Патент USA US2589297

March 18, 1952
E. |_. SCHOFIELD
‘
2,589,295
AUTOMATIC POWER TABLE FOR SIDE SERVICE HEARSES
Filed Sept. 20, 1948
7 Sheets-Sheet l
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March 18, 1952
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E. L. SCHOFIELD
2,589,295
AUTOMATIC POWER TABLE FOR SIDE SERVICE HEARSES
Filed Sept. 20, 1948'
7 Sheets-Sheet 2
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March 18, 1952
E. L. SCHOFIELD
2,589,295
AUTOMATIC POWER TABLE FOR SIDE SERVICE HEARSES
Filed Sept. 20, 1948
7 Sheets-Sheet 3
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Earl. L, Schofzlald
March 18, 1952
2,589,295
E. L. SCHOFIELD
AUTOMATIC POWER TABLE ‘FOR SIDE SERVICE HEARSES
Filed Sept. 20, 1948
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7 Sheets-Sheet 4
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Earl L.schofield '
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March 18, 1952
E. L. SCHOFKELD
2,589,295
AUTOMATIC POWER TABLE FOR SIDE SERVICE HEARSES
Filed Sept. 20, 1948
7 Sheets-Sheet 5
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Earl L501
March 18, 1952
E, |__ scHOFlELD
2,589,295
AUTOMATIC POWER TABLE FOR SIDE SERVICE HEARSES
Filed Sept. 20, 1948
7 Sheets-Sheet 6
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Earl L, Schofield
March 18, 1952
E. L. SCHOFIELD
2,589,295
AUTOMATIC POWER TABLE FOR SIDE SERVICE HEARSES
Filed Sept. 20, 1948
7 Sheets-Sheet 7
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12,589,295
Patented Mar. 18, 1952
UNITED‘ STATES PATENT OFFICE
2,589,295’
AUToMArjmroyvER gramme SIDE
SERVICE HEARSESE
Earl’L.‘ Scho?eld, Rockford;;Ill~.,-~assignor to- E. L:
Scho?eld,1noo_rporated, Rockford, Ill., a cor
poration of- Delaware
Appiicaubn September 20, I948, strains. 5:)‘;1'3'5 ‘
47 Claims.
~
1'
This invention relates to sidel-se‘rvice hearses
and is more particularly concerned with an im
proved automatic power table'mechanism.
The principal object of my invention is to pro
vide a power mechanism which will compare fa;
vorably with the mechanical screw, cables, chain,
pneumatic and hydraulic mechanisms heretofore
proposed, because of its greater simplicity and
economy of construction, and, because, while‘ it
retains all the ?nesse and smoothness and quiet
ness of operation of the better earlier mecha
nisms, it is so designed that it is‘ de?nitely far
more fool-proof than any other of these: others.
Among the more important features‘ of the
present power mechanism may be mentioned the
‘following:
(1) A single push-pull" control‘ button is pro
vided on each side of the“ mound at the front
(01. 21:14am
2.
bination, to afford dual‘ power and manual table
operation‘, is not only simple and fool-proof but,
because of the balls, operates more smoothly and
quietly" and also much more easily, so that there
isa‘ minimum drain upon the car battery.
('4)- The combination switch and lock mecha
nism" cooperating with the front guide‘ pin on
the table incorporates two pivoted jaws in the
two'forks of a Y-shaped switch, which are spring
actuated‘ toward‘ either a raised operative po
sition or a lowered retracted position, and ar
ranged‘ to cooperate with the guide pin so‘ that
the one‘jaw switches’ the table in the direction
of‘ they other fork when the table is moved under
power after the operator has unlocked the jaw
closing‘ that'fork in the switch, the jaws swing
ing down‘ past av dead-center when pushed out
of‘ the way by the guide pin in its outward
movement and serving to raise a return plunger,
which is thereafter depressed automatically by
the guide pin'in its return or inward movement,
whereby» to re-set the jaw in its raised'operative
position in which‘ it is again automatically lockedv
by the spring‘pressed latch pin that the operator
corners, directly behind‘ the driver’s- seat; which
button is pulled out for outward movement of
the table (without moving the seat) ,and pushed
in for its return, thus giving good directional
control, easy for the operator to remembenand
avoiding confusion and embarrassment. The
control is also so designedthat the table cannot‘ 25 previously pulled out against the-spring’s resist
ance- at the start of the‘ table operation.
be operated accidentally with the doors closed,
(5)‘ The" push-pull buttons are arranged to'op
and the control buttons are interlocked‘ by" a
safety device, so that-only one may be operated
e'rate"‘in” and"‘out” electric switches to initiate
at a time.
outward'm'ovement' of‘ the table in a selected di
rection whenever the appropriate‘ button is
(2) The electric motor drive‘- is always di's
connected from the table operating screw when
pulled; The buttons havev lost-motion operat
current is off, thus givin'g‘the'se advantages: (11)
inglconne‘ctions" with the'lat‘ch pins, so that a pin
Motor starts under no load, thereby permitting‘
can be pulled out by its‘ associated. button, but
use of a much smaller motor with resulting-saving
in cost and reduced battery drain, there being
a centrifugal clutch to insure smoothl engage
ment after the motor has‘ attained a predeter
mined torque'speed} (by The table may be 013-‘
that button can laterv be pushed in independ~
ently of the pinto initiate inward movement of.
the table, the pin being spring pressed to go
home in its holei‘in' the‘ associated jaw when‘ it is
automatically kicked back to raised position at
the end‘ of! the table return movement.
erated manually at any time without disturbing
or disengaging anything in- the mechanisnnand 40"
(6) A rocker member is pivoted relative to the
(c) Motor torque cannot? put excessive strain
Y-switch and has ?ngers on its opposite ends
on anything because the centrifugal clutch‘ provides an automatic safety release in the event
the casket table hits some obstruction inside or
outside the hearse.
(3) The table operating screw is specially‘
designed to cooperate with a ball nut, similar to‘
what have been used heretofore in certain‘stee'r;
ing gear and other applications, which is reversi
ble in action so that the table can remain perL
manently connected to it, and‘ when the‘ table is
which project far enough into the path of the
two'latch pins so that» when either pin‘ is re
tracted, it"‘c‘au'se's' the rocker'to'be' de?ected so
that the ?nger" on the remote end thereof pro
jects still farther into the path of its associated
latch'pin', preventing‘ withdrawal thereof, so that
only one'latcli-pin can be“ operated at a time and‘
the mechanism is‘ rendered fool-proof.
(7) Limit switches of the‘ very dependable
“micro” type are used both on the Y-switch, to
initiate the “in” and “out” movements of the
moved by hand, the nut moving with it turnsthe
screw, which, by‘. virtue'ofv the centrifugal clutch
table, and on the mound, to cooperate directly
with ?ngers~ provided on the shuttle‘ unit of the
mentioned above, is free to turn, theclutch being
disengaged ‘whenever’ power is» off. This corn‘; 557 table at the"‘in” and “out” limits of tablejmovee‘
2,589,295
3
ment, to stop the motor automatically at these
limits, thereby shutting off power until the op
erator again pushes or pulls a control button.
