Load Engaging Structure Of Elevator Or Hoist Device With Load Handling Feature Patents (Class 414/785)
  • Patent number: 11939199
    Abstract: A mounting bracket a generally C-shaped arrangement for receiving a fork carrier beam of a drywall crane fork assembly. A removable sidewall carried by the mounting bracket for enclosing the mounting bracket around the fork carrier beam. A tensioning member carried by the removable sidewall for biasing against the fork carrier beam. An extension arm carried in an extension arm port, wherein the extension arm has a generally L-shaped arrangement with a first arm portion adjustably carried in the extension arm port, and a second arm portion disposed at a distal end of the first arm portion and extending perpendicular to the first arm portion. Accordingly, the mounting bracket is removably mountable around the fork carrier beam and provides the extension arm extending in an adjustable arrangement perpendicular to lifting forks of the drywall crane fork assembly to assist with sliding drywall off the fork assembly over an extended distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Inventor: Kevin Crocker
  • Patent number: 11862051
    Abstract: A display panel and a light board are provided. The display panel includes a back board and a plurality of light boards, each of the plurality of light boards includes light beads and a first substrate and a second substrate that are disposed in a stack. The first substrate includes a first portion and the second substrate includes a second portion that exceeds the first substrate. The first portion of one of the plurality of light boards is stacked with the second portion of an adjacent light board to splice two of the plurality of light boards, and a distance between two columns of the plurality of light beads adjacent to each other and on an outermost side of the two light boards is within a preset range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TCL CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Juan Wang
  • Patent number: 11765994
    Abstract: A support stand is used for removing, repairing, storing, and reattaching a feeder house from an agricultural combine. The stand is adapted to be raised and lowered with a forklift to position the stand adjacent to the feeder house during removal and to position the feeder house on the combine during reattachment. The stand includes a base, the base having a flat lower surface, the base being adapted to receive a lifting mechanism. An upright frame is mounted at a first end of the base, the upright frame being adapted to selectively attach to a feeder house on a combine when raised by the forklift into alignment with the feeder house.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Inventor: Robert Leslie Wadsley
  • Patent number: 11745986
    Abstract: The arm with two or more hooks 1 comprises: a supporting beam 1) designed to be connected to an operating arm 20 of a telehandler 2 or another self-propelled operating machine and a plurality of hooks 11, 12, 13, distributed along the beam 10, each designed for supporting a respective load. One or more hooks 11, 12, 13 are connected to a load sensor 31, 32, 33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: MANITOU ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventor: Marco Iotti
  • Patent number: 11718469
    Abstract: An article reversing/discharging box 1 includes a box main body 2 that accommodates scrap, hook members 3, 4 having insertion holes 3a, 4a through which forks of a forklift are inserted above the box main body 2, and a reversing mechanism 5 capable of reversing the box main body 2. The reversing mechanism 5 includes a bottom plate 6 integrally extending from a lower end of the movable hook member 4 along the bottom surface 2d, and a hinge 7 provided at a distal end portion of the bottom plate 6. When the forks are inserted into the insertion holes 4a of the movable hook member 4 and the forks are removed from the insertion holes 3a of the fixed hook members 3, the box main body 2 is turnable about the distal end portion of the bottom plate 6 by the hinge 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: TSUDA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Tsuda
  • Patent number: 11299380
    Abstract: A convertible carriage is provided. The convertible carriage includes a carriage frame, a support arrangement, a shaft, and a retaining arrangement. The support arrangement includes an elongate slot and is positioned on the carriage frame. The shaft may carry a tine and is moveable along the elongate slot at least in a vertical dimension. The retaining arrangement may selectively engage with the elongate slot. When the retaining arrangement is engaged with the elongate slot, a movement of the shaft is limited by the retaining arrangement with a boundary defined at least by the retaining arrangement. When the retaining arrangement is removed from the elongate slot, the shaft is allowed to float in the elongate slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Arun Narayanan, David M. O'Brien, Jason M. Simmons
  • Patent number: 11266078
    Abstract: A seedling raising device includes: a cell plug for seedling raising that is formed as a single pot body; and a supporting device configured to detachably arrange and support a plurality of cell plugs, wherein the supporting device is capable of supporting the cell plug in either one of a first supporting position where the cell plug is slidably supported in a horizontal direction and a second supporting position where the cell plug is detachably supported in a top position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Nishiura, Koji Shimada
  • Patent number: 10106385
    Abstract: An innovative anti-scratch and anti-slip device for lifting loads with the fork of a lift, for example with a forklift, includes three different, overlapping layers. In particular, a first magnetic layer is adapted to be removably applied to the fork; a second, external layer covers the first layer and is made of a rubber material that comes in direct contact with the load, the rubber material providing a seal and not scratching the load; and a third layer that is interposed in an intermediate position between the first and the second layers to stiffen the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Inventor: Mirco Giannetti
