Abstract: A transportation system for hybrid vehicles. The transportation system may include pillars and a raised pathway. Further, the pillars configured to be vertically mounted on the ground. Further, a first pillar of the pillars may include a first lower portion and a first upper portion. Further, a second pillar of the pillars may include a second lower portion and a second upper portion. Further, the raised pathway supported by the pillars. Further, a raised pathway of the raised pathway may include a first end and a second end. Further, the first end may be supported by the first upper portion of the first pillar. Further, the second end may be supported by the second upper portion of the second pillar. Further, the raised pathway may include a raised transportation surface configured to facilitate transportation of a hybrid vehicle.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for bridge interface communication. A node device can be connected to one or more bridge units using a universal sensor interface. A controller in a node device can communicate with a controller in a bridge unit device using a bi-directional data line. In one embodiment, the bridge unit can account for variable amounts of delay in gathering sensor data using availability signaling.

Abstract: Provided is a robot for retrieving objects with different sizes, shapes, weights, placements, configurations, and/or other characteristics from a floor or raised height. The robot may include a motorized base, a lift that raises to a plurality of heights from the base, an upper platform attached over the lift, a vertical extension extending downwards from a frontside of the upper platform and in front of the lift, a lower platform with a proximal end coupled to the vertical extension and a distal end extending in front of the robot and directly over a ground surface on which the motorized base moves when the lift is in a lowered position, and a retriever for retrieving an object onto the lower platform.

Abstract: A boom-mountable implement for raising loads from below the load is described herein. The boom-mountable implement comprises at least on platform for supporting the load and is attachable to the boom by a quick-attaching adapter. The quick-attaching adaptor comprises a boom-interfacing segment and an implement-interfacing segment for quick and easy attachment of the boom to the implement. The boom-mountable implement raises loads from below allowing for the load to be secured quickly and efficiently in locations that would not otherwise be reachable by systems and methods attaching to the load from above.

Abstract: An industrial truck is shown with a lifting frame, on which a load-receiving section is arranged so as to be movable vertically. The load-receiving section has at least one degree of movement freedom with respect to the lifting frame, which lies in a plane perpendicular to the main direction of travel of the industrial truck and has at least one horizontal component. In addition, a vibration control system is provided for damping or preventing vibrations in the relative position of load-receiving section and lifting frame.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided including a vehicle power unit, a monomast coupled to the vehicle power unit, and a fork carriage apparatus supported on the monomast. The fork carriage apparatus includes a mast carriage assembly directly coupled to the monomast for vertical movement, a fork carriage mechanism to which forks are mounted, and a reach mechanism coupled to the mast carriage assembly and to the fork carriage mechanism for actuating the fork carriage mechanism to move between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: An unloading vehicle for the rotary unloading of a container, able to be covered by a fixed cover, which has a container base with two fork pockets, with a frame on which a carrier, provided with a pair of fork prongs, is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis running horizontally and parallel to the fork prongs. In order to be able to handle not only the container but also its cover by an unloading vehicle, a further carrier is provided above the rotatably arranged carrier, which is provided with a receiving arrangement for taking hold of the cover of the container, and is vertically adjustable and/or able to be swiveled up and down with respect to the framed.

Abstract: A shipping and handling system for a fork lift truck that has a cab and rails extending vertically above the cab. A first bracket is secured to the back of the rails and a second bracket is secured to the back of the cab. One bracket is provided with wheel while the other is provided with legs so that the truck is able to rest on the brackets when it is tipped over upon its back. A special adaptor is provided that allows a second fork lift truck to hitch onto the unwheeled bracket and lift the bracket off the support surface whereupon the first truck can be easily maneuvered from place to place.

Abstract: A forklift truck includes a truck body, a fork, a mast, tilting and lifting mechanisms, tilt and lift levers, tilting and lifting operation detectors, an auxiliary switch, a tilt angle detector and a controller. The tilt and lift levers are adapted to operate the tilting and lifting mechanisms, respectively. The auxiliary switch is disposed on the lift lever at a position where the auxiliary switch and the lift lever are operable by the same operator's hand. The controller is adapted to control the tilting and lifting mechanisms based on signals from the tilting and lifting operation detectors and the auxiliary switch. When the auxiliary switch is in operative position and the lifting operation detector detects that the lift lever is in operative position, the controller controls the tilting mechanism so as to tilt the fork to have a predetermined tilt angle based on a signal from the tilt angle detector.

