Abstract: A large animal lifting and moving apparatus includes a frame having a front end and a rear end, the frame, a drive shaft rotatably coupled to the frame, a drive motor coupled to the frame and operatively coupled to the drive shaft; the drive motor selectively powered by a power source, and one or more roller chains coupled to the drive shaft. The frame is structured to support a large animal between the front end and the rear end and structured to be moved during operation of the large animal lifting and moving apparatus. When the drive motor is powered by the power source, the drive motor drives the drive shaft and the roller chains coupled to the drive shaft.

Abstract: Typically, unit loads with wooden pallets in warehouses are moved by pallet lifters or AMRs which are bulkier in size and require more power with high operating costs. This disclosure relates generally to a unit load lifter designed with counterbalance arm mounted on an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) to load and unload unit load from one position to another position autonomously. The unit load lifter includes a horizontal slide unit and a vertical axis fork assembly. The horizontal slide unit include base plate of the unit load lifter is mounted on the AMR. A plurality of fixed guides is integrated with the base plate to house the vertical axis fork assembly by a plurality of rollers on a roller mounting plate. The vertical axis fork assembly include an actuating end of a linear actuator is connected to the sliding plate to drive the at least one fork up and down.

Abstract: An industrial vehicle remote control system includes a forklift that has a vehicle communication unit and a remote control device that has a remote communication unit and is used to remotely control the forklift. A vehicle wireless CPU of the industrial vehicle remote control system acquires the received radio wave intensity of a remote control signal by which the two communication units wirelessly communicate, and, on the basis of the results thereof, determines whether the forklift is positioned in a permission range or in a prohibition range.

Abstract: A retractable pallet fork carriage assembly is provided that enhances the safe operation of a lift vehicle, such as a loader or telehandler. A carriage assembly is coupled to a fork tyne assembly through scissor links that expand and retract the tynes relative to the carriage assembly. When the scissor links are closed, the fork tynes extend through the carriage assembly to receive a payload (e.g., a pallet). When an operator wants to remove the payload, the fork tynes retract while the payload is supported against the carriage assembly. In this way, the load remains in one stationary position while pallet fork tynes are retracted under the payload to release the payload. Various sensors generate and/or send signals to limit the operation of the boom lift, boom, and/or retractable attachment when a distance or load is out of a threshold range.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fork carriage for a truck mounted forklift, the fork carriage comprising an upright rear section for mounting onto the lifting assembly of the forklift, an upright forward section, shorter than the upright rear section, for reception of tines, and a pantograph linkage connecting the upright rear section and upright forward sections together. The pantograph linkage comprises a first and second linkage arm however the second linkage arm is shorter than the first linkage arm and does not extend all the way forward to the upright forward section. Instead, there is provided a third linkage arm with a hinge joint along its length, the third linkage arm being connected at various positions along its length to each of the first linkage arm, the second linkage arm and the upright forward section. In this way, the pantograph linkage can achieve the same reach with a lower upright forward section and access to top far side loads is facilitated.

Abstract: A high visibility push-pull handler configured to be mounted on a lift truck. The handler comprising a frame assembly, a pantograph mechanism coupled to the frame assembly, and a faceplate assembly coupled to the pantograph mechanism. The hander is configured with a view window extending through the handler, the view window not obstructed by parts of the handler when the handler is in any normal operating configuration, including a fully extended configuration, a fully retracted configuration, and any configuration in between the full extended and fully retracted positions.

Abstract: A multifunctional wall clamping device includes a wall-clamping platform, a main body, and a wall-pressing device, wherein the main body has a center hole. The wall-pressing device includes a wall-pressing hydraulic cylinder disposed on an upper support, and a jacking cylinder disposed on a lower support. The wall-clamping platform includes two U-shape pincer boxes with a same geometry and a U-shaped horizontal cross section. The U-shape pincer boxes are arranged with openings facing each other on the same axis to form a combination with a rectangular cross section. A piston rod of the wall-pressing hydraulic cylinder is connected to a top of the wall-clamping platform such that the wall-clamping platform is vertically suspended in the center hole. Outside walls of the wall-clamping platform include roller wheels, which can roll on inner walls of the center hole and inner walls of rectangular columns of the upper support and the lower support.

