Abstract: There is disclosed latching instrumentalities or structure for the forks of fork lift trucks which involves forming the head of a fork with a recess, a strap member of resilient construction having a detent formed thereon to engage a notch on a fork lift truck support being mounted on the head and in conjunction with the recess, the member being operable by simple bending of a portion thereof to move the detent out of a notch and permit the fork to be moved transversely along the truck.

Abstract: A slide structure for lift truck mounted parallel arm clamps, fork positioners and the like. A slide guide frame adapted to be mounted on the load carriage of the lift truck carries a plurality of elongate, transversely movable horizontal slide members for mounting opposed, openable and closable load arms. Each slide member has an elongate rear portion extending along the length thereof which fits inside a respective guide, and an elongate front portion, also extending substantially along the length of the slide member, which is always external of the guide and to which the clamp arm or other load arm may be attached directly.

Abstract: A transporter for moving large cylindrical loads, such as paper rolls 8 feet in diameter and 8 feet long. A U-shaped frame with spaced arms carrying air bearings, an on board compressor for a self contained air supply, and a drive unit which can be coupled and removed from the frame to provide propulsion and steering, with controls at the drive unit for handling of the transporter by a single person. Laterally moving load lifters are carried in the arms of the frame, with the lifters retracted as the frame is moved into position with the load between the arms. Hydraulic cylinders extend the load lifters inwardly to engage and, if desired, lift the load. The air bearings are inflated to lift the transporter and load for movement along the floor.