Abstract: An external lift for a scooter includes a load sensor actuated by rotation of the platform as a load is applied anywhere on the platform, a lock mechanism for preventing the platform from rotating in a loaded and raised position, and a lock mechanism for preventing the platform from rotating in an unloaded and raised position. A pair of shoes on a hold down prevent a scooter from leaving the lift unintendedly. The lift includes a fixed post and a moveable post. A roller coupled to the moveable post engages a small ramp on the end of the fixed post, thereby further stabilizing the lift and increasing the lifting capacity.

Abstract: A combination sport vehicle lift and carrier apparatus for a motor vehicle includes a mounting mechanism for releasably connecting to a conventional receiver hitch, a platform with a yoke mechanism for cradling a front wheel of a sport vehicle loaded on the platform and for supporting the sport vehicle, lifting mechanism for maintaining the platform in a horizontal orientation while selectively moving the platform to and from a loading configuration and a transporting configuration, and stabilizing mechanism for stabilizing the platform in the transporting configuration. The combination sport vehicle lift and carrier apparatus may also include an auxiliary conventional receiver hitch for towing purposes.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus transfers tablets ejected from a tableting machine to a container. The transfer apparatus includes a first chute, a cloth chute which serves as a buffer disposed at one end of the first chute, a winding apparatus for lifting the free end of the cloth chute, a bucket for receiving the tablets from the cloth chute, and a swiveling lift for moving the bucket. Because the formed pieces are not transported directly from the first chute to the bucket, but are first received within the buffer and then transported to the container, occurrence of cracking or chipping of the formed pieces can be prevented and high quality can also be maintained through minimizing the impact on the formed pieces which would otherwise occur during transporting.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for carrying signature bundles are provided that allow for many different sizes of bundles to be handled and manipulated in an easy and very agile fashion for low cycle times and for being deposited in various pallet patterns. The apparatus can include several units adjustably mounted relative to each other with each having bundle gripping members that can likewise be adjusted for varying signature formats. The upper clamp head gripping member preferably has a universal mount so that it self-adjusts to pivot for staying in flush engagement with sloped bundles. The units have a very thin housing to allow an operator to gain a good view of the bundles carried in front thereof. The units preferably include pulley drive systems provided with drive ratios to keep the housing size to a minimum while allowing a large advancing stroke for the gripping members for handling of different sized bundles.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus having a station for loading and unloading substrates from the apparatus, includes an aperture closure for sealing a loading and unloading aperture of the station, apparatus for removing a door of a substrate magazine and thus opening the substrate magazine, and for operating the aperture closure to open the aperture, and an elevator for precisely positioning the open substrate magazine along a vertical axis within a usable range of motion. The station may also include a sensor for mapping locations of the substrates, and a mini-environment for interfacing the station to a substrate processing system.

Abstract: A lift device for loading game animals or other objects, onto the cargo rack of an ATV. The lift device includes a vertical support frame member adapted for attachment to the rear of an ATV. A horizontally extending base support member is pivotally attached at one end thereof to the bottom of the vertical support frame member; a loading platform is pivotally hinged to the opposite end of the horizontally extending base support member. A cable is attached to the base support member and a winch, mounted on the vertical support frame member, moves the cable to move the lift device from a loading position on the ground to a loaded position wherein the game animal is secured by the loading platform on the top of the ATV cargo rack.

Abstract: Devices and methods for holding a tray stack having a plurality of trays configured to carry and store microelectronic devices. Several devices in accordance with the present invention are particularly applicable to carrying a stack of JEDEC trays that have been loaded with a plurality of microelectronic devices. In one embodiment, the device is a tray retainer including a guide structure configured to allow the tray stack to move in a direction of a load/unload path, and to restrict lateral movement of the tray stack with respect to the load/unload path. The guide structure can have a first end, a second end, and an opening at least proximate to the second end. The guide structure, for example, can have first and second channel sections extending in the direction of the load/unload path. The second channel section can also face the first channel section. The tray retainer can also include a cross-member and a moveable retaining element.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring an article onto a pallet is situated between conveyor sections. The apparatus includes a pusher mechanism arranged to push the article from a location at or adjacent to the first conveyor section toward a pallet disposed on the second conveyor section. An extension fork assembly is provided between the pusher mechanism and the pallet. The extension fork assembly defines a stationary transfer surface over which the article travels on its path toward the pallet. The assembly also includes a plurality of extension forks that are extended over the pallet. The article is pushed onto the extension forks until the article is situate over the pallet. The extension forks are then retracted while the article is held in position over the pallet by the pusher mechanism. When the forks are completely retracted the article is safely sitting directly on the pallet.

