Abstract: A barrier recovery device for receiving an elongate array of coils which includes a boom and a catch which is reciprocally movable along the boom to draw successive portions of the coils, in an axially compressed stated, onto the boom. The device can be mounted to a barrier recovery vehicle.

Abstract: An elongated container of a truck has a closed front end wall and a hinged rear outlet closure, and a side infeed opening for receiving garbage. This empty container is configured to receive an elongated base upon which is mounted a reciprocating conveyor floor for moving garbage in the container outward through the opened rear closure for deposit at a garbage disposal site. The power drive mechanism for driving the reciprocating floor is located at the front end of the container and is shielded from input garbage by a deflector secured to the reciprocating floor. The deflector also serves as a pusher for compacting and moving garbage in the container out through the opened rear closure. The self-contained reciprocating floor is easily carried manually and fed through the opened rear closure and secured firmly in the truck container.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a trailer and/or unloading device, a front and rear roller assembly and chock may be moved along the length of the trailer. The front and rear roller assemblies may each include two rollers that may be actuated between a first and second position. The chock may include a stop that may be actuated between a first and second position. The arrangement of front and rear rollers and chock allows the operator to unload a plurality of objects placed on the trailer deck, one object at a time, while remaining in the cab of a prime mover. The moving components of the trailer and/or unloading device may be powered hydraulically. The trailer and/or unloading device may include strategically placed cameras and a control panel for operating the various elements of the trailer and unloading device placed in the cab of the prime mover.

Abstract: A barrier recovery device for receiving an elongate array of coils which includes a boom and a catch which is reciprocally movable along the boom to draw successive portions of the coils, in an axially compressed stated, onto the boom. The device can be mounted to a barrier recovery vehicle.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus is described having a product transport surface (24) for transporting products thereon in a transporting direction (26). The product transport surface (24) has a plurality of grooves (28) which extend substantially parallel to each other and transversely to the transporting direction (26). In a cross section along the transporting direction (26), the upward sloping edges (32) and the downward sloping edges (30) of the grooves (28) form a saw tooth profile, wherein, when viewed in the transporting direction (26), each transition from the upward sloping edge (32) to the downward sloping edge (30) of two adjacent grooves (28) is sharp-edged. The product transport surface is particularly adapted for the transport of products having a soft, flexible and/or sticky surface. Also described are product transporting members in a weighing apparatus which are provided with such a product transport surface.

Abstract: The sweep tarpaulin has an upper sheath, a bottom sheath and an intermediate sheath. An upper tube is housed in the upper sheath. A lower tube is housed in the bottom sheath. An intermediate tube is housed in the intermediate sheath. The sides of the tarpaulin engage the container side walls. Left and right resilient members hold the upper tube in a loading position. The bottom sheath and the lower tube are supported on a reciprocating floor slat conveyor. Cargo and the lower tube move toward the rear during unloading. The left and right resilient members are deformed to release the upper tube. A winch returns the upper tube to the cargo receiving position. The left and right resilient members are deformed when the upper tube returns.

Abstract: Movable conveyor slats (10, 10?) have side parts (14, 14?, 16, 16?) which rest on top parts (94) of bearings (92). The bearings (92) have a generally U-shaped cross section and they fit on wings (72, 74) which extend outwardly and upwardly from the sides of a fixed conveyor slat (12). The movable slats (10, 10?) have a web (22, 24) and lower flange portions (26, 28) which with the side parts (14, 16) form laterally outwardly opening channels. The wings (72, 74) and the bearings (92) are received within the channel spaces.

Abstract: A trailer (T) and a dock (D) are provided with substantially identical slat conveyors (10, 12). Each conveyor (10, 12) has alternating conveyor slats (36, 36?) and lifting/holding slats (38, 38?). The trailer (T) is backed up to the dock (D). Upper portions of the lifting/holding slats (38, 38?) are coupled together at their ends. The confronting ends of the conveying slats (36, 36?) are also coupled together. A mechanism carried by the dock (D) raises and lowers the upper portions of the two sets of lifting/holding slats (38, 38?) a drive mechanism carried by the dock (D) where it reciprocates both sets of conveying slats (36, 36?).