Abstract: Industrial truck, in particular fork lift, having an exchangeable battery block (13) and a battery case (3) which accommodates the battery block (13), with the battery case (3) having a lateral access opening (7) to slide the battery block (13) with a first end first into the battery case (3) and pull the battery block (13) with its first end last out of the battery case (3), with the battery block (13) accommodated in the battery case (3) being supported near its first end with at least one independent roller (25) on the battery case bottom (5), characterized in that that on the battery block (13) accommodated in the battery case (3), a projection (21) at the first end opposite the second end of said battery block, which projects over a front edge section (29) of the battery case bottom (5) near the access opening (7) and over the underside of the battery case bottom (5) downward, is provided as lifting abutment for a battery transport device (33), in particular a fork lift device to lift the battery block (

Abstract: A portable raise climbing system is provided that comprises a starter box for interfacing with an existing raise climb track, a raise climber that is deployed by the system onto the existing track for normal raise excavation operations, and a transporter. The transporter is configured to carry the raise climber from site to site by interfacing with moving equipment. The moving equipment preferably includes a front hydraulic quick connect/disconnect lift system, e.g. front-end loader, forklift, plough, scooptram, etc.

Abstract: A lift that is configured to securely lift, carry and deposit a control unit using three degrees of movement. The lift comprises a chassis having a support frame and a power source connected to the support frame. A pivot member rotatably connects to the support frame, wherein the pivot member has a pivot plate and a rod rotatably connected to the pivot plate. A lift frame connects to the rod of the pivot plate, wherein a lift arm rotatably connects to the lift frame. The lift further comprises a pressurized fluid drive operatively connected to the power source and operatively connected to the pivot plate, the lift frame and the lift arm. The fluid drive is configured to reciprocally move the pivot plate, the lift frame and the lift arm such that the lift arm moves in three degrees of movement with respect to the chassis.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising a power unit, a mast assembly and a fluid supply system. The mast assembly is coupled to the power unit. The mast assembly comprises a weldment, a movable element and a ram/cylinder assembly coupled to the movable element to effect movement of the element. The fluid supply system includes manifold apparatus and at least one fluid line coupled to the manifold apparatus and the ram/cylinder assembly. The manifold apparatus provides pressurized hydraulic fluid to the ram/cylinder assembly via the fluid line to raise the movable element. The manifold apparatus is mounted to the mast assembly.

Abstract: A portable raise climbing system is provided that comprises a starter box for interfacing with an existing raise climb track, a raise climber that is deployed by the system onto the existing track for normal raise excavation operations, and a transporter. The transporter is configured to carry the raise climber from site to site by interfacing with moving equipment. The moving equipment preferably includes a front hydraulic quick connect/disconnect lift system, e.g. front-end loader, forklift, plough, scooptram, etc.

Abstract: A load arm for a fork of a low lift industrial truck, with an arm frame which is approximately U- or C-shaped in cross section with upward pointing bridge and downward pointing legs and an arm tip, which is connected to the arm frame via a welding connection, wherein the arm tip, tapered towards the free end, has bearing openings for the bearing of a load roller and introduction and withdrawal surfaces on the lower side, which ascend or fall off, respectively, towards the free end of the arm tip with respect to the lower edges or brims of the arm frame, and wherein the arm tip has an abutting surface at the rear end, which abuts against the blunt end of the arm frame, wherein the arm tip is formed by an integral piece of cast material, the arm tip has arm sections on the end facing the arm frame, which extend below the associated edges or brims of the arm frame and sit snugly on the lower edges or brims of the arm frame when arm frame and arm tip cling together, and the withdrawal surfaces are provided on the

Abstract: An unloading vehicle for the rotary unloading of a container, able to be covered by a fixed cover, which has a container base with two fork pockets, with a frame on which a carrier, provided with a pair of fork prongs, is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis running horizontally and parallel to the fork prongs. In order to be able to handle not only the container but also its cover by an unloading vehicle, a further carrier is provided above the rotatably arranged carrier, which is provided with a receiving arrangement for taking hold of the cover of the container, and is vertically adjustable and/or able to be swiveled up and down with respect to the framed.

