US2667983A - Apparatus for handling automobiles - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 2, 1954 R. o. BILLINGS APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AUTOMOBILES Filed Oct. 20, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet i Feb. 2, 1 R. o. BILLINGS APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AUTOMOBILES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 20, 1948 Feb. 2, 1954 R. o. BILLINGS 2,667,983

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AUTOMOBILES Efiled Oct. 20, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

Patented Feb. 2, 1954 UNITED STATES assists" PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for handling automobiles.

Automobile parking in the business districts has become a serious problem in nearly every sizable city. With the number of automobiles in use becoming greater every day, the situation is reaching a point where something must be done to provide a solution.

Many attempts have been made in the past to provide means for storing large numbers of automobiles in buildings, and for utilizing a maximum amount of the space within the buildings for actual storage purposes. While many of these attempts have provided utilization of a large percentage of space in a building for storage, none has been used to any great extent either because of impractical design or because of the extremely high cost of such installations;

It has heretofore been proposed to construct a building having a longitudinally and vertically extending passageway with storage stalls on opposite sides thereof arranged in superimposed horizontally extending rows. In the passageway it has been proposed to provide a means for elevating automobiles iron an entrance point at the ground level and for moving them longitudinally to positions in registration with selected stalls. Means have also been proposed for movilflg the automobiles from the elevator into said stalls and from the stalls onto the elevator.

In prior attempts the means for accomplishing the various steps in the above proposed method of parking automobiles have taken the form of a Wide variety of devices. The elevating means, for example, has taken the form of a cage supported from an overhead movable carriage, and it has also taken the form of a cage supported for vertical movement within a tower which is movable longitudinally of the passageway. In many cases the construction required that an operator ride in the elevator cage. The means for moving the automobile ofi the elevator into the selected stall has also taken awide variety of forms. Certain of these require the operator to drive the car off under its own power, and others have complicated and expensive mechanisms which are for the most part impractical, Other devices of this type are provided with jacks or other devices which are engageable with certain parts on the understructure of the car. With changes in automobile design many of these have become obsolete, because they do not operate properly with the late model cars.

A principal object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for handling automobiles having elevators, each of which is provided with a dolly which is movable longitudinally thereof, 'said dolly having a frame provided with tire engaging rollers, and said frame being mounted to permit its projection into the storage stalls adjacent each end of said elevator upon movement of said dolly toward one of said stalls.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the class described wherein the frame which is provided with the tire engaging rollers is mounted on the dolly for swingable movement through an arc of approximately to thereby permit its projection into a stall at either end of the elevator.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the class described wherein the tire engaging rollers are retractable inwardly from tire engaging position to permit the swingable frame bearing said rollers to be moved into and out of operative position under an automobile.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the improved apparatus for handling automobiles, and all of its parts and combinations, as set forth in the claims-and all equivalents thereof.

In the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification wherein is shown one complete embodiment of the preferred form of the invention, and wherein the same reference numerals indicate the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the improved apparatus for handling automobiles;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view on a larger scale showing the movable tower and the elevators associated therewith;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top view of one of the dollies showing the swingable frame mounted thereon;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line l4 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken along the line 55 of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawing, the numeral it indicates a structure which has a plurality of superimposed automobile storage stalls ll on opposite sides of a central passageway E2, the latter extending longitudinally and vertically with respect to the structure ID. The stalls H are preferably arranged in rows which extend in the same horizontal plane, there being several of such horizontal rows of stalls superimposed upon one another. The structure I0 maytake the form of a building in 3 which the horizontal rows of stalls are located on respective floors of said building, but it preferably takes the form shown, namely that of an open framework.

Mounted at the upper end of the passageway i2, and extending longitudinally along each side thereof, are a pair of spaced parallel horizontally extending I beams 3 and i l. The beams I3 and [4 support a pair of tracks !5 and 56 which are fixed to the upper surface thereof.

The numeral [1 indicates a tower assembly which is supported for longitudinal movement on the rails l5 and I6. Referring to Fig. 2, the tower assembly ll may consist of a pair of longitudinally extending truck members is and iii, each of which is formed of a pair of channel members 29 and 2|, and at each end of which is journalled a wheel 22 preferably having a grooved periphery. The wheels 22 travel on the 7 upper surfaces of the rails i5 and i6. Extending transversely of and supported on the truck members 18 and 59 are a pair of spaced transverse supporting members 23 and 25.