Abstract: A trailer (T) and a dock (D) are provided with substantially identical slat conveyors (10, 12). Each conveyor (10, 12) has alternating conveyor slats (36, 36?) and lifting/holding slats (38, 38?). The trailer (T) is backed up to the dock (D). Upper portions of the lifting/holding slats (38, 38?) are coupled together at their ends. The confronting ends of the conveying slats (36, 36?) are also coupled together. A mechanism carried by the dock (D) raises and lowers the upper portions of the two sets of lifting/holding slats (38, 38?) a drive mechanism carried by the dock (D) where it reciprocates both sets of conveying slats (36, 36?).

Abstract: A container handling mechanism suitable for mounting on the side of a refuse vehicle for loading material from refuse containers is disclosed that includes a lift assembly, having a pair of spaced, generally parallel lift support members, attachable to a refuse vehicle, a carriage device reciprocally operable along the lift support members of the lift assembly, a container grabbing system carried by the carriage device and further including a pair of opposed grabber fingers and an actuator system for closing and opening the grabber fingers to engage and release containers of interest, the container grabbing system being vertically pivotable on a short radius for adjusting the position of and tipping a container. A chain and cylinder drive system operates the carriage device along the lift assembly, and a control system controls operation of the container handling mechanism.

Abstract: A plow (P) sits down on movable slats (10) of a reciprocating slat conveyor formed of the movable slats (10) and fixed slats (12) which are between the movable slats (10). The movable slats (10) and fixed slats (12) define valley regions between the movable slats (10). The plow (P) has fingers (92, 106) which extend into the valley regions. During the unloading operations, the plow (P) is moved rearwardly by the moveable slats (10), together with the load (L) that is on the conveyor. When the plow (P) reaches the rear end of the conveyor, it tips rearwardly and discharges the remaining portions of the load (L) off from the conveyor. Then, a teather (T) is wound onto a winch and used for pulling the plow (P) forwardly back into a forward parked position (FIG. 15).

Abstract: A sheet member (30) is positioned on the slats (18) of a reciprocating slat conveyor in a container (10). A strap (32) leads from the forward end of the sheet member (30) to and through a guide eye (38) that is mounted at an elevated position (26) adjacent the front wall (16) of the container (10). The strap extends downwardly from the guide eye (38) to a winding reel (36) driven by a motor (34). A block (40) is connected to the strap (32) in a position so that when the front end of the sheet member (30) has been moved by the strap (32) into an elevated position adjacent the front wall (16), the block (40) on the strap (32) will move through the throat (124, 108) of the guide eye (38) to the opposite side of a latch spring (42) that defines one side of the throat (124, 108). When in this position, the block (40) contacts the latch spring (42) and is hard against a reverse movement of the strap (32) and block (40) through the guide eye (38).

Abstract: Fixed conveyor slats (12) in the nature of beams extend over a window in a support framework (70, 72, 74, 76, 86, 88) for the movable and fixed slats (10, 12) of the reciprocating slat conveyor. The fixed slats (12) support the movable slats (10), including in the region of the window. The fixed and movable slats (12, 10) are box beams, providing them with strength and stiffness in the region of the window. The fixed slats (12) are covered by planks of bearing material (46). Side portions (14, 16) of the movable slats (10) set down on side portions (50, 48) of the planks of bearing material (46). The planks of bearing material (46) are connected at one end only to the fixed slats (12). The bearing material (46) is capable of withstanding the heat of hot asphalt concrete and protects the fixed slats (12) from contact with the asphalt concrete.

Abstract: A pivoting unloading door for ramp assembly and common conveyor drive for door or ramp segments thereof. The door or ramp segments are pivotable about a pivotal axis between a folded or closed position in generally overlaying relation one to the other, and an unfolded or open unloading position in parallel, end-to-end relation, the door segments including conveyors thereon for conveying objects or matter thereover when in the unloading position. The door assembly includes a common drive for the conveyors which is disposed beneath the conveyors in the unloading position in coaxial relation with the pivotal axis, and which is operable for simultaneously moving the conveyors. The output of the drive can extend through a pivot joint connecting the door segments, and can connect the elements of the pivot joint.

