Abstract: The present invention relates to a lifting column and a first and second mast for lifting a vehicle, a lifting system including one or more of these lifting columns and a method for lifting a vehicle. The lifting column according to the invention includes a frame provided with a first mast and a second mast; at least one carrier configured for engaging the vehicle, with the at least one carrier moveable relative to the first and second mast; and a lifting mechanism with a drive for moving the at least one carrier and lifting the vehicle. The first and second mast are positioned on the frame at a mast distance, with the mast distance enabling access to a wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A shoe tying support assembly includes a frame that is positionable on a floor. A scissor lift is movably coupled to the frame and the scissor lift is actuatable between a lifted position and a lowered position. A platform is positioned on the scissor lift and the platform is spaced upwardly from the frame when the scissor lift is actuated into the lifted position. Thus, a user can position their foot on the platform for assisting with tying shoes. A tilting unit is coupled between the scissor lift and the platform and the tilting unit tilts the platform at a selectable angle of deflection from a horizontal plane to enhance comfort for the user to position the user's foot on the platform. A remote control is provided to remotely control the scissor lift and the tilting unit.

Abstract: A forklift truck mounted on wheels comprises a drive system and tilting lifting means, a fork (1) adapted to lift loads with the aid of two substantially parallel arms (2) carried by uprights (3) which are substantially vertical or oblique depending on the working position, said fork (1) comprising a loading stop (10) disposed on each of the uprights (3) of the fork, each stop (10) comprising a bearing face (11) for loads having a straight profile and an angled docking face (12) for loads having a circular arc profile.

Abstract: A powered pallet truck is provided having a frame assembly that includes a base support portion and a load lift portion. The powered pallet truck has a lift cylinder device connected to the load lift portion and to the base support portion.

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 powered pallet truck is provided having a drive motor mounted in a drive wheel, a lift mechanism in general fore-and-aft alignment with the center of the drive wheel, and a pressurized fluid supply mechanism mounted to the load lift portion of the frame assembly. In one aspect, the powered pallet truck has a fluid conduit connected to an upper portion of a lift cylinder device adjacent a pivot connection between the lift cylinder device and a load lift portion of the pallet truck to limit movement of the fluid conduit during up and down movement of the load lift portion. In another aspect, the powered pallet truck has a base support portion with an arcuate window permitting movement of one or more cables extending therethrough as a steering assembly of the pallet truck is turned.

Abstract: An industrial truck (1) has a lifting device (9) including a movable load bearing implement (11) having a fork-shaped load handling attachment (14) and a towing device (20). The load handling attachment (14) has at least one load segment (14b) which is mounted so that it can be pivoted around an essentially horizontal pivoting axis (15). In one embodiment of the invention, the towing device (20) is located in the vicinity of the lifting device (9).

Abstract: An engine control device for a forklift that suppresses an increase in fuel consumption amount and noise by limiting an engine rotation speed when the forklift is driven without the need to increase the engine speed according to the accelerator operation even when the accelerator is depressed hard. Determining means in a controller determines whether all of the following conditions are satisfied: a neutral position of the traveling direction instructing means; a lift raising switch and first, second and third attachment switches are turned off. When all of the above conditions are satisfied, it is determined whether the forklift is driven in any of a plurality of states. An engine control means generates and outputs a control command to obtain the engine speed based on the accelerator pedal depression with the upper limit value of the engine speed set as an upper limit value of the engine speed.

Abstract: A hydraulic steering actuator system for a forklift with front and rear sections includes a hydraulic steering motor. The forklift front section includes a mast mounting a pair of fork blades and a pair of wheels. The forklift rear section mounts a pair of drive wheels. The forklift front and rear sections are connected by an articulated connection with a vertical rotational axis. The steering actuator motor driveshaft extends along the vertical rotational axis. First and second actuator mounting brackets are connected to the forklift front and rear sections respectively. One of the mounting brackets includes upper and lower locking assemblies locking the hydraulic steering motor driveshaft whereby torque applied to the steering motor is transmitted to the articulated connection for turning the forklift front section relative to the forklift rear section. The range of motion is preferably 180°-205° for accommodating side-loading operations from relatively high storage shelves.