Depending downwardly from the supporting members 23 and 24 is an elongated rectangular cage or tower member 25. The tower 255 may be constructed of suitable metal shapes such as the elongated vertically extending angle members 26 positioned in each corner thereof and having suitable angularly disposed members 2'? extending therebetween to form a structure which is rectangular in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 5. On opposite sides of the tower member 2:: a

pair of vertical angle guide members 23 are fixed to the angle members 26 and extend longitudinally thereof as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The guide members 28 are eachformed with a longitudinally extending flange or rail it which projects from the inner face thereof. 23 of the guide members 28 on one side of the tower project toward each other as shown in Fig. 5. Mounted for vertical movement at the sides of the tower l! and adjacent the guide members 28 are a pair of elevators 3i; and 34.

The elevators 3t and SI are substantially identical, and each comprises a pair of spaced vertically extending channel members at the upper and lower ends of which are journalled wheels 33. The wheels 33 are each formed with a peripheral groove 36. The lower ends of the members 32 of each elevator are fixedlyconnected, through suitable brackets, to a horizontally extending channel member which is C-shaped in cross section. Each end of each channel 35 is provided with a depending relatively short leg 36, and fixed to the upper surface of the members 35, as by the brackets 3'? (see Fig. 4), is a V-shaped angle member 33.. A second channel member 38 is positioned outwardly of each of the channels 35, parallel therewith and in the same horizontal plane. The channels 33 are also G-shaped in cross section, and it will be noted that the open. faces of the channels 35 and 38 of each elevator faceone another. The channels 38 are suported at each end by suitable brackets which fixedly connect them to a pair of vertically extending channel members 39. The lower ends of the channels 39 are positioned in the same horizontal plane as the lower ends of the legs 36, and the-upper ends of the members 39 extend to the same horizontal plane as the upper ends of the channels 32.

A pair of crossed beams 40 rigidly connect the upper ends of the channels 32 with the upper ends of thechannels 39, as shown ,in Fig. 2. An elon- The flanges i 35 and 41.

intermediate the length thereof are a pair of elecgated plate 4| is fixed to the upper surface of the channels 38 as shown, and a short beam 42 extends parallel with the channels 38 and connects intermediate portions of the beams 40. A suitable pulley 43 is connected to the upper surface of each of the beams 42.

A pair of spaced channel members 44 and 45 are fixedly mounted on the supporting beams 23 and 2d and extend transversely thereof. The channels 44 andAs project beyond the members 23 and 24 and converge toward one another at each end. Journalled in said ends are pulleys Mounted on the channels 44 and 45 trically powered hoisting winches 48 and 49.

A'hoi-sting cable 5% is fixed at one end adjacent the pulley 46 and extends downwardly around the pulley 43 therebelow, upwardly over the pulley 46 and inwardly to the drum of the winch 48 around which the remainder thereof is wound. Asecond cable 5! has one end fixed adjacent the pulley 47 and extends downwardly around the pulley 43 therebelow, upwardly over the pulley 41 and inwardly to the drum of the winch 49 around which the remainder thereof is wound.

It is apparent that by operation of the electric winches 48 and 49 the elevators 3t and 3| can be raised or lowered as desired, each independently of the other. By reason of the coaction of the wheels 33 with the guide members 28 the movement of the elevators 30 and 3! is limited tovertical rectilinear movement, and tilting or swaying thereof is prevented regardless of thesize or position of the load thereon.

At the top of the tower ashaft 52 is fixed to and extends 'betweena pair of the wheels 22. Fixedly mounted on the shaft 52 is a worm wheel 53 which coacts with a worm 54'fixed on the shaft of a reversible electric motor 515. The motor 55 is mounted on the supporting member23 through suitable brackets such as those shown at 56. and 51. Operation of the motor 55 causes rotation .of the wheels 22 fixed to the shaft 52, and this, in turn, causes movement of the entire tower assembly i'l longitudinally of the passageway 12. The tower 25, during said longitudinal movement, is prevented from swaying transversely'by a pair of struts 5B and 59 mounted on opposite sides thereof. The struts '58 and 59 are each formed of four outwardly projecting legs ee which converge to an apex 6 l at which point a roller s2 is mounted for rotation in a horizontalplane. The roller 62 rollingly engages the surface of a suitable plate (not shown) which extends longitudinally of the passageway l-2 at-each side thereof.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be noted that each of the elevators 3D and 3| is provided with a dolly 63 which is mounted for movement longitudinally thereof.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the dolly 63 has a frame which may be made of a-pair of parallel tubular members 64 and as which-are connected adjacent each end by relatively short tubular members Stand 6? at right angles thereto. Rotatably mounted at each'end of the frame members 64 and 65 and positioned avithin the adjacent channel members 35 and tears wheels :98. The wheels '68 have adiameter which isslightly less than .but substantially equal tothe height ,of the interior of the channels 35 and 33, so that said rollers can-rollingly engage either-theupper interior or the lower interior surface of ,said channels with a minimum of vertical movement.

