Abstract: A backhoe loader has a rearward backhole mechanism having a swing frame pivotally connected to a tractor main frame on a pair of vertical pivots. A backhoe boom is swingable on a transverse pivot carried by the swing frame by actuation of a hydraulic cylinder, and the booom being swingable between rearward operating positions and a generally upright transport position. The boom is lockable in its transport position by a mechanism that includes a T-shaped latch member that is swingably mounted on the swing frame on a horizontal pivot, the swinging movement being controlled by a control lever and cable system actuable from the vehicle operator station.

Abstract: A loading arrangement for loading fluids onto a ship at sea comprises a coupling manifold on board the ship. A pulling line, which is connected with a winch on board the ship and comprises a loading fork with two diverging parts which at a respective end are connected to a coupling head, may be guided on board and towards the winch, via a guide pulley which is mounted on board the ship to be movable in a controlled manner in the direction of pulling line towards and away from the winch. The coupling manifold is mounted to be slewable about a horizontal axis, so that it may be slewed towards and away from the loading fork. The coupling manifold has a guiding member in the shape of a curved screen, which in a vertical plane has a trapezoid shape and passes through a triangular area of the loading fork between the two parts.

Abstract: An implement mounting apparatus for use with utility tractors, lawn and garden tractors and riding front mowers and other vehicles which allows removable mounting and use of numerous attachments for performing multiple grounds maintenance, yard and lawn care or gardening functions. A support frame includes an upper member for positioning and a bottom member for supporting implements such as lift forks, a tool organizer, a work platform and housing body. The support frame is rigidly or pivotally mountable on a three-point hitch, a mounting/lift frame having a support strut, or a tow bar assembly. Wheels may be added for use of the apparatus with a tow bar as a trailer. The housing body is useful with a scraper blade as a plow, or may be easily converted to a hopper assembly or scoop by adding hopper or scoop members. The hopper assembly may be opened to dump contained material with a spring biased latch mechanism which may be locked closed. The scoop member is secured in position with the same latch mechanism.

Abstract: A system for controlling x, y and z directional movement of a point adjacent to the free end of an arm composed of a plurality of interconnected articulated arm segments mounted for movement relative to at least three axes and providing for individual, independent control of movement of the point in any selected one of the x, y or z directions by controllably relatively adjusting the relationships between the segments. The system is particularly suitable for use in equipment when the arm incorporates a boom and stick such as backhoes or the like.

Abstract: A telescopic manipulation arm includes a module formed by two segments and a toggle joint. All movements of the toggle joint are transmitted across the module by identical mechanisms in such a way that the friction and inertia are the same for each movement. These mechanisms incorporate shafts positioned equidistantly of an axis in the lower segment and shafts positioned equidistantly of the axis in an upper segment. Shafts are provided for carrying identical pinions, which engage on identical toothed gears, and which are also engaged on substantially identical pinions rotatable with the shafts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for piling in stacks a plurality of successive individual battery plates moving at a high rate of speed. Synchronized plates are transferred to a carrier conveyor which advances them into work stations with the leading edge of each plate raised generally vertically above its trailing edge. Sequentially in one and another of the stations, each plate is rapidly stopped so that a plurality of succeeding synchronized plates are each disengaged from the carrier and deposited in a stack on an elevator underlying each station. The elevator is retracted as each plate is deposited so that the next plate can be received on the stack. Periodically, the depositing of plates is switched from one station to another and stacks of plates are removed from the elevator associated with each station so that another stack can be formed on the elevator.

Abstract: A large round bale handling apparatus has a mobile frame with a pair of laterally-spaced longitudinal beams which can receive and support large round bales end-to-end in a row with their axes generally aligned and extending parallel to the beams. The apparatus also has a bale pickup mechanism, a bale pushing mechanism, and a bale unloading mechanism, each mounted to the mobile frame. The bale pickup mechanism is pivotally mounted adjacent the front and along one side of the mobile frame for movement between horizontal bale-engaging and upright bale-discharging positions.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for picking up, transferring and depositing lightweight articles. The apparatus includes a driven rotary member having a pluality of tubular arms extending from circumferentially spaced portions of the member. The ends of these arms pass through a portion of a receptacle in which the articles are stored and suction is set up on these arms at their ends as moved through the receptacle to attract articles thereto. An extracting mechansim is positioned in close proximity to the arc created by the ends of the tubular arms and applies a vacuum, greater than the vacuum applied by said tubular arms, to extract the articles from the tubular arms and transfer the articles to a point of deposit.

Abstract: An extendable boom fork lift vehicle is described wherein the boom and its actuator are positioned over the rear axle of the vehicle such that the weight of the frame between the front and rear axles and behind the rear axle may be reduced. A modified boom and jib are also described wherein the jib may be selectively fixed relative one telescoping member of the boom. A light-duty carriage is provided to operably engage and articulate a secondary heavy-duty carriage.

Abstract: An apparatus for single-handed operation in skidding logs, stumps, poles and the like. An A-frame with rearwardly-extending beam is attached to the three-point hitch of a tractor. A fluid-operated grapple, which will inherently adjust to various shapes and sizes of objects, is suspended from the rearward end of the beam. A chain, having a small amount of slack, is connected by its ends to the grapple tongs, and is rove around sleeved bolts near the draft arm attachment points. When the object to be skidded is grappled and lifted, the operator moves the tractor in the desired direction, and the chain immediately takes the towing load.