Abstract: A cart for moving items includes a base, wheels coupled to the base, and one or more rollers coupled on an upper surface of the base. The base includes one or more loading areas for loading items to be moved onto the base, and one or more unloading areas for unloading items from the base. The rollers coupled on one or more upper surfaces of the base in the loading areas may support items as the items are loaded onto the base.

Abstract: The pull and lift system for transporting roofing materials includes a pull bar upon a flat bed of a truck, two rams connecting to the pull bar, controls for the rams, two pairs of mutually spaced apart legs, a table connecting between the pairs of legs, at least one ram connecting to the table, and controls for this ram. The first controls engage the pull bar against a pallet then draw it towards the table. The pull bar has an L shaped cross section with the lower portion sliding upon the flat bed and the upper portion engaging a pallet. The table has a first position coplanar with the flat bed and a second position above the flat bed and proximate a conveyor. The table elevates, while loaded with cargo, and remains level during its transition from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: Within a storage compartment, closely spaced rows of adjacent stacks are supported on a plurality of parallel sliding rails. A pair of coordinated robots is positioned with one robot on one side of the stacks to push the stacks within a selected row toward the other robot. The pushing robot on one side of the row starts off with a starting stack supported in its support arms. The pushing robot pushes the starting stack into one end of the selected row, causing the row to shift toward the waiting receiving robot, which receives the stack at the opposite end of the row from the starting stack. A series of pushes between the two robots moves a stack containing a desired sample into alignment with an access port in the storage compartment.

Abstract: A push-pull device (4), a fork-lift truck (2) provided therewith and a method therefor. The push-pull device comprises:—a carrier element (6) on which the goods can be placed;—a gripping mechanism (12) for gripping goods to be transported; and—a push-off mechanism for pushing off the carrier element goods placed thereon, wherein the push-off mechanism comprises at least two drive mechanisms A lateral adjusting mechanism is preferably provided for adjusting the at least two drive mechanisms in lateral direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for producing paper cushions from a paper web which has been rolled up into a supply roll, the arrangement having a machine with a bearing arrangement for bearing the supply roll in a rotatable manner, and also having a device for forming the paper web and an arrangement for producing the paper cushions. The machine has coupling elements via which a transporting carriage provided with mating coupling elements can be coupled in a releasable manner to the machine, it being possible for a supply roll to be mounted on the transporting carriage such that, when the transporting carriage is coupled to the machine, the supply roll can be inserted into the bearing arrangement of the machine by way of a rolling and/or sliding movement.

Abstract: A robot gripper for grasping, transporting, and depositing goods in transit including a gripper base having a coupling device for attachment to a robot arm, a carrying device and a displacement device. The carrying device extends in the longitudinal direction of the gripper and a carrying surface serves to carry the object being transported and extends substantially in the longitudinal and transverse direction of the gripper. The displacement device is disposed above the carrying device in an upward vertical direction of the gripper and serves to apply force, in the longitudinal direction of the gripper, to the object being transported. The displacement device and the carrying device are each capable of being moved relative to the gripper base in the longitudinal direction of the gripper and of being moved concurrently and in opposite directions relative to the gripper base.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus for use with a material carrier board including an aperture, the material handling apparatus being configured to couple to a lifting portion of a lift truck that includes forks, the material handling apparatus including a mount configured to be coupled to the lifting portion of the lift truck, a backrest having a bottom edge and a front face, a scissor structure coupled to the mount and to the backrest, the scissor structure being configured to operate between extended and retracted states, wherein when the scissor structure is operated from the retracted state to the extended state, the backrest is extended from a proximal end of the forks towards a distal end of the forks, the stop plate being attached to the backrest such that the horizontal planar portion is substantially perpendicular to the front face of the backrest, the vertical planar portion is substantially parallel to and offset from the front face of the backrest, the horizontal planar portion of the stop plate formi

