Abstract: The invention is related to a method for transferring load units between two carriers. A first carrier includes a transfer arrangement which is an extendable and retractable arm that moves transverse to the first carrier and forms a path for a carrying member movable along the arm. A second carrier includes elevating securing members which engage a load unit. The method includes the steps of extending the arm from the first carrier so that the arm will be supported by the second carrier, displacing the carrying member along the arm to a position under the load on the second carrier, lowering the load onto the carrying member by lowering the securing members, and transferring the load with the carrying member along the arm to the first carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring load units between two carriers having at least one transferring device movable between the carriers, the transferring device being adapted to carry the load unit during the transfer, and a bridging device being movable in order to bridge the gap between the carriers. The bridging device forms a part of a support path device for supporting the transferring device during its movement and has support path portions, which, when the bridging device is moved into a bridging position, are located in overlapping relation, in the direction of movement of the transferring device, to further support path portions, which are arranged on the first carrier, while forming a path supporting the transferring device during substantially the entire movement from the first carrier to the second carrier.

Abstract: A power unit of the type varying its length comprises three members movable in relation to each other. The power unit is used for transferring load from a first load carrier to a second one. In order to make this transfer possible in a satisfying manner, the power unit has to be constructed so that it can be extended to at least two times its length in the contracted state. For this reason it is a necessity that transmissions comprising wheels (13) and a loop (15) laid around these are so arranged, that when the third member (3) is displaced with respect to the first member (1) fixed in the room, at the same time the second member (2) is displaced in the same direction and the same distance with respect to the third member (3). In order to solve this problem in an appropriate manner the invention proposes to design the first member (1) with at least partly the character of a housing for the power unit, with an elongated shape in cross section.

Abstract: A device for transferring load units comprises a transfer apparatus for transferring such load units in an elevated condition between first and second carriers each having at least two upwardly open channels extending transversely to the longitudinal direction thereof, the channels being bridged by the load units when located on the carriers, the transfer apparatus being arranged on the second carrier and comprising at least two separate arms each having lifting devices and being displaceable from the channels of the second carrier to the channels of the first carrier and vice versa transversely to the longitudinal direction of the carriers, the channels of the second carrier housing the arms when inactive.