Abstract: A watercraft loading and launching apparatus for a pickup truck having a trailer hitch receiver. The apparatus has an elongated receiver bar with one end adapted to fit a trailer hitch receiver and a cross member support bar secured to the other end. The cross member support bar may be straight or angled for supporting watercraft having a V-bottom, a semi-V bottom, a flat bottom, or equipped with pontoons. There is disclosed a second embodiment wherein the cross member support bar has hinged extensions for allowing use with both V-bottomed and flat-bottomed watercraft. The apparatus may also include a cradle assembly for supporting the watercraft within the cargo bed of the pickup truck.

Abstract: A golf ball stacking and dispensing apparatus is disclosed herein comprising: a) a substantially rectangular base frame; b) a plurality of rails substantially parallel to one pair of opposing sides of the rectangular base frame and secured at each end to the other pair of opposing faces of the rectangular base frame; and c) a hopper having an open-bottomed pyramidal lower section. The top edges of the sides of the base frame may extend above the tops of the rails. The rails are substantially uniformly spaced apart, with spacing and transverse dimensions such that a golf ball may not pass between adjacent rails, but rather is constrained to lie on each of two adjacent rails and roll along their lengths in a groove formed therebetween. The spacing between centerlines of adjacent rails must be larger than a ball diameter and less than about 1.414 times the ball diameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a port arrangement for transferring first-type and second-type freight units from a storage area on shore into a freight space of a ship and vice versa. The ship comprises a first freight space compartment forming a structural part of the ship and including a plurality of superimposed freight planes. The ship's hull includes freight handling apertures. More specifically, the port arrangement is for handling simultaneously at least two types of freight to be shipped in different ways, the first freight type being wheeled vehicles and the second freight type being large general or bulk cargo. A lifting framework is used for loading and unloading the ship and includes a mechanism for reducing motion resistance in the loading planes to enable movement of the freight units mainly in a horizontal direction during such loading and unloading.

Abstract: A battery changing system in combination with a battery holder is provided. The battery changing system comprises a mobile frame, and a battery lift assembly including a pair of lifting arms forming an opening for receiving the battery holder. Mounting structure movably connects battery lift assembly to the mobile frame. Actuating structure moves the battery lift assembly between an initial position and an operative position wherein the battery holder is raised to a selected elevation above the ground. Elongated releasably lockable safety retaining structure is attached to the battery lift assembly. The battery holder is constructed and arranged to be received in the opening and includes first engaging structure. Each of the lifting arms includes an upwardly facing engaging surface.

Abstract: The invention refers to a box-like transport container having at least one partially open side and a flexible covering element movable between an opened and a closed position. The box-like transport container preferably has a flexible covering element that in an opened position of the container is located close to an upright. In a preferred embodiment the flexible covering element can be rolled up or folded up.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for picking up a single compact disc from a stack of compact discs wherein each disc has a hub. A plurality of members are inserted into a center bore of the disc stack, which is defined by the hubs of the discs. The top disc in the stack is separated from the stack when a sufficient number of members are in contact with the hub of the disc and a radial force is exerted on the hub.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring at least partially finished packets containing cigarettes or other rod-shaped smokers' products from a lower level, where the packets are advanced along a horizontal path toward a stationary transfer station, into the receptacles of a rotary indexible conveyor at a higher level, has an elevator with two superimposed components which clamp a packet during lifting from the lower level to the conveyor. A packet which is in the process of advancing to or has reached the upper level is engaged by one of several holders which are associated with the receptacles and hold the adjacent packets against undesirable displacement, at least during the initial stage of indexing of such packets from the transfer station.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging article goods fed in a stack comprises a feeding table for introducing the goods with the individual articles in an upright position in the form of a continuous stack, the table defining a feeding path for the stack, an aftertreatment unit for receiving the goods from the table and a grouping device provided on the table and including a pusher for moving a batch of a predetermined size aside form the rest of the continuous stack to the aftertreatment unit. The grouping device is arranged in a frame movable in a vertical direction to an upper position above the table to leave the table free for manual handling. The apparatus further comprises releasable locking members for securing the movable frame in the upper position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for depositing objects at separated locations on a movable belt. The device includes at least one channel through which objects enter the apparatus. A sensor measures separation between adjacent objects approaching the apparatus and a reject mechanism prevents object that are too close to adjacent objects from entering the apparatus. Each channel includes a plurality of gates disposed therein. These gates operate sequentially to incrementally move the objects individually through the channel towards the movable belt. A sensor locates empty spaces along the movable belt, into which the objects are deposited. The movable belt is usually part of a conveyor system and may be a slotted belt or a smooth belt.

Abstract: A power option is provided for a manually-operated material lift that employs a telescoping mast system which is extended or retracted by a winch. In one embodiment a reversible electric motor is connected to the winch via two-way reduction gearing that remains in the drive train during manual operation and requires no clutches or disconnect means. In a second embodiment a crankshaft that operates the winch is provided with slide couplings that either engage the manual operating handles or release the handles and engage the motorized drive. The power option is initiated by selecting the position of a reversing switch that controls the motor, and closing an on/off switch which energizes the motor for rotation in the selected direction. When the on/off switch is open, the lift may be manually operated in the conventional manner.