Abstract: A warehousing system for palletized cargo, and an automated loading/unloading system for use with the same. The warehousing system includes a feed conveyer and a plurality of storage racks. A traveling conveyor carries the cargo from the feed conveyor to the individual racks, and from the racks to a loading/unloading conveyor which carries the cargo to the loading/unloading docks. The traveling conveyor rides on a wheeled chassis that is guided between the receiving and discharge locations on tracks. The storage racks are stackable in tiers, and the traveling conveyor has a deck that raises and lowers to be level therewith. The automated loading/unloading dock includes a rigid, extensible plate having an upper surface for supporting a load of palletized cargo, with a drive mechanism being mounted to the inner end of the plate to translate it in and out of the transport vehicle. The plate carries a load of palletized cargo into or out of the transport vehicle en masse.

Abstract: This invention relates to a forklift truck (1) of the type adapted to be mounted on a carrying vehicle, commonly referred to as a piggy-back forklift. The forklift truck has a forklift loading support comprising an upright bar (19) is mounted on the mast carriage (9) between the upright mast (11) and the side bar (7). The upright bar (19) may be pivotally mounted on the mast carriage, pivotable to and from a platform engaging position forward of the mast and a stowed position rearward of the front surface of the mast. The forklift loading support may be deployed very quickly and will not hinder loading of the forklift onto a carrying vehicle or require modification of the mounting gear for the forklift truck.

Abstract: A container handling apparatus for use in loading and transporting a container from a first location to a second location is provided. The container handling apparatus includes a mast and support structure for supporting the container thereon. The support structure is vertically positionable relative to the mast. The container handling apparatus also includes a container interlocking member including an engaging portion for use in releasably engaging a container. The container interlocking member is horizontally positionable relative to the support structure and configured to provide a pivot axis about which the container can pivot relative to the interlocking member when engaged with the container.

Abstract: A method for sorting mail to a case having a plurality of slots is described, wherein each slot corresponds to a destination. The method includes steps of loading a mail piece to be sorted into a delivery robot, determining for the mail piece a destination slot the mail piece is to be delivered to, moving the delivery robot along a rail disposed at the front of the case near the slots into proximity with an open end of the destination slot, inserting the mail piece from the delivery robot into the associated slot, and returning the delivery robot to a loading station whereby the cycle may be repeated. Such a method, when using a large number of robots moving along a common rail system, can sort a large volume of mail in carrier delivery order.

Abstract: A gripping apparatus for a fork of a fork lift includes a gripping portion and at least one mounting portion for removably securing the gripping apparatus to the fork. Openings are formed between the at least one mounting portion and the gripping portion for receiving the fork therethrough. The gripping apparatus is constructed of a high friction material.

Abstract: The pull and lift system of the present invention transfers roofing materials from the pullbar extended position 14, FIG. 1, located at the headboard 1a of a truck bed to the lift table 6 shown in FIG. 1, by hydraulic rams 8, FIG. 1. The pull and lift system raises roofing material via the lift table 6 so as to eliminate excessive bending by the person picking up said material, by hydraulic rams 9, shown in FIG. 4.

Abstract: A roller mechanism for transporting loads over a surface, the roller mechanism including a body, at least one roller assembly that permits the body to move in at least one translational direction, the roller assembly being rotatably connected to the body, and a lifting mechanism attached to the body such that the body is selectively rotatable relative to the lifting mechanism, wherein the lifting mechanism can be operated to lift the roller assemblies out of contact with the surface.

Abstract: A forklift (1) of the type adapted to be transported on a carrying vehicle comprising a wheeled chassis (6) on which are mounted a pair of platform engaging load rest supports (15). The load rest supports (15) comprise a pair of spaced-apart upright bars (20) which have a contact surface for engagement at Y of a platform (2). The forklift truck (1) also has a mast (8) carrying extendable forks (9) to allow a load (3) to be placed on and removed from an extended position across the platform. The load rest support (15) allows the mast (8) to be tilted and if the mast (8) can also be side-shifted, then it can be side-shifted without interference with the platform (2). This further prevents tilting of the forklift (1) in the direction of the arrow A.

