Abstract: An industrial materials handling system including a base member having a loading end with a first senor that detects when a first carriage or second carriage is positioned in a loading/unloading position at the loading end, and an operator end with a second sensor that detects when the first or second carriage is positioned in the loading/unloading position, a controller coupled to the first sensor and second sensor, the first carriage coupled to the base member and a first drive mechanism controlled by the controller to move the first carriage, the loading end, and the operator end, the second carriage coupled to the base member and to a second drive mechanism configured to move the second carriage between the loading end and the operator end under the control of the controller, and a bypass mechanism to move the second carriage between the loading end and the operator end.

Abstract: A spiral conveyor is described. The spiral conveyor provides an extremely open design. The open design creates and defines a very sanitary design. The combination of a cantilever frame construction (with no side frames) and the edge/side driven belting allows for superior access and cleanability. This access and cleanability are of paramount importance to the food market, where sanitation requirements are stringent to maintain food safety by preventing bacteria growth.

Abstract: A trailer includes a trailer bed, a draw bar assembly, and a convertible hitch assembly. The trailer bed includes a platform and one or more sets of two or more wheels. The draw bar assembly is coupled to the trailer bed. The convertible hitch assembly includes a hitch converter coupled to the draw bar assembly. The convertible hitch assembly includes an over-axle hitch coupler insertable into the hitch converter, wherein the over-axle hitch coupler is mated to an over-axle hitch component coupled to a first vehicle. The convertible hitch assembly includes a behind-axle hitch coupler insertable into the hitch converter, wherein the behind-axle hitch coupler is mated to a behind-axle hitch component coupled to at least one of the first vehicle or an additional vehicle.

Abstract: In one example, a mother cart is provided that is suitable for transporting a daughter cart. The mother cart includes a base frame having a group of wheels configured to allow the mother cart to be moved. The base frame, in turn, includes a loading bay for receiving the daughter cart, and a support surface for supporting the daughter cart. Finally, the base frame includes a primary restraint mechanism for engaging and securing the daughter cart in the loading bay.

Abstract: In one example, a mother cart is provided that is suitable for transporting a daughter cart. The mother cart includes a lower frame, an upper frame connected to the lower frame, and the lower frame includes wheels configured to allow the mother cart to be moved. The lower frame also includes support guides configured to support the daughter cart in a raised position to provide a predetermined ground clearance, and the lower frame has two open sides so as to provide for two-way loading and unloading of the daughter cart on the mother cart.

Abstract: A return roller assembly for a belted conveyor assembly is formed from an elongated circular roller assembly having ends adapted to affix to a frame assembly and at least one groove around the outside thereof, and at least one circular annular return roller assembly containing a rib about the inside circumference thereof. The elongated circular roller assembly groove is adapted to receive the circular annular return roller rib to retaining the circular annular return roller assembly during rotation of the elongated circular roller assembly.

Abstract: A trailer includes a trailer bed and a trailer tongue. The trailer bed includes a trailer frame, a body, a platform, and one or more sets of two or more wheels. The trailer tongue includes a tongue arm, a trailer hitch component coupled to the tongue arm, and one or more brackets coupled to the trailer frame via a bracket shaft. The trailer tongue is couplable to a vehicle hitch component. The trailer tongue is rotatable about an axis through the bracket shaft. The one or more brackets include one or more cut-outs configured to receive a locking component. The trailer tongue is securable via the locking component at a select angle relative to a ground surface. The trailer hitch component is positionable via the locking component at a select height relative to a height of the vehicle hitch component based on the angle relative to the ground surface.

Abstract: A latch and fail-safe mechanism suitable for use with an industrial cart, dolly, trailer or other types mobile platforms or carriers. According to an embodiment, the latch comprises a housing or enclosure, a latch mechanism, a hitch hook and a fail-safe mechanism. The housing includes a back-plate configured to attach the latch to amounting bracket or frame plate on the cart. The latch mechanism is operatively coupled to the hitch hook and configured to bias the hitch hook in a closed or engaging position. The fail-safe mechanism is operatively coupled to the hitch hook and configured to bias and maintain the hitch hook in the closed position in the event of failure of the latch mechanism.

Abstract: A robotic mapping system for charting or mapping a path through an underground cavity, and/or mapping a surface of the underground cavity. The robotic mapping system may comprise a mobile control center located on the surface in wireless communications with one or more mapping robots located within the underground cavity. The mapping robots may be controlled by way of an avionics navigation system.

Abstract: Provided is a telerobotic mining device for underground mining, and specifically for stope mining, as well as a method of mining using such a device. The telerobitic mining device is capable of remotely moving about a mine and utilizing drill arms to drill a hole within a chosen rock bed. Explosive placement arms on the telerobot may be utilized to place an explosive within the drilled hole to blast away rock. Control over the device is achieved by way of operational commands that may be wirelessly sent to the device from a command center located outside the mine.

