Abstract: Disclosed is a side pack that may be on a utility vehicle. In example embodiments, a top panel of the side pack includes channels that are used to connect an option, for example, mechanical equipment, to the side pack. Disclosed also is a method of moving the side pack.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a lightweight crane. In one nonlimiting embodiment the crane is comprised of a telescoping boom having a first boom nested in a second boom which in turn is nested in a third boom. The first, second, and third booms may be made from aluminum to reduce the weight of the crane. The first boom may have a first open section and a second closed section wherein the open section is configured to accommodate a structural member to which an actuator is attached. The first and second booms have lower surfaces with inclined surfaces so that the first boom self-aligns with the second boom and the second boom self-aligns with the third boom.

Abstract: Disclosed is a side pack that may be on a utility vehicle. In example embodiments, a top panel of the side pack includes channels that are used to connect an option, for example, mechanical equipment, to the side pack. Disclosed also is a method of moving the side pack.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control system that may include a tab pivotally connected to a structure, a coupling member pivotally connected to the structure, and a device operatively connected to the tab via the coupling member, wherein the device is configured to control an external system. Disclosed also is a vehicle that may include a first device and a control system. The control system may include a tab pivotally connected to a structure, a coupling member pivotally connected to the structure, a frangible member connecting the tab and the coupling member to the structure, and a second device operatively connected to the tab via the coupling member, wherein the second device is configured to control the first device.

Abstract: A drawer assembly includes a drawer body that is slideably coupled within a cabinet housing using a slide assembly. The slide assembly includes an outer slide portion having a blocking tab disposed thereon. The slide assembly further includes a slide mount having an engagement tab pivotably mounted thereon. The engagement tab engages the blocking tab to lock the drawer assembly. The engagement tab can be released by turning a twist-lock mechanism, which actuates a lever that engages an actuator tab extending inwardly.

Abstract: Provided is an example of bin washing system. The bin washing system may include a first solid-liquid separating device, a second solid-liquid separating device, a pump, and an inlet structure. The first solid-liquid separating device may be configured to receive a first solid-liquid suspension having first solids and second solids, separate the first solids from the second solids, and dispatch a second solid-liquid suspension having the second solids. The second solid-liquid separating device may be configured to receive the second solid-liquid suspension, capture the second solids, and dispatch cleaned water. The pump may be configured to pump cleaning water to the first solid-liquid separating device. The inlet structure may be configured to receive waste water that includes the first and second solids. The bin washing system may be configured to combine the cleaning water pumped by the pump with the waste water to form the first solid-liquid suspension.

Abstract: Provided is a two-block sensing system (or device) that may be attached to an end of a lifting device, for example, a crane. The sensing device may include an A2B mount, a touch bar pivotally connected to the A2B mount, a link pivotally connected to the A2B mount, and a switch operatively connected to the touch bar so that if the touch bar is rotated with respect to the A2B mount, the switch becomes one of activated and deactivated.

Abstract: A drawer assembly includes a drawer body that is slideably coupled within a cabinet housing a slide assembly. The slide assembly includes an outer slide portion having a blocking tab disposed thereon. The slide assembly further includes a slide mount having an engagement tab pivotably mounted thereon. The engagement tab engages the blocking tab to lock the drawer assembly. The engagement tab can be released by turning a twist-lock mechanism, which actuates a lever that engages an actuator tab extending inwardly.

Abstract: A container carrier provided with longitudinal extension and retraction capability such that loads may be shifted forward in order to achieve optimal front-to-rear weight distribution on the supporting vehicle. Two hydraulic cylinders having the same rod and bore size are provided in an over and under configuration and act in unison and enable the fork structure to tilt as well as telescopically extend and retract about a mast assembly. The upper cylinder directly controls the angle of the forks while the lower cylinder acts on a mast assembly to extend and retract. A third cylinder is provided for vertically raising and lowering the fork structure so that containers may be picked up from and/or lowered onto elevated surfaces, as well as tilted up and raised toward the truck.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching hydraulic cylinders to a vehicle chassis. A plurality of vertical, parallel, spaced apart plates having first apertures through which stub shaft pins are disposed for attaching hydraulic cylinders, and second apertures below the first apertures through which a separate, tubular shaft is disposed. The stub shaft pins may be removed and replaced without removing the rest of the assembly or the tubular shaft from the apparatus or the vehicle.