Abstract: An industrial truck has a chassis (1), a lifting frame (5), a load holding device (10) that can move vertically along the lifting frame (5), and at least one movement device to move the lifting frame (5) relative to the chassis (1). The acceleration and/or the speed of movement of the lifting frame (5) that can be achieved by the movement device can be controlled as a function of at least one operating parameter of the industrial truck. The operating parameter is measured at least approximately continuously. One operating parameter is the current lifting height of the load holding device (10). An additional operating parameter is the weight of a load that is being held by the load holding device (10).

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a load handling device for an industrial truck having a lift frame, a lift carriage which can be displaced along the lift frame, and a reach carriage guided so as to move on the lift carriage. A load pick-up device is arranged on the reach carriage. According to the invention, the lift carriage is guided on the outer sides of the lift frame by rollers, and the reach carriage is guided on the outer sides of the lift carriage. In order to displace the reach carriage, a hydraulic reach cylinder is provided on each side of the lift frame and is fixed at one end to the lift carriage and at the other end to the reach carriage.

Abstract: The push-plate of the attachment is guided on left and right pairs of proximal and distal arms. The proximal arms are pivoted at support pivots to the support plate, and the distal arms are pivoted at distal pivots to the push-plate. The proximal arms are pivoted to the distal arms at knee pivots. All three left pivots are parallel to each other, and all three right pivots are parallel to each other. The left pivots all lie at an angle PA to the right pivots. The angle PA is between 80° and 130°. The arrangement is simple and robust, and enables the push-plate to be guided very solidly, over an accurately-straight line path of the push-plate, with no stresses and strains imposed on the pivots by the geometry of the motion.

Abstract: A storage lift has at least one chain drive (14, 15) used for loading and unloading storage goods carriers (4). Each chain drive has two chains (16, 17) that are laterally and vertically offset from each other and are interconnected by coupling members (22, 23). The chains propel drivers (27) fixed to extension arms (24, 25) of the coupling members (22, 23) and are used to transfer the storage goods carriers (4) to a vertical conveyor (1) and to hold them in a position in which the vertical conveyor is iovable upwardly and downwardly. The chains (16, 17) of the chain drive or drives (14, 15) are located between the front edges of the storage goods carriers (4), which lie opposite one another in storage columns (2, 3), to enable the vertical conveyor (1) to have a relatively narrow construction.

Abstract: One embodiment of a picking tool for an automated library of disk drives has an electromagnet, a tapered hole, and a ventilation system. The ventilation system has a box fan with an impeller for moving air through ducting located within the picking tool. The ducting includes a vents located adjacent to one surface of the picking tool. The picking tool is designed to work in conjunction with a disk drive carrier having a front bezel equipped with a tapered guide pin that is complementary to the tapered hole, and vent ports. The guide pin provides alignment between the carrier and the picking tool. The automated disk drive library has a rack with drawers for containing the carriers. The picking tool is mounted to a robotic arm for selectively engaging and interfacing with the carriers. After the picking tool aligns with a desired carrier, the picking tool moves toward the carrier to insert the guide pin into the tapered hole.

Abstract: A lift truck attachment for handling loads comprises a main frame assembly for attachment to an elevator of a lift truck and a lower slide assembly. The lower slide assembly includes an elongated sliding element for performing a reciprocal motion relative to the main frame assembly. A bottom slide cross tube is furnished and has an elongated structure extending substantially perpendicular to the elongated sliding element. An elongated pusher plate is attached to the bottom slide cross tube and extends substantially parallel to the elongated sliding element. A first shear plate has a first hole and is attached to an end of the bottom side cross tube. A second shear plate has a second hole and is rotatably attached to the first shear plate with a rotation axis disposed substantially parallel to the elongated sliding element. The first hole and the second hole have the same distance from the rotation axis. A threaded safety bolt penetrates through the first hole and through the second hole.

