Abstract: A pick-up means for roller pallets in such applications where the roller pallets (1) run on rails (2) on tracks (3). At the discharge end of the tracks there is a stop (4) preventing the discharge of roller pallets until a pick-up means (6) provided with a travelling surface (5) comes to get the roller pallets meant to be dispatched. The pick-up means of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a slide (8) movable in its longitudinal direction and provided with a transporter (7), said slide being at a pick-up operation movable in under the first roller pallet (1) on the rails (2), while at the same time it will disengage the stop (4) so that the roller pallet moves onto the travelling surface (5) of the pick-up means, being pulled by the slide (8). The pick-up operation is now accomplished with considerably greater safety and speed than with any apparatus of prior art.

Abstract: A trash dumping apparatus adapted to be mounted on a trash pick-up truck alongside the open-top, trash-receiving body thereof operative automatically by unique mechano-hydraulic means to pick-up trash containers and to dump the contents thereof in the body, the mechano-hydraulic means being strong and rugged in construction, durable and relatively trouble free in use to minimize maintenance cost and consequential down time of the vehicle otherwise necessary for servicing and repair of the equipment.

Abstract: In accordance with the method and apparatus of the invention for loading cargo, palletized cargo is pushed off of a pallet as a unit and onto a slinger platform. The slinger platform has a base divided into two platform areas with transverse slots containing cargo slings. The cargo slings are thereafter attached to a hoisting bridle of a crane or the ship's gear, and the loads, supported by the cargo slings, are lifted simultaneously off of the slinger platform and into the ship's hold, where they are landed on a platform or received directly by forklifts for stowage. The cargo slings are unhooked on one side of the load and withdrawn from under the load by the hoisting gear and returned to the dock to repeat the process. Modifications may be made whereby 4, 6, 8 or 10 pallet loads may be lifted simultaneously.

Abstract: A mounting system for stacker cranes designed for handling materials in warehouse storage racks which system includes a depending cylindrical crane supporting post member carried by a suitable overhead track and carriage support structure for permitting the supporting post member to be moved transversely and longitudinally with respect to the warehouse storage racks. The mounting system on the supporting post member includes a radial/thrust bearing mounted on the post which provides vertical and lateral support for the load, and roller means spaced axially along the post from the bearing to engage the outer cylindrical surface of the post to provide lateral support for the crane mounted on the post while permitting the crane to be rotated through an arc of 360.degree. about the axis of the post, the system also including an electrical connection between the post and the crane to permit power to be provided to an electric power source mounted on the crane.

Abstract: A load rotating attachment for a lift truck provided with an elevating carriage has a back plate sub-assembly including an upright wall adapted to be secured to the carriage adjacent and forwardly thereof. A front plate sub-assembly has an upright wall juxtaposed to the back plate wall and pivotally mounted thereon for rotation relative thereto with the major planes of the walls in parallelism. An upright framework is fixed to and extends above the back plate wall and supports a hydraulic ram thereon. A fixed upright of the framework serves as a guide track for a movable guide having a roller arm with guide rollers supported thereon for tracking on the guide track. The piston rod of the ram is pivotally connected to a drive link which in turn is pivotally coupled between and to said movable guide and to the rotatable front wall for bodily travel and pivotal motion in a path extending partially around and radially offset from the pivotal mounting of the front and back walls. This produces a 180.degree.

Abstract: In a transport trailer, an integral loading-ramp system including a rear pivotally-attached ramp, an elevatable front-mounted winch, and structural linkage therebetween that counter-balances the ramp and the winch; enabling quick easy lowering of the ramp and elevating of the winch, and vice versa.

Abstract: A self-propelled wheeled vehicle has a load receiving tank with the driving wheeled suspension system and the driven steering control system directly attached to the load receiving tank. The prime mover and power transmission system is also attached to the tank and interconnected with the driving wheels. An operators cab is attached to the forward end of the load receiving tank. A front loader mechanism is integrated with a top front load receiving opening in the tank and the closure therefor such that movement of the closure simultaneously lifts an interconnected load container, raises same and dumps the load into the load receiving tank and vice-versa. The chassiless vehicle is applicable to rear loader and side loader use.

