Abstract: A rack is disclosed for mounting on the rear of a car for carrying a wheelchair. The wheelchair has a seat supporting framework that includes two parallel horizontal frame members close to the ground. The rack includes a pair of chair support members for engaging the two horizontal frame members with the chair on the ground and powered lift members for raising the chair to a traveling position above the ground and for lowering the chair downwardly to the ground for removing the chair from the rack thereby eliminating any need for anyone to lift the chair.

Abstract: A side dump trailer comprising a trailer body pivotally mounted on a wheeled frame fashioned so as to enable the material within the trailer body to be dumped from either side of the trailer. A pair of spaced-apart saddles are provided at each side of the trailer frame and have rocker pins removably and pivotally received therein. When it is desired to dump the material from the trailer from one side thereof, locks on the rocker pins at the opposite side of the trailer are released and hydraulic cylinders are extended to cause the trailer body to pivot about the rocker pins at the dumping side of the trailer. The body of the trailer is also designed to provide strength and to ensure complete dumping of the contents therein.

Abstract: A load receiving platform and cradle are mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis through approximately ninety degrees. A machine base is spaced upwardly from a floor surface by supports which may be embodied in load cells. A load receiving surface of the platform extends along a cantilever portion of the platform. A hydraulic cylinder, coupled to the cantilever portion of the platform, imparts rotational movement thereto. The hydraulic cylinder is part of a hydraulic system having lines communicating cylinder ends with a pressure source. One of the lines includes a piloted valve with fluid flow through the line being regulated by pilot pressure taken from the remaining line to control platform movement during an unbalanced condition of the platform.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing pallets from a stack supported in a downstacker frame is made up of a pair of laterally spaced conveyor belts extending beneath the frame, a lift mechanism which can be lifted and lowered between the conveyor belts both for supporting the stack of pallets and for individually lowering a pallet onto the conveyor belt, and a pallet control mechanism for selectively separating each lower pallet from the stack so that it can be deposited on the conveyor belts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new trailer-mounted crane for providing a vehicle-trailable general purpose lightweight crane. The trailer-mounted crane comprises a flatbed trailer defining a transportable crane base. A crane boom, comprising an elongated steel channel having a sheave mounted at the distal end thereof, is pivotally connected central a top rear edge of the trailer deck such that a distal end of the boom is elevationally adjustable for hoisting, moving, and lowering loads. A telescoping boom travel limit arm prevents the boom from being raised to a dangerous vertical orientation whereupon the boom and any load suspended therefrom may fall towards operating personnel. Boom sway damping arms control swinging load induced boom yaw whereby improving overall stability of the crane. A manual load hoist winch, having a load hoist cable operably connected thereto, is secured to the trailer. A motorized boom pitch winch, having a boom pitch cable operably connected thereto, is also secured to the trailer.

Abstract: Apparatus for frozen patties wherein one wide and slow conveyor feeds a plurality of narrow and fast conveyors to spread out the patties prior to stacking. Each fast conveyor conveys a stream of patties to a stacking module, each module includes a vertically-extending stacking cylinder. Each stacking cylinder includes a vertically-movable plunger which decrements as a patty is added to the top of the cylinder. When a cylinder contains enough patties for a stack, a patty-blocking member blocks patties from entering that fast conveyor, and the plunger in that cylinder raises the stack vertically out of the cylinder to a horizontal stage platform. A pusher member pushes the stack off the plunger and onto the stage platform. Vertically-hanging spring leaves stabilize the position of the stacks on the stage platform. When a desired number of stacks have accumulated on the stage platform, the stacks are moved to a collection station.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing semiconductor wafers includes a load lock chamber with a first gate valve and a second gate valve so as to load and unload cassettes through the first gate valve, and to convey the wafers from the load lock chamber to a plurality of processing chambers through respective second valves. The load lock chamber is provided with a turntable which holds the plurality of cassettes. The turntable conveys each of the cassettes in front of respective ones of the second valves.

