Abstract: A sliding carrier comprising a frame and a sled, with the frame being mounted to the rooftop of a vehicle, and the sled adaptable for carrying certain objects being in sliding communication with the frame. The sled unlocks and slides out of the frame to a rearmost horizontal deployment position. The sled releases from the horizontal plane of travel into a pivoting plane of travel by lifting and pulling the sled over a stop block. The sled then pivots about a rearward wheel assembly until a landing gear assembly contacts the ground. A winch assembly is then used to control the further lowering of the sled from a grounded position to a loading position, at which time certain objects may be loaded onto the sled. The sled is returned to a locked traveling position atop the vehicle by reversing the steps above.

Abstract: An efficient marine/rail interface method provides for the discharge of import containers from a container ship to well cars, in the simultaneous discharge of export containers from well cars to an intermodal transition zone. Once the container ship is sufficiently unloaded, export containers from the intermodal transition zone may be loaded onto the container ship. Simultaneously, the ship may be discharged of further import containers. The method also provides for reworking of well cars at an inland port rework area, in communication between the marine/rail interface facility and the inland port rework area via a corridor. A data management system manages the intermodal exchange of containers between ship, rail and truck utilizing a common user electronic data management system.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for emptying a load of multilayer container columns is disclosed. An improved multilayer container column construction includes a plurality of vertically aligned and stacked containers connected to one another by hinges along their lower front edges. The containers have lift arms connected to their back sides so that they can be lifted forward about their hinged edges for emptying their contents through discharge gate sides. Automated gate opening means is provided for selectively opening the container gates. Automated lifting apparatus, generally located at a processing plant, is configured to sequentially tilt the containers of the container column load while still on the transport truck, to systematically gently unload the container contents, one level at a time into an accompanying discharge collector.

Abstract: A lifter picks up different style residential refuse collection carts, without requiring operator adjustments. An upper movable clamp bar with adjustable closure timing cooperates with a finger support bar to grab a cart type having a single upper lifting lip and otherwise smooth sides. A hinged saddle and hinged sliding hook lift carts having a pair of opposing engagement surfaces such as lift bars. The hinged members are automatically pivoted into retracted positions during presentation of the smooth sided style cart, but are otherwise maintained in place for engaging carts of the other type. The lifter has a relatively short face plate for size and weight advantages, made possible by alternate downward extension and subsequent retraction of the hinged sliding hook during a lift cycle. Rollers on the extending portion of the face plate prevent cart scarring.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for loading plates (3) from a stack (2) and for depositing the plates (3) on a conveyor comprises two alternatingly effective grippers (30, 31). The grippers (30, 31) are moved alternatingly into a loading position seizing the first accumulator plate (3) of the stack (2) and into a delivery position associated with the conveyor. The grippers (30, 31) are supported on levers (13, 14) which latter are mounted to be swivelable on the apparatus. Each gripper (30, 31) is supported to be rotatable by 360.degree. on its lever (13, 14) about an axis of rotation (34) parallel to the swivel axis (12) of the lever, and is rotated in only one direction by a drive mechanism (42, 40). In order to improve the seizing of a plate (3), the grippers (30, 31) are at a standstill with respect to the levers (13, 14) carrying such grippers when they are in their swiveling position corresponding to the loading position.

Abstract: An automatic palletizer system loads a random set of different size and weight boxes onto a pallet without a prior knowledge of the boxes to be loaded. As the boxes pass along a conveyor belt on the way to the pallet, a weighing, dimensioning, and scanning station determines the weight, dimensions and contents of each box. A processor uses this information to continuously remap the optimal pallet configuration for the loading of the remaining boxes as the pallet is loaded. A queuing station, under direction of the processor, reshuffles the sequence of a limited number of boxes to improve the final pallet configuration. The pallet is loaded by a robot arm under direction of the processor.

Abstract: A wafer aligning apparatus for re-aligning a plurality of wafers at different pitches. The apparatus includes a plurality of wafer retaining plates, each of which retains a plurality of wafers, a guide device which guides the wafer retaining plates, and a transferring device which transfers the wafer retaining plates along the guide device, wherein when the plurality of wafer retaining plates are at one end of the guide device, they are spaced at a first pitch and aligned, and when the wafer retaining plates are at the other end of the guide device, they are aligned at a second pitch different from the first pitch.

