Abstract: First hydraulic drives (e.g. cylinders, pistons) and lift arms attached to dump truck side panels, preferably reinforced, move a trailing tag axle, and wheels supported by the tag axle, between operative and storage positions without bending the truck frame. A linkage assembly and second hydraulic drives (e.g. cylinders, pistons) coupled to the lift arms and the first hydraulic drives move the tag axle and the wheels between raised and lowered positions. In the operative positions of the lift arms and the tag axle, the wheels contact the ground and, because of the first hydraulic drive construction, move smoothly over road bumps and into road dips. In their storage position, the lift arms are disposed above and to the rear of the dump truck with the trailing tag axle and the wheels above the body but lowered to minimize their height above the truck.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an apparatus for controlling a straight excavating operation with a hydraulic excavator such as a power shovel or the like machine including three working units, i.e., a boom, an arm and a bucket. When the straight excavating operation is performed, a hydraulic pressure of hydraulic oil in a hydraulic chamber on the boom lowering side of a boom cylinder is conducted to a drain tank while maintaining a predetermined set pressure, and a hydraulic pressure of hydraulic oil in a hydraulic chamber on the boom raising side of the boom cylinder is conducted to the drain tank via a check valve which serves to inhibit the hydraulic oil from flowing from the hydraulic chamber on the boom raising side of the boom cylinder to the drain tank, whereby the boom is held in the so-called floated state so as to enable a straight excavating operation to be performed merely by actuating the arm and bucket.

Abstract: An improved method for unloading break bulk goods from a ship and a cargo transfer carrier for use in the unloading of break bulk goods. The cargo carrier is comprised of a plurality of longitudinal frame members connected by a plurality of cross members with decking affixed thereto to form a horizontal carrier bed. The bed is of sufficient size to accommodate the placement of at least ten, but preferably 14 sling loads of break bulk goods thereon with the allowance for a perimeter work area. A gooseneck portion with tractor attachment means is supported by a first end of the bed and a plurality of wheel assemblies are mounted at the opposite end of the bed. The method comprises positioning the cargo carrier in the debarkation area beneath an unloading position of the ship's crane. At least ten sling loads of break bulk goods are transferred from the ship to the cargo carrier in a single operation.

Abstract: A vacuum-process system comprising plural vacuum-process chambers in which substrates are processed in decompressed atmosphere, a first load lock chamber communicated with each of the vacuum-process chambers and exhausted to substantially same decompressed atmosphere as in the vacuum-process chambers, a second load lock chamber communicated with the first one and exhausted to substantially same atmosphere as in the first load lock chamber, a first carrier arranged in the first load lock chamber to carry the substrate between the first and the second load lock chamber, a first buffer assembly arranged in the first load lock chamber to temporarily hold plural substrates thereon, a second buffer assembly arranged in the second load lock chamber to temporarily hold plural substrates thereon, an assembly in the second load lock chamber to position single or plural substrates relative to their passage, and a second carrier arranged in normal atmosphere to carry plural substrates into and out of the second load lock

Abstract: Wheelchair lift (10) includes a platform (12) mounted on a carriage (14) for vertical travel between the ground and an elevated location along a mast structure (16) through the use of a linear, lift actuator (18). Platform (12) includes an upper main section (20) and a lower movable section (22) that is horizontally extendible and retractable by a linear, platform actuator (24). The actuators (18) and (24) are cooperatively interconnected with and controlled by a power system (28) so that platform (12) is raised to a desired height before the movable section (22) is extended, and conversely the movable section (22) is fully retracted before the platform (12) is allowed to lower to the ground.

Abstract: The invention is a device for expediting the cutting of boxes containing goods used in restocking shelves and the like. This device can either be free standing or operatively mounted on a stocking cart or dolly. In either case, a free-wheeling turntable is used to support the box being cut and a box positioner is disposed adjacent thereto to raise one edge of the box when the same is being cut. This positioner can then be lowered to allow the box to be rotated 90.degree. for the next cut, etc. thereby greatly expediting the cutting open of boxes. The box positioner for raising the box at least partially off of the turntable is mechanically activated by either a foot pedal in the free standing version or by a handle in the cart mounted version.

