Abstract: A sugar cane piler having a mechanical spring suspension device connected between the piler and the front end of the loader, the device including a precompressed spring to absorb a major portion of the weight of the piler and reduce the force of the piler acting on the ground. The device permits the piler to readily float over the ground and minimizes penetration of the piler's tips into the ground.

Abstract: A system for handling bales of feed includes a freight trailer with a tongue that can be offset laterally to cause the trailer to follow a path to one side of the path of a tractor to permit a front-loading device on the trailer to engage bales of feed and raise them onto a load-carrying platform of the trailer. The platform is tiltable downward to the rear to induce sliding movement of loaded bales, and to release said bales in a vertical stack. The platform is provided with a device to grip the top bale of a stack and insert a lifting member under the stack to retrieve it for feeding operations. The platform is tiltable downward-forward to induce forward movement of the bales for release onto a bale shredder carried in part on the tongue of the trailer.

Abstract: Structure for and method of die transfer. The structure comprises low friction bearing structures set into elongated T-slot bars secured in parallel, transverse spaced apart relation on a bolster plate and a die transfer truck table top actuable in response to the table top being raised to the level of the top of the T-slot bars with the table adjacent the bolster plate to raise a die positional on either the truck or bolster plate and facilitate universal movement of the die in a plane parallel to the top of the bolster plate. V-block and pin structure for centering the die on the bolster plate and die clamping structure including a washer having one straight edge and which moves axially of a bolt with a nut are also part of the die transfer structure.

Abstract: A precision robot apparatus (10) is disclosed which has an arm supporting cylinder (16) capable of being moved vertically by means of a lead screw (24) which rotates within a lead screw nut (38) attached to the arm supporting cylinder (16). A linear guide rod (44) is positioned parallel to the arm supporting cylinder (16) with an anti-rotation plate (42) therebetween. An arm drive belt (74) transfers rotational power from the linear guide rod (44) to the arm supporting cylinder (16). Rotational motion of the arm supporting cylinder (16) relative to a fixed arm pulley (92) is employed to power an arm portion (14).

Abstract: This device is for an air operated safety latch designed to hold a folding pole trailer in its stationary or folded position when traveling. The device is comprised of a housing which supports jaw members which can move from an open to a closed position when a pole or other longitudinal member is placed between the jaw members, springs attached to each jaw member, a pivot arm attached to a latch block which locks the jaw members in place when the jaw members are closed, a spring to pull down on the pivot arm and to assist the locking mechanism, and a two-way air cylinder which can serve as a back-up to the locking system and which can be used to unlock and open the jaw members.

Abstract: The present invention describes the incorporation of self-serve checkout systems within a supermarket. The installation of self-serve checkout systems is shown whereby the productivity of the supermarket is maintained, no significantly increased floorspace requirements occur, the human supervisor of the self-serve checkout systems is able to strategically carry out his/her duties and the co-existence with conventional checkout lanes is allowed. As well, a method and apparatus for integrating a labor savings car order bag handling system with the checkout lanes of the supermarket is shown. In addition, a method and apparatus for augmenting the checkout productivity of produce items is shown.

Abstract: A lift arm lock down apparatus for a load lifting vehicle is described. The vehicle has a vehicle body and a lift arm or boom rotatable between a raised and a lowered position about a horizontal pivot on the vehicle body. The lift arm lock down apparatus includes a lock having first and second cooperating lock members for selectively locking the lift arm to the vehicle body in the lowered position. The lock members are respectively mounted on the lift arm and the vehicle body. At least one lock member is movable by an appropriate manually or automatically operated mechanism between an unlocked position permitting tilting of the lift arm and a locked position where the lock members are releasably interconnected when the lift arm is at the lowered position. The lift arm lock down apparatus prevents accidental lifting of the lift arm, when the operator is entering or exiting the operator's compartment and may be used as a theft deterrent when the lift arm is locked in a lowered, ground engaging position.

Abstract: A loading device for loading and unloading of a loading space comprising a framework having longitudinal profile strips and transverse coal-fibre foils between which a slide cloth is positioned. A partition limits the loading space and is connected to a transport cloth which extends forwards above the slide cloth to the front end of the loading space and over the front foil and backwards below the slide cloth and at the other end being connected to several pull bands which extend further backwards to the inner end of the loading space below the slide cloth and then forwards above the slide cloth and to the other side of the partition. Two nuts are attached to the partition and cooperate with two longitudinal drive screws. The screws are anchored in the longitudinal direction by sleeves in either end and the sleeves having axial needle bearings as well as radial roller bearings.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a transportable frame, an equipment frame and a load carrying vehicle for using the transportable frame and the equipment frame. The load carrying vehicle has a movable hook arm which can pivot around a pivotal connection to a link member which is itself pivotally connected to the vehicle. The transportable frame has longitudinal beams and an upstanding end portion formed by upstanding beams and a cross piece. The upstanding end portion has a coupling arrangement for detachably securing the equipment frame thereto. The equipment frame supports an item of equipment and includes at least two connected beams and a coupling arrangement carried by the beams. An upper region of the equipment frame has a support having secured thereto the item of equipment.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a rectangular frame (20) disposed horizontally, which is fixed to the forks (25) of a lift truck. Gates (29) depend downwards from the sides of the frame, and each gate carries a pad (32). When the gates are operated hydraulically the pads clamp a pallet-sized layer (43) of cardboard cases (36) therebetween. Other layers of cases resting on the clamped layer may be picked up along with the clamped layer. The layer is clamped on all four sides, and the pads are long enough that no bottle (38) can "escape" the clamping force. The apparatus allows a high clamp force to be used, without the danger of damaging the cases or bottles.

