Abstract: A method positions a load and fetches a positioned load or stacks loads with a crane having location measurement arranged thereto. The method includes taking a load to a selected position; detecting the unloading of the load mainly automatically; storing coordinate information of the load position mainly automatically into the memory of the crane or its control; when fetching a load or adding loads to a stack, activating, at a selected first time instant, a positioning switch arranged in the crane and connected to the memory, whereby coordinates of a load or stack most advantageously positioned relative to the movement of the crane are selected, after which the crane begins to move to said coordinates; and then hoisting or lowering the load at the selected coordinates, and at a selected second time instant, deleting the coordinate information associated with the position of the load from the memory.

Abstract: A protection system (7) for container treatment machine comprises a support frame (8) with a base frame (9) extending in a longitudinal direction parallel to a treatment path of containers and at least one individual support member (10) connected to the base frame (9), at least one individual protection panel (11), at least one individual guide means (12) configured to define a movement path of the individual protection panel (11) between a closure position and an opening position, at least one auxiliary positioning means (13) configured to apply an auxiliary force to the individual protection panel (11), said auxiliary force acting in the direction of said movement path against the force of gravity of the individual protection panel (11), wherein the guide means (12) movably connect the individual protection panel (11) to the individual support member (10) and the auxiliary positioning means (13) is interposed between the protection panel (11) and the support member (10) such as to form at least one individu

Abstract: Embodiments include a loading rack apparatus mountable on a vehicle having a hoist motor, an extendable horizontal trolley to permit a load to be lifted with the hoist, moved horizontally into a vehicle, and lowered. A variety of embodiment trolley drive mechanisms are disclosed including but not limited to a lead screw trolley drive. An arcuate embodiment crossbar member permits more stable positioning of items on the apparatus's topmost surface. A method for safely moving a load is disclosed.

Abstract: An article transport facility includes an article transporting mobile body; an article support for storing an article, the article support being configured to be moved between an article transfer position and an article storage position; an operating device provided on the mobile body for shifting the article support between the article storage position and article transfer position; an operated element supported to be movable in a direction of access between a proximate position adjacent the mobile body standing still in an article transfer location and a remote position away from the mobile body standing still in the article transfer location, the operated element being operable, in the proximate position, to place the article support in the article storage position, and in the remote position, to place the article support in the article transfer position; and a guide device for guiding the operating device in a fore and aft direction to a proper operative position relative to the operated element when the

Abstract: A system for transporting cargo between a storage area and a cargo carrier. The system includes a bridge (13) and boom (15) spanning between the storage area and the cargo carrier. A first elevator (14) is located at one end of the bridge (13) proximate to the storage area. A second elevator (16) is located at the distal end of the boom (15) positionable relative to the cargo carrier. Trackways (20, 21, 22 and 23) along the bridge (13) and boom (15) interconnect the first and second elevators (14 and 16). Independent cars (24) are provided to carry the cargo. Each car (24) is movable on the first and second elevators (14 and 15) and further along the trackways (20, 21, 22 and 23).

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system for use at a pipe manufacturing facility includes a computer and memory; a storage/retrieval crane operable in a storage yard; a plurality of containers, each being capable of containing material for storage and a load crane for at least one of loading or unloading respective containers. The computer is on-site proximate the storage yard and includes means for monitoring and controlling the storage/retrieval crane and load crane, means for monitoring and storing in memory information of container positions in the storage yard and means for coordinating operation of the storage/retrieval crane and load crane. The crane stores and retrieves containers in the yard in a three dimensional array, can carry containers on the crane feet, and may deliver or retrieve containers relative to load/unload stations including a load crane. At such stations pipe is transferred between containers and the load crane.

Abstract: Load bars are transferred, in loaded condition, to or from the hangers of an overhead conveyor by a load transfer apparatus having a pair of parallel tracks approaching the power-driven conveyor path perpendicularly. The parallel tracks guide manually movable trolleys toward the power-driven conveyor path. The ends of these tracks nearest the power-driven conveyor are pivotable downwardly. To transfer a load from the manual trolleys to the power conveyor, the power conveyor is stopped, suspension chains of the power conveyor trolleys are hooked to the load bar, and the pivoted track sections are lowered until the suspension chains of the power-driven trolleys bear the load. Suspension chains of the manually movable trolleys can then be disconnected from the load bar, and the manual trolleys are removed from the tracks for reuse.The tracks are designed with flanges which prevent removal of the manual trolleys except at specified locations.

