Abstract: An improved wheeled hand cart assembly has a tiltable lifting platform associated with a trailing platform so that separate loads may be transported on each platform. The lifting cart structure comprises a generally conventional L-shaped configuration having a pair of wheels mounted on a common axis, for rolling the lifting cart about. The lifting cart is tiltable about the wheel axis to retain and transport a load. The trailing cart comprises a support platform having a forward end coupled to the lifting cart for pivoting about an axis parallel to the common axis of the wheels, a rearward end portion supported on a caster-like wheel assembly for rolling from place to place in coordination with the spaced-apart wheels and a locking assembly for locking the lifting cart in a tilted position relative to the trailing cart.

Abstract: A liftgate/tailgate assembly for a vehicle having a chassis and a cargo area, such cargo area comprising a bed and one or more vertical sidewalls mounted to the vehicle chassis, such liftgate/tailgate assembly comprising a tailgate which, when rotated into an open tailgate position, forms a liftgate/tailgate platform to support a load to be lifted, and one or more linkage assemblies pivotably mounted to the tailgate which permit the liftgate/tailgate platform to be translated both vertically and horizontally relative to the cargo area of the vehicle, while permitting rear impact protection to be mounted on the vehicle and method for lifting a load into a vehicle cargo area.

Abstract: A system for handling a semiconductor product container contains a handler for transporting and positioning the container. A loading/unloading position requires first support members forming part of a loading/unloading device engaging with second support members forming part of the container. The system contains a detector for detecting reference point positions of the container and a localization device for computing the position of the container from the detected reference point positions, and allows for handling the containers without the need of mounting any support pins on each storage location.

Abstract: An apparatus used as a tool, to lock and unlock the casters of a scaffold while the user is on top of a scaffold. The apparatus is an elongated pole and adjustable sleeve with a spring-loaded push button mechanism, to change the length of the apparatus. There are a variety of specially designed heads that are used to adjust the scaffold caster levers in locked and unlocked positions. This is done in place of a user climbing up and down the scaffold and manually locking and unlocking the scaffold caster levers from the ground level. A rubber mallet head or contact bulb is provided near the handle to further adjust the scaffold casters, and a looped strap is also provided to hang the apparatus when not in use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting open a case of product having a top and a bottom is provided. The case is placed on a conveyor and moved to a cutting apparatus. The top is cut open at the cutting apparatus. The case is moved to a lift apparatus. The top of the case is opened and the product is lifted from the bottom of the case. The case is then cut thereby separating the bottom of the case from the top of the case.

Abstract: A workpiece transfer device for machine tools that easily achieves positional adjustment of the rack while suppressing increases in cost and therefore preventing occurrences of vibrations and noise is disclosed. The workpiece transfer device includes a frame member having a rectangular cross-section. The device extends from a workpiece machining position to a workpiece loading/unloading position. A support member is hung on the frame member so as to be movable via a linear guide and which has a workpiece holding mechanism mounted thereon. A drive mechanism for rotationally driving a pinion gear engaged with a rack is provided on the frame member so as to be parallel to the linear guide so that the support member is moved between the two positions. The linear guide is disposed on one wall of the frame member and the rack is disposed on another wall surface so as to have its position adjustable.

Abstract: A pantographic device for conveying loads in vehicle assembly lines includes a horizontal assembled drive shaft on an upper frame and with the capacity to rotate, several parallel pulleys fixed to a drive shaft, two motors acting on the opposing ends of the drive shaft providing its rotational movement, and several flat belts fixed to the pulleys of the drive shaft on one end and two a lower frame on the opposite end, so that the rotation of the drive shaft in one direction and the other determines vertical lifting and lowering of the lower frame with regard to the upper frame.

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle having a vehicle chassis including a vehicle cab and frame with a vehicle body mounted on top of the frame. The vehicle body has a front receiving hopper separated from a rear storage compartment by means of a partition having an aperture for passage of refuse. A pendular packing device having a refuse engaging face is pivotally mounted within the receiving hopper and arcuately swings to rapidly transfer refuse through the aperture. In order to empty the storage compartment, a rear door is opened to permit egress of refuse and the partition moves longitudinally along the vehicle body to displace refuse out of the storage compartment.

Abstract: An automated parking garage. The garage comprises a multi-floor building having a plurality of vehicle storage racks in a storage area for storing a loaded pallet or an unloaded pallet. An entrance-level floor of the building includes an entry/exit station (EES) on for receiving a vehicle, the EES having an exterior entrance through which the vehicle is driven and, an opposing interior entrance that provides access to the storage area and through which the loaded pallet is transported, the loaded pallet and unloaded pallet adapted to be positioned at floor level in the EES. The garage includes a pallet stacking station for storing the unloaded pallet, the pallet stacking station located over a shuttle aisle that extends under the EES. A pallet shuttle that traverses the shuttle aisle to a first position under the EES for handling the unloaded pallet in the EES, and to a second position under the pallet stacking station for stacking the unloaded pallet.