Abstract: In charging electrothermic smelting furnaces the charge is fed batchwise to the furnace pot through annular charging units arranged more or less concentrically around each electrode. The charge is supplied to each annular charging unit which surrounds each electrode and consists of a rotatable chamber which comprises at least one bottom member and two substantially vertical side walls. The bottom member and the walls are rotated together for supply of charge to the chamber, then the bottom of the chamber is rotated separately from the walls whereby the charge contained between the walls of the chamber is allowed to fall into the furnace pot through at least one closable opening in said bottom member.

Abstract: Silo unloading apparatus of the bottom unloading type is provided, wherein an auger is mounted for rotation on its own axis and for arcuate sweeping motion across the floor of the silo, conveying silage toward a central opening, and a single drive is provided for driving a central shaft that both rotates the auger about its own axis, and which rotates an intermediate mechanism that transfers relatively uniform rotational motion from the shaft into an intermittent rotational motion whereby a ring gear located beneath the center of the silo and which carries the mount for the auger, may be engaged by push-pull mechanisms that function as force or torque multipliers. The ring gear, upon being engaged and moved, caused the incremental sweeping motion of the auger across the floor. A manual adjustment is provided for interrupting the advancing motion of the auger, if desired.

Abstract: An improved sealing and liquid displacement system for a continuous linear pocket feeder for feeding materials from a low pressure to a high pressure region, particularly for feeding coal in a coal conversion process. A dual sealing system including a sphincter followed by a moving labyrinth seal is provided downstream of the hopper from which the coal is fed into moving pockets formed between spaced pistons in the driving chain, and upstream of the unloading station where the materials are deposited in a pressurized vessel. The sphincter is provided with means for adjusting the diameter of the tube surrounding the pistons to form a continuous contact seal. The desired labyrinth seal is formed by providing a close clearance between the pistons and the sealing tube. Downstream of the unloading station, a liquid displacement and gas seal system is provided which serves to displace gas residing within the moving pockets using a displacing liquid.

Abstract: A boat trailer having at least one pivotally mounted crossbar member facilitating loading and unloading a trailer and assuring efficient support of a boat loaded thereon. The crossbar member of the invention is provided with a dropped or curved configuration which supports the hull of a boat at a lowermost position for stability and for effective loading and unloading. The pivotal mounting and curved form of the crossbar member not only maintains the keel or hull as low as possible but naturally permits the hull contacting elements to tilt inwardly without the need for any particular tilting capability. The crossbar member is supported on the trailer booms by an improved bracket having the capability of effectively supporting the crossbar member for pivotal movement.

Abstract: A roll-off hoist is mounted onto a vehicle to swing about a pivot at the aft end of the vehicle while the hoist moves along a slide plate supported by the pivot. A piston and cylinder assembly is coupled between the slide plate and the aft end of the hoist rails. As the hoist rails jut from the rear of the vehicle chassis, other piston and cylinder assemblies cause the forward portion of the hoist rails to swing above the chassis. The aft end portion of the hoist rails descends to ground level to receive the forward portion of a roll-off container which is drawn onto the hoist rails by a powerful winch. The piston and cylinder assemblies connected to the forward portion of the hoist rails are used to swing the hoist rails about the pivot while the piston and cylinder assembly in the rear portion of the hoist rails is inoperative to thereby elevate a container with the forward portion thereof extending high above ground level for dumping material in the container from an opening at the aft portion thereof.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a silo unloader of the type comprising a first electrical motor for driving a gathering apparatus located on the top of the bulk material and a second electrical motor operating a winch to which is suspended the gathering apparatus for lifting, holding in position at the same level or lowering this gathering apparatus into the silo. The method comprises the steps of measuring the current supplied to the first motor and controlling the second motor for lifting, holding in position at the same level or lowering the gathering apparatus in accordance with the measured value of the current. The control device comprises a current detector and an accurate rectifying amplifier for generating a measure signal in relation with the current supplied to the first motor.

