Abstract: This invention relates to a control system and method for rotary car dumpers comprising a positioning car, silos and feeders. Such control system comprises three integrated and communicating controls in closed grid, that is, the positioning car control, the silos level control and the feeder flow control. In this way, with the data of these controls, the rotary car dumpers control system is configured to maintain the level of silo at maximum, performing changes in the cycle time by controlling the positioning car to maintain the level of silos and thus achieve maximum productivity of the equipment.

Abstract: A method and means to manage timing and delivery of paving material to refill a paver during a paving operation is provided. The invention employs a semi-automated dump routine to manage the level and condition of material in the dump hopper of the material transfer vehicle (MTV) thereby minimizing flaws in the roadbed otherwise expected. Further, the invention provides for monitoring and managing multiple operational data pertaining to delivery of material related to the paving process to determine and coordinate timing of travel and delivery of the paving material to increase optimal conditions of the paving material to minimize road and pavement defects.

Abstract: A pallet cart including a mechanism to help secure the cart to a forklift. The cart can move through a warehouse with racks of goods and receive signals and store information about the inventory on the racks. The unit can be moved to another location with a forklift. The security mechanism can comprise one or more magnets, retractable structures or other structures to secure the cart to the steel fork of a forklift during transport.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a body coupled to a chassis and defining a refuse compartment configured to store refuse, a refuse collection arm configured to engage and lift a refuse container to unload refuse, and an object detection system configured to provide object detection data relating to locations of objects relative to the refuse vehicle. An actuator controls movement of the refuse collection arm. A controller is configured to use the object detection data to determine if the refuse container is present within an aligned zone relative to the chassis, the aligned zone representing a range of locations in which the refuse collection arm is capable of engaging the refuse container. In response to a determination that the refuse container is within the aligned zone, the controller is configured to provide an indication to an operator that the refuse container is within the aligned zone.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for tilting a container for loading thereof. The apparatus includes a platform and a support frame being pivotally connected to the platform to move between a resting position and a loading position. The apparatus includes a gate operable to move between an open position and a closed position. The apparatus includes a pair of first actuating cylinders, each of the first actuating cylinders being pivotally supported with respect to the platform and fixedly connected to the support frame. The apparatus includes a pair of second actuating cylinders with each of the second actuating cylinders being pivotally connected to the platform and fixedly connected to the support frame. Herein the pair of first actuating cylinders are compressed and the pair of second actuating cylinders are extended to move the support frame from the resting position to the loading position.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a body coupled to a chassis and defining a refuse compartment configured to store refuse, a refuse collection arm configured to engage and lift a refuse container to unload refuse, and an object detection system configured to provide object detection data relating to locations of objects relative to the refuse vehicle. An actuator controls movement of the refuse collection arm. A controller is configured to use the object detection data to determine if the refuse container is present within an aligned zone relative to the chassis, the aligned zone representing a range of locations in which the refuse collection arm is capable of engaging the refuse container. In response to a determination that the refuse container is within the aligned zone, the controller is configured to provide an indication to an operator that the refuse container is within the aligned zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for delivering items to a plurality of storage locations is provided. The system includes a plurality of storage locations. The storage locations may be positioned to provide an aisle and a delivery mechanism may be operable within the aisle to deliver items to the storage locations. A displaceable safety mechanism may be provided to impede access to the aisle from the storage location.

Abstract: A pivot frame assembly pivotably mountable in a fork-carriage apparatus includes: (a) a lower cross member; (b) an upper cross member; (c) a pair of laterally spaced apart first and second side members connecting the upper and lower cross members; (d) a fork assembly mounting shaft supported by the first and second side members; and (e) a reinforced central support member laterally intermediate the first and second side members and connecting the upper and lower cross members.

Abstract: An exemplary ramp system for an automotive vehicle includes a ramp member including an upper ramp surface and a lower ramp surface, the upper ramp surface including a retention feature, a first channel, and a second channel, the lower ramp surface including a guide member, a platform including an upper platform surface and a lower platform surface, the upper platform surface including a guide rail and a support assembly, and a drive assembly coupled to the platform. The drive assembly is actuatable to move the ramp member relative to the platform.

Abstract: An automated guided vehicle with a multistage loading structure includes a vehicle body, and a loader in the vehicle body and operative to load articles in a multistage manner. The loader has a loading unit that is positioned between the articles loaded in the multistage manner and separately loads the articles. The loading unit moves up and down.