Abstract: A lifting implement for removing a panel (10) which has a receiving means (18) in the body of the said panel (10) on the surface of the panel (10) which is exposed in use, the receiving means (18) being offset from the center of the panel (10), from a position in which it is held by gravity in an aperture (12) defined by a surrounding floor or ground surface (14) where the exposed surface of the panel (10) is substantially flush with the surrounding surface (14) comprises a handle (41) with an elongate shift (43) for use by an operator in a standing position, terminating in an engagement member (42) engageable with said receiving means (18), wherein the handle (41) is connected to the engagement member (42) by pivotable means (50), whereby said panel (10) can be removed from said aperture (12), and said handle (41) can move relative to said engagement member (42) during the removal of the panel (10) from the aperture (12), the lifting implement being further provided with restricting means (60) which is movab

Abstract: A mobile feeder is presented for separating flat products, in particular folded sheets, flat sheets, cards, inserts and the like, for printed-product processing machines, such as in particular gatherer stitchers, collating machines or inserting machines. The feeder can be positioned variously, as required, in terms of its position in relation to a transport device.

Abstract: An installation for processing piece goods including a processing station and a supply unit and/or removal unit. Supply and removal units are displaceable relative to the processing device. Supply and removal units include a closed-in-itself rail track and a plurality of grippers independently traveling along the rail. Supply and removal units further include a take-over drive and a delivery drive, the drives being independent of one another. The delivery drive of the supply unit and the take-over drive of the removal unit include a feature (e.g. a toothed belt) for coupling the drive to the periphery of the processing device. The installation is applicable e.g. for producing products from a plurality of sub-products in a drum-shaped processing device. The installation is very flexible and easy with regard to conversions, adjustments, trouble-shooting and maintenance.

Abstract: A method for controlling the raise/extend function of a work machine is provided. The method comprises sensing the lateral orientation of the work machine, comparing the sensed orientation to a desired orientation and controlling the raise/extend operation in response to the actual verses the desired position.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus for use in the bed of a pickup truck having a lifting bar of a generally U-shaped configuration with one side pivotally connected to a side wall of the bed of the pickup truck and an opposite side pivotally connected to another side wall of the bed of the pickup truck. A cylinder has a piston rod extending outwardly therefrom. This piston rod has an end pivotally connected to a linkage connected to the lifting bar. The cylinder is actuatable so as to move the piston rod between a retracted position and an extended position such that the lifting bar is pivotable relative to the movement of the piston rod. The linkage has a scissor-like configuration which allows the lifting bar to be stowed completely within the interior of the bed of the pickup truck.

Abstract: A device and method for gripping a handrail or other object having a top and a bottom surface. The device includes a handle for gripping by a user. A fixed member is coupled to the handle for engaging one of the top and bottom surfaces of the handrail, and a movable member is movably coupled to the handle for engaging the other of the top and bottom surfaces of the handrail. An actuator coupled to the handle controls the movement of the movable member, the actuator allowing for repositioning and locking of the device with respect to the handrail. When the device is locked with respect to the handrail the fixed member and movable member engage the top and bottom surfaces of the handrail such that a force tangential to the handrail can be applied to the handle without the device sliding on the handrail.

Abstract: A garbage or recyclable material handling system uses material containers each pivotally mounted to respective supports at desired locations for movement between a lower material receiving position and a partially inverted material discharge position. At least one materials collection vehicle is provided to communicate with respective containers when in the discharge position to receive the materials discharged therefrom.

Abstract: A multifunction drum lifter includes a saddle and a plurality of lift arms pivotally connected to the saddle. Each arm includes a working end having at least one lift finger for engaging the chime of a drum to lift the drum. Preferably the lift arms are three in number and each includes a second lift finger for lifting different sized drums. Each lift arm also includes a plug wrench head and an open end wrench head at its working end so that the lift arms can be used as drum wrenches when removed from the saddle. Preferably each arm has a different plug wrench head and open end wrench head from the other lift arms providing an assortment of drum working tools for the user.

Abstract: A system and method for portable lift, support, and/or installation is disclosed which permits and enables these various functions without the need for external crane/lift machinery. The system comprises a channel member (201) attaching means and associated capture fastener means (202, 205) connected to a stationary equipment support, an elevation lifting means (204) and associated fastener means (206) whereby the movement object to be lifted can be supported and/or elevated, and a swingarm retraction means (203) which connects the channel member (201) attaching means to the elevation lifting means (204) to permit removal and/or installation of the movement object to be lifted from/to the stationary equipment support.

Abstract: A tractor has a vehicle frame with a pair of right and left elongate frame members spaced from each other and extending in a longitudinal direction and interconnected in intermediate positions by a cross member, an engine supported by the elongate frame members in a front region of the vehicle frame, a rear axle unit connected to rear axle connecting members fixed to the elongate frame members in a rear region of the vehicle frame, and a drive transmitting mechanism for transmitting drive from the engine to the rear axle unit. A front loader and/or a backhoe are/is attachable to a front and a rear of the tractor as supported by the vehicle frame. A reinforcing frame unit is provided for reinforcing the vehicle frame. The reinforcing frame unit is connected to the vehicle frame by reinforcing frame connecting members spaced horizontally and/or vertically from the rear axle connecting members.

Abstract: A four-bar linkage mechanism for a material transfer device includes a center driving linkage, a center interconnecting linkage, right and left hand support linkages, and right and left hand main linkages. The present invention further includes the method of transferring material using a material transfer device incorporating the four-bar linkage by loading the material container into a dumper frame, positioning a pour hood over the material container, activating a hydraulic cylinder thereby rotating the material container and pour hood about 180 degrees, and releasing the contents of the material container.