only a single embodiment of the particular feature or combination of features is illustrated and described herein. Thus, the appended claims should be read to be given their broadest interpretation in view of the prior art and the ordinary meaning of the claim terms.
(37) Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, etc. used in the specification (other than the claims) are understood as modified in all instances by the term “approximately.” At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the term “approximately” should at least be construed considering the number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.
(38) The present invention contemplates modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art. While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the figures and the foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only selected embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes, modifications and equivalents that come within the spirit of the disclosures described heretofore and or/defined by the following claims are desired to be protected.