The invention is illustrated in the accompany
ing drawings, in which—
""
a”
4
also provided through which the casket may be
loaded or removed in the ordinary way, when
occasion arises. The raised platform or mound
I3 in the bottom of the hearse body extends the
full length of the body from the rear door up to
the front seat, and the casket table is guided in
its movement to and from its normal retracted
Fig. 1 is a plan view of the mound in a hearse,
the casket table of which has been removed, but
position, extending lengthwise of the mound, by
is operated by the power mechanism of my in
a rear pivot pin I5, and by front and intermediate
vention installed under the mound, this view
showing the table screw and shuttle thereon as 10 guide-pins l6 and I1 projecting downwardly from
the bottom of the table. The pivot pin I5 ?ts
well as the power unit, and also showing the
in a bearing [8 in the rear end portion of the
Y-shaped switch which steers the table, by means
table and extends upwardly from the shuttle 19.
of its front guide pin, to the right or left at the
which operates in a longitudinally extending
commencement of the side service operation in
guide-way 20 provided on the longitudinal
loading or unloading a casket;
Figs. 2A and 2B are longitudinal sections in a
vertical plane through the front and rear end
center-line of the mound over and in alignment
with the table drive screw 2|. The intermediate
taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, on a larger scale;
Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the Y-shaped
guide-pin H operates in either of two forwardly
diverging guide-ways 22 and 23, depending upon
whether the casket table is steered by the front
switch, showing the locking jaws on opposite
sides of the spheroidal-shaped head of the jaw
guide-pin l S to the left or right in the Y -shaped
switch 24. The guide-ways 22 and 23 open from
return-plunger;
the opposite sides of the longitudinal guide-way.
portions, respectively, of the table and mound,
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section in a vertical
plane on line 4-4 of Fig. 3, including the front
end portion of the table, so as to show how the
front guide-pin cooperates with the head of the
jaw return-plunger and how the spring-pressed
as indicated at 25, so that the intermediate
guide-pin I‘! enters the one or the other of these
two diverging guide-ways in the ?rst portion of
the forward travel of the table, when the front
guide-pin I6 is steered into the left or right fork
of the switch, depending upon which of the push
table hold-down plate on the bottom of the table
cooperates with the horizontal ?ange on the front 30 and-pull buttons 26 and 21 has been pulled to re
lease the correlated locking jaws 28 or 29 pro
of the Y-switch;
vided on opposite sides of the crotch portion of
Fig. 5 is a plan view of the Y-switch, showing
the switch. The inner end portions 39 of these
opposite end portions on the line 5-5 of Fig. 6,
jaws are curved to serve as cam surfaces, so that
to illustrate how the latch pins cooperate with
the locking jaws, and also how the push-pull 35 when the jaw 28 is released the jaw 29 will steer
the front guide-pin Hi to the left, and when the
button cables are connected to these latch pins,
jaw 29 is released the jaw 28 will serve to steer
and how the latch pins are interlocked by a
the guide-pin Hi to the right. In either case,
rocker so that only one latch pin can be pulled out
before the guide-pin l6 leaves the guide-way in
at a time;
Fig. 6 is a developed rear elevation of the 40 the left or right fork of the switch 24, the inter
mediate guide-pin I1 is far enough advanced in
Y-switch, the two halves being viewed on the
the related guide-way 22 or 23 to take over all
broken line 6-6 of Fig. 5, this View serving to
of the guiding functions from that point on to
illustrate how the buttons on the inner- ends of
the limit of the outward movement of the table.
the push-pull cables cooperate with “in” and
The screw 2| is supported in bearings 3| at its
“out” switches controlling the table power unit;
opposite ends, and the front end is coupled to the
Fig. '7 is a vertical section on line 1—'l of Fig. 5,
rear end of a shaft 32, the front end of which is
illustrating the commencement of a left hand
coupled to a spindle 33 ?xed to a worm gear 34
movement of the table, showing how the front
mounted in bearings in a housing 35 suspended
guide-pin kicks the released locking jaw out of
the way, and how the jaw at the same time raises 7 from the bottom of the mound at the front end
thereof. A reversible electric motor 36 is mount
the return-plunger to its operative position;
ed on one end of the housing 35, as best appears
Fig. 8 is a similar section, but illustrating the
in Fig. 10, and its armature shaft 31 is drivingly
return of the table after a right hand move
connected with the driving half of a centrifugal
ment;
friction clutch 38, the driven half of which trans
Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section through the
mits drive to a worm 39 meshing with the worm
ball-nut portion of the shuttle, taken on line
gear 34 previously mentioned, whereby to provide
9-9 of Fig. 2B, on a larger scale;
Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section through the
a drive in which the electric motor 36 is always
table power unit on line Ill-l0 of Fig. 2A;
disconnected from the table drive screw 2| when
Fig. 11 is a cross-section on line ll—ll of Fig. 60 the current is off, thus giving the advantages:
10, and
((1) That the motor starts under no load,
Fig. 12 is a wiring diagram.
thereby permitting use of a much smaller motor,
The same reference numerals are applied to
with resultant saving in cost and reduced battery
corresponding parts throughout the views.
drain; (b) That the table l4 may be operated
Referring ?rst to Figs. 1, 2A, and 2B, the ref 65 manually at any time, even when the motor 36 is
erence numeral [3 designates the mound struc
running and would otherwise be transmitting
drive, without disturbing or disengaging any
ture in the body of a hearse, over‘ which the
casket table l4 operates, the hearse having the
thing in the power table mechanism, the clutch
38 being designed to disengage automatically if
usual doors for use of the driver and a passenger
occupying a front seat in front of the table, and 70 the operator takes hold of the table to move it
having other side doors behind the ?rst doors
slower during power operation thereof, and
that are arranged to be opened only when a
(c) That the motor torque cannot impose ex
casket is to be loaded or unloaded from the side
cessive strain on anything, the centrifugal
of the hearse, these hearses being commonly re
clutch 38 providing an automatic safety release
ferred to as side-service hearses. A rear door is 75. in the event someone gets in the way of the table
2,589,295
5
6
during power operation or the table hits .some
and pivotally mounted at 54 in brackets 55 fas
tened to the bottom of the switch 24. These jaws
have substantially right angle projecting por
tions 56 on their outer ends, the edge portions
?xed obstruction,
Manual operation of the table in both direc
tions is made possible by providing the helical
groove M] in the screw 2| of half-round form
30 of which are curved, as previously mentioned,
and the companion helical grooves M of halfe
to provide a cam action when the front guide-pin
round form in the ball-nut 42, provided as a part
l5 rides against the locked jaw toward the re
of the shuttle E9, to accommodate two continu
leased jaw in steering the table to the right or
ous helical columns of bearing balls 43, the ends
left, as previously mentioned. Studs 57 project
of which are connected through ball return ducts 10 ing from one side of these jaws at a certain
44, in accordance with the principle of the Sag-i
radial distance from the pivots 5t operate in
naw steering gear. See Fig. 9 and Patents Nos.
arcuate slots 58 provided in the brackets 55 and
2,159,225, 2,267,524, and 2,380,662. With that
have coiled tension springs 59 attached to their
construction, when torque is applied to the screw
outer ends, these springs being extended in
21 by the motor 35 in either direction, the vballs
wardly from opposite sides of the middle leg "60
43 serve to provide anti-friction rolling engage
of the Y-switch and attached to a lug Bl on ‘the
ment between the screw 2| and ball-nut 22, and
bottom thereof, this lug being so located with
the return ducts 4d provide enclosed passages
respect to the pivots 54, as clearly appears in
through which the balls circulate as the nut
Fig.v 6, that they move past a dead-center posi
travels along the screw, giving smooth and quiet
tion with respect to the pivots when the jaws are
as well as very easy operation, so that there is a
minimum of drain on the battery, but, what is
more important in so far as the present inven
tion is concerned, is that it provides a reversible
action, despite the small pitch of the groove 46,
so that the table M can be permanently con
nected to the nut 52, and when the table is
moved by hand, the nut, moving with it, turns
swung from one extreme position to the other.
