Abstract: A device for unloading particulate material from circular storage bins having central discharge sumps. The device includes two augers extending radially in diametric opposition from a vertical pivot axis adjacent the discharge sump. The augers are powered to pivot forwardly about the vertical axis and are also rotated about longitudinal auger axes to engage and move particulate material toward the vertical axis and into the central outlet sump. A central counter rotating auger drive means is powered to rotate the augers in opposite directions. The counter rotating drive means includes a single input drive shaft. The single input shaft rotates two worm gears of a transmission means. Two worm wheels, each attached to a respective auger, mesh with the worm gears. The worm gears and worm wheels function as gear reduction units to transmit rotation of the input shaft to opposite geared down directional rotation of the augers. The single input drive shaft is also operatively connected to a hydraulic motor.

Abstract: A storage system for articles comprising a plurality of inclined storage compartments where an unloading member on an elevator removes articles from given compartments and transfers the article to a conveyor from a transfer position on the elevator and the conveyor carries the articles to a delivery point.

Abstract: Trays containing parallel rod-like articles are unloaded by rotation until the trays are at least partially inverted, the rotation being about an axis parallel to the articles. In one arrangement a pair of tray carriers is rotatable to successively invert a full tray over delivery conveyors and to return an empty tray. One of the conveyors is also rotatable about the same axis. A removable slat retains the articles in the full tray until it is completely inverted. In another arrangement a full tray is received in a bracket in which it is moved to a tilted position for unloading. A pivoted closure member is provided for the open top of the tray and this also serves as a barrier for the unloading articles.

Abstract: A crane comprising a ground jib, a sliding jib telescopically engaged with the ground jib and movable in a telescoping direction, and a head jib pivotally mounted to the sliding jib. A catch hook is pivotally mounted to the head jib on a pivot axis which extends in the telescoping direction of the sliding jib and a catch member is connected to the ground jib in a position to engage with the catch hook when the sliding jib is protracted into the ground jib and when the head jib is pivoted toward the ground jib. The catch member extends in the telescoping direction so that the catch hook is disengaged from the catch member when the sliding jib is extended with respect to the ground jib. A method is also disclosed for stowing the head jib of the crane.

Abstract: A merchandise order picking system includes a vertically and horizontally elongated rack having a plurality of vertically-spaced shelves and being supported on a floor surface. The rack has a rear face whereat merchandise is positioned on the shelves and an opposite front face whereat merchandise is removed from the shelves. An elongated horizontal rail extends along the front face of the rack adjacent the floor surface. A horizontal wheeled work table has inboard wheels supported and guided on the rail, and outboard wheels supported on the floor surface for rolling movement of the work table along the front face of the rack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring loads between selected stations includes a transfer car operable for selective shifting along a predetermined path interposed between first and second stations and a load carrier mounted on the transfer car operable for reciprocative shifting relative to the transfer car from a pre-spot position to load receiving and depositing positions. An orienting device such as a turntable is positioned adjacent the predetermined path and is operable for selectively rotating the transfer car and the load carrier through a predetermined angular displacement.

Abstract: A combination of a vehicle and a demountable body for transporting loads, the vehicle having a support which is movable between a horizontal position to support the body for transportation and an inclined position. The support carries an ended chain provided at one end with a hook for attachment to the body, and an endless chain provided with a pusher to engage the body, the chains being driven by a drive motor. The body has a guide arranged on lowering of the hook towards a lifting bar on the body, to guide the hook into engagement with the bar whereupon the hook is automatically releasably attached to the bar.

Abstract: A top unloading silo unloader pendently supported from a tripod with a cable connected to a motor operated winch. An automatic silo unloader let-down control system is operably connected to the winch motor to energize the motor once during each revolution of the unloader to lower the unloader in the silo. The let-down control system has a control switch mounted on the unloader which is actuated by the rotating part of the unloader once during each revolution of the part. An automatic time delay unit is adjustable to control the duration of operation of the winch motor thereby controlling the amount of let-down of the silo unloader.

Abstract: A manure removing machine carried by a vehicle having a mechanically driven feeder screw for taking up manure and other waste material where the machine includes an elongated horizontal casing around the feeder screw and a receiving mouth axially disposed in the casing. The casing at one end is connected to a tube directed vertically upward and guided into a tube socket that is fixed to the vehicle. The socket is in communication with a collection box carried by the vehicle. The feeder screw and casing are rotatable outward from under the vehicle to a position perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00080 Sec. 371 Date Feb. 9, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Feb. 9, 1979 PCT Filed Feb. 9, 1979 PCT Pub. No. WO80/01682 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 21, 1980An adjustable double link mounting for interconnecting a pair of structures, such as structures (37, 51) mountable on a crawler vehicle (10), including at least a pair of spaced-apart lugs (44, 82, 83, 84, 85) on each of the structures and each having a bore, a pair of spaced-apart links (80,81) having a pivotal connection at each end to at least one lug as provided by a pin-receiving opening (91, 92, 105, 107) for receiving a pin (93, 94, 104, 106) which also extends through an apertured lug, and one (81) of the links including a turnbuckle (110, 111, 112) for adjusting the effective length thereof.

Abstract: A dumper for parts of various sizes comprising a cradle mounted on a fixed pivot for movement from a loading position through an angle approaching 180.degree. to an unloading position. The pivot axis is such that the cradle, which loads in the front, dumps to the side. The drive for the cradle includes movable chains. The ends of the chains extend part way around and are affixed to sprockets rigidly secured to the cradle.

