최소 단어 이상 선택하여야 합니다.
최대 10 단어까지만 선택 가능합니다.
다음과 같은 기능을 한번의 로그인으로 사용 할 수 있습니다.
NTIS 바로가기다음과 같은 기능을 한번의 로그인으로 사용 할 수 있습니다.
DataON 바로가기다음과 같은 기능을 한번의 로그인으로 사용 할 수 있습니다.
Edison 바로가기다음과 같은 기능을 한번의 로그인으로 사용 할 수 있습니다.
Kafe 바로가기국가/구분 | United States(US) Patent 등록 |
---|---|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 | US-0657758 (2017-07-24) |
등록번호 | US-10093334 (2018-10-09) |
발명자 / 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 | 피인용 횟수 : 0 인용 특허 : 9 |
A method and apparatus for joining at least one daughter cart to a mother cart utilize a coupling system having first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames. The coupling
A method and apparatus for joining at least one daughter cart to a mother cart utilize a coupling system having first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames. The coupling rails all extend in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to a primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when engaged for conveying the daughter cart with the mother cart. The third coupling rail is retained in a channel between the first and second coupling rails, in such a manner that the daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails.
1. A coupling system for joining at least one daughter cart to a mother cart, wherein the mother cart has a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction and supported by wheels for transport above an underlying surface, and the daughter cart has a daughter cart frame supported by casters
1. A coupling system for joining at least one daughter cart to a mother cart, wherein the mother cart has a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction and supported by wheels for transport above an underlying surface, and the daughter cart has a daughter cart frame supported by casters above the underlying surface, the coupling system comprising: first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames; wherein: the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the daughter cart with the mother cart;the first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails;at least one of the mother and daughter carts frames are moveable in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction to slideably position the third coupling rail in the channel without either the wheels of the mother cart or the casters of the daughter cart passing through the channel; andthe daughter cart being coupled to and moving with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails. 2. The coupling system of claim 1, wherein the first and second coupling rails are attached to the mother cart, and the third coupling rail is attached to the daughter cart. 3. The coupling system of claim 1, further including a locking apparatus for locking the coupling rails against further motion with respect to one another at a desired transport position of the daughter cart with respect to the mother cart. 4. A coupling system for joining at least one daughter cart to a mother cart, wherein the mother cart has a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction and supported by wheels for transport above an underlying surface, and the daughter cart has a daughter cart frame supported by casters above the underlying surface, the coupling system comprising: first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames; anda locking apparatus for locking the coupling rails against further motion with respect to one another at a desired transport position of the daughter cart with respect to the mother cart;the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the daughter cart with the mother cart;the first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails for sliding receipt therein of the third coupling rail, in such a manner that the daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails; wherein the locking apparatus is configured to automatically engage and lock the daughter cart to the mother cart as the daughter cart is moved in a generally perpendicular direction to the primary direction of transport with the third coupling rail slidingly disposed between the first and second coupling rails. 5. A coupling system for joining at least one daughter cart to a mother cart, wherein the mother cart has a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction and supported by wheels for transport above an underlying surface, and the daughter cart has a daughter cart frame supported by casters above the underlying surface, the coupling system comprising: first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames; anda locking apparatus for locking the coupling rails against further motion with respect to one another at a desired transport position of the daughter cart with respect to the mother cart;the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the daughter cart with the mother cart;the first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails for sliding receipt therein of the third coupling rail, in such a manner that the daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails; wherein the locking apparatus is remotely dis-engagable, to thereby release the third rail and allow the daughter cart to be moved out of engagement from the mother cart. 6. A coupling system for joining at least one daughter cart to a mother cart, wherein the mother cart has a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction and supported by wheels for transport above an underlying surface, and the daughter cart has a daughter cart frame supported by casters above the underlying surface, the coupling system comprising: first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames; wherein: the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the daughter cart with the mother cart;the first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails for sliding receipt therein of the third coupling rail, in such a manner that the daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails; andthe daughter cart includes a caster locking arrangement for locking at least one caster against swiveling motion;the coupling system is configured such that the at least one caster wheel is automatically unlocked to allow swiveling motion of the at least one caster as the third coupling rail engages the first and second coupling rails to couple the daughter cart to the mother cart; andthe coupling system is further configured such that the at least one caster wheel is automatically locked to preclude swiveling motion of the at least one caster as the third coupling rail disengages from the first and second coupling rails when the daughter