Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating the loading and unloading of heavy ladders from the roof of a motor vehicle comprises a pair of crossbar members affixed to the roof of the vehicle that extend transversely to the length dimension of the vehicle. A four-bar linkage arrangement affixed to the rearmost crossbar member is adapted to be driven by a shaft journaled for rotation in the spaced-apart crossbar members is arranged to displace a ladder support bar to which ladder hooks are attached. A front ladder hook is attached by a coupler to the elongated shaft at the forward facing end of the ladder rack assembly where the coupler is designed to allow the shaft to be rotated through a predetermined angle before the front ladder hook will rotate with the shaft and in this way the front and rear hooks remain parallel to one another through their range of motions.

Abstract: A vehicle lift for a load, such as a wheelchair. The whole lift is movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position comprising a support pillar, a platform, a lifting device, and a biasing element. The platform is connected pivotably to the support pillar and has a horizontal pivot axis such that the platform is pivotable about the horizontal axis. The lifting device is hingedly connected to the support pillar and is configured for lifting and lowering the support pillar with the platform between the retracted position and the extended position. The biasing device biases the platform in to the second extended position and acts upon the region of the hinged connection between the platform and the support pillar.

Abstract: A simple, adjustable lift system to load a cot bearing a patient into and out of an ambulance and a method of transferring a load on a transport into a vehicle is provided. More specifically, the lift system provides a pair of rails that may be adjusted to accommodate any cot currently in use by an ambulance. The rail system is extendable and is operated by a linear actuator to couple to a cot or other transport and lift the cot or other transport to a height from which the cot may be laterally inserted into the ambulance without undue strain on the EMT, firefighter, or other user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a locking assembly for a ramp of a lift gate. The locking assembly comprises an elongated locking arm and a spring for spring loading the locking arm. The locking arm is pivotably disposed on a pivot point relative to the ramp. A biasing tension in the spring urges a proximal end of the locking arm to engage with a cam portion of the ramp to maintain the ramp in a selected position. The cam portion has multiple engagement surfaces for individually engaging with the locking arm, wherein selectively engaging the locking arm with each engagement surface of the cam portion maintains the ramp in a corresponding selected position.

Abstract: An automated warehouse includes first and second stacked racks parallel to each other; first and second shipping-and-receiving stations placed at the same end of the stacked racks; transfer shuttles located between the stacked racks and between the shipping-and-receiving stations; elevator mechanisms equipped with first and second elevator platforms for receiving or transferring the packages to stand-by conveyors; and means for transferring the packages to and from the first and the second elevator platforms. The direction of motion of the stand-by conveyor of the first shipping-and-receiving station and the direction of the motion of the stand-by conveyor of the second shipping-and-receiving station, on the same level of stack, may be opposite; and the direction of motion of some of the stand-by conveyors pertaining to the first shipping-and-receiving station may be opposite to that of the rest of the stand-by conveyors of the first shipping-and-receiving station.

Abstract: The present invention provides folding assisting arm assembly for lift gates. In one embodiment, the folding assisting arm assembly comprises a folding assisting apparatus for a lift gate having a platform with a foldable section. The apparatus comprises an elongated arm, and a pivot axle, wherein a proximal end of the elongated arm is pivotably mounted on the pivot axle. The apparatus further comprises a spring for spring loading the elongated arm. When the folding assisting apparatus is mounted on the lift gate proximate the platform, a biasing tension in the spring urges a distal end of the elongated arm on the foldable section of the lift platform during a portion of movement of the lift platform to maintain the foldable section folded.

Abstract: A component transfer device according to the present invention includes a holding mechanism that positions and holds a component on a carrying surface located at a predetermined height and a pull-out unit that pulls out the component held on the carrying surface by the holding mechanism in a horizontal direction. The pull-out unit includes a grasping member that can separably grasp the component from a vertical direction, a cam member that causes the grasping member to perform a component grasping operation and a component releasing operation at predetermined timings by exercising a cam function to the grasping member, a driving mechanism that drives the cam member and the grasping member, and a restraint mechanism that restrains a relative movement of the cam member with respect to the movable holder upon grasping operation.

Abstract: A workpiece container storage and handling system includes a base, a number of wheels connected to the base, and a container handling system connected to the base. The wheels provide for movement of the base. The container handling system is defined to hold at least two containers in a vertically overlying orientation relative to each other. The container handling system is defined to provide for controlled vertical travel of the at least two containers in unison relative to the base. Also, the container handling system is defined to provide for controlled and independent horizontal travel of each of the at least two containers relative to the base.

Abstract: A system and method of transporting substrates includes a loadport system including a frame, an articulating arm, a mini environment and a tower substantially centered in the frame. The tower includes multiple motors, a first motor mechanically coupled to the mini environment for moving the mini environment vertically. A second motors mechanically coupled to the articulating arm for moving the articulating arm vertically. A tower enclosure is also included. The tower enclosure enclosing the motors separate from the mini environment.

Abstract: A ceiling transport vehicle in which articles may be transferred precisely while allowing its travel portion to travel smoothly along a set travel path is provided. The ceiling transport vehicle has a pair of guiding bodies which guide the travel portion along a set travel path by contacting each of right and left lateral sides of a guide rail with a pair of contacting members that are supported by the travel portion such that the contacting members can be moved away from each other and moved toward each other in a lateral width direction. The ceiling transport vehicle also has a switching portion for moving each of the pair of contacting members away from each other and toward each other to switch between a holding state and a holding release state.