Abstract: A portable crane assembly for servicing a wind turbine. The crane assembly includes a first primary support member and a second primary support member being rotatably attached to one another. The first primary support member is configured to attach to a wind turbine component. The second primary support is coaxially rotatable with respect to the first primary support member. The crane assembly further includes a boom member pivotably attached to an end of the second primary support member. The portable crane assembly is disassemblable into components that can be manually carried. A wind turbine servicing system and a method for servicing a wind turbine are also disclosed.

Abstract: A three wheeled cart for transporting heavy rolls of paper to and from unwinders and reminders. The operator stands at the rear end where he can start and stop the cart, steer it, and control the carriage at the front end for lifting the paper roll from the floor and/or into a processing machine. The steerable rear wheel is driven electrically from a twist type throttle on a steering handle that can be moved from an active position to a stowed position. In the stowed position the cart is secured by the same motor-brake that drives the single rear wheel.

Abstract: A lift attachment for a tractor provided with a three-point hitch. A slide assembly is provided for slidable movement in the vertical direction within channel guides. A double acting hydraulic cylinder is connected to the slide assembly for moving the slide assembly either upwardly or downwardly. Lifting tines are connected to the slide assembly. A cam mechanism is provided on the lifting tines to tilt the outer ends of the tines upwardly when the tines are raised and allows the tines to tilt downwardly to a level position when the lifting tines are lowered.

Abstract: A transportable device, such as a cart, for transporting and elevating an imaging media cartridge into a press printer may include a base platform, first and second elevation members disposed thereon, a panel disposed between the first and second elevation members, and first and second elevator platforms. The panel may include a pair of opposite vertical faces along which the elevator platforms slide to mutually exchange elevations by vertically sliding the platforms in opposite directions. The device may be used for a method of transporting and elevating an imaging media cartridge into a press printer at an installation height above a floor. Additionally, the device may be used for a method of removing and storing an imaging media cartridge from a press printer at an installation height above the floor.

Abstract: A forklift safety sensor and control system for preventing unsafe wear on the bottom surface of the fork. A fork height sensor detects when the fork is below a predefined threshold height at which the bottom surface is in close proximity to the ground or is in contact with the ground. The sensor sends a height signal to a system controller. In response, the controller sends a lockout signal to a lockout device, which prevents the forklift's drive mechanism from moving the forklift relative to the ground. The controller may also send an alert to the driver. When the fork is raised above the threshold height, the lockout is removed.

Abstract: A mast includes a base section, an outer telescopic section and an inner telescopic section which are raised and lowered by a pair of main lift cylinders. A fork carriage is slidably mounted to the inner telescopic section and is raised and lowered thereon by a pair of free lift cylinders. The mast elements are arranged to form two mast columns which produce minimum obstruction to the truck operator's field of view when looking forward through the mast.

Abstract: A loading floor for a vehicle having first guide elements for engaging second guide elements of the vehicle, for lifting and extending a loading floor. The first guide elements are provisioned at the sides of the loading floor. A loading apparatus for a vehicle having a loading area with two sidewalls that border the loading area. Guide elements are provided for lifting and extending a loading floor, where the guide elements are provisioned on or in the sidewalls above the vehicle floor.

Abstract: A lift, a system and a method for elevating a trailer are provided. The lift may have an “A” frame for supporting the trailer. The trailer may be placed on the lift and secured to the lift. A cable attached to the lift is used to pull the lift and the trailer towards a wall. The cable, with the use of a pulley system, pulls the trailer in an upward direction towards the wall such that the lift and the trailer may be elevated in a vertical direction. The lift with the trailer may be attached to the bracket on the wall and locked into place. The lift and the trailer may be removed from the wall by releasing a lock.

Abstract: A hydraulic device for a forklift is disclosed. The forklift includes a tilting mast and a fork supported by the mast so that the fork is lifted and lowered. A tilt cylinder operates to tilt the mast by means of oil supplied by a tilt valve. A restricting valve is arranged in an oil passage connecting the tilt cylinder with the tilt valve. When the mast is tilted with the fork carrying an object and located higher than a predetermined reference position, the restricting valve closes the oil passage so that the angle of the tilting mast is limited. A check valve is arranged between the tilt cylinder and the restricting valve. The check valve blocks oil flow from the tilt cylinder to the restricting valve so that the position of the mast is maintained. This prevents unintentional movement of the mast.