cart is decoupled from the mother cart. 7. The coupling system of claim 1, wherein the casters of the daughter cart remain in rolling supportive contact with the underlying surface with the coupling system joining the daughter cart to the mother cart. 8. The coupling system of claim 1, wherein the mother cart, daughter cart and coupling system are configured to allow the daughter cart to be coupled to the mother cart from either side of the mother cart. 9. A coupling system for joining at least one daughter cart to a mother cart, wherein the mother cart has a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction and supported by wheels for transport above an underlying surface, and the daughter cart has a daughter cart frame supported by casters above the underlying surface, the coupling system comprising: first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames; wherein: the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the daughter cart with the mother cart;the first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails for sliding receipt therein of the third coupling rail, in such a manner that the daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails;the mother cart, daughter cart and coupling system are configured to allow the daughter cart to be coupled to the mother cart from either side of the mother cart; andone or more of the coupling system rails are configured such that they form a common connection for coupling and conveying two or more daughter carts. 10. The coupling system of claim 9, further including: a locking apparatus for each daughter cart configured for locking the coupling rails against further motion with respect to one another at a desired transport position of each of the two or more daughter carts with respect to the mother cart;the locking apparatus for each of the two or more daughter carts being configured to individually and automatically engage and lock each of the two or more daughter carts to the mother cart as each daughter cart is moved in a generally perpendicular direction to the primary direction of transport with the third coupling rail slidingly disposed in the channel between the first and second coupling rails;the locking apparatus for each of the daughter carts also being individually remotely dis-engagable, to thereby release the third rail and allow each of the two or more daughter carts to be moved out of engagement with the mother cart. 11. A mother cart for conveying at least one daughter cart in a transport direction, wherein each conveyable daughter cart includes a daughter cart frame supported by casters adapted for rolling engagement with an underlying surface, and the mother cart comprises: a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction of the mother cart frame and supported by wheels for rolling engagement with the underlying surface; andone or more coupling rails of a coupling system having first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames;the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the at least one daughter cart with the mother cart;the first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails;at least one of the mother and daughter carts frames are moveable in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction to slideably position the third coupling rail in the channel without either the wheels of the mother cart or the casters of the daughter cart passing through the channel; andthe at least one daughter cart being coupled to and moving with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails. 12. The mother cart of claim 11, further including first and second coupling systems attached to the frame for selectively coupling a daughter cart to either of the first and second coupling systems, Wherein each of the first and second coupling systems includes: one or more coupling rails of a respective one of the first and second coupling systems having respective first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a respective third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames;the respective first, second and third coupling rails of the first and second coupling systems extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the at least one daughter cart with the mother cart using the first and second coupling systems;the respective first and second coupling rails forming a respective channel between the respective first and second coupling rails for sliding receipt therein of the respective third coupling rail, in such a manner that the at least one daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the respective third coupling rail is positioned in the respective channel between the respective first and second coupling rails. 13. The mother cart of claim 11, wherein the first and second coupling rails are attached to the mother cart, and the third coupling rail is attached to the daughter cart. 14. The mother cart of claim 11, wherein the mother cart frame has a generally inverted U-shape, with front and rear substantially vertically extending ends joined at upper ends thereof by a substantially horizontally extending section thereof, with the mother cart frame being further configured for attachment of the at least one daughter cart to the mother cart frame using the coupling system in such a manner that the at least one daughter cart is positioned for transport beneath the horizontally extending section and between the front and rear substantially vertically extending sections of the mother cart frame. 15. The mother cart of claim 11, wherein the casters of each daughter cart remain in rolling supportive contact with the underlying surface with the coupling system joining the daughter cart to the mother cart. 16. The mother cart of claim 11, wherein the mother cart, daughter cart and coupling system are configured to allow the daughter cart to be coupled to the mother cart from either side of the mother cart. 17. A mother cart for conveying at least one daughter cart in a transport direction, wherein each conveyable daughter cart includes a daughter cart frame supported by casters adapted for rolling engagement with an underlying surface, and the mother cart comprises: a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction of the mother cart frame and supported by wheels for rolling engagement with the underlying surface; andone or more coupling rails of a coupling system having first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames; wherein: the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the at least one daughter cart with the mother cart;the first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails for sliding receipt therein of the third coupling rail, in such a manner that the at least one daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails; andthe coupling system further includes a locking apparatus for locking the coupling rails against further motion with respect to one another at a desired transport position of the daughter cart with respect to the mother cart. 18. The mother cart of claim 17, wherein the locking apparatus is configured to automatically engage and lock the daughter cart to the mother cart as the daughter cart is moved in a generally perpendicular direction to the primary direction of transport with the third coupling rail slidingly disposed between the first and second coupling rails. 