In Fig. 6 the jaw 28 is shown in retracted posi
tion, and the spring 59 holds it down, whereas
the jaw 29 is in raised operative position and its
spring 59 holds it up. Tubular latch pins 62 are
slidable in guides 63 provided in the brackets ‘55
for movement radially with respect to the seg>~
mental-shaped jaws 28 and 29 toward and away
from the arcuate ‘peripheries 64 thereof for en
the screw 2 I, which, by virtue of the provision of
the centrifugal clutch 35, is free to turn, the 30 gagement in radial holes 65 provided therein,
clutch being disengaged whenever power is off. I
whereby to lock the jaws releasably in raised
have, therefore, provided dual power and manual
operative position. Coiled compression springs
table ‘operation in a mechanical construction
65 seated in guides 63 behind the pins 62 tend
offering the same advantages afforded hereto
normally ‘to urge the same toward locking posi
fore only with a hydraulically operated casket
tion. Cables 6'! connected with push-and-pull
table, and it goes without saying that the present
buttons 26 and 21 extend inwardly through suit
construction is much simpler and less expensive
able guides 68 provided on auxiliary brackets 69
and less apt to require any attention with years
that are bolted to the brackets 55, and these ca
of service.
bles extend through holes in the outer ends of
Suitable casters (not shown) are provided on
the latch pins 62 and have heads 19 on their
top of the mound l3 for anti-friction rollingsup
inner ends, whereby to provide lost motion ‘op
port of the casket table I4. A nut 45 threaded
erating connections with the latch pins, so that
on the upper end of the pivot pin [5 serves to
either cable may be pushed in by means of ‘its
hold the rear end of the table down in assembled
relation with the pivot pin (5 and shuttle l9. .,
In the ?nal rearward movement of the table 14,
back to its retracted position, a hold-down plate
46 provided on the bottom of the table at the
front end engages under a horizontal flange 41
that projects forwardly ‘from the crotch-por- .
tion of the switch 24, whereby to hold the
front end of the table down and prevent its
rattling when the hearse is traveling. The
plate 46 is spaced from the bottom of the ta
ble by another plate 48, that is suitably se
cured to the bottom of the table separately. This
‘plate 48 provides .a resilient mounting for the
hold-down plate 46, there being bolts 49 extend
control button 26 or 2'! independently of the
position of its associated latch pin 62, as, for ex
ample, after the table has been extended from
the hearse and is to be returned to retracted ‘po
sition and the push-pull button is accordingly
pushed in, although the latch pin 62 is at the
time in retracted position relative to its asso
ciated jaw 28 or 29 and cannot return to locked
position because of the retracted position of the
jaw. Under the circumstances the latch pin is
merely held pressed against the arcuate pe
riphery 64 of the jaw and will be moved home
into hole 65 under spring pressure when the jaw
is returned to its raised operative position. A
collar ‘H is fastened on each of the cables 6'! to
ing from the hold-down plate loosely through
holes in the mounting plate 48 and through coiled 60 move back and forth with it .in its pull-and-push
movements, and rides on plungers T2 of “in”
compression springs 50, which are held caged
and “out” switches 73 and 14, whereby to hold
in compressed condition on the mounting plate
one or the other of these switches open selec
by a cotter-pin and washer, as indicated at 5|,
tively, the plungers being normally spring pressed
the table being recessed on the bottom side, 'asin
dicated at 52, to house the springs and project 65 outwardly to a closed circuit position. Thus in
Fig. 6_, for example, the cable 6'! on the left has
ing end portions of the bolts, as shown inFig.
been pulled out for a left hand service opera
4. The front end of the flange 41 is tapered, as
tion of the table, and the collar ‘H has accord
indicated at 53, to ride over the rear end of the
ingly been shifted to the left, away from plunger
hold-down plate 48 easily in the rearward travel
of the table to its fully retracted position, and, 70 12 of the “out” switch 74, to close that switch
to start the motor 36 and at the same time .re
of course, the springs 59, besides allowing .for ir
lease the jaw 28 by withdrawal of its latch ‘pin
regularities in dimensions in the assembly, will
62. Cable 61 on the right is in its normal posi
serve to press the table downwardly resiliently.
tion, pushed in, and collar l'l accordingly holds
‘Referring now to Figs. .3 to .8, it will be ‘seen
that the jaws 28 and 29 are of segmental form 75 down'the plunger 12 of the “out” switch 14 leav
2,589,295
ing plunger 12 of the “in” switch 13 raised in
closed circuit position.
The jaws 28 and 29 are kicked out of the way
ductors 90 and 9| back to the contactor, and
conductor 92 to the negative side of the battery
8|.
Thus the motor 36 will continue to run until
shuttle 19 engages plunger 12 of “out” switch
by the front guide-pin [6 after they have been
unlocked by withdrawal of their latch pin 62 and Cl 14a, breaking the motor circuit at that point.
This is when the table is extended fully from the
the motor 36 has started the table [4 on its out
ward travel to the left or right, as illustrated in
hearse for loading or unloading of a casket.
Figs. 7 and 8, Fig. '7 showing the table at the
Then, when the table is to be returned, the button
26 is pushed in, moving collar ‘H back to the po
commencement of its outward travel to the left,
and Fig. 8 showing the table at the end of its 10 sition shown in Fig. 12, opening the “out” switch
14 and closing the “in” switch 13. The circuit
inward travel from the right. See arrows A and
then established is as follows: From the posi
B indicating the direction of table movement de
tive side of the battery 8| through conductor 82,
picted. A jaw returning plunger 15 is guided for
and conductor 93 to “in” switch 13a, thence
vertical movement in a bearing 76 provided on a
through conductor 94 to the right hand “in”
plate 11 fastened to the bottom of the switch 24,
switch 73, and conductor 95 to the left hand “in"
switch ‘i3, and thence through conductor 96 to
18 on its upper end and a ?at disk-shaped head 19
the contactor 85, and through conductor 92 to
on its lower end. Lugs 80 project radially from
the negative side of the battery. In this way
the bearing portions of the jaws 28 and 29 to en
gage the underside of the head 19, as clearly ap 20 current ?ow is established through conductors 86
for the ?eld windings in the reverse direction, due
pears in Figs. '7 and 8, so that when the pin l6
to the circuits of the contactor 85, and the arma
kicks a jaw out of the way at the commencement
ture of the motor 36, through which current flows
of its outward movement in switch 24, as shown
from the positive side of the battery through con
in Fig. 7, the plunger 15 is raised, as indicated by
ductors 83 and 89 back to the negative side
arrow C, so that the head will be in the proper
and has a spheroidal or mushroom-shaped head
through conductor 92, is caused to turn in the
position to be depressed by the pin 16 upon re
opposite direction for return movement of the
turn thereof in the return movement of the table,
table. This circuit is maintained until the
in order to re-set the jaw 28 in its raised opera
shuttle I9 engages plunger 12 of the “in” switch
tive position. As soon as the pin it has moved
the jaw 28 a trifle past the dead-center position 30 73a, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 12, and,
of stud 51 with respect to pivot 54 and lug 'BI
of course, that occurs when the table is fully re
tracted. The interconnection of the right and
(Fig. 6) , spring 59 moves the jaw the rest of the
left “in” switches 13 and the right and left “out”
way to the extreme retracted position, and, of
switches 14 is clearly shown in Fig. 12, and it is
course, the plunger 15 is therefore raised pro
portionately. In the return of the table, the pin
l6 riding up the inclined side of the mushroom
shaped head 18 cams it downwardly out of the
way, as indicated by arrow D in Fig. 8, and the
head 19 bearing against lug 80 raises the jaw 29
to its operative position. Here again the spring
59 takes care of the ?nal upward movement of
the jaw as soon as the stud 5? moves past the
dead-center position.