Abstract: A lift truck, especially for lifting boats, includes a self-propelled main frame having a pair of parallel rails extending in a fore-and-aft direction. The main frame is supported by front drive wheels and rear castor wheels. A mast is movable forwardly and rearwardly on the rails and carries a lift assembly that can pivot about a transverse axis. The lift assembly includes a pair of lift arms each having vertical and horizontal portions. The vertical portions are mounted to swing about respective fore-and-aft axes, and are horizontally movable toward and away from one another for increasing or decreasing the distance between those axes. The main frame does not carry a counterbalance weight, but rather has a latch which grips a ground-mounted anchor for anchoring the rear end of the main frame during vertical movement of the lift assembly.

Abstract: In a method for operating an industrial truck, a load-lifting member (1) is moved up and down vertically on a lift mast (2). A discrete control signal is provided to control the vertical speed of the load-lifting member (1) by at least one single or multistage switch. In switching on and then holding the switch (13) in the on position, the load-lifting member (1) is first accelerated from zero to a first vertical speed value (V.sub.1) and after the passage of a period of time T.sub.1, it is accelerated to a second higher vertical speed value (V.sub.2).

Abstract: An industrial truck having a lifting slide which is moveable up and down on a lifting framework is disclosed. The lifting framework is fixed to at least one vertical load chain by at least one chain connecting piece. The load chain is at least partly guided in a chain guide which has an opening on at least one side. With this arrangement, the load supporting chain does not damage or soil other components of the industrial truck when travelling over irregularities in the ground.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanical forklift level indicator. The level indicator includes a first arm pivotally connected at a first end to a body of the forklift and a second arm pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the forklift mast assembly. The first and second arms are pivotally attached to each other at their second ends forming an intermediate pivot. A reference arm is secured to the second end of the first arm to form a fixed angle therewith. The pivoting of the forklift mast assembly will thereby cause relative motion between the second arm and the reference arm indicative of the relative orientation of the forks of the forklift.

Abstract: A lifting device for attachment to a vehicle such as a four wheel motorcycle, the lifting device including upper and lower mounting members and for mounting the device to the framework of the vehicle, a mast which is pivotally connected to the mounting members for tilting movement about a generally horizontal axis by members of a tilting ram which acts between the mounting members and the mast, the lifting device further including a pair of forks and a forklift ram which is operable to raise and lower the forks.

Abstract: The truck mounted lifting mechanism is carried on a truck frame having a pair of opposed C-shaped tracks extending rearward from the cab. A mast having a base carrying an axle engages the outside of the tracks with a pair of flanged rollers. A carriage is mounted at one end on the base axle of the mast. The other end of the carriage is provided with an axle and a pair of flanged rollers which engage the inside of the tracks. The carriage is provided with a threaded central opening and a screw gear extends through the threaded opening and along substantially the entire length of the truck frame. The screw gear is coupled by a chain drive to an hydraulic drive motor. Operation of the drive motor rotates the screw gear causing a lateral displacement of the carriage and the mast between the cab and the rear end of the truck frame. The rear end of the truck frame is provided with a pair of telescoping jacks to stabilize the truck during lifting. The mast is provided with a vertically movable and rotatable fork.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus and methods for transporting and manipulating headstones are provided. The apparatus consists of a mobile carrier having a frame and a bed member pivotally attached thereto that is adapted to carry and support a headstone thereon. The bed member is pivotable between a horizontal position wherein it is carried on the frame of the mobile carrier to a position wherein it is perpendicular to the mobile carrier frame by a manually operated hydraulic cylinder. A support foot is attached to the end of the bed member to support the bottom of a headstone when the bed member is in the perpendicular position. The position of the support foot may be selectively adjusted with respect to the end of the bed member to enable the headstone to be placed on objects located at various heights above the ground level. A removable water-tight container is also provided for hauling concrete solutions or crushed gravel.

Abstract: A mobile lifting apparatus having an extendable boom assembly supported by a plurality of hydraulic cylinders extending upwardly from a wheeled chassis, and further having a fork attachment coupled to the extendable boom assembly. The fork attachment is configured to engage palletized loads and permits such loads to be raised and transported upon extension of the hydraulic cylinders. The fork attachment includes a buttress assembly that remains relatively stationary as the boom assembly is horizontally extended and retracted. The fork assembly further includes a pair of forks that are pivotal relative to the buttress assembly around a generally horizontal axis. The forks are coupled to the horizontally extendable portion of the boom assembly so that extension and retraction of the boom pivots the forks to change the angular orientation of the forks relative to horizontal. Such angular movement of the forks facilitates engagement and disengagement of the forks with the palletized load.

