Abstract: This loader has two rotary arms which turn a load spreader fork frame off-parallel so that only one fork is extended to couple. The fork frame has a fork at each end with a cam track diagonal across the bottom engaged on the extended fork by a coupling roller extended from a vehicle to pull the fork frame to the vehicle until the roller leaves the track when the frame has engaged between pedestals on the vehicle. The frame is engaged and rotated through many more degrees and the most effective degrees of a circle for a transfer run (now over 180.degree.

Abstract: A de-palletizer for removing articles such as kegs or drums from a pallet utilizes a conveyor to move the pallets, one at a time, to an unloading station where a mechanism pushes the articles from the pallet on to a discharge table. The unloaded pallet is removed from the unloading station before another loaded pallet is moved into that station. To enable the articles to be easily pushed off the pallet, a tilting mechanism causes the articles to tilt on edge as the articles are pushed toward the discharge table, with the articles tilting away from the discharge table. The tilting mechanism is mounted on a reciprocating carriage carrying a pusher plate. When the carriage moves toward the discharge table, articles on the pallet are pushed by the plate toward that table. To cause the articles to tilt away from the table, the pusher plate has a protruding bar that engages the lower portion of the articles.

Abstract: A method of installing a continuous moisture proof essentially disposable film liner within a conventional cargo trailer to protect moisture sensitive cargo during shipment. A polyolefin bag is inflated directly into an empty tractor trailer by attaching the lower edge of the bag opening along the bottom of the doorway of the trailer and blowing a gentle stream of air into the bag as sufficient tension is applied to the upper edge and surface of the bag to direct the air to the rear of the trailer. In this manner, the bag inflates from the rear of the trailer forward, thus pushing the air trapped between the bag and the inside of the trailer out the open doorway without the bag exiting the trailer. Once the bag is properly inflated and in contact with the inside of the trailer, it has been found that it tends to remain in place for sufficient time to load the cargo, even without continued use of the blower.

Abstract: A roll clamp for handling of rolls or other loads carried by a lift truck. The clamp includes a rotator having a rear base plate for being mounted upon the lift mast of the truck, permitting it to be raised or lowered to a vertical position. A frame is gimballed to the rotator front plate. Extending forwardly from the clamp assembly is a pair of clamp arms which are swingably disposed, or pivot relative to the frame for closing and opening by movement toward and away from each other. The rotator rotates the frame relative to the mast about a clamp rotation axis. Hydraulic cylinders selectively open and close the arms, which have clamp pads at their distal ends for engaging the load surfaces. The rotator base plate carries a swash ring defining a plane skewed relative to the axis of clamp rotation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for completely evacuating a silo containing finely divided material in bulk. A mobile box element passes over the floor of the silo, its face corresponding to the direction of advance being open and the horizontal base forming a shovel for collecting the material remaining on the floor of the silo. The bottom of the box element has a conveyor with transverse bars for pushing the pulverulent or granulous material located on the bottom of the box element towards an outlet trap located at one end of the box element and maintained level with a pit for evacuation by gravity; the box element is moved to sweep the surface of the silo. The invention is particularly applicable to the final evacuation of the silo containing granulous material such as cereals.

Abstract: The delivery of charge material to the hearth of a pressurized blast furnace under the influence of gravity is accomplished without the necessity of changing the direction of material flow at a point exterior of the furnace. The rate of flow of the charge material, which moves in a vertical stream, is controlled by a metering device including a pair of overlapping register elements which define a variable size aperture which remains generally symmetrical with respect to the stream axis.

Abstract: A locking mechanism comprising a latch mechanism having a plate-like body defining a completely enclosed aperture dimensioned to receive a spindle and having a manually operable mechanism for releasably attaching the body to the arm to prevent translational movement of the body in a plane perpendicular to the spindle. Other mechanisms restrict axial movement of the spindle and prevent rotation of the spindle.

Abstract: Loading and unloading apparatus for a vehicle including a lifting frame having latches or hooks for attachment to a cargo body or platform, parallel motion links connecting the lifting frame to the vehicle, and hydraulic rams operable to move the links to move the load between a carrying position on the vehicle and a loading or unloading position at ground level behind the vehicle.

Abstract: A transporting device for lifting and relocating material from one position to another. In one embodiment, the transporting device comprises a stationary central support pedestal and a rotatable turret situated at the top of the pedestal. The turret has at least a pair of arms which extend radially outwardly from the pedestal. Each arm has an adjustable lifting and stacking mechanism for gripping and transporting of material as the turret is rotated. In another embodiment, the transporting device comprises a rotatable central support turret situated on a stationary pedestal. A pair of arms extend radially outwardly from the turret. Each arm may be raised and lowered independently of the other and includes a mechanism for gripping material as the turret is rotated. In either embodiment, the turret is driven by a motor situated in the stationary pedestal.

