Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for a load hoist comprising a load device supported by a lifting cable and a driver for driving the load device in a horizontal direction. The driver is arranged to be actuated by the movement of the lifting cable in the lateral direction in order to displace a supported load device, together with an associated load, in an appropriate direction. The displacement may be controlled by load personnel who maneuver the load device, causing the load to move in a desired direction. The invention results in simple and efficient actuation of a load hoist.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading cartons (11, 12) which arrive on feed conveyors (13, 14) onto pallets (10) is disclosed. A palletizer (15 ) is used for loading the catons (11, 12) arriving on feed conveyors (13, 14 ) onto the pallet (10). This palletizer (15) lifts the cartons (11, 12) off the feed conveyor (13, 14 ) with a suction head (27) and conducts upward and downward movements as well as pivoting movements in order to deposit the cartons (11, 12) on the pallet (10). To increase the capacity of the palletizer (15), it is equipped with two independently operating articulated arms (16, 17 ) which both load cartons (11, 12) onto a pallet (10). As a result, the capacity of the palletizer (15 ) is increased while the operating velocity of the articulated arms (16, 17) remains invariable.

Abstract: Weighed, rod-like product is deposited into a receptacle having a bottom wall formed by an iris plate assembly, which may be vibrated and which opens on command to drop the product into one of two cylindrical holding canisters with clamshell doors on their sides. The canisters are mounted in an "L" configuration which toggles back and forth through a 90 degree rotation presenting each canister first in a vertical position to receive product from the receptacle and then in a horizontal position to release product via the clamshell doors into a pocket such as a timing hopper, or a paperboard tray carried by a conveyor to a packaging machine. Interlocks are provided to preclude release of the product or movement of the conveyor when synchronization is lost with respect to either the weighing or packaging machine.

Abstract: A stick feeder comprising a stick for carrying a plurality of semiconductor devices housed therein, a holding block for receiving and holding semiconductor devices discharged sequentially from the stick; and a plurality stop members selectively detachably mounted to the holder for stopping semiconductor devices discharged from the said stick to the holding block, the width of the holding block being adjustable in a direction perpendicular to the workpiece feeding direction, and the mounting position of the stop member being adjustable with respect to the holder so that the stop position of a semiconductor device can be adjusted in the workpiece holding portion by varying the mounting position of the stop member.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for unrolling spirally wound bales of hay which are moved by hydraulic or electric operated bale spikes mounted on a vehicle such as a truck or tractor. The device is comprised of a tubular axle sleeve which fits over the bale impaling spike and is impaled along with the impaling spike into the hay bale when the bale is to be transported by the vehicle. After the bale is moved, the impaling spike is withdrawn leaving the axle sleeve impaled in the center of the bale. Bearings are employed at opposed ends of the axle which are free to rotate on the axle and are connected to lines on opposite sides of the rear of the vehicle. Movement of the truck causes the lines to rotate the axis of the bale from an axial position in alignment with the axis of the truck 90.degree. in order that the bale can be unwound in the manner of a spool to leave a mat-like web of hay upon the ground for feeding livestock.

Abstract: A parking tower includes a number of layers, one or more parking units formed in each of the layers, an elevator movable up and down to each of the layers, a lateral movement device slidably supported on the elevator, a longitudinal movement device slidably supported on the lateral movement device, a rotating device rotatably supported on the longitudinal movement device, and a frame disposed on the rotating device and rotated by the rotating device. A carrier is moved and rotated by the lateral movement device, the longitudinal movement device, and the rotating device in order to align with the parking units.