Abstract: This implement attaches to the hydraulic system of a front-end loader for a tractor or similar vehicle. It has two planar surfaces, a deck and a back, that are fastened together at an approximately 90 degree angle. The deck is constructed primarily of wooden or synthetic boards or sheets, supported below or above by two or more steel angle irons or channel irons bolted to the boards or sheets. The back consists of a similar combination of boards or sheets, irons, and bolts, with a grill or strips possibly replacing some boards or sheets in the upper part. Each deck support is fastened to a back support using one or two steel braces or gussets, bolted or welded to the supports. Two steel yokes are fastened to the back, suitable for attaching the carrier to the front-end loader hydraulics. The carrier can be lifted and tilted by the front-end loader system, just as the system would do with its normal bucket attachment.

Abstract: The present application provides an all terrain vehicle for load hauling. The all terrain vehicle may include a cargo box and a winch assembly positioned about the cargo box.

Abstract: A container carrier provided with longitudinal extension and retraction capability such that loads may be shifted forward in order to achieve optimal front-to-rear weight distribution on the supporting vehicle. Two hydraulic cylinders having the same rod and bore size are provided in an over and under configuration and act in unison and enable the fork structure to tilt as well as telescopically extend and retract about a mast assembly. The upper cylinder directly controls the angle of the forks while the lower cylinder acts on a mast assembly to extend and retract. A third cylinder is provided for vertically raising and lowering the fork structure so that containers may be picked up from and/or lowered onto elevated surfaces, as well as tilted up and raised toward the truck.

Abstract: In an industrial truck, in particular a fork-lift truck, having a vehicle frame and a load pickup means (16), which can be displaced in relation to the vehicle frame, at least one wheel which is closer to the load pickup means and, at a distance from this, at least one wheel (20) which is further away from the load pickup means being provided on the vehicle frame, the wheel axle (18) of at least one wheel (20) being capable of moving in relation to the vehicle frame along a movement trajectory with a movement component which is orthogonal with respect to the standing area of the industrial truck, in addition a loading force (B), which is caused by the tare weight of the industrial truck and a load (L) which may have been picked up by said industrial truck, acting on the at least one moveable wheel axle (18), which loading force changes operationally, the at least one moveable wheel axle (18) in addition has or can have an arbitrarily variable additional force applied to it.

Abstract: This is a lifting mechanism especially suited to move a stack of paper to a height so that it is easier to remove or work with. The lifting mechanism has as a bottom portion a tilting platform that receives and holds a paper stack and its support. This tilting platform will be tilted in a front down position prior to and during loading of the paper stack thereon, and will automatically tilt down at its back portion when stack loaded. This is because the fulcrum of the tilting platform is located nearer the front sections of the platform than it is to the back section of the platform. When the weight of the paper stack acts upon the tilting platform, it will force the platform down at its back portion.

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 device for determining the orientation of a fork on a forklift has an indicating rod adjustably attached to the fork assembly which passes through a electrical contact switch assembly mounted to the cylinder which in turn is rigidly attached to the cylinder of the piston assembly and is comprised of electrical contactors that are activated by the indicating rod that indicates to the forklift operator with an orientation of the forks relative to the wheel base.

Abstract: A material relocation apparatus is provided which enables an operator to load, transport, and unload material, while the apparatus may be moving in the forward and backward directions. The apparatus includes a frame structure means, a material relocation means, and a power transfer means, with the material handling means and the power transfer means being mounted to the frame structure means. The material relocation means is a conventional type of load bucket, commonly found on construction equipment. It is pivotally mounted to the rear of the frame structure means, and is capable of being pivoted in both the forward and backward directions via the power transfer means. The power transfer means is a conventional type of power cylinder and piston mounted to the front of the frame structure means. The apparatus may attach to a tractor, or be a built-in component of a piece of construction equipment. A wheel assembly may be an optional component of the apparatus.

Abstract: A lifting device (10) includes a base frame (12), the base frame having associated drive means: a lifting arm (44) connected at a first end thereof to a frame (42), the lifting arm being pivotally movable with respect to the frame and being movable between a withdrawn condition and an extended lifting condition; and a lifting cradle being movable between open and engaged positions. The device is suitable for use in the movement of hospital beds and trolleys.

