Abstract: A method for transporting harvested crops from a field includes the step of providing a conveyor belt disposed adjacent a plurality of crops (such as alongside a row of crops or in-between rows). The conveyor belt has a spool attached thereto about which the conveyor belt can be wound. A winder is provided and has an attachment for receiving the spool. The spool is attached to the winder and, when crops being harvested are disposed on the conveyor belt, the winder is used to wind the conveyor belt around the spool, thereby transporting crops to the winder.

Abstract: A system for manipulating tubulars for subterranean operations includes a remote-controlled tubular lift system (RCTLS) having an engagement head configured to engage a proximal end region of a tubular and change the position of the tubular from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position, wherein in the vertical position a longitudinal axis of the tubular has an angular variation with respect to a predetermined vertical axis of not greater than about 5 degrees.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for loading a railcar with crop material. A grain cart has a frame, ground wheels, a hitch assembly, a storage container and an auger assembly having a discharge end for removing particulate material from the storage container discharging it out the discharge end. A spout can be moveably connected to the discharge end of the auger. The method can include loading the storage container of the grain cart with crop material, maneuvering the grain cart adjacent to a railcar using a tow vehicle and discharging crop material from the storage container of the grain cart into the railcar using the auger assembly. A mobile computer or other processing device can be used to determine how much crop material is being loaded into the railcar during the loading by the grain cart.

Abstract: A cargo transfer monitoring system at least comprises at least one vessel motion sensor, one pair of wireless modems, a central data processing unit with decision-making module, a rugged display panel as the operator station, and communication coupling. The cargo transfer operation will be carried out by a crane operator sitting in the crane cabin on the primary vessel. The transfer will take place either from target vessel to primary vessel or from primary vessel to target vessel. The sensor(s) collect the real-time motion of vessels, which is carried over to the central computer through data cable or wireless radio link. The decision-making module predicts the motion of the vessels for a subsequent time period. Based on the predicted value, the decision-making module projects the expected or predicted impact force on the payload if the operation is started at the particular time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for an oriented deposition of hexagonal profiled rods (2) with their longitudinal edges (5) pointing downward in the direction of a stacking table (9) in a stacking installation (1). In doing so, an initial number of n-profiled rods (2) is provided on a feed table (8) and a stacking shaft (11) is built with the corresponding width (14). Then, several first transfer arms (17) are adjusted as protruding over the stacking shaft (11) on the side facing away from the feed table (8) and the profiled rods (2) are placed by means of a transfer device (10) on the support surfaces (18) arranged on the transfer arms (17) as well as are held by the transfer device (10) lying adjacent to one another. The transfer arms (17) are re-adjusted and, in doing so, the first profiled rod (2) is placed in the guide areas (21) aligned sloping on the transfer arms (17) as well as swiveled along its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for loading a bound product, the device holding a product without the product sagging, which has been completed by punching various objects to be bound and then binding same by means of a coil spring, reversing the moving direction to a loading location and thereby enabling neat and stable stacking in a zigzag state without having the coil springs come in contact with one another.

Abstract: A pipe handler trailer assists with the handling of very large and heavy pipes that are regularly raised to and lowered from an elevated surfaces. A height adjustment assembly sets the maximum height that a skidway will reach when a lift cylinder is fully extended and lift arms are thereby rotated. Located within lift arms are toothed racks. An adjustment block couples the skidway to lift arms through the racks and also supports locking blocks that have teeth complementary to the teeth on the racks. A lock will vary from firm contact with the inner wall of lift arms to having a gap there between. When the lock engages the inner wall of the lift arm this drives the complementary teeth into secure engagement with the rack teeth, which can then rigidly support heavy load without motion.

Abstract: Features for systems and methods for loading items into a tray are disclosed. The system may have an item conveyor configured to move the items towards a tray conveyor. The tray conveyor may be configured to move trays to receive items from the item conveyor into the tray. One or more sensors may detect the height of the items on the item conveyor and/or in the tray, and/or the position of the trays on the tray conveyor. A controller may receive data related to the one or more detected heights of the items and/or the position of the trays on the tray conveyor and correspondingly control movement of the item and/or tray conveyors for efficient loading of items into the tray and efficient movement of the trays for further processing. Tray conveyor movement sensors may detect movement of the trays or tray conveyors for further control or reliability of the system.

Abstract: A payload control apparatus includes a spring-line a spring line actuating mechanism, a spring line flying sheave over which a load line can pass, and a spring line, wherein the spring line flying sheave can move into a position either where the flying sheave is spaced from and in non-contact with or contacting but non-path-altering in relation to the load line, further wherein the spring-line flying sheave can be moved into another position such that the flying sheave engages the load-line and alters its path length. Thus, when a marine surface vessel falls in a heave event that would otherwise cause the payload at the end of the load line to fall as well, the flying sheave will move to increase the path length causing a shortening of the path length, thereby preventing the payload from falling.