Abstract: An elongated plastic slide bearing (10) comprises a top (30), sidewalls (32, 34) depending from the top (30), and connecting to walls (36, 44, 48 and 38, 46, 50) that form laterally inwardly extending recesses (40, 42). Lock ribs (62, 64) extend upwardly and inwardly from the inner walls (44, 46) of the recesses (40, 42) to upper edges (66, 68). The upper edges (66, 68) are spaced below the bearing top (30). The bearing (10) is adapted to be set down onto a support beam (14) that includes laterally outwardly projecting lock flanges (22, 24) at its top. The lock ribs (62, 64) contact the lock flanges (22, 24). When the bearing (10) is pushed downwardly, the lock ribs (62, 64) bend outwardly and allow the lock ribs (62, 64) to move into a position below the lock flanges (22, 24). When that happens, the lock ribs (62, 64) assume substantially unstressed positions in which their upper edges (66, 68) are below the lock flanges (22, 24).

Abstract: The cleanout cover system of this invention is operable with a container having a reciprocating slat-type conveyor for supporting and moving particulate material rearwardly at an unloading site. The container has laterally spaced side walls and a front connecting wall, the rear end being operable for unloading. The cleanout system includes a flexible cover sheet spanning the distance between the side walls and an elongated strap connected at one end to the center point of the front end of the cover and at its opposite end to a strap wind-up reel powered by a pneumatic motor. The reel and motor assembly is mounted on the container adjacent the upper end of the front wall of the container centrally between the side walls.

Abstract: Wheels, endless treads, or articulating legs powered by a first drive mechanism support a chassis for movement along a support surface over which are spread one or more regular or irregular shaped objects. A transversely extending, forwardly opening receptacle is mounted to the chassis for receiving and holding the objects. The receptacle is movable by a second drive mechanism about a substantially horizontal axis between a lowered collecting position and a raised dumping position for dispensing collected objects into a collection bin. Working together a pair of sweeper gates mounted at opposite ends of the receptacle can be rotated by a third drive mechanism about respective vertical axes between fully open and fully closed positions. The sweeper gates entrap and pull objects into the receptacle when they are within a predetermined proximity of the receptacle. A remote control allows an operator to control the first, second and third drive mechanisms.

Abstract: A reciprocating slat conveyor is composed of laterally spaced apart movable conveyor slats (10) and fix conveyor slats (12) laterally between the movable slats (10). The movable slats (10) are clamped to transverse drive beams (56) by clamp structure that includes an upper clamp member (62) and a lower clamp surface (70) carried by the transverse drive beam (56). Bottom flanges (66, 68) on channel members (60) are clamped between the clamp member (72) and the clamp surface (70). The channel member (60) is connected to a central portion (32) depending from the movable slat top wall (14, 16). Portions (30, 32) carry bottom members (34) having side portions (36, 38). The side portions (36, 38) are in contact with lower bearing surfaces (42, 44). The top wall members (14, 16) of the conveyor slats (10) rest on the upper portions of the bearings (28, 30). An apron (84) extends laterally across the rear end portion of the conveyor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reciprocating slat conveyor comprising a plurality of side by side disposed elongated conveyor slats, means for attaching the slats to at least one of a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart transversely extending drive beams for driving the reciprocating movement of the slats connected thereto, wherein each slat comprises an elongated plank-like upper portion having an upper and a lower surface, at least one leg extending in longitudinal direction of the slat and depending from the lower surface of the slat, the at least one leg being positioned substantially central of the upper portion, the connecting means for connecting the slat to the guide beam being provided to exert a gripping action upon opposite sides of the substantially centrally disposed leg.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refuse collection system for use in association with a transport vehicle. The system comprises a container having multiple internal compartments and a refuse-receiving trough divided into a plurality of trough-shaped receptacles, each communicating with an internal compartment. The system further comprises an actuation system which engages a packer to displace refuse from the trough to the container.

Abstract: A conveyor between a log debarker and a flaker has three flat bottom plates which extend the length of the conveyor line, and two vertical side plates. Each of the five plates is driven to oscillate by a hydraulic piston. All five plates together move forward approximately 30 inches at a constant velocity, after the completion of the forward motion, each plate is retracted separately at approximately three times the velocity of the forward motion, to advance logs retained within a trough defined between the side plates in a stepwise forward motion.

Abstract: A carrying and loading/unloading apparatus including a slide plate adapted to reciprocally move on a bottom plate such as that of a truck bed, a partition plate provided on the slide plate and the partition plate side ends securable to right and left bed side plates of the truck so that only the slide plate is moved when the partition plate is secured to the bed side plates as the slide plate moves forward and so that the partition plate moves together with the slide plate when the partition plate is released from the bed side plates as the slide plates moves rearward.