Abstract: In a load handling apparatus for a counterbalance type forklift, a single tiltable operating lever is disposed on a body of the forklift, a mast which is tiltable in an anteroposterior direction is disposed on the forklift, a liftable fork is disposed on the mast, and a tilting speed of the mast and lifting and lowering speeds of the fork are controlled by a degree of opening of a solenoid proportional control valve, the degree of opening being proportional to a tilting angle of the operating lever, and the operation of a switch, which is attached to the operating lever.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for handling blowout preventer stacks. In one embodiment the handling system includes a cart, or skid, providing a base platform, a tilting frame, and a lifting frame. The stack is attached to the lifting frame, which is slidingly supported by the tilting frame, which pivots relative to the cart. The cart provides for positional adjustment of the stack in a first horizontal direction, while positional adjustment in a second, perpendicular horizontal direction is provided by a lateral adjustment mechanism coupling the tilting frame and the cart. The lifting frame can be moved vertically relative to the cart and also provides for rotational adjustment of the stack about its central axis.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus is provided which enables an operator to load, transport, and unload material, while the apparatus may be moving in the forward and backward directions. The apparatus includes a frame structure means, a material handling means, and a power transfer means, with the material handling means and the power transfer means being mounted on the frame structure means. The material handling means is a conventional type of load bucket, commonly found on construction equipment. It is pivotally mounted to the rear of the frame structure means, and is capable of pivoting in both the forward and backward directions via the power transfer means. An optional item may include an attachment component for attaching the apparatus to a piece of construction equipment or farm equipment, such as a tractor. The apparatus may also be part of a motorized vehicle, in which case the attachment component is not required.

Abstract: A container for storing bulk material including a base wall, first and second end walls and a pair of sidewalls for forming an opened top enclosure. The container is transportable and tiltable between a generally upright storage position and a tilted dumping position either manually or through the use of a conventional forklift truck. The base and sidewalls define respectively first and second abutment walls both recessing inwardly and being formed integrally with the remainder of the container. The lifting tines of the forklift truck are adapted to contact the first abutment walls for supporting the container in its generally upright position. The sidewalls also define a recessed section allowing the container to pivot about a pivot location located generally about the center of mass of the container between the upright position and the tilted position wherein the lifting tines abuttingly contact the second abutment walls.

Abstract: A container for storing bulk material including a base wall, first and second end walls and a pair of sidewalls for forming an opened top enclosure. The container is transportable and tiltable between a generally upright storage position and a tilted dumping position either manually or through the use of a conventional forklift truck. The base and sidewalls define respectively first and second abutment walls both recessing inwardly and being formed integrally with the remainder of the container. The lifting tines of the forklift truck are adapted to contact the first abutment walls for supporting the container in its generally upright position. The sidewalls also define a recessed section allowing the container to pivot about a pivot location located generally about the center of mass of the container between the upright position and the tilted position wherein the lifting tines abuttingly contact the second abutment walls.

Abstract: This invention relates to a lifting device for low-weight loads, and may have a lift and tilt arrangement comprising one single lift arm and one single tilt arm. In that case those arms can either be located centrally in relation to the platform or at one of its sides. Two lift arms and two tilt arms together may be used with related link arms, those lift and tilt arms then being suitably journalled on a common horizontal shaft and the link arms on another horizontal shaft, those two shafts extending transversely to the load-supporting portion of the platform.

Abstract: The present invention discloses either an apparatus that is adapted for selective mounting to and demounting from a pallet jack for use therewith or a transport vehicle having an apparatus permanently mounted thereto, which can effectively and efficiently transport articles or stacks of objects, such as boxes, furniture, trays, or the like from one location to another. The apparatus comprises a housing and an article engaging and lifting member, which includes a base and a back support member for supporting the article or stacks of objects. The article engaging and lifting member is pivotally mounted to the housing, preferably adjacent the bottom of the back support member. In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a first clamp member for maintaining the article adjacent the back support member.

Abstract: A fluid power load-clamping system includes at least one fluid valve for variably regulating the maximum fluid pressure causing closure of the clamp. Preferably the valve increases the maximum fluid pressure automatically in relation to the measured magnitude of the weight of the load to regulate the load-gripping force. A controller causes the valve to permit a relatively high maximum fluid pressure as the clamp closes toward the load to enable high initial clamp closure speed. Thereafter the valve automatically reduces the maximum pressure as the clamping surfaces close into a predetermined relationship with the load, and then increases the maximum pressure to regulate the gripping force. Other preferable features include an automatic limit on the rate of lift of the load during weighing, and compensation of the weight measurement for the longitudinally-extensible position of the lifting mechanism, to maximize the accuracy of the load-weight measurement.