Abstract: A foot mountable drywall positioning device has a drywall positioning lever pivotally mounted to a structure for releasably securing the lever to a boot, the lever rotatable between a lowered drywall engaging position and a raised position. The drywall lever has a first "U"-shaped bracket having an apex end, opposed ends opposite the apex end, and a fulcrum between the apex end and the opposed ends; the apex end having a platform for releasably engaging a sheet of drywall, the opposed ends pivotally connected to the a structure for releasably securing the lever to a boot, and the fulcrum depending downwardly from the first "U"-shaped bracket so as to be engagable with a floor surface when the lever is in the lowered drywall engaging position. Where the fulcrum is engaged with the floor surface the lever may be rotated about the fulcrum by lowering the means for releasably securing the lever to a boot to thereby raise the apex end and the drywall sheet releasably engaged thereon.

Abstract: A retractable guide assembly for changing the effective width of a container well of a railroad freight car includes a housing having a pair of spaced apart walls, each having an inverted U-shaped slot, and a guide for slidably mounted between the walls for translational movement relative to the housing. The guide is slidable between a retracted position and an extended position in which a portion of the guide projects beyond the housing. The guide has a bar for extending through each slot of the walls for travelling therealong in a cam relationship as the guide slides between the retracted position and extended position.

Abstract: A coin handling system comprises a coin-driving member having a resilient surface and a stationary coin-guiding member having a coin-guiding surface opposing the resilient surface of the coin-driving member. The coin-guiding surface is positioned generally parallel to the resilient surface and spaced slightly therefrom. The resilient surface of the coin-driving member moves coins along the coin-guiding surface of the coin-guiding member. The coin handling system uses a lubrication distribution system to reduce friction between the coins and the coin-guiding surface of the coin-guiding member. The lubrication distribution system includes at least one cavity formed in the coin-guiding surface of the coin-guiding member. A reservoir stores a lubrication fluid, and a supply tubing is used to convey the lubrication fluid from the reservoir to the cavity. A control system regulates the flow of the lubrication fluid from the reservoir to the cavity via the supply tubing.

Abstract: A multi-product, self-service merchandising kiosk having a walk-in enclosure, interactive selection panel, illuminated merchandise display, internal drink dispenser and modular, dry goods dispenser having multi-compartmented inventory shelving and bottomless storage drawers. Purchases are selected via audio visual instructions entered at an interactive touch panel containing graphical icons, and a monitor having a menu and overlaid with an array of infrared transmitters and receivers. A programmable controller controls the drink and dry goods dispensers, manages payment transactions via a bill receiver, coin changer, credit card verifier, and receipt printer and provides periodic inventory status reports. A merchandise selector includes a motor driven, track supported collection bin and electromagnetic drawer puller. The selector aligns the bin to selected inventory drawers, extends and retracts the drawers and conveys the selected merchandise to a customer dispenser.

Abstract: A workstation for filling muffin pans and the like by means of a piston filler fed from a hopper located in surmounting relation to the piston filler, the invention further includes a lift assembly mounting the combined piston filler and hopper for vertical motion to facilitate removal of all material being dispensed from the hopper and to allow the hopper to be quickly and safely scraped and cleaned. The lift assembly of the invention holds the piston filler and hopper at an adjustable level above the floor which is best suited to the height of a user performing pan filling operations at the workstation, the lift assembly acting to controllably lower the piston filler and associated hopper not only for scraping and cleaning but also for filling of the hopper with bulk material which is to be dispensed.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is an apparatus for automatically testing condoms comprising a retrieving mechanism to present condoms from a large batch receptacle to an orienting mechanism, the orienting mechanism to orient each condom into the same configuration and orientation, a suction mechanism to move the condoms through the apparatus, a receiving mechanism to receive the oriented condom and position each condom onto a loading mechanism, the loading mechanism for loading the condom onto the testing mandrel, a mandrel shuttling mechanism to move the mandrels to the test position and a condom testing mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a boat hull, in particular for high speed crafts, the underside of which has in at least one longitudinal section through or, respectively, parallel to the center plane a profile similar to the profile of an aircraft wing, the vertex of the longitudinal sectional profile, with respect to the bow-side end point of the chord of the longitudinal sectional profile, being positioned in the front half of the entire length of the chord. According to the invention there is provided that the chord (1) of the unloaded boat hull (2) includes an angle () with the horizontal plane defined by the water level (3) of 1.degree. to 3.degree., preferably of 1.5.degree. to 2.5.degree., in particular of 1.8.degree. to 2.2.degree., so that the stern-side end point (4) of the profile is positioned at the lower end point of the stern or, respectively, of the transom (5) below the water level (3).

