Abstract: An arrangement for anchoring automobile bodies within a shipping container including a plurality of inflatable elements which are adapted to project into corresponding openings in a horizontally positioned member in an automobile body following which the elements are inflated to engage the edges of the openings and lock the body to a lower wall of the container.

Abstract: A low profile deck clamp and cargo or deck equipment anchoring system which tilizes a removable, keyed deck clamp in association with equipment or cargo entity-provided attachment flanges, and also with preexisting deck sockets formerly used with other known prior art tie-down systems. The clamp in a more preferred form has a horizontal planar slotted body member disposed above deck, and a double offset unique key portion which downwardly depends from its forward end as a generally below-deck portion. Attachment flanges are initially or subsequently formed to the base of each cargo or equipment entity. An angular form of attachment flange with a planar base portion disposed parallel upon the deck, is provided with adjacently disposed key-passable clearance holes and a plurality of strategically placed threaded holes to manually and collectively cooperate with the deck sockets, the clamp's keyed portion and a plurality of anchoring bolts passing through the slots of the clamp's planar body member.

Abstract: A refuse conveyor system for a multi-floor building is disclosed, which includes: (a) a multi-floor building having a plurality of floors, (b) a vertical shaft defined by walls and extending through one or more floors of the multi-floor building, one of the walls having a window at portions corresponding to the respective floors of the multi-floor building, (c) a transport control system, (d) a refuse container for storing and conveying refuse, the refuse container having a closeable opening and a lid for closing the opening, (e) a compartment having a window on one side thereof and an opening on the top side thereof, the window facing and communicating with the window of the vertical shaft, (f) a weight sensor for checking the fullness of the refuse container with the refuse, (g) a transport mechanism for transporting the refuse container, the transport mechanism being operatively communicated with the transport control system, (h) a conveyor having a conveyor belt operatively communicated with the transport

Abstract: A short count sheet separator for separating relatively short count clips of laminar products or cut sheets having horizontally extending table top fingers for supporting a continuously building stack of laminar products and a rotatable count finger assembly having a plurality of count fingers extending radially therefrom and rotatable into and out of the stack building path and further having a pusher finger to displace a relatively short count clip of the laminar products from the stack building path.

Abstract: A symmetrical latching plate, which includes a central latching portion having a recess and two lateral hook portions, is used for mutually coupling two back-to-back containers and for simultaneously locking the same to a common twistlock. In the latching position, in which the latching plate extends in parallel to a loading surface accommodating the containers, the twistlock engages in the recess, and the hook portions engage behind web portions respectively provided on either container. In a vertical position, which is pivoted by 90.degree. relative to the latching position, the latching plate can be withdrawn along a bottom framework member of at least one of the containers.

Abstract: A material handling platform is pivotally attached to the front of the material transport vehicle. Actuator means raise and lower the platform. The platform is arranged to tilt relative to the vehicle about a horizontal pivot at the front of the vehicle. A turntable is mounted on the platform. The material handling platform positions roof supports in an underground mine adjacent a long wall mining machine. The roof supports are transported by the material transport vehicle carrying the material handling platform with the longest dimension of the roof support aligned with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. After the roof support reaches the position where it is to be installed, the roof support is turned relative to the vehicle by turning the turntable of the material handling platform so that the longest dimension of the roof support is at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The roof support is then removed from the vehicle by lowering and tilting the platform relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A computer automated hydraulic hauling unit for transporting precast concrete bridge segments from a casting site to an erection site. The apparatus includes a transportable chassis having computer controlled hydraulic members with means to elevate precast bridge segments from casting forms. The operator sets the lifting and transport parameters in the computer controller from the control panel for elevation and lift control. Each segment is rolled into place on a trailer bed and through automated electronic circuits the hydraulic cylinders apply force to raise the segments onto a movable and uniform beam structure. After elevation to a preselected height each segment is anchored by means of pinning vertical interlocking beams made of high strength structural steel. This computerized hydraulic beam trailer can accommodate one or two segments per load.

Abstract: This invention relates to a container connector having independently adjuble and locking ends, each end configured to be inserted into an opening of a cargo container and rotated to lock the connector with the container. When inserted and locked the connector holds two adjacent ends of adjacent containers in a spaced relationship. Locking mechanisms are provided for retaining each locking end in the locked or unlocked position. The ends of the connector may be adjusted to accommodate containers with different end spacing requirements.

Abstract: An apparatus is used for automatic insertion and alignment of freight units, such as pallets or containers, into mobile cargo compartments. The apparatus includes a pivotal guide lever with a hold-down member arranged at an entry guide in the region of an opening into the mobile cargo compartment. For moving the freight into the cargo compartment, the guide lever is displaced by an adjustment lever extending upwardly from the bottom of the cargo compartment. The adjustment lever can be displaced from the path of on-coming freight units so that the freight unit passes over the adjustment lever.

