Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for converting a semi-trailer or intermodal shipping container from carrying general freight cargo to carrying automobiles. More specifically, the present invention provides for a lift mechanism which is powered by the drive wheels of the automobile being carried by the lift so that a plurality of automobiles may be carried in two levels in an enclosed semi-trailer or intermodal shipping container. The method of the present invention is also adaptable to being employed in piggy back transportation of semi-trailers or intermodal shipping containers on railroad cars. The apparatus of the present invention is designed for flexibility in use and ease of assembly and disassembly which comprises lift assemblies based on the use of ball screws powered from flexible cable drives.

Abstract: A cargo securing system is provided wherein the system comprises a crossbar member attached to a beam member with ends adapted to concurrently cooperate in a slidable manner with opposing channels defined by a pair of U-shaped channel tracks. The channel tracks are mounted to the bed walls of a pick-up truck. The system is constructed of heavy duty metal to secure cargo in the bed of the truck between the crossbar member and the bed walls of the truck. The system is easily adjustable by one person with retractable locking pins, and provides padded support to protect against damage to secured cargo.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for emptying a load of multilayer container columns is disclosed. An improved multilayer container column construction includes a plurality of vertically aligned and stacked containers connected to one another by hinges along their lower front edges. The containers have lift arms connected to their back sides so that they can be lifted forward about their hinged edges for emptying their contents through discharge gate sides. Automated gate opening apparatus is provided for selectively opening the container gates. Automated lifting apparatus, generally located at a processing plant, is configured to sequentially tilt the containers of the container column load while still on the transport truck, to systematically gently unload the container contents, one level at a time into an accompanying discharge collector.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint employs a 4 bar linkage to lift a restraining member to a position that engages a vehicle thus restraining it at a loading dock. The linkage is upwardly based to hold the unit in an engaging position and may be retracted by using any of a number of mechanical techniques such as hydraulic electric or pneumatic power. The 4 bar linkage transfers all loading on the unit from the ICC to the frame thus isolating any driven members from overloads. A secondary hook mounted to the 4 bar linkage is pivotally spring loaded to limit vehicle travel away from the dock and to extend the capture range of the device in the case of ICC's bars that are damaged or mounted at non-standard positions at the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing flexible covers from bales, includes a conveyor for conveying each bale from a loading station through a cutting station wherein the cover is cut, a stripping station wherein the cover is stripped from the bale, and a discharge station wherein the stripped bale is discharged. The cutting station includes a front blade assembly mounted on a carriage driven vertically along the length of the front wall of the cover for vertically slitting the front wall while the bale is relatively stationary on the conveyor, and then for horizontally slitting one of the end walls of the cover as the bale is conveyed towards the stripping station. An end wall blade assembly horizontally slits the other end wall of the cover as the bale is conveyed towards the stripping station.

Abstract: A horizontal connector interconnects adjacent ISO shipping containers. The connector has oppositely disposed locking arms which engage the inside surfaces of the respective container corner fittings. A push block assembly moves in a first direction to rotate the locking arm to engage the inside surface of a corner fitting, and then a reactive force from the surface engagement causes the push block to move in a second direction angularly disposed to the first direction to in turn cause push block surfaces to be frictionally engaged to lock the arm to the corner fitting. This locking action permits the containers to remain securely interconnected even when the connector and containers are subjected to excessive vibrations.

Abstract: A tie plate with posts is designed for easy insertion of the foot of the rail cooperates with pins through the posts to rigidly affix the rail to the tie plate and to railroad ties or roadbed. The posts may be made of flexible material in which case the rails are snapped into the tie plate. Alternatively the posts may be fabricated from hard plastics, ceramics, or metals, in which case the rails slide into the tie plates. The posts restrain the rail from lifting out of the tie plate or shifting laterally in the tie plate. Pins with fluted, or otherwise textured, surfaces are driven through guiding holes in the posts of the tie plate past the edge of the foot of the rail. The fluted edges of the pin serve to grip the rail. The pins are made of rigid or hard materials so that the pin will provide rigidity to the posts and also slightly deform the edge of the foot of the rail and thereby grip or engage the foot.