Abstract: A rotary valve apparatus comprises a rotor housing having an inlet and an outlet, a rotor rotatably fitted in the rotor housing, a plurality of pockets arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the rotor and adapted to be connected successively to the inlet and the outlet of the rotor housing as the rotor rotates, two communication ports arranged in separate regions extending from the inlet to the outlet of the rotor housing and from the outlet to the inlet, respectively, with respect to the rotating direction of the rotor, and pressure equalizing pipes for connecting one communication port in one region with the corresponding communication port in the other region. As the rotor rotates, the pockets moving from the inlet toward the outlet and the pockets moving from the outlet toward the inlet are subjected to two cycles of pressure equalization by means of one and the same equalizing pipe.

Abstract: A roll handling apparatus for aligning and upending a plurality of rolls is disclosed. A C-hook is mounted on a vertical lifting arm. An elevated rail defines a path of travel for a travelling support which mounts the vertical lifting arm. A tiltable upender assembly is positioned adjacent the elevated rail and includes a deck assembly, opposed gates positioned on opposite sides of the deck assembly and a pivotable rear carrier assembly extending between the opposed gates. Lift cylinders are provided for tilting the deck assembly for correct alignment of the rolls. Pivot cylinders are provided for rotating the deck assembly and the carrier assembly ninety degrees to upend the correctly aligned rolls.

Abstract: A rear bumper mounted van and truck winch comprising a frame having two long vertical segments and one short horizontal segment, the segments including a plurality of apertures, the horizontal segment being affixed to the upper ends of the vertical segments, the horizontal segment including a generally cylindrical shaped pulley wheel affixed thereto, the lowermost extent of each vertical segment including a bracket to permit coupling to the rear bumper of a vehicle, a strap being coupled to the horizontal segment and the rear of the vehicle to enhance the strength of the frame; and a winch base having two horizontal components and a vertical component therebetween, each of the components including a plurality of apertures, the horizontal components of the base being affixed to the frame with a portion thereof extending beyond one of the vertical segments, a hand winch formed in a generally cylindrical configuration with a handle projecting therefrom being affixed to the base, the hand winch including cable po

Abstract: The entire unit containing components bolted together is designed to hold bricks, blocks, and a horizontal mobile mortar tray, all easily accessible and within reach so that a mason can place the unit where it is needed. This unit can be used in three ways; to lift one block at a time, to lift three blocks at a time, and to use just the mobile mortar tray. To lift one block or three blocks, a hydraulic system is used. Also, to make mortaring easier, a mortaring guide placed on a block will enable mortar to be placed the length of the block with a minimal amount of spillage. A level line with printed joint spacing, when stretched to the correct length, can readily and simply make the joints faster and eliminate chance of variation error.

Abstract: The vehicle door protection system is comprised of a frame having a support portion and an attachment portion, a shock absorbent member and normally removable fasteners for attaching the frame to a vehicle wall section.

Abstract: An apparatus for allowing storage of a ladder vertically above a shelf area defined on a vehicle while allowing powered movement of the apparatus to the retrieval position laterally adjacent the vehicle shelf area to easily allow removal of the ladder is disclosed. The design includes a U-shaped ladder holding bracket for holding the upper area of the ladder and a loop-shaped lower retaining bracket to allow the legs of the ladder to extend therein for securement. The retaining apparatus is mounted by a plurality of brackets and link arms to easily allow movement between the retrieval and the storage position. These arms also maintain the upper area of the ladder above the lower portion of the ladder such that it easily avoids contact with structures normally associated with the front of a vehicle such as the cab height, rearview mirrors, doors, etc. In this manner a ladder held in the storage position would be maintained in an inclined orientation.

Abstract: This apparatus comprises a mechanically simple and lightweight tractor mechanism for use with a robotic object handling system to retrieve objects from a plurality of object storage locations. A finger gripper mechanism is used to grasp an object with a predetermined amount of force. The finger gripper mechanism is enclosed by a substantially rectangular box-like enclosure. The finger gripper mechanism is attached to a carriage which is moveable along one axis of the rectangular enclosure on a pair of tracks, which tracks are located one on each of two opposite sides of the interior of the enclosure. The carriage rides on these tracks and is transported from a retracted position entirely within the enclosure to an activated position juxtaposed to an opening in the enclosure by a tractor mechanism that makes use of a pair of toothed belts, each belt being juxtaposed along the length of one of the tracks on which the carriage slides.

