Abstract: A leveler bar for a coke oven is controlled in its travel toward and away from the coke side of the oven by semi-automatic means to move the leveler bar during a "cycle" mode through half strokes and during the "finish" mode it performs four "full" strokes of which a full stroke can mean a 3/4 distance of full travel across the oven. Electrical circuitry which modifies or adds to prior art circuitry to accomplish this leveler bar movement is included herein.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transferring articles, such as concrete blocks, from a conveyor to a curing kiln and return comprise a carriage movable along a path leading from the block conveyor to any selected one of a number of curing kilns. The carriage supports a rotary turntable on which is mounted a transfer vehicle provided with article supporting forks that are vertically movable so as to shift articles off and onto the block conveyor, deposit the articles within the kiln, and retrieve the articles from the kiln. The transfer vehicle is movable horizontally relatively to the turntable to enable the article supporting forks to overlie the block conveyor, and the transfer vehicle also is movable horizontally relatively to the turntable and carriage into and out of the selected kiln.

Abstract: A high lift truck with telescopic boom improves upon and widens the scope of performance offered by existing high lifts of the type. Its essential feature, basically, is that of providing a second telescopic boom (16) fixed immovably to the top end of the first raise-and-lower boom (4) which is likewise telescopic, and hinges at bottom with a mounting (7) on the truck chassis; the two booms thus associated creating an obtuse angle such that the second boom will project forward along the line of the truck axis when boom (4) aforesaid is fully raised.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing sprinkler pipe from a field in which the sprinkler pipe is disposed in rows in the field with the sprinkler pipe in each row being formed of serially connected lengths of sprinkler pipe having an elongate framework. Ground engaging means is carried by the framework. First and second sprockets are rotatably mounted on the framework in positions spaced apart longitudinally of the framework. An endless chain is mounted on the sprockets. A drive motor is provided. Control means for connecting and disconnecting the drive motor is provided to one of said sprockets. At least one attachment is carried by the chain. The attachment is adapted to engage lengths of the sprinkler pipe whereby as the chain is advanced the length of pipe connected there is withdrawn from the field and carried onto the elongate framework.

Abstract: A truck latch for use with a motor vehicle equipped with an ICC bumper or bar for restraining the unexpected departure of the motor vehicle. The truck latch is securable to a loading dock for coaction with the ICC bumper for a motor vehicle parked adajcent thereto. The truck latch is in the form of a tubular latch element having a hook-like restraining device extending therefrom. The latch element is vertically mounted to be bidirectionally axially movable and rotatable in a tubular supporting structure to be positioned in a coupled or de-coupled relationship with the ICC bumper. The latched condition of the truck latch may be electrically signalled by a switching element located to sense the travel of the latch element and to be operated thereby when the latch is coupled to the bumper.

Abstract: A boat trailer having a winch at its forward end, and a pivotal rod at its rearward end with a float on the rod for raising it from a generally horizontal position toward an upright position as the trailer is backed into the water. The rod has an eye for engaging a hook on the winch line to support it for a user in a boat to connect the line to the bow of the boat.

Abstract: This invention relates, in one embodiment, to a refuse handling device having an elongated frustro-conical body of uniform octagonal cross-section with a loading opening and a spaced discharge opening. There is disclosed a compactor having a two-part compacting platen adapted to guide refuse entering the body through the upper loading opening into a position to be acted upon by the lower part of the compacting platen and capable of longitudinal movement within the body. The body is pivotally mounted on a chassis and is capable of pivoting upwardly away from the chassis to dump refuse contained in the body out through the discharge opening. An alternate embodiment of the invention in a side loading refuse handling device is also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns an automatic handrail for a platform lift which automatic handrail is pivoted along one side of the foldable platform along an axis perpendicular to that of the hinge of the platform for oscillating movement from an inoperative position parallel to the plane of the platform when the platform is in its vertical inoperative position, into a vertical operative position in a plane orthogonal to the plane of the platform when the platform is in its horizontal operative position. This movement of the handrail is affected by an oscillating cam arm anchored to the pivotal connection of the reciprocating motor for oscillating the platform, which cam arm engages a cam plate mounted on the side of the pivoted handrail. The handrail is normally urged into its inoperative position parallel to the plane of the platform by a resilient means. A stop may be provided for limiting the movement of the handrail into its vertical operative position.

Abstract: A device for emptying containers into a collector, in particular for emptying dustbins into dust-carts, in which a plate-shaped or bow-shaped contact element for the container to be emptied is attached in the lower region of the swivel arm of a tipping device or the lifting and tipping frame of a lift and tip device and is equipped with safety devices protecting it against the effect of impacts.

Abstract: Apparatus for charging materials under compression into a receptacle, from a hopper, with the aid of charging and compressing means displaceable on guides, by means of actuating units, particularly jacks, characterized in that the charging and compressing means are constituted by two components (1,6) hinged (3) to one another at the lower end of an upper component (6).