,A -plate member 69 is fixed towthe top of the frame members ;64;and.-6,5; and-extends -from. adj,a-

cent the inner end thereof to past the mid point thereof as shown in Fig.- 3. A second late member I9 is secured to the under side of the frame members 64 and. 6'5 and-extends from adjacent one end to adjacent the other end thereof. A bearing II which is rigidly supported by the plates 69 and I9 provides a rotatable mounting for a vertically extending relatively short shaft 12 which has a relatively large diameter.

A swingable frame I3 is rigidly connected to the upper end of the shaft I2 and at a right angle to the axis thereof. The frame I3 consists of a pair of parallel tubular members I4 and I5 which are rigidly connected adjacent each end by a pair of parallel channel members I9 and TI. The channels I9 and TI extend beyond the tubular members I4 and converge toward the shaft I 2, to which they are fixedly connected. A supporting web 18 preferably reinforces each of the channels I6 and 11 adjacent the shaft I2.

Fixed to the shaft I2 above the bearing II and below the frame I3 is a worm wheel '19. A worm 8I meshes with the worm wheel 19 and is driven by a reversible electric motor BI which is mounted on the plate 69. Operation of the motor 9| causes rotation of the shaft I2 and causes swinging movement of the frame 13 about the axis of said shaft.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be noted that anangle member 82 connects the ends of the channel members 35 and 38 of each elevator. Extending longitudinally of each elevator and supported at each end by an intermediate portion of an angle member 82 is a rack member 83 having gear teeth formed on the under side thereof as shownin Fig. 4. Referring again to Figs. 3 and 4, a suitable bracket, such as the plate 84, depends from an edge portion of the plate I9 adjacent the frame member 65 and supports a bearing 85 in which is rotatably mounted a short transverse shaft 89. Fixed to one end of the shaft 86 is a pinion 81 which meshes with the rack 83, and fixed to the opposite end of said shaft is a bevel gear 88.

. A longitudinally extending short shaft 89 is preferably journalled in bearings 99 and 9| which are suspended from the plate 19 in any suitable manner. The shaft 89 is positioned in the same horizontal plane as the shaft 96. At one end of the shaft 89 is fixed a bevel gear 92; which meshes with the bevel gear 98. Between the bearings 99 and 9| a worm wheel 93 is fixedly mounted. The plate I9 is apertured adjacent the upper portion of the worm wheel 93 to permit said wheel to project thereabove. A reversible electric motor 94 is suitably suspended from the edges of the plates 69 and 19 and from the frame member 64' as shown, and said motor drives a worm 95 which meshes with the worm wheel 93. ,It is apparent that operation of the motor 94 causes rotation of the pinion 81, which, inturn, causes movement of the dolly 63 longitudinally of the channels 35 and 38. l A pair of substantially triangular gusset plates 96 and 9! connect the channels 76 and 11 adjacent their upper and lower surfaces and adjacent the shaft I2. Mounted on the lower gusset plate 91 is a bearing 98 in which is jour-f on the outer side of the channel 11 adjacent the slot, I.9.I .is an. electric motor I92 which drives a worm I93, the latter meshing with the worm wheel I99.

Pivotally connected to a peripheral portion of the upper surface of the worm wheel I99 isone end of a link I94. The opposite end of the link I94 is pivotally connected to a shaft I95 which extends longitudinally through suitable bearings in the tubular frame members 14 and I5. The tubular members 14 and I5 are formed with slots I96 on opposite sides of the shaft I95, said slots extending in the same horizontal plane as the shaft I95, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. A pair of spaced transverse bars I25 and I26 are fixed to the shaft I95 on opposite sides of the tubular member I4. A pair of rod members I 99 and I I9 are rigidly connected at one end to the outer ends of the transverse bar I25 and extend through the slots I96 of the tubular member I4. The rods I99 and H9 converge and are rigidly connected to the shaft I95 as at I I I. A pair of rods H2 and II3 are similarly connected to thebar I26 and convergingly extend through the slots I96 of thetubular member I5 to a point II4 where they are fixed to the shaft I95.