Abstract: This invention discloses a two-wheeled device that can roll over and straddle three sizes of tanks, extend the adjustable feet to a lift position, raise the back end of the tank, connect a chain and hook to the front end of the tank, lift both front and back tank legs off the ground, and roll the tank over the ground or floor. The handle length is adjustable to accommodate three different tank lengths and the chain and hook can also adjust horizontally to accommodate these three lengths. The feet are also retractable to permit rolling the device past the two front legs on the tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ASRS handling of loaded and empty oceangoing containers. Containers are stored in a multi-level loaded container facility in upland and pier banks of spaced rows and columns in a grill-like arrangement with each container in a particular space spaced from all other containers, commonly referred to in ASRS systems, as rack storage. Empty containers are stored in a separate building remote from but accessible to, the stored loaded container facility and identical containers of the same ocean carrier are stacked one on top of the other directly in separate cells. Containers which are handled between upland banks of spaces and pier banks of spaces are moved between the pier and upland spaces by a number of computer automated internal bridge cranes.

Abstract: A precision positioning apparatus suitable for the positioning control system of a semiconductor exposing apparatus such as a stepper has, as its object, the provision of a non-contact type precision positioning apparatus capable of properly correcting the disturbance of posture or vibration based on low rigidityy which is a feature of a non-contact guide mechanism and accomplishing stable, highly accurate positioning at a high speed. The precision positioning apparatus is provided with a base plate, a movable member positioned on the base plate, a driving device for driving the movable member, a detecting device for detecting movement of the movable member, and a device for supplying the driving device with a signal regarding the movement of the movable member on the basis of a reference value and the output value from the detecting device.

Abstract: An improved clamp arm and bracket design for a hay handler and unroller apparatus which accommodates a wide range of varying lengths of hay bales is disclosed. The improved clamp arm includes an improved bracket design which is connected to a frame which in turn is connected to a tractor via a three point hitch. Each bracket can be mounted to the frame in one of two possible positions where the bracket is rotated 180.degree. from a first position where the bracket extends inwardly to obtain a second position where the brackets extend outwardly. These alternate positions enable the apparatus to provide for varying distances between said clamp arms by allowing for three possible arrangements of the brackets, namely, both brackets in the first position to accommodate shorter bales, both brackets in the second position to accommodate longer bales, and one bracket in the first position and the other bracket in the second position to accommodate bales of an intermediate length.

Abstract: A cargo securing system is provided wherein the system comprises a crossbar member attached to a beam member with ends adapted to concurrently cooperate in a slidable manner with opposing channels defined by a pair of U-shaped channel tracks. The channel tracks are mounted to the bed walls of a pick-up truck. The system is constructed of heavy duty metal to secure cargo in the bed of the truck between the crossbar member and the bed walls of the truck. The system is easily adjustable by one person with retractable locking pins, and provides padded support to protect against damage to secured cargo.

Abstract: Apparatus for picking up and stacking large bales of hay or the like comprises a wheeled trailer that is pulled in an offset position by a tractor, a bale pick up and loading mechanism on the front of the trailer for picking up the bales as the trailer is pulled across a field, and a downwardly and a rearwardly inclined accumulating platform on the trailer for storing the bales. The accumulating platform is tiltable in a rearward direction to unload the bales in a stack. The bale pick-up and loading mechanism comprises a pivotal loading platform with outwardly extending pick-up arms on the sides of the loading platform guiding and manipulating the bales into proper position and for grasping the ends of the bales as they are lifted on the accumulating platform. Upwardly extending gripping members or sliding alignment tubes at the ends of the pick-up arms, and pivotable grab hooks, provide increased bale grasping capabilities and improved stacking stability.

Abstract: Apparatus used in a loading dock comprising a dock leveler mounted at the loading dock with a pit positioned below said dock leveler. A frame is mounted in the pit to support a vehicle restraint. The restraint has an arm assembly mounted to said frame for pivoting motion and a hook assembly having multiple hook elements mounted on the arm assembly and outward from the frame. A first actuator is mounted to the frame and engaging the arm assembly to drive both the arm assembly and the hook assembly to a lower inoperative position. A second actuator is mounted to the first actuator and the arm assembly to provide a constant upward bias tending to pivot the arm assembly and the hook assembly upward to an operative position.