The operation of the mechanism can best be
understood by reference to the wiring diagram
Fig. 12, in which attention is called, ?rst of all,
to the additional “in” and “out” switches 13a
and 14a, respectively. The plunger 12 of the “in”
switch 13a is arranged to be engaged by the
shuttle l9 at the end of the return movement of
the table so as to break the circuit for the motor
36. The plunger 12 for the “out” switch ‘Ma
is likewise engaged by the shuttle [9 at the other
limit of travel to break the circuit for the motor
36 at the end of outward movement of the
table. Both of the push-and-pull cables 67 are
apparent from this interconnection that the
mechanism is fool-proof, because one could not
make the mechanism work if both of the buttons
26 and 2'! were pulled out at the same time.
However, to make it impossible to tamper with
the mechanism in that way, I provide, as shown
in Fig. 5, a rocker arm 91 pivoted intermediate its
ends at 98 with respect to the switch 24 and
brackets 55 and having lugs 99 projecting from its
opposite ends through holes I99 provided in the
guide-ways 93. These lugs 99 are rounded on
their inner ends so as not to catch on the latch
pins 62, but be cammed out of the way when
either latch pin is pulled out, as shown at the left
in Fig. 5. In that way, due to the length of the
lugs 99, when one lug is cammed out of the way,
the other lug, due to the rocking motion of arm
91 is moved in far enough to form a positive stop
preventing withdrawal of the right hand latch
pin 62. Hence, only one of the buttons 26 and
21 can be pulled out at a time.
'
It is believed the foregoing description con
shown pushed in, and the shuttle I9 is according
veys a good understanding of the objects and ad-'
ly indicated in dotted lines as having engaged
vantages of my invention. The appended claims
and moved plunger 12 for the “in” switch
have been drawn to cover all legitimate modi?
13a to break the motor circuit, both “in” switches
cations and adaptations.
13 being closed by reason of the fact that the
I claim:
collars ‘H are holding only the “out” switches 14
1. In a side delivery hearse, the combination 01'
open. Assuming that the left hand button 26 is
a casket table movable relative to a ‘base, guide
pulled out for left hand extension of the table, as
means on said base cooperating with the table
shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, for example, a circuit 65 to guide it for forward and lateral movement
is completed for the positive side of battery 8|
from a retracted position in longitudinal align
through conductors 82 and 83 to the armature of
ment with the base to a position in transverse re
motor 36, and from the armature through con
’lation thereto projecting laterally from the
ductor 84 to the contactor 85, through which
hearse, a screw extending lengthwise of the
the ?eld of motor 39 is energized through 70 hearse and base, a reversible electric motor, a
conductors 86, the circuit through the contactor
being completed to the negative side of the
battery as follows:
centrifugal friction clutch drivingly connecting
said motor with said screw to turn the same se
From conductor 82 to con
lectively in either direction, and a nut threaded
ductor 81 and "out” switch 14a, to conductor
‘on said screw and pivotally connected to the
88 and conductor 89 to “out” switch 14, and con 75 table to transmit longitudinal movement there
2,589,295‘
10
to. and. also‘ permit the table’s simultaneous lat
eral movement, said nut being of a type movable -
manually with the table in either direction rela~
tive- to said screw independently of said motor,
said clutch being adapted to slip automatically
permitting manual operation of the table and
automatic disconnection of said motor from said
screw in the event of any abnormally high resist
ance to movement of said table.
2. In a side delivery hearse, the combination
of a casket table movable relative to a base, guide
means on said base cooperating with the table to
guide, it for forward and lateral movement from
a retracted position in longitudinal alignment
with the base to a position in transverse relation
thereto projecting laterally from the hearse, a
screw extending lengthwise of the hearse and
base, a reversible electric motor, a centrifugal
5. In a hearse of the side delivery type, a cas
ket table supported in said hearse, guide means
for said table including one portion extending
lengthwise of the hearse and another portion ex
tending laterally relative to the first portion,
a table drive screw extending substantially par
allel with the ?rst guide and connected with a
nut on the table to transmit movement to the
table relative to said guides, motive means for
transmitting drive to said screw, and a centri
iugal clutch connecting said motive means and
screw for the triple purpose of (a) permitting
start-up of said motive means under no load,
(1)) transmitting drive to said screw at no lower
than a predetermined minimum speed below
which the clutch disengages, and (c) disconnect
ing the drive automatically by disengagement oi
the clutch in the event of a build-up past a pre
determined resistance to movement of the table.
6. In a hearse of the side delivery type, a cas
with said screw to turn the same selectively in 20
ket table supported in said hearse, guide means
either direction, and a nut threaded on said screw
for said table including one portion extending
and pivotally connected to the table to transmit
lengthwise of the hearse and other guide por
longitudinal movement thereto and also permit
tions extending laterally in opposite directions
the table’s simultaneous lateral movement, said‘
from the ?rst guide, either of. which. latter guides
nut being of a ball type and said screw being
is used with the ?rst guide for determining
grooved to receive the balls and cooperate there
movement in one direction or the other toward
with to afford reversible action, namely, move»
one side or the other of the hearse, a table guide
ment of the table by hand, in which the nut
switch providing diverging tracks in which the
drives the screw, the same turning freely rela
tive to the clutch, or the screw, when drive is o table is guided for movement into one or the
other of the laterally extending guides, a table
transmitted thereto, transmitting drive to the
drive screw extending substantially parallel with
nut to move the tablev under power.
’
the ?rst guide and connected with the table to
3. In a side delivery hearse, the combination of
transmit movement thereto relative to said
a casket: table movable relative to a base, guide
guides, an electric motor for driving said screw,
means on said base cooperating with the table to
friction clutch drivingly connecting said motor
guide it for forward and lateral movement from
a retracted position in longitudinal alignment
with the base to a position in transverse relation
thereto projecting laterally from the hearse, a
screw extending lengthwise of the hearse and
base, a reversible electric motor adapted to be
connected with a source of electric current sup
ply ‘for operation in either direction, a centri
fugal friction clutch for connecting said motor
and screw when the motor, which starts under
no load, attains a predetermined torque speed,
and a nut threaded on said screw and pivotally
connected to the table to transmit longitudinal
movement thereto and also permit the table’s
simultaneous lateral movement, said clutch. per
mitting automatic disconnection of said power
operable means from said screw in the event of
any abnormally high resistance to movement
of said table.
45. In a power operable device, in which a car
switch track blocks in said guide switch which
prohibit movement of the table one way or the
other to one or the other of the laterally extend- ‘
ing guides, latch means locking each of said
blocks in table blocking position, manually oper
able means for releasing either latch means, and
electrical switch means controlling the operation
of said motor arranged to be closed automatical
ly in the release of either latch means.
7. A structure as set forth in claim 6, including
other electrical switch means operable automa
tically to open position in response to movement
of the table to stop said motor when the table
reaches either of its limit positions.
8. A structure as set forth in claim 6, includ
ing a centrifugal clutch detachably connecting
the motor and screw.
