Abstract: The universal bale shuttle includes a fram having at least one pair of wheels adapted to rollably carry the frame across terrain. The frame is provided with means capable of raising or lowering the frame in relation to the terrain surface. The frame also includes means for connecting a tractor whereby the frame may be steerably moved behind and to either side of a towing tractor. Pivotally attached to the frame is at least one bale engagement surface adapted to be controllably rotated between a bale disengagement position and a bale engagement position. A bale may be moved about by first steering the shuttle to either side of the tractor and then placing the bale engagement surface in a disengaged position. The shuttle may then be towed to a position where it surrounds a bale to be moved. The frame is then lowered and the bale engagement surface is then placed in an engaged position. Once the bale has been engaged it is lifted from the terrain surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting or storing in a compact and efficient manner large objects, such as vehicles, whose shape and/or composition do not lend themselves to a high density arrangement. Using automobiles as an example, the apparatus uses trays to support the ends of the automobiles, the trays riding on open rails that are positioned at different levels to permit nesting of automobiles of different sizes and shapes. Some of the rails may be pivoted or be equipped with switches and gates, and the upper rails may have a wider gauge than the lower rails. With this arrangement, and by proper selection of carrier trays to correspond to the gauge of the rails at a particular level, damaged or otherwise undriveable vehicles can be loaded and transported as well as vehicles that are driveable.

Abstract: An automatic loading and unloading mechanism is provided for a flat removable storage element drive in general and for a floppy disk drive in particular. The mechanism has first and second hoppers or the like for holding elements or disks to be loaded and for holding unloaded elements respectively. A slide assembly is mounted between the two hoppers and is aligned with an element receiving slot in the drive. In response to a predetermined indication from the drive, the slide is moved in a direction perpendicular to and away from the element receiving slot and engages an ejected disk, pulling the disk from the slot as the slide assembly continues to move rearward. When the element is fully unloaded, a member, which normally supports the bottom element in the upper hopper, is cammed down to strike the top of the element being unloaded, causing this element to be moved into the second hopper.

Abstract: Method for loading and unloading semitrailers on a train of flat cars by coupling the semitrailers to power driven stanchions respectively, providing the power driven stanchions with automatic control in the form of proximity sensors for governing movement of the semitrailers in accordance with proximity of adjoining semitrailers and automatically steering the stanchions along a guide path to load and unload the train.

Abstract: A large round bale handling apparatus has a mobile frame with a pair of laterally-spaced longitudinal beams which can receive and support large round bales end-to-end in a row with their axes generally aligned and extending parallel to the beams. The apparatus also has a bale pickup mechanism, a bale pushing mechanism, and a bale unloading mechanism, each mounted to the mobile frame. The bale pickup mechanism is pivotally mounted adjacent the front and along one side of the mobile frame for movement between horizontal bale-engaging and upright bale-discharging positions.

Abstract: The composite conductor rail comprises an aluminum base-section (12) and at least one steel strip (12) as power transfer surface for the power collector. The aluminum base-section is connected in a mechanically stable manner and with good electrical contact to at least one small extruded composite section made of a steel strip and an aluminum retaining section which is ductile, exhibits high electrical conductivity and holds the steel strip in place.

Abstract: A container for sorting and collecting of recoverable waste products has fixed partitions providing discrete compartments for those products. Each compartment incorporates its own independently sloped floor. At the bottom of the slope of each compartment is an exteriorly communicable door which allows for unloading of the container without the tipping of the container. Loading doors at the tops of the compartments allow for easier loading of the container. The rear compartment has a rearwardly opening unloading door, while the intermediate and forward compartments preferably open and unload through side doors. The top of the structure is open for loading. A cover and connection between the apparatus and the cover is disclosed herein. The container is made to tow behind a powered vehicle and is mounted upon an undercarriage with wheels.

Abstract: An apparatus controllably moves the forks of a material handling vehicle in traverse directions relative to a carriage assembly. The carriage assembly includes fork position sensors which detect the transverse location of each fork. A controller receives signals from the position sensors and moves the forks to locations a preselected or calculated distance apart. Forktip sensors detect the opening in a load during movement of the forks. The controller receives signals from the forktip sensors and positions the forks such that they are disposable within the load opening. The apparatus is especially suitable for use on an Automatic Guided Vehicle (AGV).

Abstract: A clamping apparatus for clamping an object to a member having an opening therein and marginal portions defining, in part, said opening. The apparatus includes a first member engageable with the object and having a first threaded portion. The first threaded portion is in threaded engagement with a second threaded portion complementary to the first threaded portion, the second threaded portion being on a base member having first and second opposite side portions. The apparatus further includes engaging members for engaging the marginal portions adjacent the opening, the engaging members having distal and proximal end portions, the proximal end portions being pivotally connected to the first and second opposite side portions of the base respectively. The distal end portions have respective contact surfaces for engaging the marginal portions about the opening.

