Abstract: A system which can both be adapted to existing single point lift mechanisms, and constrain a hoisted load in all six degrees of freedom, includes a suspension point, an assembly, a lateral tension lines member, and a control system. The assembly includes first and second platforms connected by a plurality of control cables which can precisely control the position, velocity, and force of a hoisted element in six degrees of freedom. The position or tension of the control lines can be controlled either manually, automatically by computer, or in various combinations of manual and automatic control. Advantages associated with the system include not only the ability to control the position, velocity, and force of the attached load, tool, and/or equipment in six degrees of freedom using position and tension feedback, but its ready adaptation to existing single point lift mechanisms and relatively light weight, and its flexibility, ease, and precision of operation.

Abstract: A overhead transport system with load-bearing members, in particular transverse bars for attachment of loads, includes running rails which extend in at least two horizontal planes in spaced-apart, parallel disposition, and at least one crane which travels in an upper one of the planes transversely to the running rails for transfer of the load-bearing members from one running rail to another running rail. In order to provide the overhead transport system in a cost-efficient manner with two production or treatment planes while yet saving time as far as transfer of the load-bearing members is concerned, the transfer of the load-bearing members in a lower one of the planes is realized by at least one self-propelled transfer vehicle which travels transversely to the running rails.

Abstract: In the anti-two block device, a non-contact measuring device detects in one form or another the distance between a boom nose and a load-bearing member supported thereby. If the distance detected is less than a predetermined threshold value, the device triggers a warning or other operation to assist an operator in preventing anti-two blocking.

Abstract: An improved method of lifting a load includes supporting a load on a first section of an extendible lift assembly, the first section being surrounded by a second section, a hydraulic cylinder being operatively coupled to the first section so as to be capable of lifting the first section, and the first and second sections being supported on and vertically extendible with respect to a base. Then, while the load is supported on the first section, the hydraulic cylinder is extended to extend the first section relative to the second section and the base, thereby lifting the load to a first height. Then, the first section is secured to the second section so as to at least substantially prevent downward movement of the first section relative to the second section. The cylinder is then retracted and operatively coupled to the second section.

Abstract: A mobile aerial apparatus includes a lower boom and an upper boom and pivotally mounted to a pedestal. A lift cylinder pivots the lower boom. An articulated assembly includes a common pivot support secured to the articulated ends of the booms on a common axis. A link unit has a common pivot member on said common pivot axis. An upper boom cylinder unit has a cylinder pivotally connected on the common pivot axis and a piston rod connected to an upper boom connector of the link unit. A lower boom cylinder unit has a cylinder pivotally connected on the common pivot axis and a piston rod connected to a lower boom connector of said link unit. The connections to the link unit form a triangular assembly with the pivot axis being parallel to each other.

Abstract: A transverse trolley 11 is transversally movable on a crane girder. A driver is provided for the transverse trolley 11. A pair of sheave blocks 14, 15 which is movable relative to a transverse trolley 11 are disposed on both (right and left) sides of a transverse trolley 11. Drivers are provided for the sheave blocks. Detectors 31 through 38 are provided which detect the displacement and velocity of the transverse trolley 11, the sway displacement and velocity of a hoisted load-piece 23 on both (right and left) sides and the displacement and velocity of the two sheave blocks 14, 15. A notch is disposed on an operation controlling panel of the transverse trolley 11 for setting a trolley transverse velocity by an operator. A transverse notch-driving control quantity detector 40 is provided which outputs signals indicative of notch-driving control quantity (a trolley transverse velocity set value) which is set by operating the notch.

Abstract: A vertical lift hoist and winch is taught which can be used, for example, for suspending wild game animals for the purpose of field dressing. The assembly is collapsible without any disassembly of major parts, to be able to fold up into a convenient carrying position, or to be capable of storage in a normal automobile truck, Jeep or station wagon compartment or a truck tool box. The winch lift assembly permits convenient storage and ease of set-up, where all pieces are held together as one. The pulley's are recessed in the upper boom which allows a tight closure in the collapsed position which is an advantage over other types of lifts. Nothing hangs down below the boom, thereby eliminating any cable tangles or interference when setting up or storing.

Abstract: A transverse trolley 11 is transversally movable on a crane girder. A driver is provided for the transverse trolley 11. A pair of sheave blocks 14, 15 which is movable relative to a transverse trolley 11 are disposed on both (right and left) sides of a transverse trolley 11. Drivers are provided for the sheave blocks. Detectors 31 through 38 are provided which detect the displacement and velocity of the transverse trolley 11, the sway displacement and velocity of a hoisted load-piece 23 on both (right and left) sides and the displacement and velocity of the two sheave blocks 14, 15. A notch is disposed on an operation controlling panel of the transverse trolley 11 for setting a trolley transverse velocity by an operator. A transverse notch-driving control quantity detector 40 is provided which outputs signals indicative of notch-driving control quantity (a trolley transverse velocity set value) which is set by operating the notch.

Abstract: A carrier transfer apparatus for automatically unloading and/or loading semiconductor device packages from and/or to printed circuit boards loaded into a carrier. The apparatus includes a housing, an input portion, an elevator portion and an output portion.

