Abstract: A forklift truck blade cover constructed of a resilient compressible material that encloses and pads the toe of the forward extending lift blade of an industrial type forklift truck is provided. The blade cover provides protection from damaging pallets, piercing barrels, piercing trailer walls and creating sparks. The blade cover can be sized according to the type or brand of forklift truck being used and can be mounted on existing lift blades without modification. If the operator desires to secure the cover to the blade all that is required is drilling one or two holes in the blade for mounting bolts. The blade cover can be sized so as to prevent entry into certain types of openings in pallets, etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the protection of a load receiving plane, such as the platform of a handling pallet, as well as to a device for implementing the process. It will find an application most especially with the constructors of automatic handling equipment, such as automated palletizing installations.The surface of the receiving plane (7) is covered with successive deposits of modular protective sheets (8, 10, 11 and 12) which overlap one another in varying degrees.

Abstract: A cargo binding device includes a net member, a plurality of intermediate cargo strap members, and a plurality of strap tensioners. The net member is formed of a plurality of longitudinally and transversely extending and intersecting cargo straps whose intersection areas are secured each to the other. Each end portion of the individual longitudinally and transversely extending cargo straps of the net member is formed into a loop. Each strap tensioner includes a spring-loaded push plate member. The push plate member is provided with a plurality of teeth for grippingly engaging an intermediate cargo strap members.

Abstract: The apparatus for feeding packaging machines with stacks of sheet material has a unit for the removal and transfer of stacks of sheet material which are arranged mutually side by side on supports and are individually wrapped by respective bands. The removal and transfer unit has a head which is vertically and horizontally movable and has grip elements for removing individual stacks from the supports and for transferring them to a feeding station of the packaging machine. A station for cutting the band is arranged ahead of the feeding station.

Abstract: A cargo docking device according to this device has a frame body with at least two rows in breadth, two rows in depth, and two stages in height, and multiple entrance sections arranged in the full length in the front side of the frame body. The device comprises a transfer frame arranged in the frame body and movable sideways, a first forklift hung via a wire from the frame body in a manner allowing free movement thereof in the vertical direction, having a pair of right and left forks and located above the transfer frame at a position on the upper stage, a second forklift having a pair of right and left forks hung via a wire from the aforesaid transfer frame in a manner allowing free movement thereof in the vertical direction, self-propelled trucks arranged on each of the entrance sections respectively and being capable of going into each longitudinal row. The first forklift is provided within each of multiple spaces formed by the lateral rows and longitudinal rows respectively.

Abstract: A remote release mechanism is disclosed which permits restraints such as flat straps placed around a load and placed in tension by a winch to be released by an operator positioned on the same side of the transportation structure as the winch. Thus, the present invention permits the hook end of a load restraint to be released from the winch side of the transportation structure, thereby eliminating the need to perform separate operations on either side of the restraint mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides apparatus comprising a hook bar connected to a rotatable drum which is held from rotation in one direction by a ratchet and pawl. Upon release by the application of force to a remote release rod, the hook bar is released and permitted to rotate, thereby causing the hook which connects the restraint to the hook bar to fall away, releasing the restraint. Methods of remotely releasing a load restraint are also disclosed.

Abstract: A latch for securing a ladder to a ladder rack mounted on a vehicle having a cross brace is formed by a latch body rigidly secured in depending relation to the cross brace. A sleeve pivotally mounted in the ladder latch body slidably receives the rod shaft portion of a J-shaped hook gripping a rung of the ladder when in a first position and releasing the ladder rung when pivoted to a second position. A lever and handle, pivotally supported by the latch body is pivotally connected with the rod shaft of the hook for manually positioning the hook in its first and second positions. The latch body receives the shackle of a lock for preventing unauthorized manual movement of the handle and releasing the rung of a ladder mounted on the rack.