Abstract: The fastening comprises a fastening shoe having, overall, an "L"-shaped cross-section, one of the branches of which is bolted with vertical elasticity to a sole-plate secured to a railway sleeper and the other branch of which is bolted with lateral elasticity to the web of the rail on the side opposite the movable point.

Abstract: An enclosed semi trailer (10) is disclosed. Tracks (28) are provided for the support of an upper level of automobiles (17). A lower level of automobiles (17) are supported within pans (37). The tracks (28) are moved by means of support arms (29) which are powered by rams (23). The tracks (28) and support members (29) and cross frame members (26) fit within cutout portions (37, 38, 39) in the floor (25) so as to provide a continuous, smooth surface when general freight is being hauled.

Abstract: A bale transfer and feeder frame designed to be removably attached to an existing farm wagon. The frame is made from tubing and is of relatively lightweight but sturdy construction. Bales can be loaded onto the frame by almost any tractor because of the low slung construction. Additionally, the structure prevents movement of the bales during transportation or feeding.

Abstract: A cable hoisting system primarily used to raise and lower dump body tailgates has two cables attached to each eyelet of a tailgate at one end and attached to a frame mounted, spring loaded reel at the other end. Locking the reel and raising the dump box causes both cables to be pulled through a series of channels and cable guides until tailgate is pulled firmly into a closed position so that hinge pins can be easily inserted from the ground. Tailgate closing can be fully automated by the addition of a air actuated and dash controlled reel locking and unlocking device. Each cable series has a spring of sufficient strength to forgive either erroneous reel locking or excess tension.

Abstract: A cam operated rail clamping device comprising: a base; a vertically disposed post projecting upwardly from the base and secured thereto; a tube rotatably and slidably mounted on the post; a hydraulically operated lift cylinder for raising the tube; a vertically disposed beam extending upwardly from the base and secured thereto; a horizontally disposed flange secured to the lower end of the tube; a clamping jaw carried by the flange and provided with a plurality of teeth for engagement with one side of a rail; a wearing shoe carried by the base for engagement with the other side of the rail; the flange being mounted for rotation about the post to bring the high point of the jaw into wedging action with the rail when the flange engages the top of the rail; and, a set of microswitches for cam positioning.

Abstract: A conductor rail comprises a main body of aluminium and a stainless steel facing layer which is produced by welding together two longitudinal J-section strips. The welding operation is effected with the strips in contact with the main body and provides an extremely effective interlocking engagement of the facing layer and main body.

Abstract: The magazine has slats for advancing flat articles to an unstacking head. The magazine comprises a first zone into which articles are loaded and along which they are advanced by removable slats, which slats are individually mounted in the first zone, being held and guided therein and also being driven therealong. The magazine also includes a second zone for stocking slats that are not in use, with the second zone being formed adjacent to the unstacking terminal portion of the first zone and being equipped for removing the slats form the first zone, and for transferring the removed slats into a stock of slats. The invention is applicable to separating postal items one by one.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for stacking product such as flexible paper towels including a slotted wheel in combination with at least two endless chain conveyors equipped with finger assemblies which are orbitally offset so that while one finger assembly of one chain conveyor is accumulating a plurality of substacks, a first finger assembly of the other chain conveyor is being readied to take over the development of a successive stack, and programmable servo motor associated with the chain conveyors for varying the finger assembly advance during different portions of the orbital movement of the finger assemblies.

Abstract: A protection system to prevent or minimize likelihood of injury to a rider at a racetrack if the jockey is thrown over the rail which surrounds the track. Usually the rail is supported by a curved post which extends upwardly from the ground and inwardly toward the track. A series of deflector panels are provided along the rail and are biased to generally horizontal position adjacent the rail by a coil spring device so that when a rider is thrown over the rail and contacts the deflector device the deflector then moves downwardly in response to the impact of the rider. The deflector then return to a generally horizontal position by the bias device after the rider has rolled off of the deflector.

Abstract: A self-locking coin receptacle cover for use in telephone paystation. A rotating shutter is controlled by a draw bar to lock into an open position automatically in response to insertion into a paystation, and automatically locks into a closed position in response to removal. Reset is accomplished manually.

Abstract: A wheel chock for a motor vehicle container made of composite material which is adapted to be selectively connected to a pair of rails fastened to the container floor, and which is made of a flexible copolymer material capable of withstanding the loads incurred by vehicles restrained by the chocks, and which is constructed to be easily connected to and disconnected from the rails and be supported above the container floor to prevent damage to the floor.