Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for capturing a target object from a body of water. A first bulkhead may be proximate to a second bulkhead. An opening may be formed between at least a portion of the first and second bulkhead. The opening, via the first and second bulkhead, may be configured to align and receive at least a portion of the target object as a distance between the opening and at least the portion of the target object decreases, wherein the opening may be further configured to align and receive at least the portion of the target object while the target object is in the body of water.

Abstract: A rotating mechanism includes a base, a number of rotating assemblies, and a transmitting assembly. The rotating assemblies are secured on the base. Each rotating assembly includes a rotating table and a limiting assembly assembled to the rotating table. The rotating table of each rotating assembly is substantially collinear and inclined a certain degree relative to a previous rotating table. The limiting assembly defines a channel. The transmitting assembly is received in the channels. When the transmitting assembly moves along the channels, the transmitting assembly is rotated.

Abstract: A pipe handling apparatus comprising an operator station, a hydraulic pipe pusher assembly, hydraulic bumper light bar, hydraulic pipe gates, hydraulic telescoping pipe table, hydraulic pipe racks, hydraulic leveling jacks, hydraulic pipe loader, main lift hydraulic cylinder, and the trailer base.

Abstract: A transport and storage apparatus includes two support members pivotally connected to a substantially rectangular base platform at opposed sides of the platform, and a plurality of wheels are attached to the bottom surface of the base platform. The base can include first and second end sections pivotally connected to a mid-section. The apparatus can be moved between a loading position in which the mid-section, the first end section and the second end section are substantially co-planar and the support members extend substantially upwardly from the base platform, to a storage position in which the support members lie flat on the upper surface of the base platform and the first and second end sections extend substantially perpendicular to the mid-section.

Abstract: A system for storing and retrieving containers (108) comprises a first conveying means (1) operable to move stacks of containers between a loading position (2) and a discharge position (4), a container store (5), a container store dispatch conveyor (28) and a container store delivery conveyor (26). A first transfer means transfers containers from the container store dispatch conveyor (28) to the first conveying means (1) and a second transfer means transfers containers from the first conveying means (1) to the container store delivery conveyor (26). A container store storage/retrieval means (9) moves containers from the container store (5) to the container store dispatch conveyor (28) and from the container store delivery conveyor (26) to the container store (5).

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading load items, comprising a receiving conveyor having a freely projecting receiving end and a rear delivery end, a removal conveyor and a transfer conveyor arranged therebetween which has a front takeover end adjoining the delivery end of the receiving conveyor and a rear handover end adjoining a head end of the removal conveyor, wherein the transfer conveyor is mounted so as to be pivotable in height about a first swivelling axis arranged at the handover end, and the receiving conveyor is mounted so as to be pivotable in height about a second swivelling axis arranged at the delivery end, wherein the receiving conveyor and the transfer conveyor can be moved, by being swivelled about the first and second swivelling axes, into at least one upper unloading position, in which the transfer conveyor is substantially horizontal before the first swivelling axis, the receiving conveyor is substantially vertical below the second swivelling axis and the receiving end of the receiving conveyor is

Abstract: Heavy equipment is attached to slings and lifted by rollers raised and lowered in a structure with four pillars. Rollers prevent torque and provide vertical vectors. Roller axle supports move along the pillars. Two gantry crane frames are joined by cross and truss beams. Hydraulic jacks and pneumatic locks are controlled and sensed movements are communicated to processors for each pillar. One master processor communicates with a remote control. Sensors check lock and hydraulic cylinder position and allow roller movements only when positions are correct and all processors agree.

Abstract: A lifting device to retrieve a marine vehicle comprises a lifting arms portion pivotally connected with a vehicle capture portion. The lifting arms portion and the vehicle capture portion rotate independently of each other. The vehicle capture portion comprises a capture connector having a probe for insertion into a latch opening in the vehicle to thereby attach the vehicle to the lifting device. The lifting arras portion further comprises two lifting arms and two vehicle pads for engaging the vehicle when it is captured. As the vehicle rolls during recovery operations, springs disposed between the vehicle capture portion and lifting arms portion dampen rotational motion. Lift line connections are provided on distal ends of the vehicle capture portion, and the lifting arms.

Abstract: Apparatus for gathering bales that substantially match conveyor speed to ground speed. Methods for gathering bales that use such apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods which use a conveyored loading assembly for gathering bales and, in particular, round bales such as a hay or corn stover bales.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for dispensing vehicle balancing weights are disclosed. The dispenser comprises a transport unit arranged below a cartridge for storing balancing weights. The transport unit moves a balancing weight from a selected section of the cartridge on a belt conveyor for further transporting the balancing weight to a handling device. The transport unit comprises a feeder, and a plurality of stack lifters for lifting a stack of balancing weights and allowing the feeder to push a selected balancing weight under the stack of other balancing weights towards the belt conveyor.

