Abstract: A Bulk Mail Container (BMC) unloader uses a simple crossed four bar-linkage to move a predetermined point on a BMC unloader in a substantially straight line while the overall BMC unloader rotates about that predetermined point so as to upend the BMC container. This takes advantage of the crossed four-bar's substantially straight-line motion over a limited range of its motion, as well as the rotational motion of the particular unloader link disclosed herein. This is advantageous for unloading. In use, a BMC container is simply rolled into the BMC unloader, and the entire combination of the BMC container and BMC unloader is then actuated to produce substantially straight line motion along a suitably selected “center” point of the BMC unloader while the overall combination rotates about the center point so as to upend the BMC for unloading.

Abstract: In a system for loading, processing and unloading substrates, a carrier has a bottom and a plurality of slots to receive a plurality of substrates for processing in a reactor. The reactor is tubular and has an inlet opening to receive the carrier loaded with substrates. A handling robot loads and unloads the substrates to and from the carrier when the carrier is located outside the reactor. A rotatable base plate supports the carrier and moves the carrier between a first position in proximity of the handling robot and a second position in proximity of the reactor. A lifting device introduces and removes the carrier in and from the reactor by lifting and lowering the carrier from and to the base plate when the carrier is in the second position. A door plate is coupled to the lifting device and to the bottom of the carrier. The door plate closes the inlet opening of the reactor when the carrier is introduced in the reactor and seals the reactor during processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically transferring and handling cartridges containing flat articles. The method and apparatus robotically transfers filled cartridges from the output compartments of a sorting machine to a buffer shelf; and from the buffer shelf to a docking station of a cartridge unloader and automatic feeder to the input of the sorting machine, and for transferring empty cartridges from the docking station to either the buffer or the output compartments of the sorter, is provided.

Abstract: An elongated hydraulically foldable and elevationally adjustable ramp connectable to a draft vehicle and including leading and trailing ramp sections that are pivotally joined and foldable between an inclined loading position and an upright traveling position, and a ground-bearing pad pivotally connected and depending freely from the ramp at a position forward its center of gravity, such that upon activation of a hydraulic cylinder extending between the trailing and leading ramp sections when in loading position, the ground-bearing pad engages the ground and causes the forward end of the leading ramp section to elevate above the bed level of the trailer to facilitate mounting and removal of the ramp therefrom. The hydraulics for the ramp are self-contained on the ramp for independent operation and positional control without connection to an external source.

Abstract: A pick-up apparatus for picking up semiconductor chips comprising an integrated or a separately rotatable composite cam formed by a plurality of cylindrical cams, and a plurality of cylindrical pin holders having a plurality of push-up pins, and at least part of the pin holder is in contact with the composite cam. The rotation of the composite cam selects one of the pin holders suited for pushing up a desired semiconductor chip, and the counter rotation selects another pin holder suited for another semiconductor chip having a different size. In this manner, a plurality of semiconductor chips having different sizes can be properly picked up without replacing the pin holder.

Abstract: A handling robot control method is disclosed for a handling robot disposed in a transfer chamber (1) having a plurality of process chamber stations (2e) arranged around it in communication therewith via respective gates (6), the robot having a first and a second carrier tables (8a, 8b) that are deviated in turning angular position from one to the other about a center of turning, the robot performing an operation to move the first and second carrier tables to turn jointly in the transfer chamber and also an operation to move the first and second carrier tables individually either to project through a said gate into a said process chamber station or to retract into the transfer chamber. The method comprises: overlapping the operation to move the carrier tables to project and to retract with the operation to move the first and second carrier tables to turn jointly.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading a truck box is provided for use with snowmobiles and the like. The apparatus includes a pair of mounting elements arranged to mount on the respective tailgate mounts of the truck box in place of the tailgate of the truck so that no modification to the truck bed is required upon installation. A shaft is supported on the pair of mounting elements for rotation about an axis laterally across the back end of the truck box and includes a sprocket coupled for rotation therewith. A frame arranged to support a snowmobile and the like thereon is supported on the shaft to extend transversely thereto and has a rack mounted on a bottom side thereof for engaging the sprocket.

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading rails from a freight car on which the rails are arrayed to extend in a longitudinal direction of the freight car comprises a track-bound car, and a rail guiding unit positioned at each car end. Each rail guiding unit comprises a pair of rail guide heads having guide rollers for centering a respective one of the rails therebetween. The rail guide heads of a first rail guiding unit are positioned at one of the car ends and are displaceable in a horizontal plane perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, and drives are provided for vertically adjusting the rail guide heads of the first rail guiding unit.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint comprising a base member (e.g., a track), a carriage movably mounted to the base member, and a restraining member (e.g., a pivotable hook) mounted to the carriage and movable between and engaged position and a disengaged position. The restraining member is biased toward the engaged position. The restraining member is biased by a biasing member in the form of a gas spring operatively positioned between the restraining member and the carriage. The restraining member is pivotable, and the restraint further includes a lever interconnected with the restraining member. In this embodiment, the biasing member is interconnected with the lever to bias the restraining member toward an engaged position. The biasing member can be positioned to bias the restraining member toward the disengaged position when the restraining member is in the disengaged position and to bias the restraining member toward the engaged position when the restraining member is in the engaged position.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle carrier for use with a pickup truck having a bed and side walls comprises a first platform adapted to be fixedly mounted to the side walls of the truck and a second platform adapted to be slidably mounted to the side walls and movable therealong. The platforms present generally planar surfaces which extend between the side walls. The second platform is selectably slidable between a first position overlapping the first platform and a second position adjacent the first platform. The vehicle carrier further includes a pair of ramps removably coupled to a lateral edge of the first platform for loading or unloading a recreational vehicle. A vehicle is loaded onto the second platform when the second platform is at the first position and onto the first platform when the second platform is at the second position.

