Abstract: A lift truck includes a guide member secured to a mast of the lift truck and a guided member secured to a carriage vertically movable along the mast. The guided member engages with the guide member to resist twisting moments acting on the carriage and enable the carriage to move smoothly along the mast. A clamping apparatus for use with the lift truck is engageable with the forks of the lift truck so that the weight of the clamping apparatus can be supported by the forks. A bracket mounted on the lift truck can be detachably connected to the clamping apparatus to prevent movement of the clamping apparatus in the fore-and-aft direction of the lift truck.

Abstract: An apparatus that remotely actuates a hydraulic motor of a hydraulic device including a mounting device supported by the hydraulic device; a hydraulic pump located on the mounting device for supplying pressurized fluid to the hydraulic motor; a driving device located on the mounting device for the hydraulic pump; and a control device located on the mounting device, the control device including a receiver for receiving a control signal to operate the driving device. The hydraulic motor of the hydraulic device may be remotely controlled by the control signal from a remote transmitter.

Abstract: In a method of loading several like coupled storage cars with bulk material, a first storage car is first filled with the bulk material by reducing the conveying speed mode of a bottom conveyor band in the first storage car to a bulk material storing speed mode while a transfer conveyor band of the adjacent storage car fills the first storage car, the storing speed mode of the bottom conveyor band in the first storage car is automatically adjusted in response to a measured amount of the bulk material accumulating in a pile so that the first storage car is filled to a maximal height, and after the accumulated pile has reached a forward end position, the conveying speed mode of the bottom conveyor band in the storage car adjacent to, and rearwardly of, the first storage car in the conveying direction is automatically reduced to the storing speed mode.

Abstract: A two staged system for powering the loading of a container upon a roll-off truck body or trailer utilizing initial movement of a single shoe within the vehicle frame and powering of movement thereof into abutment with respect to second movable shoe each of which includes a sheave about which the powering cable extends. Each shoe member moves through a path which is overlapping such that initially enhanced power and slower movement are provided to the container and during the second or final stage faster movement and less power is applied.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle including a truck body and a fork assembly adjacent the truck body. A link arm extending between the truck body and the fork assembly has a proximal end and a distal end. A first pivot pin is fixed to the body and pivotally links the proximal end of the link arm to the body. A second pivot pin is fixed to the fork assembly and pivotally links the distal end of the link arm to the fork assembly. At least one of the first and second pivot pins includes an eccentric body interposed between ends. The eccentric body defines a first axis, and the ends define a second axis, wherein the link arm pivots about the first axis and rotation of the pivot pin about the second axis moves the first axis relative to the truck body to change the position of the fork assembly relative to the truck body.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for bundling and carrying snow ski equipment. The present invention is comprised of an elongate piece of first material having flexible qualities with a flexible strip of second, more rigid, and bendable material enclosed within the first material. The apparatus may be twist-tied around ski equipment for relatively easy transport.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for rapid transfer of a work object in both the horizontal and vertical directions using a robot unit (10) having a gripping mechanism (12) preferably from one workstation (3) to another (4), the work piece (2) weighing between one kilo and forty kilos and the transfer in the horizontal direction being at least one meter but less than ten meters and at least partially being effected along an essentially horizontally extending beam unit (20), and the gripping mechanism (12) being arranged in such a way that, at least in one end situation (E1) along the beam (20), it can collect and/or deliver a work object (2) in a position (E2) situated beyond the end situation (E1) along the said horizontal beam (20), which robot unit is controlled by means of a control unit (50) and is driven by means of a belt member (24) and at least two motors (26, 27) comprising rotor units connected to drive wheels (26A, 27A) for the said belt member (24), the said motors (26, 27) being immovab

Abstract: A transport (1) or an associated trailer (2) with a loadable swap body (3, 4) having a support frame and support legs (5) attached to the frame and moveable between a resting position and a support position wherein that the swap body (3, 4) can be set on the ground without the transport/trailer. At least one support leg (5) is allocated an element (6, 16) for automatically moving the support leg (5) from the resting position into the support position and/or vice versa. A control device (8, 10, 11) disposed on the transport/trailer (1, 2) transmits a control signal to an actuating element (17, 18, 19, 20), secured to the transport/trailer (1, 2), that cooperates with the support leg (5) to move the leg into the support or resting position, and the control device (8, 10, 11) is connected to at least one further locking actuator for determining whether the swap body (3, 4) is secured to the transport during travel.

Abstract: An extractable mast structure for a fork-lift truck, including an outer mast fixed to the carriage, the spaced columns being interconnected via upper and lower traverses, an extractable inner mast guided by said outer mast on which a load-carrying means is guided to be movable up and down and the columns of which are interconnected via upper or lower traverses or a cross-beam, one mast lift cylinder for each column of said inner mast supported on said outer mast, piston rods of which are adapted to be connected to said cross-beam, and setting means between said piston rods and cross-beam for an equalization of the lift, wherein a male-threaded setting component is attached to the upper end of said piston rod of one of said two mast lift cylinders and a female-threaded bushing is screwed onto the male thread of said setting component and has supporting surfaces for said cross-beam.