Abstract: A system and method for transporting material from an approach conveyor on to an elongate transport device such as a ship. The ship being positioned at a predetermined orientation, preferably on against a set of docking piers, relative to the approach conveyor. The system and method uses at least one slewing conveyor with a first end and a second end, the slewing conveyor being capable of pivoting about a pivot point and accepting material at the first end and conveying the material to the second end, the second end of the slewing conveyor being capable of discharging the material on to the ship while the ship is at the predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel handling device for assisting in the mounting or demounting of a vehicle wheel onto or from the spare wheel storage position of a vehicle, comprises a wheel support mechanism for supporting the wheel, a coupling mechanism for coupling the device to the vehicle, and a handle for allowing manual operation of the device. The coupling mechanism and handle are connected to the wheel support mechanism and the device is configured such that raising or lowering the handle causes raising or lowering of a wheel supported on the wheel support mechanism. The configuration of the device is preferably such that the wheel pivots about a horizontal axis during mounting or demounting so that a mechanical advantage is obtained, greatly facilitating the handling of heavy vehicle wheels.

Abstract: For the formation of groups of products to be fed orderly at predetermined intervals to a processing machine an equipment includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor positioned on the inlet of the processing machine and having pockets for housing the products arranged at predetermined intervals, a transfer device having clamping units which are mobile in phase relation with the conveyors for removing the products from the first conveyor and transferring them into respective pockets of the second conveyor and positioning them in groups, under the action of controls arranged to control the differentiated release of at least two products into each pocket of the second conveyor, these two products being in shifted positions one with respect to the other, enabling these products to be reached in sequence respectively by a corresponding clamping unit of an even position and by a clamping unit of an uneven position, until a respective group of products is completed.

Abstract: A hinged access display and dispensing device for lottery-type tickets is provided with a base which may be quickly secured by hand, but is thereafter difficult to remove. The device includes a box-like housing provided with a hook and a pair of legs and feet. The base is provided with a ridge and a pair of holes and associated resilient tongues extending over the holes. The housing is placed over the base with the hook cupping the ridge. The legs force the tongues downward allowing insertion of the feet through the holes. The housing is then moved rearward to allow the tongues to move to their original position, thereby preventing lateral movement of the legs and removal of the feet from the holes.

Abstract: For a hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering assembly for which a working piston is guided in a hydraulic cylinder which features an end limit stop by which, in an end position of the working piston, a path for the pressure agent supplied to the working piston by drill holes for the pressure agent is formed from the working space under pressure to a space of less pressure, in order to improve the hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering assembly such that it is simple to manufacture at limited cost, a rack-and-pinion steering assembly is improved by having, in the region of each pressure supply drill hole, at least one drill hole which can be executed and sealed from the housing exterior and which can be connected by means of a connecting line to the respective pressure supply.

Abstract: The stacking device for printed products includes a rotatable turntable platform for stacking articles, an ejection assembly for ejecting stacks of articles from the platform, and a positioning device for positioning the turntable for two direction ejection. The positioning device allows the turntable to be arranged for ejecting stacks either parallel or normal to a direction in which articles are fed into the stacking device. This versatility of output allows the stacking device to be incorporated into a plant arrangement more easily and reduces floor space and expense of the entire system. The stacking device also includes an article receiving portion which receives and accommodates articles of differing heights without changing an infeed location of the stacking device.

Abstract: A transfer device for transferring solid articles, comprising: a cylindrical member which has a supply opening formed at one end portion and a discharge opening formed at the other end portion, such that an angle formed between an axis of the cylindrical member and a horizontal plane is not more than 75.degree.; a transfer member which is rotatably provided in the cylindrical member; the transfer member including a rotary shaft extending along the axis of the cylindrical member and a helical vane projecting from a peripheral surface of the rotary shaft such that lead angle of the helical vane at its outer peripheral edge ranges from 3.degree. to 25.degree.; and a drive member so as to rotate the transfer member about the axis of the cylindrical member at a rotational speed of not more than 500 r.p.m.

Abstract: A stripping and transfer assembly for a food product interleaver apparatus includes a conveyor having an endless-type conveying surface formed with raised ribs spaced apart in parallel, a comb member having a plurality of teeth inserted between the raised ribs at the downstream end of the conveyor and curved surfaces for lifting off food product units from the conveyor, and a rotatable transfer wheel positioned above the comb member having a flexible outer annular contact surface for lightly engaging food product units lifted off by the comb member and moving them to a drop-off point onto a carrier sheet. Preferably, the transfer wheel is made of an elastic material and has radial spokes extending at an inclined angle to the outer annular contact surface for promoting radial deformation of the transfer wheel. The relative positions of the comb member and transfer wheel can be adjusted optimally.

Abstract: A palletizer has an improved slide plate assembly and an improved indexing hoist. The slide plate assembly incorporates measures to reduce friction between it and the bags or other articles being handled by it. The orientation of the slide plates of the assembly are altered ninety degrees with respect to traditional slide plate orientation to eliminate the deadplate encountered by articles sliding along the slide plates. An air assist mechanism also is incorporated into the slide plate assembly to produce an air cushion between the articles and the top surface of the slide plates. The hoist, which is designed to index upwardly after receiving a layer of articles to compress that layer against the bottom surface of the slide plate assembly to flatten the articles and to force air out of them, incorporates an improved controller that causes the hoist to assuredly impart the desired compressive force to the articles without over-compressing the articles or overloading the hoist's lift motor.

Abstract: A unit for manipulating products, wherein a conveying device presents at least one operating head for feeding a respective product along a supply path extending about an axis of rotation of the conveying device and through a number of manipulating stations; the operating head being an orientable operating head, and cooperating, at each manipulating station, with an operating head of fixed orientation and movable along a respective work path extending along the supply path at least at the respective manipulating station.