Abstract: A cargo retainer for separating cargo and preventing shifting of cargo within a vehicle during transportation is disclosed. The cargo retainer includes an elongate outer tubular member and two tubes telescopically received within the outer tubular member. The outer tubular member and telescoping tubes are preferably formed of polymeric material. Short metal reinforcement tubes are inserted in the outer ends of the telescoping tubes to strengthen the connection point between the cargo retainer and the support structure in the vehicle's cargo compartment. Latch members are attached at the outer ends of the telescoping tubes for attaching the cargo retainer across the width of a vehicle's cargo compartment. The latch members preferably pivot about an axis normal to the axis of the cargo retainer. A retraction mechanism is provided in the form of a tension spring connecting the inner ends of the telescoping tubes together. The telescoping tubes and latch members fully retract into the outer tubular member.

Abstract: A vehicle side tilting apparatus having strap-on wheel rockers to attach to wheels at one side of a vehicle and lift structure to elevate the other side of the vehicle and to roll the vehicle on the wheel rockers until the raised side of the vehicle is upright or slightly over center, where it is held even after removal of the lift structure and during movement of the tilted vehicle.

Abstract: A fitting for anchoring a flexible covering to a planar, air cargo sheet pallet, the fitting including a base portion adapted for mating engagement with a selected mounting portion of a planar sheet pallet; and gripping apparatus, attached to the base portion, for grippingly engaging a portion of the flexible covering so as to anchor it to the pallet, thereby to restrain cargo located thereon in a preselected position when subjected to in-flight dislodgement forces.

Abstract: An object picking system includes a plurality of object storage and discharge devices. Each object storage and discharge device includes an object storage section housing a stack of objects and an object discharge mechanism for discharging the bottommost object of the stack of objects. Each object discharge device is inclined so that part of the weight of the objects rests on the sides of the object storage sections. Each object storage section accommodates a support between a top and bottom of the object storage section to support an upper stack of objects in the object storage section. The support reduces the load on the bottommost object when the stack of objects in the object storage section is large. An auxiliary panel along one side of the object storage section has an adjustable position so that different size objects can be securely held in the object storage section. A horizontal plate is a predetermined height above a bottom surface of the object storage section.

Abstract: A singulator conveyor receives randomly oriented articles and positions those articles in single file. The conveyor includes skewed rollers for driving articles longitudinally and laterally against a side wall. The width of the singulator conveyor becomes gradually stepped-down, and a return conveyor system is provided which includes secondary return conveyors or chutes disposed at respective ones of the steps for receiving excessive articles from the singulator conveyor and delivering them to a main return conveyor which returns the articles to an upstream end of the singulator conveyor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transporting a container from a starting station to one of a plurality of final destinations, whether or not via one or more intermediate destinations, wherein the container is provided with data which defines a predetermined route, which data is read during transport. The data preferably defines a predetermined route and means of transport.

Abstract: Substantially cylindrical items are stacked in layers on a pallet. One or more sheets of paper, foil, or webbing is laid out on and around the items in a pattern of loops in such a way that the weight of the items themselves acting on the sheet locks the items in place on the pallet, with no need for the sheet to be attached to the pallet. A pick-up arrangement is provided for fetching the items from a supply area, and then placing them in layers onto the pallet. The tension in the paper sheet is controlled to optimize the locking effect while reducing the risk of over-tensioning.

Abstract: A multiple compartment storage body for a refuse collection vehicle includes a floor, a roof, a plurality of walls extending between the floor and the roof, a partition and a bulkhead latch. The partition has a first opposing end portion pivotally coupled intermediate the floor and the roof between the walls to allow a second opposing end portion to pivot between the floor and the roof. The bulkhead latch is pivotally supported adjacent the roof and extends from the roof proximate the second opposing end portion. A lower most section of the plurality of sections includes a support member for engaging and supporting the second opposing end portion of the partition between the floor and the roof. The vertical distance the bulkhead vertically extends below the roof is adjustable to adjust a distance at which the second opposing end portion of the partition is supported above the floor.

Abstract: A sorting compartment arrangement for flat items includes a conveying section for conveying the flat items successively in a vertical position. Switches are disposed along the conveying section. A plurality of individual stacking compartments are arranged one behind the other along the conveying section and associated with a respective one of the switches. The items are supplied by the switches to the individual stacking compartments. Each stacking compartment includes a stack wall up to which the items are transported, a stack roller and a guide plate for transporting and guiding, respectively, the items from the switch into the stacking compartment up to the stack wall to form a stack of items in the stacking compartment, and a mechanism for pressing the stack of items together until shortly before an arrival of a next item to be stacked.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a sheet stack for automated processing in a sheet-fed machine; comprising manipulating a sheet stack and transportation pallet to a release position; removing the transportation pallet, and placing a system pallet adjacent the sheet stack so that it is ready for further processing. The apparatus includes structure performing these functions.

Abstract: A recovery device for use in an airborne vehicle is described. The recovery device includes a base plate, a winch coupled to the base plate, and an anchoring device coupled to the base plate to detachably couple the base plate to the airborne vehicle. A recovery system for a helicopter that has a support arm extending from its exterior fuselage is also described. The recovery system includes a recovery device that is a base plate, a mechanically-operated winch coupled to the base plate, and an anchoring device to detachably couple the base plate to the interior floor of the helicopter. The recovery system further includes a pulley detachably coupled to the support arm and a cord coupled to the winch and extending through the pulley.

Abstract: A system for performing minimally invasive cardiac procedures. The system includes a pair of surgical instruments that are coupled to a pair of robotic arms. The instruments have end effectors that can be manipulated to hold and suture tissue. The robotic arms are coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved by the surgeon to produce a corresponding movement of the end effectors. The movement of the handles is scaled so that the end effectors have a corresponding movement that is different, typically smaller, than the movement performed by the hands of the surgeon. The scale factor is adjustable so that the surgeon can control the resolution of the end effector movement. The movement of the end effector can be controlled by an input button, so that the end effector only moves when the button is depressed by the surgeon.