Abstract: A container for sorting and collecting of recoverable waste products has fixed partitions providing discrete compartments for those products. Each compartment incorporates its own independently sloped floor. At the bottom of the slope of each compartment is an exteriorly communicable door which allows for unloading of the container without the tipping of the container. Loading doors at the tops of the compartments allow for easier loading of the container. The rear compartment has a rearwardly opening unloading door, while the intermediate and forward compartments preferably open and unload through side doors. The top of the structure is open for loading. A cover and connection between the apparatus and the cover is disclosed herein. The container is made to tow behind a powered vehicle and is mounted upon an undercarriage with wheels.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder and short lead screw driven travel arm or machinery movement unit achieving infinitely variable travel through the design limits of travel imposed thereon. In one working configuration using 1", 2", 4" and 8" travel pneumatic cylinders and a 1" travel screw together yield a sixteen inch travel range with an infinite range of fully programmable settings through selected activation of cylinders along with the selected vernier setting of the 1" threaded travel screw. The travel range of settings may be increased even further by adding additional travel cylinders and increased length travel guide structure adequate for such increased travel range of settings, for example, addition of a 5" travel cylinder extends the range of settings to a maximum of twenty one inches.

Abstract: A bottle handling device comprising a tool for grasping the sides of the bottles, the tool being tiltably mounted to one end of a flexible cord and the other end of the cord is coupled to a balancing device for balancing the grasping tool and developing a balancing force that is adjustable between two values depending on whether the tool is loaded or unloaded. The device also has a support table for supporting a plurality of bottles standing in a row, and a backing piece mounted along the table in order to accommodate the tilting of the bottles while the value of the balance force is changing.

Abstract: A two-dimensional positioning mechanism, comprising a moveable platform, a first translating device connected to the platform to move the platform in a first direction, and a second translating device connected to the platform to move the platform in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The first translating device includes first and second links, each of which is pivotally connected to the platform, and a first linear actuator pivotally connected to the first and second links to move those links in the first direction. The first and second links, the moveable platform and the linear actuator form a pivotal parallelogram structure to maintain the orientation of the platform substantially constant during movement thereof. Preferably, the positioning mechanism further includes a control system connected to the first and second translating devices to control those translating devices to move the platform from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A lift unit for lifting and inverting waste containers for emptying. The waste containers are of the type having an enlarged lip proximate the mouth of the container. The lift unit includes grippers for gripping the enlarged lip of the container and lifting arms for lifting and inverting the waste container for emptying while gripped by the enlarged lip. The lift unit includes a support for supporting the side of the waste container while the container is being lifted and inverted. The grippers are carried by the lifting arms. The pair of opposed lifting arms can be adjusted to waste containers of different heights and widths.

Abstract: A see-saw motion loading device for a loading platform makes use of an auxiliary chassis installable on the frame of a vehicle carrier. At least one see-saw motion rocking member cooperates with a fixed base, and preferably also with a base movable towards and away from the fixed base. A device, such as a hydraulic jack or the like is provided for opening and closing of the see-saw motion rocking member.

Abstract: A control mechanism for operating a backhoe is disclosed wherein the controls are adaptable to be configured in a selected one of a two lever system, a three lever system, or a four lever system. The control mechanism includes a first pivot axis on which the control levers are pivotally mounted and a second pivot axis on which a series of bell cranks are pivotally mounted. Various linkages interconnect the control levers with the bell cranks, and the bell cranks with hydraulic valve spools in a manner in which the valve body does not have to be reconfigured depending upon which the control system is utilized. The control levers are configured with a pivot casting having a bent control rod threadably received therein, the position of which is fixed by a lock nut permitting the control handle to be positioned in the orientation desired by the operator.

Abstract: Apparatus for lifting and positioning mobile homes has a slide movably mounted upon a track. An elevator is supported on the slide. Hydraulic cylinders are provided for independently raising and lowering opposite ends of an elevator platform and for sliding the slide and the elevator supported thereon. A utility vehicle is hitched to the slide.

Abstract: An excavator arm with basic boom 12, intermediate boom 14 and shovel stem 16 with digging implement is connected to a support part 86 which can be driven directly or indirectly into rotation about a vertical axis 84. In order to dig trenches with vertical walls outside the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and to achieve an advantageous transport position, the intermediate boom 14 consists of a front part 14a, a rear part 14b and a common rotary joint 20, the most advantageous transport position being achieved by rotating by 180.degree. the front part 14a, about the axis of rotation 22 set vertically, from the extended operational position relative to the rear part 14b.

Abstract: A device that attaches to a pneumatic tired convertible rail highway vehicle for the purpose of shunting electrical current of railroad tracks so that the current will actuate signaling devices. The shunt mechanism is actuated by raising and lowering the guide. No other actuation is needed. The shunt mechanism is located between the road wheel and the rail wheel. A wire or carbon brush makes electrical contact and closely follows the guide wheel. The shunt mechanism is mounted on shafts allowing adjustment for the gauge of the track. A reinforcing bar prevents radial twisting of the carbon or wire brush. A spring provides a light constant tension against the carbon or wire brush to insure electrical contact.