  • Patent number: 9908762
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a pallet truck load lift portion, including a fork frame, a roof plate, and two upright columns. Each of the two upright columns includes two column plates and a column connection plate extending between and connected to the two column plates. This provides a simple but high strength structure, and an open and accessible space between the fork frame and upright columns that can be used for positioning a battery or other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: BIG LIFT, LLC
    Inventors: Xu Hongpeng, Xu Linjie, Xu Minghui
  • Patent number: 9663337
    Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a fork carriage comprising: providing a fork-supporting bar having first and second fork-receiving hooks, wherein the second hook is of a larger size than the first hook; based on a size of one or more forks desired to be mounted on the fork-supporting bar, positioning the bar such that one of the first and second fork-receiving hooks corresponding to the size of the one or more forks is located outwardly to receive the one or more forks on the one fork-receiving hook; and coupling a reinforcement bar to a side of the fork-supporting bar opposite the side near the one fork-receiving hook. A carriage assembly comprising a fork carriage including an upper member comprising a fork-supporting bar having an outer fork-receiving hook and a reinforcement bar is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Jay L. Kuck, Steven E. Koenig, Patrick H. Wenning
  • Publication number: 20150016937
    Abstract: A device is presented in which individual sample containers can be conveyed from a start position to a target position. The role of start position and target position is interchangeable. The movement of a gripper is a combined lifting movement and translation movement. With the aid of a simple drive, the gripper is moved along a movement path that is mechanically defined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Pedain, Timo Wilhelm
  • Publication number: 20150003952
    Abstract: Air bags (220A, 220B) are provided respectively at two planes facing each other on the inner circumference surface of a cylindrical member (210). Retrieving polycrystalline silicon rods (11) involves accommodating it inside the cylindrical member (210) of a carrying tool (200), for example, by putting the cylindrical member (210) on the rods (11) from above, and inflating the air bags (220) by gas injection so as to press the sides of the polycrystalline silicon rods (11) from a direction perpendicular to a plane including both pillars of the U-shaped silicon core wire so that the polycrystalline silicon rods (11) are held in place inside the cylindrical member (210). Then, the polycrystalline silicon rods (11) held in place are taken out of the reactor. Even if the polycrystalline silicon rods (11) have cracks, a collapse and the like are avoided as the air bags (220) absorb external impacts or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Kurosawa, Shigeyoshi Netsu
  • Publication number: 20140373572
    Abstract: A glass ribbon engagement system is described herein that includes a robot tooling device with suction cups configured to engage a first side of a glass ribbon, and a guidance device with one or more devices (e.g., air nozzles, cylinder-wheel units) which are configured to apply one or more local forces to a second side of the glass ribbon to shift the glass ribbon towards the suction cups to assist the suction cups in engaging and securing the first side of the glass ribbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: James William Brown, Shawn Rachelle Markham, Naiyue Zhou, Zepei Zhu
  • Patent number: 8899906
    Abstract: A pallet fork including a frame and a fork tine. The frame supports a fork bar and a carriage plate. Further, the fork bar and the carriage plate extend in a longitudinal direction of the pallet fork. The fork tine is mounted to the fork bar. Also, the fork tine has a swingable motion and a lateral motion relative to the fork bar. Moreover, the fork tine includes a vertical leg and a horizontal leg. A bracket is attached to the vertical leg of the fork tine. A first locking member is selectively inserted in the bracket to engage the fork tine with the carriage plate and restrict the swingable motion of the fork tine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Eugene Peschel, Andrew Lee Vering
  • Patent number: 8851825
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Jay L. Kuck, Lee M. Wente
  • Patent number: 8840355
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling cargo. A cargo handling system may be positioned relative to the cargo. The cargo handling system may comprise a frame structure and an engagement system. The frame structure may be configured to change in a number of dimensions to encompass the cargo. The engagement system may be configured to engage the cargo. The number of dimensions of the frame structure may be adjusted to encompass the cargo. The cargo may be engaged with the engagement system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Kulesha
  • Publication number: 20140255140
    Abstract: A material handling vehicle includes a vehicle body with a vertically extendible mast fixed to the vehicle body. A fork support is fixed relative to the mast and has a first side and a second side. The first side faces away from the second side. A first fork is mounted to the fork support and is movable between a first fork stored position and a first fork working position. In the first fork working position, the first fork extends substantially perpendicularly from the first side of the fork support. A second fork is mounted to the fork support and is movable between a second fork stored position and a second fork working position. In the second fork working position, the second fork extends substantially perpendicularly from the second side of the fork support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: Gregory W. Smiley