Abstract: An expandable void filler which includes a plurality of expandable hollow, elongated, box-like tubes which can be stacked one on the other and joined together along their common surfaces. Separate interface panels can be sandwiched between the individual tubular members to provide additional lateral compressive strength. The individual tubes are held in the expanded position by individual folding panels which extend inwardly across the interior opening within and have sufficient size to wedge against the opposite sidewall as well as the top and bottom of the structure. These panels alternate from one side of the tube to the other and are staggered so as to not be vertically aligned between the stacked tubular members. A flange member can be attached to the uppermost tube to support the void filler in proper position between the cargo loaded within a transporting vehicle.

Abstract: A three-dimensional manufacturing and assembly plant for installing assembly lines three-dimensionally. The plant comprises a three-dimensional high-rise rack having a plurality of shelves multilayeredly arranged for storing articles and a plurality of multilayered assembly units and provided at least on one side of the three-dimensional rack for supporting assembly lines. The assembly unit includes a plurality of frame members arranged lengthwise and crosswise and a floor detachably placed on the frame members. The floor comprises a plurality of panel members made of transparent and ventilative material. Further, the plant comprises a three-dimensional high-rise rack and having a plurality of shelves multilayeredly arranged for storing articles and an assembly line supporting structure provided at least on one side of the three-dimensional rack for supporting assembly lines.

Abstract: A process for supporting a railway track installation is proposed, in which vehicle tires, preferably used tires, completely filled with ballast, are embedded under each tire in a ballast layer, forming the lateral embankment with their outer sections. These embedded vehicle tires form a hold for the ballast layer in the embankment area, so that lateral yielding of the corresponding ballast is prevented in this area, to a great extent. In addition, such a process offers the possibility of using the extremely large number of used tires which come from road vehicles.

Abstract: A remote release mechanism is disclosed which permits restraints such as flat straps placed around a load and placed in tension by a winch to be released by an operator positioned on the same side of the transportation structure as the winch. Thus, the present invention permits the hook end of a load restraint to be released from the winch side of the transportation structure, thereby eliminating the need to perform separate operations on either side of the restraint mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides apparatus comprising a hook bar connected to a rotatable drum which is held from rotation in one direction by a ratchet and pawl. Upon release by the application of force to a remote release rod, the hookbar is released and permitted to rotate, thereby causing the hook which connects the restraint to the hook bar to fall away, releasing the restraint. Methods of remotely releasing a load restraint are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is (i) a method for reinforcing pallet board loads having internal ventilation channels and (ii) a pallet board brace useful in such method. The method comprises:(a) stacking each tier of the pallet board load in a preselected configuration such that the sides of the boxes on each tier form at least two open channels in fluid communication with one another, wherein at least one end of each channel is open to the exterior of the tier and wherein each channel is at least one inch wide; and(b) bracing the boxes to prevent them from shifting laterally into the open channels by interposing spacing elements between the boxes on opposites sides of the channels, the spacing elements being disposed in fixed relationship to one another by a suitable rigid structure.

Abstract: A railroad tie 10 is described. The tie includes elongated side surfaces 23 with a plurality of ballast locking indentations 34 formed therein. The indentations converge from open upward ends 35 to reduced bottom ends 36. The configuration of the locking indentations at the bottom ends is such that the indentations will receive the maximum aggregate size within the ballast. The tie body, provided with the indentations, and relationship of the sides 23 to the indentations 34 is such that maximum resistance is offered by the tie to longitudinal movement of the tie in the ballast with respect to the tie length dimension.

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading blanks of paper, cardboard, plastic, etc. that are stacked as blocks on a pallet and that are subsequently supplied as blocks of blanks for further processing or temporary storage includes a slightly pivotable insertion tool as well as structural elements for moving those stacks or blocks of blanks, relative to their support, that are disposed on the pallet at the edge thereof. The individual blocks of blanks are successively lifted from their support via an insertion tool, with a pressure foot preventing an undesired shifting and a holding foot securing the position of the respective block of blanks on the insertion tool.