Abstract: A device for reducing rotation of an article during singulation of a stack of articles is disclosed. The device may include a torsion element, a rotatable member configured to rotate about an elongated axis of the torsion element between a first position and a second position, and a revolving member coupled to the rotatable member. An outer surface of the revolving member contacts a drive belt in the first position and an article in the second position. The torsion element exerts torque on the rotatable member when it moves from the first position towards the second position. The torque causes the outer surface of the revolving member to apply a frictional force to the article, thereby minimizing rotation of the article. Systems and methods of singulating articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for loading elongated members, such as metal tubes and bars, onto a conveyor for later processing features an elevator, pusher arms, a support surface provided at a predetermined height, and gripper arms. The elevator acts to lift a topmost layer of the members, which are typically arranged in a stack thereon, to a predetermined height so that the pusher arms may transfer the members forming the topmost layer onto the support surface at this height. The pusher arms push these members across the support surface by engaging the member farthest from the support surface until the respective elongated member passes over a distal side of the support surface and onto the gripper arms arranged at a height of this side. The gripper arms lower that member to an unloading location below the support surface where an empty support cradle of the conveyor is arranged for receiving same.

Abstract: An apparatus allowing an individual to feed himself or herself without the use of their hands and without requiring assistance. An eating utensil is held by a utensil holder mounted on the top of a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is fixedly attached to a rotary disk. The rotary disk is rotatably connected to a fixed shaft, which in turn is fixedly mounted to a base. The user removes the utensil from the mount using his or mouth, obtains a portion of food using the utensil, places the utensil back on the mount, and rotates the mount 180 degrees so the portion of food can thereby be consumed.

Abstract: An all-weather maintenance system for an offshore wind turbine maintenance program includes a maintenance capsule for transporting tools, parts and maintenance personnel to and from respective wind turbine towers, a maintenance vessel with a capsule support apparatus for transporting capsules supported on board by the capsule support apparatus to and from respective wind turbine towers, and a crane assembly with a trolley for transporting capsules between the respective wind turbine towers and the maintenance vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to an end effector for a manipulator, wherein the end effector interacts with a workpiece, wherein at least one carrier, configured in particular as a carrier plate, for a tool arrangement is provided, and wherein the tool arrangement serves to interact with the workpiece. It is proposed that the carrier is formed at least in part from a deformable material, in particular from an elastically deformable material, and that the carrier is assigned an actuating arrangement, by way of which the carrier is deformable and thus the tool arrangement is orientable in space.

Abstract: A cargo carrier device supports cargo thereon for movement relative to a truck box between a loading position substantially at ground level rearward of the truck box and a transport position above the vehicle. The device includes a cargo frame defining a planar rack for supporting cargo thereon above a passenger cab of the truck in the transport position. A cargo supporting crossbar can be selectively positioned above the planar rack which is adapted to suspend cargo therefrom. A four bar linkage which pivots through an intermediate over-center position between the loading and transport positions is adapted to support the crossbar i) centrally above the truck box in the transport position and ii) rearward of the truck box and lower in elevation in the loading position for use in hoisting suspended cargo into the truck box.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining a pattern of non-rigid objects in a desired position and orientation. The first surface, second surface, and third surface are mutually orthogonal and meet at a point to form a lowest corner. The second and third surfaces are supported by, attached to and extend at least somewhat vertically from the apparatus. The first surface is oriented at an angle to a plane running through a bottom of the apparatus and thereby provides the lowest corner.

Abstract: An apparatus for reorienting and/or stacking products includes a frame and a telescopic infeed associated with the frame. The telescopic infeed has a receiving end and a transfer end. The transfer end is disposed at a first elevation and moveable in a machine direction and in a reverse machine direction. The telescopic infeed advances one or more products in the machine direction; and a landing surface receives the one or more products. The landing surface is disposed in a landing region proximate to the transfer end and at a second elevation. The first elevation is higher than the second elevation. A deflector is operatively engageable with the transfer end, such that the deflector is capable of deflecting a leading end of at least one of the one of more products.

Abstract: A system and associated method for palletizing fluid filled flexible packages. The system includes a platform, a distance sensor, a robotic arm palletizer and a controller. The platform is configured and arranged with a support surface for supporting a fluid filled flexible package. The distance sensor is disposed above the support surface of the platform and faces downward towards the support surface for taking distance readings. The robotic arm palletizer is operable for palletizing fluid filled flexible packages according to a preprogrammed stacking protocol that includes a drop-off height dimension. The controller is in electrical communication with the distance sensor and the robotic arm for establishing or adjusting the drop-off height dimension based upon distance readings from the distance sensor.

Abstract: A support assembly includes a pallet table having an upper surface. A plurality of support members are configured to pass through a pallet positioned on the upper surface of the pallet table. Each support member includes a receiving surface that defines a portion of a channel extending across the support members.

Abstract: This application describes fabric storage totes, as well as techniques for use of fabric totes in an infrastructure that uses mechanical systems to transport the fabric totes and/or access inventory items in the fabric totes. The fabric totes may include a fabric base and side walls, with a hardened material support structure. Additionally, the fabric totes may include two handles made of a substantially hard material. The fabric totes may be accessed and transported, manually and/or mechanically, via interaction with the handles.