Abstract: The invention relates to a pipe handling apparatus that delivers and positions tubulars at a wellhead and a device for assisting pivotal movement of a boom relative to a base of the apparatus. A pneumatic spring assembly is pivotally connected between the boom and base. During operation, the pneumatic spring assembly urges the boom from a first position to a second position and resists movement of the boom from the second position to the first position. A pneumatic reservoir may be attached to the pipe handling apparatus. A gas-charging assembly fluidically connects the pneumatic spring assembly and pneumatic reservoir and allows the pneumatic reservoir to vary the pneumatic pressure within the pneumatic spring assembly. Sensors mounted in the pipe handling apparatus may provide feedback to a controller which may automatically adjust the amount of pneumatic pressure within the pneumatic springs for ideal performance of the springs.

Abstract: A device for palletizing a plurality of articles and for stabilizing selected ones of the plurality of articles is provided. The device includes at least one load stabilizer and at least one stabilizer applier. The at least one load stabilizer includes a stabilizer sheet and an adhesive layer coupled with the stabilizer sheet. The at least one stabilizer applier receives the at least one load stabilizer and applies the adhesive layer to a select potential shift point of a palletized load.

Abstract: A system, equipment; and processes for extending the scope of automation in port container facilities, and thereby increasing port capacity within fixed land resources, increasing operational productivity, increasing safety, increasing the velocity and reliability of goods movement, increasing freight security, reducing negative environmental impacts, and reducing the overall cost of goods movement. A storage area is accessed by automated guided vehicles which receive and unload containerized loads. On the waterside, loads are exchanged between the vehicles and ships using quay cranes. On the ground transportation side, loads are exchanged between the vehicles and truck or rail carriers using semi automated or automated remote-controlled bridge cranes. Within the storage area, loads are exchanged between the vehicles and the storage facilities using automated stacking cranes. The vehicles are adapted to receive a cassette storage platform which in turn receives standard ISO containers.

Abstract: A seed cart includes first and second mating frames. The hopper is mounted on the first frame for holding seed and has an outlet to discharge the seed. A conveyor is mounted on the second frame for movement between seed loading and unloading positions. A plurality of cylinders with extendible and retractable arms control the desired position of the conveyor. A plurality of load cells are mounted on the second frame and support the first frame. The weigh scales weigh the first frame, the hopper, and the seed in the hopper, without weighing the conveyor. Therefore, an accurate amount of seed can be dispensed from the hopper via the conveyor. Wheels and a hitch tongue can be detachably mounted on the second frame to convert the cart from a stationary unit to a mobile unit.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a platform positioned on the pallet, the platform having a load bearing surface including a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is movable relative to the first, such that the second portion overlies the first portion. A method of unloading articles from a pallet including arranging the loaded pallet with the second portion of the platform in the second position, unloading articles from the first portion of the platform, shifting the second portion of the platform to the second position, and unloading articles from the second portion of the platform. A method of loading articles on a pallet, including arranging the pallet with the second portion of the platform in the second position, loading articles onto the second portion of the platform, shifting the second portion of the platform to the first position, and loading articles onto the first portion of the platform.

Abstract: A power lift and transfer system and method are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the power lift and transfer system and method may be realized as a power lift and transfer system. The power lift and transfer system may move, stow, and carry a mobility device for a user with a disability, and then assist the person with the disability to transfer in and out of a vehicle. The power lift and transfer system may further transport the wheeled or other mobility device from a position in a rear or on top of the vehicle to passenger or driver areas of the vehicle, and then assist the user by means of a conveyor belt to transfer laterally into the automobile seat.

Abstract: A tubular pipe handling apparatus consisting of a chassis, an inclined plane, a tray with an extension and side racks, that comprises: a tube lifting tray with detachable rotatable extension on its end, to reach the wellhead center, wherein said tray is actuated from its rear portion and pushed to be transferred when supported by the inclined plane; at least a pair of racks on one side of the apparatus have a hinge system with pin block on the hinge or self-lock to perfectly align and lock at 90 degrees, being the assembly bolted to the main body of the chassis; a rack lifting means that inclines the rack and also transfers tubes from and outwardly from the rack independently to storage racks or pipe baskets; an inclined plane, which total length is adjustable by means of extensions to accommodate the required operation height of the substructure, with extensions that are assembled with each other with threaded fasteners and having a centering pin; and four support and lifting legs included in the chassis tha

Abstract: The present invention relates to a feeding assistant robot, which assists in feeding patients or the elderly and infirm who have difficulty in moving their arms and thus have difficulty in feeding themselves. The feeding assistant robot includes: a picking arm including a gripper for picking up food placed on a tray; a feeding arm, including a spoon on which the food picked up by the picking arm is placed, for moving the spoon to the mouth of a user; an input device enabling the user to direct the movements of the picking arm and of the feeding arm; and a control unit electrically connected to the picking arm, the feeding arm, and the manipulation part to control the movements of the picking arm and the feeding arm according to the commands from the input device.

