Abstract: A material handling system employs a sheet separator capable of handling sheets of varied thickness and flexibility and a positioner which repetitively positions sheets relative to a pressing unit in a fixed location. A sheet stacker receives and stacks the processed sheets at a rate of up to five sheets per minute.

Abstract: A corrugated container blank stacker 10 is described for receiving rows of container blanks 12 from a sheet cutter and for stacking the container blanks in rows of stacks on a pallet. In the embodiment shown the stacker is able to receive container blanks in rows of three abreast and then forming three rows of stacks, three abreast, on a pallet.

Abstract: A method of achieving temporary storage of a succession of objects such as newspapers, arranged in overlapping formation, comprising dividing the succession of objects into sections (1) carried along on a conveyor (22) to a position close to a series of vertically displaceable shelves (21), depositing the sections (1) on the shelves and displacing the series of shelves transversely to the direction of movement of the conveyor in order to bring the shelves into a position close to the conveyor to allow the sections to be deposited on the shelves or to be transferred from the shelves to the conveyor when the temporarily stored sections are to be fed out. An apparatus for performing the method comprises a mechanism (10) for dividing the succession of objects into sections, a conveyor (22) for transporting the sections (1) through a temporary store consisting of a series of shelves (21), and a mechanism (20', 22, 23, 25, 26) for transferring the sections between shelves and conveyor.

Abstract: A robotic tool is provided for temporarily positioning shearclips against structural members. The device incorporates a movable jaw linkage which provides sufficient clamping force for withdrawing a shearclip from an adhesively retained position in a storage tray. After a shearclip is removed from the storage tray, the movable jaw is displaced to a non-clamping position and vacuum retention of the shearclip is relied upon. The present robotic device achieves two time-saving objectives in the assembly of aircraft. It permits rapid preparation of shearclips as well as rapid mechanical-handling deployment of a prepared shearclip for utilization with a structural member.

Abstract: Bar loader for a multi-chuck machine including a star-shaped structure for supporting a plurality of bar guides, equal in number to the chucks of the machine and openable to receive a bar at a loading position arranged laterally to the structure. One the side of the structure opposite to the one for loading the guides there is a bundle-like magazine which is capable of delivering a group of bars which, by an elevator, are deposited on a sorter which extends transversely below the structure. At the exit from the sorter, a second elevator lifts each individual bar to the loading position where a pusher transfers it to a respective guide.

Abstract: A towable dolly having a wheel lift mechanism for towing a vehicle by lifting the towed vehicle by its wheels so that contact with the vehicle's bumper, undercarriage, or axle is avoided and the vehicle rides on its own suspension system. The towing dolly is provided with an inclined rail carrying a carriage with a wheel lift mechanism extending generally horizontally and rearwardly therefrom as the carriage moves along the rail. An inflatable bag may be used to assist the wheel lift, or in lieu thereof.

Abstract: An improved loader apparatus for a refuse collection truck or vehicle which includes a vertical rail assembly, a carriage apparatus mounted for vertical up and down movement along the rail assembly, a single length of drive chain for lifting and lowering the carriage apparatus between a home or down position and a dump or up position, a hydraulic motor system for driving the drive chain such that the refuse container-engaging apparatus carried by the carriage assembly can be position laterally outwardly therefrom for operatively engaging a refuse container to be emptied. The system includes a feedback system for controlling the speed, acceleration and deacceleration of the pick-up, transporting, emptying, lowering, and releasing cycle for minimizing cycle time while simultaneously maximizing the dumping efficiency of the system.

Abstract: A double drop trailer has a central storage or cargo section whose floor is at a lower level than the floors of the front and rear storage (cargo) sections. A first lift having upper and lower cargo platforms is located in the central cargo section, and a second lift is located in the rear section. The first lift is initially positioned so that its lower platform is level with the floor of the front section. Cargo is then moved through the rear door, through the rear section, across the lower storage platform of the first lift and placed on the floor of the front section. More cargo is then moved through the rear door and placed on the lower storage platform of the first lift. The first lift is then lowered. Additional cargo is then moved through the rear door onto the second lift and this lift is thereafter raised permitting this cargo to be placed on the upper storage platform of the lift. Finally, more cargo is moved through the rear door and loaded into the rear section of the trailer.

Abstract: A mobile crane is disclosed, particularly adapted for a towing truck, as including a boom which may be extended or retracted in length and angularly related for lifting and towing purposes by a pair of hydraulic rams, which are specifically oriented for their full extent of movement at an acute angle relative to the plane of the bed of the truck upon which the hydraulic rams are pivotally secured. Extension and retraction of the boom is provided by a hydraulic ram mounted within the boom and arranged when activated to extend the boom outwardly during the pick up of a load and the retraction prior to towing of the load. The boom is pivotally mounted on a mast structure which is braced against a pivot structure secured to the bed of the truck and to which the hydraulic rams are pivotally mounted.