Abstract: A forklift, in which, if a synchronous mode change-over switch is depressed, a forward/backward moving lever is switched over to the backward moving side, and a throttle pedal is stepped down, then a pusher is moved forward by a pusher cylinder in synchronization with the backward movement of the vehicle body of the forklift to thereby push out baggage carried on a fork therefrom. An oil pressure circuit connects together a pusher cylinder and an oil pressure pump. A hand-operated switch valve 21 is disposed in the oil pressure circuit. A valve full-open switch 22 opposes a projection portion 25 provided on and projected from a pusher lever 12 which is used to switch the state of the hand-operated switch valve 21. When the pusher lever 12 fully opens the hand-operated switch valve 21, the projection portion 25 contacts with the valve full-open switch 22 to thereby allow the valve full-open switch 22 to issue a detect signal to a control part of the forklift.

Abstract: A warehouse (10) has a plurality of cells (11) arranged in rows and columns. In each cell is received a plurality of load units (12) aligned in a row directed towards an input-output mouth of the cell to have the first load unit of each row, which represents the head of the row, arranged near the mouth of the respective cell. At least one deposit-withdrawal shuttle (13) moves along the cell mouths and has handling means (22) for taking and depositing load units at the head of the rows. The load units (12) in each row are connected sequentially to each other with mutual coupling means (17) to move together towards the cell mouth when the shuttle withdraws the leading load unit of the row The coupling means between the withdrawn unit and the immediately following one in the row are releasable on command during the withdrawal to free the withdrawn load unit from the row after the withdrawal movement has moved the second unit of the row near the cell mouth.

Abstract: The present invention which discloses a device (1) for the transfer of a load (60) from a carrier onto a machine-tool supporting table and vice versa, is simple, inexpensive, very compact and of moderate weight. The transfer device consists of at least one handling arm (2) hinged and connected to the carrier and to the said load. The handling arm (2) is split into a front member (4) and rear member (3) connected by a hinge. The closing and opening movement of the arm (2) is controlled by a jack (11) provided on the rear member (3) and its shaft is secured to a chain (12 intermeshing with two toothed wheels (14, 15) provided on the respective hinges (5,6). The toothed wheels (14, 15) being stationary, the front (4) and rear (3) members of the arm rotate synchronously and in a ratio of 2 in relation to the jack (11), while the free end (7) of the arm follows a substantially rectilinear path parallel to the load transfer plane. The invention is useful in machine-tools, presses and any load transfer equipment.

Abstract: System, method, and apparatus for carrying out the multi-level stacking and moving of merchandise units using lift trucks configured for slipsheet palletizing. The system employs a blocking assembly in conjunction with slipsheets employed for such warehousing practices. This blocking assembly preferably is formed of a corrugated polymeric material having a forward flap-like blocking component which extends downwardly from a die-formed crease over the packaged components of a lower assembled merchandise unit. The crease provides sufficient compressive stress distribution from abutting engagement with an errant lift truck forward fork tip to avoid damage to upper level packaged merchandise within the lower unit. The blocking assemblies are quite light and thin, and the flap-like blocking components thereof may be utilized as a slipsheet in the event that the grasping tab of a slipsheet is torn by the gripping mechanism of a lift truck.

Abstract: A carriage is provided for a storage-retrieval system including a shelf assembly. The carriage includes a base member, at least one carrier region above the base member for supporting an object to be transferred, at least one pair of shifting units flanking the carrier region. The shifting units are reciprocally movable into and away from the shelf assembly. Engaging members are mounted on the shifting units. Each of the engaging members arranged to pivot about a vertical axis and movable between a closed position for contacting the object and an open position for avoiding the contacting with the object.

