Abstract: A temporary storage system includes a travel rail having first rails and second rails, the first rails and the second rails being disposed in a grid pattern on a same plane and disposed to surround a transfer port for receiving an article in a two-dimensional view; a vehicle having a travel part and a transfer part including an elevator; and storages each configured to store the article, in which the travel rail is disposed such that the vehicle is accessible to a stop position where the transfer part is disposed immediately above the transfer port from a side with the storage for the transfer port and the vehicle is accessible to another stop position where the transfer part is disposed immediately above the storage.

Abstract: Features for loading, transporting and unloading of items are disclosed. Systems, devices and methods for such operations using a tray are described. In some embodiments, a tray having a moveable bottom allows for switching between a configuration for loading and unloading items in and out of the tray and a configuration for transportation of items inside the tray. The trays may also be stacked, for transportation of multiple trays at once, and nested, for saving space when storing the trays. In some embodiments, the trays may be used in conjunction with loading and unloading systems.

Abstract: In combination, a storage unit storable within a three-dimensional storage system and a storage/retrieval vehicle navigable through the three-dimensional storage system to storage locations therein at which the storage unit is selectively storable and retrievable. The storage/retrieval vehicle comprises a frame conveyable through the three-dimensional storage system, a platform atop the frame for receipt of the storage unit on the platform, and a loading/unloading mechanism operable to load and unload the storage unit to and from the platform at four different sides thereof. The storage unit and the storage/retrieval vehicle are configured to enable unloading of the storage unit from the platform in any one of four different directions at four different respective sides of the vehicle regardless of an original orientation in which the storage unit was previously loaded onto the platform and without reorienting the storage unit from the original orientation.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method for quickly and easily nesting and un-nesting bulk seed boxed. A first lower box is engaged with forks extending from a forklift truck, and the stacked boxes are elevated to a target height. Next, the forklift truck is advanced forward until the stacked boxes are in position in a box inverter apparatus, wherein the stacked boxes are positioned between opposing box engaging surfaces of rotary clamp pads. The rotary clamp pads engage the stacked boxes at a clamping location below the center of mass of the second, upper box unit. The forks of the fork truck carrying the first, lower box unit are then lowered until the first lower box unit is separated from the second, upper box unit, thereby affecting rotation of the second, upper box unit and rotary clamp pads until the second, upper box unit rotates a full 180 degrees to an inverted position.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint system and a control system configured to manipulate an orientation of a vehicle restraint relative to a carriage that supports the restraint such that the hook is moveable between an engaged or extended position wherein the hook interferes with translation of vehicle relative to the vehicle restraint system and a disengaged or retracted position wherein the vehicle can be associated with or removed from interaction with the vehicle restraint system. The control system includes a single indicia whose output is manipulated such that a characteristic of the output of the indicia, rather that strictly operation thereof, indicates a secured or less than secured condition associated with operation of the restraint relative to a vehicle.

Abstract: Bins or other storage units contained within a three-dimensional grid structure are arranged in cells, each of which has multiple storage units surrounding a central void or space on different sides thereof. This void space is slightly larger than each storage unit, enabling the unit to be pulled into the void by mechanical means, and allowing access to the bins on all sides of the void. The storage units are stacked within the three-dimensional grid structure, which can be built or expanded to a predetermined footprint. The aligned voids of stacked cells create vertical shafts spanning between upper and lower tracks of the grid structure on which robotic retrieval vehicles can horizontally travel to and from any given shaft. The robotic retrieval vehicles can directly access any storage unit via the vertical shafts.

Abstract: It is common to store decayed radioactive waste in waste packages, lowered into vertical concrete cylindrical storage containers called tile holes. These containers of these packages decay over time and may become fragile, making it difficult to remove them using conventional methods. A retrieval tool has been developed, comprising a cylinder that fits between the tile hole internal diameter and the outside diameter of the waste package inside the tile hole. Inflatable air wedges are equally spaced inside the cylinder. The air wedges are inflated to a low pressure (2.1 psig) to provide uniform grip to the outside of the packages, minimizing the risk of damage to the decayed containers. A back-up system uses horizontal safety bars at the bottom of the cylinder, which may be rotated to form a partial platform under the waste package, preventing the package from falling in the event of a failure.

Abstract: An article storage and dispensing apparatus and method in which articles made by series production are distributed from an article supplier into a storage compartment of predetermined dimensions for storage of articles in front and rear rows of article storage positions. An article distributor in the storage compartment has a carriage, a carriage drive which is configured to drive the carriage in a reversible horizontal carriage drive direction across at least part of the width of the storage compartment, and an article support mounted on the carriage and configured to receive articles from the article supplier above the support when the carriage is in a start position. An article dispenser is associated with the article support to dispense articles selectively in opposite horizontal dispensing directions transverse to the carriage drive direction off the front and rear ends of the support to drop into front and rear article rows.