9. A structure as set forth in claim 6, wherein
the connection between the table and screw in
cludes a ball-nut pivotally connected to the table
and threaded on the screw, the ball-nut permit
riage member movable under power is also
adapted to be stopped and moved by hand in
- ting manual movement of the table in either di
either direction, a screw for transmitting move"
rection independently of the motor and clutch.
ment to said carriage, a, reversible electric motor
10. In a hearse of the side delivery type, a cas
' adapted to ‘be connected with a source of electric 60 ket table supported in said hearse, guide means
current supply for operation of the screw in
either direction, a centrifugal friction clutch for
connecting said motor and screw when the motor,
which starts under no load, attains a predeter~
mined torque speed, and a nut threaded on said
screw and connected to the carriage to transmit
for said table including one portion extending
lengthwise of the hearse and other guide portions
extending laterally in opposite directions from the
?rst guide, either of which latter guides is used
with the ?rst guide for determining movement
in one direction or the other toward one side or
movement thereto, said nut being of a ball type
and said screw being grooved to receive the balls
and cooperate therewith to afford reversible ac
the other of the hearse, a table guide switch pro
viding diverging tracks in which the table is
tion, namely, movement of the carriage by hand,
the laterally extending guides, table operating
in which the nut drives the screw, the same turn
ing freely relative to the clutch, or the screw,
when drive is transmittedthereto, transmitting,r
means, an electric motor for driving the table
drive to the nut to move the carriage under
power,
guided for movement into one or the other of
operating means, switch track blocks in said
guide switch which prohibit movement of the
table one way or the other to one or the other
75 of the laterally extending guides, latch means
2,589,295
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12
locking each of said blocks in table blocking posi
tion, manually operable means for releasing
tor in the locking movement of said latch means,
and other switch means operable automatically
when the table reaches either of its limit posi
tions to break the circuit for the motor and cause
stoppage thereof.
16. A hearse as set forth in claim 13, wherein
either latch means, and electrical switch means
controlling the operation of said motor arranged
to be closed automatically in the release of either
latch means.
the power operable means for transmitting move
11. A structure as set forth in claim 10, in
cluding other electrical switch means operable
ment to the table comprises a reversible electric
automatically to open position in response to
motor, the structure including switch means for
movement of the table to stop said motor when 10 controlling the operation of said motor in for
the table reaches either of its limit positions.
ward and reverse for outward and inward move
12. In a hearse, a casket table supported in
the hearse for back and forth movement, a screw
ment of the table, manually operable push-and
and a reversible electric motor connected with
the mechanism through the medium of a centrif
ing the latch means toward locking position, the
lost motion connections permitting return move
ment of either of said rods after it has been
pulled out for release of the latch means and be
pull rods having lost motion operating connec
and ball-nut mechanism operatively connected
tions with the latch means, the lost motion con
with the table to transmit movement thereto, 15 nections including spring means normally urg
ugal clutch to drive the same and move the table
in either direction under power, the centrifugal
clutch permitting automatic disconnection of the 20 fore the associated latch means has returned to
locking position, switch operating means recipro
motor from the mechanism to permit manual
cable with said rods relative to the switch means
operation of the table at decreased speed during
in the push and pull movements of said rods,
power operation thereof, and said ball-nut af
whereby to cause forward operation of the motor
fording reversible action so that the table is op
erable under power by power operation of the 25 in the release movement of either of said rods
and cause reverse operation of the motor in the
screw, but when the table is moved by hand the
return movement of said rod, and other switch
nut drives the screw.
means operable automatically when the table
13. In a hearse of the side delivery type, guide
means having aguide portion extending length
reaches either of its limit positions to break the
wise of the hearse and secondary guide portions 30 circuit for the motor and cause stoppage thereof.
17. A hearse as set forth in claim 13, wherein
extending laterally in diverging relation to the
the power operable means for transmitting move
?rst guide portion, a casket table supported in
ment to the table comprises a reversible electric
said hearse and guided by said guide portions, a
motor, the structure including switch means for
Y-shan-ed switch, the middle leg of which is
controlling the operation of said motor in for
aligned with the ?rst guide portion. a guide pro
ward and reverse for outward and inward move
jection on the front end of the table movable
ment of the table, means for automatically oper
from the midle leg into either of the diverging
ating said switch means for forward operation
legs of said Y-switch, locking jaws in the inner
of the motor in the releasing movement of said
ends of the diverging legs of said switch, which
have cam surfaces on their inner faces for coo'o
eration with the guide projection to cam the
front end of the table toward one side or the
other of the hearse depending upon which jaw
is operative and, accordingly. determine the di
rection of table movement relative to the afore
said guide portions, said iaws being pivoted to
swing downwardly out of the way from operative
position. selectively manually operable latch
means locking the iaws in operative position
locking the table against movement, power oper
able means for transmitting movement to the
table, and means operable by the guide projec
tion on the front end of the table in the return
movement of the table to retracted position for
automatically resetting in operative position
whichever jaw has been unlocked and moved out
of the Way.
14. A hearse as set forth in claim 13, including
spring means connected with the locking jaws so
as to hold the same yieldingly in either raised or
lowered position, movement of either jaw from
one limit position past an intermediate dead
center position causing the spring means to be
come eii‘ective to urge the jaw toward the other
limit position.
15. A hearse as set forth in claim 13, wherein
the power operable means for transmitting move
ment to the table comprises a reversible elec
tric motor, the structure including switch means
for controlling theoperation of said motor in for
ward and reverse for outward and inward move
ment of the table, means for automatically op
erating said switch means for forward operation
of the motor‘in the releasing movement of said
latch means and for reverse operation of the mo
40 latch means and for reverse operation of the
motor in the locking movement of said latch
means, other switch means operable automati
cally when the table reaches either of its limit
positions to break the circuit for the motor and
-- cause stoppage thereof, and means operable upon
release of either of said latch means to block the
release of the other latch means and, according
ly, prevent operation of the switch means asso
ciated with that latch means.
18. A hearse as set forth in claim 13, wherein
the power operable means for transmitting move
ment to the table comprises a reversible electric
motor, the structure including switch means for
controlling the operation of said motor in for
ward and reverse for outward and inward move
ment of the table, manually operable push-and
pull rods having lost motion operating connec
tions with the latch means, the lost motion
connections including spring means normally
urging the latch means toward locking position,
‘the lost motion connections permitting return
movement of either of said rods after it has been
pulled out for release of the latch means and
before the associated latch means has returned
to locking position, switch operating means re
ciprocable with said rods relative to the switch
means in the push and pull movements of said
rods, whereby to cause forward operation of the
motor in the release movement of either of said
rods and cause reverse operation of the motor in
the return movement of said rod, other switch
means operable automatically when the table
reaches either of its limit positions to break the
circuit for the motor and cause stoppage thereof,
and means operable upon release of either of
2,589,295
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14
said latch means to block the release of the other
latch means and, accordingly, prevent operation
for release of the latch means. and beforev the
associated latch means has returned to locking
of the switch means associated with that latch
position, switch operating means reciprocable
means.
-
with said rods relative to the switch means. in the
19. A hearse as set forth in claim 13, including
a hold-down plate resiliently mounted on the
front end of said table and arranged to engage
under a forwardly projecting flange provided on
push and pull movements of said rods, whereby
tive position, selectively manually operable latch
iatch means and for reverse operation of the
motor in the locking movement of said latch
means, other switch means operable automati
to cause forward operation of the motor in the
release movement of either of said rods and cause
reverse operation of the motor in the return
the crotch portion of the Y-shaped switch at
movement of said rod, and other switch means
the end of the return movement of the table, 10 operable automatically when the movable mem
whereby to hold the front end of the table down
ber reaches either of its limit positions to break
and prevent rattling thereof when the hearse is
the circuit for the motor and cause stoppage
in motion.
thereof.