Abstract: A mechanical grasping device for retrieving dropped objects includes a pair of opposing claws and an extension element. The extension element may be either rigid or flexible, and is typically a rope or cord. A trigger plate is positioned between the two claws, and is spring loaded to transmit tension to the claws when the device is in the open position. A pair of protruding tabs at the end of the arms of the trigger plate are received in locking holes in the claws in an open position. When the triggering mechanism is released, the spring tension urges the claws together so that interlocking fingers on the ends of the claws mesh together in a closed position. The object to be retrieved is secured in the grasping device, and the user pulls the object to him using the extension element.

Abstract: A vehicle payload conveyance system located inside the hollow of a vehicle gate which provides ramps which deploy from the hollow by rotation about the axis of a ball slidly engaged in a track to allow the ramps to be positioned for the loading and unloading of a payload into or out of the vehicle, and further provides a line deployed from the hollow of the vehicle gate which can be attached to the payload and adjustably tensioned to facilitate transfer of a payload into or out of the vehicle.

Abstract: An improved spatula is presented that has a handle shaped to permit easy removal of the contents of condiment containers. The spatula handle possesses a double angled offset such that when held in the hand, the spatula head makes flush contact with the walls of a condiment container.

Abstract: An embodiment of an object lifting device includes compression straps to which gathering loops and handles are secured. In use, the straps and gathering loops encircle an object to be lifted. A pulling force applied to the handles causes the gathering loops to draw the ends of the straps toward each other, which results in the straps bearing upon the object to be lifted. While the object is held suspended, the weight of the object helps maintain the pulling pressure on the gathering loops and the consequent girthing action by the straps. The object is thus firmly secured by the device allowing it to be safely and easily lifted and transported.

Abstract: A hoisting machine is interposed between a wall of a hoistway and a car when viewed in a horizontally-projected perspective, and a drive sheave is located opposite the wall of the hoistway. Vibration prevention members are located between the hoisting machine and a mount member attached to fixing members in the hoistway. The vibration prevention members are located at surfaces of upper and lower portions of the mount member facing the hoisting machine, supporting the hoisting machine on the mount member from underside. As a result, vibration control of the hoisting machine can be readily achieved, and the torque acting on the hoisting machine is supported by horizontal rigidity of the vibration prevention member. Consequently, the hoisting machine can be attached to the mount member without failure. Vibration and noise, which would arise during operation of an elevator in a hoistway of a building, is reduced, thereby making the environment of the elevator silent.

Abstract: A luggage storage structure for an automobile includes: a storage concave portion formed so as to project downward on a floor panel and capable of storing luggage, a plate member for approximately closing an upper part of the storage concave portion, and a transfer mechanism for transferring the plate member approximately up and down in an upper part of the floor panel. The luggage structure is securely protected by the plate member and the transfer mechanism.

Abstract: The ball retriever includes a golf ball capturing housing having an entrance plane through which a golf ball can enter the housing. The entrance plane is defined by a first wall portion and a second spaced apart second wall portion where at least a portion of the housing moves to permit the golf ball to pass through the entrance plane and capture the ball within the housing. One of the wall portions can include a ridge disposed in close proximity to the entrance plane wherein the distance between the ridge and an opposing wall portion is smaller than the diameter of the golf ball such that the opposing wall moves to permit the ball to pass through the entrance, across the ridge and in to the housing.

Abstract: A latch mechanism (7) includes a latch member (8) movable between a release position and a latched position, an operating member (34) movably coupled to the latch member (8), the operating member (34) being movable between a first position and a second position and the latch member (8) being in the release position when the operating member (34) is in the first position and the latch member (8) being in the latched position when the operating member (34) is in the second position. An actuating member (32) movable from a first position to a second position. Movement of the actuating member (32) from the first position to the second position causing the operating member (34) to move from the first position to the second position. A lock member (41) locks the operating member (34) in the second position and the lock member (41) moves from the disengaged position to the engaged position when the operating member (34) is moved from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A screen assembly, holding apparatus for it, and a vibratory separator with it, the vibratory separator, in one aspect, for separating components of material introduced thereto, the vibratory separator including a basket, a collection receptacle beneath the basket, a deck on the basket for mounting a screen assembly thereon, the deck having a plurality of deck pins projecting upwardly therefrom, a screen assembly on the deck, the screen assembly including screening material, the screening material having a plurality of openings therethrough suitable for the flow of fluid therethrough, the fluid from the material introduced into the basket, the screening material having a plurality of spaced-apart screen holes therethrough, each screen hole having therein part of one of the deck pins, vibratory apparatus connected to the vibratory separator for vibrating the screen assembly, and holding apparatus for holding the screen assembly on the deck with a part of a deck pin in each screen hole.

Abstract: A loading assembly is provided that is configured to load transport containers with bulk material quickly and efficiently. The assembly includes a load bin having a cross section conforming to an open end of a container and a drive mechanism configured to urge the load bin into and out of the container. When fully inserted, the contents of the load bin are completely disposed within the container. The loading assembly further includes a barrier configured to keep the load confined within the container, while the load bin opens to allow the load to remain within the container upon retraction of the load bin. In this manner, the container can be filled to capacity in a single operation.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval system includes a plurality of individual storage units stacked in multiple columns. Each storage unit includes wheels which engage a track for selective movement along the track. Vertical and horizontal actuators are used to move the storage units in sequence. Preferably, the actuators are power-driven, and control circuitry is used to coordinate the movement of the actuators.