Transfer mechanism incorporating dampening cylinder

Abstract

A transfer mechanism is provided. The transfer mechanism includes a frame, a deck pivotably connected to the frame, and a dampening cylinder interconnecting the frame and the deck. The deck movable between a first position wherein the deck lies in a generally horizontal plane and a second position wherein the deck is at a predetermined angle to the horizontal plane. The dampening cylinder includes a cylindrical housing having first and second ends and an inner surface defining a cavity in the housing for receiving a fluid therein; a piston slidably extending through the cavity in the housing; and a flange projecting from the piston and positioned within the cavity so as to divide the cavity in the housing into first and second portions. First and second flow control valves control the flow of fluid between the first and second portions of the cavity in the housing, and hence, movement of the deck between its first and second positions.

1 . A transfer mechanism, comprising: 
 a frame member positionable on a supporting surface;    a deck pivotably connected to the frame, the deck movable between a first generally flat position and a second angled position;    a dampening cylinder for controlling movement of the deck between the first and second positions, the dampening cylinder including: 
 a cylindrical housing having first and second ends and an inner surface defining a cavity in the housing for receiving a fluid therein, the cylindrical housing being pivotably connected to the frame;  
 a piston slidably extending through the cavity in the housing, the piston having a first end operatively connected to the deck and a second end;  
 a flange projecting from the piston and positioned within the cavity so as to divide the cavity in the housing into first and second portions, the flange terminating at a radially outer edge which forms a slidable interface with the inner surface of the housing; and  
   a flow conduit having a first end communicating with the first portion of the cavity in the housing and a second end communicating with the second portion of the cavity in the housing for controlling the flow of fluid therebetwen.    
   
   
       2 . The transfer mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the flow conduit includes first and second flow control valves for controlling the flow of fluid between the first and second portions of the cavity in the housing, each flow control valve including a flow regulator having a plurality of user selectable discrete settings for controlling the flow rate and for providing a discrete metered fluid flow through a corresponding flow control valve.  
   
   
       3 . The transfer mechanism of  claim 2  wherein the first flow control valve includes first and second orifices interconnected by first and second parallel flow paths.  
   
   
       4 . The transfer mechanism of  claim 3  wherein the flow regulator of the first flow control valve is movable between a first retracted position wherein the flow regulator of the first flow control valve is removed from the first flow path and a second extended position wherein the flow regulator of the first flow control valve extends into the first flow path.  
   
   
       5 . The transfer mechanism of  claim 4  wherein the first flow control valve includes a check valve disposed in the second flow path, the check valve allowing the flow of fluid through the second flow path in a first direction and preventing the flow of fluid through the second flow path in the second direction.  
   
   
       6 . The transfer mechanism of  claim 5  wherein the second flow control valve includes first and second orifices interconnected by first and second parallel flow paths.  
   
   
       7 . The transfer mechanism of  claim 6  wherein the first and second flow control valves are connected in series.  
   
   
       8 . The transfer mechanism of  claim 3  wherein the flow regulator of the second flow control valve is movable between a first retracted position wherein the flow regulator of the second flow control valve is removed from the first flow path of the second flow control valve and a second extended position wherein the flow regulator of the second flow control valve extends into the first flow path of the second flow control valve.  
   
   
       9 . A transfer mechanism, comprising: 
 a frame member postionable on a supporting surface;    a deck pivotably connected to the frame, the deck movable between a first generally flat position and a second angled position;    a cylindrical housing having first and second ends and an inner surface defining a cavity in the housing for receiving a fluid therein, the cylindrical housing pivotably connected to the frame;    a piston slidably extending through the cavity in the housing, the piston having a first end operatively connected to the deck;    a flange projecting from the piston and positioned within the cavity so as to divide the cavity in the housing into first and second portions, the flange terminating at a radially outer edge which forms a slidable interface with the inner surface of the housing;    a first conduit having a first end communicating with the first portion of the cavity in the housing and a second end;    a second conduit having a first end communicating with the second portion of the cavity in the housing and a second end; and    a control valve structure disposed between the first and second conduits for controlling the flow of fluid between the first and second portions of the cavity in the housing, the control valve structure includes first and second flow control valves in series between the first and second conduits.    
   