Abstract: The chassis of a forklift truck includes a front assembly and a rear assembly movable toward and away from each other between an extended stable normal working condition and a contracted compact condition for storage or transport of the forklift truck. The front assembly includes driven front wheels, standard upright mast and double-acting lift jack for the fork carriage movable along the mast. The rear assembly includes the operator compartment, rear axle assembly for the rear wheels and mechanism mounting the rear axle assembly for vertical movement relative to the operator compartment between a raised normal working position and a downward-projected position. The rear assembly also includes a landing wheel mounted in front of the rear axle assembly at a location above the rear wheels when the rear axle assembly is raised.

Abstract: This apparatus relates to an attachment to the boom of a boom-type vehicle for lifting and supporting a panel assembly of the type having a panel and a purline. The purline is securely attached to the panel and disposed at an angle thereto. The attachment comprises attachment devices connectable to a forward end of the boom of the vehicle for supporting at least a portion of the purline and at least a portion of the panel. The attachment device provides selective movement between the purline, the panel, and the boom for permitting the panel assembly to be maneuvered in the desired manner at the construction site. A panel handler assembly is connectable to a forward portion of a mast assembly.

Abstract: A physically integrated manufacturing and materials handling system comprising a conveyor system and a storage system. A conveyor system is described which includes means for receiving pallets having metal sheets or the like placed thereon so that the metal sheets may be removed therefrom and placed on a storage system pallet. The loaded storage system pallets are transported to storage bays or other locations within the facility by means of an electronically guided forklift truck.

Abstract: A method of discharging articles from a container into a defined vertical aperture in a wall or processing machine by rapidly tilting a lifting platform during a first lifting segment. This rapid tilting positions a discharge chute interior of the vertical aperture and then maintains the insertion of the discharge chute, during at least one subsequent lifting segment, as and when the lifting platform is brought to a fully lifted and tilted condition. A similar method using the first segment provides for the subsequent charging of a suitable container with articles emerging from a vertical aperture.

Abstract: A telescopic mast for a fork lift truck is disclosed. The telescoping sections of the mast are arranged with the innermost section as the base section, which remains attached to the frame of the truck. The telescoping hydraulic tubes or cylinders are arranged so that the innermost tube is associated with the outermost mast-section. This outside-to-inside arrangement makes it possible for the mast sections to be provided with cross-braces and rails, and still to be telescope-able. The resulting mast-sections are very rigid and stable, yet are light in weight. As the sections are raised, the area exposed to hydraulic pressure becomes progressively less, with the result that the height to which a load can be raised is automatically limited.

Abstract: The elevator device for an agricultural tractor loader comprises a swing member bearing in an articulated manner on a member protruding from a bracket in direction of the tractor loader. The swing member is moreover supported and actuated by a cylinder connected to the bracket so that this swing member pivots the tool to which it is attached and lifts the tool during expansion of the cylinder.

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: A main body of an industrial truck is formed with mounting bracket sections to which an instrument assembly and counterweight for a tractor and a mast assembly and counterweight for a forklift truck are selectively mountable, so that the industrial truck serves as the tractor and the forklift truck. Additionally, a top panel having an operator's seat is mounted on the main body in a manner to be turnable end for end in accordance with the intended purposes.

Abstract: A high lift truck with telescopic boom improves upon and widens the scope of performance offered by existing high lifts of the type. Its essential feature, basically, is that of providing a second telescopic boom (16) fixed immovably to the top end of the first raise-and-lower boom (4) which is likewise telescopic, and hinges at bottom with a mounting (7) on the truck chassis; the two booms thus associated creating an obtuse angle such that the second boom will project forward along the line of the truck axis when boom (4) aforesaid is fully raised.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stacker crane comprising an upright rigid mast rotatably connected at its upper end to a horizontally movable trolley, an intermediate mast that is vertically movable relative to the rigid mast, and a load supporting carriage guided for vertical motion by both masts and raised and lowered by a winch on the trolley. The intermediate mast has an upwardly projecting pilot portion that is telescopingly received within the rigid mast to guide the intermediate mast for motion between a lowered position near floor level and a raised position wherein the top of the intermediate mast is contiguous to the bottom of the rigid mast. The carriage is guided by a pair of vertical rails on each mast, at its opposite sides, the rails on the intermediate mast being aligned with respective rails on the rigid mast. The intermediate mast is biased upward by a force that can be overcome by the weight of the carriage.