19. The mother cart of claim 17, wherein the locking apparatus is remotely dis-engagable, to thereby release the third rail and allow the daughter cart to be moved out of engagement from the mother cart. 20. A mother cart for conveying at least one daughter cart in a transport direction, wherein each conveyable daughter cart includes a daughter cart frame supported by casters adapted for rolling engagement with an underlying surface, and the mother cart comprises: a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction of the mother cart frame and supported by wheels for rolling engagement with the underlying surface; andone or more coupling rails of a coupling system having first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames; wherein: the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the at least one daughter cart with the mother cart;the first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails for sliding receipt therein of the third coupling rail, in such a manner that the at least one daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails; andone or more of the coupling system rails are configured such that they form a common connection for coupling and conveying two or more daughter carts. 21. The mother cart of claim 20, further including: a locking apparatus for each daughter cart configured for locking the coupling rails against further motion with respect to one another at a desired transport position of each of the two or more daughter carts with respect to the mother cart;the locking apparatus for each of the two or more daughter carts being configured to individually and automatically engage and lock each of the two or more daughter carts to the mother cart as each daughter cart is moved in a generally perpendicular direction to the primary direction of transport with the third coupling rail slidingly disposed in the channel between the first and second coupling rails;the locking apparatus for each of the daughter carts also being individually remotely dis-engagable, to thereby release the third rail and allow each of the two or more daughter carts to be moved out of engagement with the mother cart. 22. A mother cart for conveying at least one daughter cart in a transport direction, wherein each conveyable daughter cart includes a daughter cart frame supported by casters adapted for rolling engagement with an underlying surface, and the mother cart comprises: a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction of the mother cart frame and supported by wheels for rolling engagement with the underlying surface; andone or more coupling rails of a coupling system having first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames; wherein: the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the at least one daughter cart with the mother cart;the first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails for sliding receipt therein of the third coupling rail, in such a manner that the at least one daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails;the at least one daughter cart includes a caster locking arrangement for locking at least one caster against swiveling motion;the coupling system is configured such that the at least one caster wheel is automatically unlocked to allow swiveling motion of the at least one caster as the third coupling rail engages the first and second coupling rails to couple the at least one daughter cart to the mother cart; andthe coupling system is further configured such that the at least one caster wheel is automatically locked to preclude swiveling motion of the at least one caster as the third coupling rail disengages from the first and second coupling rails when the at least one daughter cart is decoupled from the mother cart. 23. A daughter cart adapted to be conveyable in a transport direction by a mother cart having a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction of the mother frame and supported by wheels for rolling engagement with the underlying surface, wherein the daughter cart includes: a daughter cart frame supported by casters adapted for rolling engagement with an underlying surface; andone or more coupling rails of a coupling system having first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames; wherein the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the daughter cart with the mother cart;the first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails;at least one of the mother and daughter carts frames are moveable in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction to slideably position the third coupling rail in the channel without either the wheels of the mother cart or the casters of the daughter cart passing through the channel; andthe daughter cart being coupled to and moving moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails. 24. The daughter cart of claim 23, further including first and second coupling systems attached to the frame for selectively coupling the daughter cart to a mother cart using either of the first and second coupling systems, wherein each of the first and second coupling systems includes: one or more coupling rails of a respective one of the first and second coupling systems having respective first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a respective third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames;the respective first, second and third coupling rails of the first and second coupling systems extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the daughter cart with the mother cart using one of the first and second coupling systems;the respective first and second coupling rails forming a respective channel between the respective first and second coupling rails for sliding receipt therein of the respective third coupling rail, in such a manner that the daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the respective third coupling rail is positioned in the respective channel between the respective first and second coupling rails. 