Abstract: This invention relates to a loading guide removably mountable on a boat trailer to maintain a centering and guiding force on the boat hull as it is moved on the guide rollers through a winch and cable system associated with the trailer. The loading guide employs a pair of crossed guide levers pivotally connected to the loading guide and having guide roller members at the ends of the same. The guide levers are pivotally interconnected at their point of crossing on the frame of the loading guide and the opposite ends are interconnected through links coupled to a tensioning spring which applies a force to the roller members on the ends of the crossed guide levers engaging the boat hull for centering the same. The guide levers, which are biased from the single spring, insure a positive centering force which increases as the hull is displaced from a centered position to insure positive centering of a boat on a trailer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening, emptying and disposing of 100 lb. paper, cloth or plastic bags of asbestos or other powdered or granular products by cutting longitudinally and transversely through one large bag face and perforating one or more remaining edges to produce a "U" or "H" shaped hinged flap through which the contents are emptied. Appropriately located and sequentially actuated cutters, heated to from about 800.degree. F. to about 1000.degree. F., utilize heat and pressure to quickly and cleanly cut each bag on a hinged and dropable table while bag is held by arrangement of spikes which form a gripping head. Gripping head moves to discharge the empty bag from the apparatus. Air spikes on gripping head ensure complete emptying of bag contents, which flow down a discharge chute below the hinged table.

Abstract: A novel battery dumping apparatus is described which is uniquely suited for dumping corrosive substances, such as battery acid, simultaneously from a number of automotive batteries. The novel apparatus generally comprises a sealed tube adapted for rotation through an arc of less than 360 degrees. Within the tube are disposed two parallel spaced apart baffles which together form a sealed battery processing channel. This battery processing channel is pierced by a plurality of rods disposed in a plane which bisects the aforementioned baffles. These rods are ultimately caused to rotate in opposite directions by a gear drive disposed outside of said battery processing channel but within said tubular member. These gears are, in turn, caused to drive said rods by a pneumatic motor which is mounted outside of said tubular member.

Abstract: A mobile reservoir for rod-like articles is adapted for connection into a static conveyor system, e.g. through a reversible elevator, and includes conveyor means for moving the articles within the reservoir. The conveyor means may be arranged to move and store the articles in the reservoir as a continuous stream. In a preferred arrangement the conveyor means includes a number of conveyors defining at least one zig-zag path extending substantially in a constant plane normal to the axes of the articles. In another arrangement the articles are stored and moved in batches: in this case the articles are also delivered to the reservoir in batches, e.g. by a conveyor provided with divider plates.

Abstract: A trailer van is adapted to load compressible materials in sequential steps resulting in a compressed product load. The product is compressed by a bulkhead which in turn is moved by a pair of wheeled trolleys. A separate pair of cables is associated with each trolley for stabilizing the trolleys in a vertical disposition.

Abstract: A truck mounted crane has a front end including a cab, engine and front steering wheels, with rearwardly extending frame members. A crane is carried rearwardly of the truck cab, and has a rotatable upper works including a crane cab at the front and laterally centered, a boom support rearwardly of the crane cab, and laterally centered, and a boom pivoted on the boom support and extending forwardly over the crane cab. A rear end includes a rear frame made of tubular frame members which receive the front frame members therein.

Abstract: A roller assembly including a plurality of rollers mounted on a base plate. A support assembly having a reinforcement structure is provided. A clamp assembly joins the roller and support assemblies, the support assembly being pivotally attached to the clamp, the clamp being operable to move the roller and support assemblies toward, or away from, each other.

Abstract: In a railway trailer hitch, a wear resistant and crack resistant insert is removably attached to a fixed portion of the head which is subject to wear or cracking in service. The insert is made of a material which reduces or avoids wear and cracking of the fixed portion. If wear or cracking does occur, it tends to take place in the insert. An old insert can be easily and quickly removed and a new insert inserted into the head so that the hitch is not taken out of service to repair or replace the top plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for collecting and lifting groups of straw bales comprising a frame and members arranged beneath said frame for gripping the straw bales, said gripping members being formed by rods, spaced apart from and parallel to one another and adapted to move towards and away from one another in a direction transverse of the rods, in a manner such that straw bales dispersed on the field can be picked up one by one and be collected into groups for further transport.

Abstract: A wrecker assembly is combined with a pick up truck or cab and chassis having a frame, a rear axle, a cab and/or a floor, side walls, and a battery. The wrecker assembly comprises a sub-frame assembly mounted upon the floor or frame and is secured to the frame. The boom including a pair of forwardly diverging side plate ends is pivotally mounted upon the sub-frame adjacent the cab. A tower mounting plate spans the boom side plates and projects thereabove. A hydraulic power cylinder including a reciprocal piston rod is pivotally mounted upon the sub-frame assembly with the end of the piston rod pivotally connected to the tower plate at its upper end. A power pack including a motor, pump, valve and a fluid reservoir is mounted upon the boom and a pair of flexible conduits respectively interconnect the pump valve and opposite ends of the cylinder.