20. A switching and locking mechanism for use
24. A ‘switching and locking mechanism as set
with a guide element to be guided in one direc
forth in claim 20, wherein the guide element is
tion or another, the mechanism comprising a
operatively associated with a movable member,
Y-switch having the guide element movable from
the movement of which depends upon the op
the middle leg of said switch into either of the
eration of its propelling means, a reversible elec
diverging legs thereof, locking jaws in the inner
tric motor serving as the propelling means, the
ends of the diverging legs of said switch, which
structure including switch means for controlling
have cam surfaces on their inner faces for co
the operation of said motor inv forward and re
operation with the guide element to cam the
verse for outward and inward movement of the
same toward the right or left depending upon
movable member, means for automatically op
which jaw is operative, said jaws being pivoted
erating said switch means for forward operation
to swing downwardly out of the way from opera
of the motor in. the releasing movement of said
means locking the jaws in operative position,
and means operable by the guide element in the
return movement thereof from either of the di
verging legs to the middle leg of the switch for
automatically resetting in operative position
whichever jaw has been unlocked and moved out
of the way.
21. A switching and locking mechanism as set
forth in claim 20, including spring means con- 1
nected with the locking jaws so as to hold the
same yieldingly in either raised or lowered posi
tion, movement of either jaw from one limit
position past an intermediate dead-center posi
cally when the movable member reaches either
of its limit positions to break the circuit for the
motor and cause stoppage thereof, and means
operable upon release of either of. said latch
means to block the release of the other latch
means and accordingly prevent operation of the
switch means associated with that latch means.
25. A. switching and locking mechanism asset
forth in claim 20, wherein the guide element is
operatively associated with a movable member,
the movement of which depends upon the op
tion causing the spring means to become effective a eration of its propelling means, a reversible elec
to urge the jaw toward the other limit position.
tric motor serving as the propelling means, the
22. A switching and locking mechanism as set
structure including switch means for controlling
forth in claim 20, wherein the guide element is
the operation of said motor in forward and re
operatively associated with a movable member,
verse for outward and inward movement of the
the movement of which depends upon the opera
movable member, manually operable push—and
tion of its propelling‘ means, a reversible electric
pull rods having lost motion operating connec
motor serving as the propelling means, the struc
tions with the latch means, the lost motion con
ture including switch means for controlling the
nections including spring means normally urg
operation of said motor in forward and reverse
ing the latch means toward locking position, the
for outward and inward movement of the mov
lost motion connections permitting return move
able member, means for automatically operating
ment of either of said rods after it has been
said switch means for forward operation of the
pulled out for release of the latch means and be
motor in the releasing movement of said latch
fore the associated latch means has returned
means and for reverse operation of the motor
to locking position, switch operating means re-'
in the locking movement of said latch means,
ciprocable with said rods relative tov the switch
and other switch means operable automatically
means in the push and pull movements of said
when the movable member reaches either of its
rods, whereby to cause forward operation of the
limit positions to break the circuit for the motor
motor in the release movement of either of said
and cause stoppage thereof.
rods and cause reverse operation of the motor in
23. A switching and locking mechanism as set
the return movement of said rod, other switch
forth in claim 20, wherein the guide element is
means operable automatically when the movable
operatively associated with a movable member,
member reaches either of its limit positions to
the movement of which depends upon the opera
break the circuit for the motor and cause stop
tion of its propelling means, a reversible electric
I page thereof, and means operable upon release of
motor serving as the propelling means, the struc
either of said latch means to block the release
ture including switch means for controlling the
of the other latch means and, accordingly pre
operation of said motor in forward and reverse
vent operation of the switch means associated
for outward and inward movement of the mov
with that latch means.
able member, manually operable push-and-pull
26. A switching and locking mechanism as set
rods having lost motion operating-connections
forth in claim 20, wherein the locking jaws are
with the latch means, the lost motion connections
segmental-shaped and provide arcuate outer pe
including spring means norrnall;r urging the
ripheral surfaces on arcs. struck with their axes
latch means toward locking position, the lost mo
tion connections permitting return movement of
as centers, the jaws having substantially radially
directed latch recesses provided therein, opening
from the outer peripheries, into which the latch
either of said rods after it has been pulled out
2,589,295
15
means associated with the jaws are movable sub
stantially radially with respect to the jaws, the
latch means including spring means urging the
same inwardly toward locking engagement in the
recesses in said jaws, whereby said jaws are
16
the upper end of said plunger being engaged by
the guide element in the return movement there
of from either of the diverging legs of the switch,
whereby to force the plunger downwardly and
thereby cause the resetting of the retracted jaw
swingable upwardly to operative position relative
by engagement of the head on the lower end of
the plunger with the projection on said jaw, the
to the latch means in the released position there
head on the lower end of the plunger being in
of independently of said spring means, but said
the form of a ?at disk slidable at its periphery
latch means are adapted to ride into their asso
ciated recesses under action of the spring means 10 on the projections on said jaws which extend
substantially radially therefrom.
upon alignment of said recesses with said latch
29. A switching and locking mechanism for use
means.
with a guide element to be guided in one direction
27. A switching and locking mechanism for
or another, the mechanism comprising a Y
use with a guide element to be guided in one di
rection or another, the mechanism comprising
a Y-switch having the guide element movable
from the middle leg of said switch into either
of the diverging legs thereof, locking jaws in
the inner ends of the diverging legs of said.
switch having the guide element movable from
the middle leg of said switch into either of the
diverging legs thereof, locking jaws in the inner
ends of the diverging legs of said switch, which
switch, which have cam surfaces on their inner
faces for cooperation with the guide element to
operation with the guide element to cam the
same toward the right or left depending upon
have cam surfaces on their inner faces for co
cam the same toward the right or left depend
which jaw is operative, said jaws being pivoted
ing upon which jaw is operative, said jaws being
pivoted to swing downwardly out of the way from
to swing downwardly out of the way from op
operative position, selectively manually operable
latch means locking the jaws in operative posi
tion, and means operable by the guide element
latch means locking the jaws in operative posi
tion, and means operable by the guide element
in the return movement thereof from either of
the diverging legs to .the middle leg of the switch
erative position, selectively manually operable
in the return movement thereof from either
of the diverging legs to the middle leg of the
switch for automatically resetting in operative
for automatically resetting in operative position 30 position whichever jaw has been unlocked and
moved out of the way, said means comprising a
whichever jaw has been unlocked and moved
plunger element guided for vertical reciprocatory
out of the way, said means comprising a plunger
movement in the crotch portion of said switch
element guided for vertical reciprocatory move
and having heads on its upper and lower ends,
ment in the crotch portion of said switch and
the head on the lower end being engaged by
having heads on its upper and lower ends, the
projections provided on the pivoted portions of
head on the lower end being engaged by pro
said jaws, whereby the plunger is raised auto
jections provided on the pivoted portions of said
matically when either jaw is swung downwardly
jaws, whereby the plunger is raised automatically
to retracted position, and the head on the upper
when either jaw is swung downwardly to re
tracted position, and the head on the upper end 40 end of said plunger being engaged by the guide
element in the return movement thereof from
of said plunger being engaged by the guide ele
either of the diverging legs of the switch, where
ment in the return movement thereof from
either of the diverging legs of the switch, where
by to force the Plunger downwardly and there
by cause the resetting of the retracted jaw by
engagement of the head on the lower end of the
plunger with the projection on said jaw.