Abstract: A material eject system includes an ejector mounted to a bed of a vehicle which is movable between a rear end and a forward end of the bed for ejecting material from the bed. The ejector is powered by a cylinder having different fluid volumes depending on the direction of motion of the cylinder. A control circuit operates with the ejector motor to automatically move the ejector through eject and return cycles. Further, the control circuit detects different positions of the cylinder and automatically operates the cylinder at different speeds to maintain a constant motor and ejector speed throughout the material eject cycle.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer transfer machine for transferring first wafers having a first diameter from a first transferor carrier to a first receiver carrier and second wafers having a second diameter different from the first diameter from a second transferor carrier to a second receiver carrier. The wafer transfer machine includes a base plate with a longitudinal axis for placement on the base plate of the transferor carriers and the receiver carriers and a mechanism for transferring wafers contained in the first and second transferor carriers to the first and second receiver carriers, respectively.

Abstract: The dump body of a dump truck includes a tailgate having an opening through which material in the receptacle can be dispensed by an endless conveyor in the dump body, and a feedgate for adjusting the rate of discharge is removably mounted on one of the tailgate and the bottom of the dump body and has a passageway through which the conveyor belt extends and a door displaceable toward and away from the conveyor to adjust the size of the passageway and thus the rate of material discharge when the conveyor is in operation.

Abstract: A dump truck having a dump body which includes an adjustable feedgate for adjusting the size of a passageway through a rear opening at the rear of the dump body. The feedgate is rotatably mounted within the rear opening to provide for improved control of the flow of materials within the dump body which pass through the rear opening when the feedgate is positioned into an open position. A side guide is incorporated into the feedgate to provide additional control of the flow rate of materials through the rear opening especially at low feed rates.

Abstract: A multicombination vehicle and method are provided for transporting a payload, such as a mined metal ore, over the roadways existing in an underground mine. The multicombination vehicle includes a powered towing unit, which may comprise a rigid body truck, and at least one towed unit mechanically coupled to the rigid body truck. The vehicle may also include a plurality of the towed units, with a forward most one of the units coupled to the rigid body truck and each adjacent pair of the towed units being coupled to one another. Each of the units includes a chassis, a plurality of wheeled axles connected to the chassis for supporting the respective unit as the vehicle travels over the roadways of the mine, and a draw frame attached to and extending rearwardly from the corresponding chassis, with a coupling attached to a rear end of the draw frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving an object, such as a wheelchair, between an upper position and a lower position. The upper position is typically adjacent to the floor surface of a vehicle while the lower position is typically at ground level. The apparatus preferably includes a platform including at least three pivotally connected sections. The sections are selectively moveable between an unfolded orientation in which the sections are substantially co-planar and a folded orientation in which the sections form a compact configuration. The apparatus also preferably includes a folding assembly for selectively moving the sections of the platform between the folded orientation and the unfolded orientation, a deployment assembly for selectively deploying and stowing the platform and a lift assembly for selectively moving the platform vertically between the upper position and the lower position.

Abstract: The device of manual transporting large objects or loads, which includes a wheeled, load supporting frame vertically adjustable, facilitates the manual load, unload, and transport of large objects or loads, such as pickup truck toppers or shells, sheet material, pipes, other building supplies, appliances, etc. Frame height adjustment to the level of on or off load is by means of telescoping legs, supported on lockable wheels or castors, or in combination with hand winches mounted on the legs. Rollers may be attached to the top of the frame for ease in sliding objects or loads on or off. In an alternate embodiment for elongated objects or loads, such as pipes, beams, rails, etc., a beam and additional supports are added to the frame. The device is positioned over the load. The load, such as a pipe, is attached to each end of the beam by chains and transported to an interim workstation or its final disposition.

Abstract: A system for the automatic loading and/or unloading of products comprises a store (13, 19) with shelves inclined and provided with a mobile transversal blocking means (9, 12), and at least one traveling lift (3) provided with mobile bearing tops (4), also inclined and provided with at least one mobile transversal blocking means (9, 12). Said inclined shelves and bearing tops (4) are provided with transversal, parallel, idle and inclined rollers (5) whereon a product or a product container (1) can slide by gravity when the blocking means is lowered.

Abstract: A device and method for lifting an aircraft wheel assembly. The device comprises first and second wheel-engaging supports connectable to a bearing structure and rotatable relative to one another between open and wheel-cradling configurations, the device further comprising an actuator connected to the bearing structure to enable raising or lowering of the supports relative to the ground when in the wheel-cradling configuration.

Abstract: The system includes a medication-receiving assembly which collects medications automatically dispensed from storage assemblies therefor and a transport assembly for moving the collected medications to a loading assembly, wherein the loading assembly is arranged and positioned so that the medications move by gravity action from an upper end thereof, past a pair of opposing, angled deflectors which are individually controllable and which guide the medications into selected portions of a medication bin in a medication cart, which accommodates medications for a large number of patients, such as all the patients on a hospital ward. Supplemental medications not present in the storage assemblies can be provided with a hand-loaded supplemental doses assembly. The medication cart may then be moved directly to the ward and the bedside of the individual patients in turn.