Slidably positioned within each of the tubular frame members I4 and I5, and on each side of the shaft I95, are enlarged shafts II5, the out-- side diameter of which is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the frame members" and I5. Each of the shafts H5 at its inner end is formed with an angled aperture II6 through which one of the rods I99, H9, H2 or II3 slidably extends as shown in Fig. 3. The outer ends of the shafts H5 are formed with portions of reduced diameter I ll at each end of which is mounted a set of ball bearings I9I which rotatably support a sleeve roller I98. The sleeve rollers I99 have an outside diameter substantially equal to that of the shafts II5.

It is apparent that operation of the motor I92 causes rotation of the worm wheel I99, which, in turn, causes axial reciprocation of the shaft I95. As the shaft I95 moves longitudinally, the rods I99, H9, H2 and II3 move rectilinearly therewith. As the rods I99, H9, H2 and II3 so move, the shafts I I5 are caused to move transversely by reason of the coaction of said rods with the apertures I16 therein. For example, when the shaft I95 moves toward the right in Fig. 3 to the dot and dash positions therein,

the shafts I I5 are at the same time moved trans: versely outwardly to the dot and dash positions in which they are shown. Conversely, when the shaft I is again moved toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 3, the shafts II5 will be retracted from the dot and dash line positions to the full line positions thereof.

The improved apparatus maybe constructed.

so that the street level coincides with any one ,of the storage stall levels shown in Fig. 1.

and 3I is identical, though independent, and

since only the elevator 39 appears in Fig. 1, the operation of that elevator will be described here.- inafter.

Prior to runningan automobile onto the elevator 39 from the entrance, the dolly 63 is prefer-- which is farthest from the stall in which'the' au omob e i to be t ed: M em of h do l s c m shed a e i u y s ed by o a on o e mot r 94- h frame iro the dolly 63 is swung toward a central portion on the elevator with the shaft I 95 thereof, pref: erably substantially parallel with the channels 35 and38, is clearly shown in Figs. and 3 As also shown in Fig. 3, the shafts H5 and the rollers IIlBthereon are in retracted position.

An automobile may now be driven onto the elevator 30 from the entrance. As the auto.- mobile is driven onto said elevator, the wheels thereof which are nearest the tower 25 travel along the V-shaped angle member 3?, and the wheels'on the opposite side of the automobile travel along the plate M. The angle member 31 guides the automobile, while the plate M, bein'gfiat, permits cars having wheelbases of various widths to be carried by the same eleva-f tor. In addition, the plate a: is sufiiciently wide and is so positioned'that it provides a platform on which thedriver can walk upon alighting from the automobile.

' The automobile is preferably driven onto the elevator 31] until it is substantially centered thereon as shown in Fig. 1. The dolly 53 is then moved, if necessary,'to position the rollers I08 of the frame '13, one forwar ly and one rearwardly of the'fperiphery of the adjacent'tires of the automobile but offset inwardly therefrom. Bybri'eration' of the motor m2, the shaft we is recipro cated tothe right, as viewed in Fig. 3, to thereby cause the shafts 1 I53 and the rollers N38 to move outwardly as previously described. This places the rollers I03 directly forwardly and rearwardly of the tread surface of said tiresl Assuming that it is desired to store the automobile in a stall on the fourth level and on the right hand side of the passageway as viewed in Fig. l, and as indicated by the letter A, the elevator 30 is raised, by means of the winch 48 until it registers with the desired level. The tower assembly I! is then moved longitudinally, if necessary, to cause the elevator 30 to register with the desired stall on the fourth level. Longitudinal movement of the tower l! is elfected, as previously described, by operation of the motor 55. When the elevator to has been brought into registration with the stall A, the dolly is moved toward said stall. Movement of the dolly as causes engagement of therollers I68 with the adjacent automobile tires, and causes the rollers atthe rear of said tires to'push forwardly on said tires. This causes the automobile to roll forwardly toward the stall A as shown by the dot and dash lines of Fig. l. The automobile pushed into the Stall A until the dolly 63 has reached the limit of its travel in thechannels 35 and 38. This position is that shown in 'dot "and dash lines at B in Fig. 1. It will be noted that in'this' position the frame 73 projects intothe storage stall a considerable distance. After the automobile is placed in stored position in the desired stall, the motor I02 on the dolly 63 is: operated to retract the rollers I03 from their positions of engagement with the automobile tires. This permits the dolly 63 to 'bemovedfby operation of the motor 94 in a reverse direction along the elevator 38, said movement being effectiveto retract the frame I3 from the storage stall.