~ 28. A switching and locking mechanism for
use with a guide element to be guided in one
direction or another, the mechanism compris
ing a Y-switch having the guide element mov
able from the middle leg of said switch into
either of the diverging legs thereof, locking jaws
in the inner ends of the diverging legs of said
switch, which have cam surfaces on their in
ner faces for cooperation with the guide element
to cam the same toward the right or left de
pending upon which jaw is operative, said jaws
being pivoted to swing downwardly out of the
way from operative position, selectively manu CO
ally operable latch means locking the jaws in
operative position, and means operable by the
guide element in the return movement thereof
from either of the diverging legs to the middle‘
leg of the switch for automatically resetting in
operative position whichever jaw has been un
locked and moved out of the way, said means
comprising a plunger element guided for vertical
reciprocatory movement in the crotch portion of
said switch and having heads on its upper and
lower ends, the head on the lower end being en
by to force the plunger downwardly and thereby
cause the resetting of the retracted jaw by en
gagement of the head on the lower end of the
plunger with the projection on said jaw, the head
on the upper end of said plunger being of
spheroidal-shape, whereby said plunger is
cammed downwardly when the guide element
slides over the inclined rounded top surface of
said head.
30. In a hearse of the side delivery type, guide
means having a guide portion extending length
wise of the hearse and a secondary guide por
tion extending laterally in relation to the ?rst
guide portion, a casket table supported in said
hearse and guided by said guide portions, a
table guide switch, one leg of which is aligned
with the ?rst guide portion, a guide projection
on the front end of the table movable from the
one leg into another laterally extending leg of
said guide-switch, a locking jaw in the inner end
of the second leg of said switch, said jaw being
pivoted to swing downwardly out of the way from
operative position, manually operable latch means
locking the jaw in operative position locking the
table against movement, power operable means
for transmitting movement to the table, and
means operable by the guide projection on the
front end of the table in the return movement
of the table to retracted position for automat
ically resetting the jaw in operative position.
gaged by projections provided on the pivoted por
31. A hearse as set forth in claim 30, includ
tions of said jaws, whereby the plunger is raised
ing spring means connected with the locking jaw
automatically when either jaw is swung down
.wardly to retracted position, and the head on 75 so as to hold the same yieldingly in either raised
2,689,295
17
18
or lowered position, movement of the jaw from.
one‘ limit position past an intermediate dead
center position causing the spring means to be
the table’s simultaneous. lateral movement, said.
come’ effective to urge: the jaw toward the other
limit position.
32. A hearse as set forth: in claim 30, where
in the power operable means for transmitting
movement to the table comprises a reversible
electric motor, the structure including switch
means for controlling the operation of said mo
tor in forward and reverse for outward and. in
ward movement of the table, means for auto
matically operating said switch means for for
nut. being. of a ball. type and‘ said’ screw being,‘
grooved‘ to receivethe balls and cooperate there'--'
with to afford reversiblev action, namely, move;
. ment of the table by hand, in‘ which the nut
drives the screw, the same turning freely rela
tive to the disengaged clutch, or the screw, when
drive‘ is transmitted thereto by the clutch,,trans'
mitting' drive to the nut to move‘ the table underv
power?
3.7. In a‘ power operable device,.in which a car
riage. member movable‘ under‘ power‘ is‘ also
adapted‘ to be stopped and moved‘ by hand‘ in"
ward operation of the motor in the releasing
either direction, a screw for transmitting move
movement of said latch means and for reverse 15 ment to said carriage, a reversible electric motor
adapted‘ to’ be connected with av source of electric
operation of the motor in the locking, movement
current supply‘ for operation of’ the screw in‘
of said latch’ means, and other switch means op
erable automatically when the table reaches
either direction, a clutch‘ for detachably connect
either of its limit positions to break the circuit .
ing said motor and‘ screw, and a nut threaded‘on'
for the motor and cause-stoppage thereof.
said‘screw and comiected to‘the'carriage' to transe
mit movement thereto, said nut being‘ of’ a ball'
type'andv said screw being grooved to‘receive the‘
balls and cooperate therewith‘ to‘afford reversible‘
action; namely, movement of the carriage‘ by
hand, in which the nut drives the‘screw, the same:
33. A hearse as set forth in claim 30, wherein
the power'operable means for transmitting move
ment to the table comprises a. reversible electric
motor, the structure including switch means for
controlling the operation of said motor in for
ward and reverse for outward and inward move
ment of the table, a manually operable push
turning. freely relative‘to‘ the disengaged clutch,
or the screw, when drive‘vise transmitted thereto
and-pull rod having lost motion operating con
by’ the clutch; transmitting‘ drive to the'nut to
nection with the latch means, the lost motion I
move the carriage under power.
38.- A hearse structure as set» forth in claim-5,
connection including spring, means normally urg~
ing the latch means toward locking position, the
lost motion connection permitting return move
ment of said rod after it has been pulled out for
wherein the‘nut on'the table connected with the:
drive screw is of a- ball type, the screw- being
grooved torreceive the balls to cooperate‘ with the
nut to- afford» reversible action, namely, move
release of the latch means and before the latch
means has returned to locking, position, switch 35 ment ofi‘thei table by hand, in which‘ the nut drives
thescrew, orv movement of the table'by means-of
operating means reciprocable with said rod rel-‘
the screwinwhich‘: the screw- transmits drive-1 to
ative to the switch means in the push and pull
the‘ nutv to move-the table.
movements of said. rod, whereby to cause for
39.-A:hearse. as= setlf'orth iniclaim- 30, wherein
ward operation of the motor in the release move
ment of said rod and cause reverse Operation 40 the power operable means for transmitting move
ment to the table comprises-1a reversible electric
of the motor in the return movement of said
motonthe structure including switch» means for
rod, and other switch means operable automat
controlling the operation of. said motoriinlfoire
ically when the table reaches either of its limit
ward'. and reverse for outwardiandiinwardtmove'-~
positions to breakthe circuit for the motor and‘
cause stoppage thereof.
45 menti ofv the. table, and: means: for automatically
operating said switchmeans for. forward opera‘.
34. A hearse as set forth in claim 30, including
tion. of: the motor inthe: releasing movement. of‘
a, hold-down plate resiliently mounted on the
said‘ latch. means . and. for reverse‘ operation; of
front end of said table and arranged’ to engage
the: motor‘. in the locking 'movement of; said: latch
under a forwardly projecting ?ange provided on
means;
the switch at the'end of the return movement of
the table, whereby to hold the front end of the
40; A hearse as setfortlrtin: claim:30,. wherein
tabledown and prevent rattling thereof when'the‘
the‘power ‘operable means'fori: transmitting move
hearse is’ in motion.