Abstract: A method of attaching a blister to the shell of a ship such as an aircraft carrier in a dry dock. The method comprises providing rails on the bottom of the dry dock along the dry dock side where the blister is to be attached to the ship shell such that the rails extend in the longitudinal direction of the dry dock, placing the blister member, with a guide member thereon, on a truck and moving the truck, with the blister member thereon, along the rails to a position where the blister block is to be fixed to the ship shell and, while engaging the guide member with the side of the dry dock, raising the blister member so as to engage the ship shell and fixing the raised blister member to the ship shell.

Abstract: A beverage truck having unique unloading and loading apparatus. The apparatus, which may be mounted to an existing beverage truck, or built into one as original equipment, has a framework at the front and back of the truck body which supports a track that spans the length of the body roof along its longitudinal center line. A trolley is carried on the track and moved by a powered chain drive from one end of the body to the other. Mounted to the trolley is a pivoting telescoping arm assembly that carries at the end of the arm a fork lift assembly. By operating simple controls, the user can move the trolley, extend the arm, raise, lower, rotate and tilt the forks to cause the forks to enter into the cargo area of the body, under the roof, to unload cargo from the truck and place it, e.g., on a loading dock or on the ground.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system for use at a pipe manufacturing facility includes a computer and memory; a storage/retrieval crane operable in a storage yard; a plurality of containers, each being capable of containing material for storage and a load crane for at least one of loading or unloading respective containers. The computer is on-site proximate the storage yard and includes means for monitoring and controlling the storage/retrieval crane and load crane, means for monitoring and storing in memory information of container positions in the storage yard and means for coordinating operation of the storage/retrieval crane and load crane. The crane stores and retrieves containers in the yard in a three dimensional array, can carry containers on the crane feet, and may deliver or retrieve containers relative to load/unload stations including a load crane. At such stations pipe is transferred between containers and the load crane.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a lifting pocket is provided in a tank car bolster bottom cover plate or other tank car support plate. The support plate includes an opening for receiving a U-shaped lifting hook having a first leg having an eye for attachment to a chain or cable and an outer leg having a tapered end portion. The opening is in communication with a pocket formed above the opening for receiving the lifting hook. The pocket includes walls extending upwardly from the plate and a cover plate closing the top of the pocket. The pocket is spaced from the outer end of the support plate sufficient for the outer leg of the hook to extend into the pocket transversely of the car and the inner leg to a vertical surface at the side of the car. The support or bolster is sufficiently wide that the hook cannot be inserted into the pocket other than transversely of the car with the first leg engaging the side of the car and the outer leg extending into the pocket.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted crane assembly has an elongate bolster member extending transversely of the vehicle. An elongate extension member is hingedly mounted at one end of the bolster member for swinging movement from an operative horizontal position to an inoperative position in which the extension member is inclined upwardly from the hinge mounting at an angle which is more than 90.degree. and up to 130.degree. to the horizontal. The extension member is movable between its operative and inoperative positions by a hydraulic ram which is mounted by the extension member. The ram piston rod is connected to one end of an elongate link by a first pivotal connection. The other end of the link is connected to the bolster member by a second pivotal connection.

Abstract: A loading and unloading apparatus for a van of a type including a framework within the van for slideably supporting a beam. A winch is moveably disposed on the beam for allowing an object to be loaded to be hoisted upwardly when the beam and hoist extend outside of the van; and, then the object can be moved into the van by movement of the beam into the van and movement of the winch and object along the beam in the same direction. Once the object is properly positioned within the van, it can be lowered to the floor of the van for support. Upon reaching the destination for the object, the winch is again used to raise the object off of the floor, whereupon the object is manually pushed out of the van causing movement of the beam and movement of the winch along the beam. Once the object is outside of the van, it can then be lowered to the ground by further use of the winch.