  • Patent number: 8801357
    Abstract: A lift system removes a display unit or components thereof from a tiled display wall in a way that minimizes the risk of damaging the removed display unit and other display units in the tiled display wall. A lifting structure is configured to selectively lift one or more display units away from the desired display unit when the lifting structure is raised by a vertical motion actuator. The lifting structure is further configured to be free to rotate slightly about a vertical axis when lifting the display units, so that the lifted display units are not constrained to purely vertical translation when lifted away from the desired display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Prysm, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Bonn, David Inori, Nigel F. Misso
  • Patent number: 8757326
    Abstract: A lift truck includes a frame defining a main structural component of the lift truck, a mast assembly secured to the frame, first and second lower forks, first and second upper forks, and first and second pallet stops. The lower forks are secured to the frame and are provided for supporting a lower load carried by the lift truck. The upper forks are located above the lower forks and are provided for supporting an upper load carried by the lift truck. The upper forks are movable with respect to the lower forks along the mast assembly. The pallet stops position the lower load on the lower forks and are secured in place between the mast assembly and the frame at laterally spaced apart locations. Each pallet stops includes a surface for contacting the lower load and for maintaining the lower load at a desired axial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporaton
    Inventors: Stefan Hannemann, Leszek Galek
  • Patent number: 8740540
    Abstract: A fork apparatus includes a body adapted to be operatively connected to an associated loader machine. First and second forks include respective first and second fork mounting portions connected to the body and respective first and second fork working portions that project outwardly away from the body. A first powered roller device is connected to the first fork and includes a first roller that rotates about a first working portion axis. A first roller actuator selectively rotates the first roller about the first working portion axis. A second powered roller device is connected to the second fork and includes a second roller that rotates about the second working portion axis that is parallel to the first working portion axis. A second roller actuator selectively rotates the second roller about the second working portion axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Paladin Brands Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Shadruz Daraie, Robert Sikorski
  • Patent number: 8700218
    Abstract: A manipulator for translating a load along an axis of translation is provided. The manipulator comprises an outer column and a telescoping column positioned adjacent the outer column. The telescoping column is attached to the load and configured to translate the load along the axis of translation. At least one guiding member is mounted between the outer column and the telescoping column, wherein the guiding member is configured to guide the telescoping column as the telescoping column translates along the axis of translation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: InTEST Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Crowell, Charles Nappen, Nathan Smith
  • Patent number: 8651797
    Abstract: An adjustable backrest assembly for a materials handling vehicle. The backrest assembly includes an adjustable backrest structure and mounting structure for mounting the adjustable backrest structure on the materials handling vehicle so that the adjustable backrest structure extends generally vertically over load handling apparatus of the materials handling vehicle. The mounting structure enables pivoting movement of the adjustable backrest structure from a first position generally adjacent a power unit of the materials handling vehicle wherein pallets of a first size are accommodated to at least a second position spaced along the load handling apparatus from the power unit wherein pallets of a second size are accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel C. Magoto
  • Patent number: 8641357
    Abstract: A track hoe bucket attachment for purposes of loading and unloading pipe comprising two tines connected at one end by a pipe. The pipe has an opening that is capable of receiving the teeth of the track hoe bucket. The two tines are further connected by a support bar which has eyelets at its two ends. The eyelets of the support bar receive a chain that is connected to the track hoe to further secure the attachment to the track hoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Charles David Johnson
  • Patent number: 8632295
    Abstract: A transporting system includes: a track portion; a plurality of loading platforms, disposed along the track portion, whose positions differ from each other in at least one direction; a plurality of transporting vehicles, each having a travelling device travelling along the track portion and a loading device, for loading transported objects; a first detecting device for detecting a first reference position, of the loading device when a reference transporting vehicle loads the transported object; a second detecting device for detecting a second reference position, of the loading device when each of the other transporting vehicles other than the reference transporting vehicle loads the transported object; and a teaching device for providing information on the position of the loading device with respect to each of the other loading platforms when each of the other transporting vehicles loads the transported object, on the basis of the detected first and second reference positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Onishi, Taro Yamamoto, Shinji Fujioka, Nobuhiro Gunge