Abstract: A method for handling conventional stacks of baked goods trays for the baking industry. A platen is moved underneath side-by-side stacks of trays. The platen supports the underside of the stacks of trays and prevents lateral movement of the bottom of the stacks by guiding the platen into channels that exist in the bottom of the trays. The platen is attached to an upright which is tiltable and which extends along one side of the baked goods trays when on the platen to support the stacks along their vertical height. Tilting of the upright causes the platen to lift and the trays to tilt against the upright where they are supported underneath and along the side and thus can be moved and handled. By utilizing the split platen and the tall tiltable upright with a motorized vehicle, an economical and efficient method of handing baked goods tray stacks is possible, eliminating significant manual labor and risk of worker injury.

Abstract: In an automatic parking garage with a storage silo having a circular periphery, the storage silo having a cylindrical inner shaft and including a plurality of radially positioned parking compartments opening toward the inner shaft on a plurality of stacked parking levels and with a conveying apparatus located in the inner shaft for the transportation of vehicles between at least one entrance and the parking compartments and between the parking compartments and at least one exit, the conveying apparatus including a plurality of vehicle-receiving transport surfaces which are moveable in the vertical direction and are rotatable together in a horizontal direction about a central axis, such that the transport surfaces can be positioned by vertical movement at the level of one of the parking floors, or the at least one entrance, or the at least one exit, and then, by rotation about the central axis, adjacent one of the parking compartments in the corresponding parking level: the transport surfaces as well as the pa

Abstract: A vehicle tilting apparatus for rotating a vehicle for servicing or repair is disclosed. A support assembly is pivotally mounted on a base frame assembly. The support assembly includes a lifting assembly having a pair of spaced lift members. Support platforms for supporting the vehicle are pivotally mounted on one of the lift members. An over center locking assembly is mounted on the other lift member to releasably lock the support platform to the lift member.

Abstract: A roll-off trailer or truck bed for hauling cargo includes a cargo controlling mechanism that allows for the controllable removal of the cargo. The roll-off trailer characteristically includes a plurality of rotatable rollers disposed transverse to the longitudinal length of the trailer. The cargo controlling mechanism includes a brake mechanism preferably associated with at least several of the plurality of rollers. When actuated, the brake mechanism retards, stops, or nonrotatably restrains rotational movement of the rollers in order to slow down or stop the off-loading of the cargo. Actuation of the brake mechanisms may be accomplished through hydraulic, electric, pneumatic, mechanical, or other means. Each brake mechanism may be separately controlled by the operator in order to selectively retard the rotation of the desired roller. Alternatively, a number of brake mechanisms may be linked together to constitute a group. A control assembly regulates the brake mechanisms of the group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dockside crane for moving cargo between a dock and a water-borne vessel. The crane has an elongated girder extending horizontally over the dock and the vessel. The crane can vertically raise and lower the girder to change its elevation, so as to minimize distance and time travel for the cargo. A trolley moves horizontally on the girder, and has a cargo engaging device which is lowered to and raised from cargo locations on the dock and vessel. The cargo engaging device can be raised sufficiently adjacent to the trolley, and may be held tightly thereagainst, to permit large horizontal accelerations and velocities with virtually no attendant sway of the trolley or cargo. Preferably, paddles extend downwardly from the trolley to beneath the center of gravity of the cargo, to further ensure no sway is encountered.

Abstract: A device for collecting waste, in particular waste packing glass. At least one intake container and one collecting container is provided. The intake container has a lifting device for raising the intake container above the collecting container. The intake container has a bottom part and bottomless housing which is movable relative to the bottom part so that an open and closed position can be defined. In the closed position, a lower edge of the housing part lies against the bottom forming a seal and in the open position the lower edge of the housing is situated at a distance from the bottom part allowing discharge of the contents. The intake and collecting container can be aligned prior to discharge, thereby assuring error-free emptying of the intake container.