Abstract: A method of placing compressed insulation material into a container for subsequent removal includes selecting a group of packages of compressed insulation material to be put into the container, attaching a line to the group, where the line is attached substantially at the top of the group so that at least an upper segment of the group can be pulled out of the container by pulling the line and tipping over the upper segment, and placing the group into the container.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval machine has a telescopically extendible shuttle assembly which includes a plurality of linearly movable plates and a plurality of shuttle guide roller assemblies which accommodate non-linearities in the guide surface and other variations in clearance between the shuttle guide rollers and the corresponding guide surfaces of the shuttle assembly. Each shuttle guide roller assembly includes a spring, preferably a die spring, which biases the guide roller towards the guide surface but which permits limited deflection of the roller when it encounters bows, bumps, or other variations in linearity in the guide surface. The pre-tensioned guide rollers provide wear compensation, center the shuttle plates on their tracks, and assure adequate guidance of the shuttle plates during shuttle telescoping while preventing premature wear of the shuttle guide roller bearings and/or the guide surfaces.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval machine has a telescopically extendible shuttle assembly and having spring tensioned shuttle idler pulleys for the slave drive members, preferably chains, of the shuttle assembly. A spring, preferably a die spring, exerts a biasing force on each idler pulley which opposes forces imposed on the idler pulley by the corresponding slave chain. Pre-tensioning the idler pulley in this manner assures adequate tension on the slave chain to prevent or at least inhibit undulations in plate movement which otherwise could occur during telescopic extension and retraction of the shuttle assembly if the slave chain were inadequately tensioned. Use of the spring loaded idler pulley also obviates the need to over-tension the slave chain and prevents or inhibits premature wear and failure of the idler pulley, pulley bearing, and/or chain.

Abstract: A slip sheet handling apparatus is specifically adaptable for retrofit attachment to a standard lift jack unit and is characterized by having a platen which is pivotally connected to the tines of the jack unit for tilting movement, and a gripper assembly is slidable along the platen to automatically cause upward and downward tilting movement of the platen as the gripper assembly is advanced into engagement with a slip sheet beneath a load and draws the slip sheet onto the platen in transporting the load from one site to another.

Abstract: A handling device of the push-pull type for handling a load (17) disposed on a sheet-like loading unit (16) comprises a fixed portion (18) and a movable portion (19). Driven handling means (25) is present and has a first and a second operating strokes during which it translates the movable portion (19) relative to the fixed portion (18) from a retracted position to an extended position respectively, and vice versa. The movable portion (19) is provided with gripper means (15) capable of being drivingly opened and closed and intended for gripping the loading unit sheet (16) when the movable portion (19) is at the extended position and pulling the load between the extended and retracted positions. The driven handling means (25) is connected by a kinematic linkage with the gripper means (15) to cause opening and closing of the latter over at least one length of the operating strokes of said handling means.

Abstract: In a method for stowing a load 1 in a load stacking position on a rear deck 4A, the load 1 is mounted on a slide plate 63 and is pushed by a pusher 51 to a push-in position until the load 1 and the slide plate 63 reach a load stacking position which is close to and facing against a front wall 4B on the rear deck 4A. Then the load 1 is transferred to the load stacking position by pulling the slide plate 63 back from the load stacking position with the pusher 51 kept in the push-in position.

Abstract: In a storage container (L) which is supposed to be automatically pushed into shelf compartments and pulled out of them by a handling device, notches (E) are provided in a gripping zone and are structured in such a way that a stud (B) of a gripper mechanism of the handling device can be brought into engagement in physically locking and/or force-locking fashion in each instance.

Abstract: An article transfer apparatus is described which is movable along a row of article storage racks and comprises an article carrier having a conveyor and an article holder disposed above the article carrier and containing a plurality of suction cups. The article holder includes mechanism which, after the suction cups have been pushed against an article to suck and attract the article, there is operable via a folding motion of first and second swing arms, or alternatively, in conjunction with a movement of a front-back moving member simultaneously with such folding motion of the swing arms, and an article carrying conveyor is synchronously driven in an article pulling-in direction, whereby the article can be put onto the article carrying conveyor.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes two confrontingly opposed, columnar arrays which define a plurality of vertically spaced tray-receiving recesses. A platform is vertically displaceable along and between the arrays and carries an extraction device operable for withdrawing a selected tray from an array recess onto the platform, and for inserting a tray supported on the platform into a vacant recess in either array. The extraction device includes a pair of rods carried on and for movement longitudinally along the platform, toward and away from the opposed arrays, about opposed continuous-loop drive belts which lie in substantially vertical planes. The rods are releasably engageable, through rotation of the drive belts, within handles provided at and extending longitudinally outwardly from the opposite ends of each tray to enable withdrawal and insertion of the selected tray.