To remove an automobile from stored position in a stall, the operation is substantially the reverse of that storing said automobile. To do:

8 t is t e e e a or i oved ve t ca ly; and the tower is moved longitudinally, if necess ary, until the elevator 39 registers with the stall in which the automobile is stored. The frame 13 is then projected into the stall, and 11 rollers I98 are extended into engagement with the adjacent tires of the automobile, as shown, for example, at 151*- in Fig. 1, and as described hereinbefore. Mov.ement of the dolly 53 toward the opposite end of the elevator 30 pulls the automobile onto the elevator with a rolling movement. After the auto;

I mobile has been pulled onto the elevator, the

the elevator from'the entrance it d note elevator can be lowered, and the tower I'l moved longitudinally if necessary, to bring the elevator into registration with a stall which leads to the exit. The rollers I98 are then retracted, and the car can then be driven off the elevator and ento the street.

By reason of the swingable mounting for the frame 13, cars can with equal ease be stored in and removed from stalls on both sides of the passageway I2. For example, to remove an auto: mobile from the position 0 on the siXth level, the frame l3 would be swung from its 1105i: tion shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and the rollers, I08 would engage the front tires of said automobile. The operation is substantially .the same regard.- less of whether the rollers I08 engage? the front tires of an automobile or the rear tires thereof.

Referring to Fig. 2; the frame I3 on the dolly of the elevator 33 is shown being swung from one position to another. figure that the rollers Iilli'o'n the frame "1.3 of the elevator 3| are in projected position, and that the rollers W8 on the frame I3 of the elevator 33 are in retracted 'positioiff This is for the purpose of illustration. Normally the rollers I 08 are in retracted position when notactually 'in en gagement with the tires of an automobile. 1

It is contemplated that theentire apparatus be operated by remote'controtfrdm a fcentral station, and any suitable electrical circuitmay be used to control the operation of the motors which drive the various parts'of'the apparatus:

Engagement of the frame: s with theautor riobiles moved thereby is accomplished exclusively gaging and moving said automobile. There is no ne d an bs i fe b 5. 3 .51 t rid th el v r or to drive automobiles into or out of the storage stalls. Once the automobile has been Ki i Yen be entered for driving purposes until'it is e turn to t ee-s le e t9 be d iven w by s i 1, 'i I .vl'm

Various chan es and mo ifi atio ma be made without departing frc' nr '[thev spirit of the invention, and all of such' ehangesare col ie Y a ed a ay comelwi h fithescbp of t What I claim is:

1. A wheeled dolly for use in an apparatus for handling automobilesfcomprising: an elo d swingable frame mounted at one erld'fon .sa dolly for swinging ovement a horizo al plane, said frame" being formed with p ofspaced p'arallel transverselyextending open end} ed sleeves; automobile engaging means normal 1y positioned in said sleeves and movable, axially outwardly to positions in which they project be:

I yond a side .ofsaid frame; cam means on said It will also b'e'note'd in'this' swingable frame mounted for reciprocating movement longitudinally of said frame and positioned to cause simultaneous lateral movement of all of said rollers; an electric motor on said swinging frame; and an eccentric driven by said motor and connected to said cam member to cause reciprocating movement of the latter when said eccentric is rotated.

2. In a wheeled dolly for use in an apparatus for handling automobiles: an elongated swingable frame mounted at one of its ends on said dolly for swinging movement in a horizontal plane; an axially movable transversely extending roller supporting member mounted on said frame, said member being formed with an oblique cam surface; a roller carried at one end of said member and normally in retracted position in said frame, said roller being movable outwardly of said frame to a projecting position; a cam member mounted on said frarne for movement longitudinally thereof, said cam member including an oblique rod positioned in sliding engagement with the oblique cam surface of said transverse member, whereby longitudinal movement of said cam member in one direction causes axial movement of said roller from-its normal retracted position to a projecting position.