Abstract: An ejector truck requires an ejector mechanism to remove hauled material from the ejector truck body. Often, these ejector mechanisms are costly and require precise manufacturing and maintenance because they include a telescoping linear actuator. The present invention provides a method and apparatus of a multi-actuator ejection mechanism. The multi-actuator ejection mechanism includes an anchor member, an ejection carriage, an ejector blade, a first linear actuator, and a second linear actuator. The ejector blade is located a predetermined distance from the anchor member and is adapted to move longitudinally with respect to the anchor member. The first linear actuator has a first end secured to the anchor member and a second end secured to the ejection carriage, and is adapted to move the ejection carriage longitudinally with respect to the anchor member.

Abstract: Bolt fasteners extend through a bottom wall (38) in longitudinal guide beams (14), to secure the guide beams (14) to transverse frame members (70, 72). The guide beams (14) include sidewalls (40, 42) which extend upwardly from the bottom wall (30) to laterally outwardly extending top flanges (44, 46). The bolts may be installed from above by use of a tool that is inserted into the space between the sidewalls (40, 42). After the guide beams (14) are secured to the frame members (70, 72), bearing/seal members (48) are friction-fitted onto the tops of the support beams (14). Conveyor slats are installed in the spaces between the support beams (14). The conveyor slats (10) include side portions (20, 22) which extend laterally outwardly into positions above the bearing/seal members (48). The side members (20, 22) include downwardly extending beads B which contact the upper surfaces (62) of the bearing/seal members (48).

Abstract: The container of a mobile cargo trailer is provided with a reciprocating slat type conveyor floor in which the elongated slats are supported at their lateral edges on V-shaped bearings which are mounted on Y-shaped supports integral with sub-deck sections on the container bottom and joined together with watertight seals. Three cross beams are connected to different groups of the slats and are coupled to hydraulic cylinders located outwardly of the front end of the container and in horizontal alignment with the slats. The cylinders are coupled to a hydraulic fluid pressure source through an arrangement of control valves to effect movement of the group of slats simultaneously in a load moving direction and sequentially in the opposite, slat-retracting direction, with interengaging abutments on the cross drives arranged for moving one of the cross drives and its slats by hydraulic power applied only to the other two cross drive cylinders.

Abstract: A hay bale pick-up device having a trailer with a deck, side wall, side bar, front wall, and tail gate; a powered track with a front end terminating in an inclined ground engaging track for transporting hay bales onto the deck; and a means for laterally moving the side bar across the track to laterally move hay bales onto the deck.

Abstract: A central monitoring and control station for a garbage truck has a panel, multiple switches, multiple monitoring units and multiple sensors. The multiple switches are mounted on the panel, and each is connected to one of the cylinders on the garbage truck. The monitoring units are mounted on the panel, and each monitoring unit electrically connects to at least one sensor. Each sensor is mounted on the garbage truck and corresponds to one of the cylinders on the garbage truck. With such a central monitoring and control station, the position of the piston rod of each cylinder on the garbage truck is detected and shown. The user can find a damaged device immediately. To repair the damaged device on the garbage truck becomes more efficient.

Abstract: A moving slat conveyor in which the slats are reciprocally mounted on cross beams and wherein the slats are provided with depressed areas above the respective beams so that the slats fall and rise during their reciprocal movement. All of the slats are moved in unison to carry the goods thereon to an advanced position and in sequence groups of slats are retuned to their home position. During the return the slats lower whereby their upper surface is below the plane of the remaining slats that are supporting the goods.

Abstract: A system for cleaning the floor of a self-unloading trailer of residual particulate material comprises in combination with moving slats of a typical self-unloading trailer three rails each fashioned to be attached to the top of a slat, and a wedge-shaped sweeper having skates on a lower portion to ride along said rails. The sweeper rides along the rails by means of skate assemblies having pawls which may ratcheting along teeth formed in the rails as the sweeper moves rearwardly in the trailer. A control system sends signals to a motor contained within the sweeper to engage and disengage the pawls, and to a winch to draw the sweeper back to a starting position following operation.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting products such as baskets of fruits and vegetables on the back of a truck. The system has a plurality of tracks attached to opposite sides of the truck cargo area upon which ride shelves which have wheels to support the shelves on the tracks. A cable is attached to the shelves and is motor driven to deliver the shelves (and the products resting on the shelves) to either the front of the cargo area (for loading) or to the back of the cargo area (for unloading).