Abstract: A device for compressing tires and other compressible items in a shipping container comprises a support frame 22 attached to the lift end of a forklift. A fixture 20 is attached to and moves vertically with the support frame. The fixture comprises a horizontal compression platen 30. A vertical pusher plate 50 extends above and below the platen. The upper pusher plate 53, which is above the platen, can fold down so that the platen can be brought near the ceiling of a shipping container above a stack of tires. The fixture weighs enough to compress tires stacked below the compression platen. Additional tires are stacked above the platen and compressed tires. The upper pusher plate is then folded up, against the tires. Two hydraulic cylinders push the pusher plate away from the support frame to pull the platen from between the tires.

Abstract: A transport vehicle transports a plurality of sliver cans between a can delivery station, work stations of a sliver processing textile machine, and a discharge station for empty cans along a given travel direction. The vehicle includes an undercarriage with a plurality of can parking places for the sliver cans. A plurality of can exchange mechanisms are provided, one for each can parking place. Each exchange mechanism includes a carriage supporting a respective one of the sliver cans. The carriage is slidable on the under-carriage transversly to the travel direction of the transport vehicle. A motor slidingly drives each of the carriages on the undercarriage. A can manipulating device, which is operatively associated with each of the carriages, displaces the sliver cans, setting them down and receiving them on a respective one of the carriages.

Abstract: A slip sheet for use with bulk containers and a method of use of such slip sheet. An empty bulk container is detachably secured to a slip sheet including one or more movable edges. The slip sheet and container can be manipulated and transported with a forklift or similar machinery. The slip sheet can be easily detached from the container after use via the movable edges.

Abstract: A vacuum-type gripping apparatus includes a frame which is movable between a retracted position, in which the frame is remote from an item stored in a storage bin, and an extended position, in which the frame is proximate to an item stored in the storage bin. The apparatus includes a vacuum-type gripping mechanism which grips the item to be extracted from the storage bin prior to and during the extraction operation. The vacuum-type gripping mechanism employs a redundant vacuum source which improves the operating reliability of the apparatus. A lifting mechanism, which is adapted to engage a bottom surface of the item to be extracted, cooperates with the vacuum-type gripping mechanism during the extraction operation.

Abstract: A method of and system for handing variable sized loads by transferring the loads between a storage base and a transport base by engaging a portion of at least one engagement member, e.g. a suction cup, with an engagement surface on a side or end of a load, and displacing the engagement member to thereby pull a load onto the transport base for transport by the transport base or to push a load from the transport base onto the storage base. The engagement surface has a size at least equal to that of the portion of the engagement member. The system includes a system for determining load position and size.

Abstract: A robot for depalletizing open top boxes having a product from a pallet, removing the box from the product, unloading the product onto a magazine conveying surface and picking up slip sheets.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval system includes a plurality of storage bins arranged in spaced fashion. An extraction mechanism is provided to engage an edge of the bin defined by a sidewall and a bottom of the bin for moving the bin with respect to a storage location and a shuttle device. The extraction mechanism is movable along a first path in either direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of an aisle. The extractor mechanism is extendable below the bottom of a bin in a rest position, such as at a storage location. When the extractor mechanism has reached a position adjacent to the outermost end limit of travel, a tab actuating mechanism is engaged to move upwardly extending tabs between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: A heat exchanger tube bundle extractor having an improved sled and motive means operable to move the tube bundle into or out of its shell. A fixed screw shaft is provided on the chassis, and a rotatable drive nut on the sled. The drive nut is threadedly retained on the screw shaft. The drive nut is held against axial movement with respect to the sled by a gear box disposed on the sled. The gear box output includes a rotating shaft to which the drive nut is connected, which provides the drive nut with the appropriate speed and power to effectively pull the tube bundle from, or push it back into, the shell. A balance nut disposed on the opposite end of the drive shaft from the drive nut, and threadedly engaged with the screw shaft, reacts against side forces on the sled and screw shaft to assist in keeping the drive nut and screw shaft properly aligned.