Abstract: A semi-automated warehousing system for unitized loads, such as load carrying pallets, which are retained in storage racks arranged in a multiple lane, multiple tier array is provided. The system employs a man operated stacker crane that travels upon a fixed rail and serves as a host vehicle for a ratio controlled transfer vehicle which is powered by a rechargeable battery. An elevator, which forms part of the crane is mounted between masts of the crane and a man carrying cab is secured to the elevator. The transfer vehicle can move laterally away from the crane, in either direction, in response to radio command signals controlled by the operator in the cab. The transfer vehicle rides on support rails in the storage racks and, upon command, deposits or picks up a pallet. The battery which powers the transfer vehicle is recharged each time the vehicle returns to the elevator portion of the crane.

Abstract: An article storage and retrieval system has a plurality of annular and generally concentric tracks of any desired shape each carrying a train of holder frames each having a pair of ends spaced apart by a gap. Each train has at each of the holder frames a pivot connecting each frame to the adjacent frames for relative pivoting of the frames and adaptation of the train to any shape track. A set of vertically spaced holders is removably supported in each of the holder frames so that when the gaps thereof are aligned in a service aisle it is possible to obtain access to any of the holders.

Abstract: A system for transferring tubes or bars or like elongated elements between a processing line and associated storage structures or intermediate delivery locations is disclosed. The system includes spacing stations for intermittently spacing groups of tubes or bars, apparatus for transporting the groups from one spacing station onto one of several storage cantilever supports adapted to support the tubes or bars with their axes parallel to that of the processing line, apparatus for intermittently laterally removing groups of spaced elongate elements from the storage supports via an intermediate supporting station, and apparatus for rotating the elements through 90.degree. in order to deposit them on supports at the inlet end of the processing line with their axes at right angles to that of the processing line, or after removal from such supports onto an intermediate supporting station at the outlet end of the processing line.

Abstract: In a system wherein pallets and their loads are conveyed along paths to one or more unloading stations, a method of preventing piling up at the station and of load-shifting of stopped pallets, comprising the step of, in sequence, sensing the arrival of a pallet at the unloading station, applying a braking force to the underside of an arriving upstream pallet at an upstream position so as to decelerate it gradually and safely to a stop at a distance from the unloading station pallet, unloading the pallet from the unloading station and relieving the braking force from the upstream pallet so it can be conveyed onto the unloading station. The apparatus is in the form of a holdback assembly having a feeler assembly adjacent the unloading station responsive to a pallet or article moving into the unloading station for actuating a brake assembly to apply a braking force to the underside of the upstream pallet or to the engageable surface of the upstream article.

Abstract: A distributing apparatus for collecting information carrying sheets of paper and the like comprising, a plurality of trays which are each pivotally mounted to a succeeding tray in a stack thereof to form a magazine of trays with a locking device for locking each tray to an adjacent tray in the magazine so that the magazine can be transported as a unit. The magazine is supplied to a guide which has a curved portion adjacent a loading station. The curved portion of the guide causes adjacent trays to pivot apart from each other and open after their respective locks have been unlocked so that one or more information carrying sheets can be supplied to each of the now opened trays. A driving mechanism in the form of rotating rollers having pins extending therefrom is engageable with angle portions extending from the trays for moving the trays along a feed path and along the guides.

Abstract: In a storage system, a plurality of storage racks are provided, the racks being movable to enable selection of passageways therebetween. A carriage is conveyable along the ends of the racks by individual conveyors supported at the rack ends, the carriage being movable into passageways formed between the racks. The racks or carriages supporting the racks are provided with rails mounted to support the movable carriage when it is positioned in any selected passageway. A fork lift device is provided on the carriage to enable selection of a vertical position in the racks.

Abstract: A device for supporting a container on a chassis of a vehicle and for coupling the supported container to the chassis. The device has a basic frame defined by a pair of longitudinal, substantially parallel beams interconnected by cross-beams. At least two bridges are supported by the basic frame and are movable towards and away from the basic frame by a lifting mechanism. The bridges and basic frame have complementary shapes to facilitate proper positioning of the bridges with respect to the basic frame.

Abstract: This invention provides novel apparatus for accelerating the emptying of railroad hopper cars and the like. The invention comprises: a rigid frame fixedly mountable through a base to a pair of generally horizontally-spaced-apart rails upon which the wheels of a railroad hopper car can be movably supported, with the frame including an upright section from which there generally horizontally extends towards the rails a hollow spool connected to a vented source of pressurized fluid; and an excitor connected to the spool through an inflatable yieldably resilient sleeve that performs dual functions of moving the excitor generally horizontally with respect to the frame into and out of contact with a side of the hopper car and also vibration isolating the excitor from the frame.

Abstract: An assembly for attaching a conductive shoe to a trolley or like vehicle, wherein a pair of elastic rods function to bias the conductive shoe into gliding, electrical contact with a conducting rail in spite of changing distances therebetween, with the elastic rods also providing electrical insulation between the conductive shoe and the trolley, effectively reducing the overall weight of the shoe.

Abstract: A crane trolley is movable by means of rollers on the lower flange of a runway girder, the crane trolley having a hoist, the latter being inserted in one of the two sides plates of the crane trolley. The load chain of the host is guided by means of guide rollers. The chain is fastened with one end to the crane trolley and is driven by the load chain wheel of the hoist and carries the lower block with the load hook. The hoist is arranged off-set in the longitudinal direction of the crane trolley relative to the lower block and the load chain is guided over two additional guide rollers in S-shape between the load chain wheel of the hoist and the pulling chain portion of the lower block.