Abstract: A tubular handling apparatus has a main rotating structural member pivotally movable between a first position and a second position, an arm interconnected to the main rotating structural member, and a gripper mechanism affixed to an end of the arm opposite the main rotating structural member. The gripper mechanism has a stab frame, a first gripper translatably attached to a side of the stab frame, and a second gripper translatably attached to the side of the stab frame below the first gripper. A connection bar is connected to the first and second grippers so as to translate the grippers for a substantially identical distance. A translating mechanism translates the grippers along the side of the stab frame.

Abstract: A glass bottle array lifting and transferring apparatus is operable to vertically lift a two-dimensional arrayed layer of bottles, and in particular glass bottles, and transfer the lifted arrayed layer of bottles horizontally from a stack of bottles. More specifically, the present invention pertains to an apparatus having pluralities of pairs of rails that are operable to lift a top, two-dimensional arrayed layer of glass bottles from the top of a stack of bottles on a pallet, then transfer the lifted bottles horizontally to a position over an accumulator table and then lower the bottles onto the surface of the accumulator table.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for separating and stacking slices of food, in particular slices of cheese (2). In said method, a plurality of slices of food (2) is continuously conveyed by a feeding belt conveyor (3) such that the slices of food adjoin each other in rows. A rotating transfer roll (5) picks up the slices of food (2) from the feeding belt conveyor (3) and places same on top of each other in a stacking zone (4), the transfer roll (5) jointly accommodating a row of slices of food by means of a corresponding plurality of holding units (6). During rotation of the transfer roll, the individual slices of food (2) are separated from each other as a result of a relative movement of the holding units in the axial direction, and the separated individual slices (2) detach from the holding units (6) and are stacked on top of each other in the stacking zone (4).

Abstract: A non-stop rack device for temporary receipt of the flat elements in the form of sheets in a converting machine, the device comprising a plurality of parallel bars which are integral with a mobile support which can be displaced between a receipt position, in which the bars can support temporarily the flat elements which are being stacked, and a released position, in which the said bars are placed spaced from any stack of flat elements. Each non-stop bar is mounted so as to be mobile in transverse displacement relative to the mobile support, and the non-stop rack device also comprises a blocking arrangement, which can block the transverse mobility of each non-stop bar.

Abstract: A depalletizing system is disclosed which enables fully automatic depalletizing. Furthermore, a removal unit with at least one ‘knife edge’ is disclosed. The latter may have an all-around belt which wraps around a drive pinion and a deflection.

Abstract: A non-crane system for moving a pre-fabricated enclosure is disclosed. The system comprises a sliding beam system and a system of coordinated self-contained hydraulic jack units, which in conjunction allow a pre-fabricated enclosure to be slid horizontally off a semi-trailer, positioned above a pre-laid foundation, and lowered to the foundation. Slide beams are arranged perpendicularly to the semi-trailer and supported by blocks at the height of the pre-fabricated enclosure. A cable attachment plate located on each slide beam connects to the pre-fabricated enclosure and is connected by a cable to winches placed at the end of each slide beam. The rotation of the winches pulls the pre-fabricated enclosure off the semi-trailer and onto the sliding beam system. The system of coordinated self-contained hydraulic jack units, which comprises multiple portable self-contained hydraulic jack units, then lowers the pre-fabricated enclosure to the foundation.

Abstract: A cartridge of tubulars may be removably positioned with a carriage, and the carriage may move the cartridge transversely, vertically, and/or rotationally to roll tubulars on an adjacent tubular receiving member using only gravity from a selected tier of tubulars without human contact. A single trolley disposed with the tubular receiving member both pushes and pulls tubulars toward or away from the drilling deck.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new apparatus and method for use in subterranean exploration. The present invention provides a rapid rig-up and rig-down of a drill floor mounted device such as a pipe racking system. In particular, the present invention discloses a system and method for rapid deployment of a drill floor mounted pipe racking system that is capable of being retrofit to an existing drilling rig.

Abstract: A drive system for a catwalk skate that uses a hydraulic skate-cable drive system. The system includes two counteracting hydraulic cylinders, each with a sheave connected to the cylinder rods, and a cable that winds around each of the sheaves and connects to both ends of the skate.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling food products comprises an alignment trough disposed at an incline for holding a stack of the food products at an incline. The alignment trough defines a portion of a passage upon which the food products travel. The stack defines a bottom food product. At least one movable member extends into the passage to control the separation of the bottom food product from the remainder of the stack by moving to provide clearance fro the food product to pass.

Abstract: An apparatus including a platform and extendable structures engages with a wind turbine tower to provide means for detaching and lowering a wind turbine element, such as a blade, hub, generator, gear, transformer or the like. The same means may be used in reverse to raise a wind turbine element back up for installation. The platform may rotate so as to position the lowered element and itself for connection to a truck as a towable set for transport.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for moving loose-piece articles positioned on a slipsheet. A vacuum head is moved into proximity with the loose-piece articles positioned on a slipsheet. A vacuum is created which causes the slipsheet, and the loose-piece articles positioned thereon, to be drawn toward a surface of the vacuum head and maintained in such position as the vacuum head transports the slipsheet and the loose-piece articles positioned thereon.