Abstract: A vehicle trailer with a pair of engagement arm assemblies, one engagement arm assembly on either lateral side of the vehicle trailer, the vehicle trailer having a draw assembly for engagement with a vehicle, a chassis associated with the draw assembly and mounted on at least a pair of wheels and having at least a pair of spaced apart side rails, each side rail mounting an engagement arm assembly, each engagement arm assembly including an elongate rigid arm mounting an elongate engagement key, a first length adjustable arm associated with the elongate engagement key and a second length adjustable arm associated with the elongate rigid arm such that the elongate rigid arm can be raised and lowered to load and unload an object relative to the trailer and the elongate engagement key can be pivoted to tip an object mounted relative to the trailer.

Abstract: An automatic case loader for loading product in a trailer is disclosed. A mobile base structure provides a support framework for a drive subassembly, conveyance subassembly, an industrial robot, a distance measurement sensor, and a control subassembly. Under the operation of the control subassembly, product advances through a powered transportation path to an industrial robot which places the product within the trailer. The control subassembly coordinates the selective articulated movement of the industrial robot and the activation of the drive subassembly based upon the distance measurement sensor detecting objects within a detection space, dimensions of the trailer provided to the control subassembly, and dimensions of the product provided to the control subassembly.

Abstract: A mounting mechanism for mounting an underride system on a structure, comprises a pair of clamping jaws, and a first bracket including a first edge for coupling the underride system thereto. The first bracket further includes a second edge for coupling the pair of clamping jaws thereto. Wherein, the first bracket and the pair of clamping jaws define a jaw opening therebetween configured to receive at least a portion of the structure for removably mounting the underride system on the structure using the mounting mechanism.

Abstract: This disclosure discloses various technologies for loading, transporting, and unloading of loads, such as reels, cylinders, containers, and others.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sorting items to a plurality of sort destinations. The items are fed into the apparatus at an input station having a scanning station. The scanning station evaluates one or more characteristics of each item. The items are then loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles are individually driven to sort destinations. Once at the appropriate sort destination, the delivery vehicle ejects the item to the sort destination and returns to receive another item to be delivered. A re-induction conveyor may be provided for receiving select items from the vehicles and conveying the items back to the input station for re-processing. Additionally, a controller is provided to control the movement of the vehicles based on a characteristic each item being delivered by each vehicle. The system may also include vehicles having an assembly for detecting items being loaded onto or discharged from the vehicles.

Abstract: A locking assembly for a ramp of a lift gate, the locking assembly including: an elongated adjustable locking arm pivotably disposed on a pivot point relative to the ramp, the locking arm including an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a length of the locking arm disposed on a proximal end for engaging a cam portion, where the length of the locking arm can be increased or decreased by adjusting the adjustment mechanism; and a resilient member for spring loading the locking arm, where a biasing tension in the resilient member urges the proximal end of the locking arm to pivotably engage with the cam portion to maintain the ramp in a selected position; and at least one fastener for coupling the locking assembly to a first surface of the ramp.

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: A device for the accurate and efficient handling of objects, in particular packages, comprises a pick up group consisting of at least one toothed carrier bar and adapted to rotate according to two limit positions; in one of said positions, the bar disengages the packages; a handling group is provided, such as a main comb, with the function of moving the packages by pushing them when the carrier bar is in the working position.

Abstract: A vehicle carrier mountable to a vehicle frame, and a method for using same, including a tiltable subframe pivotally attached to a rear end of the vehicle frame, and a slidable bed with a transverse hinge mounted on and slidably attached to the subframe. The subframe is tiltable, enabling a rear portion of the bed to lay generally horizontally flat along the ground, and thereby provide an essentially zero-degree loading angle for a vehicle to be transported, while the front portion of the bed remains slidably attached to the inclined subframe.

Abstract: A roller transport assembly includes a cart assembly and a roller carriage assembly. The roller carriage assembly is slidably mounted to the cart assembly and has at least one chamber for housing a roller. Each of the chambers includes a linear rail extending along a first axis and a roller coupling device attached to and slidable along the linear rail. The roller coupling device is operable to couple to the roller and move the roller along the first axis adjacent and parallel with the linear rail.

Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for processing reticle blanks. In one approach, a reticle processing system includes a support assembly having a plate coupled to a frame, and a carrier assembly coupled to the support assembly. In one approach, the carrier assembly includes a carrier base coupled to the plate, a reticle disposed over the carrier base, and a carrier shield disposed over the reticle, wherein the carrier shield may include a central opening formed therein, allowing for placement and extraction of the reticle. In one approach, when the carrier assembly is placed atop the support assembly, a plurality of pins extend from the plate through corresponding openings in the carrier base, the plurality of pins supporting the carrier assembly so the carrier base, the reticle, and the carrier shield are each independently supported and vertically separated from one another.

Abstract: Features for loading, transporting and unloading of items are disclosed. Systems, devices and methods for such operations using a tray are described. In some embodiments, a tray having a moveable bottom allows for switching between a configuration for loading and unloading items in and out of the tray and a configuration for transportation of items inside the tray. The trays may also be stacked, for transportation of multiple trays at once, and nested, for saving space when storing the trays. In some embodiments, the trays may be used in conjunction with loading and unloading systems.