Abstract: A control device for loading and unloading mechanism adapted to be incorporated in a fork lift truck comprises a sensor unit 100 including a lifting height sensor 102, a control unit 200 comprising a control command producing circuit 240 constituted by a microcomputer 230 producing a control command on the basis of comparing calculation between the output of the sensor unit 100 and the concerned data stored in the microcomputer 230, and a driving unit 300 producing a driving output signal so as to the lifting height of the fork 18 in accordance with the control command fed from the control unit 200. The control device includes a component operable for inhibiting storage of sampled lifting height data when the actual lifting height data are not within an allowed range, thereby to prevent erroneous operation based on erroneous data and to effect smooth follow-up speed control to the target height when automatic lifting height control is effected.

Abstract: A land vehicle, which can easily be provided with a large number of different tools, which tools can be used in a number of different locations, has a frame (3,4) secured to the vehicle and preferably extending across the full width thereof, a mast (10,11) laterally slidable on the frame (3,4), tool-attachment means (15) slidably mounted on the mast (10,11), and power-controlled means (12,14) for raising and lowering said tool-attachment means (15) on the mast (10,11).

Abstract: A wheelchair lift such as for vehicles, comprising a stationary outer rectangular frame across the top of which swings an inner rectangular telescopic frame, the lower telescoping end of which has a foldable platform for the wheelchair. The inner frame swings out to clear the side of the vehicle, which swinging movement is limited by a pair of toggles that support a bridging platform between the lift platform and the floor of the vehicle. An electric motor-driven hydraulic pump, valve, and accumulator assembly provides the power for lifting the platform by telescoping the inner frame parts, and a valve in the hydraulic system damps the lowering of the platform. The folding of the platform from a vertical to a horizontal position and swinging of the inner frame may be done manually or by a separate reciprocating motor mounted on the upper telescopic frame.

Abstract: A lift device for a load transporter such as a fork-lift vehicle, comprises a load carrier for holding a load, a pair of chains, one end of each of which is connected to the load carrier, a pair of gears engaging the chains, a pair of outer masts secured on a base plate, a pair of inner masts capable of sliding along the outer masts and on which the load carrier is slidably mounted, a pair of first cylinders, each connected to a gear bracket rotating supporting one of the gears a first cylinder rod, a pair of second cylinders, each connected to the free end of a chain via a second cylinder rod, and means for actuating the first and second cylinders by fluid pressure.

Abstract: The self-propelled freight handling truck is comprised of a manually guided wheeled frame on which is mounted a mast and lifting forks, with a motor for supplying power to raise, lower, and tilt the forks, to propel the vehicle, to move front wheels laterally outboard to straddle a load or laterally inboard under the load while the load is being carried, and to extend or retract the front wheels telescopically the guide handle and said forks being foldable into a collapsed, compact storage position. A beverage handling system is also provided comprising a side-loading highway truck for transporting a driver, unitized loads of beverages and freight, and the self-propelled fork lift truck mentioned above. The truck and system of this invention is particularly useful in the handling of full or partially unitized beverage loads between the side-loading highway truck and the delivery facility.

Abstract: In a cargo-transfer system wherein a truck-mounted boom is extendable into a cargo space to manipulate a cargo-lift mechanism, the improvement comprising a lowerable roller mechanism carried by the lift mechanism to slightly elevate the mechanism from the cargo space floor, thereby transferring the cargo weight to the floor, thus relieving the load that would otherwise have to be carried by the outboard end of the boom. The invention permits greater cargo weights and/or a greater extension of the boom, and/or a lighter and cheaper boom, and/or a lower cost power system.

Abstract: A hidden chain assembly adaptable for use in multi-stage telescopic masts for lift trucks. A lifting chain is positioned transversely between two juxtaposed elongate upright members within an elongate enclosure defined by transversely-extending longitudinal flanges of the upright members. The chain is connected to one of the upright members by an anchor located within the enclosure adjacent to one end of the upright member, and extends from the anchor through the enclosure longitudinally toward the opposite end of the upright member where it is trained about a sheave rotatably attached to the other upright member. The anchor includes a detachment structure which is operatively accessible while the anchor is within the enclosure for permitting detachment of the chain from the first upright member despite the hidden location of the anchor within the enclosure.