Abstract: A control system is adapted to provide substantially linear movement of a work implement. The control system receives signals from at least one control lever and coordinates the movements of the work implement's appendages through coordination of hydraulic cylinders.

Abstract: A toy vehicle track with toy vehicles having an electric drive motor disposed in the chassis thereof. The track is formed of segments which are connected by plugging together. The electric drive motor in the vehicles is supplied with electricity via collectors and conductors placed in the track for uninterrupted operation over a period of time. When electrical connection with a net fails or is terminated, the vehicles can be operated over a further preset length of time. The segments are removably or fixedly connected with conductors along the entire track. The vehicles have collectors in contact with the conductors and a chargeable power source serving as an electric buffer. The power source and the collectors are simultaneously in permanent connection with the drive motor. If the power supply is cut off from the electric net, the internal power source is automatically activated, and permits further operation until discharged.

Abstract: A rail attachment device which allows for longitudinal displacement of a rail. The rail attachment device includes a first element fixedly supported to a ribbed plate and having a vertical arm extending essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rail. The rail attachment device also includes a second element which is connected to the web of the stock rail. Connecting elements connect the first element to the second element so as to allow for longitudinal shifting of the stock rail and second element with respect to the first element fixed to the ribbed plate. In one embodiment, the second element includes a web-plate fixed to the web of the stock rail by a bolt and a plate-like element connected to the web-plate and having longitudinally extending slots. The connecting elements pass through holes formed in the vertical arm and through the elongated slots.

Abstract: An unloading device having a frame transversely supportable on a pair of spaced side walls of a truck bed is longitudinally movable from the front to the rear of the truck bed. A plurality of wheels secured to the frame and engagable with the side walls facilitate movement of the device. An electric motor or hand crank is drivingly connected to a main shaft mounted on the frame for rotating the shaft in opposite directions, and an elongated sheet of material, such as reinforced nylon, having one end thereof secured to the shaft and the other end thereof secured to the rear of the truck bed is used for receiving an article for transportation. Rotation of the shaft in one direction winds the sheet of material on the shaft, moves the frame toward the rear of the truck bed and shifts the article on the sheet from the front of the truck bed to the rear and off of the truck bed. A rail is mounted on each of the side walls of the truck bed for guiding the wheels.

Abstract: A process and device for breaking and removing a tie which surrounds a bundle of blanks and is arranged in a vertical plane characterized by an arrangement for holding the bundle and transporting it between a first location and a second location, an arrangement for creating a space between an upper surface of the bundle and each of the ties, an arrangement for breaking the ties being inserted in the space to engage the tie and to hold the tie after it has been transversely broken to allow the blanks to be deposited at the second location.

Abstract: A load tie-down and arrangement for securing loads onto vehicles, particularly non-uniform and abrasive loads such as logs onto log-hauling trailers, and for enhancing the safety with which such loads can be transported. The tie-down includes a high abrasion resistant webbing capable of being attached at one end to the vehicle and at the other to a winching mechanism. The winching mechanism easily accommodates excess webbing for small load situations and is capable of being easily and quickly tightened or retightened during transport to offset any slack in the webbing which may have been created due to load shifting or settling. A modified tie-down can be used to encircle the load without attachment to the vehicle for increased security.

Abstract: An advanced automated vessel cargo transfer system for loading and unloading of ships and lighters. It includes an articulated manipulator arm mounted on a frame. The arm is provided with a spreader bar at the distal end thereof. The spreader bar is provided with facilities for grasping cargo. Sensors track the movement of the vessel, and automatically responsive controllers adjust the motion and position of the spreader bar to follow the motion of the vessel. Berthing modules are provided to aid in controlling the motion of the vessel. In a major embodiment, the manipulator arm is mounted on a transverse frame that bridges spaced-apart floating barges, and provisions are made for serving vessels both on the outboard and inboard sides of the barges. In another embodiment, the manipulator arm is shore-based.

Abstract: Apparatus for repeatedly cutting stacks of overlapping sheets has a first cutting machine from which large stacks are transferred to a loading station which is adjacent a transfer station where the stacks are loaded upon successive wheel-mounted pallets for transport into the second cutting machine. A feeding unit is provided to shift selected numbers of stacks on the pallet which is located in the second machine onto a working platform beneath the guillotine type knife and the hold-down device of the second cutting machine so that the pallet supports portions of stacks which are being severed. The stacks are oriented on the pallet at the loading station, and additional changes in orientation of the stacks can be carried out on the pallet and/or on the adjacent working platform in the second cutting machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for lifting round bales of hay including a pair of arms which project forwardly from the front end of a tractor. These arms support a pivotal structure which includes a spear for impaling a round bale of hay and thereafter tilting the bale up off the ground. Another embodiment includes a device similarly attached to the forward end of a tractor; however, the latter embodiment involves a spear which can be elevated with respect to the ground while remaining parallel to the ground. A third embodiment involves a bale lifting device which is similar to the second embodiment but which can be attached to a conventional 3-point hitch on a tractor or to the rear of a flatbed trailer. A still further embodiment includes a square frame supported from a tractor by means of a 3-point hitch connection. The square frame rotatably supports an elongated rectangular frame which has impaling spears at the opposite ends thereof.

Abstract: A substrate transfer apparatus includes two transfer arms pivotably arranged on a support table on opposite sides from each other with respect to a center of the support table. Each of the transfer arms includes: a first set of parallel links, a second set of parallel links, and a substrate holding member. The first set of the links is pivotably connected to the second set of the links at one ends thereof. The other ends of the first set of the links are pivotably connected to the support table. The substrate holding member is provided on the other end of the second set of the links. The each of the substrate holding members moves outward from the support table by stretching of the transfer arms and returns to the support table by bending of the transfer arms, and the transfer arms are bent in an opposite direction to each other with respect to the support table.