Abstract: A hoisting arrangement for a trolley (1) of a container crane with two motor-driven cable drums (2a, 2b), with cable rollers (4a-4d) arranged on the roller traverse (5), and with hoisting cables (3a-3d) guided between the cable fixed points (8a-8d) and the cable drums (2a, 2b). Hoisting arrangement provides cable drums (2a) and (2b) arranged, together with their drives (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b), offset in parallel by the drum diameter (12). A maximum cable distance (10) with fully wound cable drum (2a, 2b) is provided to correspond approximately to the distance (11) of the cable roller pairs (4a, 4b) and (4c, 4d) on the roller traverse (5), as well as approximately to the distance (9) of the cable fixed points (8a, 8b) and (8c, 8d) on the trolley frame (1). The cable drums (2a, 2b) are of double-thread design. During lowering, the cables (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) run on the cable drums (2a, 2b) in the inward direction and define the cable runoff path (15).

Abstract: A loading dock-aid is described that facilitates the lifting and placing of heavy dock plates between the edge of a dock and the back end of a delivery truck. The dock-aid has a lifting boom with a hooked end portion that is inserted into prescribed holes in the dock plate and that is connected via a yoke framework to a roller and an extended handle. The handle provides leverage for a workman to exert pressure thereon and lift up the dock plate. The roller allows the workman to position the whole apparatus in a specific location to then lower the dock plate over the gap between the truck and the dock.

Abstract: A cart for transporting and moving die sets having an air powered/hydraulic fluid drive system to move the cart and die sets thereon. A hydraulic pump is driven by an air pressure powered motor and different hydraulic motors move the cart and move the die sets on the cart. A laterally movable die set transfer device is connected to one die set in one adjacent stamping press and to a second die set positioned on the cart to move the first die set from the one press and to move the second die set off the cart and into a second press.

Abstract: Weighed, rod-like product is deposited into a receptacle having a bottom wall formed by an iris plate assembly, which may be vibrated and which opens on command to drop the product into one of two cylindrical holding canisters with clamshell doors on their sides. The canisters are mounted in an "L" configuration which toggles back and forth through a 90 degree rotation presenting each canister first in a vertical position to receive product from the receptacle and then in a horizontal position to release product via the clamshell doors into a pocket such as a timing hopper, or a paperboard tray carried by a conveyor to a packaging machine. Interlocks are provided to preclude release of the product or movement of the conveyor when synchronization is lost with respect to either the weighing or packaging machine.

Abstract: Foldable link rod system to be placed on a travelling frame comprises pivotally suspended link rods (16, 18) for raising and lowering an operation platform (14). A rotating stool (20) constitutes the connection between two link rods (16 and 18) which are placed in continuation to each other. The one part of the rotating stool (20) is linked to the free end of the first link rod (16) which at its opposite end is pivotally linked to a swinging rod system (26, 28, 30, 32). The second link rod (18) is linked to the other part of the rotating stool and at its other end it is linked to the operation platform (14). The two link rods are pivotal by means of each of their swinging devices (54-70) which are supported on the travelling frame (10, 12) and the rotating stool (20), respectively.

Abstract: A multi-vehicle transport system for the transportation of bulk material such as trash and the like is disclosed. The multi-vehicle transport system includes a primary load vehicle operable to go to remote areas and discharge the contents of a standard bin into a hopper, and a secondary load vehicle operable using a hydraulically actuated fork lift system to lift and discharge the contents of the hopper from the primary load vehicle into the secondary load vehicle. A method of multi-vehicle transport of bulk materials is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring leaking drums to a salvage drum utilizing a liftgate assembly having a vertical rail for supporting a liftgate and a drive mechanism for raising and lowering the vertical rail, the apparatus including a lift boom assembly having a chain mounted thereon with a drum lifting clamp secured to the chain for engaging the leaking drum and a pair of tubular pocket assemblies mounted in a vertically spaced relation on the vertical rail and a pair of pin assemblies mounted on the lift boom assembly for matingly engaging the pocket assembly whereby the lift boom assembly can be pivoted with respect to the liftgate assembly and removed for storage in the vehicle.

