Abstract: A lift for loading and unloading a truck. The truck has a loading chamber, a rear body portion and a chassis frame, and the lift has support posts mounted at an end and at each side of the truck at the rear body portion. A connecting member connecting the lower ends of each support post is provided. A drive moves the support posts in an upward and downward direction. A lift table has an opening formed in a portion corresponding to the chassis frame. The lift table is supported by the connecting member and is slidable on the connecting member in a longitudinal direction to the loading chamber thereby traversing the connecting member.

Abstract: The carrier handling system has a plurality of magazine tubes which contain carriers. In each tube, the carrier contains a different electronic component. A carriage is mounted on the base and moves on rectangular coordinates to the selected magazine tube. The collector saddle on the carriage is raised and the lowest carrier in the selected magazine is pushed out into the collector saddle. The collector saddle is moved to a reference position where the carrier is positioned for further processing.

Abstract: A disc-type coin sorter for sorting coin mixtures which include coin denominations of substantially similar diameters, the sorter has a rotatable disc having a resilient top surface, a motor for rotating the disc, a stationary sorting head having a lower surface positioned over and closely adjacent to the upper surface of the disc and having an opening in the central region thereof for feeding coins between the opposed surfaces of the disc and sorting head, the lower surface of the sorting head being contoured to align the coins in a single file and single layer of coins, the contoured lower surface extending downwardly between exit channels at a common radial position providing a positive guide wall which maintains the radial alignment of coins as they pass between exit channels. The lower surface also has an adjustable insert forming an inboard wall of a radially innermost end of at least one of the exit channels.

Abstract: A trailer assembly adapted to pivot with respect to the horizontal comprising a trailer frame, the trailer frame adapted to be connected to a towing vehicle; a trailer bed, the rearward end of the trailer bed being pivotally connected to the rearward end of the trailer frame; a lifting ramp coupled to the trailer frame, the lifting ramp extending along the trailer frame, from the upper portion and forward end of the trailer frame to below the lower portion and rearward end of the trailer frame; a lifting assembly including a lifting arm, a pivotal connection assembly connecting the upper end of the arm and the lower surface of the trailer bed at its forward end, a wheel connected to the lower end of the lifting arm, the wheel adapted to ride along the upper surface of the lifting ramp, a pulley arm coupled to the lower end of the lifting arm with a pulley connected to the forward end of the pulley arm; a cord having an end anchored to the forward end of the lifting ramp, the pulley adapted to ride along the l

Abstract: A device for the lifting, manipulation and transport of heavy rolls of material from shipping containers to/and from production apparatus is disclosed. The device has a mandrel which grips rolled stock at the roll core by means of expansion inside the roll core, and manipulates the rolled stock from its shipping position to a position suitable for placement on the mandrel of equipment to utilize the rolled stock. The device allows for transport of the rolled stock from shipping or storage locations to machinery for use. The device is capable of straddling shipping pallets and the like to allow for positioning the mandrel over the rolled stock while maintaining a relatively low center of gravity. Attached to the vertical lift plate is a second plate which is capable of sideways movement of the rolled stock and the mandrel for horizontal positioning. Primary energy sources are provided by electrically powered hydraulics or manually actuated hydraulics, winches, or lead screws.

Abstract: A bilevel trailer having upper and lower levels with four posts pivotally connected to both levels. A winch including a single cable connected by pulleys to all four posts with the winch moving said upper level between an upper position and a lower position resting on the lower level.

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 apparatus 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 wheelchair and lifting apparatus and method for loading a wheelchair and its occupant into a desired position in a vehicle, such as the driver's position, by attaching the wheelchair to an open door of the vehicle, utilizing the seat-height adjustment mechanism of the wheelchair that varies the height of the seat of the wheelchair relative to its wheels to lift the wheelchair off the ground and closing the vehicle door so as to position the wheelchair inside the vehicle in an unassisted manner by the occupant, and reversing this sequence of operation for unloading the wheelchair and its occupant from the vehicle.

Abstract: A railroad grade crossing system comprises a plurality of plates that rest on selected ties. The plates have two or more upstanding projections with threaded openings extending through them. The plates are positioned at the intersections of adjacent elastomeric grade crossing panels that have recesses defined in their lower surfaces that receive the projections. Bores extending through the panels coaxially with the recesses permit bolts to be installed through the panels into threaded engagement with the projections. Since adjacent panels are attached to a common plate, they become interconnected so that the weight of an entire crossing element will resist movement of the panels. In a typical application there are three crossing elements; a gauge element between the rails, and a field crossing element between each rail and the adjacent roadway. Typically, the gauge panels only extend half-way between the rails so that each gauge plate is coupled to the inner corner of four adjacent gauge panels.

Abstract: A coded railway track circuit apparatus is disclosed having the capability of operating during periods of low vehicle activity in a reduced power standby mode. This is accomplished by switching circuitry which interrupts power to most of the components within the track circuit apparatus in response to the recognition by standby initiation circuitry of a preselected standby initiation signal. Power to fail-over indicators which would normally be activated due to a power failure is also interrupted by fail-over interrupt circuitry. During the standby mode, monitor circuitry remains active to recognize occurrence of a preselected wake-up signal. When the wake-up signal is received, full power is restored, thus resuming normal operation. Operation of the fail-over systems is also then re-established.

Abstract: Stacking device for stacking groups of articles on top of each other, the articles being supplied to that stacking device in a single stream and at a common first level, the device comprising moveable elements which are substantially parallel to the article track, and which are adapted to receive one or more articles each time, and which are designed to move through a first track section and a second downstream track section, wherein in said first track section, articles are to be received and in said second track section, the articles are to be delivered at a subsequent level different to that of said first level, and means, in or beyond the second track section viewed in downstream direction, for positioning a group of articles, successively located at various levels, substantially on top of each other, wherein each time the level of the elements in said first and second track part is substantially the same.

