Abstract: A lift assembly for use on a vehicle, more particularly to lift wheelchairs into vehicles, is disclosed. The lift assembly comprises a pair of vertically spaced support posts adapted to be mounted on the vehicle just inwardly of a side or rear doorway, a platform adapted to be moved from ground to an intermediate position outside the vehicle is substantially level with the floor of the vehicle, and linkages interconnecting the platform to the posts, each linkage comprises two parallel rigid arms pivotally connected to and slidably mounted at one end along a respective post, two other parallel rigid arms pivotally connected to the first mentioned parallel arms at one end and to the platform at the other end. The first mentioned parallel arms on the platform form parallelograms with the other parallel arms and a respective post so that the linkages and platform may be folded to a stored position inside the vehicle.

Abstract: A lift truck for transporting a movable switchgear unit into a position wherein the unit can be inserted horizontally into an upper-level space within a metal-clad switchgear cubicle comprises horizontally-extending rails along which said unit can be rolled during insertion into said cubicle. Means is provided for blocking insertion motion of the switchgear unit on said rails until the truck rails have been locked to rails in the cubicle in a position of substantial axial alignment between the truck rails and the cubicle rails.

Abstract: This invention is a tool apparatus operable to aid in assembling and disassembling of large, rotational sprinkler systems for crop irrigation purposes. The tool apparatus function is to present the tools and the structure for readily maneuvering the elements of the respective irrigation sprinkler system.

Abstract: A car for carrying large vessels, such as a tundish used in continuous casting, wherein the vessel is raised and lowered while supported on the car. The car embodies a raising-and-lowering mechanism which includes only two synchronized fluid-pressure cylinders, contrasted with the usual four cylinders or screw jacks. The cylinders transmit movement to the vessel through rack and pinion means.

Abstract: A ball retrieving and storage device for gathering balls lying upon a court floor or other flat surface and including a wheeled box-like collector having a bar extending across the front of the collector, the bar having a ball engaging surface which is normally carried above the floor at a height slightly less than the diameter of the balls to be collected so that when the device is moved over the floor and the bar contacts a ball, the bar is caused to ride across the top of the ball and trap it within the collector.

Abstract: A cart for use in transporting and demonstrating business machines and the like, the cart comprising a wheel section and a handle section each having spaced apart pairs of track forming frame members along which a carriage for mounting a business machine is adapted to travel from a transport position in which the carriage lies adjacent the lower end of the wheel section to a demonstration position adjacent the upper end of the handle section which is curved to permit the upper end of the handle section to be seated on the top of a desk, the handle section mounting spring assist means in the form of a spiral spring the end of which is operatively connected to the carriage to counterbalance the weight of the business machine as the cart is moved from one position to the other, the cart having a detachable support leg which, in its position of use, converts the cart into a free-standing demonstration stand, a trunk loading attachment also being provided, the attachment comprising a track forming frame extension

Abstract: A loading bin is carried on a wheel-supported transportable frame in a collapsed condition in which the upper filling end of the loading bin is below vertical height road clearances for highways. The bin can be elevated at the construction site so that its discharge end is above the height of the vehicles being loaded. The bin is filled by a cart traveling along a track from ground to an elevation above the bin with the track being deployed automatically upon raising of the bin. The cart automatically dumps its load into the bin upon reaching the filling end of the bin.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for use in a header wherein transfer fingers are mounted in a horizontally movable finger head in a manner such that each finger can be deflected, as needed, to engage a workpiece, e.g., at the cut-off station, whether or not it has been accurately positioned, the workpiece being then automatically placed in the proper position for transferring accurately to the next station.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating a wrapper from articles contained therein and especially applicable to the manufacture of cans wherein the can ends are formed at one location and transferred in bags of stacked ends to another location where the bags are removed and the ends are joined to the can bodies. Wrapped articles are laterally received in a receiving structure; the wrapped articles therein are longitudinally positioned so that an end of the wrapper is clamped by a clamping structure; a rod penetrates the wrapper and engages the articles therein; and transporting structure to transport the clamping structure and the wrapper clamped therein relative to the rod to separate the wrapper from the articles, which are retained in the receiving structure.

Abstract: In a self-propelled crane with a crane frame constituting the base for a telescopic boom an additional boom articulatedly supported to any other part of the telescopic boom than the upper end thereof or to the crane frame and an additional supporting arm mounted to the telescopic boom on the opposed side thereof in relation to the additional boom, said additional boom being supported by a wire which is supported both in a point of the telescopic boom above the mounting point of said additional boom and by the additional supporting arm. Both the additional boom and the additional supporting arm are preferably mounted in the same or separate mounting elements which are adjustably and controllably movable along the telescopic boom or the crane frame.

Abstract: An automatic tooling machine includes a spindle carrier having a spindle for supporting a machining tool. The spindle carrier includes a tool drum mounting device for rotatably supporting a tool drum having plural machining tools thereon. A device is provided for transferring a selected machining tool between the tool drum supported on the tool drum mounting device and the spindle. A drum storage rack is fixedly positioned separate from the spindle carrier and extends in a longitudinal direction. The rack includes a plurality of drum support members for storing a plurality of tool drums. A carriage track is integral with the spindle carrier. A device is provided for selectively moving the spindle carrier to a position such that the carriage track is positioned adjacent and aligned with a selected of the drum support members. A carriage is provided for moving the tool drum of the selected drum support member along the carriage track between the tool drum mounting device and the selected drum support member.