Abstract: In a load handling apparatus for a counterbalance type forklift, a tiltable operating lever is disposed on a body of the forklift, a mast which is tiltable in an anteroposterior direction is disposed on the forklift, a liftable fork is disposed on the mast, and a tilting speed of the mast and lifting and lowering speeds of the fork are controlled by a degree of opening of a solenoid proportional control valve, the degree of opening being proportional to a tilting angle of the operating lever, wherein a number of the operating lever disposed on the body is one, a switch is attached to the operating lever, and the apparatus comprises a controller which performs controls in the following manner: when the operating lever is tilted under a state where the switch is operated, a signal for tilting the mast is output; when only the operating lever is operated, a signal for lifting or lowering the fork is output; and, when the switch is changed to a inactive condition under a state where the operating lever is in an t

Abstract: In a load handling apparatus for a counterbalance type forklift, action and speed conditions of tilting a mast and lifting and lowering a fork are operated by use of a single operating lever and a single switch attached to the operating lever. Also, a controller is provided that prevents simultaneous operation of action conditions. The controller includes an inhibiting circuit that halts all action conditions when the operational state of the switch is changed during operation, and thus, unintended action conditions due to erroneous operation of the switch are prevented.

Abstract: An attachment for a forklift truck comprising an articulated bucket, hydraulic ram and pallet-like platform for engagement with the forks of the truck. By using the existing hydraulic lines of the truck the bucket may be actuated between a horizontal and a dump positions. The ram is positioned medially on the bucket and a gusset plate is employed within the bucket to enable the forces to be distributed to the bucket plates in an even manner and so that the assembly may be constructed with plates of less weight.

Abstract: A multi-task capable work assist vehicle is designed for transporting an operator and items to be handled by the operator and for elevating the operator with such items supported upon a load tray elevated with the operator. Preferably the load tray is mounted for positioning along a telescoping mast which supports and elevates the operator. A load deck or load platform is provided on a body of the vehicle in addition to the load tray so that items such as packages, tools, parts, merchandise and the like can be carried by the vehicle. Load shelves may also be provided adjacent the load deck to add flexibility and capacity to the load carrying capability of the vehicle. Uses of the vehicle include order picking, in-house service maintenance, stock management, cargo delivery and the like. It is designed to be compact in size and highly maneuverable for use in narrow storage aisles and tight quarters.

Abstract: A forklift attachment for attachment to a fifth-wheel hitch assembly of a vehicle for permitting the lifting of loads. The forklift attachment includes a ground engaging support carriage having an towing tongue designed for attachment to a fifth-wheel hitch assembly of a vehicle. A pair of lifting arms are pivotally mounted to the support carriage. A pair of lifting devices are provided for raising and lowering the lifting arms with respect to the support carriage and a pair of tilting devices are provided for tilting the lifting arms with respect to the support carriage.

Abstract: A self dumping hopper includes a base; a container having a pair of runners sized and configured to enable the container to rock upon the base, along a path and between a non-dumping rest position and a rearwardly angled dumping position; a guide assembly connected to either the base or the container, the guide assembly defining at least one guide path opening and being for engaging with a guide pin to restrain the container to rock within a desired path; at least one guide pin connected to the other of the base and the container and positioned to extend into and follow the at least one guide path opening; and, a latch mechanism connected to the base and container for releasable holding the container in the rest position, the latch mechanism having latched and unlatched positions and having a biasing assembly for urging the latch mechanism to the unlatched position when in the unlatched position.

Abstract: A rolled web carrying apparatus is used to enable easy and safe handling of a web. On a carrying truck is mounted a web receiver which faces the peripheral surface of the web and is vertically movable and rotatable around a bearing through a parallelogram link device. Further a fluid pressure cylinder is mounted as one side of the parallelogram link device, by which the web receiver can be tilted between a level position and a vertical position.

Abstract: A fork lift truck includes a fork level sensor located in the forks, away from the vertical mast of a lift truck for detecting the true level of the forks, and a vision system including a camera which may take several forms. In one form, a single camera is mounted in a housing which may be moved to a protected location vertically either by sliding in the carriage assembly, or by use of a parallelogram device. In another form, multiple cameras are employed where a second camera may be either mounted above the first camera in the same housing or mounted between the forks. Alternatively, the first camera may perform multiple roles by being moved vertically from a first predetermined location below the bottom of the forks to a higher elevation a second predetermined location relative to the forks.