3. In a wheeled dolly for use in an apparatus for handling automobiles: an elongated swingable frame mounted at one of its ends on said dolly for swinging movement in a horizontal plane; an axially movable transversely extending shaft mounted on said frame, said shaft being formed with an oblique aperture therethrough; a roller carried at one end of said shaft and normally in retracted position in said frame, said roller being movable outwardly of said frame to a projecting position; a cam member mounted on said frame for movement longitudinally thereof, said cam member including an oblique rod slidably positioned in the oblique aperture of said transverse shaft, whereby longitudinal movement of said cam member in one direction causes axial movement of said roller from its normal retracted position to a projecting position.

4. In a wheeled dolly for use in an apparatus for handling automobiles: an elongated swingable frame mounted at one of its ends on said dolly for swinging movement in a horizontal plane; a slotted transversely extending open ended sleeve carried by said frame; an axially movable shaft positioned in said sleeve, said shaft being formed with an oblique cam surface; a roller carried at one end of said shaft and normally in I retracted position in said sleeve, said roller being movable outwardly of said sleeve to a projecting position; a cam member mounted on said frame for movement longitudinally thereof, said cam member including an oblique rod extending through the slots of said sleeve and positioned in sliding engagement with the oblique cam surface of said shaft, whereby longitudinal movement of said cam member in one direction causes axial movement of said roller from its normal retracted position to a projecting position.

5. In a wheeled dolly for use in an apparatus for handling automobiles: an elongated swingable frame mounted at one of its ends on said dolly for swinging movement in a horizontal plane; a slotted transversely extending open ended sleeve carried by said frame; an axially movable shaft positioned in said sleeve, said shaft being formed with an oblique aperture there through; a roller carried at one end of said shaft and normally in retracted position in said sleeve,

- able frame mounted said roller being movable outwardly of said sleeve to a projecting position; a cam member mounted on said frame for movement longitudinally thereof, said cam member including an oblique rod extending through the slots of said sleeve and slidably positioned in the oblique aperture of said ended sleeve carried by said frame; a pair of axially movable shafts positioned in said sleeve, said shafts each being formed with an oblique aperture therethrough; a roller carried at an end of each of said shafts adjacent the ends of said sleeve, said rollers being normally in retracted position in said sleeve, and said rollers being movable in opposite directions outwardly of said sleeve to projecting positions; a, cam member mounted on said frame for movement longitudinally thereof, said cam member including a pair of oblique rods extending through the slots of said sleeve and each slidably positioned in the oblique aperture of one of said shafts, whereby movement of said cam member in one direction longitudinally of said frame causes axial movement of said rollers from their normal retracted positions to projecting positions.

7. In a wheeled dolly for use in an apparatus for handling automobiles: an elongated swingable frame mounted at one of its ends on said dolly for swinging movement in a horizontal plane; a pair of spaced transversely extending slotted open ended sleeves carried by said frame; a pair of axially movable shafts positioned in each of said sleeves, said shafts each being formed with an oblique aperture therethrough; a roller carried at an end of each of said shafts adjacent the ends of said sleeves, said rollers being normally in retracted position within said sleeves, and said roller being movable outwardly of said sleeves to pro- ,iecting positions; a pair of interconnected cam members mounted on said frame for movement longitudinally thereof, said cam members each including a pair of oblique rods extending through the slots of one of said sleeves and each rod extending slidably through the oblque aperture of one of the shafts in said sleeve, whereby movement of said cam members in one direction longitudinally of said frame causes simultaneous axial movement of all of said rollers from their normal retracted positions to projecting positions.

8. A wheeled dolly for use in an apparatus for handling automobiles comprising a relatively short wheeled frame an elongated swingable frame mounted at one end of said wheeled frame for swinging movement in a horizontal plane, said frame being of a length to always project a substantial distance beyond said wheeled frame laterally movable means at the opposite end of said frame and a substantial distance beyond the wheels of said wheeled frame for effecting a draft engagement with an automobile, cam means on said swingable frame mounted for a reciprocating movement longitudinally of said frame and positioned to cause lateral movement of said laterally movable means, an electric motor on said swinging frame, and mechanism driven by said motor and connected to said cam means to cause reciprocating movement of the latter.