25. The daughter cart of claim 23, wherein the first and second coupling rails are attached to the mother cart, and the third coupling rail is attached to the daughter cart. 26. The daughter cart of claim 23, wherein the mother cart frame has a generally inverted U-shape, with front and rear substantially vertically extending ends joined at upper ends thereof by a substantially longitudinally extending section thereof, with the mother cart frame being further configured for attachment of the at least one daughter cart to the mother cart frame using the coupling system in such a manner that the at least one daughter cart is positioned for transport beneath the horizontally extending section and between the front and rear substantially vertically extending sections of the mother cart frame. 27. The daughter cart of claim 23, wherein the casters of each daughter cart remain in rolling supportive contact with the underlying surface with the coupling system joining the daughter cart to the mother cart. 28. The daughter cart of claim 23, wherein the mother cart, daughter cart and coupling system are configured to allow the daughter cart to be coupled to the mother cart from either side of the mother cart. 29. The daughter cart of claim 23, wherein the coupling system further includes a locking apparatus for locking the coupling rails against further motion with respect to one another at a desired transport position of the daughter cart with respect to the mother cart. 30. A daughter cart adapted to be conveyable in a transport direction by a mother cart having a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction of the mother frame and supported by wheels for rolling engagement with the underlying surface, wherein the daughter cart includes: a daughter cart frame supported by casters adapted for rolling engagement with an underlying surface; andone or more coupling rails of a coupling system having first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames; wherein: the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the daughter cart with the mother cart;the first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails for sliding receipt therein of the third coupling rail, in such a manner that the daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails;the coupling system further includes a locking apparatus for locking the coupling rails against further motion with respect to one another at a desired transport position of the daughter cart with respect to the mother cart; andthe locking apparatus is configured to automatically engage and lock the daughter cart to the mother cart as the daughter cart is moved in a generally perpendicular direction to the primary direction of transport with the third coupling rail slidingly disposed between the first and second coupling rails. 31. A daughter cart adapted to be conveyable in a transport direction by a mother cart having a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction of the mother frame and supported by wheels for rolling engagement with the underlying surface, wherein the daughter cart includes: a daughter cart frame supported by casters adapted for rolling engagement with an underlying surface; andone or more coupling rails of a coupling system having first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames; wherein: the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the daughter with the mother cart;the first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails for sliding receipt therein of the third coupling rail, in such a manner that the daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails;the coupling system further includes a locking apparatus for locking the coupling rails against further motion with respect to one another at a desired transport position of the daughter cart with respect to the mother cart; andthe locking apparatus is remotely dis-engagable, to thereby release the third rail and allow the daughter cart to be moved out of engagement from the mother cart. 32. A daughter cart adapted to be conveyable in a transport direction by a mother cart having a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction of the mother frame and supported by wheels for rolling engagement with the underlying surface, wherein the daughter cart includes: a daughter cart frame supported by casters adapted for rolling engagement with an underlying surface; andone or more coupling rails of a coupling system having first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames; wherein: the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the daughter cart with the mother cart;the first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails for sliding receipt therein of the third coupling rail, in such a manner that the daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails; andone or more of the coupling system rails are configured such that they form a common connection for coupling and conveying two or more daughter carts to the mother cart with the coupling system. 33. The daughter cart of claim 32, wherein the coupling system for each daughter cart further includes: a locking apparatus for each daughter cart configured for locking the coupling rails against further motion with respect to one another at a desired transport position of each of the two or more daughter carts with respect to the mother cart;the locking apparatus for each of the two or more daughter carts being configured to individually and automatically engage and lock each of the two or more daughter carts to the mother cart as each daughter cart is moved in a generally perpendicular direction to the primary direction of transport with the third coupling rail slidingly disposed in the channel between the first and second coupling rails;the locking apparatus for each of the daughter carts also being individually remotely dis-engagable, to thereby release the third rail and allow each of the two or more daughter carts to be moved out of engagement with the mother cart. 34. A daughter cart adapted to be conveyable in a transport direction by a mother cart having a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction of the mother frame and supported by wheels for rolling engagement with the underlying surface, wherein the daughter cart includes: a daughter cart frame supported by casters adapted for rolling engagement with an underlying surface; andone or more coupling rails of a coupling system having