Abstract: A bulk envelope container for use in a bulk envelope transfer system and method includes a plurality of elongate chambers, each of which can store a stack of envelopes. The chambers can be arranged in rows and columns and the container is designed for use with a positioning table which is movable both horizontally and vertically to selectively align one of the chambers with a loading or unloading device. Each chamber has attached thereto a motorized gate which can be opened when the chamber is aligned for loading or unloading and closed when the associated chamber is not so aligned. An exemplary loading and unloading apparatus and a synchronizing control system is disclosed for use with the container and positioning table.

Abstract: Containers for rod-like articles are provided with a device, e.g. a transponder, capable of carrying variable coded information. Read and write devices are provided at appropriate positions, e.g. tray fillers and unloaders, to ensure that only containers of the correct type and contents are passed for further processing. The coded information may also relate to time of manufacture or loading, particularly where the articles are filter rods, to ensure unloading of only those containers in which the rods have received adequate curing time. A buffer reservoir system having a tray filler, tray unloader, and a tray handling system includes a transfer member capable of transferring trays between different positions of the tray handling system and a static trolly. The transfer member may comprise a robotic or other programmable member.

Abstract: A method for picking up rectangular big bales of hay, straw, or the like; placing the bales on a turntable for proper selective orientation of the bales relative to a stacker bed; and for pivoting the turntable, with bales, about a horizontal axis for depositing the bales on a stacker bed. Selective rotation of the turntable, permits a second bale to be placed in a side by side, parallel relationship with a first bale and also permits tieing of tiers of bales on the stacker bed. A novel pick-up member, which rotates one hundred eighty degrees, allows pick up of bales from a horizontal location on the ground and placement of the bales in an upside down, lengthwise and horizontal position on the turntable.

Abstract: An apparatus for orienting and delivering individual condoms is disclosed comprising in general an orienting tube having an inner diameter sized slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the condom ring, whereby a suction is used to draw the non-oriented, randomly configured condom into, through and out of the tube. Each condom is oriented in the same orientation and configuration upon exiting the orientation tube, with the tip proceeding the main body of the condom, followed by the ring and open end. The invention further comprises a retrieving mechanism to pick up individual, non-oriented condoms and deliver the condoms to the orienting tube.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a lift gate cargo cart made of strong, lightweight material, which includes a pallet structure designed to transport cargo that can be selectively attached to the hydraulic lift gate on a delivery truck. When attached to the lift gate, the lift gate cargo cart can be lifted to the level of the bed of the truck for loading and unloading cargo therefrom. The pallet structure includes a rigid frame with a plurality of wheel assemblies mounted on the bottom surface thereof which enables the cargo cart to be manually moved across a horizontal surface. Attached to the top surface of the rigid frame are two roller assemblies aligned in a parallel manner which enable cargo to be manually pushed or pulled over the cargo cart during use. Attached to the front surface of pallet structure is a connection bar which together with a plurality of bolts and washer plates, are used to engage the lift gate on a delivery truck.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with a tractor loader, and including a support, elongated teeth attached to a frame, a retainer above the teeth which is pivotable between upper and lower positions, and a push arm between the teeth and the retainer which is movable between retracted and extended positions. The apparatus can handle various types of bales of hay, straw, etc. It can also be used to lift and transport loose fibrous material. The retainer is pivoted downwardly to grip and hold the material on the teeth. When the retainer is pivoted upwardly, the push arm can be moved to its extended position to urge the material off the forward ends of the teeth.

Abstract: A chock and chock anchor for restraining a massive piece of cargo on the load carrying platform of a transport vehicle and a transport vehicle trailer incorporating the same. The chock anchor is secured to the platform and the chock is detachably mounted thereon. Downwardly extending projections on at least one of the chock anchor and chock cause structural damage to the vehicle platform and platform support structure in the event of a sudden stop. The damaged area provides a recess that the cargo piece projects into thereby confining the cargo, such as a multi-ton coil of steel, to the vehicle.