   
       10 . The transfer mechanism of  claim 9  wherein the first flow valve includes first and second orifices interconnected by first and second parallel flow paths, the first orifice communicating with the first portion of the cavity through the first conduit.  
   
   
       11 . The transfer mechanism of  claim 10  wherein the first flow control valve includes a flow regulator having a plurality of user selectable settings and being movable into the first flow path, the flow regulator providing a discrete metered fluid flow through the first flow path.  
   
   
       12 . The transfer mechanism of  claim 11  wherein the first flow control valve includes a check valve disposed in the second flow path, the check valve allowing the flow of fluid through the second flow path in a first direction and preventing the flow of fluid through the second flow path in a second direction.  
   
   
       13 . The transfer mechanism of  claim 12  wherein the second flow control valve includes a flow regulator having a plurality of user selectable settings and being movable into the first flow path of the second flow control valve, the flow regulator providing a discrete metered fluid flow through the first flow path.  
   
   
       14 . The transfer mechanism of  claim 13  wherein the second flow control valve includes a check valve disposed in the second flow path of the second flow control valve, the check valve of the second flow control valve allowing the flow of fluid through the second flow path of the second flow control valve in the second direction and preventing the flow of fluid through the second flow path of the second flow control valve in the first  
   
   
       15 . A transfer mechanism, comprising: 
 a frame positionable on a supporting surface;    a deck pivotably connected to the frame, the deck movable between a first position wherein the deck lies in a generally horizontal plane and a second position wherein the deck is at a predetermined angle to the horizontal plane;    a dampening cylinder interconnecting the frame and the deck, the dampening cylinder including: 
 a cylindrical housing having first and second ends and an inner surface defining a cavity in the housing for receiving a fluid therein;  
 a piston slidably extending through the cavity in the housing;  
 a flange projecting from the piston and positioned within the cavity so as to divide the cavity in the housing into first and second portions, the flange terminating at a radially outer edge which forms a slidable interface with the inner surface of the housing;  
   first and second flow control valves for controlling the flow of fluid between the first and second portions of the cavity in the housing, each flow control valve including a flow regulator having a plurality of user selectable discrete settings for controlling the flow rate therethrough.    
   
   
       16 . The transfer mechanism of  claim 15  wherein the first flow control valve includes first and second ends interconnected by first and second parallel flow paths, the first end communicating with the first portion of the cavity.  
   
   
       17 . The transfer mechanism of  claim 16  wherein the first flow control valve includes a flow regulator having a plurality of user selectable settings and being movable into the first flow path, the flow regulator providing a discrete metered fluid flow through the first flow path.  
   
   
       18 . The transfer mechanism of  claim 17  wherein the first flow control valve includes a check valve disposed in the second flow path, the check valve allowing the flow of fluid through the second flow path in a first direction and preventing the flow of fluid through the second flow path in a second direction.  
   
   
       19 . The transfer mechanism of  claim 20  wherein the second flow control valve includes a flow regulator having a plurality of user selectable settings and being movable into the first flow path of the second flow control valve, the flow regulator providing a discrete metered fluid flow through the first flow path.  
   
   
       20 . The transfer mechanism of  claim 19  wherein the second flow control valve includes a check valve disposed in the second flow path of the second flow control valve, the check valve of the second flow control valve allowing the flow of fluid through the second flow path of the second flow control valve in the second direction and preventing the flow of fluid through the second flow path of the second flow control valve in the first direction.  
   
   
       21 . The transfer mechanism of  claim 15  wherein the predetermined angle is in the range of 20 degrees to 80 degrees.