Abstract: The device comprises a carrier for a workpiece; the carrier can be moved along a vertical and a horizontal axis by use of a drive mechanism and has an approximately planar contact surface for the workpiece, whereby the workpiece can be held on the contact surface by a contact mechanism of the carrier, especially vacuum, a retaining ring on the carrier encircling the contact surface and projecting downwards beyond the contact surface and having an inner diameter which is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the workpiece. At least three centering cams are arranged on a circle, the centering cams can be moved synchronously and in a radial direction by use of a centering drive, the centering cams having a supporting surface oriented on the top.

Abstract: A straddle loader for lifting a load includes an upper frame having a spreader for grasping the load, a compartment for an operator, at least two traveling frames for receiving the load, and a lifting system connected to the upper frame and the plural traveling frames. The lifting system varies the distance between the upper frame and the plural traveling frames by uniformly transferring the load to the traveling frames so that the upper frame and the traveling frames remain parallel and perpendicular. The straddle loader further includes a plurality of telescoping beams associated with the lifting system so that at least two telescoping beams are connected to each of the traveling frames. Each telescoping beam is capable of extension and retraction. Stationary pivot shafts connect each end of each of the telescoping beams to the respective upper frame or traveling frame and to a pressure cylinder associated with each of the telescoping beams.

Abstract: A stacked articles accumulating apparatus functions by down-stacking. The apparatus includes a surface supported on an air cylinder member with a solenoid valve controlled by a photo eye sensor to release air from the cylinder member to maintain the top article of an accumulating articles stack on the support surface substantially at a predetermined elevation. Additional components include a limit switch for setting a minimum elevation of the support surface, a compressed air source supplying the air cylinder member, and an article supply mechanism. A method of article accumulation at substantially a predetermined level is also disclosed.

Abstract: An all-direction transport includes a triangular wheeled platform for stable movement over a surface such as a factory, business or gymnasium floor, pathway or roadway. A load support is pivotally attached to the wheeled platform, and can pivot from a horizontal position parallel to the platform to a vertical position perpendicular to the platform. An extensible brace extends from the platform to load support when in an operative position. A pin passes through one part of the brace, which allows the load support to pick up a load from vertical position, while preventing the load support from moving beyond a predetermined limit towards horizontal. The brace is additionally removably pinned on one end to either the platform in an operative position or to the load support in a storage position, to allow the transport to be folded relatively flat. The load support additionally may be extensible in either horizontal direction, vertical direction or both. Other alternative embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing and unloading a component such as a spare tire and wheel assembly mounted at a rear storage location on a vehicle includes a vehicle attachment arm having a first end releasably attached at a mounting location on the vehicle and a component attachment having a first end positioned adjacent the component storage location. The arms each have a second end attached to a connector member that permits the component attachment arm to be rotated between the component storage location and an unloaded position on the ground. The vehicle attachment arm is adjustable in length to move toward and away from the storage location. The component attachment arm is adjustable in length to move toward and away from the component storage location.

