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: Pick-up vehicle having an open cargo bed coupled to a passenger cab, side walls, a rear wall, and wheel wells located one of inside and outside of the cargo bed. The pick-up vehicle includes a swivel device adapted for loading and unloading the open cargo bed. The swivel device includes at least one swivel arm, at least one connecting bridge, and at least one movable connection piece. A swivel axis of the swivel device is located between the rear wall and the wheel wells. The at least one swivel arm includes swivel arms located on both sides of the cargo bed, and the at least one connecting bridge is positioned to couple the swivel arms to form a swivel yoke. The swivel device also includes two swivel axes located one behind the other in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A swivel arm is swivelably coupled around one of the two swivel axes, and the swivel arms are coupled together through the at least one movable connection piece, thereby forming a parallelogram-like swivel arm structure.

Abstract: A new and improved shopping cart collection vehicle, system, adapter, or device is disclosed for use in collecting, transporting, and storing various types of carts, carriers, or the like. The vehicle may additionally include hydraulic lifters, lights, a slip clutch, an extendable carrying arm, carrying boom, a carrying ram, secondary support rods, rear cart retrieval, holding pins, holding bumps, holding numbs, rollbars, a windshield, an operator weather cover, removable cover, doors, side windows, and back window, and/or the like. In another embodiment of the invention, a cart trailer includes a floor, side rails, loading ramp, holding pin, trailer hitch, and chain lock connector. An improved method of collecting shopping carts is disclosed wherein a shopping cart collection vehicle is used to pickup the shopping carts and return them to the store.

Abstract: An adapter device is placed on a movable plate of a base of an interface device to position a carrier pod at a preset height enabling a standard interfacing system with equipment machines to be used. A side wall of the adapter device comprises a guiding aperture enabling the carrier pod to pass to bring the first door and its lock into alignment with a front support plane of the side wall. A controller is provided to couple the first door with a second door and to unlock the first door when the side wall accosts against a front face of the interface device.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for reduced impact loading of impact sensitive materials, such as agricultural seed material, into a bin from above. The loading apparatus includes a door selectively movable between a lower position and an upper position. A guide mounts the door at the bin and provides a predetermined path between the lower and upper positions for the door. A drive is used to selectively vary the position of the door along the path in response to accumulation of material loaded from above. The door is first moved to the lower position for initial loading. A material dispenser having a discharge end is extended through an access opening in the bin at the door for initial loading of material therein. As material accumulates in the bin during loading, the discharge end is selectively raised in the access opening to maintain it within a predetermined distance range above such material.

Abstract: In order to achieve a higher compaction ratio with a wafer transfer apparatus for transferring wafers stacked in an interspaced manner in a first holding device, e.g.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint for a truck loading dock includes an actuator that rides up with a carriage to sense that a truck's ICC bar is within a predetermined region before fully extending a restraining member to engage the bar. The carriage and restraining member are raised and lowered by a drive unit, such as a cable extending from a winch. The winch may be attached directly to the carriage, or optionally remotely mounted to the dock. One end of the cable connects to a spring that compensates for incidental vertical movement of the ICC bar caused by the truck being loaded or unloaded. Large downward movement of the ICC bar is accommodated by a clutch associated with the winch. For large upward movement, the winch automatically restarts to pull the carriage up to meet the new height of the bar. An optional ICC bar deflector mounted at the base of the dock, along side the carriage, wedges underneath an exceptionally low ICC bar as the truck backs into the dock.

Abstract: The invention relates to a carrying device to be coupled to a forklift truck for picking up two containers placed one on top of another, which are provided near their corner points with coupling pieces. Coupling devices of the carrying device are arranged in pairs, wherein an insert part of a first coupling device can be inserted into a coupling piece present near the upper side of the lower container, and two insert parts disposed one above another of a second coupling device of the pair in question, which is capable of pivoting movement with respect to the frame of the carrying device, can be inserted into a coupling piece of the first container and into a coupling piece present on the bottom side of the upper container, respectively.

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 an automatic limit on the rate of lift of the load during weighing, 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: The invention is a bulk handing apparatus attachable to the flat bed of a truck having a flat bed tiltable on the frame of the truck rearward at an angle. The apparatus has a rectangular elongated frame having side frame members spaced from one another to receive seed containers with projecting ledges the bottom of the containers. The side frame members have inward flanges for engagement over the projecting ledges of seed containers to lock the containers between the side frames and is adapted to receive a plurality of seed containers between the side frame members..

Abstract: A tilt speed control apparatus for fork lift comprises a mast pivotally supported on a body frame. A fork is supported by the mast. The fork is lifted and lowered and is constructed to carry a load. A pump sends hydraulic oil to a tilt cylinder. A motor drives the pump. A lever is actuated to tilt the mast. A controller detects that the lever has been actuated. The controller produces a signal relating to the height of the load carrier. When the controller detects that the lever has been actuated, the controller controls the motor according to the signal such that the speed of the motor is relatively low when the position of the fork is relatively high. This permits a tilting speed controlling apparatus that optimizes the tilting speed of the mast.