Abstract: Frozen lumps of coal in conventional hopper cars are loosened by lowering an assembly of vertically oriented probe elements into the car while simultaneously vibrating the assembly. The vibratory structure is mounted on a gantry arrangement which also supports a supplemental probe arrangement utilizing impact forces to loosen coal in hopper cars having interiors different from those of the cars operated on by the vibratory arrangement.

Abstract: Individual shelves are provided on the load transport vehicle, which may be a trailor or self-propelled steerable vehicle, so that the shelves may be dropped down adjacent to the roadway for loading and unloading, and lifted up above the clearance height of the vehicle for storage and transport. Guides and bearings are provided between the shelf and body of the vehicle so that the horizontal portion of the shelves will be parallel to the roadway in their lower loading and unloading position to facilitate such loading and unloading, and they will tilt during their travel between such positions so that in the storage position the generally horizontal portion of the shelf will extend downwardly and inwardly to maintain the load on the vehicle with the help of gravity. The frame of the vehicle is provided with a central vertical and longitudinal rib carrying the guides for supporting shelves on each side. The shelves are L-shaped, and are provided with hydraulic cylinders for individually raising and lowering.

Abstract: A workpiece having an enlarged head and a stem extending therefrom is conveyed in a gravity chute while supported vertically in a ring-shaped pallet with the head supported on the top side of the pallet and the stem extending downwardly through the pallet. The pallet and workpiece are then directed through a downwardly curved orienting chute and come to rest on stop surfaces wherein the workpiece is inclined downwardly, its head foremost, and the axis of the pallet is horizontal. In this position the workpiece is centered with respect to the aperture in the pallet so that the workpiece slides downwardly out of the pallet through an unloading chute. At the lower end of the unloading chute the workpiece falls through a contoured aperture into a downwardly inclined delivery chute which extends in the direction opposite to the unloading chute.

Abstract: Support assembly for joining and insulating a plurality of electrically-charged rails adaptable for transmitting electrical current to a trolley or like vehicle and comprising an insulative member surrounding each of the conductive rails, with adjacent rails and corresponding insulative members being joined at spaced junction hoods for ensuring complete insulation of the rails at all operating temperatures.

Abstract: An industrial truck includes a pair of forks mounted on a carrier at one end of a boom. The boom can be traversed in a constrained manner, one end of the boom following a D-shaped path, the boom having components of movement lengthways, fore and aft of the truck and laterally, across the truck and the carrier can be swivelled relative to the boom. Mechanical or electrical constraints may be incorporated to permit pivoting of the carrier about an axis spaced from the end of the boom so that the forks may be rotated within the width of the truck before any sideways reach movement.

Abstract: A marine crane having an upper works rotatably mounted on a pedestal adapter, includes a retainer for limiting the extent to which the upper works can be tilted, such retainer having an arcuate member secured to the upper works that extends partially around the pedestal adapter and presents a lip beneath and out of contact with a stationary circumferential member forming a part of the pedestal adapter. The arcuate member has a series of vertical, plate-like buttresses spaced along its circumferential length that have outer ends facing a machinery deck of the upper works to brace the arcuate member, so as to retain the arcuate member in place in the event of abnormal forces being applied thereto.

Abstract: The lift truck of the invention comprises a frame, a mast adapted to be lifted in relation to the frame, a fluid-operated cylinder for controlling the ascent and descent of the mast, a load-supporting platform rigid with the mast, a first pivot pin carried by the lower end of the mast and rigid with a movable slide block guided horizontally along the lower portion of the frame. The slide block carries the pivot pin of a positioning rod for positioning the load supporting platform and a supporting rod, having a length equal to one-half of the distance between the pivot pin of the mast on the slide block and the pivot pin of the load supporting platform on the mast, is pivoted to the mast and to the lower portion of the frame ahead of the slide block.

Abstract: A hopper car door locking mechanism includes a rotatable latch member which includes a keeper receiving portion. The latch member also includes a positioning portion providing stops which are engaged by a rotatable locking pawl in the closed position of the hopper car door. The rotatable locking pawl includes a cam device which is pivoted in response to reciprocating movement of a rod having a suitable cam surface. The rod also includes a stop device which with the rotatable latch member provides a second stop which therefore provides for double locking of the door.

Abstract: A material unloader for forage or the like includes a closed box-type body having interior unloading mechanism for delivering material to an exterior chute and has at least one, and preferably two, latchable closures for providing access to the body interior. The unloading mechanism is designed for connection to a source of power exteriorly of the body and locking apparatus on the closures is arranged for purposes of safety so that the unloading mechanism must be rendered inoperable to effect the opening of any closure and cannot be made operable while any closure is open and affording access to such mechanism. This unloader may be mounted on a wheeled chassis for towing or mounted on a self-propelled vehicle.

Abstract: A land vehicle for use as a blender for the mixing of dry, particulate, and liquid materials comprising a chassis having an articulated frame thereon, the articulated frame including a first translatable portion and a second translatable, rotatable portion rotatably secured to the first translatable portion whereby movement of the articulated frame with respect to the chassis between a first retracted position and a second extended position causes translational movement of the first translatable portion of the articulate frame and translational and rotational movement of the second translatable, rotatable portion of the articulated frame.