Abstract: A tail-gate assembly comprises a stationary support, a slide mounted on the stationary support, a platform pivotally mounted on the slide, a latch member mounted on and projecting laterally from said loading platform, a latch plate mounted on said stationary support. The latch plate has a latch notch formed therein which has an entrance way opening in a direction to admit the latching member. The notch is proportioned to receive said latch member in a close fitting relationship so as to provide a vertical restraint limiting vertical movement and a rotational restraint limiting rotational movement of said platform.

Abstract: A case feeder conveyor system is provided with an accumulation conveyor and a central conveyor which is located on an elevator, the accumulation conveyor, at a transfer station, is provided with a pusher bar that extends the length of the accumulation conveyor whereby a predetermined number of cases on this conveyor can be transferred to the central conveyor at one time.

Abstract: A pivotable arch structure (18) having an integral log bunk (30) is pivotable at one end (P) thereof relative to a main frame (15). The log bunk (30) includes several longitudinally arranged bunk webs (36) which are bolstered by laterally arranged support beams (38) connected thereto. A bumper (40) is arranged adjacent the end of the bunk webs (36) near the pivot axis (22). The longitudinal disposition of the bunk webs (36) promotes longitudinal log travel thereon while the bumper (40) guides logs initially engaged therewith in a direction to promote their subsequent engagement with the bunk webs (36). The longitudinally arranged bunk webs (36) also provide high operator visibility for various pivotal positions of the arch structure (18).

Abstract: A rail mounted carriage supporting a multishelf press loader is reciprocable between a sheet charger, which loads an individual lay-up of sheet material onto each of the loader shelves, and a multiplaten press for processing such lay-ups. After all of the loader shelves are charged with lay-ups, swingable upright lay-up-centering rods slide all of the lay-ups simultaneously farther onto the loader shelves until the leading edges of the lay-ups abut against movable stops supported adjacent to the leading or press end of the loader. The carriage is moved to the press, and the stops are raised out of edgewise registration with the lay-ups, whereupon all of the shelves and their lay-ups are moved past the raised stops and into the open press between its platens. The stops then are lowered behind the trailing edges of the lay-ups and shifted a short distance into the press to slide the lay-ups farther into the press. The stops hold the lay-ups in the press as the shelves are slid out from beneath the lay-ups.

Abstract: A transportable bin-type container having opposed side and end walls and opposed top and bottom walls, the container including a pair of outwardly extending pivot shafts extending from the opposed end walls to define a pivot axis. The container is adapted to be received on a truck bed, or the like, wherein a pair of spaced bearing support members are provided that extend upwardly from the truck bed in substantially parallel relationship, and that are spaced a distance slightly greater than the spacing between the end walls of the container. The bearing support members include an upper surface and an elongated, upwardly facing opening to receive one of the pivot shafts of the container, the opening including a pair of spaced, substantially parallel walls the outermost of which is longer than the innermost to define a transverse stop means for the pivot shafts when the container is being loaded on the truck bed.

Abstract: A support body having a plurality of grasping fingers on opposite sides which are shaped in the form of an arc of a circle. The fingers move in a circular path for grasping and releasing articles with a minimum of clearance along the side of the articles. An arm supports each of the fingers by one end and has the second end of the arm rotationally supported from the support body at an angle. The first end of the arm is at an angle to the plane of the supported finger and the second end is at an angle to the first end. A lever is connected between the support body and the first ends of each arm for rotating the first ends about the second ends. A conveying system may be used with the pick up and release apparatus having a conveyor with spaced rollers in which compression plates are positioned at each end of the rollers for compressing the article for pickup.

Abstract: Apparatus for introducing silicon wafers in magazines into a process tube of a furnace or diffusion oven. At least two spaced silica tubes closed at the end next adjacent the process tube constitute supporting members for the loaded magazines and a clamping device holds and supports said members cantilever-fashion by that end thereof remote from the process tube. Motor means are associated with the clamping device for moving the supporting members with the loaded magazines thereon into and out of the process tube in a substantially horizontal direction in such a manner that the magazines and their supporting members remain entirely suspended throughout the loading, processing and unloading operations: thus no part thereof comes into contact with the interior wall of the process tube.