first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames; wherein: the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the daughter cart with the mother cart;the first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails for sliding receipt therein of the third coupling rail, in such a manner that the daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails;the at least one daughter cart includes a caster locking arrangement for locking at least one caster against swiveling motion; andthe coupling system is configured such that the at least one caster wheel is automatically unlocked to allow swiveling motion of the at least one caster as the third coupling rail engages the first and second coupling rails to couple the at least one daughter cart to the mother cart; andthe coupling system is further configured such that the at least one caster wheel is automatically locked to preclude swiveling motion of the at least one caster as the third coupling rail disengages from the first and second coupling rails when the at least one daughter cart is decoupled from the mother cart. 35. A daughter cart adapted to be conveyable in a transport direction by a mother cart having a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction of the mother frame and supported by wheels for rolling engagement with the underlying surface, wherein the daughter cart includes: a daughter cart frame supported by casters adapted for rolling engagement with an underlying surface; andone or more coupling rails of a coupling system having first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames; wherein: the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the daughter cart with the mother cart;the first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails for sliding receipt therein of the third coupling rail, in such a manner that the daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails; andthe daughter cart is an over-cart having a frame that defines a generally inverted U-shape, with first and second substantially vertically extending side sections joined at upper ends thereof by a substantially longitudinally extending load bearing section thereof, to thereby form a space beneath over-cart frame adapted for straddling an object disposed beneath the over-cart, with the over-cart frame being further configured for attachment to the mother cart frame using the coupling system. 36. The daughter cart of claim 35, wherein: the over-cart is configured such that at least one additional smaller daughter cart having a smaller daughter cart frame supported above an underlying surface by casters may be disposed in the space beneath the over-cart;the additional smaller daughter cart being configured for attachment to the frame of a mother cart for conveying the at least one daughter cart along a primary transport direction of the mother cart conveying the smaller daughter cart;the smaller daughter cart being adapted for connection to the mother cart conveying the smaller daughter cart by a coupling system including first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and smaller daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and smaller daughter cart frames;the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the smaller daughter cart with the mother cart conveying the smaller daughter cart;the first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails for sliding receipt therein of the third coupling rail, in such a manner that the smaller daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart conveying the smaller daughter cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails. 37. A mother/daughter cart arrangement, comprising: a mother cart having a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction and supported by wheels for transport above an underlying surface;at least one daughter cart having a daughter cart frame supported by casters above the underlying surface; anda coupling system for joining at the least one daughter cart to the mother cart for conveying the at least one daughter cart along the primary transport direction; wherein: the coupling system including first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames;the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the daughter cart with the mother cart;the first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails;at least one of the mother and daughter carts frames are moveable in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction to slideably position the third coupling rail in the channel without either the wheels of the mother cart or the casters of the daughter cart passing through the channel; andthe daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails. 38. The mother/daughter cart arrangement of claim 37, wherein the first and second coupling rails are attached to the mother cart, and the third coupling rail is attached to the daughter cart. 39. The mother daughter cart arrangement of claim 37, wherein the mother cart, daughter cart and coupling system are configured to allow the daughter cart to be coupled to the mother cart from either side of the mother cart. 40. The mother/daughter cart arrangement of claim 37, further including a locking apparatus for locking the coupling rails against further motion with respect to one another at a desired transport position of the daughter cart with respect to the mother cart. 41. A mother/daughter cart arrangement, comprising: a mother cart having a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction and supported by wheels for transport above an underlying surface;at least one daughter cart having a daughter cart frame supported by casters above the underlying surface;a coupling system for joining at the least one daughter cart to the mother cart for conveying the at least one daughter cart along the primary transport direction; anda locking apparatus for locking the coupling rails against further motion with respect to one another at a desired transport position of the daughter cart with respect to the mother cart; wherein: the coupling system including first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames;the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the daughter cart with the mother cart;the first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails for sliding receipt therein of the third coupling rail, in such a manner that the daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails; andthe locking apparatus is configured to automatically engage and lock the daughter cart to the mother cart as the daughter cart is moved in a generally perpendicular direction to the primary direction of transport with the third coupling rail slidingly disposed between the first and second coupling rails. 