Abstract: An apparatus for evacuating viscous or compacted contents from a drum having a cylindrical wall of steel, fiberboard, or other material suitable for such contents and opposite ends, each of which is open except for a movable plunger at one such end serving as the lower end of the drum when the drum is standing on a floor in readiness for the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a support adapted to attach to the fork of a forklift, and a cradle and a pair of hinged closures for securing the drum removably to the cradle. The cradle and hinged closures keyingly engage the drum and are mounted to move the drum between upright and tilted portions. A disc-shaped ramming element fits into and through the cylindrical wall of the drum in the tilted position and forces the contents out of the other end of the drum. A suitable drum is a fiberboard drum with full open ends and with a movable plunger.

Abstract: A ramp attached to and used for the loading and unloading of goods from a vehicle, typically a truck. When not in use, the ramp folds compactly and is latched in an upright position at the rear of the vehicle. The ramp may be unfolded and extended in order to transport goods to and from the vehicle. As used, the ramp also may be latched in a half-ramp arrangement to serve as a bridge or dock plate. In the half-ramp arrangement, the ramp is folded to form two legs of a three-dimensional triangular structure, so that one portion of the ramp supports the other and allows it to bear weight.

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle has a pair of hoists at the rear of a body of the vehicle. Each hoist includes a carriage which slides up and down on guide bars. A bin-carrier is pivotally mounted on the carriage. Engagement of an element on the carrier with a fixed abutment during upward movement of the carriage causes the carrier to tip.

Abstract: A flask assembly for the transfer of objects, in particular objects contaminated by radioactivity, into and out of an enclosure. The assembly includes a levelling system to sit over a posting port in an enclosure for the objects and which supports a stool assembly. The stool assembly includes a lower gamma gate which cooperates with an upper gamma gate on a flask body which is removably mounted on the stool assembly. The flask body carries a winch system for flasking objects through the posting port. A shock absorber unit is housed within the stool assembly.

Abstract: In a conveyor comprising a conveyor chain and a beam supporting the chain, a beam section is composed by four substantially equal beam parts having an L-profile, and spacing an/or joint elements on which the beam parts are mounted, preferably with screw joints. The assembled beam has a rectangular section with openings in two opposing sides, the openings being spaces between two beam parts, at least one space forming a groove for a conveyor chain.

Abstract: A mechanism (20) for automatic dumping of standardized portable refuse containers (35) into a hopper (22) of a refuse collection vehicle (24). The mechanism includes an assembly (32) for clamping the protruding lip (33) of the container (35). The assembly (32) is then tilted over the hopper (22) by an actuator (54) that is connected to the assembly (32) via two links (40, 42). The components of the mechanism (20) are arranged to minimize the extent to which the mechanism (20) protrudes outwardly from the hopper (22).

Abstract: The invention aligns rows of blocks extending parallel to one another which are supported by a kiln car. The device provided holds the kiln car in a desired position relative to the device, then an up-and-down movable lifting mechanism provided with clamps is inserted between the rows of blocks, and the device adjusts the lifting mechanism transversely to the longitudinal direction of the rows of blocks until it strikes an adjustable fixed stop then inflates its clamps to thereby align the blocks. The blocks once clamped may be lifted off the car by the lifting mechanism, so that the cart can be treated, i.e. cleaned. The blocks are then replaced on the car in same position from which they were lifted, still aligned. The clamps are then released and the lifting mechanism is removed from between the newly aligned blocks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for conveying refuse containers in a structure such as an office building. The apparatus includes (a) a generally vertical shaft passing through a plurality of floors in the structure; (b) a longitudinally elongated cab suitable for being positioned in the shaft, the elongated cab containing a plurality of refuse containers in such a manner that the refuse containers are vertically aligned, and having a plurality of lateral windows as portals at least at the top and bottom of the elongated cab for the refuse containers; (c) a first lift installed in the shaft, the first lift moving the elongated cab up and down in a generally vertical line throughout the shaft. Thereby, the refuse containers loaded into the elongated cab are vertically conveyed by the first lift.

Abstract: A device for positioning a plurality of generally elongate objects such as dominos on a flat surface in upstanding orientation and in evenly spaced relationship with each other includes an elongate structure for storing a plurality of dominos in face to face relationship with the dominos standing upright on the flat surface on which they will be positioned in spaced relationship as the device moves intermittently across the surface. A domino discharge mechanism is mounted in the storage means to discharge a domino therefrom each time the discharge mechanism is actuated. The device also includes a drive means for moving it across a flat surface in intermittent manner, and an actuating mechanism operable to actuate the discharge mechanism during intervals when the device is stationary.

Abstract: A drop frame floor assembly for use in a trailer or other such vehicle which includes a frame assembly, a floor assembly and a lift assembly. The lift is connected to the frame for elevating and lowering the floor assembly with respect to the frame. The lift includes first and second scissor assemblies secured between the frame and floor assembly and hydraulic actuators for actuating the scissor assembly.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus for carrying a semiconductor wafer into a wafer cassette comprising an arm to load a semiconductor wafer thereon, a moving mechanism to move the arm to a wafer cassette, a chucking device to have a wafer attracted to the arm, and an auxiliary mechanism to push a wafer and adjust the position of the wafer to the inlet of a wafer cassette when the wafer comes into contact with the side wall of the wafer cassette.