  • Publication number: 20140017050
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for lowering a display object in synchronization with a particular timing or event. The display object is lowered by a lifting apparatus. In particular, the display object is a guitar and the lifting apparatus is a crane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Hard Rock Cafe International (USA)
    Inventors: Michael Benson, Gilberto Alex Merchan
  • Patent number: 8591165
    Abstract: A material handling vehicle, such as an AGV, for loading and unloading a transport and wherein the vehicle includes a pair of freely floating forks. The forks are freely moveable in the vertical direction as well as capable of pivoting or tilting about an axis relative to a fork carriage, however when a load is applied, the forks are locked are prevented from such free floating movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Jervis B. Webb Company
    Inventor: Gerald E. Chilson
  • Patent number: 8585344
    Abstract: An adjustable width pallet and product protector for a lift truck having a first outer L-shaped fork, a first inner L-shaped fork, a second outer L-shaped fork, and a second inner L-shaped fork. The protector can include a first horizontally elongated plate, a second horizontally elongated plate disposed rearwardly of the first horizontally elongated plate, a first outer mounting plate disposed rearwardly of and coupled to the first horizontally elongated plate, a first inner mounting plate disposed rearwardly of and slidably coupled to the first horizontally elongated plate, a second outer mounting plate disposed rearwardly of and coupled to the second horizontally elongated plate, and a second inner mounting plate disposed rearwardly of and slidably coupled to the second horizontally elongated plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: Geoffrey R. Sharp
  • Patent number: 8567710
    Abstract: A cable protection device is designed to prevent a cable from being damaged by rubbing against a helicopter. A protection frame is installed-below a winch 11 connected to a helicopter. A supporting groove is formed on the protection frame, and a slide-contact body is rotatably fitted in the support groove. A part of the slide-contact body is exposed, and the cable hung down from the winch is brought into contact with the exposed portion. The slide contact body is divided into two or more parts, and it is formed by continuously aligning the divided slide-contact bodies of the cylindrical shape. Both ends of the divided slide-contact body are aligned by fitting the recession and the projection of the tapers of the ends of the adjacent divided slide-contact bodies to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Aero Asahi Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8564165
    Abstract: A generator support system for a centerline mounted generator includes a generator support member configured and disposed to support a generator upon a support surface. The generator support member includes at least one lifting element having a lifting surface that faces the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Joseph Rinaolo, Jayan Kaadaapuram George, Donald Michael Ronca, John Russell Yagielski
  • Patent number: 8528700
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Still SAS
    Inventors: Albert Gobyn, Frank Schepp, Udo Supp
  • Patent number: 8499430
    Abstract: An assembly method is capable of assembling a transfer mechanism which transfers a target and includes a pick unit for holding the target, a slide unit for sliding the pick unit and a drive unit for driving the slide unit. The assembly method includes installing a lifting mechanism for lifting the units at a ceiling portion of a transfer chamber where the transfer mechanism is accommodated; and assembling the units loaded into the transfer chamber inside the transfer chamber by using the lifting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Youhei Yamada, Yoshihiro Kai
  • Patent number: 8469651
    Abstract: A conveyance device suitable for an automobile final assembly facility has an elevating table for supporting an object to be conveyed in a conveyance carriage which travels along a conveyance path. The elevating table has a table bearing base removably mounted on a table main body for supporting a bottom portion of the object to be conveyed. The table main body has a top surface flush with a flat work floor on the conveyance carriage when the table main body is at a lowering limit position. On the conveyance carriage, a strut bearing base formed of a pair of left and right strut members located on left and right sides of the object to be conveyed, when viewed in plan, and a bearing portion, provided for the strut member, for supporting left and right edges of the object to be conveyed is mounted removably in a state in which the pair of left and right strut members are positioned at both left and right sides of the elevating table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeyoshi Nishihara
  • Patent number: 8444366
    Abstract: Improvements in a forklift adapter to offer a way of double-stacking pallets by a single forklift operator, using an existing forklift equipped with single-double forks using existing forklift controls, which is both unique and superior to using two or three people to perform the same task manually. Double-stacking pallets are accomplished by placing a sheet of material on top of a first loaded pallet of material. The blades of the forklifts slide into rectangular tubes on the forklift adapter. Sheet material is gripped by a plurality of pins on the forklift adapter where the depth of the pins is adjustable. The forklift adapter utilizes a spring that provides the gripping force. Using a spring to provide to grip provides consistent force. The spring material, coils, spring force and spring length all have factors that can change the gripping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Jerry Allen Cole