42. A mother/daughter cart arrangement, comprising: a mother cart having a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction and supported by wheels for transport above an underlying surface;at least one daughter cart having a daughter cart frame supported by casters above the underlying surface;a coupling system for joining at the least one daughter cart to the mother cart for conveying the at least one daughter cart along the primary transport direction; anda locking apparatus for locking the coupling rails against further motion with respect to one another at a desired transport position of the daughter cart with respect to the mother cart; wherein: the coupling system including first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames;the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the daughter cart with the mother cart;the first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails for sliding receipt therein of the third coupling rail, in such a manner that the daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails; andthe locking apparatus is remotely dis-engagable, to thereby release the third rail and allow the daughter cart to be moved out of engagement from the mother cart. 43. A mother/daughter cart arrangement, comprising: a mother cart having a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction and supported by wheels for transport above an underlying surface;at least one daughter cart having a daughter cart frame supported by casters above the underlying surface; anda coupling system for joining at the least one daughter cart to the mother cart for conveying the at least one daughter cart along the primary transport direction; wherein: the coupling system including first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames;the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the daughter cart with the mother cart;the first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails for sliding receipt therein of the third coupling rail, in such a manner that the daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails; andone or more of the coupling system rails are configured such that they form a common rail connection for coupling and conveying two or more daughter carts with the mother cart using the common rail connection of the coupling system. 44. A method for joining at least one daughter cart to a mother cart, wherein the mother cart has a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction and supported by wheels for transport above an underlying surface, and the daughter cart has a daughter cart frame supported by casters above the underlying surface, and the method comprises joining the at least one daughter cart to the mother cart using a coupling system that includes: first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames;the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the daughter cart with the mother cart;the first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails;at least one of the mother and daughter carts frames are moveable in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction to slideably position the third coupling rail in the channel without either the wheels of the mother cart or the casters of the daughter cart passing through the channel; andthe daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails. 45. A method for joining at least one daughter cart to a mother cart, wherein the mother cart has a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction and supported by wheels for transport above an underlying surface, and the daughter cart has a daughter cart frame supported by casters above the underlying surface, and the method comprises: joining the at least one daughter cart to the mother cart using a coupling system that includes: first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames;the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the daughter cart with the mother cart; andthe first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails for sliding receipt therein of the third coupling rail, in such a manner that the daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails;configuring one or more of the coupling system rails to form a common rail connection for coupling and conveying two or more daughter carts with the mother cart; andusing the common rail connection of the coupling system. 46. The method of claim 44, further including locking the daughter cart into the coupling system. 47. A method for joining at least one daughter cart to a mother cart, wherein the mother cart has a mother cart frame defining a primary transport direction and supported by wheels for transport above an underlying surface, and the daughter cart has a daughter cart frame supported by casters above the underlying surface, and the method comprises: joining the at least one daughter cart to the mother cart using a coupling system that includes: first and second coupling rails attached to one of the mother and daughter cart frames, and a third coupling rail attached to the other of the mother and daughter cart frames;the first, second and third coupling rails extending in a parallel manner to one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the primary transport direction and parallel the underlying surface, when the coupling rails are operatively engaged for transporting the daughter cart with the mother cart; andthe first and second coupling rails forming a channel between the first and second coupling rails for sliding receipt therein of the third coupling rail, in such a manner that the daughter cart is coupled to and moves with the mother cart as the mother cart is moved in the primary transport direction while the third coupling rail is positioned in the channel between the first and second coupling rails; wherein the daughter cart includes a lockable swiveling caster wheel that is selectively lockable to preclude swiveling motion of the caster wheel, and the method further includes automatically unlocking the caster wheel with the coupling system as the daughter cart engages the mother cart, to thereby allow swiveling motion of the swiveling caster wheel when the daughter cart is coupled to the mother cart, and automatically locking the swiveling caster wheel against pivoting motion, with the coupling system, as the daughter cart disengages from the mother cart.
Copyright KISTI. All Rights Reserved.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.