Abstract: To a device for handling cut-open bags containing bulk material, by separating the bag material from the bulk material there is connected a screw conveyor having a hopper for receiving several bags of a pallet load and being arranged to supply the bags to the separating device at the same time tearing open the bags.

Abstract: A crane with a crane rope; means for attaching a load to the crane rope; a crane winch having a drum on which the crane rope can be wound; a crane motor which can drive the crane winch for hauling in or letting out the crane rope; a measuring winch having a drum with a measuring line windable thereon of length sufficient to reach at least as far as the crane rope can reach; a measuring winch motor which can turn the measuring winch drum to wind in or out the measuring line; means for attaching the outer extremity of the measuring line, away from the drum, to the load to be lifted by the crane; first transducer means operated by the measuring winch to provide a displacement signal proportional to any change, in relation to a predetermined value, and having regard to sign, of the length of measuring line extending from the measuring winch drum to the load; and crane motor control means operable by the displacement signal to control the crane motor to haul in or let out the crane rope substantially in synchronis

Abstract: In a railway trailer hitch, a wear resistant and crack resistant insert is removably attached to a fixed portion of the head which is subject to wear or cracking in service. The insert is made of a material which reduces or avoids wear and cracking of the fixed portion. If wear or cracking does occur, it tends to take place in the insert. An old insert can be easily and quickly removed and a new insert inserted into the head so that the hitch is not taken out of service to repair or replace the top plate.

Abstract: Apparatus automatically opens and empties a bag of material, such as asbestos, while removing from the surrounding environment material released from said bag during the opening process.

Abstract: The specification discloses a crane including a base having a boom pivotally supported at one end from the base. The opposite end of the boom is adapted for receiving the load to be carried by the crane. A mast and upper tension member system are affixed to the top surface of the boom, supporting the load receiving end of the boom so that the boom structure is relieved of bending moments. Hydraulic cylinders are connected between the base and the boom for elevating and lowering the boom. In one embodiment the upper tension member system includes a spring and dampener which serves to cushion dynamic overloads during operation of the crane. In another embodiment a counterweight is hingedly attached to the end of the boom supported from the base. The weight of the counterweight is borne by a cable which joins into the upper tension member system.

Abstract: A film cassette opener in which a film take-up spool in the cassette is forced in its axial direction out of the cassette. The opener has two jaws clasping the sides of the cassette and an ejection bar reciprocally movable in an axial direction with respect to the cassette. One end of the bar thrusts against the film take-up spool to cause one end cover of the cassette to be thrust away forcing the take-up spool with film out of the cassette.

Abstract: Apparatus for the application, positioning and adjustment of sections in the assembly of panels or the like, comprising a horizontally movable, gantry like lifting device adapted to transfer the sections from a store to that place on the panel plate to which the individual sections are to be welded. A vertically movable yoke, attached to the supporting uprights of the gantry, extends substantially parallel with the girder of the gantry. A jig displaceable along the yoke comprises lifting magnets for retaining the panel plate and a jack device for pressing the section against the panel plate.

Abstract: The specification discloses a crane including a base having a boom pivotally supported at one end from the base. The opposite end of the boom is adapted for receiving the load to be carried by the crane. A mast and upper tension member system are affixed to the top surface of the boom, supporting the load receiving end of the boom so that the boom structure is relieved of bending moments. Hydraulic cylinders are connected between the base and the boom for elevating and lowering the boom. In one embodiment the upper tension member system includes a spring and dampener which serves to cushion dynamic overloads during operation of the crane. In another embodiment a counterweight is hingedly attached to the end of the boom supported from the base. The weight of the counterweight is borne by a cable which joins into the upper tension member system.

Abstract: Freight container transport mechanism comprising a pair of jaw-like platfs movable toward one another by a winch-cable means to abut opposite ends of a freight container. As the platforms move toward one another certain upstanding struts on the platforms swing upwardly to raise the freight container from ground level to a transport position supported between the platforms.

Abstract: The specification discloses a crane including a base having a boom pivotally supported at one end from the base. The opposite end of the boom is adapted for receiving the load to be carried by the crane. A mast and upper tension member system are affixed to the top surface of the boom, supporting the load receiving end of the boom so that the boom structure is relieved of bending moments. Hydraulic cylinders are connected between the base and the boom for elevating and lowering the boom. In one embodiment the upper tension member system includes a spring and dampener which serves to cushion dynamic overloads during operation of the crane. In another embodiment a counterweight is hingedly attached to the end of the boom supported from the base. The weight of the counterweight is borne by a cable which joins into the upper tension member system.