Abstract: There is disclosed a mobile crane having at least one hollow load bearing support member which is rotatable about a base. The load bearing support member is pivotally connected to a hollow boom which telescopically receives a plurality of secondary hollow and interengageable booms. The load bearing support member and boom are pivotally connected by an inwardly collapsible support. The crane cable is connected to a drive source and extends within the hollow booms and load bearing support member and is releasably retained by at least one boom. The crane may be automatically unfolded from a storage position when the boom is substantially parallel to the mast, to an operational position when the boom is angularly inclined to the load bearing support member.

Abstract: An improved bridge crane electric motor control system is disclosed, wherein a computer, a programmable controller, is employed to not only control the application of electrical energy to the motors of a bridge crane but also to count and store the instances of overload and of use. The controller is operated in accordance with a computer program which is disclosed and information relating to use is accessible by maintenance workers who may read out the amount of use and abuse of the crane and its motors and take corrective steps. The system provides greater security against unauthorized modification in the field by the operators and employs fewer and more reliable parts than previous such systems.

Abstract: An improved locomotive crane boom generally indicated at 10 has of a first member 11, second member 12, and third member 13 each pivotally connected at various pivot points to one another and to locomotive crane 14. A series of pistons and cylinders, 19, 20 and 21, powered by hydraulic pump 23 and fluid source 34, may be selectively extracted or retracted thereby permitting the improved boom to be positioned at any point along the length of a typical gondola car 17 to be unloaded. In operation, locomotive crane 14 with the included improved boom 10 does not need to be uncoupled from gondola car 17 for unloading since the improved boom may be articulated such that unloading magnet 24 or any other appended appliance may be positioned across the entire length of car 17 through the selected extraction and retraction of the pistons and cylinders and pivoting of the boom members 11, 12 and 13.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a clamping device to be mounted to an elet of a crane and which provides contact surfaces for limit switches that maintain the movement of a movable crane structure within predetermined limits. The clamping device defines a body having a top wall which is contacted by the limit switches and a side wall which cooperates with a plunger to clamp the device to the crane element. The plunger is spring-biased so that its head applies constant pressure against the crane element. The housing, in which the plunger is contained, includes a handle which acts as a lever to compress the spring to allow retraction of the head from the crane element and quick removel of the clamping device from the crane element.

Abstract: So as to avoid installing a heavy remote handling machine in a containment comprising a lifting unit, such as a travelling crane, the present invention proposes an autonomous remote handling machine (20) suitable for being suspended from the hook (b 16) of this crane. This machine (20) includes a support (22), a gripping arm (24) and a counterweight (26) being joined to said support around a normally horizontal axis (26). A device (44) detects any possible slanting of the support (22) with respect to vertical in order to control any modification of the orientation of the counterweight (26), independently of the orientation of the arm, so as to annul any detected slanting.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving two individual bins between their separate loading stations and a common unloading station includes a length of conveyor on which one bin always rests and a set of pivotable lever arms, the other bin being connected to one end of one set of lever arms. Another set of lever arms is connected to the first lever arms and carries cam followers which are constrained to simultaneously follow two sets of cam tracks, one of which is stationary within the apparatus and the other of which is affixed to the one bin. When a bin at the unloading station is empty the apparatus will move that bin to its own loading station while bringing the other bin from its loading station to the unloading station. Interaction between the cam followers and the cam tracks moves the one bin back or forth on the conveyor while the other bin member is moved in a vertically arcuate path. The loading station of the other bin is vertically spaced above the loading station of the one bin.

Abstract: Cranes having multisection booms have an apparatus for interconnecting boom sections mounted at the ends of the boom sections. The apparatus for interconnecting the boom sections has: on a first boom section, an upper hook member with its concave portion being concave inwardly towards a central longitudinal axis of the boom section; on a second boom section, an upper fork member, having a pair of extending flange portions supporting a bolt member for being received within the upper hook member during interconnection; upper abutment surfaces, which are planar and are perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the boom sections, and which are located on the end of the upper hook member and between the pair of flanges of the upper fork member; and a lower strap member on a first boom section for being disposed within a lower fork member on a second boom section during interconnection.