Abstract: A railway hopper car includes side discharge openings and hinged door assemblies which are maintained in a locked position by an improved latching mechanism. The latching mechanism is pivotally connected to car structure and includes a positive lock arrangement adapted to be actuated by a linkage arrangement tripped by a cam assembly supported on the ground adjacent to the path of movement of the hopper car.

Abstract: A telescopically extendable and collapsible bumper-style bicycle carrying rack for motor vehicles. A pair of bumperette housing members disposed in spaced apart relationship are secured to or form a part of the bumper of a motor vehicle. Telescoping support members are members are mounted within the bumperette housing members and are vertically extendable therefrom. A cross brace member is transversely mounted to the tops of the vertically extendable support members for vertical movement therewith. A plurality of bicycle hanger members are adjustably positionable along the length of the cross brace member to enable rapid placement of the hangers for accommodating the size constraints of the particular bicycle to be carried thereby. The vertically telescoping support members may be manually raised and lowered, in which case manually operable latching members lock the telescoping parts in their extended operative position, or can be automatically raised and lowered by means of a motor assembly.

Abstract: An arrangement for handling containers particularly for aircraft includes a chassis adapter frame which is connected to the chassis of a highway trailer by means of twist locks. The adapter frame also includes twist lock assemblies which are adapted to engage the base of cargo containers whereby the adapter frame may be selectively removed from the container if desired. The arrangement includes loading and conveying arrangements which are particularly suited for transporting the container with the adapter frame connected thereto or with the same removed.

Abstract: A hauling vehicle with side dump body comprising stationary opposite end walls, first and second opposite sides, a bottom, and an exterior flap attached below said second side, wherein said first side and an adjacent portion of the bottom are hingedly connected to form an ejector inwardly pivotal to provide an interior ramp prompting contents of the body against said second side which is free swinging and openable in response to pressure from within the hauling body; said flap being upwardly pivotal to prevent said second side from opening in response to pressure within the body and downwardly pivotal into a ramp guiding contents exiting said second side away from the hauling body. Means activating the ejector and means activating the flap for latching and unlatching the flap are provided.

Abstract: A bottom dump hopper car having outwardly swinging clamshell doors includes a locking mechanism for maintaining a door in closed position by means of a stop and bracket arrangement. A vertically moveable arm is actuated to disengage the locking mechanism whereupon the door can swing outwardly as the arm swings in an outward path which is controlled by a ground mounted tripping mechanism.

Abstract: A horizontally discharging semi-trailer is formed with a body structure capable of resisting distortion from loads and the operation of a longitudinally movable pusher plate arranged to move the contents of the semi-trailer horizontally so as to discharge the same therefrom.

Abstract: Hay handling apparatus by which a large, cylindrical bale of hay can be lifted, transported, and deposited, comprising a cradle of a configuration for receiving the bale therewithin. A main frame pivotally supports the cradle so that the cradle can be pivoted from superimposed relationship respective to the frame into contact with the surface of the ground, whereupon the main frame can be forced towards the bale of hay. A cable means is next placed about the bale of hay and winched towards the main frame, whereupon the bale of hay enters the cradle and the cradle is forced to pivot over the center of gravity and into superimposed, supported relationship respective to the main frame.

Abstract: A rotatable and angularly adjustable charging and distribution device for shaft furnaces, particularly blast furnaces, is presented. A cylindrical or frustoconical distribution spout is suspended at three points which define a plane. The three points of suspension are caused to move longitudinally (i.e. substantially vertically) and synchronously whereby the lateral surface of the distribution spout may be caused to move in a path which is virtually conical without rotating the suspension points about the vertical axis of the furnace. The suspension points may be moved either by delivering a driving force to them or by applying a traction force to them.

Abstract: The bale handling apparatus has a portable frame with a forwardly projected tongue connectible with a tractor and rear end sections pivotally connected to wheel and axle units secured together by a transverse connecting means. A bale engaging and lifting structure on the transverse connecting means is pivotally movable about the axes of rotation of the wheels from a bale loading position projected upwardly and rearwardly from the connecting means to a bale transport position projected upwardly and forwardly from such connecting means wherein the bale is supported on the frame forwardly of the wheel axes. When a bale is to be loaded, the apparatus is manipulated to initially locate the bale engaging and lifting structure such that opposite ends of the bale are engaged when the structure is backed into the bale.

Abstract: A pusher device for lift trucks and the like, particularly for sheet-supported loads, in which movement of a pusher structure is effected by a plurality of pusher chains, so constructed that they are rigid when extended in substantially a straight line to compression forces acting along such line but capable of being flexed, in which the free ends of the pusher chains are relatively fixedly disposed and the opposite ends extendable from and retractable towards the movable pusher structure, with the latter carrying the power source for effecting such extension and retraction of the chains. Novel means are also provided for maintaining the chains in desired positions, as well as novel gripping means which facilitates the engagement of the pusher structure with sheet-supported loads and the like.

Abstract: An article carrier adapted to be detachably secured to a golf bag and including a rear wall which slopes upwardly and rearwardly from the bottom wall, so that when the carrier is secured to a golf bag disposed in an inclined position, the carrier bottom wall will be disposed in a substantially horizontal position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a depalletizer for transferring tiers of goods from a pallet onto a take-off surface.The depalletizer incorporates a vertically movable platform which may sequentially be brought into alignment first with a tier of goods and then with the take-off surface. Transfer means movable with the platform first push a tier of goods from a pallet onto the platform and then from the platform onto the take-off surface.

Abstract: An improved chaff collector for towing behind a farm vehicle and receiving chaff therefrom. A conveyor is mounted on the collector and feeds chaff into a rotatably mounted drum. The drum is positioned at the rear of the collector and above the ground surface. When the drum is filled it automatically lowers and rotates on the ground surface unloading the chaff thereon. When the drum has unloaded the chaff it automatically returns to its original unloaded position on the collector.

Abstract: The entrance step-well of a bus or the like converts from regular step mode to a lift mode for use in lifting wheel chair or the like, by extending the bottom of the well and simultaneously folding the intermediate step away from the step-well space. The extended bottom is free for vertical movement between the ground and the bus level.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing waste or the like into a collecting container is associated with a load hopper adapted to receive the waste, and comprises a pair of gripping members for transferring the waste from the load hopper to the collecting container. The gripping members, which are adapted to grip and to compress consecutive portions of waste between themselves and forward these portions to the collecting container, are movable, preferably synchronously and substantially in a common plane, towards and away from each other, as well as towards and away from the collecting container.

Abstract: A floating barge crane that is provided with a heave compensator package between the traveling block of the crane and the load hook of the crane and with the package containing substantially all of the components of a hauldown system. The hauldown system includes four winches which carry hauldown cables that pass from the package to the load and to the stationary structure at circumferentially spaced points to pull the load toward the stationary structure and control lateral, vertical and rotational movement of the load.

Abstract: The strap assembly is adapted to be connected to at least one fixing bar having a width between a predetermined lower limit and a predetermined upper limit. A carrying strap is formed with transverse slot means. A fixing strap has first and second end portions and an intermediate portion and extends through said slot means and is adapted to extend around said fixing bar. Said first and second end portions are adapted to be secured to said carrying strap. Said first end portion has a width equal to said lower limit. Said second end portion has a width equal to said upper limit. Said intermediate portion merges in width into said first and second end portions and gradually increases in width from said first end portion to said second end portion.