Abstract: An endless loop transporter for a linear pocket feeder especially for metering powdered coal from a reservoir at atmospheric pressure to a supply duct to a gas turbine compressor at a substantially higher pressure, the transporter including a flexible wire core, a plurality of primary discs loosely received on the core, a plurality of small spacer rings tightly received on the core in compression between the primary discs to form with the discs a plurality of closely spaced transport annuli, and a plurality of secondary discs substituted for a corresponding number of primary discs at uniform intervals along the transporter. The secondary discs carry seal rings which slidably seal against the surface of a tube between the reservoir and the supply duct to form an outside pressure seal between the areas of high and low pressure.

Abstract: A boat trailer cradle comprising a stationary supporting framework adapted to be mounted to the frame side members of a boat trailer chassis, a two-shafted cradle vertically adjustable with respect to the supporting framework and carrying four rubber-tired wheels and two keel rollers, and two rubber-wheeled lateral supporting arms pivotally connected between the cradle and the supporting framework in a manner such that upon depression of the cradle through the load of a boat hauled up onto it, the arms are swung upwards with their rubber-tired wheels laterally supporting the boat.

Abstract: A retractable ramp or runway is pivotally connected to the bed of a truck or trailer to facilitate the loading of heavy machinery or equipment upon the bed. Fluid pressure actuated members are connected to the ramp or runway for elevating same from an inclined position to a position level with the bed of the truck or trailer.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to an apparatus for turning a workpiece upside down.

Abstract: A method and a device is provided for continuously supplying from above piece-shaped, i.e. lumps of, material to a shaft through which a high-temperature gas is conducted from below upwardly to a centrally disposed upper gas outlet. The piece-shaped material at the upper end is fed into the shaft at the top via evenly distributed and closed feed tubes or via an annular feed gap adjacent the periphery of the shaft.

Abstract: An attachment for a lift truck having a vertically movable carriage includes a frame and a carrier slidably engaged within the frame attachable to the carriage of a lift truck. The carrier has at least one receiving pocket and a gate for substantially closing the receiving pocket. A load-supporting element is removably supported on the carrier. The load-supporting element includes a bracket received in the receiving pocket of the carrier and retained by the gate for maintaining the load-supporting element in operable position on the carrier.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump for transferring solid particles from a low pressure zone into a high pressure zone comprises a centrifugal rotor and a housing that are each rotatable about a central axis. The rotor debouches particles into the interior of the housing and a screw conveyor is arranged in the housing for transporting particles along the inner surface of the housing to an outlet which is coaxial to the central axis.

Abstract: A pipe trough for transporting pipe between upper and lower positions. A pipe carrier having a V-shaped cross-section is received within an elongate trough body having a V-shaped cross-section. The pipe carrier is longitudinally slidable along the trough and is constructed to receive one end of a pipe. A roller is mounted at one end of the trough body for supporting the other end of a pipe received within the carrier. A hydraulic motor is provided for selectively moving the carrier along the length of the trough body. Openings formed crosswise of the trough are distributed along its length. Each opening includes a pipe unloading arm having a pivotal connection to the trough at one side. A ram positioned beneath the arm and having one end pivotally attached to the arm and the other end pivotally attached to the trough is provided for raising and lowering the arm to unload the pipe from the trough.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking up and laying down pipe is arranged so that pipe movement is directed toward the hole axis or rotary table. When the pipe carrier stops movement toward the hole axis, the end of the pipe joint being delivered toward the hole is positioned above the rotary table and beyond an upstanding support carried by the rig which carries the load of the pipe joint and pipe carrier.

Abstract: An unmanned guided vehicle (10) is propelled along a path (P) by a traction mechanism. Movement of the vehicle (10) on the path is controlled by a first control. The vehicle (10) includes storage (40) for storing at least one container (30) and transfer mechanism (44) mounted for vertical movement on the vehicle (10) for moving the at least one container (30) between at least one stationary location and the storage (40). The vehicle (10) also includes second control (16) which selectively controls the transfer of the at least one container (30) between the at least one stationary location and the storage (40). The vehicle (10) is moved to the stationary location whereupon the container (30) is moved from the storage (40) to the transfer mechanism (44) and then to the stationary location or vice versa.

Abstract: A load distribution vehicle which is adapted to run on a rail track on or over a train of open topped cars for the purpose of loading the cars with particulate material such as mineral ore, broken rock, sand, granular food stuff or the like. The vehicle consists of a bottom discharge hopper which includes a self contained power source for driving the vehicle on its rail track and opening and closing its load discharge doors. The wheels of the vehicle are rotatable on vertical axes and are dish shaped to provide the vehicle with an abnormal transverse movement capacity on its track to enable it to negotiate sharp kinks in its track.