Abstract: Damage to a linkage in a truck loading mechanism including a tilt link, a secondary link and a dump link is avoided by providing interlocking tabs where one of the tabs is slidably and pivotally mounted to the dump link and normally held in an operative position by means of a frangible element that breaks before damage can occur when excessive forces exist between the links.

Abstract: Damage to a hook lift type of container handling system caused by torsional loading of a jib slidable within a tube or the like pivotably mounted on a frame carried by a vehicle is minimized by providing a secondary frame that is pivoted to the vehicle and which is made up of two spaced, parallel, tubular structures and a jib made up of two, parallel tube like structures telescopically, slidably received in the tube like structures of the second frame. The jib includes an upstanding hook and by reason of the spacing between the two tubes of both the jib and the secondary frame, a high resistance to torsional loading is provided, thereby eliminating damage as a result of torsional forces.

Abstract: A utility package for installation in the bed of a pickup truck includes a frame (10) having a relatively narrow, lower vertical section (12) of a width W1 narrower than the interior spacing between the sides of the pickup truck bed while substantially spanning the entire interior distance between such sides and a relatively wide, upper horizontal section (14) of a width greater than the interior spacing between the sides and no greater than about the distance between the exteriors of the sides and adapted to be supported on the tops of the sides. An elongated pressure vessel (26) is located within the vertical section (12) and a pair of upright housing sections (64,68) are mounted on the horizontal section (14) oppositely of the vertical section (12). The housing section (64,68) have access openings (78) at respective ends (16,18) of the horizontal section (14).

Abstract: The method of the present invention includes the steps of locating a single point on the wheel, rotating the wheel about its central axis of rotation, tracking the position of the single point in three dimensional space while the wheel is in a natural loaded driving condition and generating a signal directly representative of the actual rotational plane of the wheel. The generated signal may then be compared to an electronically stored mathematical model to determine wheel alignment conditions. The method of the present invention may be conducted on all four wheels simultaneously by separate tracking units each operatively positioned to track a single wheel.

Abstract: A container carriage has an elongated skid 30 with an upstanding arm 76 at a forward end thereof, the arm 76 being releasably engageable with a loader 32 mounted on the frame of a container hauling truck 36. A pair of laterally spaced legs 80,82 formed on the skid adjustably mount a pair of arm attachments 102 to engage and carry a conventional front loading container 52. Alternatively, hook attachments 118 are adjustably mounted on the legs 80,82 to engage and carry a conventional rear loading container 62. Movement of the loader 32 between an on-off loading position and a transport position results in the carriage being drawn across the end of the truck 36 and positioned in overlying relation with the truck frame 34.

Abstract: The difficulty in loading a load carrying body (26) onto or removing it from an elevated surface (48) with a standard hydraulic loader arm (30) is avoided through the use of a lifting frame (70) adapted to be mounted to the bed (20) or frame (10) of a vehicle. Pivots (80) mount the frame (70) to the vehicle adjacent one end of the bed (20) and a pair of spaced rollers (42) are journaled on the frame (70). Cylinders (100) selectively move the frame (70) about the pivots (80) between upper and lower positions respectively above and below the vehicle bed (20) enabling a load carrying body (26) to be loaded onto or unloaded from an elevated surface (48).

Abstract: A solar energy collector unit includes an air heating chamber including an insulating cover which transmits solar energy and an array of solar energy collectors spaced from the insulating cover. Each solar energy collector is formed by a tubular member having good heat transfer characteristics between its inner and outer surfaces. An opening in each collector faces the insulating cover so that solar energy transmited through the insulating cover impinges on the inner surface of the collector and serves to heat the collector's inner surface, and the heat is then quickly transferred to the collector's outer surface. Air is directed into and through the air heating chamber and into contact with the outer surface portions of the tubular members to effect heating of the major volume of air without bringing the heated air into contact with the relatively cold underside of the insulating cover.