35; A switching and locking mechanism as- set
ment to thetable comprisesiiaweversiblet electric
motor, the structure‘including switchmeans? for
controlling the; operation offs'aid motor. infora
forth in claim 27, including spring meanscon
ward and reverse for outward and inward move:
nected with the locking jaws so as to holdv the
ment: ofv the‘ table‘, a. manuallyv operable‘ push
same yieldingly in either raised or lowered posi
andt-pull rod: having 1.051351110131013; operating ,con‘-‘
tion, movement of either jaw from one limit. po
sition past an intermediate dead-center position
nection with the latch‘ means, the» lost‘\ motion
causing the spring means to become e?ective‘ to 60 connection including spring means normally: urg
urge the jaw toward the other limit position.
ing .the latch meanstoward ‘locking ' position, the
lost motion connectionpermitting return: move
36. In a side delivery hearse, the combination
ment of “said rod after- ithas- been pulled. out‘ for
of a. casket-table movable relative to a base, guide
release of- the~latch< means: and: before the. latch
means on said base cooperating with the table. to
guide it for forward and lateral movement from _ means has- returned to locking‘. position,~ and
switch» operating-means‘ reciprocable‘with said
a- retracted position in longitudinal alignment
rod“ relative to the'switch .meansirr thezpushand
with the‘ base to a position'in transverse relation
thereto projecting laterally from the hearse,.a
pull movements ofsaid rod, whereby to-cause
forward operation of the. motor in: the. release
screw extending lengthwise of the. hearse and
base, a reversible electric motor, a clutch for de 70 movement-of‘said rod and cause reverseopera
tion of‘ thev motor in the returnmovementof
tachably drivingly connecting said motor with
said screw to turn .the same selectively in either
41. A* hearse» asset forth in-claim 30,-.wherein
direction, and‘ a nutw-threadedxon said screw and '
said-rod...
.
'
the-‘power operable means- for. transmittingmove
pivotally/ connected to- the table: to transmit
longitudinal movement: thereto and also permit 75 ment to: the. tablev comprises a reversible. electric
2,589,295
.
19
20
of the ‘table, means for automatically operating
with said rods relative to the switch means in
the push and pull movements of said rods, where
by to cause forward operation of the motor in
the release movement of either'of said rods and
said switch means for forward operation of the
motor in the releasing movement of said latch
turn movement of said rod.
motor, the structure including switch means for
controlling the operation of said motor in forward
and reverse for outward and inward movement
means and for reverse
the locking movement
means operable upon
latch means to block
cause reverse operation of the motor in the re
operation of the motor in
of said latch means, and
release of either of said
the release of the other
latch means and, accordingly, prevent operation
of the switch means associated with that latch
means.
42. A hearse as set forth in claim 30, wherein
the power operable means for transmitting move
ment to the table comprises a reversible electric
motor, the structure including switch means for
controlling the operation of said motor in for
ward and reverse for outward and inward
movement of the table, manually operable push- '
and-pull rods having lost motion operating
connections with the latch means, the lost mo
tion connections including spring means nor
mally urging the latch means toward locking
position, the lost motion connections permit
ting return movement of either of said rods
after it has been pulled out for release of the
latch means and before the associated latch
means has returned to locking position, switch
operating means reciprocable with said rods
relative to the switch means in the push and
pull movement of said rods, whereby to cause
forward operation of the motor in the release
45. A switching and locking mechanism as set
forth in claim 20, wherein the guide element is
operatively associated with a movable member,
the movement of which depends upon the oper
ation of its propelling means, a reversible electric
motor serving as the propelling means, the struc
ture including switch means for controlling the
operation of said motor in forward and reverse
for outward and inward movement of the mov
able member, means for automatically operating
said switch means for forward operation of the
motor in the releasing movement of said latch
means and for reverse operation of the motor in
the locking movement of said latch means, and
means operable upon release of either of said
latch means to block the release of the other
latch means and accordingly prevent operation
of the switch means associated with that latch
means.
46. A switching and locking mechanism as set
forth in claim 20, wherein the guide element is
operatively associated with a movable member,
the movement of which depends upon the opera
tion of its propelling means, a reversible electric
motor serving as the propelling means, the
structure including switch means for controlling
the operation of said motor in forward and re
verse for outward and inward movement of the
movement of either of said rods and cause re
verse operation of the motor in the return move 35 movable member, manually operable push-and
pull rods having lost motion operating connec
ment of said rod, and means operable upon re
tions with the latch means, the lost motion con
lease of either of said latch means to block the
release of the other latch means and, accordingly,
prevent operation of the switch means associated
with that latch means.
.
nections including spring means normally urg
ing the latch means toward locking position, the
40 lost motion connections permitting return move
43. A switching and locking mechanism as set
forth in claim 20, wherein the guide element is
operatively associated with a movable member,
the movement of which depends upon the opera
tion of its propelling means, a reversible electric
motor serving as the propelling means, the struc
ture' including switch means for controlling the
ment of either of said rods after it has been
pulled out for release of the latch means and
before the associated latch means has returned
to locking position, switch operating means re
means.
means.
ciprocable with said rods relative to the switch
means in the push and pull movements of said
rods, whereby to cause forward operation of the
motor in the release movement of either of said
operation of said motor in forward and reverse
for outward and inward movement of the mov 50 rods and cause reverse operation of the motor in
the return movement of said rod, and means
able member, and means for automatically oper
operable upon release of either of said latch
ating said switch means for forward operation of
means to block the release of the other latch
the ,motor in the releasing movement of said
means and, accordingly, prevent operation of
latch means and for reverse operation of the
the switch means associated with that latch
motor in the locking movement of said latch
47. A switching and locking mechanism as set
44. A switching and locking mechanism as set
forth in claim 20, wherein the locking jaws are
forth in claim 20, wherein the guide element is
segmental-shaped and provide arcuate outer
operatively associated with a movable member,
the movement of which depends upon the opera 60 peripheral surfaces on arcs struck with their
axes as centers, the jaws having substantially
tion of its propelling means, a reversible electric
radially directed latch recesses provided therein,
motor serving as the propelling means, the struc
opening from the outer peripheries, into which
ture including switch means for controlling the
the latch means associated with the jaws are
operation of said motor in forward and reverse
for outward and inward movement of the mov 65 movable substantially radially with respect to the
jaws, the latch means including spring means
able member, manually operable push-and-pull
urging the same inwardly toward locking engage
rods having lost motion operating connections
ment in the recesses in said jaws, whereby said
with the latch means, the lost motion connec
jaws are swingable upwardly to operative posi
tions including spring means normally urging the
latch means toward locking position, the lost 70 tion relative to the latch means in the released
position thereof independently of said' spring
motion connections permitting return movement
means, but said latch means are adapted to ride
of either of said rods after it has been pulled out
into their associated recesses under action of the
for release of the latch means and before the
spring means upon alignment of said recesses
associated latch means has returned to locking
position, and switch operating means reciprocable 75 with said latch means, and spring means con
2,589,295
21
nested with the locking jaws so as to hold the
same yieldingly in either raised or lcwered posi
tion, movement of either jaw from one limit
position past an intermediate dead-center posi
tion causing the spring means to become ef
fective to urge the jaw toward the other limit
22
UNITED STATES PATENTS
Number
Name
Date
\
5
position.
EARL L. SCHOFIELD.
REFERENCES CITED
10
The following references are of record in the
?le of this patent:
417,087
Pratt ____________ -- Dec. 10, 1889
888,619
Kelly ____________ __ May 26, 1908
1,704,031
1,775,463
1,922,094
2,085,043
2,229,483
2,284,116
2,284,187
2,398,065
Boehm ___________ __ Mar. 5, 1929
Jacobs __________ __ Sept. 9,
Jacobs __________ __ Aug. 15,
Richter _________ -1 June 29‘,
Touimin, Jr _______ __ Jan. 21,
1930
1933
1937
1941
Bench et a1 _______ __ May 26, 1942
Crosby et a1 _______ __ May 26, 1942
Werner ___________ __ Apr. 9, 1946