Abstract: A pallet-truck-compatible load elevator includes a vertical mast and a carriage coupled to the mast for vertical motion of the carriage along the mast. The retractable forks are housed in assemblies connected to the carriage and are beyond the front face of the carriage when in retracted position, such that access to the front face of the carriage is unobstructed to a pallet truck carrying a pallet. Each fork assembly includes an outer fork coupled to a support attached to the carriage and an inner fork coupled to the outer fork, the outer fork being horizontally movable with respect to the carriage and the inner fork being similarly movable with respect to the outer fork to provide telescopic extension and retraction of the fork assemblies.

Abstract: A pallet-truck-compatible load elevator includes a vertical mast and a carriage coupled to the mast for vertical motion of the carriage along the mast. The retractable forks are housed in assemblies connected to the carriage and are beyond the front face of the carriage when in retracted position, such that access to the front face of the carriage is unobstructed to a pallet truck carrying a pallet. Each fork assembly includes an outer fork coupled to a support attached to the carriage and an inner fork coupled to the outer fork, the outer fork being horizontally movable with respect to the carriage and the inner fork being similarly movable with respect to the outer fork to provide telescopic extension and retraction of the fork assemblies.

Abstract: A pneumatic system with multiple air reservoirs is connected to the bellows of a load elevator. A plurality of valves enables the optional pneumatic connection of different combinations of reservoirs so as to change the range of operation of the elevator to meet the self-adjusting weight requirements of a particular job at hand. In the preferred embodiment, the air actuator is pneumatically connected to a main air reservoir, which in turn can optionally be coupled in series with one or two additional reservoirs of different capacities. As a result of this configuration of its pneumatic system, the elevator can be switched between and operated at three different load levels, at the convenience of the operator, without changing the amount of air in the system.

Abstract: A lift has two tines that project forward and are movable up-and-down to raise and lower pallets and skids. Two outriggers are pivotal between a stored position and a deployed position, and the outriggers project forward in the deployed position to stabilize the lift when the tines are elevated.

Abstract: A pneumatic system with multiple air reservoirs is connected to the bellows of a load elevator. A plurality of valves enables the optional pneumatic connection of different combinations of reservoirs so as to change the range of operation of the elevator to meet the self-adjusting weight requirements of a particular job at hand. In the preferred embodiment, the air actuator is pneumatically connected to a main air reservoir, which in turn can optionally be coupled in series with one or two additional reservoirs of different capacities. As a result of this configuration of its pneumatic system, the elevator can be switched between and operated at three different load levels, at the convenience of the operator, without changing the amount of air in the system.

Abstract: A pallet positioner includes a support frame that consists of a main upright structure with a pair of spaced, parallel outriggers extending horizontally at ground level. The distal ends of the outriggers are connected by a low-profile ramp. The upright structure includes a pair of vertical guide masts rigidly mounted on a horizontal base bracing the proximal ends of the outriggers. A pneumatically and hydraulically controlled, or electrically and hydraulically controlled, cantilevered carrier with a rotatable platform is mounted for vertical motion along the vertical guide masts. When the carrier travels downward, the carrier stops automatically at a level above the outriggers and must be manually restarted. A braking system under the platform prevents rotation thereof at ground level.

Abstract: A lift has two tines that project forward and are movable up-and-down to raise and lower pallets and skids. Two outriggers are pivotal between a stored position and a deployed position, and the outriggers project forward in the deployed position to stabilize the lift when the tines are elevated.

Abstract: A cart is clamped to a tank for liquid propane gas and has a height which is a minor fraction of the height of the tank. In projections of the cart and the carriage on a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the tank, no more than a minor fraction of the projection of the cart is located outside the projection of the tank.

Abstract: A pallet positioner includes a support frame that consists of a main upright structure with a pair of spaced, parallel outriggers extending horizontally at ground level. The distal ends of the outriggers are connected by a flat, low-profile ramp. The upright structure includes a pair of vertical guide masts rigidly mounted on a horizontal base bracing the proximal ends of the outriggers. A cantilevered carrier with a rotatable platform is mounted laterally for vertical motion along the vertical guide masts. A pneumatic bellows and an air reservoir in the base are adapted to raise and provide self-leveling to the platform. Two hydraulic cylinders provide dampening and a stabilizing effect. The flow of hydraulic fluid in the cylinders is used to control the motion of the carrier. A braking system under the platform prevents its rotation at ground level.

