Abstract: A container, such as a transfer trailer, a roll-off container, or other container that can be transported, has expandable side walls. The walls are hydraulically, or otherwise, forced outward to increase the inside width dimension of the container. A loading device, such as a garbage route collection truck or other similar vehicle can then be backed into the container whereby the solid material waste or other commodities can be directly loaded into the container. Once the container has been loaded, the side walls can be retracted to their original positions, such that the container maintains its standard regulated width dimension.

Abstract: A container, such as a transfer trailer, a roll-off container, or other container that can be transported, has expandable side walls. The walls are hydraulically, or otherwise, forced outward to increase the inside width dimension of the container. A loading device, such as a garbage route collection truck or other similar vehicle can then be backed into the container whereby the solid material waste or other commodities can be directly loaded into the container. Once the container has been loaded, the side walls can be retracted to their original positions, such that the container maintains its standard regulated width dimension.

Abstract: A resin matrix (70) is formed and reinforcement fibers (72) and thermoplastic material (74) are added to the resin matrix (72). The resin matrix (70), the reinforcement fibers (72) and the thermoplastic material are moved through a pultrusion die (76), by pulling on the reinforcement fibers (72), to form a conveyor slat having a top portion (38) and a pair of laterally spaced apart side portions (40, 42) depending from the top portion (38). In the pultrusion die (76) heat is applied to melt the thermoplastic material (74) and cause it to migrate to an outer surface portion of the slat body. A veil (90) of thermoplastic material may be bonded to the surface layer of thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A conveyor slat (10) includes a top (12) two laterally spaced apart sidewalls (22, 24), two bottom flanges (26, 28) projecting laterally inwardly from lower portions of the sidewalls (22,24), and a channel space (CS) that is vertically between the top (12) and the bottom flanges (26, 28) and horizontally between the sidewalls (22, 24). A reinforcement insert (38) is positioned within the channel space (CS). The reinforcement insert (38) comprises an elongated body (38) having a top (40), two opposite sidewalls (42, 44) depending from the top (40), a longitudinal channel (45) in the top (40), and an opening (46) in the top communicating with the longitudinal channel (45). The insert (38) is shaped and dimensioned to fit within the channel space (CS) of the conveyor slat (10), horizontally between the two sidewalls (22, 24) of the conveyor slat (10) and vertically between the top (12) and the bottom flanges (26, 28) of the conveyor slat (10).

Abstract: In a reciprocating slat conveyor, at least three slat sets of at least one slat (CS) each are driven by piston-cylinder drive units (26), one for each slat set. Each drive unit (26) is provided with a four-way proportional directional control (PDC) valve. Each PDC valve has a first position of adjustment in which it connects a first working chamber of its drive unit (26) to pressure (B) and a second working chamber to tank (T), and a second position of adjustment in which it connects the second working chamber to pressure (P) and the first working chamber to tank (T). Control logic (96) provides electrical control signals for directing the PDC valves to operate the drive units to advance more than half of the slat sets simultaneously in a first, conveying direction, and to retract the remaining slat sets in the opposite direction at a higher rate of speed. A controller compares the control logic signals with feedback signals generated by a separate linear position sensor PS for each slat set.

Abstract: A movable conveyor (10) comprising a platform (24) for carrying a soccer field (12) or the like, and pairs of sled assemblies (26). Each sled assembly (26) includes a shoe (42), a pair of linear hydraulic motors or actuators (60, 62), a plastic bearing (79), and an expandable air bag (83). Air bag (83) inflates to raise platform (24), while actuators (60, 62) operate to move platform (24) along shoe (42). With air bag (83) deflated, platform (24) rests on a foot support (38). This allows actuators (60, 62) to reposition shoe 42 to a forward position, to again raise and move platform (24).

Abstract: An on/off, protective circuit has a pressure line with an inlet for connection to a pressure source and an outlet for connection to the pressure port of a hydraulic system, such as a reciprocating conveyor. A relief valve is spring biased into a closed position and openable by pressure in the pressure line to short circuit pressure from the pressure line to a return line when an on/off valve is in an off position. The spring biasing of the relief valve causes residual pressure in the pressure line. To prevent communication of the residual pressure out through the pressure outlet and into the hydraulic system and thereby prevent creeping movement in the system, a check valve is provided in the pressure line downstream of the relief valve. The check valve has a valve plug positioned to be closed by pressure in the pressure line.

Abstract: A reciprocating floor conveyor (10) including a support frame (12), and a conveyor floor (14), which is comprised of a plurality of laterally spaced-apart conveyor slats (16), a plurality of laterally spaced-apart holding slats (18), and a series of divider planks (20). Divider planks (20) are fixedly secured to the upper portion of support framework (12). Conveyor slats (16) are mounted on support frame (12) for longitudinal reciprocation between "start" and "advanced" positions. Holding slats (18) are mounted on support frame (12) for vertical movement between and "up" position in which the holding slats (18) are above the conveyor slats (16), and a "down" position, in which the holding slats (18) are below the conveyor slats (16). The load is conveyed by lowering the holding slats (18), advancing the conveyor slats (16), to convey the load, raising the holding slats and retracting the conveyor slats to their "start" position, and repeating the process.