Abstract: A lifter automatically adapts to pick up different style residential refuse collection carts. An upper movable clamp bar cooperates with a finger support bar to grab a smooth-sided cart with a single upper lifting lip. A hinged saddle and hinged sliding hook lifts carts having a pair of opposing engagement surfaces (e.g., bars). Hinged members are automatically pivoted into retracted positions during presentation of smooth sided carts, but are otherwise maintained in place for engaging other type carts. The lifter has a relatively short face plate for size and weight advantages, obtained by alternate extension/retraction of the hinged sliding hook during a lift cycle. Rollers on the extending face plate prevent cart scarring. Adjustment for different height carts is provided by a vertical lift assembly which uses a hydraulic sequencing valve to first raise the lifter for engaging the cart and then to cycle through a dumping process.

Abstract: A combine grain tank has a floor and a pair of fore-and-aft feed augers above the floor for moving grain forwardly along the floor of the tank to a laterally extending trough in the forward end of the floor. A laterally extending discharge auger is mounted in the trough for moving grain laterally along the floor to an auger-type unloading conveyor exteriorly of the grain tank. The discharge auger has constant diameter flighting along its length mounted on an auger tube that has a larger diameter upstream of the point where the feed auger nearest the unloading conveyor feeds grain into the trough.

Abstract: A tie-down device which is removably securable without tools to an inside, downwardly oriented edge of the inner sidewalls of a pickup truck bed. The device has a stationary portion with an upwardly oriented front lip which inserts under the edge of the inner sidewall and has a loop connected to the front lip by means of a "U" shaped valley so that the loop extends upward on the inside of the truck bed. A movable portion which movably engages the loop can first be moved upward in order to position the device so that the downwardly oriented edge is inserted in a gap formed between the front lip and a wedge shaped bumper provided on the movable portion. The movable portion can then be moved downward to secure the device to the pickup truck by wedging the downwardly oriented edge between the bumper and between a vertical face of the front lip. The front lip is provided with a rubberized coating to prevent the device from scratching the finish of the truck bed.

Abstract: A belt winch mounting apparatus for use on flat bed trailers using a single mounting support shaft on which winch elements can be selectively secured therealong. The mounting support shaft is secured to the trailer on one side with independent winch elements rotatably positioned thereon. Ratchet supports extend from the trailer for engagement with the winch configuration, as required.

Abstract: An apparatus, or trailer, for use in transporting large bales of hay in which the bales are loaded onto two rails from the rear of the trailer and slid forward. Upon unloading, the bales are pushed backward off the trailer as the trailer is pulled forward by a pushing mechanism which is mounted by way of wheels onto a track which runs down each side of the trailer. The pushing mechanism is extended until it is forced against the ground. Upward pressure is exerted upon the rails by a set of wheels which are located below the rails. These wheels roll along the lower side of the track as the pushing mechanism pushes the bales off the rear of the moving trailer. After unloading, the pushing mechanism is retracted from the ground and may be rolled forward on wheels that are located above the tracks.

Abstract: A vehicle for reaching, lifting, retracting, stacking and carrying loads. The vehicle includes a load carrying portion disposed behind the front axle of the vehicle for receiving and transporting loads, so that the vehicle is able to transport loads without tipping yet without carrying excess ballast. The vehicle includes a reach and retract lifting device for reaching to secure or release loads substantially far from the vehicle and retracting to secure or release loads stacked on the load carrying portion of the vehicle. The reach and retract lifting device is interchangeable depending on the desired lifting operation. To prevent tipping while reaching loads, the vehicle incorporates selectively actuable outriggers. Additionally, the vehicle includes selectively actuable hydraulic cylinders or the like for adjusting the lateral position of a lifted load.