Abstract: An excavator comprising a movable body, a boom mounted on the movable body, first hydraulic cylinders, an outer arm pivotally mounted on the boom, a second hydraulic cylinder mounted on a rear surface of the boom, an inner arm inserted into the outer arm and movable telescopically relative to the outer arm, a bucket connected to one end of the inner arm, a bucket connected to the tip end of the inner arm, a bucket cylinder provided between the bucket and a guide mechanism, the guide mechanism being slidably mounted on guide plates fixed to the outer arm, a third hydraulic cylinder connected to a base end of the outer arm and having a rod connected to a central portion of the inner arm for moving the inner arm relative to the outer arm, and a synchronizing device for moving the base end of the outer arm for a length corresponding to the distance the inner arm moves relative to the outer arm. A hook mechanism can be mounted at a front portion of the inner arm.

Abstract: A quick attaching mechanism adapted to automatically fasten an implement to a boom assembly of a front-end loader. The quick attaching mechanism is designed to accommodate a broad range of lateral spacing between lift arms of the boom assembly and mounting structures on the implement to be attached thereto. The quick attaching mechanism includes a pair of male coupling structures carried at a forward end of the boom assembly and which are releasably fastened to female coupling structures on the implement. Each male coupling structure includes a fastening pin which is automatically operated to releasably fasten the implement to the boom assembly.

Abstract: An improved bulkhead assembly intended for use in connection with the transportation of materials on a flat rack container, and an improved material transport system employing such bulkhead assembly is shown. The improved material transport system is of the type which includes a flat rack container having at least one open ended rail mounted on the flat rack which includes at least a pair of opposed flat bars mounted in spaced apart relation extending along the length of the rack container. The improved bulkhead assembly is formed by a base including an upper plate which rides along the upper support surface of the rail, and a lower locking plate adapted for riding along the lower surface of the rail. Devices are interposed between the upper plate and the lower locking plate for lockingly engaging the base onto the rail at any fixed position along the length thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) is provided for transferring articles (40--40) from a pickup position to a pickoff position and then to a dropoff position. The apparatus includes a pair of pickup arms (60--60) which are spaced apart to engage lugs (42--42) oppositely extending from an article to be transferred. As the transfer arms are caused to be moved rotatably, the article is transferred to the pickoff position whereat the lugs are adjacent to stepped end portions (88--88) of a pair of pickoff arms (80--80). Further movement of the transfer arms causes the article to engage surfaces (92--92) of the stepped free ends of the pickoff arms and to be supported by engagement of the lugs with surfaces (94--94) of the stepped end portions of the pickoff arms. Afterwards, the pickoff arms are turned to allow the article to descend until, at a predetermined position, the lugs of the article become engaged with a conveyor (100) and become disengaged from the pickoff arms.

Abstract: An apparatus for single-handed operation in skidding logs, stumps, poles and the like. An A-frame with rearwardly-extending beam is attached to the three-point hitch of a tractor. A fluid-operated grapple, which will inherently adjust to various shapes and sizes of objects, is suspended from the rearward end of the beam. A chain, having a small amount of slack, is connected by its ends to the grapple tongs, and is rove around sleeved bolts near the draft arm attachment points. When the object to be skidded is grappled and lifted, the operator moves the tractor in the desired direction, and the chain immediately takes the towing load.

Abstract: Wall constituent members of a curtain wall are conveniently mounted to a building body by making use of vertical guide sections formed on the respective wall constituent members. A wall constituent member having a vertical guide section formed thereon continuously in the vertical direction, is mounted to a lower portion of the building body. A guide jig that is movable along the vertical guide section of the already mounted wall constituent member is detachably connected to upper and lower portions of a new wall constituent member to be additionally mounted. The new wall constituent member is moved up to a predetermined position while raising the guide jig along the vertical guide section of the already mounted wall constituent member. Then, after the new wall constituent member has been mounted to the building body, the guide jig is lowered along the vertical guide sections of the new wall constituent member and the already mounted wall constituent members.