Abstract: A system and method for relieving hang-ups, comprising a mobile command vehicle operative to transport a robotic vehicle to a control location remote from a hang-up location; the robotic vehicle operative to advance from the control location to the hang-up location, scan the hang-up location, transmit scanning information to the command vehicle, and receive positioning commands to position the robotic vehicle for drilling into the hang-up location, implant an explosive, and withdraw.

Abstract: A universal aircraft mule having a rollable and steerable frame and an interchangeable, load-carrying cradle configured for removably supporting and carrying an auxiliary. The frame tiltably and liftably supports the cradle with a lift assembly. The lift assembly raises and lowers the cradle in relation to the frame and tilts the cradle in relation to the frame. The cradle also allows an auxiliary to be skewed within the cradle to facilitate loading and unloading of the auxiliary.

Abstract: A wireless optical communication receiver is provided. The optical receiver includes an arrangement of wavelength shifting fibers preferably encased within a protective shroud. The wavelength shifting fibers provide an efficient method for capturing photons of light that strike them. Photons may strike the fibers as they first pass through a clear lens in the shroud or may strike the fibers after they are concentrated and focused by an embedded ring or hyperbolic mirror. The wireless optical receiver may be attached to a mobile vehicle in order to facilitate teleoperation of that vehicle.

Abstract: An optical receiver is provided. The optical receiver includes a fiber support structure located on a front side of a back plate. The fiber support structure supports and guides a plurality of scintillating fibers in a spiral arrangement extending from a back orifice through the back plate. A central guide located around the back orifice is adapted to gather and collect the plurality of scintillating fibers from their disperse spiral arrangement on the fiber support structure and direct them through the back orifice as a bundle into a photo detector located behind the back plate.

Abstract: A telerobotic communications system including a teleoperation center to transmit control data and receive non-control data by wireless connection to and from a first mobile telerobot and indirectly to and from a second mobile telerobot. The first mobile telerobot includes a transceiver for receiving and transmitting control and non-control data, respectively, and also a repeater for relaying control data to a second mobile telerobot and relaying non-control data back to the teleoperation center. The system allows the second mobile telerobot to travel beyond a communications-enabled distance of the wireless signal emitted directly by the teleoperation center. The system may also include wireless repeaters to extend the communications distance between the first and second telerobots.

Abstract: A system and method for relieving hang-ups, comprising a mobile command vehicle operative to transport a robotic vehicle to a control location remote from a hang-up location; the robotic vehicle operative to advance from the control location to the hang-up location, scan the hang-up location, transmit scanning information to the command vehicle, and receive positioning commands to position the robotic vehicle for drilling into the hang-up location, implant an explosive, and withdraw.

Abstract: A universal aircraft mule having a rollable and steerable frame and a load carrying cradle configured for removably supporting and carrying an auxiliary. The frame tiltably and liftably supports the cradle with a lift assembly. The lift assembly raises and lowers the cradle in relation to the frame and tilts the cradle in relation to the frame. The cradle also allows an auxiliary to be skewed within the cradle to facilitate loading and unloading of the auxiliary.

Abstract: A universal aircraft mule having a rollable and steerable frame and a load carrying cradle configured for removably supporting and carrying an auxiliary. The frame tiltably and liftably supports the cradle with a lift assembly. The lift assembly raises and lowers the cradle in relation to the frame and tilts the cradle in relation to the frame. The cradle also allows an auxiliary to be skewed within the cradle to facilitate loading and unloading of the auxiliary.

Abstract: A telerobotic communications system including a teleoperation centre to transmit control data and receive non-control data by wireless connection to and from a first mobile telerobot and indirectly to and from a second mobile telerobot. The first mobile telerobot includes a transceiver for receiving and transmitting control and non-control data, respectively, and also a repeater for relaying control data to a second mobile telerobot and relaying non-control data back to the teleoperation centre. The system allows the second mobile telerobot to travel beyond a communications-enabled distance of the wireless signal emitted directly by the teleoperation centre. The system may also include wireless repeaters to extend the communications distance between the first and second telerobots.

Abstract: A centerline adjustable conveyor system and method may include a plurality of conveyor beams for conveying product within the system and an adjustor for controlling the outer width of the plurality of beams. The system and method may include a second adjustor that operates in conjunction with the adjustor for controlling the outer width of the plurality of beams. The system and method may also include an adjustor belt coupling the adjustor and the second adjustor that transfers activation of one of the adjustor and second adjustor to the other of the adjustors. The system and method may use an adjustor that is a trapezoidal lead screw. The adjustor may be a 5 mm per rev. pitched screw having opposite direction pitches emanating from the center of the screw and each opposite pitch of the adjustor may adjust one of the plurality of conveyor beams.