9. An apparatus for handling automobiles comprising an elevator, a dolly permanently mounted onsaid elevator for movement toward either end thereof; a cantilever frame pivotally mounted on said dolly for swinging movement, said frame being of substantially greater length than said dolly to always project a substantial distance thereb'eyond releasable means on said frame near the outermost portion thereof and a substantial distance beyond said dolly for effecting a draft engagement of said frame with an automobile, said frame being of a length to project in a selc'ted direction beyond either end of said elevator to cause positioning of the same releasable means beyond either end of the elevator while the dolly is still on the elevator, and means on the dolly for causing swinging movement of the frame.

10. An apparatus for handling automobiles comprising an elevator, a dolly permanently mounted on said elevator for movement toward either end thereof; a cantilever frame pivotally mounted on said dolly for swinging movement, said frame being of substantially greater length than" said dolly to always project a substantial distance therebeyond releasable means on said frame near the outermost portion thereof and a substantial distance beyond said dolly for effecting a draft engagement of said frame with an automobile, said frame being of a length to pro -ject in' a selected direction beyond either end of said elevator tocause positioning of the same, releasable means beyond either end of the elevator while the dolly is still on the elevator, said frame being in overba-lanced relationship with respect to said dolly, and means between said dolly and elevator for bracing the dolly during swinging movement of said overbalanoed frame and for bracing the dolly when the frame is projecting beyond an end of the elevator.

11. An apparatus for handling automobiles comprising an elevator, a dolly permanently mounted on said elevator for movement toward either end thereof; a cantilever frame pivotally mounted on said dolly for swinging movement, said frame being of substantially greater length than said dolly to always project a substantial distance therebeyond releasable means on said frame near the" outermost portion thereof and a substantial distance beyond said dolly for effecting a a draft engagement of said frame with an automobile, said framebeing of a length to project in a selected direction beyond either end of said elevator to cause positioning of the same releasable means beyond either end of the elevator while the dolly is still on the elevator, and means between said dolly and elevator for bracing the dolly during swinging movement of said frame andfor bracing the dolly when the frame is projecting beyond an end of the elevator.

12; In combination: an elevator having open ends and having an open side, a relative short wheeled dolly mounted on said elevator for movement toward and away from said open ends, and

iii

2 a frame swingably mounted on said dolly, said frame having automobile engaging means on an outer portion and having a length so that said outer portion normally projects a substantial distance beyond the Wheels of the dolly and a substantial distance beyond the side of the elevator when the-frame is swung to a position transversely of said elevator,.the' open side of said elevator permitting unobstructed swinging movement of the frame through an arc of approximately 180 outwardly of its axis of swinging movement whereby the automobile engaging means on said frame may be selectively swung.

toward either end of the elevator and whereby the automobile engaging means may be caused to proieot a substantial distance beyond either end of the elevator while the dolly is still on the elevator and when it is moved close to said end.

13. In combination: an elevator having open ends and having an open side, a relative short wheeled dolly mounted on said elevator for movement toward and away from said open ends, and a frame horizontally swingably mounted on said dolly, said frame having automobile engaging means on an outer portion and having a, length so that said outer portion normally projects a substantial distance beyond the wheels of the dolly and a substantial distance beyond the side of the elevator when the frame is swung toa position transversely of said elevator, the open side "of said elevator permitting unobstructed swinging movement of the frame through a horizontal arc of approximately 180 outwardly of its axis of swinging movement whereby the automobile engaging means on said frame may be selectively swung toward either end of the elevator and whereby the automobile engaging means may be caused to project a substantial distance beyond either end of the elevator while the dolly is still on the elevator and when it is moved close to said end. I I} I ROY O. BILLINGSl aerrenees cited in the file of this atent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1;11 l,975 Fessenden Oct. 27, 1914 1,589,080 Dinkelberg May 11, 1926 1,594,368 Jacobs Aug. 3, 1926 1,641,651 Wulf Sept. 6, 1927 1,828,307 Been Oct. 20, 1931 1,885,213 Aitken Nov. 1, 1932 1,391,795 Buettell Dec. 20, 1932 1,910,398 Ludington May 23, 1933 2,004,095 Hankins et a1. June'll, 19-35 2,0,16,66 2 Aitken Oct. 8, 1935 2,928,391 Harnischfeger Jan. 21, 1936 Kent Feb. 16, 2,977,238 Hendricks Apr. 13, 1937 2,117,274 Buettell May 17, 1938 -Mar iano Jan. 3, 2,543,295 McGregor et a1. Feb. 27, 1951

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