Abstract: A loading/unloading vehicle having booms and a bucket carried thereon such as a shovel loader, a wheel loader or the like vehicle detects that a true bucket-to-ground angle coincides with a preset angle after the vehicle starts automatic turning movement of the bucket. When the coincidence is detected, the automatic turning movement of the bucket is interrupted. Thereafter, a differential value between the true bucket-to-ground angle and the preset angle is determined, if any and then the bucket angle is corrected so as to allow the differential value to be reduced to zero. Consequently, the bucket is held at the preset angle after the bucket stops, even though the booms continue to be turned.

Abstract: A pair of tracks having spaced cutouts formed along the longitudinal extent thereof are mounted vertically on opposite walls of a compartment such as the interior of a truck or other transportation vehicle. A beam assembly is formed by a pair of channel members and a beam member in which the channel members are slidably supported in telescoping relationship, the channel members having limited longitudinal movement relative to the beam member. One end of each of the channel members protrudes from the beam member and has a spring actuated latching device attached thereto. The effective length of the assembly can be adjusted by slidably positioning the channel members relative to the beam member to bring the latching devices into contact with the opposing tracks with such latching devices being selectively fitted onto flanged portions of the track and into a pair of opposing track openings so that they latch onto the track.

Abstract: Apparatus for use primarily in toll road systems for receiving and validating coins including a coin acceptor which comprises a rotating disc provided with recesses in its periphery for receiving coins and a coin validator adjacent the path of movement of the coins for sensing coin validity. A coin ejection mechanism is provided to reject coins if invalid as sensed by the coin validator. The apparatus also includes a compartmented coin receiving assembly for receiving coins from the acceptor and transferring them to a vault chamber.

Abstract: A loader having a working implement is removed from a tractor by placing the implement and a stand into contact with the ground as spaced apart from each other in the direction of advance of the tractor, disconnecting each of masts from a mount, subsequently advancing the tractor to raise the mast off the mount with the ground contact portion of the stand serving as a fulcrum and cause the implement and the stand to support the loader in a standing state, and thereafter retracting the tractor. The loader is attached to the tractor by advancing the tractor toward the loader in the standing state to set the mount in position in the rear of the mast, further advancing the tractor to incline the stand downwardly rearward and fit the mast into the mount from above, thereafter connecting the mast to the mount and removing the stand.

Abstract: A prealigner for semiconductive wafers is described. The prealigner includes mechanism for holding the wafer in a non-slip manner and motive means for adjusting the position of its engagement with the wafer as necessary to make the geometric center of the wafer precisely coincident with a chosen position.

Abstract: A coin counter and return device useful in automatic vending machines, amusement devices and slot machines, consisting of a fixed base upon which there is a rotating body and a plurality of projections. The rotating body has at least one contact face and has a plurality of recesses each of which is positioned to receive one of the projections. To remove a coin, the contact face knocks a coin against the projections and presses the coin against the projections at contact points separated by a distance less than the coin's diameter. This impels the coin towards the outside. In this way, coins of any dimension may be counted and returned.

Abstract: A coin selector includes a horizontal coin conveying unit for forcibly conveying a coin inserted through a coin insert slit in the horizontal direction while the coin is held between an opposing pair of endless belts. The horizontal coin conveying unit is slidably arranged in a housing of the coin selector, and moreover, the space defined by the opposing pair of endless belts is enlarged by turnably opening the opposing pair of endless belt about their one end. The upstream side of the horizontal coin conveying unit is covered with a cover, and a liquid collecting portion is attached to the cover so as to allow a liquid received through the coin insert slit to be quickly discharged outside of the coin selector.

Abstract: An optical coin detector uses the spatial and/or temporal periodic modulation imparted to incident light which is reflected from the coin due to the combined effect of the stamping on the coin and its motion past a detection area. Detection of modulated, reflected light takes part from the end edge of the coin or from one of its side surfaces, and is effected by using one light sensitive detector with an adapted line screen pattern arranged in front of the detector, or by using a detector array.

Abstract: A document size detection device for detecting the size of documents such as non-U.S. currency comprises a housing, a plate mounted in the housing past which each document is moved, and detectors positioned along the plate for sensing the size of each document and for initiating a signal indicating the size of each document.

Abstract: A locking device for securing a piece of freight to a loading floor, especially in an aircraft in which a floor separates an upper deck from a freight space below the deck, is equipped with an adjustable locking mechanism at each end of the locking device. With the locking mechanism, it is possible to secure the locking device to support rails in the loading floor and to also adjust the position of the locking device relative to a neighboring locking device. For this purpose, each locking mechanism is equipped, at each end of each locking device frame, with two teeth plates, one of which is forming a locking end plate at an end of the locking device frame, while the other plate is part of a clamping system relative to which the frame of the locking device can be shifted within certain limits determined by the length of an elongated hole in each locking end plate.