Abstract: A load-carrying vehicle provided with lifting devices to raise and lower loads, comprising a chassis mounted on road wheels, load raising and lowering devices supported by the chassis, at least one additional road wheel articulated with respect to the chassis, and power operated devices operable to move each additional road wheel in an arcuate path from an inoperative position within the normal width of the vehicle to an operative load bearing position in engagement with the ground beside the road wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of placing an article onto a surface in close proximity to an adjacent previously-placed article, comprises gripping the article between a pair of jaws, tilting it away from the previously-placed article about an axis parallel to the surface and thereafter releasing it by opening the jaws, the tilt being sufficient to bring the lowered side of the gripped article close to the surface, with the elevated jaw remaining sufficiently high to clear the previously-placed article as it opens.

Abstract: A forklift assembly is pivotally connected to the front end portion of a self-propelled mobile frame. A mounting plate extends transversely across the front end portion of the mobile frame. A hydraulic lift cylinder is bolted to the intermediate portion of the mounting plate closely adjacent to the front axles of the mobile frame, and the piston rod of the lift cylinder is pinned to a lug extending rearwardly from the forklift assembly. Extension and retraction of the piston rod raises and lowers the forklift assembly relative to the mobile frame. The lug is connected to the piston rod to permit movement of the lug on a shoulder portion of the piston rod so that the torsional forces exerted on the forklift assembly are not transferred to the piston rod of the lift cylinder. Guide members are secured to the rear of the forklift assembly and the mounting plate to maintain vertical movement of the lift cylinder relative to the mounting plate.

Abstract: A fork lift attachment system is adapted to be mounted to a standard fork lift truck utilized for vertically lifting and lowering a container in a reversible manner. A modified container is utilized in conjunction with the fork lift attachment system where the container includes a pair of transversely displaced channel members securely fixed to opposing transverse side panels of the container. The attachment system includes a releasable mounting mechanism for insertion within the channel members of the modified container for mounting the container to the fork lift attachment system. A rotative displacement mechanism allows for the container to be rotated about a first axis line extending in a direction substantially normal to a vertical displacement direction subsequent to the container being mounted on the fork lift attachment system.

Abstract: A wrecker-hoist combination attachment for mounting on the bed of a truck includes an A-frame having one end supported by the truck bed and the upper apex supported by a support member connected between the apex of the A-frame and the truck bed. The A-frame includes a base bar with a pair of lower legs extending upwardly from and removably engaging the base bar. A midbrace removably engages the upper ends of the lower legs and receives the lower end of a pair of upper legs. A pulley assembly is removably engaged in a first position on the upper ends of the upper legs when the attachment is operated as a hoist. Alternatively, the pulley assembly is engageable in a second position on the upper end of the lower legs with the upper legs and midbrace removed for operation of the attachment as a wrecker. The support member is adjustable in length to support the upper end of the A-frame in both the first and second positions.

Abstract: A carriage is provided for guided movement along a skyline and includes guide structure for supporting a dragline for longitudinal shifting relative to the carriage. A skyline stop is provided for coaction with the carriage, a dragline abutment is provided for coaction with the carriage and the carriage includes a stop with which the abutment is engageable to limit movement of the dragline in one direction relative to the carriage. The carriage is engageable with the skyline stop to limit movement of the carriage downwardly along the skyline and the abutment is provided for engagement with the carriage stop to limit upward movement of the dragline relative to the carriage. Latch structure is shiftably supported from the carriage for movement between first and second positions and is latchingly engageable with the skyline stop and engageable with the dragline abutment when in one position and inoperative to latchingly engage the skyline stop and engage the dragline abutment when in the second position.

Abstract: A device for folding and unfolding a hinged boom pivotally mounted atop a telescopic crane mast, in which a cable is secured to the mast and passes over pulleys located, in sequence, at the top of the lower mast section, the bottom of the upper mast section, the top of the upper mast section and on the first boom section adjacent the hinge and thence to another anchor point adjacent the free end of the second boom section. Preferably a spacer strut is placed at the hinge and as the mast telescopes downwardly torque in the cable causes the second boom section to pivot, at the hinge, so that when telescoping is complete the mast and both boom sections are in a coplanar parallel relationship.

Abstract: A carriage is provided for guided movement along a skyline and includes guide structure for supporting a dragline for longitudinal shifting relative to the carriage. A skyline stop is provided for coaction with the carriage to limit downward movement of the carriage along the skyline and latch structure is shiftably supported from the carriage for movement between applied and released positions and is spring biased toward the applied position. The latch structure is engageable with the skyline stop to prevent upward movement of the carriage along the skyline from its lower limit position established by the stop upon movement of the latch structure to the applied position. Further, abutment structure is carried by the lower end of the dragline depending downwardly from the carriage and is engageable with the latch structure for swinging the latter to its released position.

Abstract: An arrangement for the storage of pallets which are used to hold material of lengthy shape. A plurality of shelves are located and fixed next to one another, and they are accessible from at least one broad side via a loading and removal device which travels transversely to the shelves. A plurality of stacked compartments accommodate the pallets, and have a guided loading and removal device which travels underneath the shelves which are located above floor level. An additional guided gantry-like loading and removal device travels above the shelves. The loading and removal device, furthermore, travels underneath the shelves, and may be constructed in the form of a traveling lifting table with a device for the loading and removal of the pallets. Guides may be fixed to the vertical members of the shelves for the lateral support of a platform of the lifting table. A lifting mechanism of a gantry crane may be formed by consoles guided on supports of the gantry.