  • Patent number: 8434598
    Abstract: A carpet pole carriage assembly for a lift truck includes a carriage having a front plate and a back plate. The front plate includes a carpet pole receiving opening. A carpet pole retainer is carried on the carriage. A carpet pole retainer includes a first section secured to the front plate about the carpet pole receiving opening and a second section secured to the back plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Clark Material Handling Company
    Inventor: Clark C. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20130101380
    Abstract: Clamping devices for hanging or pulling wellbore rod strings each feature housing with an axial bore in which a number of clamping pieces are placed to wedge in place between the housing and rod string to perform a self-tightening action against the rod string under the weight thereof due to cooperation of beveled surfaces at the bore wall and exterior of the clamping pieces. Threaded fasteners fed through the housing wall aid in placement of the slips against the rod string. For use in pulling operations, the housing is sized for receipt in the latching mechanism of a tubing elevator for support by the same, whereby the tubing elevator can be used to pull out a stuck rod string. Some embodiments feature a circumferential gap in the housing to enable the housing to be slipped laterally onto the rod string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventor: Arnold Wollmann
  • Publication number: 20130071220
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip pick-up method includes: pushing up each of semiconductor chips divided through dicing using a plurality of push-up pins; lowering some of the plurality of push-up pins; and picking up the semiconductor chip after being pushed up using a collet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Nao KURODA
  • Patent number: 8353388
    Abstract: A 3-point suspension forklift scale adapted for quick and easy attachment/detachment to/from a forklift—without the need for leveling or other pre-operation setup procedures. Further, due to the single lower reaction point of the forklift scale, there is no concern that the initially installed position of the forklift scale will change during use as a result of a loose adjuster, repositioning due to impact, etc. The forklift scale is designed to accurately determine the weight of a load placed on the forks or other lifting elements of the forklift, regardless of the position of the load thereon. Preferably, a forklift scale of the present invention includes a central viewing window that allows an operator see through the forklift scale when operating an associated forklift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas S. Rice, Ben T. Siefker, Mitchell A. Tobias, Darin E. Foley
  • Publication number: 20120312186
    Abstract: An apparatus includes: a fixed primary anchoring element, a beam mount movably connected to the primary anchoring element, a beam connected to the beam mount, a vessel mount movably connected to the beam, a vessel connected to the vessel mount, the vessel being movable along at least a vertical axis, and a control unit within the vessel. The control unit is configured to accept control input from a passenger within the vessel and transmit at least one control signal to cause the beam to move relative to the primary anchoring element, the vessel mount to move relative to the beam, and the vessel to move relative to the vessel mount independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Dennis Shasha, Michael John Whittaker
  • Publication number: 20120257952
    Abstract: A loadport for handling film frames is disclosed. The loadport is modular and substantially compatible with applicable standards regarding modular equipment. In particular, the load port is substantially interchangeable with loadports not adapted for handling film frames. The loadport has a compact shuttle for moving film frames and flexible alignment mechanisms for aligning film frames and cassettes of different configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: Rudolph Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Palm, Kevin J. Barr, Ralph P. Sowden, Matthew M. Laberge, Andrey MonJoseph, Brian Delsey, Emily Nordick, Richard Sobotka, Chetan Suresh
  • Publication number: 20120251281
    Abstract: A tool box device for locking and/or unlocking a battery that powers a motor that drives a motor vehicle, including a support housing, a movement transmission system including at least one gear box and at least one transmission shaft, connected to at least one system for engaging a battery locking/unlocking mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventor: Gilles Mulato
  • Publication number: 20120230805
    Abstract: A substrate conveying method conveying a layered body having first and second substrates stacked with a spacer member provided between their respective bottom surfaces facing each other includes receiving the first substrate by holding the first substrate from below its bottom surface using a first holding mechanism provided on a side of a first fork provided above a second fork, and turning the first fork upside down and placing the received first substrate on the second fork; receiving the spacer member held in a substrate holding part by holding the spacer member from above using a second holding mechanism provided on the same side of the first fork as the first holding mechanism, and placing the received spacer member on the first substrate; and holding the second substrate from above its top surface using the first holding mechanism, and placing the received second substrate on the spacer member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Daisuke YAMAGISHI, Katsuhiko Oyama, Masataka Sato, Yasushi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8262335