Abstract: A material handling lift having a movable frame, a mast mounted at one end to a shuttle assembly movable on the frame, and a load handling assembly attached to the mast by means of two extending arm members. The frame comprises two longitudinal C-shaped side rails in which the shuttle assembly can be reciprocated by wheels which engage the inner surfaces of the rails. The sections of the wheels which engage the rails are arched to prevent the lift from tipping when the lift is moving in a sloped direction. Guide wheels mounted on the shuttle assembly rotate across the surfaces of the sides of the upper rails, thereby stabilizing movement of the shuttle assembly along the rails. The shuttle assembly can be sustained in any position along the rails by operation of a hand-operated shuttle brake.

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: A method for handling conventional stacks of baked goods trays for the baking industry. A platen is moved underneath side-by-side stacks of trays. The platen supports the underside of the stacks of trays and prevents lateral movement of the bottom of the stacks by guiding the platen into channels that exist in the bottom of the trays. The platen is attached to an upright which is tiltable and which extends along one side of the baked goods trays when on the platen to support the stacks along their vertical height. Tilting of the upright causes the platen to lift and the trays to tilt against the upright where they are supported underneath and along the side and thus can be moved and handled. By utilizing the split platen and the tall tiltable upright with a motorized vehicle, an economical and efficient method of handing baked goods tray stacks is possible, eliminating significant manual labor and risk of worker injury.

Abstract: A lift-assist device is provided for securely clamping a wheelchair and then elevating and forwardly tipping the wheelchair to assist the occupant in rising from it to a standing position. The device operates with any conventional wheelchair design, the device having adjustment mechanisms to accommodate wheelchairs of varying size. The device eliminates the need for lift-assist wheelchairs to have their own integral lifting mechanisms which in the past have made such wheelchairs cumbersome and heavy. The present device is conveniently portable and much less expensive than wheelchairs with integral lift-assist mechanisms. Thus, the present invention provides wheelchair-bound persons with greater mobility than was previously available by greatly improving the usefulness of conventional non-lift-assist wheelchairs, which can now be given lifting assistance by the present invention in a variety of settings.

Abstract: A material storage hopper tiltably supported on the bed of a hopper support frame is disclosed, which frame is liftable either by a fork lift or a three point hitch such as used on farm and garden tractors. The frame is ground mountable such that the hopper can be used to store and dump materials while in a stationary, stand alone condition, separate and apart from the three point hitch of a tractor. The frame includes a bracket containing elongated slots in which a pin at the end of the third or central arm of a three point hitch is slidably inserted to permit the frame to level itself when elevated by the hitch above its ground mounted position. The slotted bracket also permits the frame to be self leveling when returned from an elevated to a ground mounted position.

Abstract: An intermodal transportation system for hauling bulk material, particularly municipal solid waste, by rail and truck utilizes multiple rectangular, open-top boxes each having a removable lid. Each box and associated lid include one or more channels that can be engaged simultaneously by a forklift that includes two fork groups wherein one fork group can be engaged in the channels of the box while a second fork group is engaged in the channels of the associated lid. In operation, the forklift can engage the lid and box simultaneously, remove the lid from the box and then dump or otherwise manipulate the box while the lid remains positioned on the forklift.

Abstract: An intermodal transportation system for hauling bulk materials, particularly municipal solid waste, by rail and truck utilizes multiple rectangular, open-top boxes each having a removable lid. The system includes a forklift with an articulated frame actuated by hydraulics which engages channels formed in the box or in the lid. Lock bars on the box are clamped by locking members carried on the forklift to hold the box on the forks during an over the-side dumping movement. The forklift empties the box with a roll-out motion combining a forward rotation of a lifted box with a backward movement of the box. A reinforced flatbed railcar receives up to four 21 foot long boxes and lids with a total carrying capacity of up to 100 tons. Each car contains upright corners that guide the boxes onto the railroad car and then restrain it. The containers are flush with the upper surface of the railroad car when engaged in the corners. A tractor trailer with a tilt up roller bed and winch hauls the boxes on highways.

