Abstract: The present invention is directed to a storage system (10) including at least two tape libraries (11) and a transport mechanism (22) for transferring cartridges (20) between the tape libraries (11). The transport mechanism (22) includes a frame (64), a transporter (68) and a mover (66). The transporter (68) is sized and shaped to retain the cartridge (20). The mover (66) moves the transporter (68) along the frame (64). Additionally, the mover (66) pivots at least a portion of the transporter (68) between a first, almost horizontal, load/unload position (70A), a transport position (72) and a second, almost horizontal load/unload position (70B) during movement between the tape libraries (11). Further, the transport mechanism (22) includes a latch (140) that selectively retains the cartridge (20) in the transporter (68) during movement between the tape libraries (11).

Abstract: A transporter for use in transporting a harvesting machine having a laterally movable tongue is disclosed wherein the transporter has transversely extending loading ramps pivotally connected to the main frame of the transporter to permit the harvester to be elevated from the ground onto the transporter. The force of the loading tractor, acting through the wheels of the implement, causes each ramp to move to the transport position. As the wheels of the implement reach a platform, separate from the ramp, and engage a cross bar on each ramp, they exert a generally horizontal force on the cross bar that causes the ramp to pivot upwardly to the transport position.

Abstract: Enhanced inserts are formed having a cylindrical grip and a protrusion extending from the grip. An ultra hard material layer is bonded on top of the protrusion. The inserts are mounted on a rock bit and contact the earth formations off center. The ultra hard material layer is thickest at a critical zone which encompasses a major portion of the region of contact between the insert and the earth formation. Transition layers may also be formed between the ultra hard material layer and the protrusion so as to reduce stresses formed on the interface between the ultra hard material and the protrusion.

Abstract: A mobile crane apparatus for lifting and moving heavy objects as desired by the user. The mobile crane apparatus includes a base frame being adapted to securely mount to a hitch receiver mounted on a vehicle; and also includes a bearing member being mounted upon the base member; and further includes a crane base support member being mounted to the bearing member and being rotatably and lockingly mounted the base member; and also includes a lift and carry member securely mounted upon the crane base support member; and further includes base stabilizing members adjustably mounted to the base member.

Abstract: A loading and compacting method and device for the trash container of a trash-collecting vehicle and a working method for such, wherein the trash container has a rear fill opening. The loading and compacting device has a loading bin coupled to the trash container on the back and a press plate, which is mounted on its upper end on an axis transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle that can swivel in the back part in a swivel bearing, which can move parallel to the plane of the fill opening, plus a cleaning plate which is also mounted on an axis transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and can swivel on the free end of the press plate, and a first force element to swivel the press plate. The goal is to provide a loading and compacting device with a large load volume, a high compacting capacity, optimal loading and the least possible stress on the trash container structure.

Abstract: A device in which a lifting hopper (82) traverses up along inclined rails (16L) and (16R) and dumps a load into a receptacle of some nature. The lifting hopper (82) will accept a variety of material and debris laden carts, tilt trucks, and wheel barrows. No modifications or special attachments are needed to use the various carts, tilt trucks, and wheel barrows. The loaded cart, tilt truck or wheel barrow positions in the lifting hopper and secures in place. The lifting hopper (82) traverses up along incline rails (16L) and (16R), rotates and dumps, then returns to the original position ready for another cycle. Material or debris may load directly into the lifting hopper (82) without the use of a cart, tilt truck, or wheel barrow when wheel (58) extends the dumping device can reposition around the material or debris receptacle, or loaded onto a truck or trailer and transported to a different site.

Abstract: A roadway transportable concrete batching plant including a mobile supporting base unit, a mobile, self-erecting, batching tower unit and a mobile mixer unit, and further including an outrigger supporting system providing lateral support during onsite installation and operation of each of the cooperating batching plant units.