Abstract: A transportation system has several guide strips for unmanned vehicles. The guide strips define an intersection, and a mark warning of the intersection is disposed adjacent each guide strip before the intersection. Each of the vehicles has a detector for the respective mark, a signal transmitter, a receiver for signals coming from the other vehicles, and a timer for measuring a timed interval shorter than the time required to travel from the respective mark to the intersection. The transmitters and timers begin to operate in response to detection of the respective marks. After a selected vehicle passes the respective mark, its receiver attempts to pick up signals from the other vehicles. If no other vehicles are detected before the selected vehicle reaches the intersection, the selected vehicle passes through the intersection without stopping.

Abstract: A forklift is supported for movement by a pair of elongated wheeled members. The wheeled members are shiftable towards and away from one another to permit the handling of different types of loads. Each of the wheeled members has a rear wheel in the form of a caster as well as two front wheels. The front wheels of a wheeled member can be lowered and raised in such a manner that one of the front wheels is lifted from the ground as the other front wheel is moved down into contact with the ground. A first front wheel of each wheeled member is arranged to roll forwards and backwards while the second front wheel rolls sideways. During the transportation of loads from one location to another, the first front wheels are in contact with the ground. When the wheeled members are to be moved towards or away from one another, the second front wheels are brought into contact with the ground.

Abstract: A load transport lifter having the following characteristics: a lift platform with a moveable base frame connected to a cylinder mechanism and struts; upper sprockets are attached to the end of the piston rod of the cylinder mechanism and lower sprockets are attached to a lift mechanism disposed along the struts; a cable or chain, one end of which is fixed to the lift platform, is wound around the upper and lower sprockets and is fixed at the other end to the top of the struts; further, coil springs are attached to the lift mechanism and adapted to push it downward; finally, a locking mechanism is adapted to lock the lift mechanism in a set position.

Abstract: A lift table that consists of a base and a table attached on the right and left by pairs of scissor links. The table is raised through the use of a compression spring. The spring is compressed through the weight of the load on the table, thus creating a lift table which maintains a set height for the load on the table. The spring is positioned with one end attached to either the top or bottom end of one of the pair which form the scissor-link mechanisms, and with the other end connected to the other link, which intersects the first. One end of the spring is attached to a screw slider mechanism which is adapted to move along the length of the second link.

Abstract: A box tilter that comprises a movable chassis and a container-supporting frame directly hinged to the chassis. The actuating force for lifting and tilting the container is provided by a hydraulic cylinder connected in retractable pulling relation between the chassis and a radial arm rigidly attached to the container-supporting frame and projecting backward from the hinge point. This radial-arm configuration reduces the distance of the container from the operator of the device and results in improved access to the items in the container.

Abstract: A self-adjusting pneumatic load elevator is adapted for mounting in a pit so that it can be used with pallet trucks. The elevator has a base, a rotatable, horizontal load platform, a vertically expandable scissors linkage mechanically coupled between the load platform and the base, and an air actuator chamber. To accommodate a rectangular pit opening, the load platform has a circular, rotatable portion surrounded by a rectangular, non-rotatable transition frame which fits with small clearance in the pit opening. An automatic brake prevents the rotation of the load platform when it is flush with the floor, and lightweight, vertically movable skirts on the load platform can strike a worker's toe to warn of danger. To prevent dangerous rebounds, when the elevator fully descends, it automatically releases the air in the air actuator chamber.

Abstract: A hydraulic system having multiple actuators is provided with positive pressure flow equalization for both advancing and retracting movements of the system by means of first and second flow divider elements for each actuator. The flow divider elements are cross-coupled between the actuators, a controllable source of pressurized fluid and a reservoir. The flow divider elements are positive-displacement gear or vane pump units that are connected by a common shaft for coordinating fluid flow to the various actuators. Two or more of the actuators can be connected for lifting a load such as an automobile, the system being provided with safety latches at each actuator, the flow dividers not only coordinating the actuator movements during normal raising and lowering operation, but also preventing loss of synchronization of the actuators in case of engagement of a subset only of the latches.