Abstract: A lift system that is attachable to a vehicle, such as a car, truck, van, and the like, for lifting and carrying heavy items, such as a motorcycle utilizing a platform connected to a lifting mechanism that is connected to the vehicle. The lifting mechanism has a pair of lift arm housings that are connected to the vehicle, a pair of lift arms connected to the platform that rises up and down within their respective lift arm housing, and an electric motor to raise and lower the lift arms. The platform can be removed from the lift arms and stored away or used as a tabletop by. Wheels may be provided to easily maneuver the platform on the ground. Elongated posts can be attached to the platform to function as braces to secure the item to the platform. The elongated posts can also be used as legs for the tabletop.

Abstract: The containers (B) comprised in an incoming flow of containers advancing in a given direction along an axis (XB), wherein the containers (B) may present with a first orientation or else a second orientation with respect to the direction of advance and with a first posture or else a second posture, are oriented so as to generate an outgoing flow of containers (B), in which, for example, the containers all present in a vertical position with an identical orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus for inverting a panel including a base assembly, an elongated support assembly mounted on the base assembly, a carriage assembly mounted on the support assembly displaceable along the length thereof, means for displacing the carriage assembly along the length of the support assembly, an elongated beam assembly provided with means for detachably securing a panel, pivotally connected to the carriage assembly and means for pivoting the beam assembly relative to the support assembly.

Abstract: A system for turning over a vehicle frame defining openings and having a longitudinal center axis includes first and second robots each having an end effector. Each end effector has a pair of oppositely-positioned locator pins, at least one of which is selectively moveable toward the other. A controller is used to control the positioning of the frame via the robots and end effector by executing method instructions to cause the robots to align the locator pins of the end effectors with the openings of the frame, and to insert the aligned locator pins into the openings toward the center axis from outside of the vehicle frame. The robots lift the frame from a first conveyor, with weight of the vehicle frame born by the locator pins during the lift. The robots also rotate the frame about the center axis and lower the vehicle frame onto a second conveyor.

Abstract: A compact palletizer including a skeleton and a subassembly. Components of the skeleton are constructed of aluminum, which provides advantages over the prior art in terms of strength, rigidity, weight, and cost. The aluminum may be pretensioned or prestressed to provide these advantages. The subassembly is preferably mounted to the side of the skeleton. The compact palletizer is readily portable, and robotic elements of the compact palletizer do not need to be reprogrammed after transport, so installation time is substantially reduced compared with prior art palletizers.

Abstract: A stacking machine for stacking flat items including a first stacking table which descends from a position higher than the infeed end to a stacking position, the separation of a constant flow of flat items in consecutive bundles occurring with this movement, and on which table flat items received from an infeed end are subsequently stacked to form bundles, connected to first displacement means which displace it between a stacking position in which the first stacking table receives flat items and an unloading position in which the bundles are transferred to the unloading means; a second stacking table which descends from a position higher than the infeed end to a stacking position, the separation of a constant flow of flat items in consecutive bundles occurring with this movement, and on which table flat items received from the infeed end are subsequently stacked to form bundles, connected to second displacement means which displace it between a stacking position in which the second stacking table receives fla

Abstract: Embodiments described herein may include at least one pole including a plurality of projections disposed at incremental heights along the pole, an object, a first pulley positioned on a first side of the object, and a second pulley positioned on the second side of the object.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides a tubular handling system for use with a catwalk and a plurality of tubulars arranged in at least one tier and positioned substantially parallel adjacent the catwalk. The system comprises a tiering assembly positioned between said at least one tier and the catwalk and pipe rolling means adapted to move one or more of said tubular between said at least one tier and the tiering assembly in a sequential bi-directional manner. Preferably, the pipe rolling means comprises an auger, auger drive means and an auger positioning assembly.

Abstract: A method of delivering proppant to a well site has the steps of transporting a load of proppant in a vessel to a desired location, moving the load of proppant from the vessel into a container so as to create a proppant-loaded container, unloading the proppant-loaded container into a pneumatic bulk trailer, and transporting the unloaded proppant in the pneumatic bulk trailer to well site. The container is placed onto a bed of a truck and moved in proximity to the vessel. The proppant-loaded container is placed onto a tilting mechanism and then tilted so that the proppant is discharged through a flow gate of a container into a hopper. The proppant in the hopper can then be conveyed to the pneumatic bulk trailer.