Abstract: A log handling assembly includes a cart that is positionable on the support surface. A wheel is operationally coupled to the cart. The wheel engages the support surface. A restraining jaw is coupled to the cart. The restraining jaw may engage the log. A handle is coupled to the cart. The handle is gripped by a user. The user urges the handle upwardly. The cart is tipped forwardly so retraining jaw engages the log. A gripping jaw is operationally coupled to the cart. A lever is operationally coupled to the cart. The lever is operationally coupled to the gripping jaw. The user urges the lever. The lever urges the gripping jaw so the gripping jaw engages the log. The gripping jaw retains the log between the gripping jaw and the restraining jaw. The cart is movable along the support surface so the log may be transported.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage shelf system (10) for storing storage goods, comprising at least one service opening (18) for introducing and for removing storage goods, at least one revolving storage shelf unit (20, 30) having a plurality of storage locations and at least one storage shelf unit (40) which has at least one shelving column having storage locations disposed one above the other. The invention further relates to a transfer device (60) for transporting the storage goods (12) from a storage location in the storage shelf unit (40) to a storage location in the revolving storage shelf unit (20, 30) and vice versa.

Abstract: A lift mechanism is provided. The lift mechanism includes a frame having a base, a spine extending from the base and a table, adjustment units configured to permit table adjustments, an attachment mechanism by which the table is attachable to a rack frame and a driving unit configured to drive a load relative to the rack frame.

Abstract: A wheel dolly for lifting and transporting a flat tire attached to an aircraft is comprised of a frame assembly having first and second laterally spaced frame members and a telescopic frame structure interposed between the laterally spaced frame members. A pair of tire scoops are pivotally coupled the frame assembly. An actuator is coupled between the tire scoops to pivot the tire scoops relative to the frame assembly in order to raise the tire scoops. A plurality of castors is coupled to the frame assembly to allow the frame assembly to roll in any direction.

Abstract: A forward eight-bar linkage working device for the loading end of a backhoe loader comprises a front frame, a movable boom, a rotatable bucket oil cylinder, a movable boom oil cylinder, a rotatable bucket lever, a rotatable bucket pull link, a movable boom pull rod, a movable boom lever and a bucket; and the forward eight-bar linkage mechanism enables a working device of the loading end to achieve a larger breakout force in the case of the same engine power, and makes the axle load distribution ratio of the machine more reasonable, enhancing the operation efficiency and the operation balance.

Abstract: A system for rolling a vehicle includes first and second guide tracks. The guide tracks extend over a receptacle positioned to receive cargo being carried by the vehicle. The guide tracks are elongated from an input segment to an output segment of the route. The first and second guide tracks are disposed on opposite sides of the input and output segments. The guide tracks are shaped to engage first and second guides, respectively, that are coupled to the vehicle when the vehicle travels from the input segment of the route toward the output segment of the route and over the receptacle. The guide tracks are curved over the receptacle to translate movement of the vehicle over the receptacle from the input segment of the route to the output segment of the route into a rolling motion of the vehicle that causes the cargo to be dumped into the receptacle.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems adapted to aid in a handling of sample containers (e.g., sample containers) in a processing or testing system. The method includes a sequence of motions of gripper fingers and a seater to accomplish a pick and place operation of a sample container where the sample container includes a sticky surface. A sample container positioning system is disclosed, as are other aspects.

Abstract: An article transport facility includes a first transport conveyer for transporting an article between a first transfer position outside the article storage and a position inside the article storage, and a second transport conveyer for transporting an article between a second transfer position outside the article storage and a position inside the article storage. An article transport vehicle is configured to be capable of transferring an article to or from one of the first transfer position and the second transfer position by vertically moving a grip portion with the article transport vehicle stopped at a transfer stop position in a path defined by a travel rail and is configured to be capable of transferring an article to or from the other of the first transfer position and the second transfer position by slidingly moving the grip portion with the article transport vehicle stopped at the transfer stop position.

Abstract: A log hauling hand truck that acts as a log transporter and lifter has a generally planar height adjustable platform in combination with a retained and adjustable hook. A hand brake has a releasing actuator and an alternative locking actuator for selective braking by an operator. When the load platform is parallel to the ground, the log hauling hand truck is stabilized by locked wheels, a fixed stand, and handle guards, each which independently contact the ground. Roll-off preventing guards may be provided adjacent to the load surface of the adjustable height platform. The platform is preferably open and comprises an expanded metal load surface.

Abstract: A grain bin access door and chute system that can be retrofitted into existing grain bins or installed in new grain bins. The access panel includes an outer door and an inner door and allows a user to quickly access and assess the grain within a bin without fear of falling into the grain or through the crust of grain which can form a bridge on the top of grain. The access door includes a lever-controlled chute door and pipe-chute connection. This allows grain to be gravity fed into awaiting grain trucks or rail cars without using a more dangerous grain auger and without relying on outside energy sources. Additionally, grain transferred through a gravity-fed method is less likely to become damaged than grain transferred through a grain auger. An optional grain agitator may likewise be installed within the grain bin.