Abstract: A dispensing hopper construction for a bank note processing machine for effectively pooling a number of bank notes transferred from a bank note transferring section inside the bank note processing machine in order in a dispensing hopper section even while dispensing bank notes to the recipient side, as well as for effectively dispensing bank notes one-by-one based on a feed-out signal so that bank notes are not dispensed in a superposed or chained state. The bank note processing machine is constructed such that bank notes (1) are fed one-by-one from the bank note transferring section (A) into the dispensing hopper section (2) where bank notes are pooled so that they are fed out from the lower part thereof to the recipient side one-by-one.

Abstract: An object discharge mechanism for discharging a bottommost object from a stack of objects includes a bottom platform on which the bottommost object of the stack of objects rests. The platform has a longitudinal slot running along the object discharge direction. The upper portion of a belt, stretched between two vertically mounted pulleys, runs through the longitudinal slot parallel to the upper surface of the bottom platform. Discharge projections are mounted periodically on an outer surface of the belt. The discharge projections push objects across the bottom platform in the object discharge direction when the belt is rotated. The object discharge mechanism also includes a lifting member for lifting all objects above the bottommost object in the stack of objects. The lifting member reduces the frictional force created by the weight of the stack of objects on the bottommost object during discharge of the bottommost object.

Abstract: A tilt carriage assembly including a base frame and a carriage pivotally supported by the base frame. The carriage includes a bottom member adapted to support a container and a back member positioned above the bottom member. A manual locking mechanism is operatively positioned between the carriage and the base frame, and includes a lock control member positioned adjacent the back member. The lock control member is movable between a locked position where the carriage is secured relative to the base frame and an unlocked position. A step member is secured to and extends laterally outwardly from the carriage, the step member being engageable by a user's foot to facilitate tilting of the carriage. A side member is positioned above at least one of the side portions of the bottom member, and includes a beveled edge that facilitates loading a container onto the carriage. A conveyor device is secured to the bottom member for facilitating motion of a container relative to the bottom member.

Abstract: A vacuum apparatus and method are provided for controlling operation of a vacuum force to be applied through a vacuum cup for use in lifting objects such as cardboard boxes, so as to unload a pallet holding one or more of the boxes. The apparatus includes a valve body defining an inner chamber, a lift vacuum passage extending through the valve body to the chamber, a pilot vacuum passage extending through the valve body to the chamber, and a vacuum cup passage extending through the valve body to the chamber. A vacuum cup is connected to the valve body in airflow communication with the vacuum cup passage. A piston is disposed in the chamber and positioned for reciprocal movement between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the piston provides an airflow passageway between the pilot vacuum passage and the vacuum cup passage such that, if the vacuum cup is obstructed, the piston is pulled down by the pilot vacuum force to a second position.

Abstract: An assortment of objects is dispensed from a plurality of object holders onto a conveyor for loading into a container at an end of the conveyor. The objects are dispensed onto discrete sections of the conveyor with like objects occupying like sections. Since like objects are grouped together on the conveyor, damage due to any impact between objects is reduced because, when objects impact objects of the same class, less damage occurs than when disparate objects impact each other. Discrete sections with heavier objects are located upstream of discrete sections with lighter objects. When the lighter and heavier objects are discharged from the conveyor into the container, the lighter objects are loaded on top of the heavier objects, thereby reducing any damage which occurs through impact. Gaps on the conveyor between different groups of objects reduces the likelihood of impacts on the conveyor.

Abstract: A tilt and height indicator for a forklift truck including a tape reel connected to the forks of the forklift to sense their relative height. An indicator panel includes plural sets of indicators, with each set indicating when the forks are in a proper pre-programmed position, just above, or just below this position, or well above or well below this position. The plural indicators may each be programmed to independent heights which are within the range of indicated heights for another indicator, such that infinitesimal differences in shelf heights may be accounted for. All indicators may be active at the same time, or the operator may change to a separate mode in which only a chosen indicator set is active. The present invention also includes a tilt sensor in the form of a rod connected to the piston of the tilt cylinder and adjustably mounting a magnet. A sensor box is mounted on the cylinder and includes a plurality of spaced Hall-effect transistors.

Abstract: A gravity unloading method for cargo box having split bottom plates. A pair of rectangular split bottom plates abut at one of the long sides of the bottom plates and pivoted near the other of the long sides thereof on the bottom of the cargo box. Force is applied by power devices beneath the bottom plate, causing the split bottom plates to turn pivotally and become inclined. A side plate is disposed vertically at the edge of each of the long sides of the bottom plate. The ends of the side plates adjacent the bottom plate can be pivotally turned open through the free ends turning up by a linkage such that the articles located on the split bottom plates can completely slide out by their own weight from both sides.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a handle of a pail for a printing operation on the pail, includes a mandrel assembly for rotatably supporting a pail thereon, the mandrel assembly including a backstop; a first stopper mechanism for restraining second and subsequent pails of a stack; a puller mechanism movably mounted on a track and including a pulling arm for pulling a first pail of the stack from the stack while the first stopper mechanism holds the second and subsequent pails of the stack; a brush roller mounted in contact with a free end of a handle of the first pail of the stack; a motor rotating the brush roller to move the handle of the first pail to a first position out of engagement with remaining pails of the stack; a temporary holding device positioned at the first position which releasably holds the handle in the first position, and releases the handle after disengagement of the first pail from the stack; a pusher mechanism movably mounted on the track and including a pusher arm for engaging a bottom o