Abstract: Method and device for taking up articles. The apparatus or device comprises a vehicle running on tracks and mounted to the vehicle are a tilting member, a receiving table and an intermediate storage portion, with the tilting member tilting an article to be picked up, the receiving table entering the gap therebelow, holding same, retracting same, and transferring same to the intermediate storage portion, with the apparatus being actuated such that the tilting member can already start tilting a next article while the receiving table is still busy with a previous article, and the intermediate storage portion can be operated independently from the receiving table, this making it possible to manipulate several articles simultaneously and to thereby increase the pick-up rate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for taking up articles wherein the apparatus includes a receiving table with conveyor belts, an auxiliary member located thereabove and a holding assembly located above the article, wherein, for taking up the article, a pressing member of the holding assembly is pressed onto a rearward part of the article from above, and the auxiliary member is pressed against its upper front face, whereupon the auxiliary member is moved upwardly while still pressing against the article, thereby tilting the article about an axis located close to its upper rear edge, thus displacing the receiving table into the gap opening below the article and loading same onto its conveyor belts. The method allows the take up of package-shaped rigid articles, without requiring additional room behind the article and is especially suited for successively handling a plurality of articles located behind each other.

Abstract: The apparatus is used for picking up arbitrary, especially heavy, articles. It includes a receiving table and an auxiliary pickup member located above the receiving table. A roller-like pickup member is arranged at the front end of the receiving table for exerting a lifting force to a vertical surface or front face of an article to be picked up. The auxiliary pickup member applies a second, horizontal force to the top side of the article. In this way a torque is generated, which supports tilting and lifting the article.

Abstract: A horizontally displaceable receiving table for picking up and setting down package-like articles includes a displaceable transporting device, with roller-like pick-up members at its end relative to the direction of travel. The receiving table is displaced towards the articles by a first drive at a velocity which is decreased when the table is in close proximity to the vertical face surface of the articles. The pick-up member is then driven by a second drive such that the pick-up member engages the article and lifts the article onto the receiving table. The receiving table and the transporting device are then driven countercurrently at the same speed until they have substantially moved under the article. The receiving table permits picking up and setting down package-like articles at designated times and locations without damage to the articles.

Abstract: An improved steering control system for a remote controlled transport unit for moving said unit along a pair of guide lines fixed in space comprises two drive wheel means, one of the two drive wheel means having a first control angle .alpha. associated therewith, the other of the two drive wheel means having a second control angle .beta. associated therewith, the control angles corresponding to the angular direction of travel of their associated drive wheel means with respect to a common longitudinal axis fixed relative to the transport unit; means for controlling the direction of travel of the two drive wheel means whereby the direction of travel of one of the drive wheel means will be along one of the pair of guide lines and the direction of travel of the other of the drive wheel means will be along the other of the pair of guide lines; and means for controlling the drive speed v.sub.A of the one drive wheel means relative to the drive speed v.sub.

Abstract: An installation for manufacturing products, for example motor vehicles, from a number of component elements, comprises transport units which convey the elements along a production line. Each transport unit comprises a truck part and a removable platform part which carries the element. Means are provided for lifting the platform part relative to the truck part and for centering the platform part relative to the truck part.