Abstract: A plate pushing device for pushing one or more workpiece plates off of a stack of workpiece plates resting on a lifting platform and into a woodworking machine, such as a plate saw. A pushing element is arranged for free vertical movement on a horizontally driven carriage. A support roller, coupled with the pushing element, extends below the pushing element to ride along the upper surface of the uppermost remaining workpiece plate and continuously maintain at least a predetermined space between the pushing element and the upper surface of the uppermost remaining workpiece plate, to preclude damage to the uppermost remaining workpiece plate by the pushing element during its pushing movement. A measuring device is provided on the carriage to detect the height of the lifting platform.

Abstract: A device for stacking sheets, especially sheets of cardboard, comprising a mechanism that continuously supplies the sheets to a stacking platform that can be lowered, an auxiliary stacking platform that can be advanced into the stacking area, and a ream-demarcating mechanism for inserting ream-demarcation strips between the rear edges of the sheets while they are being laid off. The auxiliary stacking platform (13) cannot move up and down. The outlet end (18) of the ream-demarcating mechanism (15) can be moved vertically between the sheet-supply mechanism (3) and the auxiliary stacking platform.

Abstract: A mobile grain silo for the transportation and storage of grain, granulated food and other such materials, wherein the mobile grain silo includes individual storage cells of a generally parallelogram shape constructed around a frame structure and having means for lifting on and off a mobile transport and for interconnecting the cells in stacked relation to one another. The individual storage cells having a loading door for filling and an exit door for discharging the contents therein and further having a viewing port to inspect the interior of the cell.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking flat workpieces, which are provided with stacking holes, on stacking pins or stacking fingers of an endless flexible conveying element or of an endless conveying chain, which revolves around reversing pulleys, which conveying element or conveying chain is advanced by one step whenever a stack consisting of a predetermined number of workpieces has been formed. The apparatus includes a feeder for feeding consecutive workpieces to be stacked and a rake for pushing the workpieces onto the stacking pits or stacking fingers. The stacking fingers are mounted on elongate pedestals, which are secured to the conveying element or conveying chain and have a width which is smaller and a length which is larger than the diameter of the stacking holes.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a plurality of refuse collection units one of which is compactor unit mounted transversely across the vehicle. The vehicular mounted waste compactor includes a hollow body having opposed open ends each having an intake opening for receiving waste to be compacted. Divider walls within the interior the hollow body divide the interior into a receiving chamber and a compaction chamber with a passageway communicating therebetween. To reduce the length of compaction stroke and the space needed for the ram, it includes a sliding cover wall movable back and forth for selectively closing and opening the passageway. One end of the hollow body has a door against which the ram compresses the waste material. When opened, the compressed material is discharged in the direction of ram travel. To reduce the stroke needed for compaction and the space needed for hydraulic cylinders to move the ram, the cylinders are mounted diagonally to each other and to the direction of ram travel.

Abstract: Tie-down devices are affixed to one piece members to be installed on the exterior of a pick-up truck bed. The side and rear members will also serve as rail protectors. A fabric (tonneau) cover is attached to the tie-down devices.

Abstract: A palley dispensing machine with latch mechanism for the same machine. A plurality of pallets are positioned in an upright movable frame positioned in a stationary frame. The latch mechanism holds the stack of pallets as the movable frame is lowered and sets the stack on a feeder conveyor. Further downward motion of the movable frame causes the latch mechanism to retract out of engagement by gravity. Thereafter the movable frame moves upwardly and the latch mechanism reengages the remaining pallets above the bottom pallet to lift the stack about an inch so that the feeder conveyor can feed the bottom pallet out of the machine.

Abstract: A feeder for shape unstable articles such as pads for absorbing body fluids has an upright hopper having top and bottom openings for receiving and discharging pads. First and second rotationally driven upper pulleys having a plurality of round belt receiving grooves in their peripheries are mounted adjacent the bottom opening of the hopper on opposite sides of the vertical center line of the hopper. Third and fourth idler pulleys are arranged in laterally spaced apart relationship and symmetrical to the center line of the hopper at a lower level than the first and second pulleys. Because the lower pulleys are closer to each other than the upper pulleys, the belts converge toward each other such that articles which settle out of the hopper finally become wedged between the belts proximate to the lower pulleys.

Abstract: An accessory chuck for utility vehicles having an upper jaw and a lower jaw slidably suspended therefrom and movable by turning a threaded rod supported by the upper jaw. Suspending members are pivotally attached to the lower jaw and to pairs of carrying nuts that ride on the threaded rods. Turning the threaded rod from either end causes each pair of carrying nuts to ride closer or farther apart, depending on the direction the rod is turned. As the carrying nuts move, the suspending members raise or lower the lower jaw to a releasing or a gripping position, respectively.

Abstract: A tube is held or guided parallel to its length by providing a channel-like structure aligned with the tube and having sides which are spaced apart by a distance less than the diameter of the tube. Circumferentially spaced longitudinal portions of the outer surface of the tube bear respectively on the two sides of the channel. The channel is open to the outer surface of the tube between those longitudinal portions, and the bottom of the tube is spaced from the outer surface of the tube between those longitudinal portions. The tube is held against the channel-like structure by directing a stream of gas (e.g., air) along the channel.