Abstract: A method in accordance with the present invention includes programming a plurality of semiconductor devices simultaneously, thereby dramatically increasing the number of devices programmed within a predetermined time. In one embodiment, this method includes arranging a first plurality of semiconductor devices into an array configuration. The first array is then programmed while a second plurality of semiconductor devices is arranged into the array configuration. The second array is then programmed, while the first array is unloaded and a third plurality of semiconductor devices is arranged into the array configuration. The present invention further includes the step of moving the first plurality of semiconductor devices in the array configuration to a programming position and the step of transferring the first plurality of semiconductor devices to an unloading position.

Abstract: An extensible and retractable telescoping tube positions test devices that inspect large stationary objects. The tube has three dimensional adjustment capabilities and is vertically suspended from a frame. The tube sections are independently supported with each section comprising U-shaped housing secured to a thicker support plate. Guide mechanisms preferably mounted only to the thicker plates guide each tube section parallel to a reference axis with improved accuracy so that the position of the remote end of the telescoping tube is precisely known.

Abstract: A new and improved cargo cushioning apparatus includes a plurality of selectively inflatable and deflatable air bags. Each air bag includes an air inlet, an air outlet, and a pressurized air supply assembly for inflating the air bags. The air inlet and the air outlet are in a combined air inlet/outlet. The pressurized air supply assembly includes a connector assembly for connecting to a source of pressurized air. A supply of a length of air hose is connected to the air supply connector assembly. An air dispensing valve is connected to the air hose. The air dispensing valve is adapted for connection to the respective air inlets on the respective air bags. A storage drum assembly may be employed for selectively storing and paying out a quantity of the air hose. The storage drum assembly is mounted on a truck. A storage container stores a plurality of the air bags when they are deflated. The storage container is installed in a cargo container, e.g. a trailer.

Abstract: A fabric piece handling apparatus for picking up and placing fabric pieces. The fabric piece handling apparatus includes a pickup assembly having a pair of opposed jaws, a "trapeze" unfolder assembly adjacent to the pickup assembly, and a vacuum assisted magazine for supplying a stack of fabric pieces to the pickup assembly.

Abstract: An article unloading system for unloading articles from an article rack includes a pair of unloading ramps which are removably and pivotably attached to the rack beneath an upper article slot in the rack. The ramps are connected by a cross-member which is connected to a jack. A workman's platform is also removably attachable to the rack below the connection point of the ramps, and the jack is connected between the ramps and the platform. An article is slid from the upper article slot onto the ramps and latched into place. The ramps are then lowered via the jack to a position in which the article can be easily reached, the latch is remotely released and the article is off-loaded. The article rack can be a specialized rack with multiple stacked slots for carrying pickup truck covers and the articles to be unloaded can be pickup truck covers from upper slots within the rack.

Abstract: A sheet discriminating apparatus includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a plurality of lines perpendicular to a sheet conveyance direction. A plurality of light receiving elements are positioned so that each faces an associated one of the light emitting elements. When a sheet is conveyed by the light emitting elements, at least one of the light receiving elements is partially screened by the side edge of the sheet. Length detection circuitry is provided for detecting the length of the sheet in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction based upon outputs of the light receiving elements. Also, pattern detection circuitry is provided for determining pattern data of the sheet based upon outputs of the light receiving elements. The determined pattern data is compared to stored, reference pattern data. The outcome of the comparison and the determined length are used to discriminate the kind of sheet.

Abstract: An envelope accumulation and batching apparatus and method uses a conventional envelope delivery spider which has been adapted to deliver envelopes to an accumulating surface, such as a belt conveyor, in a position with the folded envelope seal flaps facing upward. A rotary guide is positioned with radially extending guide members extending just above the conveyor belt to guide envelopes onto the conveyor in an upright orientation. The conveyor moves the envelopes toward a series of three separately movable, vertically oriented finger supports. The three supports are cooperatively driven to accumulate, batch and compress horizontal stacks of predetermined numbers of envelopes which are then positioned beneath a gripper assembly with a pair of opposed gripper arms. The gripper assembly is lowered into a position in which the gripper arms are inserted on either side of the compressed envelope stack, pulled together and pivoted inward at the bottoms to squeeze the stack from the bottom edges.

Abstract: An electrical vehicle transportation system in which a steerable electrically powered automotive vehicle receives electrical power from electrified conductors located above a roadway or affixed to the roadway, through an electrical pickup on the vehicle having electrical contacts engageable with the roadway conductors in a manner which permits steering movement of the vehicle laterally of the roadway and switching of the vehicle from one traffic lane to another with no interruption, or only momentary interruption, in the flow of electrical power to the vehicle. An electrically powered vehicle and electrical pickup for the transportation system.

Abstract: A power stacker provides for receiving lengthwise orientated envelopes projected longitudinally onto the power stacker at a receiving end of the power stacker from an envelope feed device. The power stacker has a base supporting both an elongated deck and registration wall, an envelope transport system for transporting envelopes along the deck from the receiving end to a stack end of the deck. The transport system includes a plurality of friction belts extending partly along the deck and a power stack wheel pivotally mounted to the registration wall. An upper deflection flap at having one end pivotally mounted to the registration wall at the receiving end of the deck at a vertical elevation above that of the longitudinal feed level of the feed device, the upper deflection flap to contact the deck at it other end at a predetermined nominal angle forward of the power stack wheel.