Abstract: In accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention, a new and improved log skidder comprises a motorized vehicle, log carrier means pivotally attached at a point directly above the rear wheels thereof, first means such as a winch for pulling a log toward said carrier means and disposing portions of the log and the carrier means in overlapping relation, and second means such as a winch or a grapple for securing said overlapping portions together as a substantially rigid assembly, whereby the weight of the forward portion of the log is supported directly above the rear wheels of said vehicle.

Abstract: A front end loader which includes a refuse storage body mounted on a supporting vehicle with the storage body having an upper opening for the deposit of refuse within the body. Means are provided on the vehicle for picking up a refuse container and lifting the container to dump refuse therefrom into the storage body through the upper opening. Closure means are positioned adjacent the upper opening. Closure means are positioned adjacent the upper opening with the closure means being movable between an open and a closed position. The closure means are shaped and positioned to shield the opening from the wind when the closure means is in its open position and means are provided to exert a downward packing force on the closure means in moving it from its open to its closed position to exert a positive downward packing force on refuse which is contacted by the closure means.

Abstract: The overall length of boom assembly can be increased by the use of a pair of boom extension sections. When the boom extension sections are not required, they are supported at storage locations adjacent to one side of a main boom assembly. When the overall length of the main boom assembly is to be increased, a first one of the boom extension sections is pivotally connected with the outer end portion of the main boom assembly and the second boom extension section is pivotally connected with the outer end portion of the first boom extension section. The two boom extension sections are swung outwardly together around the outer end of the main boom assembly. After the first boom extension section has been firmly connected with the outer end portion of the main boom assembly, the second boom extension section is pivoted about the outer end portion of the first boom extension section.

Abstract: A walkie low-lift truck with tiltable platen having improved stability and tilting characteristics. The truck comprises a main frame, on which are mounted a drive-steer wheel and motorized propulsion means, and a tiltable load-supporting frame connected to the front of the main frame and supported by load-carrying wheels mounted on rearwardly foldable struts. A load-carrying platen is attached to the load-supporting frame and is movable between a raised position for supporting and transporting a load and a lowered position in which the upper surface of the platen slopes forward and downward from the main frame so that the front edge thereof is in close proximity to the floor to allow a load to be picked up or discharged.

Abstract: There is disclosed latching instrumentalities or structure for the forks of fork lift trucks which involves forming the head of a fork with a recess, a strap member of resilient construction having a detent formed thereon to engage a notch on a fork lift truck support being mounted on the head and in conjunction with the recess, the member being operable by simple bending of a portion thereof to move the detent out of a notch and permit the fork to be moved transversely along the truck.

Abstract: Hay gathering apparatus including a supporting framework capable of being attached to a towing vehicle, a plurality of spaced, substantially parallel carrier elements disposed longitudinally of the framework in contact with the ground along substantially their entire lengths, each carrier element being flexibly connected only at its forward end to the framework at a point adjacent the attachment of the framework to the towing vehicle, opposing side delivery rakes suspended from the framework adjacent the forward ends of the carrier elements for the transfer of hay from windrows on either side of the framework onto the carrier elements, a movable end gate suspended from the framework adjacent the rearward ends of the carrier elements, and means for raising the end gate away from the carrier elements.

Abstract: A conveyor system including an overhead conveyor rail system for a plurality of traction members each having a depending tie rod provided at its lower end with a snap coupling for releasably receiving the outer end of a handle rod of any of a plurality of wheel supported carts belonging to the system, for moving the carts on the floor along a predetermined path. The snap coupling an elongate extension member on the tie rod having adjacent its top end a snap latch arrangement for receiving an outermost transverse standard handle bar on the handle rod, and the lower end of the extension member having a transverse portion for abuttingly engaging the adjacent portion of the handle rod itself, when the handle bar is received in the snap lock arrangement, such that by stoppage of the traction member the cart is prevented from moving further by its inertia, without the handle rod having to be of any special design for being usable in the system.

Abstract: A side loading refuse collection truck is equipped with apparatus for lifting containers from the ground at a random lateral distance from the side of the truck, elevating these containers above a refuse collection compartment of the truck and there inverting the container to allow the discharge through gravity of the refuse from the container to the truck. Thereafter, the apparatus permits replacement of the container alongside the truck at precisely the location where the container was first lifted, at the same random lateral distance from the side of the truck. The apparatus is conveniently operated by a single operator without manual handling of the container and is adapted to fit in narrow alleyways and roadways without protruding apparatus.

Abstract: A load handling device for drawing a load up an inclined plane onto a pallet. The device comprises a winch arrangement mounted on a wheeled cart. The cart is provided with a pallet engaging member to be positioned against the side of the pallet which is opposite to the inclined plane.