Abstract: An apparatus is set forth for providing access to individual workpiece positions in a microelectronic workpiece cassette. The assembly comprises a workpiece cassette inventory assembly having a plurality of cassette inventory cassette supports, which are selectively aligned with the staging cassette supports of a workpiece staging assembly. This allows a plurality of cassettes to be separately indexed, thereby enabling the workpiece staging assembly to access multiple cassettes and process a larger number of microelectronic workpieces between loading/unloading cycles that require user activity.

Abstract: A magnetic drive system for moving a substrate transfer shuttle along a linear path between chambers in a semiconductor fabrication apparatus. A rack with rack magnets is secured to the shuttle, and a rotatable pinion with pinion magnets is positioned adjacent the rack so that the pinion magnets can magnetically engage the rack magnets. Thus, rotation of the pinion will cause the shuttle to move along the linear path. The magnets may be oriented with a helix angle between their primary axis and the axis of rotation of the pinion. One rack and one pinion are located on each side of the shuttle. A set of lower guide rollers supports the shuttle, and a set of upper guide rollers prevents the shuttle from lifting off the lower guide rollers.

Abstract: A device (10) for slitting sacks through the use of rotating blades or disks (12) comprises a housing (14) which accommodates at least one mechanically drivable shaft (16) on which blades or disks are mounted. The housing (14) has an inlet opening (18), through which the filled sacks are fed mechanically or under the action of gravity, and an outlet opening (20), through which the slit sacks and the material released from the sacks can be carried away under the action of gravity. Furthermore, a movable restraining apparatus (24) is driven by a drive assembly from a first position in which the restraining apparatus is in a covered state and prevents sacks from reaching the at least one cutting member to a second position in which the restaining apparatus is in a released state and allows sacks to reach the at least one cutting member.

Abstract: A truck mounted apparatus for loading and unloading cargo onto and from the truck includes a support frame, a lever arm pivotally connected to the support frame activated by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, and a cargo carrier. The cargo carrier rests on the support frame when loaded and may be lowered to the ground by the pivoting motion of the lever arm.

Abstract: A livestock unloading system for unloading livestock from a storage unit of a transport vehicle to a processing plant or storage facility. The unloading system includes a conveyor system whereby livestock ride from the storage unit to their destination. The conveying system includes a telescoping end that extends into and retracts from a coop during the unloading process. A system of hydraulics controls the speed of the conveyor, aids in the leveling of the machine, adjusts both the angle and tier of unloading, and levels and controls the telescoping end of the apparatus.

Abstract: A fluid power load-clamping system includes at least one fluid valve for variably regulating the maximum fluid pressure causing closure of the clamp. Preferably the valve increases the maximum fluid pressure automatically in relation to the measured magnitude of the weight of the load to regulate the load-gripping force. A controller causes the valve to permit a relatively high maximum fluid pressure as the clamp closes toward the load to enable high initial clamp closure speed. Thereafter the valve automatically reduces the maximum pressure as the clamping surfaces close into a predetermined relationship with the load, and then increases the maximum pressure to regulate the gripping force. Other preferable features include continuous weight-responsive automatic regulation of the gripping pressure while the load is supported by the clamp, and compensation of the weight measurement for the longitudinally-extensible position of the lifting mechanism, to maximize the accuracy of the load-weight measurement.

Abstract: A substrate handling robot includes an arm drive mechanism. A first arm is connected to the arm drive mechanism. A multiple substrate batch loader is connected to the first arm. A second arm is also connected to the arm drive mechanism. A single plane end effector is connected to the second arm. The multiple substrate batch loader produces a vacuum signal indicative of how many substrates are held by the multiple substrate batch loader. A vacuum signal interpreter alters the movement of the first arm in response to the substrate load number. An object sensor is connected to the second arm. The object sensor assesses the number of substrates in a cassette adjacent to the multiple substrate batch loader. A substrate loading sequence controller controls the first arm and the second arm in response to the number of substrates in the cassette, such that the second arm removes substrates from the cassette in such a manner as to facilitate complete loading of the multiple substrate batch loader.