Abstract: An improved system for quickly securing a load to a flat bed vehicle. Rotatable main shafts are secured on opposite sides of the load with each of the main shafts having a gear box. An access shaft couples the two main shafts together through worm gearing so that actuating the access shaft from either side of the truck actuates both main shafts. This causes the main shafts to rotate in opposite directions and pulls the binding tight across the load. A ratchet may be provided on the main shafts to also secure a position of the main shafts and allow effective motion in one direction only. The binding may be removed from the load by releasing the ratchet and rotating the main shafts in an opposite fashion.

Abstract: A disc conveyor for conveyor for conveying disc-like objects is disclosed. The conveyor includes a feeding device for serially feeding a plurality of disc-like objects, a forcible transporting device for forcibly transporting the objects fed from the feeding device, a drive source for selectably driving either the feeding device or the forcible transporting device and a correlating mechanism for operatively correlating the feeding device and the forcible transporting device.

Abstract: A multiple use commodity collection and storage system, comprises a plurality of collection stations remotely located, each for receiving a plurality of different predetermined post-consumer recyclable commodities.

Abstract: A strap corner for securing and protecting a transported load and increasing the useful life of the strap securing the load. The strap corner has side plates and a lower support to form a rigid strap corner. Rollers are provided for allowing equal tension throughout the strap during shifting of a load. A belt retainer to keep the strap and strap corner from becoming separated from the load during transport is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and system for loading and unloading a load onto and from a load carrying device mounted on a vehicle which is capable of producing a significant lift of the load and changing the angular position of the load at different load elevations. A bellcrank supports the load carrying device. A first pin pivotally mounts the bellcrank to the vehicle. A second pin pivotally mounts the load carrying device to the bellcrank. A first power device pivots the bellcrank around the first pin and a second power device pivots the load carrying device around the second pin.

Abstract: An automatic coin machine including a coin acceptor and identifier and a removable vault. The vault is adapted to receive coins from the coin acceptor and identifier and is adapted to be removed to permit counting of the coins. The machine includes a vault housing for receiving a corresponding vault, a code definer associated with the vault and a code sensor. The code sensor is adapted to detect the code of the code definer to provide a vault security identification system.

Abstract: A tractor-mounted loader has a quick coupler mounted to forward ends of the boom arms thereof. The quick coupler includes a pair of attachment holders having their lower ends respectively pivotally connected to the pair of arms and selectively pivotable by a pair of attachment tilt cylinders. An attachment in the form of a bucket includes a pair of connecting brackets including pins engageable by recesses in the upper ends of the holders and receptacles for receiving coupler elements carried by the holders. A pair of latch mechanisms are respectively carried by the pair of brackets and include spring-loaded latch pins which normally assume a latch position blocking passage of the coupler elements to or from the receptacles but which include ramp surfaces that cooperate with ramp surfaces of the coupler elements to cause the pins to be automatically moved from their latch positions to permit passage of the coupler elements into the receptacles during mounting of the attachment to the attachment holders.

Abstract: A production line which includes a shuttle conveyor extending between two work stations. A first transfer device for transferring a workpiece from one of the work stations to the conveyor and a second transfer device for transferring the workpiece to the second work station all equipped with workpiece gripping or supporting devices which may be rapidly changed when the line is shifted from the production of one form of workpiece to the production of another workpiece having a different configuration. Replacement workpiece gripping devices are supported adjacent the shuttle conveyor upon holding pedestals. Upon line changeover, the transfer devices locate their workpiece gripping devices upon empty holding pedestals and actuating devices on the pedestal release the gripping devices from their transfer devices. The empty transfer devices are then shifted and coupled to new workpiece gripping devices supported on other holding pedestals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of cashing up and collecting money from coin-operated machines and an arrangement of coin-operated machines for carrying out the method. The coin-operated machines which are in association with a money changing machine to form a group. A counter is provided which registers the amounts of money arising, such as the value of coins inserted into gambling machines. Excess coins arising in the machines during play are first fed, unsorted, to the money changing machine, and when its set filling level is reached, are fed to a coin strongbox. It is possible to sort out and feed at least one preferred type of coin, such as a high value coin or a low value coin, to the money changing machine and to feed remaining excess coins unsorted to a coin strongbox. The value of coins being transferred by the coin sorting device is continuously added and stored separately from the coins to be paid out and to be fed into a coin strongbox of the change dispenser.

Abstract: A mobile robot or automatic guided vehicle having a multijointed robot arm. The robot arm has a gripper and charge coupled device camera mounted at the free end of the arm. The gripper is for engaging, holding and releasing workpieces. The robot arm transfers workpieces to and from process machines or storage areas. The robot arm finds the workpiece or the place to set it down by looking at two light emitting diodes placed a known distance and orientation away from the workpiece or set down place. The robot arm and camera are controlled by a computer on board the vehicle. The automatic guided vehicle and robot arm are used to transfer workpieces from place to place in an automated manufacturing environment.