Abstract: An automated reciprocal stacking assembly for stacking thin, narrow, continuous sheets of stock material. The automated reciprocal stacking assembly has a stationary outer frame, a laterally reciprocating inner frame, a vertically moveable carriage, a reciprocating distribution head, a base member, a pair of sheet retaining arms, a rotating platform for supporting a pallet and a conveyor belt. The reciprocating distribution head comprises a pair of feeding belts that are driven by a positive timing belt. The continuous sheet of stock material is supplied to the reciprocating distribution head by the conveyor through a large opening between the feeding belts of the reciprocating distribution head. The oppositely moving feeder belts force the stock material out of the reciprocating distribution head and onto a pallet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing an unvulcanized are tread from a storage device (14) includes the step of inverting the tread (12) and transporting it to a roller conveyor in a single step. The tread (12) is picked up by a vacuum bar (80) fitted with a series of suction cups (76). Individual suction cups (76) can be selectively supplied with vacuum depending on the length of the tread (12). After the suction cups (76) have engaged the tread, the tread is raised from the storage device (14), inverted through 180 degrees, and then set onto a special slotted roller conveyor (130). The slotted roller conveyor (130) has a center slot (142) to receive the vacuum bar (80) as it passes therethrough. Side slots (144,146) in the conveyor receive arms (90,92) attached to the vacuum bar (80).

Abstract: A bale accumulator is provided for use with a baler for producing rectangular bales of agricultural crops, the accumulator comprising a hitch for connecting the accumulator to the baler, a platform for receiving bales extruded by the baler, a positioning device for arranging the bales in a selected array on the platform, a pusher mounted for movement longitudinally of the platform, an actuator on the accumulator for moving the pusher rearwardly along the platform to move bales along the platform, a rear bale support rearwardly of the platform for supporting bales as they are moved off of the platform by the pusher, and a forward bale support extending forwardly from the pusher for supporting a bale in front of and above the pusher as it is extruded from the baler. The bale accumulator manipulates bales as desired while allowing uninterrupted operation and dumping at any desired location.

Abstract: A component-placing apparatus for driving a nozzle in the rotational and vertical directions for applying suction to a component includes a rotary actuator and a linear actuator having a stator connected to a stator of the rotary actuator such that these stators are immovable relative to each other. A spline shaft is connected to a rotating shaft of the rotary actuator, and a nozzle connecting shaft having a suction nozzle disposed at the bottom thereof is engaged with the spline shaft and is allowed to move only rectilinearly. A hollow holder encircling the nozzle connecting shaft with rotary bearings being interposed therebetween is connected to a mover of the linear actuator, and the hollow holder is engaged with the stator of the linear actuator with a linear guide being interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A ramp assembly (20) having a frame attachable to a vehicle having a floor is disclosed. The ramp assembly further includes a platform coupled to a portion of the frame, a ramp having a weight, and a reciprocating mechanism disposed between the ramp and the platform coupled to a portion of the frame. The ramp assembly also includes a reciprocating mechanism disposed between the ramp and the platform for reciprocating the ramp between a deployed position and a stowed position in response to a load. The reciprocating mechanism counterbalancing the weight of the ramp during actuation of the ramp between the deployed and stowed positions to reduce the load required to reciprocate the ramp between the deployed and stowed positions.

Abstract: A trailer for transporting round bales has two bale support cradles one on each side and pivotal about an axis along the side between a first lifting position in which the cradle extends outwardly and a second transport position in which the cradle is located on the support area for transport on the frame. Each cradle has bale support rails carried on polygonal axially spaced rings defining a cylindrical chamber so that a bale can be lifted by rails on each side from the ground rotated onto the frame for transport and rotated back to its initial position with its flat spot back on the ground. A backstop member can be moved from a first position closing the rear end to allow the bales to be discharged from the rear end by forward movement of the trailer.

Abstract: A bale moving apparatus provides a generally horizontal tow frame with a linear support axle supported by a pair of opposing wheels. A tow bar provides a tow strut, a rest bar, and a winch. A bale support is pivotally joined to, and extends upwardly from the support axle assembly, and is rotatable between an upright attitude and a tilted-back attitude for securing a hay bail. A triangle formation of bale impaling spikes in mutually parallel disposition are used for impaling a hay bale at center and on two sides for securing the bail. The bale is pulling into the tilted-back attitude so as to enable resting the hay bale on the bale rest surface during travel. The rest surface is movable so as to enable placement of the hay bale's center of gravity on the vehicle.