Abstract: Positioning device to be incorporated as a controllable coupling element between a load and the cable of a hoisting apparatus. The element includes a hydraulic cylinder connected to a hydro-pneumatic transformer and to a hydro-pneumatic reservoir. The transformer is connected to a source of pressurized gas through a first valve, a second valve being provided in the line from the cylinder to the reservoir. The cylinder, the transformer, the pressurized gas source, the reservoir and both valves are mounted in a common frame, both valves being operable from a distance.

Abstract: A deployment/retrieval system for a towed body which includes first and second arms, one of which is rotatable relative to the other about an axle disposed beneath the longitudinal axes of the arms. A winch-wound cable passes through both of the arms as well as around a sheave which also rotates about the axle. Prior to deployment or after retrieval of the towed body the arms are in a horizontal position while during deployment or a retrieval one arm is in a vertical position. When in the vertical position, a complementary mating arrangement on the towed body ensures for a positive engagement with the arm so as to prevent excessive movement of the towed body when captured. In order to reduce tension on the cable for irregular movements of the towing body, one arm assembly is affixed in a bearing arrangement so as to allow rotation about its longitudinal axes.

Abstract: A positioning appliance for accurately positioning a container suspended on crane cables with respect to a chassis on which the container is being placed comprises two slide chutes (30, 31) which are each pivotably suspended on a carriage (32 and 33 respectively). The carriages can be moved along a rail (34). In order to make the appliance suitable for any type of chassis whatsoever, including a chassis suitable for the public highway, the slide chutes must not come into contact with the chassis. The appliance according to the invention makes this possible in that a spacer (37) which can be moved in the direction of movement of the carriages is disposed between the carriages. Each carriage is provided with a stopping device (38 and 39 respectively) which can be brought into engagement with the spacer by moving said carriages.

Abstract: A permanent magnet transporter for use with a magnetizable structure having a horizontal downwardly facing supporting surface, the transporter comprising a frame member having upper and lower surfaces, a plurality of bipolar permanent magnets on the upper surface of the frame member having planar upper surfaces in close proximity to but not contacting the supporting surface, a plurality of rollers mounted on the upper surface of the frame member and projecting upwardly into contact with the supporting surface to permit movement of the transporter in any direction across the supporting surface, and a block and tackle assembly or its equivalent connected to the lower surface of the frame member for attachment to and support of a load.

Abstract: A crane house includes an operator cabin mounted on the house, and an opening permitting access to the crane house from without for the purpose of minimizing the openings in a crane house of this kind, which is achieved by closing the access opening to the crane house with a hinged cover carrying the operator cabin, a door opening provided in the cabin for a door lying within the area of the crane house define by the cover and co-acting with an opening provided in the cover for permitting entry to the cabin from within the crane house.

Abstract: Material handling systems for supporting and transferring articles within defined areas from one location to another in which cooperatively spaced support plates are mounted within the defined areas and carriages or shuttles are movably supported by the plates in a manner such that the carriages may be guided along a network of optional routes along open passageways created between the plates. The carriages may be mechanized or manually maneuverable and may include load lifting and adjusting components which are selectively operated to raise, support, re-orient and lower the articles so that such articles may be transferred and repositioned as desired.

Abstract: A building for accomodating turbines and a generator in a power plant is equipped with overhead traveling cranes and constructed so that the overhead traveling cranes are arranged to travel in parallel with each other in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the turbines and the generator. The crane rails for supporting the overhead traveling cranes are arranged in parallel with one another in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the turbine and generator.

Abstract: A portable light weight robot arm assembly similating shoulder, elbow, and wrist movements of a human arm, plus extensions of the upper arm and forearm, accurately positions and holds a power tool for performing driving, drilling, chipping, lifting and the like operations at a work-site. The assembly is self contained having a base easily and quickly mounted on a conventional truck or on the ground at the work-site, a carriage shiftable longitudinally and transversely on the base, an upright pedestal tiltable in all planes relative to the base, an extensible boom or upper arm rotatably and swingably mounted on the pedestal, and an extensible power tool suspension arm or forearm pivoted to the upper arm. Hydraulic jacks control the lowering, raising, and extension of the boom, the tilting of the pedestal, the positioning of the carriage, the extension and positioning of the forearm, and the position of the tool.

Abstract: A circulating latch transport mechanism is provided which is capable of moving freely in any direction across the under side of a horizontal array of parallel I-beams while remaining attached to this array. The transport mechanism is attached simultaneously to several I-beams, which allows the mechanism to move across a ceiling in a longitudinal direction with respect to the I-beams, a direction perpendicular or transverse to the I-beams, and, by the mechanical independent actions of the longitudinal and perpendicular motions, in an arbitrary direction.

Abstract: A track wheel has an axially extended hollow hub with internally directed gear teeth capable of receiving an outer toothed driving shaft. The hub is supported by roller bearings in a bearing box from which the wheel may not be inadvertently removed once the box halves have been welded together. The sides of the bearing box have bores in appropriate locations which serve to allow the box to be fastened in a variety of configurations to the element to be transported by the track wheel. The side surfaces of the two halves of the bearing box are provided with recesses for flush and precise arrangement of the roller bearings such that the box can be flushly mounted to other elements. The roller bearings are secured within the recesses by means of snap rings which fit into annular slots located on the outer cylindrical surfaces of the hub.

Abstract: A pair of hydraulic locking cylinders for a vertically oscillatable wheel axle on the carrier frame of a mobile crane are interconnected and controlled by a hydraulic double-locking valve which is responsive to the centered or off-centered rotary position of the boom-carrying rotatable upper section of the crane. The double-locking valve comprises a pair of normally closed ball-type check valves which are operated by a valve stem comprising independently movable upper and lower sections. The upper valve stem section is positioned by a cam on the crane upper section and the lower valve stem section is positioned by a pneumatic actuator which is controlled by a solenoid valve selectively actuatable by an electric override switch in the crane operator's cab. The upper valve stem is moved to down (valve open-axle unlocked) position by the cam when the crane upper is centered on the carrier frame. The upper valve stem moves to up (valve closed-axle locked) position when the crane upper is rotated off-center.