Abstract: Tailgate-mounted apparatus for stabilizing loads being carried in or supported by a pickup truck in a variety of configurations. The apparatus includes a bar and a pair of end supports for the bar mounted to the tailgate inside surface adjacent tailgate side edges and near the tailgate upper edge. The bar is detachably mounted to the end supports, and extends along the tailgate inside surface in spaced relationship thereto generally between the side edges. A pair of article clamping elements, which generally resemble bookends, are slidably attached to the bar and provided with locking devices for selectively securing the article clamping elements at various positions along the bar. In one position, typically employed when the tailgate is in its horizontal lowered position, the clamping elements extend generally perpendicular to the tailgate surface and upwardly for stabilizing articles supported by the bed and by the bar.

Abstract: There is a winch bar for winding a winch having a winding drum with an annular wall and a circular opening. A plurality of winch bar receiving apertures extend diametrically through the drum on opposite sides of the wall. The winch bar has an outer portion dimensioned to extend through the apertures. The winch bar also has an inner portion larger than the apertures and a first shoulder between the inner portion and the outer portion. The outer portion includes an outer tip which tapers outwardly. There is a first segment of reduced section adjacent the tip and dimensioned to receive the wall of the drum on the first side thereof. A second shoulder is located between the tip and the first segment. There is a second segment of reduced section adjacent the first shoulder and which is dimensioned to receive the wall of the drum on a second side thereof. The bar has a third segment having a larger section than the first and second segments and which is located therebetween.

Abstract: A cargo airbag structure system for use within a cargo bay of a transport vehicle in order to buffer and stabilize loads, such as, for example, large paper rolls or drums, comprises two inflatable bladders disposed in an overlapping disposition with respect to each other within a sealed, expandible, multi-ply paper container. When interposed between the cargo load rolls, the airbag structure conforms to the external contours of the cargo load rolls which serves to not only enable the airbag system to buffer and stabilize the cargo loads, but in addition, the airbag system is stably retained between the cargo load rolls. In order to prevent friction, abrasion, or pinching of the bladders during the inflation process as well as during use of the airbag system when the bladders are disposed in their inflated state, the inflatable bladders are disposed within encasing sleeves which fully envelop the bladders along the longitudinal extents thereof, the opposite ends of the sleeves being open.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for converting a semi-trailer or intermodal shipping container from carrying general freight cargo to carrying automobiles. More specifically, the present invention provides for a lift mechanism which is powered by the drive wheels of the automobile being carried by the lift so that a plurality of automobiles may be carried in two levels in an enclosed semi-trailer or intermodal shipping container. The method of the present invention is also adaptable to being employed in piggy back transportation of semi-trailers or intermodal shipping containers on railroad cars. The apparatus of the present invention is designed for flexibility in use and ease of assembly and disassembly which comprises lift assemblies based on the use of ball screws powered from flexible cable drives.

Abstract: A load binder with incremental adjustments that can adjust a load to within one quarter of one link, having a handle that extends into a curved cam with a recess, and a many sided variable pivot mounted within the recess and two opposed clevises attached to the cam. The incremental adjustments are made available by mounting the variable pivot asymmetrically about its axis. Providing the incremental adjustments abrogates the over or under tensioning of a link chain that has been historically associated with the lever type load binders.

Abstract: A container carriage has an elongated skid 30 with an upstanding arm 76 at a forward end thereof, the arm 76 being releasably engageable with a loader 32 mounted on the frame of a container hauling truck 36. A pair of laterally spaced legs 80,82 formed on the skid adjustably mount a pair of arm attachments 102 to engage and carry a conventional front loading container 52. Alternatively, hook attachments 118 are adjustably mounted on the legs 80,82 to engage and carry a conventional rear loading container 62. Movement of the loader 32 between an on-off loading position and a transport position results in the carriage being drawn across the end of the truck 36 and positioned in overlying relation with the truck frame 34.

Abstract: A work piece support device features two pincer members which can be moved toward and away from each other and which can be varied in length in manner to accommodate different shaped work pieces. The device is mounted on a manipulator which selectively displace the same in three mutually opposed directions. Location and locking probes can be used in combination with the support device to locate and/or lock the work piece in place.