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: An intermodal transportation system for hauling bulk materials, particularly municipal solid waste, by rail and truck utilizes multiple rectangular, open-top boxes each having a removable lid. The system includes a forklift with an articulated frame actuated by hydraulics which engages channels formed in the box or in the lid. Lock bars on the box are clamped by locking members carried on the forklift to hold the box on the forks during an over-the-side dumping movement. The forklift empties the box with a roll-out motion combining a forward rotation of a lifted box with a backward movement of the box. A reinforced flatbed railcar receives up to four 21 foot long boxes and lids with a total carrying capacity of up to 100 tons. Each car contains upright corners that guide the boxes onto the railroad car and then restrain it. The containers are flush with the upper surface of the railroad car when engaged in the corners. A tractor trailer with a tilt-up roller bed and winch hauls the boxes on highways.

Abstract: An attachment to the boom of a boom-type vehicle is 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 an attachment 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 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: An assembly detachably mountable on the forks of a fork-lift vehicle includes a frame having channels open at one end thereof for insertion thereinto of respective ones of the forks of a fork-lift vehicle. A bucket having a bottom wall and an open front wall is tiltably attached to the frame for movement from one to the other of load holding and load dumping positions. Located at the open front wall of the bucket is a door movably mounted thereon, which is movable to open and close the open front wall. The assembly also includes power units which can selectively move the bucket relative to the frame and open and close the door. The assembly can be used with a conventional fork-lift vehicle to scoop up particulate material from a surface, and carry the material to another location where it can be dumped from the assembly.

Abstract: A hoist is provided for lifting, positioning and holding a trailer hitch beneath the frame of a motor vehicle to facilitate installation of the hitch. A movable platform supports an upstanding post having a sleeve telescoped thereon. Both the post and sleeve have complimentary non-circular cross sections to prevent rotation of the sleeve on the post. A winch carried by the sleeve raises and lowers the sleeve via a cable attached to the post above the sleeve. A support arm has its proximal end pivotally connected about a horizontal axis to the sleeve. The distal end of the arm receives a variety of couplers for attachment to various hitches. A hydraulic cylinder also carried by the sleeve beneath the arm has a piston rod positioned to engage the arm a short distance from its proximal end to raise and lower the arm with a hitch thereon for angular adjustment independent of movement of the sleeve.

Abstract: An intermodal transportation system for hauling bulk materials, particularly municipal solid waste, by rail and truck utilizes multiple rectangular, open-top boxes each having a removable lid. The system includes a forklift with an articulated frame actuated by hydraulics which engages channels formed in the box or in the lid. Lock bars on the box are clamped by locking members carried on the forklift to hold the box on the forks during an over-the-side dumping movement. The forklift empties the box with a roll-out motion combining a forward rotation of a lifted box with a backward movement of the box. A reinforced flatbed railcar receives up to four 21 foot long boxes and lids with a total carrying capacity of up to 100 tons. Each car contains upright corners that guide the boxes onto the railroad car and then restrain it. The containers are flush with the upper surface of the railroad car when engaged in the corners. A tractor trailer with a tilt-up roller bed and winch hauls the boxes on highways.

Abstract: A material handling platform is pivotally attached to the front of the material transport vehicle. Actuator means raise and lower the platform. The platform is arranged to tilt relative to the vehicle about a horizontal pivot at the front of the vehicle. A turntable is mounted on the platform. The material handling platform positions roof supports in an underground mine adjacent a long wall mining machine. The roof supports are transported by the material transport vehicle carrying the material handling platform with the longest dimension of the roof support aligned with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. After the roof support reaches the position where it is to be installed, the roof support is turned relative to the vehicle by turning the turntable of the material handling platform so that the longest dimension of the roof support is at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The roof support is then removed from the vehicle by lowering and tilting the platform relative to the vehicle.

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 fork lift truck includes a fork level sensor located in the forks, away from the vertical mast of a lift truck for detecting the true level of the forks, and a vision system including a camera which may take several forms. In one form, a single camera is mounted in a housing which may be moved to a protected location vertically either by sliding in the carriage assembly, or by use of a parallelogram device. In another form, multiple cameras are employed where a second camera may be either mounted above the first camera in the same housing or mounted between the forks. Alternatively, the first camera may perform multiple roles by being moved vertically from a first predetermined location below the bottom of the forks to a higher elevation a second predetermined location relative to the forks.