Abstract: A transverse trolley (11) is transversally movable on a crane girder. A driver is provided for the transverse trolley (11). A pair of sheave blocks (14, 15) which is movable relative to a transverse trolley (11) are disposed on both (right and left) sides of a transverse trolley (11). Drivers are provided for the sheave blocks. Detectors (31 through 38) are provided which detect the displacement and velocity of the transverse trolley (11), the sway displacement and velocity of a hoisted load-piece (23) on both (right and left) sides and the displacement and velocity of the two sheave blocks (14, 15). A notch is disposed on an operation controlling panel of the transverse trolley (11) for setting a trolley transverse velocity by an operator. A transverse notch-driving control quantity detector (40) is provided which outputs signals indicative of notch-driving control quantity (a trolley transverse velocity set value) which is set by operating the notch.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically organizing a variable number of lots into a batch which can be treated with high efficiency in a semiconductor wafer manufacturing line is installed for changing the number of lots organized into a batch between preceding and succeeding processes when such change is required.

Abstract: In an electric steering actuator comprising an electric motor having a hollow output shaft, a steering shaft passed through the hollow center of the output shaft of the electric motor, and a ball-screw mechanism provided between the output shaft and the steering shaft for converting the rotary movement of the output shaft into a longitudinal movement of the steering shaft. The ball-screw mechanism comprises a threaded section of the steering shaft, and a nut member which threadably engages with the threaded section of the steering shaft via steel balls, and is secured to the output shaft of the electric motor via a serration coupling or the like which achieves an axially free but rotatively fast coupling between the two parts. Thus, the overall axial dimension of the actuator can be reduced, and the step of joining these two parts is significantly simplified in terms of both effort and time while the number of component parts is also reduced.

Abstract: A towing device, adapted to be mounted to a chassis of a vehicle, features a bi-planar rotation mechanism which allows a telescoping beam to dynamically pivot about two orthogonal axes. The towing device includes a sub-frame mounted to the chassis. An underframe is pivotally attached to the sub-frame to move between a retracted position, adjacent to the sub-frame, and an extended position, distal from the sub-frame. The telescoping beam extends from the underframe and terminates in a carriage, which is adapted to support the wheels of a towed vehicle. In this fashion, the telescoping beam allows the towed vehicle to dynamically pivot about two orthogonal axes which avoids "high centering" of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A hoist is constructed for powered drive by an impact tool. The hoist includes tension means for applying a force in tension to a load. Gear means are operatively associated with the tension means for producing a tension force in the tension means. The gear means include a gear element which provides a positive hold of the produced tension force when the gear means are not being driven. Impact fitting means are connected to the gear element for enabling the gear means to be power driven by an impact tool.

Abstract: In an electric steering actuator comprising an electric motor having a hollow output shaft, a steering shaft passed through the hollow center of the output shaft of the electric motor, and a ball-screw mechanism provided between the output shaft and the steering shaft for converting the rotary movement of the output shaft into a longitudinal movement of the steering shaft, a rotation preventing mechanism is provided for preventing the rotation of the steering shaft around its axial line. The rotation preventing mechanism comprises a guide pin extending in the casing in parallel with the axial line of the steering shaft, and a fork member engaging the guide pin between two prongs thereof. Because the rotation preventing mechanism can be formed by using a guide pin made of a stock steel or other metallic member, such as a cold finished steel bar, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Abstract: A manually propelled wheelchair (10) powered by the chair occupant. Hand power levers (11,12) are pivoted on each side of the chair frame (15). Drive cables (25) connect each lever to a wheel pulley (20) which in turn acts through one-way clutches to propel the wheels (16, 17) during the power stroke as the lever pulls the drive cable. The clutches permit free wheeling of the chair except during the application of drive power. Recoil springs (46) rewind the cable on the pulley during the lever's return stroke. The point of cable attachment (19) to the lever is changed by rotating the lever handle (21) to change the ratio of lever movement to wheel movement. Moving the attachment point below the pivot point reverses the direction of the power and the return strokes. Directional control is obtained by differential application of power to the wheels and by selective wheel braking. For single hand operation, a single axle is used for both wheels.

Abstract: A leading end of packaging materials placed in a retainer to hold the leading end of the packaging material in the retainer. Packaging material is dispensed from a packaging material dispenser, and relative rotation is provided between the dispenser and a load to wrap packaging material around the load. The packaging material is automatically released from the retainer in response to force applied by packaging material wrapped around the load, or other unpowered actuation.

Abstract: A hydraulic boom gantry and a method of lifting a load associated therewith. The gantry includes telescoping sections with a hydraulic cylinder mounted therein. A swiveling plate structure allows minor deviation between sets of telescoping sections. A collar structure and a pinning structure lock the telescoping sections together. A cam mechanism prevents accidental section retraction and a powered rigging device traverses a beam connecting the telescoping sections.

Abstract: Arrangement for a goods hoist which has an operating control capable of being actuated by a driving device and is situated between a load device and the driving device. The driving device is controlled by electronics that communicate with a transmitter contained in an operating controller.

Abstract: A method for wrapping a wrapper about a floral grouping wherein the wrapper is a sleeve or sheet of material having a cinching tab or strip of bonding material or both and a detaching means such as perforations for detaching a portion of the sleeve or sheet of material. The floral grouping is placed on the sheet of material which is wrapped thereabout, or the floral grouping is disposed in the interior space of the sleeve. The cinching tab is attached near one end of the sheet or sleeve. The cinching tab has a bonding material disposed thereon which, when the cinching tab is pulled tightly about the wrapper, causes the wrapper to be crimped and tightly bound about the stems of the floral grouping.