Abstract: A galley cart storage system is provided for use with rectangular galley carts (22), (22′) each being supported by a number of wheels. The storage system includes a rectangular upright enclosure (12) and a lift assembly (14) located within the enclosure (12) to move one or more galley carts vertically, in a stacked configuration. The enclosure (12) includes upright corner posts (16) that aid vertical movement of a galley cart. The lift assembly (14) includes a motor (30), a drive screw (32), and a lifting bracket (34). The drive screw (32) is located along one side of the enclosure and is oriented vertically. The drive screw (32) connects to the motor (30) such that rotary motion of the motor (30) causes like rotation of the drive screw (32). The lifting bracket (34) is also located adjacent to the drive screw (32) and is threaded thereon. The lifting bracket (34) includes a cart interface member adapted to engage the lower end of a galley cart.

Abstract: A carrier adapted for mounting on a vehicle bed can carry cargo. The carrier has a stationary support mounted on the vehicle bed. The carrier also has an articulated support and a cargo support. The articulated support has a proximal end pivotally mounted on the stationary support. Also included is an elevation device coupled to the articulated support at an upper joint and to the stationary support at a lower joint for articulating the articulated support. The upper joint is further from the proximal end than the lower joint. The cargo support is mounted for longitudinal motion on the articulated support. The cargo support is operable to detach and reattach to the articulated support at a handoff location located at the proximal end of the articulated support. The carrier also has a motive device for moving the cargo support. This motive device includes a guide mechanism located at the handoff location for vertically translating and supporting an end of the cargo support from the handoff location.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a transporter. More particularly this invention relates to an apparatus that can be used to transport a large and heavy cylinder on a frame with easy maneuverability. The apparatus is designed mainly for use with propane cylinders that have legs, whereby the article is not lifted to be place on the transporter, instead the apparatus is slid or placed underneath the article without disturbing it.

Abstract: The invented vehicle includes a chassis, a cabin mounted on a first side of the chassis on a forward portion thereof, and a plurality of wheels coupled to the chassis to movably support the chassis. The vehicle also includes a boom unit, a tool coupled to an end of the boom unit, and turntable unit mounted to the chassis at a central portion thereof, the turntable unit coupled to and supporting the boom unit for rotation relative to the chassis. The turntable unit is capable of moving the boom unit and the tool over a second side of the chassis opposite the first side between a first position at which the tool is positioned forward of the chassis to pick up the load and a second position at which the tool is positioned over the dump body to dump the load into the dump body. The vehicle also includes a dump body mounted to a rear portion of the chassis. The dump body can be tilted to the rear or either side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A ramp assembly (20) for mounting in a low floor bus (22) or other vehicle. The ramp assembly (20) includes a rectangular enclosure (24) that fits underneath the chassis of the low floor bus (22). The ramp assembly (20) includes a reciprocating mechanism (26) for moving a ramp platform (28) between a fully deployed position and a fully stowed position. During this movement, the reciprocating mechanism (26) raises the trailing end of the ramp platform (28) in one translational movement with the extension of the ramp platform, such that the trailing end of the ramp platform, when deployed, is raised to the floor level of the low floor bus (22).

Abstract: The invention is a device for loading and unloading automobiles from an auto-transport vehicle. The device includes a platform and a telescoping arm mechanism. The platform moves back and forth and up and down continuously in approximately a horizontal position. The platform moves on rails that run from the front to the back and below the chassis of a auto-transport vehicle. When the front end of the platform reaches the back end of the chassis, the platform moves down, in a horizontal position, until it reaches the ground. The rotatable base of the telescoping arm mechanism is attached to the back of the chassis. The front end of the telescoping arm mechanism contacts the bottom of the platform at the back of the chassis to support the platform as it moves back and forth along the rails. The telescoping arm mechanism also supports and moves the platform up and down while maintaining the platform in the horizontal position.

Abstract: A compaction mechanism for mounting to a storage body for refuse or recyclables includes a tailgate apparatus mountable to a rearward opening of the storage body. The tailgate apparatus includes a receiving hopper and a movable panel which in a compaction position provides a rear closure for the storage body. The moveable panel is pivotally mounted to a pair of side panels which are pivotable upon the rear end of the sides of the tailgate. The movable panel may be swept rearwardly while the side panels are pivotable to a high position and then after the side panels are lowered, the moveable panel is pivoted forwardly to sweep through the hopper and compact the swept articles into the opening of the storage body. The entire tailgate may be opened by operation of a cylinder and link mechanism mounted between the top of the storage body and the rear face of the tailgate.

Abstract: A vehicle including a combination body for selectively dumping and spreading materials. The vehicle includes, at least, a chassis and a body pivotably secured to the chassis at a hinge. The body is comprised of front and rear ends having upper and lower edges and first and second side walls having lower edges. A hoist is provided which extends between the body and the chassis for pivoting the body about the hinge.

Abstract: A cart for the changeout of modules such as a laser chamber module. In one example, the cart includes at least two platforms that are movable with respect to a frame of the cart and that are coupled together such that an upward force for a vertical movement with respect to the frame of one platform provides a vertical movement with respect to the frame of a second platform at an elevated position. The platforms are coupled to each other with chains, wire, or linkage structures. With some carts, the platforms are removable from the rest of the frame. Also with some carts, an upper platform is collapsible on a lower platform. Some carts include two wheel bases that are foldable with respect to one another so as to allow the cart to traverse a surface obstacle by folding one wheel base down over the surface obstacle and transferring a load to that wheel base from another wheel base located on the opposite side of the surface obstacle.