Abstract: A current collecting apparatus provided with sliders 2 for collecting electric power from a power feeder 1, a current collector 3 for collecting power, an insulator for insulating and supporting the current collector 3, and a flexible conductor for delivering the power collected by the current collector 3 to a conductor 5, which is connected to the flexible conductor and used for supplying the power to the vehicle side. The conductor 5 and the insulator 4 are disposed so that the former is offset with respect to the latter in the crosswise direction of a railway vehicle. With this arrangement, aerodynamic noise emanating from the current collector loaded on the vehicle running at high speed can be substantially reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying a substrate having a substrate storage part for storing substrate casings that encase substrates, and a carrier system for carrying the substrate to a substrate stage from the substrate storage part. The apparatus comprises a first carrier device, a temporary storage part and a second carrier device. The first carrier device carries the substrate to a first substrate carry position from the substrate storage part. The temporary storage unit incorporates a holding mechanism for individually adsorptively holding the substrate by vacuum in a predetermined state and is provided between the first substrate carry position and the substrate stage. The second carrier device is capable of carrying the substrate to the substrate stage from the first carry position and also carrying the substrate between the temporary storage unit and the substrate stage.

Abstract: A device for sidetracking a truck, which basically comprises a movable actuator element operable in a direction to and from the truck, a carriage connected to the movable actuator element, on which the truck is to be placed, the carriage means being provided, on an upper side thereof, with a lifting element for raising the truck so as to raise the truck from a floor, and a stationary actuator element connected to the movable actuator element, the stationary actuator element being extendable and retractable in a direction along the direction wherein the movable actuator means is operated with respect to the truck. With such a simple structure, the truck may be sidetracked, even in a direction orthogonal with the path along which the truck moves.

Abstract: An automated library (30) for handling a plurality of data storage units comprises a frame (32), an I/O drive (320); a unit engagement device (80) which transports data storage units between the drive and the storage receptacle. A cabinet substantially encloses the frame and has an entry/exit port (100) formed therein. The library is further provided with an entry/exit transport device (500) which pivots 90 degrees about an axis perpendicular to a unit orientation plane to transport a selected data storage unit between the entry/exit port and a predetermined position in the cabinet. The entry/exit transport device has a cartridge engagement portion with two edges (574, 576), a first of the edges being configured to load/unload the selected data storage unit at the entry/exit port and a second of the edges being configured to load/unload the selected data storage cartridge at the predetermined position. The first and second edges are orthogonal to one another in the entry/exit transport plane.

Abstract: Trucks which haul waste and fine, loose materials which are top loading through an open top need a cover to retain the material such as during travel. A full length cover, when raised for loading, may adversely affect the stability of the truck. An articulated cover includes a forward portion pivotally connected to the truck hauling body and a rearward portion pivotally connected to the forward portion. When the forward portion is raised the rearward portion folds downward against and parallel to the forward portion. This reduces the height of the raised cover to approximately one-half of the cover total length. Tie members are connected to the rear portion of the cover and to the hauling body and engage guide members on the cover to cause the rearward portion to unfold to an extended position when the forward portion is pivoted toward a closed position.

Abstract: A bottom feeding mechanism comprises a feed roller assembly and a conveyor belt assembly functioning as a first stage gate and a set of snubber rollers functioning as a second stage gate. The feed roller assembly comprises a pair of feed rollers fixed on a shaft rotatably mounted on feeding bases and the conveyor belt assembly is situated in between the feed rollers and above the feed roller shaft. Apexes of the feed roller and the conveyor belt define the medium passage. The feed roller and the conveyor belt can only move unidirectionally, which are controlled by a driving means through one-way clutches. The snubber rollers are rotatably mounted on a bracket in an overlapping relation, i.e. one is over the other. Each snubber roller is independently driven. The upper snubber roller is driven by a torque-limited slip clutch device.