    Abstract: A lifting platform installed in a pit, especially for tracks, has at least two lifting devices. At least one of the lifting devices is movable in the longitudinal direction of the pit for adapting to the axle spacing of the vehicle to be lifted, and at least of one lifting devices has two laterally projecting wheel forks for holding the wheels of a vehicle axle. The lifting device with the laterally projecting wheel forks is combined with an axle lifter, which is allocated to the axle of the wheels in the wheel forks and which is vertically movable independently of the wheel forks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Otto Nussbaum GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hans Nussbaum
  • Patent number: 8251633
    Abstract: A container inverting device is capable of inverting containers that have a neck oriented in a first direction at the entrance of the device and then in a second direction at the exit of the device. The inverting device includes at least one clamp (45) for holding the neck of a container. The clamp (45) is mounted on a belt (49) by a fixing bracket (47), and in order to invert the container, the belt passes around at least one pulley (33) and moves the clamp from one side of the pulley (33) to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventor: Damien Cirette
  • Publication number: 20120207576
    Abstract: A pallet fork implement is configured to be mounted on a blade of a power machine. The pallet fork implement includes an engagement portion for engaging the blade of the power machine, and a tine portion for performing a work function. The tine portion is configured to extend generally forward of the blade when the engagement portion is engaged with the blade. The engagement portion of the pallet fork implement is a unitary assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Troy D. Kraft, Jaroslav Fiser
  • Publication number: 20120128460
    Abstract: A collating conveyor (4, 6) receives products (2) sequentially from a delivery point and collates them into groups (8). A pusher (9) transfers groups (8) of products from the collating conveyor (4, 6) to a receiving trough (10), where they are turned through a predetermined angle B. The collating conveyor (4, 6) is inclined to the horizontal and is provided with lugs (5, 7), each of which supports a stack (8) of products under the effect of gravity. A pick-and-place head (11) picks up a group (8) of products from the trough (10) by gripping and clamping the products (2) together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: QUIN SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Michael Webb
  • Publication number: 20120099958
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a gripping system comprising a gripper for gripping and lifting at least one object to be gripped. This object may be a package. The disclosure is characterized in that the gripping system is provided with a downholder which is configured for holding down at least one object located adjacent the object to be gripped, while the object to be gripped is being lifted. The disclosure also relates to a packaging machine provided with such a gripping system, as well as to a method of gripping and lifting a track or row of packages by means of a gripping system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMUELLER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Michael Lang, Uwe Geiger
  • Publication number: 20120076624
    Abstract: An adjustable backrest assembly for a materials handling vehicle. The backrest assembly includes an adjustable backrest structure and mounting structure for mounting the adjustable backrest structure on the materials handling vehicle so that the adjustable backrest structure extends generally vertically over load handling apparatus of the materials handling vehicle. The mounting structure enables pivoting movement of the adjustable backrest structure from a first position generally adjacent a power unit of the materials handling vehicle wherein pallets of a first size are accommodated to at least a second position spaced along the load handling apparatus from the power unit wherein pallets of a second size are accommodated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: CROWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daniel C. Magoto
  • Publication number: 20120063872
    Abstract: An attachment for handling hay bales comprising a fork member having a bottom portion including a plurality of tines, and a back portion attached to the bottom portion and extending perpendicularly upwards therefrom. A hydraulically operated push frame member having a shape and size that is similar to the back portion. An articulated frame attached between the back portion and the push frame that is adapted to push the push frame linearly from one end of the tines adjacent the back portion to a distal end of the tines, the articulated frame including an elongated rod member rotatably attached to the back portion, a piston adapter member attached to the rod member and adapted to be pivotally attached to a hydraulic cylinder for rotating the rod member when the hydraulic cylinder is actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: Jacques Messier
  • Patent number: 8092142
    Abstract: Improvements in a vertical recreational vehicle ramp and lift that allows a recreational vehicle to be stored and transported in a vertical orientation. A cable from the lift mechanism connects to a recreational vehicle. The cable in then retracted to lift the recreational vehicle into a vertical orientation. This method of storage reduces the amount of space that is required to store a recreational vehicle. The storage method can be used in a garage, on the back or within a mobile transportation vehicle. The lifting device can be a powered or manual crank device that lifts the recreational vehicle. The ramp can be used to transport other vehicles into the truck and also provides protection of the wheels of the recreational vehicle against here the vehicle is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Richard D Collins, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110268547
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: Fredy Doll