Abstract: An aircraft towbar apparatus comprises a pair of tubular members having proximal ends coupled to a hitch assembly for attachment to a towing vehicle. Each tubular member includes a gripping member at a distal end for gripping an aircraft wheel assembly. The apparatus includes a wheel assembly intermediate proximal and distal ends which serves as a fulcrum for vertical positioning of the gripping members relative to an aircraft wheel assembly. A support handle extends from the distal end of one tubular member to enable a user to vertically position the gripping members. A scissor jack is connected to the tubular members and extends therebetween at a position spaced from the distal ends. An elongate handle bar is coupled to the scissor jack and extends to a crank handle adjacent the hitch assembly such that a user may rotatably actuate the scissor jack to vary the spacing between the tubular members.

Abstract: A facility for order-processing of products, particularly for order-processing of foodstuffs in rectangular packaging, is provided. The facility includes a goods entrance for transport pallets loaded with identical goods and a goods exit for transport containers with the goods that have been assembled into orders. The facility furthermore has a storage area downstream of the goods entrance with racks for storing the pallets and an order-processing area where individual goods are removed and combined for the transport containers. In order to create a facility for order-processing of products in which high turn-around rates can be achieved with low requirements for space, the path of the flow of goods between goods entrance and goods exit follows an inbound segment and an outbound segment parallel thereto in a “U” shape. The free ends of the inbound and outbound segments make up the goods entrance and exit.

Abstract: A livestock loading/unloading system for transporting livestock from/to a confinement area to/from a transport vehicle to allow transport from farm-to-farm, from farm-to-processing plant or from processing plant-to-farm. The livestock loading/unloading system includes a mobile conveying apparatus whereby the livestock ride a conveyor from/to the confinement area to/from a transport vehicle. Such a transport vehicle may be specially adapted for use in conjunction with the conveying apparatus, or may be of the conventional livestock transporting type. The conveying apparatus includes a telescoping end that extends into and retracts from the coops of the transport vehicle. A system of hydraulics controls the speed of the conveyor, aids in the transverse leveling of the machine, adjusts both the angle and tier of loading, and levels and controls the telescoping end of the conveyor.

Abstract: A combination tilting bed carrier and attached wheel-lift apparatus mounted on a chassis of a towing vehicle. The bed carrier includes a first pivot connected to the chassis and a first motive element extending between the chassis and the bed carrier for actuating tilting of the bed carrier about the first pivot. A wheel-lift is positioned below the bed carrier and includes a second pivot for pivotally connecting the wheel-lift to the chassis, with the first pivot and the second pivot concentrically, or substantially concentrically, aligned with each other. A second motive element extends between the wheel-lift and the bed carrier for actuating tilting of the wheel-lift about the second pivot. The second pivot may include a third motive element which may adjust the second pivot point, and which in conjunction with the second motive element, allows the wheel-lift to conform with either a positive or negative ground surface.

Abstract: A material handling and transport system and process for moving a substrate carrier between storage and processing destinations are provided. The system includes a vehicle that runs on a support structure, such as a pathway or a track assembly supported on the floor, which may be in a pressurized tunnel. A carrier nest on the vehicle receives and supports the carrier. A lifting mechanism on the vehicle vertically raises and lowers the carrier nest. A load port support surface is disposed vertically above the support structure. The carrier is raised through an opening in the load port support surface. A load port nest on the load port support surface receives and supports the carrier adjacent a selected destination. A carrier manipulation mechanism manipulates the carrier over the load port nest. The lifting mechanism then lowers the carrier onto the load port nest. The system is particularly suited for handling and transporting semiconductor wafer carriers.

Abstract: A golf ball retrieving apparatus (10) adapted to be pushed forward of a pushing vehicle (17). The apparatus (10) includes a plurality of golf ball collecting units (11-15) coupled to main frame assembly (16) and at least some of the golf ball collecting units (11-15) are able to swivel relative to the main frame assembly (16). Additionally, at least some of the golf ball collecting units (11-15) are able to move up and down relative to the main frame assembly (16).