Abstract: Vehicle restraints for use at loading docks are described herein. In some embodiments, a vehicle restraint includes a vertically-moving carriage that is operably coupled to a guide track by means of one or more sliding members instead of, or in conjunction with, rollers. The sliding members can have relatively large contact surfaces configured to react the majority of vehicle pull loads applied to the vehicle restraint in use. Because of the relatively large contact surfaces, the pull loads are spread out over a relatively large area of the guide track, thereby reducing the likelihood for the loads to deform or otherwise damage the guide track.

Abstract: Parcel processing systems and methods. A parcel processing system includes a boom conveyor section configured to extend into a loading area, transport parcels into the loading area, and adjust a height of a discharge end of the boom conveyor section. The parcel processing system includes a sensor pod configured to scan the loading area into which the parcels can be placed. The parcel processing system includes a control system configured to determine a placement of the one or more parcels in the loading area, arrange the one or more parcels on the boom conveyor section according to the determined placement, control the boom conveyor section to transport one or more parcels into the loading area, control the height of the discharge end of the boom conveyor section, and place the one or more parcels into the loading area in the determined placement.

Abstract: An inventory handling system includes multiple shelving units for mounting over a horizontal floor. Each shelving unit contains a vertical array of shelves on which containers are placed. One or more floor robots travel among the shelving units along first paths on the floor. One or more lift robots move independently of the floor robots along second paths in a vertical plane over vertical faces of the shelving units, and transfer the containers between the shelves and the floor robots.

Abstract: A removable lift for a hand truck for providing lifting functions to a traditional hand truck. The removable lift includes a motor for causing a toe plate to move up or down. The motor and moving toe plate may be operated using a control panel.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system including at least one autonomous transport vehicle, a transfer deck that defines an undeterministic transport surface for the at least one autonomous transport vehicle, the transfer deck having multiple travel lanes, at least one reciprocating lift, and at least one pickface handoff station connected to the transfer deck and interfacing between the at least one autonomous transport vehicle on the transfer deck and the at least one reciprocating lift so that a pickface is transferred between the at least one reciprocating and the at least one autonomous transport vehicle.

Abstract: A storage system includes a rack with a plurality of layers, each layer including an aisle and a plurality of rows extending from the aisle defining storage locations for items. A shuttle usable with the rack includes a first cart movable along the aisle and a second cart configured to be carriable by the first cart and to be movable along a row. The second cart is configured to carry an item between the first cart and the storage locations. A conveyor is located on one of the first or second carts to move the item onto or off the first cart. Related methods of storing and/or retrieving items from a rack are also disclosed. A rack system is disclosed and is readily assembled without welding, transferring loading so that the weight of the rack and any item stored therein is supported by the upright elements via support brackets.

Abstract: A high visibility push-pull handler configured to be mounted on a lift truck. The handler comprising a frame assembly, a pantograph mechanism coupled to the frame assembly, and a faceplate assembly coupled to the pantograph mechanism. The hander is configured with a view window extending through the handler, the view window not obstructed by parts of the handler when the handler is in any normal operating configuration, including a fully extended configuration, a fully retracted configuration, and any configuration in between the full extended and fully retracted positions.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for opening and emptying a bag of material includes a base having a pair of opposed sides and a central aperture through which material may flow. The system includes a pair of opposed doors rotatably mounted on a pair of door shafts, the edges of the pair of opposed doors forming an opening and a plurality of piercing blades pivotally mounted to the base on a pivot rod, the blades capable of pivoting to pierce said bag. The system further includes a cutting blade mounted transversely below the opening of the opposed doors, the cutting blade capable of linear motion across the opening.

Abstract: A system for disposing waste in a transportation system includes a collection device for collecting waste in the cabin of the transportation system, a separate receptacle device for receiving collected waste from the collection device, and a connection device for selectively connecting the collection device to the receptacle device in order to deliver collected waste from the collection device into the receptacle device. The receptacle device is arranged in a lower deck region underneath the cabin floor. The connection device extends into the receptacle device from the cabin floor and includes a closure that is arranged on or in the cabin floor. The collection device is mechanically couplable to the connection device, and includes a closable output opening aligned with the closure of the connection device in the coupled state. The closure and/or the output opening can only be opened when the collection device is coupled to the receptacle device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for tilting a container for loading thereof. The apparatus includes a platform and a support frame being pivotally connected to the platform to move between a resting position and a loading position. The apparatus includes a gate operable to move between an open position and a closed position. The apparatus includes a pair of first actuating cylinders, each of the first actuating cylinders being pivotally supported with respect to the platform and fixedly connected to the support frame. The apparatus includes a pair of second actuating cylinders with each of the second actuating cylinders being pivotally connected to the platform and fixedly connected to the support frame. Herein the pair of first actuating cylinders are compressed and the pair of second actuating cylinders are extended to move the support frame from the resting position to the loading position.