Abstract: A shed for storing containers in a three-dimensional system essentially including rails laid on the floor, a crane movably supported on the rails, an elevating member on the crane for vertical elevatory movement, a spreader frame mounted on the elevating member for movement in a horizontal direction, brackets on the spreader frame capable of moving vertically, twist lock pins each twistably attached to one of the brackets, three-dimensional shelves arranged on the floor along the rails, and guides located horizontally on each of the shelves. The spreader frame is thrust from the elevating member toward one of the shelves, and the brackets are moved downwardly on to a container on the shelf while supporting the spreader frame by guides mounted on the shelf, to bring the twist lock pins into engagement with the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gently holding, lifting and rotating a drum which may contain hazardous waste and may be likely to rupture, characterized in that an open-ended overpack is lowered around the drum and held fixed in relation to the floor while a platform slides beneath the overpack and drum, the overpack then being clamped by a lid against the platform and then elevated and rotated so that the drum therewithin is disposed in an upside-down position.

Abstract: A roller bed vehicle is provided which includes selectively elevatable rollers positioned in openings in a vehicle load carrying bed. A roller actuator mechanism array selectively raises and lowers the rollers so that a load may slide across the raised rollers to load and unload onto the bed and the rollers may be lowered below the bed top surface to facilitate the load resting on the bed when transported by the vehicle.

Abstract: Nuclear fuel rod bundle transferring apparatus is disclosed for transferring a bundle of the rods along a path from a first container to a second container. The apparatus includes a set of rollers mounted to permit the distance between the axes of the rollers to be varied from a first distance sufficient to receive the bundle of fuel rods to a second distance less than said first distance, wherein the rollers engage opposing sides of the bundle of nuclear fuel rods. A hatch is disposable between a first position intercepting the path and retaining the bundle of fuel rods within the first container, and a second position permitting the bundle of nuclear fuel rods to be transferred from the first container to the second container.

Abstract: A self-propelled harvester or combine is provided with a bifolding panel structure at the lateral side thereof on which a bin unloader tube is swingable from an outwardly extending unloading position to a transport position alongside the panel structure. When the unloader tube is in its transport position, the lower part of the panel structure can be pivoted about its pivot connection with the upper part of the panel structure between closed and open positions, but the unloading tube in its transport position prevents opening the upper part of the panel structure. When the unloader tube is raised, the upper part can be moved from its closed to its open position.A linear air spring or actuator biasingly maintains the lower part of the panel structure in whichever of its open and closed positions it is placed, and when the upper part is swung to its open position, it is maintained in that position by the linear actuator.

Abstract: An improved refuse compactor comprising a compactor body, a pusher blade assembly longitudinally movable back and forth along approximately the whole length of the chamber, a carriage behind the pusher blade and also being guided for longitudinal back and forth movement along approximately half the length of the chamber, a first pair of fluid cylinders operatively associated between the carriage and the pusher blade, and a second pair of fluid cylinders operatively associated between the front end of the compaction chamber and the carriage, the arrangement being such that compacted waste material within the chamber is ejected by firstly actuating one pair of the cylinders and then the other said pair.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving a wheelchair into and out of an automobile under the control of a disabled person using the wheelchair. The apparatus comprises a wheelchair supporting assembly secured to the interior roof of the automobile rearwardly of the driver's seat, the wheelchair supporting assembly being movable generally laterally inwardly and outwardly of the automobile when the driver's door is open and having means at its outer end for engaging and lifting the wheelchair. When the disabled person approaches an automobile in the wheelchair, he opens the driver's door, moves the wheelchair close to the automobile and positions himself on the driver's seat in the automobile. Thereafter, he actuates suitable control means on the dashboard to extend the wheelchair supporting assembly laterally outwardly of the automobile.

Abstract: A cargo transfer system (10) for loading a unit-load (26) into and unloading the unit-load from the lower hold (12) of an aircraft fuselage (14) and for transferring the unit-load into and out of storage position along the fuselage, includes a tiltable platform (22) constructed with a lateral belt drive in the form of conveyors (32) to receive the unit-load from ground equipment. After receipt of the unit-load (26) the platform (22) is returned to a horizontal position thereby causing the unit-load to be removed from the lateral belt conveyors (32) and instead supported by a longitudinal belt drive in the form of belt conveyors (34) and (35) mounted on the lower deck (24) of the aircraft.

Abstract: A fifth wheel wrecker hoist is illustrated having apparatus which affords longitudinal adjustment between the fifth wheel and the boom which includes a longitudinal guide having a plurality of spaced openings for use in connection with a support carried by the fifth wheel having a retractable plunger for engaging one of the openings respectively for positioning the boom in a desired adjusted position.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting of bags containing tricklable materials, as well as for separating the goods from bag parts, with a sieve drum and separate outlets for the bag parts, oversized particles, and the goods to be discharged, comprising a bag guidance with a floor inclined in dependence of the load, in a quasi-uniform, upper-and-lower engagement of the cutters to the bag, the cutters being coaxially and peripherally aligned with respect to one another, as well as for a uniform fragmentation and distribution of the goods to be discharged over the length of the sieve drum through accumulation rings.